Cynthia’s Pick: Muriel’s Wedding

Quirky Muriel’s love of ABBA is only surpassed by her desire to get married. Muriel’s Wedding has a fun soundtrack. It’s the backdrop to an often hilarious and moving story about a misfit who finds a way to move forward, let go of her fantasies, and face reality. 

John's Pick: Leningrad Cowboys Go America

The Leningrad Cowboys – a Slavic folk band tagged as “the worst rock ‘n’ roll band in the world” – travel to America in search of success. That’s about as far as plot goes in Leningrad Cowboys Go America, an absurdist comedy that satirizes Americana, the immigrant experience, and the Soviet political system.

Donna S.'s Pick: City Island

In City Island, Vince has plenty of secrets. His whole family does. His son has a fetish, his daughter moonlights as an exotic dancer, his wife thinks he’s having an affair and all Vince wants is to be an actor. The comedy of ill-communication is magnified in City Island.

Patty’s Pick: Attack the Block

Don’t walk home after dark if you live in the London projects. You might get mugged. Street toughs don’t get much of Sam’s money before they’re interrupted by…AN ALIEN! Attack the Block is a British sci-fi comedy where the inner city battles outer space and bad seeds get second chances.

Paris in Love

Donna C. of Fiction/AV/Teen Services recommends Paris in Love by Eloisa James:

Have you ever longed to spend an afternoon window-shopping along Parisian boulevards, or sipping coffee outdoors while indulging in decadent pastries, or gazing out latticed windows at the rainy, cobbled streets of Paris? If so, you’ll enjoy Eloisa James’ memoir, Paris in Love. For many of us, the decision to move abroad will forever be a daydream. But for James, a best-selling romance writer and professor, her dream was realized. Chronicling her adventure, James embellished Facebook posts and Twitter tweets from that year, resulting in a patchwork of observations of an American’s interaction with a culture both familiar and distinct. If you’re looking for a chance to savor a rich slice of life, Parisian-style, this is a book for you.

Diane's Pick: Sullivan's Travels

“I don't know where I'm going, but I'm not coming back...till I know what trouble is.” Join director John L. Sullivan (Joel McCrea), as he discovers that laughter is what people want. Also starring Veronica Lake, Sullivan’s Travels is one of AFI’s 100 Greatest Movies of All Time.

Donna C.s' Pick: Father Dowling Mysteries

What do you get when you cross a Chicago priest, a streetwise nun, and a procession of criminals with late 1980’s television? Father Dowling Mysteries, of course! Cue up the DVD and prepare to root for Tom Bosley as he and Sister Steve tackle an array of Windy City whodunits.

Barb's Pick: Unorthodox

Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots, by Deborah Feldman, is a compelling memoir that shares what female life is like within the Satmar sect of Hasidic Judaism. This book is an intriguing story of a young woman intent to live her own life despite her community's objections.

Colleen's Pick: Cinder

In a plague-rampant, future Asian nation, Cinder is a cyborg mechanic living a pitiful life of servitude. However, Cinder may hold the secret to the plague’s cure. Cinder had me hooked from page one, when Cinder replaces her mechanical foot, in this great retelling of the Cinderella story!

Joyce’s Pick: The Pillars of the Earth

At first glance, The Pillars of the Earth doesn’t seem like a love story. But this historical mini-series tells many tales: the love of a man for a woman, a people for their God, and the love of power that vilely corrupts. A beautiful series and a tale well told!