Category: Format

Posted in Fantasy, Film, Uncategorized

’80s Fantasy Movies

Posted on by Sydney Anderson

When you think of a fantasy film, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?  For many people, the answer will be Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, for good reason – those movies are great.  However, there’s a whole history of beautiful, imaginative fantasy films that came out before that.  As a fan of all forms of fantasy, I thought I’d take the opportunity to spotlight some of the great fantasy films of the 1980s available at Mead Public Library.  For some readers, these will be nostalgic old favorites, but for others, they’ll be brand new discoveries.  I hope you find both something old and something new to love on this list!

Labyrinth

When I say “1980s fantasy film”, there’s a good chance this is the first movie you think of, and it’s not hard to see why.  David Bowie’s performance as The Goblin King, who punishes teenager Sarah for a careless wish by trapping her brother at the heart of a surreal and treacherous labyrinth, is nothing short of iconic.  Bowie also lent his voice to the film’s soundtrack, from the playful “Magic Dance” to the dreamy “As The World Falls Down” to the haunting “Within You”, which in my opinion has got to be one of the most underrated cinematic villain songs of all time.  The film is also visually gorgeous, from the costumes to the Jim Henson Company’s puppetry, which populates the Goblin King’s realm with a panoply of fantastical creatures.  This film is incredibly rewatchable even if you nearly know it by heart, and if you haven’t seen it yet, you’ll be lucky enough to have the joy of experiencing it for the first time.

Continue reading “’80s Fantasy Movies” →
Posted in Adult, Audience, Music

Moody Music For Changing Seasons

Posted on by Ryan

With the leaves changing color and the recent end of Daylight Savings Time, it’s clear that fall is here. And with the changing seasons comes a gradual but noticeable shift in my mood. I feel a little more tired. A little more sun-deprived. And a little colder, of course!

Fortunately, this time of year is not all bad. With the help of music, it can provide a good chance for introspection and discoveries about ourselves. And if you want to go on that same journey, here’s some of my latest moody tunes that might help you too!

The Record by boygenius

Comprised of Lucy Dacus, Phoebe Bridgers, and Julien Baker, each powerhouse of an artist came together as boygenius to create this award-winning album. From the frantic guitar strumming of “$20” to the slow-building, almost poppy sound of the widely-praised “Not Strong Enough”, it never feels like any of the individual members of this supergroup try to overpower each other, opting instead for a cohesive effort. It’s no wonder they won three Grammies in 2024!

Cardinal by Pinegrove

Back when I lived in Milwaukee, I heard of this album thanks to 88Nine, the local radio station. Listening to this one makes me feel like I’m at a crossroads, thinking of all the things that could have been, what’s going on now, and what’s yet to happen. It’s very introspective, and what’s not more moody than some good self-reflection?

22, A Million by Bon Iver

From Eau Claire, Justin Vernon of Bon Iver reflects on how his relationship with the world has changed since he became popular. While I initially disliked this album thanks to the naming system used for the tracks, I came to really enjoy it once I got over myself and gave it a listen. Plus, it even made me read more about Justin Vernon and helped me see I misjudged him — he’s not pretentious, he’s just a Midwestern guy who likes making music and never expected to get so big. Beyond the naming scheme, there’s some cool techniques used in this album. For example, on the first track “22 Over Soon”, Vernon and his sound engineer recorded the track onto a cassette tape that had its tape pulled out, crumpled up, and written on with marker. The end result is a song filled with random dropouts and distortion that add a surprising element to the listening experience.

Repave by Volcano Choir (2013)

I’m cheating here because Volcano Choir is another project from Justin Vernon, but it’s just too good I can’t not include it! Plus, not everyone knows about the band so I still think it’s worth sharing. While their other album Unmap is equally good, Repave is my fave simply because it’s the first album I listened to by them. It found me at a tough time in my teenage years, and since then it’s floated back in and out of my life, much like the waves on the cover. When I sit down and listen to the album, my mind is brought to the beach and I can picture myself sitting in the sand, listening to the lake, and hearing the rush of the water. And, for just a little while, I feel completely at peace.

The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We by Mitski

I was originally going to pick Be the Cowboy, one of Mitski’s other albums, but my wife recommended choosing this album instead. And you know what? She was so right!

While the whole album itself is gorgeous, my favorite track is probably “My Love Mine All Mine”. In this song, we find Mitski asking the moon to take her love and shine it down on her loved one, even long after her passing.

Beautifully haunting and hypnotizing, with the power to choke you up, it’s no wonder TikTok latched onto this song and helped popularize it. The lyrics are also a very fall way of thinking when you have more time to sit inside, enjoy the slowing of events as we prepare for the impending winter, and think about all the great things that have happened and will continue to happen, regardless of who’s there.

Posted in Adult, Film, Historical, Horror

The Films of Robert Eggers

Posted on by Sydney Anderson

It’s October, which means horror fans are putting together their seasonal slate of chilling films.  If you enjoy slow-burn horror full of haunting imagery, or if you like historical dramas just as much as you like horror, there’s no better time to get acquainted with the films of Robert Eggers.  Eggers has a signature style, delivering dark fables full of memorable imagery.  However, despite consistency in style, each of his films still feels completely one of a kind.  If you’re curious, every feature film directed by Eggers can be found at Mead Public Library, and it’s an excellent time to give them a watch or rewatch. It’s perfect time of year, and Eggers’ fourth feature film, Nosferatu, hits theaters this December.

The Vvitch

Strange occurrences bedevil a puritan family exiled from their community in colonial New England.  As eldest daughter Thomasin watches her family succumb to tragedy and paranoia, she becomes tempted to answer the dark forces calling out to her from the woods.  This was the feature film debut of now-megastar Anya Taylor-Joy.  It also launched a meme in the form of the diabolical goat Black Phillip and his siren call to reckless hedonism: “Wouldst thou like to live deliciously?”.  This film established Eggers’ mastery of mounting dread and surreal, haunting imagery, and nearly ten years later, it definitely holds up.

Continue reading “The Films of Robert Eggers” →
Posted in Adult, Games, Staff Picks, Teen & Young Adult

5 Nostalgic Switch Games Your Inner Child Will Love

Posted on by Ryan

When I was a kid, I played a tooooon of video games. So many I usually became nocturnal during summer breaks. My dad, who usually woke up early for work at 4 am, would often find me in my room, playing my last couple hours of whatever game I had before I went to sleep for the day. I don’t know that I’d go back to having such a weird sleep schedule — it was awful every year reversing it when school was back — but I do miss having all that time to play some of my favorites.

And while I don’t have as much time to play some of the classics, there are luckily a lot of remakes, remasters, and sequels of some of my favorite games on the Nintendo Switch. So, even now I can pick up a game and feel the nostalgia as I relive bits and pieces of my childhood. Here are some of my latest favorites for you to enjoy — either for the first or second time.

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening

A classic on the Game Boy, Link’s Awakening for the Switch has been given a major facelift while still keeping the gameplay and story it was originally known for. I had a blast revisiting this game and the cutesy art style only adds to the experience. The puzzles in this game are as hard as I remember them as a kid, so they may take some getting used to, especially if you haven’t played any of the original Zelda series. But if you stick with it, you’ll definitely think it’s worth the effort.

Continue reading “5 Nostalgic Switch Games Your Inner Child Will Love” →
Posted in Adult, Audience, Fantasy, Fiction, Film, History, Horror, LGBTQI+, Nonfiction, Romance, Teen & Young Adult

Celebrate Pride with Books and Movies from your Public Library

Posted on by Molly

June is upon us! And with it comes the month-long celebration of diversity and freedom of expression that is Pride Month. Many of us don our most colorful duds and attend a Pride festival, parade, or concert. For those of us who tend to choose the low-key way of things, watching a film, or reading a book focused on the queer experience is the perfect way to pause and reflect on this community’s struggles and gains over the past 50+ years. 

Below, the reader will find several media suggestions made by, about, and for people in the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. All picks are available to borrow in the Monarch catalog. Click each title to see a catalog listing. 

Film
All of the movies I list below are available on Kanopy as of May 31, 2024. Titles are linked to physical DVD copies in Monarch (except Maurice which is on Kanopy only at this time). 

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994) starring Guy Pierce, Terrance Stamp, and Hugo Weaving
(big ol’ spoilers here, be warned)
Before he was Agent Smith or Elrond, Hugo Weaving played Tick, aka Mitzy Del Bra, the pansexual drag queen who is also secretly a husband and father. His wife needs a break from parenting, so the natural thing to do would be to load up a shiny silver coach bus with metric tonnes of drag gear, Tick’s two best drag queen friends, and drive from Sydney to Alice Springs through the massive and ancient Outback. Abba, choreography, and the most wonderful drag costuming to grace the silver screen will be your reward for going along on this adventure. 

But I’m a Cheerleader (1999) starring Natasha Lyonne and Melanie Lynsky
A comedy about a gay conversion camp?! This film does provide the camp, in layers. Lyonne’s parents (played with great elan by the excellent Bud Cort and inimitable Mink Stole) are worried that despite her super girly cheerleader exterior, their daughter may be more interested in girls than boys. Horrified at the thought of having a lesbian daughter, they choose to send her to a conversion camp. Would you believe hilarity ensues? There isn’t another film like this in the world, and anyone who appreciates Lyonne’s oeuvre even a little bit should not miss this gem. 

Maurice (1987) starring Hugh Grant and Rupert Graves
This  film was based on an E.M. Forster novel of the same name. Forster insisted it be kept from publication until after his death, which was in 1971. At the time of its writing in 1914, loving someone of the same sex was punishable by imprisonment, and would have surely ruined Forster’s career. What a pity. During Pride I spend a lot of time thinking about the creative, scientific, and social gains we could have achieved if systems of power weren’t so focused on oppressing people deemed different. Please enjoy this gorgeous movie about beautiful men falling in love. 

Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2020) directed by Celine Sciamma
Move over male gaze, this French drama is all about how ladies look at ladies, on- fire ones, sometimes. If you like your 18th century dramas filled with unreal cinematography, costuming, and set design, in addition to many lingering and meaningful looks across the room, this is the film to watch. Sciamma became the first woman director to win the Queer Palm at Cannes in 2019, and received almost unanimous critical praise for her work. 

Tangerine (2015) directed by Sean Baker
Not only is this film innovative for centering the story of a trans woman, it is the first feature length film shot entirely using iPhones. I think this use of new technology helped to capture the freneticism, danger, anger, and joy being expressed in the film. Things that equalize access to consuming and making art in this way are appealing to me on a cellular level. 

Not feeling moved by any of those picks? Kanopy has an entire LGBTQ+ Cinema subheading to click on under “browse”. There are dozens and dozens of wonderful films to peruse. 

Books
This list of books is available in the Monarch Catalog, often in a variey of formats.

The Hellbound Heart (1986) by Clive Barker
Don’t you wish your horror fiction were a little queerer? Please enjoy these a-gender cenobites:  Originally appearing in the anthology Night Visions, this Barker novella took on a life of its own when it was given the big screen treatment in 1987. “But I have never heard of a movie called The Hellbound Heart, Molly.” Well, inner voice of the reader, you may be surprised to learn the movie adaptation was called Hellraiser, and spawned several sequels of varying quality as well as a remake. Barker has been openly gay for most of the time he has been in the public eye, so of course his sexuality will impact the writing and reading of his work. Read more about how he made horror a little gayer with THIS excellent article. 

The Stonewall Reader (2019) 
This anthology was published in remembrance of the Stonewall Riots of June, 1969 that catalyzed the movement toward gay liberation in earnest, as well as determined which month we celebrate Pride. The anthology includes first-hand accounts of people who were there that day, as well as in remembrance of fighters who have passed, like Martha P. Johnson. This is a great book for people who would like to know more about the history of the gay liberation movement, or would like a Stonewall-specific overview. 

Upright Women Wanted (2020) by Sarah Gailey
Gailey is one of the most exciting modern sci-fi/fantasy authors working today. From the blurb: “The future American Southwest is full of bandits, fascists, and queer librarian spies on horseback trying to do the right thing.” I read that and thought LET’S GOOOOOO! Love me some outlaw-style, gun-toting librarians. If this is too dystopic and close to home with the fundamentalism, please see Gailey’s fantastic western revisionist novella River of Teeth (2017). This book is best for people who like stories set in the wild west that are about feral hippos. 

You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty (2022) by Akwaeke Emezi
I haven’t read this book, but the reviews are positive, and I loved Emezi’s 2019 novel Pet. I’ve blogged about Pet in the past, likely multiple times, so today I encourage reading their latest work. Emezi is a fascinating author and I look forward to each of their new publications.  

Role Models (2010) John Waters 
This is a collection of essays Waters had been publishing in various magazines throughout the 1980s, 90s, and early 2000s. The subject matter ranges from Manson Girl Leslie Van Houten, with whom Waters has a warm, decades-long friendship, to fashion house Comme des Garcons, and just about anywhere else life has taken him. Waters is primarily known for his confrontational, campy and over-the top films like Female Trouble and Serial Mom, so it is with great pleasure that I found him to be a compelling and hilarious writer. A John Waters film festival would also be an appropriate way to celebrate Pride, even if he is being intentionally inappropriate. The gentleman is as thoughtful and insightful as he is depraved. Greatest American EVER???!

To search for more LGBTQ+ books on Libby, click on “Subjects”, then click on LGBTQI+ Fiction. There are nearly 3000 e- and audio books that fall into this category. 

Additionally, here is a great list of 42 books published/to be published in 2024 that are about, and by, people in the queer community

Want a little community with your reading? Consider joining the Sheboygan County LGBTQ Alliance Book Club. We meet first Thursdays at Paradigm Coffee and Music from 6:30-7:30pm. Take a look at the event listing HERE. 

There are as many ways to celebrate Pride as there are people celebrating Pride. If you are reading this before June 22, 2024, please consider stopping by Sheboygan’s City Green for the third annual Sheboygan County Alliance Pride Picnic. Mead Library will be there with a booth, stop and say hello!

Posted in Adult, Fiction, Film, Teen & Young Adult

Anime for AniMay

Posted on by Ryan

Some of my earliest memories of liking anime go back to high school when I was part of our anime & manga club. Me and a handful of other classmates would meet up once a month to awkwardly sit around a rickety wooden table in the cafeteria, united by our love for whatever new series we were into. There weren’t many of us, but I remember it being a nice space, especially for someone as introverted and shy as me.

If that club is still around, I’d like to think the number of attendees is much greater than it was then. Anime has become much more mainstream, I think in large part due to it being more accessible thanks to most streaming platforms carrying anime, but also thanks in part to programming blocks like Toonami that introduced the Western world to anime classics like Dragon Ball Z and Inuyasha.

There’s a ton more great anime out there as well! So, to celebrate AniMay, I thought I’d share some of my favorite anime, both old and new.

Spy x Family

On Secret Agent Twilight’s next mission, he’s taxed with starting a family to avoid detection, all while keeping his mission a secret from the family. But the family he ends up building has secrets of their own. His wife’s an assassin, their adopted child’s a telepath, and their dog might even have a secret power. Part romantic-comedy, part action, this anime will make you laugh as each of the characters get to know each other, all while trying to keep their second lives hidden.

Continue reading “Anime for AniMay” →
Posted in Adult, Fantasy, Games, Kids 5-12, Science Fiction, Teen & Young Adult

What’s New in Gaming for 2024?

Posted on by Zachary

It’s been a few months since I have written a blog post about games, and with Mead Comic Con happening on May 4th, I thought we were overdue for a geeky post. We’re getting new games throughout the year, but here’s what Mead has gotten so far for 2024! You’ll find the description of each game, from our catalog, to give you an idea of what each game is like.

Princess Peach: Showtime!

“Peach takes the stage to save the day! Use Stella’s power to transform into… Swordfighter Peach, Patissiere Peach, Kung Fu Peach… and more!”

Continue reading “What’s New in Gaming for 2024?” →
Posted in Adult, Contemporary, Fantasy, Film, Historical, Horror, Mystery, Romance, Thrillers

Movie Night With Kanopy

Posted on by Molly

Have you taken a look at Kanopy lately? There is so much great content I can barely make up my mind when it comes to choosing something to watch. Below, I listed several dynamic pictures to suit many tastes and aesthetics. Gather your friends, your family, and the snacks you love. Pull on your jim jams, get comfy, and enjoy the miracle of light that is moving pictures.

Classic movie night:
The Outlaw (1943) starring Jane Russel and directed by Howard Hughes
This is a Billy the Kid story, but the only thing people remember about this movie is Hughes’ supposedly engineered a bra to make sure Russel’s prominent chest was as chesty as a chest could ever boob. While Hughes may have applied his airplane smarts to brassiere design, the resulting garment was uncomfortable to the point of excessive pain. Russel would wear a regular bra and tell Hughes she was fitted in the monstrosity of his design. He wasn’t going to check, after all. No, I do not care if this story is apocryphal.

The Stranger (1946) written, directed by, and starring Orson Welles
One of Welles’ lesser known, but greatly enjoyable noir pictures. Welles plays a former Nazi supervillain who has disguised himself as a small New England town boy’s school teacher. He has to do a murder real quick to hide his true identity, which attracts the attention of a tenacious Edward G. Robinson, a man who prosecutes war criminals for the UN. A tense and entertaining game of cat and mouse ensues. 

Sunset Boulevard (1950) starring Gloria Swanson and directed by Billy Wilder
I don’t think it’s hyperbolic to call this one of the great pictures of the 20th century. We see the herald of old Hollywood colliding with new that wouldn’t actually happen for another 20 years. Here, the narrative is driven by the effects of film transitioning from silent to talkies a further 20 years prior. Blink and you’ll miss “wax work” stars like Buster Keaton and H.B. Warner portraying themselves. Eric Von Stroheim, the legendary and unfairly maligned silent picture director, stuns as Norma Desmond’s protective manservant. Mark your calendars and join the Movie Club discussion of this film at 8th Street Ale Haus on Thursday, August 15 2024. 

Family movie night:
The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926) directed by Lotte Reiniger
Gorgeous, meticulous animation using cut paper techniques of the Victorians. This may be slightly slow-moving for the very littles, but could be a good show to put on when it’s winding down to sleepy time. 

The Water Horse (2007) directed by Jay Russell
Delightful fantasy adventure with lots of cryptid action. This is based on a book of the same name by author Dick King-Smith. Wouldn’t it be fun to read this book as a family before you watch the movie? You could compare and contrast and decide which you like better and why. 

Kedi: The Cats of an Ancient City (2016) directed by Ceyda Torun
Enflame your family’s itch to travel with this charmer. The ancient city of Istanbul is famous for its numerous stray cats who are cared for by many but owned by none. Learn the reason why as the filmmaker follows seven different cats throughout their respective days. 

Horror movie night:
Battle Royale (2000) directed by Kinji Fukasaku
This is not a horror movie in the same vein as say, your Friday the 13ths or your Paranormal Activities or whatever, but it IS horrific. The film begins with a bus full of Japanese school kids getting gassed. They awake on an island, surrounded by various weapons. The group learns that only one person will be allowed to leave the island, and they have to do so by killing everyone else. Sometimes these high-concept films lose momentum or have muddy plots, but Battle Royale is as sharp and deadly in action and dialogue as the day it came out. Super creepy, exciting, and unforgettable. This is based on a very successful book of the same name.

House on Haunted Hill (1959) starring Vincent Price and directed by William Castle
This little oddball is an incredible cultural time capsule. Watch it straight on Kanopy to appreciate the scenery-chewing of a marvelous Vincent Price and the campy special effects. After that, check out this Rifftrax DVD. Rifftrax is where the boys from Mystery Science Theater 3000 took their brand of movie house heckling after the original cable show got canceled. They are joined by a razor sharp and always hilarious Paul F. Tompkins as they heckle, lampoon, mock, and adore House on Haunted Hill.

Night of the Living Dead (1968) directed by George Romero
This film is foundational to almost all other horror movies to follow. The low budget thrills are still effective, and often shocking. Tom Savini did a remake in 1990, and his monster makeup effects are so good you can practically smell them (so, SO glad you cannot). The remake also addresses the weakest aspect of the original: Barbara’s ineffectiveness. The 1990 Barbara takes action against the ravening hordes and is such a total badass. Original Barbara is panicking and weak when she’s not outright catatonic. This diminishes my personal enjoyment of Romero’s otherwise extremely entertaining film, but then again I have seen it approximately five thousand times.

Wildcard night:
In the Heat of the Night (1967) starring Rod Steiger and Sidney Poitier
I recently read the excellent and extraordinary 2008 book Pictures at a Revolution by Mark Harris. The author does a deep dive into how the five 1968 Best Picture nominees came to be and what they signified for Hollywood’s trajectory. It made me feel desperate to re-watch In the Heat of the Night, which won the Best Picture Oscar of that year, so imagine my delight when I found it streaming on Kanopy, and not a single other streaming service for free. 

Hot Rod (2007) starring Andy Samberg and directed by Akiva Shaffer
The character of Hot Rod is himself, a wild card. Turn your brain off and let your mouth go slack. Let those silly Lonely Island boys take you on an adventure so unusual, many of the principal actors said they “did not understand” what the movie was about up to and past its release date. 

Rumble in the Bronx (1995) starring Jackie Chan
Have you ever heard of a cooler movie title?! This was Jackie Chan’s breakout crossover hit for American audiences. He’d already been making movies in Hong Kong for like 20 years up to this point, and this is one of his best. Known for mind-boggling action pieces, and tightly choreographed fight sequences, it’s not hard to understand how this picture won over American audiences and increased the already blazing light of Chan’s international celebrity.  

All of the films I mentioned above are available for checkout on Kanopy as of April 26th, 2024, but may be subject to change over time as the lineup can shift from month to month. In fact, when I REALLY can’t make up my mind about what I would like to watch, I go to the “leaving this month” category and choose something I won’t have access to for long. I think the urgency helps me make a choice. 

I linked each title to the Monarch catalog DVD listing, if one prefers physical media. Click the link to see the listing which also tends to include a brief description. 

Still not finding something you’re excited to watch? Please consider using Mead’s Your Next Five Movies service by clicking HERE. Share some of your favorites with us and we’ll send you five movie titles you might love. We are always happy, nay, THRILLED to help people find the library material they love whether it’s books, movies, music or something else. Baking tool collection, anyone?

Posted in Adult, Fiction, Film, Staff Picks

Martial Arts Films for Your Next Movie Night

Posted on by Ryan

Every day I feel like I’m turning more and more into my dad. I sneeze obnoxiously loud like him. I’m starting to get some gray hairs. I even sit at the dinner table the same way he does after eating — with my arms crossed over my chest and a sleepy look on my face. I imagine one day I’ll just wake up and find I’m a mini version of him (I’m technically taller than him so maybe a slightly bigger version? I don’t know but you get what I mean!)

One of the more recent dad-isms I’ve developed has involved watching one of his favorite kinds of movies: martial arts films. While I haven’t quite gotten into mobster movies yet like him — a story for another time when I inevitably do — I have been really enjoying films that include martial arts. Mainly the more comedic ones, but some serious ones here and there. Here’s a small helping of some of my favorites so far.

Shaolin Soccer (2004)

To kick things off, I’m starting with Shaolin Soccer for one simple reason: it combines my dad’s love for martial arts movies with his lifelong passion for soccer, a sport he played seriously for many years growing up.

In this movie, Shaolin kung fu master Sing — played by director Stephen Chow — teams up with former soccer star “Golden Leg” Fung to challenge Team Evil to a game of soccer, using the power of martial arts to pull off some over-the-top stunts, score some goals, and share the powers of Shaolin kung fu with the world.

With some funny dialogue, a goofy plot, and over-the-top special effects, this engaging movie provides quite a few laughs from start to finish. I can see why this was one of my dad’s favorites now.

Continue reading “Martial Arts Films for Your Next Movie Night” →
Posted in Adult, Fiction, Film, Teen & Young Adult

6 Classic Animated Stop Motion Films

Posted on by Ryan

Recently, one of my favorite activities after a long week has been sitting down on the couch, cozying up with a nice cup of tea, and watching one of my favorite genres of movies; animated stop motion films. They’ve fascinated me since I was a kid and, even as an adult, still fill me with wonder. It’s amazing to see what can be done with figurines, voice actors, and hundreds upon thousands of photographs to produce motion out of something that was once still.

I think my love for them started back as a child with Gumby, a blocky green human-like bit of clay. I watched all of the adventures the green figurine and his sidekick pony Pokey got into, eagerly awaiting the next time I could see them on TV. And when I ran out of episodes to watch, I’d play with my Gumby and Pokey action figures, making up new stories for them as I imagined what new trouble they could get into.

So, it’s no wonder these kind of films have become a favorite of mine these days. In short: if you’ve never experienced the joy of watching animated stop-motion films, you’re missing out. But if you’re looking to get started, have no fear! Below is a list of six classics to get you started:

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

Mr. and Mrs. Fox live a happy home life underground with their eccentric son Ash. Mr. Fox works as a journalist, but against the advice of Badger, his attorney, he moves his family into a larger and finer home inside a tree on a hill. The treehouse has an excellent view of the nearby farms of Boggis, Bunce, and Bean. Ash becomes hostile when his cousin, Kristofferson, joins the family for an extended stay. Mr. Fox decides to raid the farms, but this leads the farmers to stakeout the treehouse. The farmers try to dig the Fox family out, but they dig even faster. Mr. Fox organizes a tunneling project to burrow under all three farms and steal all the chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys.

Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)

It’s ‘veggie-mania’ in Wallace and Gromit’s neighborhood. The two enterprising friends are cashing in with their humane pest-control outfit, “Anti-Pesto.” With only days to go before the annual Giant Vegetable Competition they find that their business is booming. They come to find out that running a “humane” pest control outfit can have its drawbacks. Suddenly, a large and mysterious veg-ravaging “beast” begins attacking the town’s sacred vegetable plots at night. The competition hostess, Lady Tottington, commissions Anti-Pesto to catch the beast and save the day. But Victor Quartermaine would rather shoot the beast and secure the position of local hero – not to mention Lady Tottingon’s hand in marriage.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Jack Skellington is the King of Halloween. He becomes bored with the same routine every year. He decides to take a walk in the woods. There, he discovered a door leading to Christmastown and decides to spread Christmas joy to the world. When he is back in Halloweentown he shows his friends what Christmas is like, and he suggests doing Christmas this year instead. But things do not go as planned when Oogie Boogie, an evil gambling boogey man, plots to play a game with Santa Claus’ life and creates a nightmare for all the good little boys and girls everywhere. Although Sally attempts to stop him, Jack embarks into the sky on a coffin-like sled pulled by skeletal reindeer.

Chicken Run (2000)

While the chickens on Mrs. Tweedy’s farm dream of a better life, a clever hen named Ginger is hatching plans to fly the coop for good. The only problem is, chickens can’t fly, or can they? Every escape attempt goes fowl until Rocky, a smooth-talking All-American rooster, crash lands in the coop. It’s hardly poultry in motion when Rocky attempts to teach Ginger and her fine feathered friends to fly, but, with teamwork, determination, and a little bit of cluck, the fearless flock plots one last daring attempt in a spectacular bid for freedom.

Coraline (2009)

A young girl walks through a secret door that she has found in her new home and discovers an alternate version of her life. On the surface, this parallel reality is eerily similar to her real life, but much better. When her adventure turns dangerous, and her counterfeit parents, including the Other Mother, try to keep her forever, Coraline must count on her resourcefulness, determination, and bravery to get back home – and save her family.

ParaNorman (2012)

A boy must use his special powers to save his town from a centuries-old curse. In addition to spooky zombies, he’ll also have to take on unpredictable ghosts, wily witches, and, worst of all, clueless grown-ups. But this young ghoul whisperer will soon find his paranormal activities pushed to their otherworldly limits.

*Descriptions provided by the publisher