About this blog

The WPL Reference Blog will keep you up-to-date on resources, services, collections, archives, public programs, classes, and exhibitions of the Worcester Public Library. All blog entries are written by the WPL own experienced and knowledgeable reference librarians.  Email Pingsheng Chen if you have any questions.

Friends Film Series, Winter 2012

— Skating on Film —

In honor of the city ice rink opening!
Dec. 1: Ice Castles
The beloved tearjerker starring 1970s teen heartthrob Robby Benson in a classic story of love triumphing over tragedy, 1978. (PG)
Dec. 8: Thin Ice
Delightful film features the Olympic- gold skating talents of Sonja Henie and her prince, Tyrone Power, 1937.
Dec. 15: Cutting Edge
Romantic movie showcases charming performances by D.B. Sweeney and Moira Kelly who portray a fading hockey player and a prima-donna skater, 1992. (PG)
Dec. 22: Breakaway
An ethnic Canadian hockey player struggles against traditional family values
and discrimination from his mainstream hockey buddies, 2011. (PG)
Dec. 29: Ice Princess
With the help of her coach, par- ents, and the boy who drives the Zamboni, nothing can stop Casey from pursuing her dream to be a champion skater, 2005. (G)

— Social Justice —
Jan. 5: The Interrupters
An intimate, inspiring journey into the stubborn persistence of violence in our cities, 2011.
Jan. 12: Freedom Writers
A teacher (Hilary Swank) inspires her class of at-risk students to learn toler- ance, apply themselves, and pursue education beyond high school, 2007. (PG-13)

Jan. 19: Inside Job
Oscar-winning documentary (stars Matt Damon) takes a closer look at what caused the financial meltdown, 2010. (PG-13) The film is followed by a moderated discussion on the impact of the foreclosure crisis on Worcester residents.
Jan. 26: The Constant Gardener A widower (Ralph Fiennes) is deter- mined to uncover the secret circumstances surrounding his wife’s murder, 2005. (R)

— Loving Basketball —
Feb. 2: Coach Carter
Controversy surrounds high school basketball coach Ken Carter after he benches his entire
team for breaking
their academic con-
tract with him,
2007. (PG-13)

Feb. 9: Hoop Dreams Absorbing film follows two
African-American boys who struggle to become college basketball players on the
road to going profes- sional, 1994. (PG-13)
Feb. 16: Love and Basketball
A romantic tale of two Los Angeles neighbors who grew up loving basket- ball and, eventually, each other, 2000. (PG-13) Location to be announced.
Feb. 23: He Got Game
A basketball player’s father (Denzel Washington) must convince his son to
attend a college so Dad can get a shorter prison sentence, 1998. (R)