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When I heard Finding Neverland (2004, rated PG) was nominated for the Oscar for Best Picture, I hoped it would win--but it did not. Nevertheless, it is a terrific movie. Johnny Depp who portrays James M. Barrie and Kate Winslet are equally great together. All of the fantasy is typical Johnny Depp and had me wondering if there was any truth to this story about how James Barrie created Peter Pan.

As the movie progresses, a more serious tone emerges with a climactic ending befitting Academy Award worthiness. Heaven is a real place don't you know, and I for one can only imagine just how beautiful it will be.

Watch Finding Neverland on Hoopla today or on DVD. While it didn't win Best Picture, the film did nab an Oscar for Best Original Score. Listen to it on Hoopla. For more of the true story behind the film, read this New York Times article.

Spending time at home is the new normal but being bored does not have to be. Try one of our many board games such as Patchwork (2018). It is a two-player game where players compete for swatches or pieces to complete their quilt. Players try to cover the most space on their game boards with Tetris style pieces while collecting buttons. The player who has the most buttons and most covered space in the end wins.

The two things I like best about this game is that it only takes 20 minutes to play and that it is designed for two players. If you already enjoy buttons, also try Love Letter—another game designed with two players in mind.

I highly recommend watching the documentary, The Last Tsarinas: Splendor & Misery (2018). It traces the journey for the great, great, great-granddaughter, Maria von Preussen of Alexandra and Nicholas I. She is directly related to Kaiser Wilhelm II and Princess Charlotte. Maria follows in the footsteps of Princess Charlotte in 1817, who leaves Prussia to be wed to the Grand Duke in St. Petersburg, Russia. Princess Charlotte has her name changed to Alexandra and becomes the Tsarina with Nicholas I. They have a very happy and long marriage. This story explains why many Tsarinas were of German ancestry and the many changes that take place in Russia to end the Russian monarchy.

Watch The Last Tsarinas: Splendor & Misery on Hoopla today.

This album is considered one of Rod Stewart's finest. The cover is based on Renoir's painting, "Bal du moulin de la Galette," with Rod inserted in the painting in period attire.

A Night on the Town (1976) includes some of Rod's classic hits, such as "Tonight's the Night," "The First Cut Is the Deepest," and "The Killing of Georgie (Part I and II)." I bought this album when it was originally released, and it sounds as good today as it did then.

Definitely give this one a listen! You can borrow it instantly via Hoopla today.

Doctor Venture lives in the shadow of his father's past accomplishments in super science struggling to make new inventions. At the Venture compound with his two sons, Hank and Dean, and his bodyguard Brock, he works on inventions, even selling his father's old ones to shady parties to keep the lights on. His inadequacies are not the only trouble he must worry about: his archnemesis the Monarch, a man in a butterfly costume with a flying cocoon, tries to kill him every week.

The Venture Bros. Season 1 (2003-2004, rated TV-MA) is a wild ride looking at super scientists, villains, bureaucracy, and incompetency with old school Hanna-Barbera cartoon cameos creating a cult classic comedy worth watching. Watch it on Hoopla today.

I enjoyed watching The Rainmaker (1997, rated PG-13). John Grisham is definitely one of the better writers when it comes to courtroom drama or lawyer/drama kind of story, and this is an adaptation of his 1995 novel of the same name. Matt Damon and Danny DeVito work well together, and there is plenty of drama and suspense because of Rudy's (Damon) clients. The ending is somewhat bittersweet, but it's all part of why this is an excellent movie.

Check out The Rainmaker (directed by Francis Ford Coppola) on Hoopla today—and then browse our lists featuring lawyers in the movies (original and more).

This series was so well done. Set in the future, Westworld (2016-) explores a theme park inhabited by artificial hosts and the wealthy humans who vacation there. Visitors are allowed to live out their fantasies, whether good or evil. The park indulges every wish, all with no consequences, with the motto being "Live without Limits." That is, of course, until the hosts start to deviate from their expected parameters. 

In my opinion, Evan Rachel Wood and Thandie Newton steal the show from an all-star cast, including Anthony Hopkins. These two powerful actresses show such a deep scope of emotions as they slowly come to the realization of what they were created for.

I enjoyed this lighthearted comedy based on a true story that happened in 1997. It is about David Ghantt (Zach Galifianakis), an armored car guard who robs his employer Loomis Fargo. Because he is in love with his former work partner Kelly Campbell (Kristen Wiig), he is tricked into committing the largest cash robbery in U.S. history. He steals over 17 million dollars in this heist. David assists in helping the FBI catch the real mastermind, Steven Chambers (Owen Wilson).

Masterminds (2017, rated PG-13) is a pretty funny movie that I highly recommend. Watch the film on Hoopla today.

If you like Masterminds, you might be interested in some of the titles on Great Movies: Comic Capers and Cons.

This film is a high-octane thrill ride from start to finish, featuring the fastest racers in the universe as they compete in the most dangerous car race, Redline. JP is one of the daredevil racers chosen to take part in this no holds barred race where anything goes. Does he have what it takes to get to the finish line with his trusty muscle car and fantastic pompadour hairstyle?

Even if you are not typically a fan of racing movies, Redline (2009) is a must see for the animation alone. It took 7 years of production to get this quality and it shines through every aspect in the movie. Watch Redline on Hoopla today.

Start this film only if you're interested in the kind of drama that grabs your attention and refuses to let go for its entirety. (My only problem is the same one I have with all terrific movies that are rated R: in my opinion, these films would still be just as terrific if they were made PG).

Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, and Josh Brolin are at the top of their game in this intense story between good and evil (including the evil of greed and lust for money) with an ending not always what you're expecting.

I recommend watching No Country for Old Men (1997) for great acting and the suspense we all want to see on a Saturday night. Check it out on Hoopla today. The movie is based on the book, No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy.

After listening to Greatest Hits 2, you will know why Bob Seger is one of the bestselling artists of all time. This compilation album released in 2003 contains some of his best music, including "Katmandu," "Tryin' To Live My Life Without You," and "Rock And Roll Never Forgets." Once you've heard this album, it will be obvious why Bob Seger has a career spanning six decades and has sold more than 75 million records worldwide.

Listen to the album on Hoopla today.

In Avatar: The Last Airbender the world is filled with war and chaos as the Fire Nation tries to continue its conquest of the Earth and Water Nations. The main tool for war are benders who control the various elements of fire, water, earth and air, and only the avatar can use all of them, but he is missing. The story follows Katara and Sokka from the Southern Water tribe who find Aang, a young airbender who is also the avatar, trapped in an iceberg. Aang needs to learn to master all the elements so he can stop the Fire Nation and restore order to the world.

Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008) is a great animated series for all ages. There is something for everyone in the story, with fun memorable characters and fantastic fight scenes. Binge watch season 1 (2005-2006) on Hoopla today or check out seasons 1 - 3 on dvd. You can also read the comics!

And check back soon for my review of the sequel, The Legend of Korra. 

Watch this 90-minute documentary about the story of Nikola Tesla and his achievements from the early 1900s. He was overshadowed by many famous inventors in his day and was never given the recognition he deserved—to this day. He was considered the inventor that kick started the Industrial Revolution.

In Teslafy Me (2019), I learned his patents and ideas are still being used today and remain unchanged. He believed in renewable energy and that energy should be provided to the world for free. His technologies were ahead of their time. He believed in free wireless power transmission and had ideas for cell phones and internet. He was definitely a genius and we are only finding out about him today.

Watch Teslafy Me on Hoopla today. If you are interested in this subject, read or listen to books about and by Nikola Tesla on Hoopla.

Life is Beautiful (1997, rated PG-13) is just that, a beautiful movie about a father who will do anything in his power to keep the horrors of WWII away from his son. I love how Roberto Benigni invents the whole game scenario for his boy and humorously wings it with every turn for the worse in their prison camp.

The ending is nothing short of brilliant, loving, and courageous. For those movie fans who shy away from foreign films because of the subtitles, I encourage you to watch this wonderful movie that proves how love will always be victorious in the end.

Watch three-time Oscar winner (actor, foreign film, original score) Life is Beautiful on Hoopla today. In Italian with English subtitles. Roberto Benigni wrote, directed, and acted in this excellent movie.

An orphan in search of his mother unexpectedly obtains superpowers while at yet another foster home. Shazam! (2019, rated PG-13) is an odd mix of low-brow humor combined with typical superpower action scenes and a dramatic storyline that is ultimately very touching.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys superhero movies and silly comedies. Starring Zachary Levi as Shazam and Asher Angel as his alter ego Billy Batson.

Place a hold on the DVD or Blu-ray for pickup. Also, read Shazam! comic books on Hoopla.