February 17, 2013

Watch and Read Spotlight on Media Tie-ins: Batman Returns

Comic book cover of I am Bane

Fans of the Caped Crusader are breathlessly awaiting the premiere of The Dark Knight Rises (PG-13), scheduled for release by Warner Bros. Pictures on July 20, in traditional and IMAX formats. A sequel to the critically acclaimed and commercially successful Batman Begins (2005) and The Dark Knight(2008), the movie is the final installment in director Christopher Nolan’s masterfully envisioned film trilogy based on the iconic DC Comics character.

Watch and Read: Once Upon a Time in Scotland: Brave

Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar kick off the summer movie season with a computer-animated feature film that blends adventure, elements of folklore and fantasy, and a whole lot of heart. Brave (PG) premieres in theaters on June 22, in traditional and 3D formats. Set in a mythical time in the untamed Scottish Highlands, the story centers around Merida (voiced by Kelly Macdonald), daughter of the boisterous King Fergus (Billy Connolly) and stately Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson).

Ebook toolkit: Cool Tools for Multimedia Publishing

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When it comes to creating media-rich publications, iBooks Author is just one of many great options.

Watch and Read: The Zoo Crew Goes to the Circus: Madagascar 3

Everyone’s favorite castaway critters continue their roundabout and riotously funny journey back to New York City’s Central Park Zoo, in the third installment of a computer-animated comedy series from DreamWorks Animation.

Video Winners ‘Own the Night’!

Take a break and pop over to the Collaborative Library Summer Program’s (CSLP) website to check out this year’s teen video challenge winners. Featuring winners from 23 states, including Florida, Idaho, and California, the clips include their share of zombies and other creatures of the night, but you’ll also find some rapping and other fun wordplay. Each winner received $275, plus $150 for their library.

Now in its second year, the video contest encourages teens to promote summer reading and [...]

Dark Shadows: Re-vamped for the Big Screen

Director Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, and a star-studded cast team up to present a new take on a cult classic. Dark Shadows (PG-13), a gothic comedy based on the TV daytime soap opera that aired on ABC from 1966 to 1971, premieres in theaters and IMAX on May 11. Depp plays the elegantly ghoulish 18th-century vampire Barnabas Collins, a role originated for the TV series—and raised to celebrity status—by Jonathan Frid. The actor and several of his fellow cast members make cameo appearances in the film (Frid passed away on Friday, April 13, 2012, at the age of 87). Created by Dan Curtis, the TV series produced more than 1,000 episodes and was groundbreaking for its use of supernatural themes and its portrayal of a conflicted, often compassionate vampire protagonist.

How Low Can You Go?: What to do when young students want to read ‘The Hunger Games’ | Scales on Censorship

Our fourth and fifth graders (and a few third graders) have been asking for The Hunger Games. I love the novel, but it’s not in our elementary school’s library collection because it’s a YA book. I think my students would enjoy reading it when they’re a bit older. I need your advice.

Going Places: Amazing Journeys | Collection Building

going-places

Here is a mix of odysseys real and imaginary, published for the most part within the past decade, that will captivate readers with both the lure of new and exotic locales and the hazards and rewards of the journeys themselves.

Music and Game Reviews from Young Adults

Girl on Fire

It’s all about collaboration for both Alicia Keys and Ke$ha. Joining forces with performers like Bruno Mars and Iggy Pop is a sure-fire way to broaden the buzz for their latest albums—and give some old dogs a chance show off their vocal tricks. Missing the Dark Knight? Brady Games has just released Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition—not only does the game offer new modes and battle techniques, it also includes all of the previously released “Arkham City” adventures. It gives you a lot of bang for your gaming bucks!