April 2024 Staff Picks
Our Library staff have chosen four (4) recommendations, with some words explaining each pick.
They 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).
Collection Development Librarian
Theme: Recent Faves
Frazer's Picks
Birth
Dir: Jonathan Glazer (2004)
I just watched for the first time recently and I’m pretty convinced it’s a modern masterpiece. Beautiful and haunting. One of Nicole Kidman’s best.
Stanley Kubrick’s Boxes
Dir: Jon Ronson (2008)
Kubrick was the ultimate hoarder and this documentary explores the fascinating extent of it. Some wonderfully eccentric characters guide us along this funny and unpredictable story exploring “the rhythms of genius”.
Get Carter
Dir: Mike Hodges (1971)
This iconic british noir almost feels like a combination of John Boorman’s Point Blank and Mike Leigh. Michael Caine is riveting, and the northern city of Newcastle is brilliantly captured in all its grit and glory.
Black Girl
Dir: Ousmane Sembène (1966)
Essential cinema! Still feels exciting and inventive. The last ten minutes in particular are incredible.
Engagement and Outreach Librarian
Theme: Holiday Dreaming
Raquel's Picks
Dream King: Ludwig II of Bavaria
By: Wilfred Blunt (1970)
I’m about a third of the way through this book (reading 1 chapter every night before bed) and already it’s turned me into a monarchist! King Ludwig II of Bavaria aka “The Mad King” is my new hero. He was the epitome of sybaritic (a new word I discovered in this book) and ridiculous doesn’t even come close to describing him – he once said that if his hair wasn’t curled by the court barber every day, he wouldn’t be able to enjoy his food. The British Royal Family are porridge in comparison.
Antonio Gaudi
Dir: Hiroshi Teshigahara (1985)
Spain! My spiritual home. Both times I’ve visited Barcelona, I’ve made a beeline to visit Gaudi’s numerous buildings. They are awe-inspiring, beautiful and otherworldly. The only one I refused to see was the decades-under-construction Sagrada Familia because I couldn’t deal with the hordes of crowds. But I read recently that it will finally be completed in 2026! So the time has come.
The Cruise
Dir: Bennett Miller (1998)
Is New York the only real city that exists? This is the question I’ll be asking Timothy ‘Speed’ Levitch when I finally board his NYC bus tour on my next trip to the big apple. I’ve never cared much about bus tours, but this one’s for me! A true eccentric, Levitch shares historical facts with his own funny existential philosophies about life and the city of Manhattan. His tourist audience is held captive and viewers of this doc held captivated.
Florida! : a hyper-local guide to the flora, fauna, and fantasy of the most far-out state in America
Edited By: Gabrielle Calise (2022)
This is THE guide to Florida if you’re looking for the weirder, less seedier sights of the Sunshine state. Of course it all lives up to the far-out stereotypes we’ve all heard of, in fact it makes it look even crazier than we imagined. Just read the back cover – doesn’t it make you excited to go? I know I’m gagging!
Library & Information Services Manager
Theme: Romantic Rendezvous
Hayley's Picks
The Longest Ride
Dir: George Tillman Jr. (2015)
This is the ONLY Nicholas Sparks adaptation that I can watch, this film features 2 amazing love stories that will have you feeling happy and gooey. Plus who doesn’t love a cowboy?
Silver Linings Playbook
Dir: David O. Russell (2012)
Who isn’t a little crazy? This films shows you can find love despite of or because of of your awesome little quirks…
50 First Dates
Dir: Peter Segal (2004)
This is a fun film that like most Adam Sandler movies from this period will have you in stitches, Drew and Adam always work well together. Also, the cameo appearance from the penguins, seals and other water wildlife is a joy.
Dating the Enemy
Dir: Megan Simpson Huberman (1996)
Dating the Enemy is one of my absolute favourite films of all time. This film forces the couple to look at their relationship from each other’s perspective and to better understand how to make their romance end in happily ever after.
Information Officer
Theme: Food Films
Cathie's Picks
Ratatouille
Dir: Brad Bird (2007)
The animation is stunning. The details in the characters and the food are so well crafted it feels like you are watching a living, breathing world. Ratatouille is about following your dreams no matter how big or small. Remy, a rat, aspires to become a French chef. He fails to realise that people despise rodents.
The Menu
Dir: Mark Mylod (2022)
This movie surprised me in the best way and still shocks me how unpredictable it was. This film is for anyone looking for a visually stunning food film with a thrilling plot. A young couple who visits an exclusive restaurant on an island where an acclaimed chef has prepared a lavish menu.
Watch Online via Disney+ (subscription needed)
Chocolat
Dir: Lasse Hallström (2000)
A sweet and gentle film, with lots of twists and turns. The story centres around taboos being broken. The character's eyes are opened to the simple pleasures in life. A woman and her daughter open a chocolate shop. Many of the villagers disapprove. Over time they win the people's hearts.
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Dir: Mel Stuart (1971)
There is no more iconic food movie than the original. An eccentric candy-maker. A quest for a golden ticket. A tour resulting in five children nearly dying. Oompa Loompas. Who wouldn't want to stick their head in the chocolate river? A poor boy and his grandfather get a once in a lifetime tour of the mysterious chocolate factory of Willy Wonka.
Research Support Librarian
Theme: My Formative Films
Alison's Picks
Groundhog Day
Dir: Harold Ramis (1994)
A friend and I caught the train to Sydney to see this on George St, when Hoyts, Greater Union and Village were all next to each other. We bought our tickets then went to kill time at TimeZone down the hill. When we went back to the cinema, we accidentally caught the beginning of Sliver – rated R.. before realising we were in the wrong cinema!
Speed
Dir: Jan De Bont (1994)
The first M-rated film I ever saw at the cinema – the Empire in Bowral. I remember spilling a whole box of Maltesers on the floor.. It remains an all-time fave for its pace, its humour, and of course for my boyfriend, Keanu Reeves.
True Lies
Dir: James Cameron (1994)
I believe I saw this on opening weekend for my 15th birthday, again at the Empire Cinema Bowral. Jamie-Lee Curtis owns this film with her knock-out performance as frumpy house-wife turned sex-kitten secret agent. A classic!
Legends of the Fall
Dir: Edward Zwick (1994)
When I saw this in the cinema (again, the Empire in Bowral) a swooning cry erupted from the audience when Brad Pitt first came on screen. I cry every time I watch this sweeping epic tragic romance. And the score! (James Horner). Just gorgeous.
Assistant Librarian
Theme: Amazing Adaptations
Victoria's Picks
Jumanji
Dir: Joe Johnston (1995)
Ever wanted your board game to be truly magical? Careful what you wish for. Based on the picture book of the same name, it follows Alan Parrish, who gets pulled into this mysterious board game only to be released by a pair of young orphans. Bigger problem? The board game world is bleeding into the regular one. Now, an animal kingdom of chaos.
Coraline
Dir: Henry Selick (2009)
Everyone who has watched this movie has either found it scary or so entrancing that they’ve watched it multiple times. Based on the Neil Gaiman novella, Coraline discovers a better alternate world found behind a secret door in her new house, but not all is as it seems. Truly a film that does better than the book (sorry Neil).
Agatha Christie’s Poirot
Dir: Brian Eastman (1989)
Murder mystery fan? Good. Here’s your cozy dose of murder and moustache.
Pride and Prejudice
Dir: Simon Langton (1995)
Look, I understand a lot of you like the Keira Knightley movie, but this miniseries is the most faithful adaption of Pride and Prejudice. This wrote the book on how to do a perfect adaption. Sit down, sew, knit, eat, whatever you want to do, and watch this.