Staff Reviews: Books, Films, Music, and More

Collections Manager Aly Wepplo recommends the action-comedy film Thelma, starring June Squibb. 

Thelma is a different kind of action hero. She’s 93, a widow, mother, and grandmother, and her family doesn’t trust her to live independently anymore. Her adoring late-bloomer grandson visits often to take her on errands and help her navigate the internet.

And then she gets scammed. A con artist calls, pretending to be her grandson, and explains he’s in jail. He desperately asks her to send $10,000 in bail. She does. And that money is gone. Thelma’s family explains that she’s been tricked, and she decides she’s not going to take it. She’s going to kick butt. 

A stolen scooter and a nursing home breakout kick off a series of action scenes you won’t see in other movies.

Getting up from a fall or reaching something from a high shelf become delightfully high-stakes moments. In the end, Thelma learns to lean on other people, and her grandson learns to rely on himself. It seems everyone has grown up a bit. 

I cheered for this woman and this movie. It showed me that, no matter our age, our best days may still be ahead of us. And small victories like reaching that high shelf are worth celebrating. And it’s a good idea to learn how to get up from a fall, which you’ll learn when you watch the movie! 

Find it in our collection on DVD here.

Museum Collections Specialist Ellie Norman recommends Pearl (2022).

Ti West’s Pearl (rated R) is a gripping origin story that provides a chilling and emotionally charged exploration of the title character’s descent into madness.

As a prequel to West’s 1970s-set X, the film stands alone as a twisted psychological drama, focusing on Pearl’s repressed life in 1918 Texas while her husband is away at war. Stifled by the demands of caring for her ill father and her overbearing mother, Pearl finds solace only in the world of cinema, where her dreams of stardom fuel both her longing for escape and her growing instability.

While marketed as a “Technicolor slasher,” Pearl is more of a slow-burn character study than a conventional horror film. It delves deep into Pearl’s psyche, portraying her as a tragic figure whose unfulfilled dreams and isolation drive her toward violence.

This existential fear of being stuck in a meaningless life, with ambitions slipping away, is universal, making Pearl’s story hauntingly relatable even as it spirals into chaos.

Mia Goth delivers a mesmerizing performance, portraying Pearl with a perfect blend of innocence, desperation, and rage. Her portrayal elevates the film, making Pearl both sympathetic and terrifying. The supporting cast, though limited, complements her intensity, but this is Goth’s film from start to finish.

Visually, Pearl is a feast for the eyes. West’s direction and use of vibrant, retro-inspired cinematography evoke classic films like The Wizard of Oz, while the score amplifies the film’s unsettling tone. For fans of X, Pearl offers a fascinating backstory, but it also stands tall as a poignant and disturbing tale of unfulfilled dreams and unchecked desire. 

Just in time for Halloween, Pearl makes for perfect viewing during horror movie season, blending slasher thrills with unsettling psychological tension. It’s available to check out from The Community Library’s video section and also accessible on the streaming service Kanopy, free with your library card.

Find it in our collection here.

Nicole Lichtenberg recommends The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess by Chappell Roan.  

I am utterly captivated by this album. Chappell Roan has the vocal range of Christina Aguilera, the joyful tawdriness of Prince, the active, enthusiastic consent of a Title IX compliance program, and she manages to keep the DIY aesthetic of punk and garage music while somehow simultaneously brandishing a very high production value.

It’s difficult to bring something new to an album alternately reveling and wallowing in the highs and lows of interpersonal relationships, and yet, Roan succeeds.  

What’s more: My Spotify algorithm has had a narrow focus, on account of “Teenage Dirtbag” by Wheatus being my alarm clock song, and my love of the Atlanta-based punk band, Microwave (I walked down the aisle to the song “Trash Stains” and thank you again, Stephen McDougall Graham, for playing it on the violin so that my mom wouldn’t notice I walked down the aisle to a song called “Trash Stains”).

Playing this album a few times has completely refreshed my other recommendations. That’s right: It’s fun to listen to, and it can clean out the cobwebs on your metadata. I don’t know what else you could want.  

This album is great for many situations, such as driving somewhere early in the morning, cleaning your house, feeling joy, and more, but it’s important to note that it does contain fairly graphic sexual content, so it’s not appropriate for children or elevators.   

You can find this album anywhere fine music is played or on CD here at The Community Library. Have fun!