Events & Programs
Films

Feature Films at the Library

Charlie Wilson’s War

Released 2007 – 102 minutes – R for strong language, nudity/sexual content, and some drug us

Friday, May 16 at 1:30pm in the Petty Auditorium

Texas Congressman Charlie Wilson (influenced by socialite Joanne Herring) works with CIA officer Gust Avrakotos to covertly arm and assist Afghan rebels against Soviet occupation. Adapted from the nonfiction book by George Crile. Starring Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

No Country for Old Men

Released 2007 – 122 minutes – R for strong graphic violence and some language

Friday, May 16 at 7:00pm in the Petty Auditorium

Llewelyn Moss stumbles upon a drug deal gone wrong and unwisely takes a briefcase containing 2 million dollars. The local sheriff is hot on his trail, as is psychopath Anton Chigurh, whose weapon of choice is a cattle gun. Based the acclaimed novel by Cormac McCarthy and winner of four Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor. Starring Javier Bardem, Tommy Lee Jones, and Josh Brolin.

Starting Out in the Evening

Released 2007 – 111 minutes – PG-13 for sexual content and language

Wednesday, May 21 at 1:30pm in the Petty Auditorium

Heather Wolfe, a young graduate student, is determined to write her thesis on novelist Leonard Schiller, who once was considered an important author. Now in his 70s, Schiller hasn’t published a new book in 10 years. She hoped to rekindle public interest and inspire him to finish his work. However, things become complicated. Based on the book by Brian Morton. Starring Frank Langella and Lauren Ambrose.

P.S. I Love You

Released 2007 – 126 minutes – PG-13 for sexual references and brief nudity

Friday, May 23 at 1:30pm in the Petty Auditorium

After her husband’s death, Holly Kennedy receives a series of letters that he wrote before he died. These provide Holly with new challenges and adventures, so she can enjoy life again. Starring Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler.

Bella

Released 2006 – 91 minutes – PG-13 for thematic elements and brief disturbing images

Friday, May 30 at 1:30pm in the Petty Auditorium

What difference can an act of kindness make? Nina, a waitress at a Mexican restaurant, is fired for being late. Jose, the head chef and brother of her boss, impulsively runs after her. He learns that Nina is pregnant, single, and worried. They spend the day together, talking and walking around New York City. Starring Eduardo Verastegui and Tammy Blanchard.

Movie Night : Golden Compass

Released 2007 – 113 minutes – PG-13 for sequences of fantasy violence

Friday, May 30 at 7:00pm in the Petty Auditorium

In a parallel universe, 11-year-old Lyra Belacqua embarks on a perilous journey to rescue her best friend and other children kidnapped by the Gobblers. Along the way, she gets help from a witch queen named Serafina Pekkala, aeronaut Lee Scoresby, and the armored bear Iorek Byrnison. Based on the award-winning book by Philip Pullman. Starring Dakota Blue Richards, Nicole Kidman, and Daniel Craig.

World Film Fest: Arranged

Released 2007 – 89 minutes – not rated

Monday, June 2 at 7:00pm in the Petty Auditorium

Mostly in English, with some Hebrew and Arabic
“Friendship has no religion.” Both new teachers at a Brooklyn public school, Rochel is from an Orthodox family and Nasira is a Muslim woman of Syrian descent. As they begin to work together, Rochel and Nasira learn that they have much in common– for example, experiencing the process of an arranged marriage.

There Will Be Blood

Released 2007 – 158 minutes – R for some violence

Friday, June 6 at 1:30pm in the Petty Auditorium

Daniel Day-Lewis won an Oscar for his portrayal of Daniel Plainview, a man who strikes oil and spends the rest of life accumulating wealth and power, all the while becoming isolated, arrogant, and scornful. Loosely based on the 1927 novel Oil! by Upton Sinclair. Paul Dano also stars in this story about greed, family, and religion.

Saturday Movie Matinee: The Water Horse-- Legend of the Deep

Released 2007 – 112 minutes – PG for some action/peril, mild language, and brief smoking

Saturday, June 7 at 2:00pm in the Petty Auditorium

Adapted from the children’s novel by Dick King-Smith, a young boy finds a mysterious egg, which hatches an extremely rare creature. Set in 1940s Scotland, this movie offers a new twist on the Loch Ness Monster myth. Starring Alex Etel and Emily Watson.

Over Her Dead Body

Released 2008 – 95 minutes – PG-13 for sexual content and language

Wednesday, June 11 at 1:30pm in the Petty Auditorium

In this ghostly romantic comedy, perfectionist bride-to-be Kate is killed by an ice sculpture on her wedding day. She doesn’t listen to her heavenly instructions and instead tries to sabotage her former fiancé’s relationship with a part-time psychic. Starring Eva Longoria Parker and Paul Rudd.

The Great Debaters

Released 2007 – 123 minutes – PG-13 for depiction of strong thematic material including violence and disturbing images, and for language and brief sexuality

Friday, June 13 at 1:30pm in the Petty Auditorium

In 1935 Professor Melvin B. Tolson, the debate coach at Wiley College, a small all-black institution, mentors a group of talented students. Overcoming many barriers, they receive an invitation to debate the Harvard University team and compete for the national championship. Inspired by a true story, starring Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker.

Love in the Time of Cholera

Released 2007 – 139 minutes – R for sexual content/nudity and brief language

Wednesday, June 18 at 1:30 in the Petty Auditorium

Set in Columbia from the late 1880s to the early decades of the 20th century, Florentino spends 50 years in love with Fermina, who rejected him because of her father’s intervention. Although he has hundreds of affairs, Florentino reserves his heart for Fermina and finally gets a chance to be with her when her husband dies. Based on the acclaimed book by Gabriel García Márquez; starring Javier Bardem.

Lars and the Real Girl

Released 2007 – 106 minutes – PG-13 for some sex-related content

Friday, June 20 at 1:30pm in the Petty Auditorium

Shy and awkward, Lars has trouble relating to people. One day he declares that he has a girlfriend named Bianca, someone he met via the Internet. Trouble is, she’s really a life-sized plastic doll that he ordered online. The small community rallies around Lars, hoping that he will work through his problems and discard the fantasy. Starring Ryan Gosling.

Into the Wild

Released 2007 –148 minutes – rated R for language and some nudity

Monday, June 23 at 6:30pm in the Petty Auditorium

Based on the nonfiction book by Jon Krakauer, recent college graduate Christopher McCandless forsakes his privileged lifestyle and journeys to Alaska, where he intends to live off the land. He finally reaches his destination but is found dead inside an abandoned bus several months later. Starring Emile Hirsch.

National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets

Released 2007 – 124 minutes – rated PG for some violence and action

Friday, June 27 at 7:00pm in the Petty Auditorium

Adventurer and “treasure protector” Ben Gates sets out to prove that his great-great-grandfather was a hero and not a co-conspirator in Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Starring Nicholas Cage, John Voight, and Helen Mirren.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

Released 2007 – 159 minutes – rated R for some strong violence and brief sexual references

Monday, June 30 at 6:30pm in the Petty Auditorium

Robert Ford idolizes Jesse James and manages to join the outlaw’s gang. He develops a complex, obsessive relationship with James and eventually betrays the notorious outlaw. Based on the book by Ron Hansen. Starring Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck.

Saturday Movie Matinee: Nancy Drew

Released 2007 – 99 minutes – rated PG for mild violence, thematic elements, and brief language

Saturday, July 5 at 2:00pm in the Mary Radmacher Meeting Room

Everyone's favorite girl detective hits the big screen in this fun adventure starring Emma Roberts.

World Film Fest: Le Grand Chef

Released 2007 – 113 minutes – not rated

Monday, July 7 at 6:30pm in the Petty Auditorium (note early start time)

In Korean with English subtitles
Two young chefs compete in an Iron-Chef-style cooking contest to determine the true heir to the last Korean Royal Chef of the Chosun Dynasty. The prize is a legendary cooking knife once used by the prestigious chef. Based on the popular comic book series, this romantic, action-packed comedy is sure to make some taste buds tingle. It received a standing ovation at the 2007 Pusan International Film Festival. Reception to follow, sponsored by the Korean Cultural Center of Chicago.

World Film Fest: The Kite Runner

Released 2007 – 128 minutes – PG-13 for strong thematic material including the rape of a child, violence, and brief strong language

Friday, July 11 at 1:30pm in the Petty Auditorium

In English, with some Dari, Pashtu, Urdu, and Russian with English subtitles
Before the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Amir and his servant Hassan were best friends. An act of violence leads to tragic betrayal, and the boys go their separate ways. Several years later Amir lives in the United States, yet he is haunted his disloyalty toward Hassan. When Amir is asked to return to Kabul (now under Taliban control) to find Hassan’s orphaned son, Amir feels that he must take on this highly dangerous task. Based on the book by Khaled Hosseini. There will be no discussion following this film.

Family Movie Night: The Spiderwick Chronicles

Released 2008 – 97 minutes – rated PG for scary creature action and violence, peril, and some thematic elements

Friday, July 11 at 7:00pm in the Petty Auditorium

From the bestselling series of books comes this fantasy adventure about the Grave family, who moves into the secluded house of their great-uncle Arthur Spiderwick. They soon uncover the fantastic truth about the creatures that inhabit the estate.

Monday Night Movie: The Water Horse-- Legend of the Deep

Released 2007 – 112 minutes – PG for some action/peril, mild language, and brief smoking

Monday, July 21 at 7:00pm in the Petty Auditorium

Adapted from the children’s novel by Dick King-Smith, a young boy finds a mysterious egg, which hatches an extremely rare creature. Set in 1940s Scotland, this movie offers a new twist on the Loch Ness Monster myth. Starring Alex Etel and Emily Watson.

Monday Night Movie: Nancy Drew

Released 2007 – 99 minutes – rated PG for mild violence, thematic elements, and brief language

Monday, July 28 at 7:00pm in the Petty Auditorium

Everyone's favorite girl detective hits the big screen in this fun adventure starring Emma Roberts.

World Film Fest: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Released 2007 – 112 minutes – PG-13 for nudity, sexual content, and some language

Monday, August 4 at 7:00pm in the Petty Auditorium

In French with English subtitles
Adapted from the memoir by Jean-Dominique Bauby, who was the editor of popular French fashion magazine Elle. Bauby suffered a massive heart stroke that resulted in a rare condition called Locked-in Syndrome. Bauby’s mental faculties were undamaged; however, he was entirely paralyzed except for his left eyelid. With his therapist, Bauby worked out a system of communication by blinking his eye when the correct letter of the alphabet was spoken.

Family Movie Night: College Road Trip

Released 2008 – 84 minutes – rated G

Monday, August 4 at 7:00pm in the Petty Auditorium

An overachieving high school student with dreams of being a public defender decides to travel around the country to choose the perfect college. Her father, an overprotective cop, decides to accompany her in order to keep her on the straight and narrow in this road comedy.

Skokie Review: Entertainment

The online Skokie Review calendar of events and activities includes information about movies screened at libraries, activity centers, and more.  Choose "Screen" from the Entertainment menu to view movie listings.