You’ve seen what they read, you’ve seen what they watch on the small screen. Now we delve further into the library staff’s cultural beach bag.
In our latest CityLibrarySummer instalment we thought we’d share our favourite films and which films in particular mean summer to us. We’ve also highlighted where you can borrow films from our DVD collection or Box of Broadcasts [BoB].
- Jonathan’s favourite film is Aliens (dir. James Cameron) [DVD] for its “excitement and great story line.”
- Don’t you forget about… the Breakfast Club (dir. John Hughes) [BoB]. These kids did weekend detention in style while discovering a bit about each other (and themselves). This film reminds Jonathan of being a teenager.
- Amelie (dir. Jean-Pierre Jeunet) [DVD] whimsical and most charming is the choice of another member of Library staff – enchanté. And Grease is their summer lovin’ choice.
- Catherine loves Wayne’s World (dir. Penelope Spheeris) [BoB] because it always makes her laugh. Catherine, we’re not worthy.
- She also loves Point Break (dir. Kathryn Bigelow) [BoB] for its depiction of the technical art of surfing, she forgot to mention the top acting. Vaya con Dios Catherine.
- Lynn loves that 90s classic Parenthood (dir. Ron Howard). “Family clashes, crazy parents and kids, teenage tantrums and old rivalries shown with humour. It always makes me laugh and it all turns out right in the end.”
- Lynn’s favourite summer themed film is Something Wicked This Way Comes (dir. Jack Clayton). “The oppression in the film is not only caused by the heatwave but a sinister set of characters rolling into town. A lovely view of the eternal summers experienced as a child.”
- Alex G’s pick is the perennially wonderful Some Like it Hot (dir. Billy Wilder) [DVD]. He says “You can watch it over and over and it’s still so funny. Characters, script and performances are such quality.”
- His favourite summer film is Jaws (dir. Steven Spielberg) [DVD]“Even though I laugh at it, even though I know what happens in the end – I still get SCARED!”
- The Wizard of Oz [DVD] is good all year round for one member of staff.
- May the force be with our library staff member who loves Star Wars (dir George Lucas) [DVDs] and also Cocoon (dir. Ron Howard) [BoB], this film about some rejuvenated retired folk gives them a warm summertime feeling.
- Samantha is keen on The Princess Bride (dir. Rob Reiner) because “Swashbuckling. And the bit where they roll down the hill and end up with the RoUS. OH and the bit when he’s dead but not completely dead.”
- Nobody is putting Samantha in a corner this summer as she has the time of her life watching Dirty Dancing (dir. Emile Ardolino) [BoB] “The music and the dancing is awesome, but mostly because it looks like a sweet entertaining cult chick flick but it’s actually a treatise on why you should trust your children and the importance of women’s healthcare and reproductive rights.”
- Annie Hall (dir. Woody Allen) [DVD] got the vote from another member of staff who sums up the vibe with a “La-di-da”.
- This staff member’s favourite summer film is A Bigger Splash (dir. Luca Guadagnino) “Sunshine, singing and death all on the tiny Italian Island of Pantelleria.”.
- Catie has recently been impressed with Baby Driver (dir. Edgar Wright) but she’s not thinking about films at the minute “When good weather blesses you with its presence as much as it has this summer, watching films is sacrilege.”
- Nevertheless, her favourite summer films are Fast Times at Ridgemont High (dir. Cameron Crowe) or Wet Hot American Summer (dir. David Wain), “They are institutions. For real though they evoke the specific feeling of freedom and infinite possibility you get in the summer when you’re an adolescent that summer days could stretch on forever.”
- Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (dir. Stephen Herek) [BoB] ranks high on another staff member’s list:
“Got only 24 hours before a big presentation? This highly relatable story set in the world of San Dimas academia will show you how you can take your presentation from meh to wow, and if you start to lose your audience – end on a “City Uni football rules!”” - Their summer favourite is Do the Right Thing (dir. Spike Lee) which “takes place on the hottest day in summer. This is one of the greatest films of all time, it was inducted into the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress who deemed it “culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant””.
- A Librarian recommends: Canterbury Tales (dir. Pier Paolo Pasolini) and A Canterbury Tale (dir. Powell and Pressburger) [BoB] – which is a very different film. The Twin Peaks prequel Fire Walk with Me (dir. David Lynch), which has a great David Bowie cameo, and Dazed and Confused (dir. Richard Linklater) – have you seen this one? It’d be a lot cooler if you did.
There are 3 films on this list starring Keanu Reeves, this has been duly noted and the data will be updated.
What’s your favourite film? Is there a film which makes you feel particularly summery, let us know in the comments section.
What a great list. I love Point break and dazed and confused. Never seen Wet Hot American Summer. Will have to hunt it out