Diana's Picks
Films:
Parasite
A film about a family living in poverty in Seoul and the great lengths they will go to survive in hopes of one day thriving. this is a great film to watch on a rainy day. Rain is used in this film to highlight the differences in socioeconomic classes and how one weather event can have an extremely negative impact on one class of people while having little to no impact on people with more wealth.
Se7en
A police procedural about the search for a sadistic serial killer. Much of the film takes place while it is raining, which adds to the gloomy and hopeless atmosphere of the story.
The Crow
A somber revenge flick about a man that comes back from the dead to avenge his lost love. Many scenes take place while it is raining heavily. This is one I always put on when the weather is gloomy, as it has been lately!
Do The Right Thing
Racial tensions run very high in an inner city neighborhood during the hottest day of the summer. I always watch this film during the summer months, the intense heat plays a very important role in this film and helps move the plot forward. A thought provoking watch that will leave you with more questions than answers about the current state of our society.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
A story about a couple who erase each other from their memories and struggle in dealing with the consequences of their choices. Though this film is told in a non linear narrative, much of it takes place during the fall/winter months and the cold and gloomy weather is a perfect setting for a film about longing and feeling disconnected in a modern world.
Fargo
A story of a kidnapping gone very wrong. This brilliant film is set against the harsh backdrop of a North Dakota winter.
Kumiko The Treasure Hunter
A strange story about a woman who finds a VHS tape of the the film Fargo and becomes so obsessed with finding the buried money from the film that she travels to America to find it. It takes place in the winter, like Fargo. And the weather plays a pivotal role in the plot.
Misery
A famous author gets stranded during a snowstorm and is taken in by a crazed fan with very twisted plans to get him to change the ending of his last novel.
Music:
Depression Cherry by Beach House
A great album to listen to when it's cold and raining. The songs in this are very dreamy, moody and melancholy but will leave you feeling warm inside.
Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind by Jon Brion
Another great rainy day listen. This is a soundtrack album, the score that Jon Brion composed is perfect for the weather we have been having lately!
Anne's Picks
Some songs and movies about weather (mostly rain):
Movies:
The Perfect Storm - Based on Sebastian Junger's book and starring Mark Wahlberg and George Clooney
Crawl - Realistic creature horror in the midst of a hurricane
Ang Lee's The Ice Storm introduced a new generation to the idea of "key parties"
Maybe you can learn some survival tips for the future from The Day After Tomorrow
Are tsunamis weather-related? Who knows. The Impossible is based on the harrowing true story of a family's survival in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
Songs:
November Rain by Guns n' Roses
Hurricane Drunk from the Lungs album by Florence + the Machine
Garbage's Only Happy When it Rains
Rock You Like a Hurricane from Scorpions. Here I am!
RL's Picks
Whether the weather be fine,
Or whether the weather be not,
Whether the weather be cold,
Or whether the weather be hot,
We'll weather the weather
Whatever the weather,
Whether we like it or not!
The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly) - Missy Elliott
The Thunder Rolls - Garth Brooks
California Dreamin' - Jose Feliciano
Sarah's Picks
Twister: A group of scientists attempt to map the structure of tornados to develop better warning systems. The action sequences and effects were incredible for their time. I can remember the sound every time a twister popped up in this movie. It was a booming, eerie noise that was effectively unsettling.
The Neverending Story: Bastian is caught in a storm as he hides out in the school's attic to read a mysterious book. A destructive force called "The Nothing" rips apart the fictional land of Fantasia as he reads, but something strange begins to happen as Bastian finds himself in the middle of the story. Bastian must be brave and face his own loss to save Fantasia and all of its magical inhabitants.
Songs to listen to in the rain:
Midnight Rain by Taylor Swift (Midnights)
I Wish it Would Rain Down by Phil Collins (...But Seriously)
Purple Rain by Prince (Purple Rain)
I Love a Rainy Night by Eddie Rabbitt (The Platinum Collection)
Africa by Toto (Toto IV)
Juan's Picks
From small talk about the weather to newsworthy events like we’ve seen in recent months, I think that humans understand that our ability to thrive is closely associated with the weather. Not only does the weather affect our ability to grow food but it also has wide-ranging effects on our individual mood, behavior, and more. Our theme for this week is about the weather and our relationship to it through music and film.
Personally, I think that few things are as soothing as the sound of gentle rainfall while listening to the great Miles Davis. His smoky sound and the raindrops create a symphony that invites contemplation and reflection.
The Harry Potter films make me want to wrap myself in my favorite robes and brace myself on a cold winter day with a hot drink (bonus when there is snow).
On the other extreme, the blistering California sun reminds me of Miguel Aceves Mejia’s rendition of the playful song La Espiga which posits “Que poco le importa al sol / que el indio no tenga techo.” Essentially, it concedes that the weather is an intractable aspect of human existence. What are songs or films that you enjoy depending on the weather? My hope is that regardless of the weather, you are able to come visit the library! See you soon.
Freegal: Privacy Policy, opens a new window | Terms & Conditions, opens a new window
Don's Picks
All is Lost A lone man battles against extreme weather and the elements to survive on the open sea in this riveting thriller.
Beasts of the Southern Wild In the magical reality of this film, a man's illness disturbs the natural flow of the world resulting in extreme weather events and the revival of prehistoric creatures. Quvenzhané Wallis became the youngest Oscar nominee for Best Actress as the man's six year old daughter on a journey to save her father.
The Day the Earth Caught Fire Nuclear blasts are responsible for extreme weather events across the world. A desperate plan is created to restore balance to the earth and save humanity.
The Fog A century old curse brings in the thickest (and deadliest fog) ever as a Northern California town celebrates its centennial. Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis (Everything Everywhere All At Once) stars with her mom Janet Leigh.
Do the Right Thing An epic heat wave drives up tensions between residents of a Brooklyn neighborhood in director Spike Lee's masterpiece. Notable performances from Danny Aiello, Rosie Perez, and the great acting couple of Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee make this film endlessly watchable.
The Poseidon Adventure A massive storm and tidal wave turn over an ocean liner in this classic disaster movie. The all star cast lead by Gene Hackman and Shelley Winters still entertains with its amazing stunts, massive sets and Oscar winning visual effects.
The following songs are streaming down on Freegal or on CD (as noted).
I Can't Stand the Rain (live on YouTube) by Tina Turner (on CD). While we know the importance of rain, sometimes when it comes down AGAIN, I hear Tina's voice singing this song in my head.
Here Comes the Rain Again by The Eurythmics (also on CD) When the clouds start massing to storm, Annie Lennox's remarkable voice and those violins play through me.
I Love a Rainy Night by Eddie Rabbitt (also on CD) When the storm is coming down and I'm warm inside, there is a lot to like about the rain and Eddie Rabbitt's instant rock classic anthem to it.
It's Raining Men by The Weather Girls (also on CD) The Weather Girls disco classic is so much fun that it makes any weather fun as long as you can dance to this tune!
Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World (on YouTube) by Israel Kamakawiw'ole (also on CD) The almost piercing sweetness of this recording elevates the classic Oscar winning tune into the sublime.
Freegal: Privacy Policy, opens a new window | Terms & Conditions, opens a new window
Movies & Music - Question of the Week
In the 1996 film "Twister", Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton are members of a storm chasing team that develops a weather machine for tornadoes. What did they name it?
-
Rudolph0
-
Dorothy0
-
Mariah0
-
Stormy0
-
Noah0
Last Week's Trivia Answer: Boston Red Sox
