About the Movies
Everyone has an opinion, and everyone has a favorite. Some people stick to the genres they love, and some watch everything. For more than a century, films have been touching the lives of people from all walks of life around the world. If you've ever wanted to learn more or you're eager to find out what the pros consider classics, this list is for you.
Watch
The Story of Film 
A five-disc mini-series, covering six continents and 12 decades in impressive detail, showing how film-makers have been influenced both by the historical events of their times, and by each other. Look for great insight into international cinema, and neat thoughts on the progress of movie making and watching.
These Amazing Shadows
Tells the history and importance of the National Film Registry, our official collection of American cinema treasures, and their work in preserving and celebrating films. Every year they add 25 films to their registry. 2015's list includes everything from Ghostbusters to 1906's biggest hit Dream of a Rarebit Fiend.
Read
Keepers : the greatest films-and personal favorites-of a moviegoing lifetime That long title pretty much sums it up. Critic and historian Alfred Knopf takes this oppurtunity to guide us through his 70 years spent watching movies. This chronology showcases some older classics and puts into perspective how we got to where we are.
Awake in the dark : the best of Roger Ebert This title covers 40 years of reviews, essays, and interviews from the biggest film critic of all time. While a celebration of film itself, its more importantly a celebration of how we have talked and written about film. A great showcase of the poignant and skilled style of Evert's reviews which dominated film culture for years.
My first movie, take two This book takes ten diverse and acclaimed directors and asks them to share the stories of their first films. A remarkable look into their process, what they've learened, and the impact of the experience. A great insight for budding film-makers and anyone interested in what goes on behind-the-scenes. Featuring (among others) last year's top contending Oscar directors Richard Linklater & Alejandro Inarritu.
The Movie Book Another take on the history of film that showcases the impact of individual titles. Beautiful designed with good pictures (it is hard to appreciate the history of movies without images) that allows it to pack a ton of info into each page while staying a fun and straightforward read. A great place to look for classics to add to your watch list.
Online*
You never know what you'll find in The Library's digital resources. You can watch movies from anywhere using Indieflix, Overdrive, and Hoopla. And our research databases house tons of information, and even whole books worth. Here are some great examples:
Encyclopedic Dictionary of Women in Early American Films
A comprehensive listing of the Women who helped pioneer American film. Each entry is packed with information that will open up your vision of early film and the people that developed the framework for the industry today.
100 Ideas that Changed Film
Everyone likes list, and this is a good one. Breaking down film's development into 100 bite-sized pieces, this digital resource presents a wide swatch of the parts that make up movie magic.
Contemporary African American Cinema*
This book takes a look at the unique properties of African American cinema. Using essays from different authors on different films from the last few decades to tell the story, and create a cohesive thoughtful look at this sometimes under appreciated branch of film.
Find this article at