February 2025 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).
Frazer
Collection Development Librarian
Theme: Current Favs
Frazer's Picks
Sansho the Bailiff
Director: Kenji Mizoguchi (1954)
A masterpiece. Both devastating and life affirming. Honestly one of the best films I have ever seen.
Stone
Director: Sandy Harbutt (1974)
The uniquely seedy, insular world of Australian bikie gangs is explored to great effect in this cult classic. An essential Sydney film.
Catching the Big Fish
Author: David Lynch (2006)
A gem of a book. This is a unique insight into the mind of a true original and filled with fascinating stories, advice and wisdom. Lynch forever!
The Souvenir
Director: Joanna Hogg (2019)
The world of this film feels so personal yet vast, with a novelistic attention to detail. It all makes for a wonderful, moving coming of age story. Also highly recommend The Souvenir Part II, which is just as good. Both are a must watch for any film school student!
Raquel
Engagement and Outreach Librarian
Theme: Hollywood Scandal
Raquel's Picks
Room to Dream
Author: David Lynch & Kristine McKenna (2018)
I could listen to the soothing sound of Lynch talk all day and never get tired. His recollections, anecdotes and thoughts are always so wonderful and this book, his memoir, is no exception. One chapter is written by Lynch, another by writer Kristine McKenna and each compliments the other as Lynch gives his own take on McKenna’s commentary. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable read.
The Friday Afternoon Club
Author: Griffin Dunne (2024)
This is my kind of Hollywood memoir! So juicy! I’m a huge fan of Griffin Dunne’s and the Dunne family: Dominick Dunne, his one-time film producer father who later became a true crime correspondent for Vanity Fair, and Joan Didion, his aunt, who needs no introductions. There are so many hilarious tales of his youth growing up in 70s Hollywood with a cast of thousands. Of course, he also gets into the terrible murder of his sister, the actress Dominique Dunne. Sad and funny and super gossipy, this book is un-put-downable. You’ll read it in one weekend.
Make Trouble
Author: John Waters (2017)
Something for our new AFTRS students: some life advice to the graduates of the Rhode Island School of Design c/o the film director, writer, artist and raconteur and my GOD, John Waters. Read this on the toilet as he would want.
Public Speaking
Director: Martin Scorsese (2010)
Speaking of ranconteurs! Here’s the Queen of the gab! If you don’t know who Fran Lebowitz is, please WAKE UP. This doc about Fran, directed by her friend Marty, is an essential balm in these exhausting, hyper PC, cancel-culture times. If you appreciate straight talk and wit in conversation, this funny film is essential viewing.
Alison
Research Support Librarian
Theme: Favaorite Leading Ladies
Alison's Picks
Moonstruck
Director: Norman Jewison (1987)
A romantic comedy that feels like a warm embrace, Moonstruck stars the incomparable Cher in an Oscar-winning performance as Loretta Castorini, a pragmatic widow who unexpectedly falls for her fiancé’s passionate brother (Nicolas Cage). With its rich Italian-American charm, witty dialogue, and heartfelt performances (Olympia Dukakis is unforgettable), this film is pure comfort cinema.
Mermaids
Director: Richard Benjamin (1990)
A quirky, coming-of-age dramedy starring Cher as an unconventional single mother raising her two daughters (Winona Ryder and Christina Ricci) in 1960s America. With its mix of humour, heartache, and a killer ’60s soundtrack, Mermaids is a nostalgic, feel-good watch with a brilliant trio of female performances at its core.
Little Women
Director: Gillian Armstrong (1994)
Gillian Armstrong’s stunning adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel is a cozy and heartfelt ode to sisterhood, featuring an all-star cast led by Winona Ryder, Susan Sarandon, and a young Kirsten Dunst. A film filled with warmth, love, and quiet strength, it’s the perfect watch when you need a dose of literary nostalgia and emotional catharsis.
Drop Dead Gorgeous
Director: Michael Patrick Jann (1999)
A razor-sharp mockumentary about a small-town beauty pageant gone hilariously wrong, Drop Dead Gorgeous boasts an incredible cast, including Kirsten Dunst, Allison Janney, and a scene-stealing Denise Richards. Darkly funny and endlessly quotable, this cult classic is as absurd as it is oddly comforting.
Victoria
Assistant Librarian
Theme: Adaptations
Victoria's Picks
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Director: Garth Jennings (2005)
Just as wacky as the radio drama it’s based on, this movie brings delight like a good cup of tea.
Orlando
Director: Sally Potter (1992)
Skate through the life of immortal Orlando. An adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s novel filled with a soul of history and humanity.
The Color Purple
Director: Steven Spielberg (1985)
Based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Alice Walker, it shows sisterhood, resilience, fantastic acting from Whoopi Goldberg, and fantastic music from Quincy Jones.
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
Director: Tom Tykwer (2006)
Based on the novel by Patrick Süskind, fall into the realm of scent and be immersed in this truly strange and dreadful tale.
Hayley
Library & Information Services Manager
Theme: The World is Watching!
Hayley's Picks
The Truman Show
Director: Peter Weir (1998)
I hadn't seen this film in a long while, stumbled across it by accident and throughly enjoyed re-watching this iconic classic. It is Jim Carrey at his best.
Armageddon
Director: Michael Bay (1998)
I have to be honest this movie is really quite terrible, it just fit my theme for this month. If you like explosions and unrealistic plots then this is the film for you!
Apollo 13
Director: Ron Howard (1995)
An amazing film that shows the dangers of space travel and how easily things can go wrong.
The Hunger Games : Catching Fire
Director: Francis Lawrence (2013)
The Hunger Games trilogy (quadrilogy) is a must watch, plus it toally matched my theme, but you are better off starting from the first film...