Wallingford Public Library's blog

Thursday, June 11th at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room

Professional actor Richard Clark will bring the genius of literary giant Ernest Hemingway to life in a one-man dramatic tour-de-force. Clark's portrayal reveals Hemingway's depth and passion as he reflects on the tumultuous middle years of the 20th century through the writer's eyes. Richard Clark has been acting professionally in theater and television for more than 30 years. He is noted for his recreations of historical figures ranging from William Shakespeare to Andrew Carnegie. Ernest Hemingway is the author of such classics as The Old Man and The Sea, The Sun Also Rises and A Farewell to Arms. Although he appeared understated on paper, he certainly was not so in life. He was a dashing figure whose exploits in battle, bullfighting and booze shocked society and challenged ivory tower notions of his writing life.

Please reserve your seat for this show in person, online, or by phone at (203)265-6754.

Thursday, June 4th at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room

Author of Golden Bones: An Extraordinary Journey for Hell in Cambodia to a New Life in America and former Wallingford resident Sichan Siv will share the details of his amazing story followed by discussion and book signing.

Please reserve your seat in person, online, or by phone at (203)265-6754.

Friday, June 19th at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room

Clint Eastwood's Gran Torino was quietly rolled out at Christmas 2008, whereupon it proceeded to blow away all the Oscar-bait behemoths at the box office and win its 78-year-old star the best reviews of his acting career. Eastwood plays a disgruntled Korean War vet, Walt Kowalski, who sets out to reform his neighbor, a young Hmong teenager, who tried to steal Kowalski's prized possession: his 1972 Gran Torino. Both film and performance are consummately sly--coming on with deceptive simplicity, only to evolve into something complex, powerful, and surprisingly tender. Just as Unforgiven was a tragic reflection on Eastwood's legacy in the Western genre, Gran Torino caps and eloquently critiques the urban heritage of Dirty Harry and his violent brethren. And on top of that, the movie becomes a savvy meditation on America in a particular historical moment, racially, economically, spiritually. Call it a "state of the union" message. But call it that with a wry grin. This is a remarkable movie.

Refreshments will be served. No reservations required. Rated: R

Tuesday, June 2nd at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room

In Revolutionary Road, Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio reunite for the first time since their careers exploded with Titanic--and it's almost as if they're playing the same characters, only married and faced with the hollowness of a 1950s suburban existence. Frank and April Wheeler always thought of themselves as special, but they settled in a conventional Connecticut suburb when they had children. The portrait of a mismatched marriage is vivid and devastating. Winslet and DiCaprio's natural chemistry tells us what drew these two together, making the way they tear each other apart all the more shocking.

Discussion to follow movie. Refreshments will be served. No registration necessary. Rated: R

Friday, May 22nd at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room

Unpretentious and dramatically straightforward, Valkyrie is a suspenseful, yet ennobling story about the last attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler, prior to the end of World War II.

Refreshments will be served. No registration required. Rated: PG-13.