On Thursday, May 23 at 6 p.m. the Murphy Library is showing Found Memories, a Film Movement selection from Brazil.  A young woman photographer discovers an old village in Brazil and records the beauty she finds in the people like elderly Madalena, in the stone buildings, and in life itself.  She also learns to make bread.  Portuguese with subtitles in English.  98 minutes.  Not rated. 

The small village of Jotuomba is mostly elderly — the young have left to find work.  But Antonio is still working at his bar and his friend Madalena gets up early and makes bread for the bar.

The film shows Madalena bringing the bread to the bar and arguing with Antonio about where to store it.

Then, a few scenes later, again Madalena brings bread to the bar and argues with Antonio about where to store it.  At first you think something has gone wrong with the DVD player, but no.  That is just how every day occurs in Jotuomba.

Then the young woman Rita arrives and with her camera she sees things differently.  In fact, she sees the art in everyone – even in those who lie peacefully in the old cemetery.

The Murphy Library is showing, The Lucky One, about a veteran and the woman who was his lucky charm, on Thursday, May 16 at 6 p.m.  It is rated PG-13 and running time is 101 minutes. 

Based on the Nicholas Sparks novel of the same name, there are bomb blasts and war scenes, as well as happy dogs and romantic moments. And filming was done in and around New Orleans.  Most of all, it’s about a veteran and the trials he goes through before and after war.

There are plenty of good cooks among Friends of Murphy Library, but they deserve a night off, don’t they?  Especially when the Friends are holding their annual fundraising dinner at Doyles Cedar Hill Restaurant on Andrews Road in Murphy on Thursday, May 9, starting at 6 p.m.

As musician John Desjardins helps everyone forget their cares and woes, Doyles will fill their plates with salad, chicken piccata, linguini, vegetables, coffee, tea and dessert.

Tickets are $25 per person and may be purchased at the Murphy Library or Coconutz computer store on Valley River.  Everyone is welcome.  Call 837-2417 for details.

Because of this special dinner, the library is canceling the previously scheduled movie.

Funds raised will help the library buy more books and media for all ages. Donations are very welcome until May 2.  Call 837-2417 for details.

Nine-year-old Kadeeja Patterson and her fifteen-year-old sister Delilah Smith, the daughters of Beverly Gibby and Paul Smith, are students in Murphy Elementary and Murphy High School respectively. Last week while studying at the Murphy Library they previewed items donated for the library’s yard sale.

Eli is in his third marriage, to a much younger woman.   One day he announces to his grown daughters that his wife is pregnant. He’s almost 60 The married daughter, Dom, has been unsuccessfully trying to get pregnant, and now plans to adopt.  The beautiful Justine, his youngest, barely keeps a boyfriend for longer than three days, and then Eli tries to make friends with her ex-boyfriends.  As you can see, this family is complicated.

Then there is the love of art.  Justine wants to be an artist but needs to earn a living.  Her solution? Work in a radiology lab and make art out of x-rays.

The Murphy Library is showing this film Thursday at 6 p.m. Running time is 120 minutes and the film is rated PG. To see the trailer, go to www.friendsofmurphylibrary.wordpress.com or call 837-2417.

Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, Etta James, Julian Lennon, Linda Ronstadt, and a very patient Keith Richards played and sang at the concert.  Stones’ guitarist Richards not only played, he volunteered to be the music director of the concert for his longtime friend.  This was not an easy task.  He had seen Berry perform with several less than stellar back up bands, except, of course that night with Springsteen.  While Richards worked hard to make it right, he had not realized that Chuck Berry could make him crazier than Mick Jaggar!  That is why you can’t quite tell whether Richards is constantly drinking iced tea, or perhaps a nice ale.

The Murphy Library’s Thursday movie, Hope Springs, stars Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones and Steve Carell in a comedy drama about a marriage that needs more romance. Running time is 100 minutes and rating is PG-13.  The film will be shown at 6 p.m. only.

Kay and Arnold have been married over 30 years and find themselves in a rut.  Kay is not too happy about that.  Arnold doesn’t think anything’s wrong.  When Kay signs them up for a week’s counseling session with Dr. Feld, (played by Steve Carell), Arnold is not happy.  At all.  But he goes.

The late, great film critic Roger Ebert gives good advice when watching this film.  Keep your eyes on Tommy Lee Jones.  This is not his typical role, playing a shy and vulnerable man.  There is nothing like the opportunity to watch an actor stretch.  Thank you, Tommy.  Thank you, Roger.

 When director Martin Scorsese’s mother Catherine was alive she would cook for his film crew. And often she and his father, Charles, would have walk-on parts in his films. “What,” you will ask “does that have to do with a Muppet movie?”

The Murphy Library is showing the 1984 Muppet movie, The Muppets Take Manhattan, Thursday at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Running time is 94 minutes and it is rated G. This time the Muppets find themselves in New York trying to get their big break on Broadway. The voice of the late Jim Henson can be heard as Kermit, Ernie, the Swedish Chef and a few others he made famous.

Ed Koch, the late mayor of New York, shows up in the film. So do Art Carney, Dabney Coleman, Gregory Hines, Liza Minnelli, and Brooke Shields.

Joan Rivers has the perfect role for herself as a fast-talking workmate of Miss Piggy. 

Which brings us back to Charles and Catherine Scorsese.  Even they have walk-on roles in this Muppet movie.  Perhaps the Muppets were hoping for a hot meal? Then, again, they do have the Swedish Chef on staff.

The Murphy Library is showing Corpo Celeste, Film Movement’s quietly moving coming-of-age story filmed in Calabria, Italy, this Thursday at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. in Italian with subtitles in English.   Running time is 100 minutes.  The film is not rated but may be appropriate for upper high school levels.

Marta is enrolled in a class at the local Catholic church to study for her confirmation, and in hopes she will make some friends.  Instead, she finds herself with many questions and no one to answer them….yet. 

Call the library at 837-2417.

The library is showing the movie version of Much Ado About Nothing, a romantic comedy with flashes of drama Thursday at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. It is rated PG-13 and running time is 111 minutes.  Kenneth Branagh directed and starred along with Emma Thompson, Robert Sean Leonard, Denzel Washington, Michael Keaton, Keanu Reeves, and Kate Beckinsale.

A feminist poem starts things rolling:

“Sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more. Men were deceivers ever

One foot in sea, and one on shore, To one thing constant never.”

And how does it end?  Dancers twirl and whirl through a garden as music plays joyously.

Who dances with whom?  Ah, that is the question.

Call the library at 837-2417.

P.S.  Branagh attracted a fine cast of actors to work with.  Maybe that is why he made the film at a villa in the Tuscany region of Italy where the wine flows and the food is nothing short of wonderful…..