Best AV of 2010

Now that the list of the best fiction of 2010 has been covered, it's only fair to give audiovisuals their due. This past year marked Eminem's comeback album and Taylor Swift's continued domination of the charts. A CGI-laden sci-fi film stole our hearts, toys came back to life in a big way and a cantankerous musician gave us hope. The world of video games welcomed back several old friends, including the Mario Bros., Kirby, Donkey Kong and Sonic. All in all, 2010 was packed with winning audiovisuals.

Read on for the Adult Services Department's lists of the best DVDs, CDs and video games of 2010. These compilations include some of the best reviewed and most popular titles at PCL.

DVDs

~Fantastic Mr. Fox (PG) - "Fantastic Mr. Fox is a delightfully funny feast for the eyes with multi-generational appeal - and it shows Wes Anderson has a knack for animation." - Rottentomatoes.com

~The Hurt Locker (R) - "A well-acted, intensely shot, action filled war epic, Kathryn Bigelow's The Hurt Locker is thus far the best of the recent dramatizations of the Iraq War." - Rottentomatoes.com

~Crazy Heart (R) - "Thanks to a captivating performance from Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart transcends its overly familiar origins and finds new meaning in an old story." - Rottentomatoes.com

~Inception (PG-13) - "Smart, innovative, and thrilling, Inception is that rare summer blockbuster that succeeds viscerally as well as intellectually." - Rottentomatoes.com

~Up in the Air (R) - "Led by charismatic performances by its three leads, director Jason Reitman delivers a smart blend of humor and emotion with just enough edge for mainstream audiences." - Rottentomatoes.com

~Despicable Me (PG) (Coming soon to PCL) - "Borrowing heavily (and intelligently) from Pixar and Looney Tunes, Despicable Me is a surprisingly thoughtful, family-friendly treat with a few surprises of its own." - Rottentomatoes.com

~How to Train Your Dragon (PG) - "Boasting dazzling animation, a script with surprising dramatic depth, and thrilling 3-D sequences, How to Train Your Dragon soars." - Rottentomatoes.com

~The Blind Side (PG-13) - It might strike some viewers as a little too pat, but The Blind Side has the benefit of strong source material and a strong performance from Sandra Bullock." - Rottentomatoes.com

~Toy Story 3 (G) - "Deftly blending comedy, adventure, and honest emotion, Toy Story 3 is a rare second sequel that really works." - Rottentomatoes.com

~Avatar (PG-13) - "It might be more impressive on a technical level than as a piece of storytelling, but Avatar reaffirms James Cameron's singular gift for imaginative, absorbing filmmaking." - Rottentomatoes.com

CDs

~Contra by Vampire Weekend - "The scholarly Upper West Side Soweto of Vampire Weekend's debut sounded self-assured, but on Contra, they step out of their ivory tower with just as much confidence." - Allmusic.com

~Union by Elton John and Leon Russell - "Surely, it's a revival for Leon Russell, who has spent decades in the wilderness, but it's not a stretch to say The Union revitalizes Elton John just as much as it does his idol: he hasn't sounded this soulful in years." - Allmusic.com

~My Beautiful, Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West (Coming soon to PCL) - "Whether loved or loathed, fully enjoyed or merely admired, this album should be regarded as a deeply fascinating accomplishment." - Allmusic.com

~Need You Now by Lady Antebellum - "Here, the band's seamless, polished, and savvy brand of contemporary country is even more consistent than it was on their debut; it's virtually flawless in its songwriting, production, and performance." - Allmusic.com

~The Suburbs by Arcade Fire - "It's serious without being preachy, cynical without dissolving into apathy, and whimsical enough to keep both sentiments in line, and of all of their records, it may be the one that ages so well." - Allmusic.com

~The Guitar Song by Jamey Johnson (Coming soon to PCL) - "...it makes plain the music contemporary country is trying to erase, while being a thoroughly accessible modern offering. Given its wonderfully crafted and performed material and stellar production, it is the country album of 2010." - Allmusic.com

~Brothers by The Black Keys (Coming soon to PCL) - "And that's the great thing about the Black Keys in general and Brothers in particular: the past and present intermingle so thoroughly that they blur, yet there's no affect, just three hundred pounds of joy." - Allmusic.com

~Recovery by Eminem - "It may be flawed and the rapper's attitude is sometimes one step ahead of his output, but he hasn't sounded this unfiltered and proud since The Marshall Mathers LP..." - Allmusic.com

~Congratulations by MGMT (Coming soon to PCL) - "From the opening moments of the sublime "It's Working" all the way to the titular closer, Congratulations is an incredible follow-up from a band that is still maturing into some unknown entity." - Allmusic.com

~Speak Now by Taylor Swift - "She writes from the perspective of the moment yet has the skill of a songwriter beyond her years, articulating contradictions and confessions with keen detail and strong melody." - Allmusic.com
Video Games

~Gran Turismo 5 (PS3 / E / Coming soon to PCL) - "...if you've ever fantasized about a Ferrari or dreamed of driving at Daytona, Gran Turismo 5 is a game that you're sure to get a lot out of. This is simultaneously the most accessible GT game yet and the most uncompromisingly realistic driving game on a console to date." - GameSpot.com

~3D Dot Game Heroes (PS3 / E10+) - "...a pleasant retreat for anyone who pines for the good old days, but even those without nostalgic links to the past will find an enjoyable experience." - GameSpot.com

~Monster Hunter Tri (Wii / T) - "...if you're hungering for some fun, challenging action and online comaraderie, Monster Hunter Tri will satisfy your cravings." - GameSpot.com

~Rock Band 3 (Wii / PS3 / T / Coming soon to PCL) - "All told, Rock Band turns in an absolutely stellar performance...easily one of the most ambitious music games ever produced, and that it is so successful in its ambition makes it something really special." - GameSpot.com

~Final Fantasy XIII (PS3 / T) - "...a legitimately great game for its stunning beauty, fantastic story, and enjoyable battles, which means it has a lot in common with the Final Fantasy games that came before it." - GameSpot.com

~NBA 2K11 (Wii / PS3 / E) - "...a huge improvement over last year's edition. Just about every facet has been improved or overhauled, which makes this a richly rewarding experience with enough depth to make even diehard NBA fans feel like rookies." - GameSpot.com

~Sonic Colors (Wii / E / Coming soon to PCL) - "...a welcome surprise: a fresh-faced 3D Sonic with great looks and breezy action...This is a Sonic game with verve and imagination..." - GameSpot.com

~Donkey Kong Country Returns (Wii / E / Coming soon to PCL) - "This is a traditional take on 2D platformers, and it excels because the brilliant level design makes old obstacles seem new again. Every level hides a new surprise, and you'll replay them over and over again not only to nab every hidden collectible, but also because they're exquisitely entertaining." - GameSpot.com

~Kirby's Epic Yarn (Wii / E / Coming soon to PCL) - "...makes it clear from the get-go that it is an adorable game that will put a smile on your face through its outstanding visual design, but the delights go much deeper than the delectable aesthetics." - GameSpot.com

~Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii / E) - "...simply an outstanding game. It never rests on its laurels for a second, constantly presenting new objectives and mechanics to push you to never before seen places." - GameSpot.com

Movie Marathon

Fall is a great time to cozy up on the couch and enjoy a movie marathon with friends and family. Themes can range anywhere from Hollywood classics to award-winning documentaries to movies starring Tom Hanks. Films are a unique way to learn about other people and places, observe different perspectives on the human condition or simply enjoy a brief escape from reality. Grab some popcorn, friends and DVDs from the library today!

Movie Marathon Ideas:
Academy Award Winners
Crash (2005 / R)
Shakespeare in Love (1998 / R)
The Deer Hunter (1978 / R)
In the Heat of the Night (1967 / Not rated by the MPAA)
All About Eve (1950 / Not rated by the MPAA)

AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies
Citizen Kane (1941 / PG)
The Godfather (1972 / R)
Casablanca (1942 / PG)
Raging Bull (1980 / R)
Singin' in the Rain (1952 / G)

Documentaries

The Cove (2009 / PG-13)

Man on Wire (2008 / PG-13)

Taxi to the Dark Side (2007 / R)

An Inconvenient Truth (2006 / PG)

March of the Penguins (2005 / G)

Fall Classic
The Natural (1984 / PG)
A League of Their Own (1992 / PG)
Major League (1989 / R)
Bull Durham (1988 / R)
Eight Men Out (1988 / PG)

Family Friendly
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001 / PG)
Toy Story (1995 / G)
Up (2009 / PG)
The Princess Bride (1987 / PG)
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009 / PG)

Foreign Films
The Secret in Their Eyes (2009 / R)
Departures (2008 / PG-13)
The Counterfeiters (2008 / R)
The Lives of Others (2006 / R)
Tsotsi (2005 / R)

Fright Fest
Misery (1990 / R)
Nosferatu (1922 / Not rated by the MPAA)
Psycho (1960 / R)
The Shining (1980 / R)
The Thing (1982 / R)

Musicals
Cabaret (1972 / PG)
West Side Story (1961 / Not rated by the MPAA)
Moulin Rouge! (2002 / PG-13)
My Fair Lady (1964 / G)
The Sound of Music (1965 / G)

Romantic Comedies
When Harry Met Sally (1989 / R)
My Best Friend's Wedding (1997 / PG-13)
Say Anything (1989 / PG-13)
The Wedding Singer (1998 / PG-13)
My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002 / PG)

War Films

Platoon (1986 / R)

The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957 / PG)

Schindler's List (1993 / R)

Full Metal Jacket (1987 / R)

Saving Private Ryan (1998 / R)

Westerns
Unforgiven (1992 / R)
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969 / PG)
3:10 to Yuma (2007 / R)
Tombstone (1993 / R)
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966 / R)

Movie Madness

College basketball isn't the only major event on television in March. Some of the fall and winter's biggest films have been released on DVD this month, including several Oscar winners. Take a look at these fan favorites and then visit PCL's webpage to place a hold on one (or more!)

*2012 (PG-13)
*The Blind Side (PG-13) - Winner of the Oscar for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role - Sandra Bullock
*Broken Embraces (R)
*An Education (PG-13)
*Fantastic Mr. Fox (PG)
*New Moon (PG-13)
*Precious (R) - Winner of the Oscars for Best Writing and Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role - Mo'Nique
*The Princess and the Frog (G)
*Sherlock Holmes (PG-13) - Winner of the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Robert Downey, Jr.
*Up in the Air (R) - Winner of the Golden Globe for Best Screenplay
*Where the Wild Things Are (PG)

And keep an eye out for these April DVD releases:

*Crazy Heart (R) - April 20th - Winner of the Oscars for Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures - "The Weary Kind" and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role - Jeff Bridges
*The Lovely Bones (PG-13) - April 20th
*The Young Victoria (PG) - April 20th - Winner of the Oscar for Best Achievement in Costume Design
*Avatar (PG-13) - April 22nd - Winner of the Oscars for Best Achievement in Art Direction, Best Achievement in Cinematography and Best Achievement in Visual Effects
*It's Complicated (R) - April 27

Roeper's Best Films of the Decade

To continue the theme of "best of the decade," here is movie critic Richard Roeper's top ten films of the 2000s, along with a few of his comments.

10. Hotel Rwanda (2004) - "One of the most heartbreaking and inspirational movies I've ever seen, based on a true story."
9. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) - "Epic, exotic, romantic, gorgeous - and filled with breathtaking fight sequences."
8. 25th Hour (2002) - "Works as a social commentary, a crime story, a buddy film and a story about the bond between father and son."
7. Slumdog Millionaire (2008) - "'The Usual Suspects' meets 'It's a Wonderful Life,' with a whole lot of 21st century Charles Dickens, as well."
6. Mystic River (2003) - "If Clint Eastwood had never acted in a single frame of film in his life, he'd be an American treasure for his work behind the camera."
5. House of Flying Daggers (2004) - "The most beautiful film of the decade."
4. Memento (2001) - "Ingeniously inverted puzzle that goes from finish to start, like Hitchcock walking backward."
3. Traffic (2000) - "Soderbergh's sprawling masterpiece about the myriad ways in which drugs have invaded our culture is a triumph of style and content."
2. In America (2003) - "In this beautiful, heart-wrenching, fictionalized version of his own story, director Jim Sheridan explores the theme of 'aliens' in America while continually referencing another alien: 'E.T.'"
1. The Departed (2006) - "Great, juicy performances, a brilliant screenplay and enough twists and turns to leave you breathless."

Do you agree with this list?

For Roeper's complete list of the 100 best movies of the decade, along with comments and honorable mentions, read his Chicago Sun-Times article.

DVD Guide

There's no shortage of popular DVD releases around the holidays. The trouble is figuring out which films are all hype and which are worth your time. Here are some of this season's most anticipated DVD releases, along with the critic consensus from Rotten Tomatoes.

*Angels and Demons (Rated PG-13) - "a fast-paced thrill ride, and an improvement on the last Dan Brown adaptation, but the storyline too often wavers between implausible and ridiculous"
*Funny People (Rated R) - "features the requisite humor, as well as considerable emotional depth, resulting in Judd Apatow's most mature film to date"
*Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Rated PG) - "Dark, thrilling, and occasionally quite funny, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is also visually stunning and emotionally satisfying"
*Julie and Julia (Rated PG-13) - "Boosted by Meryl Streep's charismatic performance as Julia Child, Julie and Julia is a light, but fairly entertaining culinary comedy"
*Public Enemies (Rated R) - "Michael Mann's latest is a competent and technically impressive gangster flick with charismatic lead performances, but some may find the film lacks truly compelling drama"
*Star Trek (Rated PG-13) - "reignites a classic franchise with action, humor, a strong story, and brilliant visuals, and will please traditional Trekkies and new fans alike"
*Terminator Salvation (Rated PG-13) - "offers plenty of great effects but lacks the heart of the original films"
*Up (Rated PG) - "Another masterful work of art from Pixar, Up is an exciting, hilarious, and heartfelt adventure impeccably crafted and told with wit and depth"

With all that being said, the most important critic review is your own. What are your thoughts on any of these films?

TV on DVD

It's that time of year again - when TV stations debut their new Fall lineups and air season premieres. There are old favorites and new pilots on every channel. This is the perfect time to check out the library's TV on DVD collection. Featuring a wide range of entertaining and educational programs, this collection has something for everyone. Search the library's catalog for programs such as 24, 30 Rock, 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, Band of Brothers, Cranford, Damages, Gilmore Girls, House, M.D., Mad Men, Midsomer Murders, Lost, The Office, The Presidents, The Rosa Parks Story, Survivorman, The Tudors, Unlocking the Great Pyramid and many more!

Is there a particular show that you look forward to watching each season? Are there any new shows that you're hooked on?