Author: Heather Medina

Banned Books Week started in 1982 and has since worked toward promoting open access to books in libraries and schools. Many of the books once banned or challenged have gone on to be considered classics and are staples of American literature. As often happens with great novels, Hollywood has adapted many of these stories to film. While in print they received lots of pushback, ironically, the film versions of these books were often met with great praise and nominated for prestigious awards. These three suggestions represent just a small sampling of the movies that give a new life to banned…

Representation for Hispanics in film, as is the case with many ethnicities, has not always been easy to find. Major Hollywood stars like Rita Hayworth, whose birth name was Margarita Carmen Hayworth Cansino, had to veil their ethnic roots in order to find success in their careers. With the start of Hispanic Heritage Month beginning on September 15th, I thought this was the perfect time to compile a list of films representing the five areas of the world traditionally celebrated during this time. You’ll find that these movies all feature artists and filmmakers from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean as well…

With the start of the new semester upon us, what better way to escape the stress of back-to-school than kicking back and watching some movies? All these films deal with the dilemmas of life in college. From a silent film era comedy to an animated family classic and something scary for those looking for a thrill, there is something to fit any mood. ‘The Freshman’ – 1925 Although he may not be as often discussed as Charlie Chaplin or Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd was one of the biggest stars of silent film era comedies. “The Freshman” follows Speedy, played by…