Film: Airplane!, Robert Hayes, Leslie Nielsen

This is a spoof of the airport disaster movies. When the crew of an airplane are struck by some form of virus, the fate of the passengers depends on an ex-war pilot who is the only one able to land the plane safely! The passengers represent a selection of interesting wacky characters who seem to take every word for its literal meaning.

Film: The Awful Truth, Cary Grant, Irene Dunne

Films: Classic Comedies

The Awful Truth (DVD): Irene Dunne, Cary Grant

Unfounded suspicions lead a married couple to begin divorce proceedings, whereupon they start undermining each other's attempts to find new romance.

Back to the Future (DVD): Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson

It's the mid-80's, and Marty McFly is your average 17-year-old slacker who happens to be friends with an inventor, Doc Brown. Doc's latest invention is a time machine, that ends up transporting Marty back to 1955 where he must bring his parents together so that he will exist when he gets back to his own time

Bananas (DVD): Woody Allen, Louise Lasser, Carlos Montalban, Howard Cosell

A part of the boxed “Woody Allen Collection” 8 DVDs

Absurd humor borders on insanity as a tester of strange gadgets quits his Manhattan job and flees to South America to eventually become leader of a mythical country.

Being John Malkovich (DVD): John Cusack, Cameron Diaz

Craig Schwartz is a struggling street puppeteer; in order to make some money, Craig takes a job as a filing clerk. One day he accidentally discovers a door ... a portal into the brain of John Malkovich! For 15 minutes, he experiences the ultimate head trip--He is John Malkovich! Then he's dumped onto the New Jersey turnpike. With his beautiful office mate Maxine and his pet-obsessed wife, they hatch a plan to let others into John's brain for just $200 a trip.

Being There (DVD): Peter Sellers, Shirley MacLaine

Circumstances propel a feeble-minded gardener, whose entire knowledge of life comes from watching television, into becoming adviser to the president of the United States and a powerful but dying tycoon.

Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion (Pygmalion) (VHS): Wendy Hiller, Leslie Howard, Wilfrid Lawson

Follows the transformation of a Cockney flower girl's speech, dress, and manners as the result of a wager between Professor Henry Higgins and Colonel Pickering until she successfully passes as a duchess at an ambassador's ball.

Film: Annie Hall, Woody Allen, Diane Keaton

(DVD): Romantic adventures of neurotic New York comedian Alvy Singer and his equally neurotic girlfriend Annie Hall. The film traces the course of their relationship from their first meeting, and serves as an interesting historical document about love in the 1970s.

Film: Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Richard Dreyfuss

(DVD): Stephen Spielberg, Cableman Roy Neary is one of several people who experience a close encounter of the first kind, witnessing UFOs flying through the night sky. He is subsequently haunted by a mountainlike image in his head and becomes obsessed with discovering what it represents, putting severe strain on his marriage. Meanwhile, government agents around the world have a close encounter of the second kind, discovering physical evidence of otherworldly visitors in the form of military vehicles that went missing decades ago suddenly appearing in the middle of nowhere. Roy and the agents both follow the clues they have been given to reach a site where they will have a close encounter of the third kind: contact.

New Films: October 2009

These DVDs are available for checkout at Media Circulation.

The Violin (DVD): (El violin) Camara Carnal Film, In an unnamed Latin American country that closely resembles Mexico, the government fights a rural insurgency with torture, assault, rape, and murder. Soldiers descend on a town, cutting off the rebels from their cache of ammunition hidden in a field. A family of grandfather, son, and grandson are among the rebels in the hills. The grandfather, with his violin over his shoulder, tries to pass the checkpoint, ostensibly to tend his corn crop. The commanding officer lets him pass but insists on a daily music lesson. Can the old man ferry out the ammunition in his violin case under the soldiers' nose?

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (DVD): Stephen Spielberg, Cableman Roy Neary is one of several people who experience a close encounter of the first kind, witnessing UFOs flying through the night sky. He is subsequently haunted by a mountainlike image in his head and becomes obsessed with discovering what it represents, putting severe strain on his marriage. Meanwhile, government agents around the world have a close encounter of the second kind, discovering physical evidence of otherworldly visitors in the form of military vehicles that went missing decades ago suddenly appearing in the middle of nowhere. Roy and the agents both follow the clues they have been given to reach a site where they will have a close encounter of the third kind: contact

El Mariachi (DVD): American crime lord Moco has set up a lucrative business in Mexico. He tries to rub out his imprisoned employee Azul. However, Azul overcomes the hit-men and escapes, determined to get his revenge. Meanwhile, a wandering mariachi comes to the same town looking for work. As Azul's trademark is his guitar case filled with weapons, the Mariachi is mistaken for him and finds himself a hunted man. Everyone looking for him likes to shoot first and ask questions later, so correcting the misunderstanding will not be easy.

Desperado (DVD): With this sequel to his prize-winning independent previous film, "El Mariachi," director Robert Rodriquez joins the ranks of Sam Peckinpah and John Woo as a master of slick, glamorized ultra-violence. We pick up the story as a continuation of "El Mariachi," where an itinerant musician, looking for work, gets mistaken for a hitman and thereby entangled in a web of love, corruption, and death. This time, he is out to avenge the murder of his lover and the maiming of his fretting hand, which occurred at the end of the earlier movie. However, the plot is recapitulated, and again, a case of mistaken identity leads to a very high body count, involvement with a beautiful woman who works for the local drug lord, and finally, the inevitable face-to-face confrontation and bloody showdown.

Once upon a time in Mexico (DVD): Antonio Banderaz, It is a time of trouble in Mexico. The Mexican president has declared war on the Barillo drug cartel, who has plans to fight back by backing a coup by General Marquez. CIA Agent Sands is in the middle of it all trying to make sure Marquez does not succeed by forcing El Mariachi himself out of retirement.

Excalibur (DVD): The myth of King Arthur brought once again to the screen. Uthur Pendragon is given the mystical sword Excalibur by the wizard Merlyn. At his death Uthur buries the sword into a stone, and the next man that can pull it out will be King of England. Years later Arthur, Uthur's bastard son draws Excalibur and becomes king. Guided by Merlyn, Arthur marries Guenivere and gathers the Knights of the Round Table. Arthur's evil half-sister Morgana sires a son with him, who may prove his downfall.

Judgment at Nuremberg (DVD): It has been three years since the most important Nazi leaders had already been tried. This trial is about 4 Judges who used their offices to conduct Nazi sterilization and cleansing policies. Retired American Judge, Judge Dan Haywood has a daunting task ahead of him. The Cold War is heating up and no one wants any more trials as Germany, and allied Governments, want to forget the past. But is that the right thing to do is the question that the tribunal must decide.

Missing (DVD): Based on the real-life experiences of Ed Horman, this is the story of an American father of conservative background who comes to a South American country to search for his missing son, a journalist. Ed joins with his daughter-in-law Beth, who like her husband is politically polarized from the father, in prying through the bureaucracy and dangerous political intrigue in search of their son and husband. Little by little, the father comes to realize that his own beloved government is not telling him the truth.

The Great Gatsby (DVD): Nick Carraway, a young Midwesterner now living on Long Island, finds himself fascinated by the mysterious past and lavish lifestyle of his neighbor, the nouveau riche Jay Gatsby. He is drawn into Gatsby's circle, becoming a witness to obsession and tragedy.

City Lights (DVD): a comedy romance in pantomime, written and directed by Charles (Charlie) Chaplin, The charmingly simple story of The Little Tramp who meets a lovely blind girl selling flowers on the sidewalk who mistakes him for a wealthy duke. When he learns that an operation may restore her sight, he sets off to earn the money she needs to have the surgery. In a series of comedy adventures that only Chaplin could pull off, he eventually succeeds, even though his efforts land him in jail. While he is there, the girl has the operation and afterwards yearns to meet her benefactor. The tear-inducing closing scene, in which she discovers that he is not a wealthy duke but only The Little Tramp, is one of the highest moments in movies.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny/The Tale of Mr. Tod (DVD): The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin BunnyFollow the escapades of cousins Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny, the world's two most famous rabbits, as they get into mischief in old Mr. McGregor's garden. Directed by Geoff Dunbar and produced by Ginger Gibbons for Grand Slamm Partnership Ltd.

The Tale of Mr. Tod Peter and Benjamin track the wily badger, Tommy Brock, to Mr. Tod's hide-out when he kidnaps the Flopsy Bunnies.

Barbie as Rapunzel (DVD): The diva of dolldom lets her hair down as the fairy tale heroine with the full-length locks who is trapped in a tower. Follow Barbie's hair-raising adventure in this computer-animated feature, with the voice talents of Anjelica Huston, Kelly Sheridan. 83 min. Standard and Widescreen; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Surround; photo gallery; documentary; trailer; game; interactive menus; scene access.

Film: The Da Vinci Code, Tom Hanks

Symbologist Robert Langdon is thrown into a mysterious and bizarre murder. Alongside Langon is the victims granddaughter and cryptologist Sophie Neveu, who with Robert discovers clues within Da Vinci's paintings. To further find the truth, Robert and Sophie travel from Paris to London, whilst crossing paths with allies and villains such as Sir Leigh Teabing and Silas. Wherever their path takes them, there discovery which is about to be revealed could shake the foundations of mankind.

Film: Real Women Have Curves, America Ferrera

Rent this video from Brooks Library.

Film: The Wind and the Lion, Sean Connery

Available in Media Circulation.

The Wind and the Lion (DVD): At the beginning of the 20th century an American woman is abducted in Morocco by Berbers. The attempts to free her range from diplomatic pressure to military intervention.

Film: Empire of the Sun

Check it out today at Media Circulation.



Nominated for 6 Oscars including Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Music, Original Score, and Best Sound.

Film: The Aviator, Leonardo DiCaprio

A Central Washington University ID card or library card must be presented when checking out library materials. They are the only accepted identification for borrowing circulating library materials. Users are responsible for all materials charged on the card.The loan period for DVDs and Videocassettes for students is a 3 day period while staff may check out materials for a week at a time. All materials may be renewed once.

Film: Watchmen, Malin Akerman

Film: List of New DVDs from September 2009

Save time and money! Rent DVDs from Brooks Library.

Aviator, The (DVD): A biopic depicting the early years of legendary director and aviator Howard Hughes' career, from the late 1920s to the mid-1940s.

Bullitt (DVD): An all guts, no glory San Francisco cop becomes determined to find the underworld kingpin that killed the witness in his protection.

Cinematographer Style (DVD): 110 of the world's top cinematographers discuss the art of how and why films look the way they do.

Empire of the Sun (DVD): A young English boy struggles to survive under Japanese occupation during World War II.

Garden of Evil (DVD): A trio of American adventurers marooned in rural Mexico are recruited by a beautiful woman to rescue her husband from Apaches.

Hollywood Shuffle (DVD): An actor limited to stereotypical roles because of his ethnicity, dreams of making it big as a highly respected performer. As he makes his rounds, the film takes a satiric look at African American actors in Hollywood.

It Happened Here (DVD): It is the Second World War. The Nazis have invaded Britain. There is a split between the resistance and those who prefer to collaborate with the invaders for a quiet life. The protagonist, a nurse, is caught in the middle.

Journey to 10,000 BC (DVD): Experience the suspense and heart-pounding action of a woolly mammoth hunt. A single kill could feed the tribe for weeks. As the winters grow curiously colder and longer, this vital source of nourishment becomes even more critical.

L.A. Confidential (DVD): Three detectives in the corrupt and brutal L.A. police force of the 1950s use differing methods to uncover a conspiracy behind the shotgun slayings of the patrons at an all-night diner in this lush tribute to tough film noir crime films. Based on the multi-layered James Ellroy novel.

Laramie Project (DVD): Moisés Kaufman and members of New York's Tectonic Theater Project went to Laramie, Wyoming after the murder of Matthew Shepard. This is a film version of the play they wrote based on more than 200 interviews they conducted in Laramie. It follows and in some cases re-enacts the chronology of Shepherd's visit to a local bar, his kidnap and beating, the discovery of him tied to a fence, the vigil at the hospital, his death and funeral, and the trial of his killers. It mixes real news reports with actors portraying friends, family, cops, killers, and other Laramie residents in their own words. It concludes with a Laramie staging of "Angels in America" a year after Shephard's death.

Maggie Smith at the BBC (DVD): This three-disc set celebrates four of Dame Maggie Smith's leading roles for the BBC. The collection begins with two 1972 Plays of the Month, The Merchant of Venice and The Millionairess. In Shakespeare's morality tale, Smith's sharp-tongued socialite Portia disguises herself as a doctor to negotiate with money lender Shylock. In the Bernard Shaw comedy, she plays self-centered heiress Epifania who tries to live like a pauper to please a selfless Egyptian physician (Dr. Who's Tom Baker). In Alan Bennett's quietly devastating Bed Among the Lentils, one of his Talking Heads monologues, Smith portrays Susan, a deeply disillusioned vicar's wife, and in Sir Richard Eyre's intimate 1993 adaptation of Tennessee Williams's Suddenly, Last Summer, she takes on Mrs. Venable, a grief-stricken mother (a role assumed by Katharine Hepburn in the 1959 film).

For some fans, the supplements may surpass the features. They include a breezy 1973 chat with Norman Parkinson and Acting in the '60s, a candid 1967 conversation with Richard Goodwin and narration by Kenneth Tynan, who refers to the actress as "the most versatile girl on the English stage." Actor Kenneth Williams participates in both. Smith also appears in a radio version of The Country Wife, while A Portrait: Maggie Smith, an exclusive profile, offers commentary from Bennett, Eyre, and A Room with a View co-star Simon Callow. The viewing notes include an essay on her career and details about each production. This BBC set presents a worthy tribute to a tremendous talent.

Maquilapolis (DVD): Just over the border in Mexico is an area peppered with maquiladoras: massive sweatshops often owned by the world's largest multinational corporations. Carmen and Lourdes work at maquiladoras in Tijuana, and it is there that they try to balance the struggle for survival with their own radicalization in this documentary.

Mononoke-hime (English:Princess Mononoke) (DVD): Set in feudal Japan a time of upheaval of samurai warriors and isolated villages comes this story of a gun-wielding, young brave princess who was raised by wolves named Princess Mononoke who is sent to an ancient, forested land to defend the forest from human encroachment which threatens to unbalance the forces of nature. Ashitaka intervenes to stop the two sides fighting and takes San back to the forest, but is injured in the process. With San's intervention, he is healed of his wounds - but not his curse - by the forest spirit.

Mrs. Doubtfire (DVD): After a bitter divorce, an actor disguises himself as a female housekeeper to spend secret time with his children held in custody by his Ex.

Murder on the Orient (DVD): In 1935, when his train is stopped by deep snow, detective Hercule Poirot is called on to solve a murder that occurred in his car the night before. It won an Oscar for best actress in a supporting role played by Ingrid Bergman.

Naked Lunch (DVD): After developing an addiction to the substance he uses to kill bugs, an exterminator accidentally murders his wife and becomes involved in a secret government plot being orchestrated by giant bugs in an Islamic port town in Africa.

Rawhide (DVD): A stagecoach stop employee and a stranded woman traveler find themselves at the mercy of four desperate outlaws intent on robbing the next day's gold shipment.

Real Women Have Curves (DVD): Freshly graduated from high school, Ana receives a full scholarship to Columbia University. Her very traditional, old-world parents feel that now is the time for Ana to help provide for the family, not the time for college. Torn between her mainstream ambitions and her cultural heritage she agrees to work with her mother at her sister's downtown LA sewing factory. Over the summer she learns to admire the hardworking team of women who teach her solidarity and teamwork.

Senorita Extraviada (DVD): This gripping documentary investigates the disappearance of young women from assembly plants that line the Mexican-American border.

Stormy Weather (DVD): The relationship between an aspiring dancer and a popular songstress provides a retrospective of the great African American entertainers of the early 1900s.

That's Dancing! (DVD): The history of dance depicted on film.

That's Entertainment! III (DVD): Some of MGM'S musical stars review the studios history of musicals. From _Hollywood Revue of 1929, The (1929)_ to Brigadoon (1954) , from the first musical talkies to Gene Kelly in Singin' in the Rain (1952) , are examined.

That's Entertainment! (DVD): Various MGM stars from yesterday present their favourite musical moments from the studio's 50 year history.

That's entertainment, Part II (DVD): Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire present more golden moments from the MGM film library, this time including comedy and drama as well as classic musical numbers.

That's Entertainment. Treasures from the Vault (DVD): That's Entertainment: Treasures from the Vault, includes: "That's Entertainment: The Masters Behind the Musical" Outtakes jukebox: 16 deleted musical numbers MGM's 25th Anniversary That's Entertainment: 50 Years of MGM Just One More Time The Lion Roars Again Excerpts from the 2/20/76 broadcast of The Mike Douglas Show That's Entertainment III: Behind the Screen

The Gunfighter (DVD): Notorious gunfighter Jimmy Ringo rides into town to find his true love, who doesn't want to see him. He hasn't come looking for trouble, but trouble finds him around every corner.

The Hitch-hiker (DVD): Two fishermen pick up a psychotic escaped convict who tells them that he intends to murder them when the ride is over.

The Nutty Professor (DVD): Grossly overweight Prof. Sherman Klump, desperate to lose weight takes a special chemical that turns him into the slim but obnoxious Buddy Love. It won an Oscar for best makeup.

The Wind and the Lion (DVD): At the beginning of the 20th century an American woman is abducted in Morocco by Berbers. The attempts to free her range from diplomatic pressure to military intervention.

Thelma & Louise (DVD): An Arkansas waitress and a housewife shoot a rapist and take off in a '66 Thunderbird.

Watchmen (DVD): In an alternate 1985 where former superheroes exist, the murder of a colleague sends active vigilante Rorschach into his own sprawling investigation, uncovering something that could completely change the course of history as we know it.

A Central Washington University ID card or library card must be presented when checking out library materials. They are the only accepted identification for borrowing circulating library materials. Users are responsible for all materials charged on the card.The loan period for DVDs and Videocassettes for students is a 3 day period while staff may check out materials for a week at a time.

Film: Shawshank Redemption, Morgan Freeman

MEDIA CIRCULATION - Ask for DV-1264

Nominated for 7 Oscars.

Academy Awards (1995): Nominated Oscar Best Actor in a Leading Role: Morgan Freeman, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Music: Original Score, Best Picture, Best Sound, Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium: Frank Darabont.

Golden Globes, USA (1995): Nominated Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama: Morgan Freeman, Best Screenplay - Motion Picture: Frank Darabont.

Grammy Awards (1995): Nominated Grammy Best Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture or for Television: Thomas Newman.

A Central Washington University ID card or library card must be presented when checking out library materials. They are the only accepted identification for borrowing circulating library materials. Users are responsible for all materials charged on the card.The loan period for DVDs and Videocassettes for students is a 3 day period while staff may check out materials for a week at a time.

Film: List of New DVDs from August 2009

Are musicals your thing? How about thrillers? Documentaries? Everything you need is in Brooks Library without the cost of traditional media rentals!

Moulin Rouge (DVD): A poet falls for a beautiful courtesan whom a jealous duke covets in this stylish musical, with music drawn from familiar 20th century sources.

Paddle to the Sea (DVD): This film recounts the adventures of a toy Native American canoe as it makes its way from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean.

Quest for Fire (DVD): This story takes place in prehistoric time when three prehistoric tribesmen search for a new fire source. Won an Oscar in 1983.

Singin' in the Rain (DVD): A silent film production company and cast make the difficult transition to sound. “Singin’ in the Rain” was nominated for 2 Oscars.

The Sting (DVD): In 1930s Chicago, a young con man seeking revenge for his murdered partner teams up with a master of the big con to win a fortune from a criminal banker. It won 7 Oscars including Best Director and Best Picture.

The Wobblies (DVD): The Industrial Workers of the World (nicknamed the Wobblies) contends that all workers should be united as a class and that the wage system should be abolished. They may be best known for the Wobbly Shop model of workplace democracy, in which workers elect recallable delegates, and other norms of grassroots (self-management) democracy are implemented.

A Central Washington University ID card or library card must be presented when checking out library materials. They are the only accepted identification for borrowing circulating library materials. Users are responsible for all materials charged on the card.The loan period for DVDs and Videocassettes for students is a 3 day period while staff may check out materials for a week at a time.