Staff Picks
Our Library staff have chosen four (4) recommendations, with some words explaining each pick.
They can include everything from films and TV series to books, podcasts, music and beyond.
They can be accessed either online or from the Library's physical collection (for AFTRS staff and students only).
Research Support Librarian
Collection Development Librarian
Library & Information Services Manager
Resource Access Librarian
User Experience Librarian
ENCANTO
Dir. Bryon Howard & Jarod Bush (2021)
Encanto is visually and musically un-paralleled; a super cheesy story about belonging and what it means to be family, it follows young Mirabel as she tries to discover what her contribution to the family is. The themes are quite strong, and even though quite heavy, the film seems to keep you in a place of calm and resolve.
TRUE LIES
Dir. James Cameron (1994)
Watch the film and I'll let you decide. I get it Jamie Lee Curtis is a bored suburban housewife, but come on your husband is literally Arnold Swarznegger, like what more do you want? Either way, James Cameron's early films really hold up! Terrorists and Soviet weapons!
Uncharted 4 : A Thief's End
Creator: Naughty Dog (Firm) (2016)
In the wake of the new film, Uncharted, get to know the real Nathan Drake, as he adventures in pursuit of Pirate treasure. The game is your typical old-school run-through, you must discover what is truly valuable the gold or the heart.
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SILENT HILL
Dir. Samuel Hadida (2006)
Silent Hill is a terrifying film, that warns against the dangers of living in a secular community with an angry child. Having lived somewhere where the fog never lifts, I can attest to the feelings of hopelessness this film elicits. The big question, does Sean Bean die?
LE RAYON VERT (The Green Ray)
Dir. Eric Rohmer (1986)
Marie Riviere plays Delphine, a young woman left adrift over the course of a summer in France. This is the deceptively simple start to the tale, which blossoms into such a uniquely moving, inspiring experience. The ending always blows me away.
CLOSE-UP
Dir. Abbas Kiarostami (1990)
In my opinion, this is one of the great films about filmmaking. Also has one of my all-time favourite endings.
TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY
Dir. James Cameron (1991)
Endlessly perfect.
ONCE UPON A TIME
Creators: Adam Horowitz & Edward Kitsis (2011-2018)
This is a fun TV series that looks at fairy tales from a different angle. Who is the real villain and who is the hero? Can people really change for the better, or is Evil always meant to be evil? This series gives you the back story on why fairy tale characters do what they do. I also really love the inclusion of the modern Disney movies like Frozen and Brave into live action series.
EVOLUTION
Dir. Ivan Reitman (2001)
This hilarious sci-fi film shows everyone the importance of Head and Shoulders when fighting an alien invasion! So many laugh out loud moments, this film is a must watch for everyone.
MALLRATS
Dir. Kevin Smith (1995)
This quinessentially 90s movie is a cult classic and a must watch for any film buff or anyone who wants to re-live their 90s childhood.
POINT BREAK
Dir. Kathryn Bigelow (1991)
In honour of the raining weather, I had to include a film with an memorable rain scene, and what can be better than the final scene in Point Break. Keanu and Patrick are at their acting finest in this fast pace action packed iconic film.
ICE ON FIRE
Dir. Leila Conners (2019)
Ice on Fire looks at the devastating impact that melting Arctic ice caps will have on the Earth. This documentary offers a glimmer of hope with environmental scientists explaining ways in which we can reduce carbon outputs to reverse the damage done.
TED Climate
Host: Dan Kwartler (2020-Now)
The TED Climate podcast releases weekly 5-15 min episodes that unpack the problems and solutions of climate change. While the topics are often incredibly grim, the knowledgeable and passionate professionals on the podcast aim to inspire us to make daily changes and to give a glimmer of hope through offering solutions to complex issues.
OUR PLANET
Dir. Adam Chapman, Hugh Pearson & others (2019)
Over 8 episode, Sir David Attenborough takes us through a variety of landscapes from all corners of the Earth and shows the devastating impact climate change is having on the plants and animals that live there.
CLIMATE CHANGE: THE FACTS
Dir. Serena Davies (2019)
This is a jam packed, straight to the point hour that looks at the real impacts of global temperature increases on both the animals struggling to adapt to these changes, and the catastrophic weather events impacting humans.
DEMON SEED
Dir. Donald Cammell (1977)
Here's the plot from google: "Julie Christie, the wife of a scientist, finds herself forcibly impregnated by a super-intelligent computer that has developed evil ideas of its own." Are you not instantly sold? I was expecting it to be bad-good but it actually was excellent. Absolutely terrifying as A.I. continues to make advancements IRL, though the ending will have you roaring with laughter!
PAM & TOMMY
Creator: Robert Siegel (TV mini series, 2022)
Again, I was expecting this would just be so-bad-its-good campy fun, but I was surprised by how well it was made. The actors playing Pam & Tommy are incredible, Seth Rogen as the doofus tape thief is perfectly cast… don't even get me started on all the look-a-like character actors (Jay Leno, Bob Guccione, Hugh Hefner etc.). They're hilarious! Final episode this week. I'm gonna miss this show.
HANDS ON A HARDBODY
Dir. S.R. Bindler (1997)
One of the wildest docs I've ever seen. About a contest by an American car dealership in which contestants place their hand on a pick-up truck and whoever holds it there the longest wins. An unbelievably depressing and depraved, but also, quite funny test of human endurance and financial desperation.
SPENCER
Dir. Pablo Larraín (2021)
This gets mostly 1 star ratings on google -- proof of the foolishness of the general public. I however, give it 5 stars! I'm a sucker for films about rich women having nervous breakdowns and this could easily make my Top 5 faves. When she ate her pearls, I thought I'd died and gone to cinema heaven!