Spotlight: African Americans in Film

In our continuing celebration of African American History month, we've selected films and documentaries at Carnegie-Stout Public Library that feature African American actors, as well as films that were written, directed or produced by African Americans.

Feature films

A Soldier's Story (1984) -In the racially-divided 1940s, Fort Neal, Louisiana, is a military base where black soldiers are sent not to fight in WWII but to play baseball against other armed forces teams. The murder of a black sergeant, Waters (Adolph Caesar) brings an investigator, Captain Davenport (Howard E. Rollins, Jr.) to the base. Davenport, the first black officer that most of the men have ever met, suspects that a pair of white men were responsible for Waters' death, but his probe reveals that nearly everyone, regardless of skin color, had ample reason to kill the loathsome but pitiable Waters. The film was nominated for three Oscars: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Caesar) and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Do The Right Thing (1989) - On the hottest day of the year, simmering racial tensions in a Brooklyn neighborhood of between the frustrated black locals, the new Korean grocery and the established Sal's Pizzeria. Written and directed by Spike Lee, the film went on to earn Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actor (Danny Aiello) and Best Screenplay. In 2007, the film was listed as the 96th greatest American Movie in Film History by the American Film Institute.

Secret Life of Bees (2008) - Set in South Carolina in 1964, this is the tale of Lily Owens a 14 year-old girl who is haunted by the memory of her late mother. To escape her lonely life and troubled relationship with her father, Lily flees with Rosaleen, her caregiver and only friend, to a South Carolina town that holds the secret to her mother's past. Taken in by the intelligent and independent Boatwright sisters, Lily finds solace in their mesmerizing world of beekeeping. Based on the 2002 novel by Sue Monk Kidd.

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Documentaries

The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 - The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 mobilizes a treasure trove of 16mm material shot by Swedish journalists who came to the US drawn by stories of urban unrest and revolution. Gaining access to many of the leaders of the Black Power Movement—Stokely Carmichael, Bobby Seale, Angela Davis and Eldridge Cleaver among them—the filmmakers captured them in intimate moments and remarkably unguarded interviews.

Hoop Dreams - Two ordinary inner-city kids dare to dream the impossible - professional basketball glory - in this epic chronicle of hope and faith. Filmed over a five-year period, Hoop Dreams follows young Arthur Agee and William Gates as they navigate the complex, competitive world of scholastic athletics while striving to overcome the intense pressures of family life and the realities of their Chicago streets.

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Library Lover's Day

Forget Valentine's Day - today is Library Lover's Day!

Express your love for all things library today by stopping down to the library and checking out our romance (and anti-romantic) themed book selections, showing your love on Facebook or joining the Friends of the Library.

If you're looking for a romantic read, check out our lists of funny, classic and contemporary romances.

We'll also be showing the classic French film "The Lovers" tomorrow, Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. in the Aigler Auditorium on the Library's 3rd Floor.

You also check out galleries of the 10 greatest kisses in literature and the best bookish love scenes.

 Happy Library Lover's Day!

Singles Awareness Day

Across the nation today (and tomorrow) people will be celebrating Singles Awareness Day or S.A.D. The alternative holiday for anyone not in the mood for Valentine's.

We here at Carnegie-Stout have put together a display of books and movies for S.A.D. (and a romantic display too) Unfortunately that display doesn't include 6-time Grammy winner Adele's wonderful break up CD, 21, but you can place a hold in the catalog. I also recommend Sara Bareilles' Kaleidoscope Heart for some great post-breakup music. You can also check out the catalog for our collection of blues music.

What gifts are appropriate for S.A.D.? Popular options include treating yourself to some fancy chocolate, or going out for a nice dinner with friends. But I think the Bronx Zoo's holiday fundraiser might be a nice fit. This year you can give the gift of naming one of their Madagascar hissing cockroaches after the person of your choice: www.bronxzoo.com/roach

I'll leave you with this link to Boing Boing and a vintage book advertisement: "Why is it more interesting to spend an evening with this book than a beautiful woman?"

"Attachments" by Rainbow Rowell

With Valentine's Day tomorrow, how can I resist the chance to review something romantic? I recently picked up and devoured Attachments, a first novel by newspaper columnist Rainbow Rowell.

At first glance, the plot summary sounds more creepy than romantic, but by the last page I was filled with the warm glow of Happily Ever After. It's 1999, and Lincoln has finally decided to leave school (after two Master's degrees) for the exciting world of IT. He's hired by the local newspaper (on the Nebraska side of the border with Iowa) to work the late shift. His primary responsibility? To monitor employee use of the new internal email for inappropriate behavior, including that of Beth (movie reviews) and Jennifer (an editor). Lincoln falls for Beth, sight unseen, and what happens next would be spoilers.

The characters are very well done, and just seemed like the sort of people I'd enjoy hanging out with on a Friday night. It might just be my first hand experience with life as a late 20-something, but this book was a nice mix of relateable and escapist. While I'm typically not a fan of movie adaptations, I could see Attachments as a very cute rom-com.

~Sarah, Adult Services

Looking for a good book?

Even avid readers sometimes aren't sure what to pick up next. Maybe you've read everything by your favorite author, or the next book in the mystery series you're reading won't be published until next December. If you're at loose ends for what to read next, Carnegie-Stout is here to help!

We now offer Personal Recommendations at, you guessed it, the Recommendations Desk! This new program allows us to take the information you provide about your reading preferences and create a list of books we think you'll love. Stop by in person to pick up a blank form or submit a form from home. The form is found on our website (www.dubuque.lib.ia.us) under the Adult Services menu,or follow this link to download and submit a pdf.

We'll also be offering reading suggestions on our Facebook page again soon. Stop by on March 1st and leave a comment with a favorite title or author, and we'll respond with a reading suggestion!