Features & Shorts

Oscar Nominations

2012-01-27T07:48:00.000-08:00

The nominations are in and in celebration of the nominated films --

Enjoy a few clips from select films in the category of Best Picture.

The Artist -- the scene is entitled "Accidental Photo-Op"

The Descendants -- the scene -- "You have no clue, do you?"

Hugo -- the scene -- "Card Tricks"

Midnight in Paris -- the scene "Exceptionally Lovely"

Eiko Ishioka Dies at 73

2012-01-27T02:34:00.000-08:00

Eiko Ishioka brought a unique vision to all of her design work in film, theater, and advertising. Her work was provocative and fascinating. She won and Academy Award for costume design in 1992 for "Bram Stoker's Dracula" directed by Francis Ford Coppola. She designed costumes for the Broadway productions of "M. Butterfly" and "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark."

Her obituary from the New York Times.

School of the Arts Exhibit in Butler

2012-01-19T09:11:00.001-08:00

The Art of the Book in Butler Library -- terrific exhibit now on display on the third floor of Butler Library through May.

Butler Media Update

2012-01-19T06:50:00.001-08:00

I recently purchased more than 250 films in DVD format from The National Center for Jewish Film. The Center is a world leader in the collection, restoration, and exhibition of Jewish art and culture.

The titles span Yiddish cinema to contemporary films about Jewish life. The DVDs are available from the Butler Media Res Collection.

Welcome Back Columbia Students!

2012-01-18T06:50:00.000-08:00

Start the 2012 spring semester off with the raucous Animal House (1978). Rush week takes on a new meaning at Delta House. The movie is often seriously funny with lots of gags, sometimes grating and sometimes just silly but with a great cast including John Belushi, Tim Matheson, Thomas Hulce, Stephen Furst, Kevin Bacon -- and look for Donald Sutherland -- it is a fun diversion. Break out your togas!

The film was directed by John Landis and written by Harold Ramis, Douglas Kenney and Chris Miller.

Holiday Films!

2011-12-21T08:05:00.000-08:00

Here is a select list of films to get you in the mood for the holidays!

It's a Wonderful Life (1947) directed by Frank Capra and starring James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell and an enchanting Henry Travers. The quintessential holiday film --let the bells ring!

Man Who Came to Dinner (1942) based on the play by Kaufman and Hart -- and starring Monty Woolley as Sheridan Whiteside -- the one and only. Also starring Bette Davis, Ann Sheridan, Billie Burke and a delightful appearance by Jimmy Durante. Madcap fun!

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987) Bob's recommendation -- all about the nightmare of getting stuck with a stranger in a web of transportation delays -- Merry Christmas!

The Trouble with Angels (1966) directed by Ida Lupino. With a working title Mother Superior, the successful comedy starred starred Rosalind Russell and followed by the sequel Where Angels Go -- Trouble Follows.

Starring New York

2011-12-13T09:10:00.000-08:00

New acquisition "Starring New York: Filming the Grime and the Glamour of the Long 1970s" -- Stanley Corkin provides a new reading of the films that defined the decade. He focuses on the changing social fabric of the city by examining a number of the classic films of the time -- Midnight Cowboy (1969), Klute (1971), The Godfather Parts 1 and 2 (1972 and 1974), the blaxploitation films, The French Connection (1971), Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) and others.

New York City in the 1970s was quite a place -- and the films that defined the decade were exceptional.

Overhearing Film Dialogue

2011-12-05T12:11:00.001-08:00

Written by Sarah Kozloff and published by the University of California Press in 2000 -- this book provides an interesting look at film dialogue and its importance to the visual medium. The author discusses why dialogue has been neglected in analysis and, through example, emphasizes the importance of dialogue to the narrative. The author looks at the role and nature of dialogue in four film genres: westerns, screwball comedies, gangster films, and melodramas.

You can search for memorable quotes in the IMDB -- search on film title or search Google by famous line(s) -- this is a wonderful scene from Tootsie.

Shopping Scenes

2011-11-28T09:28:00.000-08:00

In case you didn't get enough of Black Friday and shopping in the post-Thanksgiving weekend -- check out these selected films for more shopping fun! From Buzzsugar.com

My Fair Lady (1964)

2011-11-14T11:04:00.000-08:00

Enjoy this beautifully played scene with Audrey Hepburn having a grand time. Cecil Beaton's costumes are magnificent. And, Rex Harrison does a happy dance.

Based on the musical, which was based on the play Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw, the film was directed by George Cukor, music by Frederick Loewe, book and lyrics by by Alan Jay Lerner.

Marni Nixon provided the singing voice for Audrey Hepburn.

The film won 8 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Costume Design, Color. Rex Harrison took the award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

A beautiful and witty adaptation -- one of the best film musicals.

Photoplay Covers

2011-11-09T08:49:00.000-08:00

Gorgeous Photoplay covers from the 1920s.

Marty (1955)

2011-11-02T11:06:00.000-07:00

One of the first feature-length films to be based on a television play, Ernest Borgnine stars as the title character in this bittersweet romantic tale. Marty is a sympathetic character, a single butcher living in the Bronx, confronting lonliness, peer pressure, and the desire to experience a loving relationship.

The character was a shift for Borgnine who played a ruthless character in From Here to Eternity (1953) a few years earlier. Borgnine enjoyed a strong career in film with leading and supporting roles. He became well-known with television audiences in the 1960s as Lt. Commander McHale in the comedy series McHale's Navy.

The film is based on the teleplay "Marty" written by Paddy Chayefsky, who also wrote the screenplay. The film was directed by Delbert Mann and starred Betsy Blair as Clara -- Marty's love interest. The film won Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Writer -- in addition to be nominated in several other categories.

The television play, which aired in 1952 on Goodyear Television Playhouse, was also directed by Delbert Mann and starred Rod Steiger in the title role.

Ethel and Ernest -- who knew?

2011-11-01T12:21:00.000-07:00

"It was a storybook celebrity marriage that captured a public’s imagination, and then suddenly it was over before they even had a chance to complete their wedding registry." -- from the New York Times

One of Hollywood's shortest marriages, Ethel Merman and Ernest Borgnine -- apparently the marriage fell apart during the honeymoon. In her autobiography entitled Merman (1978) - the chapter entitled "My Marriage to Ernest Borgnine" consists of one blank page.

Scary Movies & Thrillers!

2011-10-25T09:39:00.000-07:00

In the spirit of Halloween, here is a selected list of scary movies & thrillers from the Criterion Collection. Be sure to check out the extras and be sure to check out the many more outstanding thrillers from Criterion.

Happy Halloween!

The Blob (1958) --cult classic, great special effects, with Steve McQueen,

Diabolique (1955) -- Thriller from Henri‑Georges Clouzot -- is the story of two women who hatch a daring revenge plot -- stars Simone Signoret -- truly terrifying

Flesh for Frankenstein (1978) -- written and directed by Paul Morrissey - new twist on the dysfunctional family and the Frankenstein story

Knife in the Water (1962) -- a middle-aged couple invite a young hitch-hiker aboard their sail-boat for an outing in the Polish lake district -male competition, knife-wielding action, a thriller from Roman Polanski

Peeping Tom (1960) -- from the remarkable Michael Powell -- this thriller focuses on a voyeuristic maniac who kills women while filming them with his 16mm camera

Repulsion (1965) -- another thriller from Roman Polanski -- stars Catherine Deneuve as a fragile young woman who comes apart when left alone in her apartment -- surreal and spectacular

Silence of the Lambs (1991) -- from director Jonathan Demme -- starring Anthony Hopkins in a superb performance as Hannibal the Cannibal and a wonderful Jodie Foster as FBI agent Clarice Starling, winner of numerous Academy Awards -- absolutely terrifying

The Vanishing (1988) -- suspense thriller about a young man and his obsessive search for his girlfriend after she mysteriously disappears during their sunny vacation getaway

Celebrate the Book

2011-10-21T16:58:00.000-07:00

“I don’t know what it is, man — books,” Mr. Squibb said. “I just feel better." From article on Occupy Boston.

Granito: a story in three parts

2011-10-21T11:44:00.000-07:00

From Skylight Productions -- Granito: a story in three parts looks at the turbulent history of Guatemala -- and the genocidal campaign of the 1980s. Directed by Pamela Yates.

Victorian Popular Culture

2011-10-21T11:40:00.000-07:00

This resource was recently added to the Columbia University Libraries website -- exceptional content of English texts from the 19th century with information and discussion on a wide-range of topics including spiritualism, mesmerism, psychical science and secular magic together with various forms of entertainment.

Scene from To Kill a Mockingbird

2011-10-19T15:59:00.001-07:00

All Men Are Created Equal

To Kill a Mockingbird

— MOVIECLIPS.com

Scene from Kramer vs. Kramer

2011-10-19T15:56:00.001-07:00

I'm His Mother

Kramer vs. Kramer

— MOVIECLIPS.com

Scene from Inherit the Wind

2011-10-19T15:54:00.000-07:00

The Atheist Who Believes in God

Inherit the Wind

— MOVIECLIPS.com

Scene from A Few Good Men

2011-10-19T15:49:00.000-07:00

You Can't Handle the Truth!

A Few Good Men

— MOVIECLIPS.com

Scene from My Cousin Vinny

2011-10-19T15:47:00.001-07:00

Two "Yutes"

My Cousin Vinny

— MOVIECLIPS.com

Scene from Witness for the Prosecution

2011-10-19T15:45:00.001-07:00

A Chronic and Habitual Liar

Witness for the Prosecution

— MOVIECLIPS.com

Scene from Twelve Angry Men

2011-10-19T15:43:00.001-07:00

A Responsibility

Twelve Angry Men

— MOVIECLIPS.com

Films in the Courtroom or the Courtroom in Film!

2011-10-17T06:46:00.000-07:00

Several outstanding films that closely examine the judicial process and how decisions are played out in the courtroom.

(Pictured -- Charles Laughton in Witness for the Prosecution)

Anatomy of a Murder (1959) -- amazing jazz soundtrack and wonderful performances by James Stewart, Eve Arden, Lee Remick, Ben Gazzara, and Arthur O'Connell. Temporary insanity... or not?

A Few Good Men (1992) -- Military lawyer defends Marines accused of murder -- features an outstanding Jack Nicholson

Inherit the Wind (1960) -- stars Spencer Tracy and Fredric March -- based on a real-life case in 1925 -- teacher brought to trial for teaching evolution

Judgment at Nuremberg (1961)-- another outstanding performance from Spencer Tracy -- an American court in Germany tries Nazi judges

Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) -- a bitter divorce and custody battle result in a devastating courtroom scene beautifully played by Meryl Streep and Dustin Hoffman

My Cousin Vinny (1992) -- hilarious courtroom scenes --with a wonderful Joe Pesci, Marisa Tomei, and Fred Gwynne

To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) -- based on the novel by Harper Lee -- Gregory Peck inhabits the character of Atticus Finch, a lawyer set to defend a black man against charges of rape amidst racial prejudice in the Depression-era South

Twelve Angry Men (1957) -- Henry Fonda stars as a juror that tries to convince the others that the case is not simple --directed by Sidney Lumet -- beautifully crafted and acted

The Verdict (1982) - stars Paul Newman as a lawyer trying to salvage his career

Witness for the Prosecution (1957) -- an Agatha Christie knockout -- with a fantastic Charles Laughton

Young Mr. Lincoln (1939) -- from director John Ford and starring Henry Fonda -- fictionalized account of the young Lincoln's legal career and his work in a dramatic court case

Jane Fonda: the Private Life of a Public Woman

2011-10-12T08:43:00.000-07:00

"Patricia Bosworth tackles her subject’s myriad personae in an exhaustive biography of a woman whose personal growth so uncannily mirrored the social changes of her era and who, 50 years after her most controversial political actions, still manages to polarize. For the full Review in The Washington Post.

The Vogue Archive

2011-10-10T09:23:00.000-07:00

The Vogue Archive contains the entire run of Vogue Magazine (U.S. Edition) from 1892 to the present day. The magazine serves not only as an essential resource for the study of fashion, the more than 400,000 pages provide a rich resource for gender and social and cultural studies.

The database enables browsing of individual issues and full-text searching.

Resources in Film Studies and Performing Arts

2011-09-13T12:30:00.000-07:00

Please join me for one of these sessions. I will provide an introduction to a wide-range of resources supporting research in Film Studies and Performing Arts --- including advanced searching in Google, how to find books, articles, plays, films, images, and more.

Location: 306 Butler Library
When: September 22 -- 11am - 1pm & September 30 -- 10am - 12noon
RSVP: nef4@columbia.edu

Hope to see you there!

Berg Fashion Library

2011-06-03T11:00:00.000-07:00

Winner of the 2011 Dartmouth Medal, the 2011 Frankfurt Book Fair Digital Award and the 2011 Bookseller FutureBook Award for Best Website, the Berg Fashion Library is the only resource to provide integrated text and image content on world dress and fashion throughout history. Invaluable for scholars, students, professionals, and anyone interested in dress, it includes the Berg Encyclopedia of World Dress and Fashion, an extensive e-book collection, an image bank and more

ARTbibliographies Modern

2011-05-09T11:56:00.000-07:00

ARTbibliographies Modern indexes journal articles, books, essays, exhibition catalogs, and dissertations on all forms of modern and contemporary art dating back to the 1960s through the present day. Topical coverage is wide-ranging and includes performance and theatre arts as well as film and art production.

Click here.

Ball of Fire

2011-05-05T08:18:00.001-07:00

Directed by Howard Hawks and starring Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck, this wonderful screwball comedy also features an outstanding supporting cast which includes some of the best character actors in Hollywood at the time. The screenplay was written by Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett and is based on an original story by Wilder and Thomas Monroe.

When Professor Potts hits the streets to get the angle on some real slang, an unlikely romance takes shape --once Sugarpuss O'Shea gets into the act. The film has a lot of boogie, a good dose of yum-yum, and a little bit of corn!

Also featuring a dynamite performance by Gene Krupa and his orchestra. Miss Stanwyck's costumes were designed by the legendary Edith Head and the photography was by Gregg Toland, one of the most sought after cinematographers in Hollywood.

Remembering Sidney Lumet

2011-04-12T11:46:00.000-07:00

A scene from TWELVE ANGRY MEN.

It's the Same Knife!
Twelve Angry Men at MOVIECLIPS.com

Filmakers Library Online

2011-04-12T04:54:00.000-07:00

Filmakers Library Online – Filmakers Library Online provides award-winning documentaries in the areas of race and gender studies, human rights, globalization and global studies, multiculturalism, international relations, criminal justice, the environment, bioethics, political science, current events, psychology, arts, literature, and more. This database is being offered on a trial basis until May 15.

Access is currently limited to on-campus.

Please send comments to nef4@columbia.edu.

Elizabeth Taylor in Father of the Bride

2011-04-04T13:35:00.000-07:00

The second film in this tribute to Elizabeth Taylor is Father of the Bride. This 1950 film, directed by Vincente Minelli, stars Elizabeth Taylor as the lovely Kay on the eve of her wedding. Spencer Tracy plays her father, Stanley Banks, a suburban lawyer, who looks back to the day three months earlier when he learned that Kay became engaged to Buckley Dunstan, played by Don Taylor. Joan Bennett is the lovely Ellie Banks, mother of the bride. The wedding reception is one Stanley will never forget. With both joy and heartache, Stanley and Ellie wish Kay off to her honeymoon.

Taylor is touchingly sweet in this role and we clearly understand the depth of affection between "Pops" and Kay. Also starring Billie Burke. The film's release coincided with the wedding of Taylor to Nicky Hilton. Costumes (and Taylor's real-life wedding gown) were designed by Helen Rose.

Oxford Bibliographies Online (OBO)

2011-03-29T07:54:00.001-07:00

Now covering 15 major subjects, OBO offers peer-reviewed annotated bibliographies on specific topics. The latest additions focus on Victorian Literature, International Relations, Communication, and Public Health. Coverage for each subject area is extensive -- and the articles are regularly updated by their authors. OBO is an excellent resource for online research.

Tribute to Elizabeth Taylor

2011-03-25T06:44:00.001-07:00

For the next several weeks, I will be highlighting films starring Elizabeth Taylor -- in what I consider some of her best performances as an actress.

The first film is Who's Afraid of Virigina Woolf?

Based on the play by Edward Albee, the film featured Elizabeth Taylor opposite Richard Burton as the battling and drunken duo, Martha and George. Taylor played a character considerably older than her 32 years and successfully managed the haggard look with weight gain, makeup and unglamorous costumes. Under the masterful direction of Mike Nichols (in his directorial debut), Taylor gives a searing performance. There is never a dull moment as this dark story plays out over the course of an evening. Often funny, the film is an emotional roller-coaster also featuring excellent performances from Burton, George Segal, and Sandy Dennis (her film debut). The film received five Oscars including a Best Actress award for Elizabeth Taylor.

Elizabeth Taylor Dead at 79

2011-03-23T07:09:00.000-07:00

The end of an era.

Read the New York Times obituary.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2011-03-17T05:34:00.001-07:00

My film pick for St. Patrick's Day, check out The Last Hurrah directed by John Ford and starring Spencer Tracy as Frank Skeffington, the Irish-American mayor of a New England city. Based on the best-selling novel of the same name, Frank Skeffington is based on James Michael Curley, the multi-term Mayor of Boston serving in the early -mid 20th century. A changing world and the changing nature of "big-city" politics eventually leads to Skeffington's decline. Masterful acting from Tracy and an a-list supporting cast including Pat O'Brien, Basil Rathbone, Donald Crisp, and John Carradine.

Watch Elvis this Spring Break!

2011-03-10T07:50:00.000-08:00

Have some fun this spring break by watching a few films starring Elvis Presley.

Presley rose to fame in the 1950s to become one of the most celebrated performers in America. As a singer, he helped popularize rock 'n' roll music with his unique sound and his famous dance moves which usually created near hysteria from fans. His music topped record charts with such major hits as "Don't Be Cruel" and "Hound Dog." He was heard on radio and seen on television with appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show. By 1956, already a major star, he turned to film acting and took on roles ranging from somewhat autobiographical story lines to romantic musicals. He received positive reviews for a number of his films including Jailhouse Rock and Viva Las Vegas.

Check out these films from Butler Media!

Blue Hawaii

Double Trouble

G.I. Blues

Girl Happy

Harum Scarum

It Happened at the World's Fair

Jailhouse Rock

Kissin' Cousins

Live a little, love a little

Speedway

Spinout

Stay Away Joe

Tickle Me

Trouble With Girls

Viva Las Vegas

Dark Shadows

2011-03-04T09:09:00.000-08:00

Dark Shadows aired on the ABC television network from 1966 -1971. Best described as a Gothic soap opera, meet Barnabas Collins, the vampire, Victoria Winters, and other family members as they encounter werewolves, ghosts, witches and other monsters. You will find familiar plot elements, very cool sets, unforgettable music -- and likely become transfixed by the characters and storylines. Never a dull moment in Collinsport!

Tim Burton is directing a film version starring Johnny Depp as Barnabus. Look for the film in 2012. For now, you can view hundreds of episodes on DVD now available from Butler Media!

Six Degrees of an Oscar Nominated Film!

2011-02-19T08:56:00.000-08:00

Nominated for Best Picture, The Fighter was directed by David O. Russell (Best Director nominee). This bio-pic tells the story of professional boxer Micky Ward and the tumultuous relationship with his half-brother, Dicky Eklund. Love overcomes all kinds of struggles in this story with superb performances by Christian Bale (Best Supporting Actor nominee), Mark Wahlberg (sadly overlooked), Melissa Leo who gives an outstanding performance as the mother (Best Supporting Actress nominee), and Amy Adams (Best Supporting Actress nominee).

Six Degrees brings us to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (d. Ang Lee).

Butler Media
DVD1169

Proximity Operators for Full-Text Searching

2011-02-15T10:05:00.000-08:00

Sarah Witte, Reference and Women's Studies Librarian, posted to the Butler Library Blog an essential resource for proximity searching in full-text databases. Created by Bob Scott, DHC Head, the list is an aid to understanding the different choices in syntax depending on the database provider. It is frustrating that this is not more uniform, but well worth the effort.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-13T15:46:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

My recommendation, an unexpected love story -- The Awful Truth. The film was directed by Leo McCarey, the screenplay based on the play of the same name and written by Arthur Richman. The featured actors include Irene Dunne, who was nominated for Best Actress, and a fabulous Cary Grant. The real treat, Skippy! A true scene stealer, Skippy, as Mr. Smith, the dog in the forefront of a custody battle, displayed both great range of emotion and outstanding comedic talent. You may recognize Skippy as Asta (credited as) in M-G-M's The Thin Man series and Bringing Up Baby.

I suggest a new Oscar category -- Best Featured Dog or Cat! Skippy aka Asta -- deserves the Academy Award for Best Featured Doggy!

McCarey won an Academy Award for direction. Also starring, Ralph Bellamy. In the same year, McCarey also directed the brilliant and heart wrenching film, Make Way For Tomorrow.

The Awful Truth

Butler Media

DVD4501

Six Degrees of an Oscar Nominated Film!

2011-02-13T05:19:00.000-08:00

Written and directed by the Coen brothers, True Grit (2010) is nominated for 10 Oscars including Best Picture. Its wide appeal has made this the highest grossing film for the Coen brothers. It is the second adaptation of the Charles Portis' novel, the first adaptation produced in 1969 starred John Wayne.

The trail of six degrees begins with Jeff Bridges and ends with Being John Malkovich -- the featured DVD of the week!

Being John Malkovich

Butler Media

DVD1182

Six Degrees of an Oscar Nominated Film!

2011-02-06T05:54:00.000-08:00

Nominated for 8 Oscars including Best Picture, The Social Network, chronicles the contentious events that led to the founding of Facebook. If you follow the first degree to Aaron Sorkin, nominated for his screenplay, you will eventually get to Kinsey!

Kinsey

DVD3548

Six Degrees of an Oscar Nominated Film!

2011-01-31T04:17:00.000-08:00

In anticipation of the Academy Awards on February 27th, I will be featuring a DVD each week that is connected by six degrees to a film nominated for best picture. Beginning this week with The King's Speech as the film nominated for best picture -- I ended with Fargo! Can you trace the degrees?

Hint -- the degrees are comprised of films and actors only.

Fargo

DVD8349

Academy Award Nominations Announced!

2011-01-25T06:10:00.000-08:00

The King's Speech received the most nominations including Best Picture, Best Director, and in the acting categories -- nominations for Best Actor, and Best Actor in a Supporting Role, and Best Actress in a Supporting Role. For more information -- see The New York Times, Variety, and Oscar.com.

BIG LOVE the fifth and final season!

2011-01-17T23:00:00.001-08:00

The fifth and final season of this HBO series is underway. Not without controversy and mixed critical reception, the show is about the Hendricksons, a polygamous family living in Utah. Co-created by Mark Olsen and Will Scheffer and starring Bill Paxton, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chloe Sevigny, and Ginnifer Goodwin -- the family continues to face challenges both at home and with their recent decision to go public about their religion and lifestyle. The show has featured Mary Kay Place, Harry Dean Stanton, Ellen Burstyn, Grace Zabriskie, and Bruce Dern.

Track the action with Arts Beat at the New York Times -- and if you are new to the series -- spend some time with the first three seasons all available from Butler Media.

Season 1 -- Offsite MPDVD00975

Season 2 -- DVD11793

Season 3 -- DVD11794

Season 4 -- on order!

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-15T07:22:00.000-08:00

My holiday pick!

It's a Wonderful Life (Butler Media DVD8412) directed by Frank Capra and based on the short story "The Greatest Gift" by Philip Van Doren Stern is my recommended holiday film. According to the AFI Catalog, Van Doren Stern enclosed the story in his 1943 Christmas cards. The film was James Stewart's first film after four years of military service during WWII. Also starring Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, the fabulous Henry Travers and Beulah Bondi -- this film is timeless, touching and just the reminder we sometimes need -- it is indeed a wonderful life.

Happy Holidays!

Golden Globe Nominations

2010-12-14T09:18:00.000-08:00

Globes Shine on 'King's Speech'

Best Picture nominations include:

"Black Swan"

"The Fighter"

"Inception"

"The King's Speech"

"The Social Network"

Where is James Franco?

2010-12-09T11:27:00.000-08:00

Franco Checks Back In to 'General Hospital

Check out the actor in MILK directed by Gus Van Sant.

Butler Media Res

DVD8157

Remembering John Lennon

2010-12-08T09:09:00.001-08:00

The Beatles : the first US visit ; a film by Alfred Maysles and David Maysles

Butler Media Res

DVD10067

The Ed Sullivan Show Featuring the Beatles and various other artists

Butler Media Res

DVD2392

Featured DVD of the Week

2010-12-02T13:00:00.000-08:00

THE WRESTLER directed by Darren Aronofsky and starring Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei.

Butler Media Res

DVD8155

Featured DVD of the Week

2010-11-24T13:49:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Dinner in the movies!

Redux -- suggestions from 2009 -- Enjoy and best wishes for the holiday!

Avalon (1990)
Directed by Barry Levinson

The Gold Rush (1925)
Directed by Charlie Chaplin

Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
Directed by Woody Allen

The House of Yes (1997)
Directed by Mark Waters

The Ice Storm (1997)
Directed by Ang Lee

Pieces of April (2003)
Directed by Peter Hedges

Featured DVD

2010-11-11T12:44:00.001-08:00

Cats in starring and supporting roles!

Bell, Book and Candle
DVD13481

Breakfast at Tiffany's
DVD6333

Cats and Dogs
MPDVD02009

I Remember Mama
DVD10691

Savages
DVD6989

Squid and the Whale
DVD4614

Featured Resource

2010-11-11T10:54:00.000-08:00

FIAF Index to Film Periodicals provides access to a number of different databases. You can search for articles on film and television topics. The coverage begins in 1972. You can also search the Treasures from Film Archives for information on film holdings from a collection of international archives.

FIAF includes full-text journals, permits searching by director or film and provides access to trade publications, magazines and scholarly journals.

In Memoriam

2010-11-08T09:31:00.000-08:00

Jill Clayburgh
Read Janet Maslin's appraisal.

Get out and vote!

2010-11-01T09:57:00.000-07:00

This week's featured DVD is Otto Preminger's Advise and Consent starring Henry Fonda, Walter Pidgeon, Gene Tierney, Burgess Meredith, and, the one and only, Charles Laughton as Senator Cooley.

The film is timely and still riveting.

Advise and Consent

Butler Media (Circulating)

DVD9525

Featured DVDs

2010-10-27T08:29:00.000-07:00

Time for horror films!

My picks for this year feature an impressive list of silent films.

The Avenging Conscience (1914)
Directed by D.W. Griffith
Butler Media Res
DVD7647

Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1919)
Directed by Robert Wiene
Butler Media Res
DVD7220

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920)
Directed by John S. Robertson
Butler Media Res
DVD6107

Eyes of the Mummy (1922)
Directed by Ernst Lubitsch
Butler Media Res
DVD10390

The Hands of Orlac (1924)
Directed by Robert Wiene
Butler Media Res
DVD7221

Haunted Castle (1921)
Directed by F. W. Murnau
Butler Media (Circulating)
DVD13100

Nosferatu (1922)
Directed by F.W. Murnau
Butler Media Res
DVD4716

The Penalty (1920)
Directed by Wallace Worsley
Butler Media Res
DVD6109

The Phantom of the Opera (1929)
Directed by Rupert Julian
Butler Media Res
DVD0270

Waxworks (1924)
Directed by Paul Leni
Butler Media Res
DVD1336

Featured DVD

2010-10-25T09:19:00.001-07:00

If you are like me and completely blanked on getting a ticket for the already sold out ANGELS IN AMERICA at the Signature Theater, the first New York revival since the spectacular Broadway run in 1993-1994 (which I did see), check out the Mike Nichols film version made for HBO.
Starring Al Pacino, Meryl Streep, Jeffrey Wright, Justin Kirk, Patrick Wilson, Mary-Louise Parker and others -- Tony Kushner's brilliant play works on the small screen.

Butler Media (Circulating)
DVD9767

Featured DVD of the Week

2010-10-20T04:33:00.000-07:00

In response to this New York Times article entitled "Longing for the Lines That Had Us at Hello," I will add one of my favorites from Donnie Brasco -- "Forget about it."

Donnie Brasco

Butler Media Res

DVD0015

Donnie Brasc

Featured Resource

2010-10-19T10:26:00.000-07:00

Film Language Glossary

A multimedia dictionary of essential film terms.

Tribute to Tony Curtis

2010-09-30T06:08:00.000-07:00

Just a few of his remarkable films.

Boston Strangler
Butler Media
DVD8929

Defiant Ones
Butler Media Res
DVD7157

Great Race
Butler Media
DVD9136

Operation Petticoat
Butler Media
DVD9098

Some Like it Hot
Butler Media Res
DVD4121

Spartacus
Butler Media
DVD9399

Sweet Smell of Success
Butler Media
DVD9537

In Memoriam

2010-09-30T06:03:00.000-07:00

The fabulous Tony Curtis dies at 85.

Read the New York Times Obituary.

In Memoriam

2010-09-29T09:05:00.000-07:00

Director of 'Bonnie and Clyde' dies at 88 years of age.

See the New York Times Obituary.

New York Film Festival

2010-09-29T06:54:00.000-07:00

Runs through October 10th. Tickets are still available.

A few of the films featured on the main slate -- Certified Copy (d. Kiarostami), Film Socialisme (d. Godard), and Inside Job (d. Ferguson).

Featured DVD

2010-09-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

Juno
Butler Media Res
DVD7163

Movie Videos & Movie Scenes at MOVIECLIPS.com

In Memoriam

2010-09-13T09:00:00.001-07:00

Kevin McCarthy Dies at 96.

Read the New York Times Obituary.

In Memoriam - Claude Chabrol

2010-09-12T12:43:00.000-07:00

Read the New York Times Obituary.

Featured Resource

2010-09-07T11:46:00.000-07:00

Ethnographic Video Online

This database contains more than 750 hours of film content representing some of the most influential documentary filmmakers of the 20th century. Also included are text transcripts, field notes, study guides and the ability to mark and set clips.

Featured DVDs

2010-09-07T11:32:00.000-07:00

The Only Son and There was a Father by Yasujiro Ozu.

These rare and early films by Yasujiro Ozu were recently released by Criterion.

Butler Media (Circulating)
DVD13403

Welcome Students!

2010-09-07T11:26:00.000-07:00

Take a break and watch Buster Keaton in COLLEGE.

Butler Media (Circulating)
DVD9363

Featured DVD

2010-05-25T12:17:00.000-07:00

Harper Lee's novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" turns 50 this year. Adapted for the screen only a few years after its publication, Horton Foote won the Oscar for Best Screenplay (adapted) and Gregory Peck won Best Actor.

See the New York Times article for more information about the celebrations.

The DVD version is available from the Butler Media Res Collection -- call number DVD3805.

Featured Actor

2010-05-24T10:07:00.000-07:00

Robert De Niro in Raging Bull (1980) playing Jake Le Motta doing a fine imitation of Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront (1954).

De Niro won the Oscar for Best Actor. Thelma Schoonmaker won the Oscar for Best Film Editing.

Cannes Film Festival -- 2010

2010-05-23T11:35:00.000-07:00

Thai film "Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives" won the coveted Palme d'Or for best picture at the Cannes film festival Sunday.

Cannes Film Festival.

Featured DVD of the Week

2010-05-13T03:13:00.001-07:00

Dogs in both featured and supporting roles!

As Good As It Gets

Butler Media Res

DVD0537

Babe

Butler Media -- Offsite

MPDVD00820

Back to the Future: The Complete Trilogy

Butler Media -- Offsite

MPDVD00596

Best in Show

Butler Media

DVD8700

Bolt

Butler Media Res

DVD8164

Bringing Up Baby

Butler Media

DVD9216

Down and Out in Beverly Hills

Butler Media

DVD12572

Lady and the Tramp

Butler Media Res

DVD4554

My Dog Skip

Butler Media Res

DVD0717

Sounder

Butler Media Res

DVD7778

Thin Man

Butler Media Res

DVD3746

Umberto D.

Butler Media

DVD8957

White Dog

Butler Media Res

DVD7779

Wizard of Oz

Butler Media Res
DVD3938

Remembering Lena Horne

2010-05-10T13:57:00.001-07:00

A link to her obituary in the New York TImes.

Oscar Noir: 1940s Writing Nominees -- Film Noir

2010-05-05T06:42:00.000-07:00

Celebrate film noir!
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will be screening 15 film noir classics from the 1940s, all of which were nominated in the writing categories. The screenings run May - August in Los Angeles. No plans to travel to LA -- check them out in Butler.

Title List:

The Maltese Falcon
Shadow of a Doubt
Laura
Double Indemnity
Mildred Pierce
The Killers
The Strange Love of Martha Ivers
The Dark Mirror
The Blue Dahlia
The Stranger
Body and Soul
Crossfire
A Double Life
The Kiss of Death
White heat

Featured DVD of the Week

2010-05-03T11:43:00.001-07:00

Watching the detective.

American Gangster
DVD10708

Bad Lieutenant
DVD12410

Black Dahlia
DVD8946

In the Valley of Elah
DVD6617

Maltese Falcon
DVD5032

Missing
DVD7558

Mr. Moto in Danger Island
DVD5415

Monsieur Hire
DVD6254

Vertigo
DVD3909

Sherlock Holmes (Rathbone)
DVD1927

Thin Man
DVD1421
The Wire -- Series 1
DVD11137

Lynn Redgrave Dies at 67

2010-05-03T11:27:00.000-07:00

The New York Times obituary.

Featured Resource

2010-04-22T09:36:00.000-07:00

Searching for information on the business of film and the performing arts?

Recommended resources include:

ABI Inform is an authoritative resource for business research including information on the business of film and the performing arts. Indexes major scholarly journals, popular magazines and news publications.

Factiva (Dow Jones) exceptional content and search features -- indexes and provides full-text for Variety.

Proquest all-purpose article database with full-text.

It's Baseball Season!

2010-04-12T16:09:00.000-07:00

People will come. Baseball is a part of our past. It is the one constant. Baseball.

Go Yankees! Home opener -- 108th -- April 13th -- I love NY!

Featured Resource

2010-04-06T07:48:00.000-07:00

Useful sites for identifying blogs or weblogs.

Globe of Blogs

Technorati

The Weblogreview

Featured DVD of the Week

2010-04-06T07:42:00.001-07:00

The Devil Wears Prada
Butler Media Res
DVD5243

Meryl Streep is The Master.

Featured DVD of the Week

2010-03-30T13:39:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles in film.

Born in East L.A.
Butler Media Res
DVD1749

Chinatown
Butler Media (Circulating)
DVD9502

Escape from L.A.
Butler Media (Circulating)
DVD8488

L.A. Confidential
Butler Media Res
DVD7654

Laurel Canyon
Butler Media Res
DVD1707

Mulholland Drive
Butler Media (Circulating)
DVD10174

Sunset Boulevard
Butler Media (Circulating)
DVD10408

To Live and Die in L.A.
Butler Media (Circulating)
DVD8766

Featured DVD of the Week

2010-03-12T05:54:00.000-08:00

Silence of the Lambs
Butler Media (Circulating)
DVD9020

See clip.

Oscar Night!

2010-03-07T07:16:00.001-08:00

The Hurt Locker gets my vote!

movieclips.com

2010-03-02T09:18:00.000-08:00

movieclips.com -- host of the largest collection of officially-licensed, high quality movie scenes on the web, today opened up its service to users worldwide. For additional information, see the blog.

Enjoy this clip from ROMAN HOLIDAY.

View from the Bridge -- Last 7 weeks

2010-02-19T07:36:00.000-08:00

Directed by Gregory Mosher.

For Tickets -- check the website and CUARTS.

Lincoln Center to Stage Almodóvar

2010-02-19T07:31:00.000-08:00

From the New York Times

"The new musical “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown,” based on the 1988 Pedro Almodóvar film, and the acclaimed British production of the play “War Horse” will be two of the major shows of the 2010-11 season at Lincoln Center Theater, executives there said on Thursday."

See article.

Featured Resource

2010-02-17T08:51:00.000-08:00

from Libraries Spotlight Blog

Announcing CLIO Beta
by Jen on January 25, 2010

Beginning Monday, January 25, 2010 CLIO Beta will replace CLIO Classic as the primary search tool for Columbia University Libraries.

What does this mean?

CLIO Beta will be the new CLIO interface now. All links to CLIO will take you to the CLIO Beta interface.

Is the search different?
No. CLIO Beta and Classic have exactly the same content. Your searches will get the same results in Beta or Classic. The CLIO Beta Interface will offer you more functionality, though.

What’s new in CLIO Beta?
Here are just a few features to look for in CLIO Beta:

A search box on every page
ISBN/ISSN searches available in the basic and advanced searches
Book covers accompany search results, with up-turned page corners when full- or partial- text is available in Google Books
Text or email a the title, location and call number of an item to you cell phone
Permanent URLs are available for each record

What if I still want to use CLIO Classic?
There will be a link from CLIO Beta to CLIO Classic, if you’d prefer to use the previous interface.

CLIO Beta is an evolving search interface. We look forward to your feedback, and will continue to make improvements.

Featured DVD of the Week

2010-02-17T08:47:00.001-08:00

Deutschland im jahre null / Germany Year Zero
The Criterion Collection
New restored high-definition digital transfer.

Butler Media Res
DVD11801

Produced in 1948, Roberto Rossellini's film tells the story of Edmund, a young boy who struggles for survival amid the rubble that is Berlin after WWII.

Congratulations to Eric Mendelsohn!

2010-02-02T13:54:00.000-08:00

Columbia University School of the Arts Film Program Associate Professor Eric Mendelsohn won the Directing Award at the Sundance Film Festival for his film 3 Backyards.

Featured DVD of the Week

2010-02-02T13:40:00.000-08:00

The Hurt Locker

Directed by Kathryn Bigelow (SoA Film '81)

Butler Media Circulating
DVD11483

One of the most critically acclaimed films of 2009. Bigelow won the 2009 Directors Guild of America award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures for The Hurt Locker. The film was recently nominated for nine Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director.

Featured DVD of the Week

2010-01-28T10:00:00.000-08:00

The Hollywood Librarian: a look at librarians through film
A documentary film by Ann Seidl

Butler Media Res
DVD11623

"The Hollywood Librarian is the first comprehensive treatment of the subject of librarians. A vivid blend of factual documentary, feature film, and storytelling, it reveals the history and realities of librarianship in the entertaining and appealing context of American movies. Interviews with actual librarians, intercut with film clips of cinematic librarians, examine such issues as literature, books and reading, censorship, library funding, citizenship and democracy. For the first time, we see and understand the real lives and real work of American librarians who for decades have been a cultural force hiding in plain sight."--Container.

Featured Resource

2010-01-15T07:36:00.000-08:00

The History Makers is a collection of interviews with 100 contemporary African Americans in video along with full transcripts. This collection can be browsed by name of interviewee, occupation, subject category or theme. You can access The History Makers via Black Studies Center database.

Eric Rohmer Dies at 89

2010-01-12T10:58:00.000-08:00

Read the New York Times Obituary.

A few favorite films by Eric Rohmer.

Chloe in the afternoon
Butler Media Res
DVD0275

Claire's Knee
Butler Media Res
DVD4993

Love in the afternoon
Butler Media Res
DVD4995

My night at Maud's
Butler Media Res
DVD0277

Featured DVD of the Week

2009-12-15T10:33:00.000-08:00

Vaudeville

American Masters (Television Program)

Features more than eighty vaudeville acts.

Butler Media Res

DVD0968

Featured DVD of the Week

2009-12-14T09:47:00.000-08:00

21st Century Turning Points in U.S. History 2000-2009

"examines the most significant events in America since the turn of the century: our nation under attack on her own soil, a natural disaster destroying one of her major cities, Americans facing the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression, and the nation’s infrastructure - roads, water systems and electrical grids - deteriorating. It is also a decade of hope. The country elected its first African American President, the Internet connected people in ways unimaginable just ten years ago, and mapping the human genome gives the promise of a brighter, healthier future."--Container insert.

Butler Media Res

DVD11164

Featured Resource

2009-12-14T09:41:00.000-08:00

Copyright Advisory Office Website

Excellent resource for information on the fundamentals of copyright, fair use and educational applications.

See the section on film and the classroom.

http://copyright.columbia.edu/copyright/fair-use/practical-applications/showing-films-and-other-media/