The UNT Media Library is always adding new film, video game, and tabletop game titles to our collection. In the month of June, we added over 100 new items which can be found in our catalog, or are listed in our new titles in June.
Hey guys this week the United States will be celebrating another year of independence!
In case fireworks and hotdogs arn’t your thing, or maybe you love both of those but don’t feel like leaving your couch, below is a compilation of our most popular and our most American movies!
(Click on the image to see their availability)
What do you think of our list? Would you lose some? Add some? Either way this time of the year calls for a little patriotism, even if that just means watching some very American movies.
So for some amazing reason the Media Library has quite an abundance of Korean TV series. This stuff is pretty amazing, they’re like telenovelas (Makjang!!) but usually with really nice cinematography. Below is our list of Korean TV dramas, but we also have even more Korean movies so if that’s your thing click this link: South Korean Feature FilmsGoong = Princess Hours
Princess Hours is a Korean Drama based off of a Korean Manhwa, or South Korean Comic series, of the same name. It’s set in a world where Korea has an imperialistic royal family, who deal with their various Shakespearean-esque drama, scandals, and traditions. The show hit it’s peak in stardom in 2006 receiving multiple awards and huge popularity. It was later adapted into a musical, along with a spin-off series and a remake version in Thailand.
Queen & I
Queen & I or Queen In-hyun’s Man is about a couple who meet in unusual circumstances. One is a up-and-coming actress and the other is a scholar from 300 years ago who’s time traveled into modern day Korea. Fun fact, the actors that portray these characters wind up falling for each other in real life, and declare romance after the last episode’s broadcast. Aww.
Flower boys next door
Flower boys next door is a romantic comedy about a young woman who never ventures outside her apartment but finds herself obsessed with a boy next door to her. When someone finds out about her, she finds herself slowly opening up to the world outside and the boys next door.
The Master’s Sun
If you just watched the trailer, don’t worry, it’s not that scary. But The Master’s Sun is unique in that it’s a horror-drama. Kong-Sil was once involved in an accident, leading to her ability to see ghosts. Because of this she lives a timid life, until she meets Joong-Won, who makes the ghosts disappear whenever he’s touching Kong-Sil.
I can hear your voice
A legal drama about a couple of lawyers and a high school student who has the ability to read people’s thoughts.
Reply 1997
Probably one of the most popular out of our collection, Reply 1997 is about 6 adults meeting at a high school reunion and reminiscing of their past high school life, which happened to be in the 90s when K-pop emerged as a massive franchise.
You’re Beautiful
A 2009 South Korean musical romantic comedy drama series, You’re Beautiful is about a fictional band called A.N.JELL, who’s newest member is actually a girl disguised as her twin brother (!!!).
My Lovely Sam-Soon
Based on an internet novel with the same name, My Lovely Sam-Soon stars Kim Sam-soon, a young pastry maker. The story involves her beginning work at a French Pastry store, only to become involved in a contracted scheme where she pretends to be her boss’s girlfriend for financial reasons. I’d watch it for the occasional pastry.
The 69th, 2016 Cannes Film Festival has come and gone and, many international films are making headway and gaining attention in the United States. One of the films, Mustang (DVD 16948/16949) directorial debut of Turkish-French female director Denize Gamze Erguven, has been gaining attention of the masses.
Mustang’ s story focuses on five sisters, all under the age of 15, and the lives that is thrust upon them when their conservative Uncle and Grandmother lock them in doors and begin their lessons to become obedient and supportive wives.
Though dealing with a serious issue, Erguven is able to bring some light to the serious issue that women and girls must deal with in Turkey: regarded as a sex symbol, forced into marriages with an extreme age gap, and considered not pure when benefactors takes advantage of their situations and abuse these girls. She is able to do this by telling the story through the perspective of the youngest daughter, Lale.
Watching her sisters be married off, Lale is able to grow and take control of the situation, in a way, as she finds the courage to stand up to her conservative and oppressive and abusive guardians.
The film also gives a in-depth look at each sister and how they deal with pressure, isolation and being voiceless in a household.
If you don’t wish to watch a foreign film, one film that is close in comparison is Sofia Coppola’s The Virgin Suicides (DVD 323). Both films deal with the complex environments of girls who live under scrutiny of conservative parents/guardians who believe to find fault and wickedness within the girls.
Check out Mustang and The Virgin Suicides at the Media Library, located in Chilton Hall.
Student Assistant Supervisor Caitlin Antkowski
We’re in that awkward state here at UNT where summer isn’t quite here yet, the library is very quiet, and plus this rainy weather has got us all feeling kinda meh. But not to worry because what’s a better cure for feeling meh than interacting with some meh media? Let’s get started…
Movies
Infinitely Polar Bear DVD 16877
It looks super cute and yeah alright it kinda is, but Infinitely Polar Bear draws that line between a heartbreaking sentimental drama and a picture of a goofy dad. It feels almost surface level, though Mark Ruffalo’s acting does manage to ruffle your feathers a bit. I’ll admit I used to have a crush on Mark Ruffalo (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, anyone?). That has nothing to do with this movie but I just thought I’d mention it.
Joy DVD 16947
Though the performance and emotion is worth the watch, you can’t help but wonder what happened to certain characters that suddenly disappear, why the dialog feels so meh, and why it seems to be lacking in the one thing it’s called.
Boardgames
Munchkin Boardgame 10
Munchkin is one of those games you pretty much get the most out of the first time around. But there’s lots to choose from so who knows maybe you gotta just play each type once, and that’s quite a few games.
Risk (1980) Boardgame 15
Risk is one of those games Dad plays whilst drinking beer and you’re just sitting there in your Halloween costume wondering how they could play something so confusing. Or maybe that’s just me. It’s time consuming, which can be great but it’s also time consuming so… taking over the world would feel really great if it wasn’t for the fact that millions of people would probably wind up dying.
Video Games
Angry Birds Star Wars Game 564 (PS4, Xbox One, Wii U)
You could honestly try this on your phone and get the same satisfaction. If you love these franchises put two and two together and check it out, though. If you’re more like “Nothing can touch my Star Wars, never!” then maybe you ought to take a step back and have some ice cream to cool off.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle 479 3DS
Personally, the whole TMNT franchise has turned meh. The game structure is not really for teens or adults, so it’s likely you’ll get bored. But if simplicity is your thing, maybe not. Plus turtles are meant to be crawling around with balloons attached to them. Right? (That’s a joke. Balloons on turtles is cruel, guys.)
Sometimes you just need a good meh movie or game to help yourself through the meh moments in our lives, come stop by the media library (it’s so quiet it’s a little scary please help) and check some stuff out!
I mean, technically every cartoon can be watched by adults and they probably wouldn’t be too ridiculed by it (just don’t start singing Barney songs in the bathroom and you should be good). But what about when we want some adult, often messed up, humor?
In case you can’t tell by their looks, Ren is an intensely hyperactive chihuahua and Stimpy is a happy-go-lucky, empty-brained cat who share bizarre and often repulsive adventures. Their experiences usually involve hairballs, dirty litterboxes, “magic nose goblins”, jars of spit, outhouses, eating dirt, monkey vermin and any other imaginable disgusting substance the two can get their paws on. It’s not necessarily advertised as an adult show but once you see the content you’ll wonder why in the world not.
The leader of this crime-solving trio is Shake, a cranky, cynical beverage with a pink flex-straw driven into his frosty top. The chief problem solver in the bunch is Frylock, who resembles a sack of fast-food fries crossed with the Red Devil from the paint cans. Meatwad’s name couldn’t be more appropriately descriptive, and he’s the good-natured softy in the bunch. The three live together near the New Jersey shore and pretty much split their time between battling Dr. Weird’s bungling crime syndicate and annoying Carl, their loser next-door neighbor with an above-ground pool. It’s a mesh of postmodern creativity filled with various references to pop culture.
Action figures find new life as players in frenetic sketch-comedy vignettes that skewer TV, movies, and music. There’s not really one way to describe the show besides being outright disturbing yet entertaining.
Based on the comic strip, Huey and Riley move away from the city and out to the suburbs with their grandfather. Biting socio-political commentary ensues. If you ever wanted to see politics, satire, and comedy all in one cartoon, this one’s for you.
The crew of Sealab, charged with exploring the possibility of underwater colonization, find themselves in one ridiculous situation after another. Just wait eventually everything explodes.
In the year 2071, the crew (Spike, Jet, Faye, Ed, and the Welsh Corgi named Ein) of the spaceship Bebop travel the solar system bringing bad guys to justice and trying to make some cash while doing it. In the slang of the era, “Cowboys” are bounty hunters. Most episodes revolve around a specific bounty, but the show often shares its focus with the pasts of one of each of the four main characters. It’s one of the most renown anime’s in the United States, and for good reason. With very possibly the coolest theme song ever, this show is one of the most mandatory adult animation dramas for all viewers. Plus… Ein.
Let’s be honest: we all study with something on in the background. Is that less productive? Maybe, but I know I’m more motivated to crack open the books when it means turning on the television, too. In order to make the most out of your background noise, here are some films to get you pumped up and ready to ace those exams.
Mad Max: Fury Road DVD 16556Kill Bill DVD 16227Jurassic Park: All Four of Them DVD 16785, DVD 16786, DVD 16787, DVD 16578Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation DVD 16715
Or, if you’d rather binge a new television show, here are a few action-packed shows to consider!
Agent Carter DVD 16721The Fall DVD 15653Orphan Black DVD 15692
Good luck with your finals, and happy studying!
By Katie Romig
Media Library Student Assistant Supervisor
From a Sirgur Rós Tour Documentary to the Duran Duran “Duranies” Documentary we’ve got an abundance of music related films. Straight Outta Compton is our newest addition to music related films, and we’ve gone ahead and added a list of some of the the most popular and entertaining movies about music provided by us!
A story that encompasses more than just the ideas of stardom. N.W.A is Niggaz Wit Attitudes, and for valid reasons. Using their frustration and brutal honestly about living in the dangerous and culturally diverse Los Angeles, N.W.A takes us back to 1987 where it all began. A story about music as a weapon for speaking out, a story about the trivial difficulties of going to fame, and ultimately what it means to be Straight Outta Compton.
Walk The Line dives into Johnny Cash’s life from childhood to his rollercoaster ride into fame. Get ready for love, rejection, random encounters with Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis, and don’t forget drugs, drinking, and depression. When Cash meets June Carter, with her sassy charm, things begin to fall apart for Cash as their torn feelings for each other develop. True country music never had a man in black more suited for the job.
Jimmy, known to his friends as Rabbit, is a young man trying to make his way out of the burned-out shell of inner-city Detroit. Rabbit is a white kid trying to make music in a predominantly African-American community and culture. After Rabbit freezes up in the midst of an MC battle, he’s convinced he’s missed his chance and that he’s doomed to lead a marginal life as a factory rat for the rest of his days. With the help of his friends, and his new girlfriend Alex, Rabbit struggles to work up the courage and the confidence to take one more shot at making his dream a reality. (psst this is about Eminem).
Selena is more than just that movie you watch on easy days in Spanish class. Selena is Grammy Award-winning icon for many Mexican Americans, Latinos, and Hispanics alike. In this film we get to watch her grow into the person we still love today, and unfortunately her life’s tragic end right before her peak of stardom. Selena, played by Jennifer Lopez, lives on in this movie.
If you’ve ever seen Palindromes you may know what I mean when I say 6 different actors portray Bob Dylan and they recreate different stages in his career. From Greenwich Village folk singer to electric guitar trailblazer to born-again preacher, Bob Dylan is the coolest cat with 6 lives you’ve ever met.
Ray Charles went blind at the age of seven. Inspired by his mother who insisted he make his own way, he found his calling at the keyboard. ‘Ray’ follows as he overcomes drug addiction while becoming one of the country’s most beloved performers.
Ian Curtis has aspirations beyond the trappings of small town life in 1970s England. Wanting to emulate his musical heroes, he joins a band, and his musical ambition begins to thrive. Soon though, the everyday fears and emotions, fueled by his music, slowly begin to eat away at him. Married young, with a daughter, he is distracted from his family commitments by a new love and the growing expectations of his band, Joy Division. The strain manifests itself in his health. With epilepsy adding to his guilt and desperation, depression takes hold. Surrendering to the weight on his shoulder, Ian’s tortured soul consumes him and leads him to commit suicide at the age of 23.
From the beginning of the universe, eons have passed. In that time, galaxies have formed, stars have flared up and died, planets and nebulae have been born and been destroyed. The history of the universe, one of creation and destruction, all culminates as entropy increases. The heat death of the universe.
As cosmic architects, though, it is our job to build systems and galaxy’s before it all ends. For we all know, it is not the destination that matters, but the journey.
In Eons, by Gamer Nation Studios, players manipulate elements and their own cosmic essence to create stars, planets, nebulae, and life, while seeking to destroy those of the other players. Each player uses their stars to fuse heavier elements and all of their celestial bodies to gain essence to continue manipulating the universe.
As each celestial body is destroyed, either naturally or through an architect’s design, entropy in the universe increases, and time begins to run out. When time runs out, the player with the most victory points in celestial bodies wins.
In our play through, things started off quickly. A poor hand early on led one player to begin destroying stars early. This led to a bit of a war, an early neutron star, and some mid game stalling by one player. In the end, each player fell into a different tactic, and gained some momentum as the universe began to wind down. When our game ended, the score was close, and our play time was the exact 90 minutes printed on the box. Each player had a blast creating and destroying, and seeking to get the upper hand without providing too much uranium (used to create black holes and neutron stars) to a single player.
In all, Eons was a great experience. Complex enough to create varied play, but not too difficult to teach quickly.
We would like to thank Gamer Nation Studios for this great donation, as well as for their donation of Edition Wars and the Eons: Cosmic Expansions.
If you would like to give Eons a try, or another selection from Gamer Nation Studios, they are available for check out here, at the UNT Media Library.
Today is the 46th annual Earth Day celebration! Every April 22nd, we celebrate the world we live in, along with creating awareness about the issues our Earth may be facing.
Renewability, Sustainability, and Reforestation are just a few of the themes that this day is meant to represent. And what better way to embrace Earth Day than to watch some amazing films about Earth? The following list are various documentaries discussing different view points of our planet and the human and animal experience within it.
Home
Spanning 54 countries and 120 locations, Home is like a birds eye view of Earth showcasing both its beauty and vulnerability.
DVD 11746
March of the Penguins
Following the lives of Emperor Penguins, this documentary takes you into the long journey in these animals lives. The film also brings up the changes the Emperor Penguins and other animals in the Antarctic have been facing recently in their habitats and ways of survival. Plus it’s narrated by Morgan Freeman and Penguins are adorable what more could you want?
DVD 5144
Planet Earth Series
The classic documentary series we’ve all watched at some point on a lazy class day. The series is the most collective documentation of imagery, music, and astounding footage of some of the world’s most amazing natural wonders.
DVD 7472 & Blu-ray 9247
Cowspiracy: the sustainability secret
Focusing on themes of Sustainability, Cowspiracy is an environmental documentary about a filmmaker attempting to uncover the most destructive industry facing the planet today and why leading environmental organizations are not talking about it.
Koyaanisqatsi = Life out of balance
Koyaanisqatsi is a Hopi Indian word meaning variously: crazy life, life in turmoil, life disintegrating, life out of balance (the subtitle for this film), and a state of life that calls for another way of life. With inspiring music by Philip Glass, the images in this film gives the audience an idea of manmade environment versus natural environments, leading to its theme of imbalance.
DVD 1749
Samsara
This documentary is an experience like no other. Filmed over a period of almost five years and in twenty-five countries, it explores the wonders of the world from sacred grounds to industrial sites, looking into the unfathomable reaches of man’s spirituality and the human experience. Photographed entirely in 70mm and transferred to 4K digital projection format, its mesmerizing images of unprecedented clarity illuminate the links between humanity and the rest of nature.
DVD 13902
UNT will also be having it’s own Earth Day celebrations including the EarthFest, International Fair & Market, and other events collaboratively hosted by Student Activities, UPC, the Office of Sustainability, and UNT-International.
The UNT Media Library is always adding new film, video game, and tabletop game titles to our collection. In the month of June, we added over 100 new items which can be found in our catalog, or are listed in our new titles in June. 
(Click on the image to see their availability)
Princess Hours is a Korean Drama based off of a Korean Manhwa, or South Korean Comic series, of the same name. It’s set in a world where Korea has an imperialistic royal family, who deal with their various Shakespearean-esque drama, scandals, and traditions. The show hit it’s peak in stardom in 2006 receiving multiple awards and huge popularity. It was later adapted into a musical, along with a spin-off series and a remake version in Thailand.
Queen & I
Queen & I or Queen In-hyun’s Man is about a couple who meet in unusual circumstances. One is a up-and-coming actress and the other is a scholar from 300 years ago who’s time traveled into modern day Korea. Fun fact, the actors that portray these characters wind up falling for each other in real life, and declare romance after the last episode’s broadcast. Aww.
Flower boys next door
Flower boys next door is a romantic comedy about a young woman who never ventures outside her apartment but finds herself obsessed with a boy next door to her. When someone finds out about her, she finds herself slowly opening up to the world outside and the boys next door.
The Master’s Sun
If you just watched the trailer, don’t worry, it’s not that scary. But The Master’s Sun is unique in that it’s a horror-drama. Kong-Sil was once involved in an accident, leading to her ability to see ghosts. Because of this she lives a timid life, until she meets Joong-Won, who makes the ghosts disappear whenever he’s touching Kong-Sil.
I can hear your voice
A legal drama about a couple of lawyers and a high school student who has the ability to read people’s thoughts.
Reply 1997
Probably one of the most popular out of our collection, Reply 1997 is about 6 adults meeting at a high school reunion and reminiscing of their past high school life, which happened to be in the 90s when K-pop emerged as a massive franchise.
You’re Beautiful
A 2009 South Korean musical romantic comedy drama series, You’re Beautiful is about a fictional band called A.N.JELL, who’s newest member is actually a girl disguised as her twin brother (!!!).
My Lovely Sam-Soon
Based on an internet novel with the same name, My Lovely Sam-Soon stars Kim Sam-soon, a young pastry maker. The story involves her beginning work at a French Pastry store, only to become involved in a contracted scheme where she pretends to be her boss’s girlfriend for financial reasons. I’d watch it for the occasional pastry. 
The 69th, 2016 Cannes Film Festival has come and gone and, many international films are making headway and gaining attention in the United States. One of the films, Mustang (DVD 16948/16949) directorial debut of Turkish-French female director Denize Gamze Erguven, has been gaining attention of the masses.
Mustang’ s story focuses on five sisters, all under the age of 15, and the lives that is thrust upon them when their conservative Uncle and Grandmother lock them in doors and begin their lessons to become obedient and supportive wives.
Though dealing with a serious issue, Erguven is able to bring some light to the serious issue that women and girls must deal with in Turkey: regarded as a sex symbol, forced into marriages with an extreme age gap, and considered not pure when benefactors takes advantage of their situations and abuse these girls. She is able to do this by telling the story through the perspective of the youngest daughter, Lale.
Watching her sisters be married off, Lale is able to grow and take control of the situation, in a way, as she finds the courage to stand up to her conservative and oppressive and abusive guardians.
The film also gives a in-depth look at each sister and how they deal with pressure, isolation and being voiceless in a household.
If you don’t wish to watch a foreign film, one film that is close in comparison is Sofia Coppola’s The Virgin Suicides (DVD 323). Both films deal with the complex environments of girls who live under scrutiny of conservative parents/guardians who believe to find fault and wickedness within the girls.
Check out Mustang and The Virgin Suicides at the Media Library, located in Chilton Hall.
Student Assistant Supervisor Caitlin Antkowski 
It looks super cute and yeah alright it kinda is, but Infinitely Polar Bear draws that line between a heartbreaking sentimental drama and a picture of a goofy dad. It feels almost surface level, though Mark Ruffalo’s acting does manage to ruffle your feathers a bit. I’ll admit I used to have a crush on Mark Ruffalo (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, anyone?). That has nothing to do with this movie but I just thought I’d mention it.
Joy DVD 16947
Though the performance and emotion is worth the watch, you can’t help but wonder what happened to certain characters that suddenly disappear, why the dialog feels so meh, and why it seems to be lacking in the one thing it’s called.
Munchkin is one of those games you pretty much get the most out of the first time around. But there’s lots to choose from so who knows maybe you gotta just play each type once, and that’s quite a few games.
Risk (1980) Boardgame 15
Risk is one of those games Dad plays whilst drinking beer and you’re just sitting there in your Halloween costume wondering how they could play something so confusing. Or maybe that’s just me. It’s time consuming, which can be great but it’s also time consuming so… taking over the world would feel really great if it wasn’t for the fact that millions of people would probably wind up dying.
You could honestly try this on your phone and get the same satisfaction. If you love these franchises put two and two together and check it out, though. If you’re more like “Nothing can touch my Star Wars, never!” then maybe you ought to take a step back and have some ice cream to cool off.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle 479 3DS
Personally, the whole TMNT franchise has turned meh. The game structure is not really for teens or adults, so it’s likely you’ll get bored. But if simplicity is your thing, maybe not. Plus turtles are meant to be crawling around with balloons attached to them. Right? (That’s a joke. Balloons on turtles is cruel, guys.)
From the beginning of the universe, eons have passed. In that time, galaxies have formed, stars have flared up and died, planets and nebulae have been born and been destroyed. The history of the universe, one of creation and destruction, all culminates as entropy increases. The heat death of the universe.
As cosmic architects, though, it is our job to build systems and galaxy’s before it all ends. For we all know, it is not the destination that matters, but the journey.
In Eons, by Gamer Nation Studios, players manipulate elements and their own cosmic essence to create stars, planets, nebulae, and life, while seeking to destroy those of the other players. Each player uses their stars to fuse heavier elements and all of their celestial bodies to gain essence to continue manipulating the universe.
As each celestial body is destroyed, either naturally or through an architect’s design, entropy in the universe increases, and time begins to run out. When time runs out, the player with the most victory points in celestial bodies wins.
In our play through, things started off quickly. A poor hand early on led one player to begin destroying stars early. This led to a bit of a war, an early neutron star, and some mid game stalling by one player. In the end, each player fell into a different tactic, and gained some momentum as the universe began to wind down. When our game ended, the score was close, and our play time was the exact 90 minutes printed on the box. Each player had a blast creating and destroying, and seeking to get the upper hand without providing too much uranium (used to create black holes and neutron stars) to a single player.
In all, Eons was a great experience. Complex enough to create varied play, but not too difficult to teach quickly.
We would like to thank Gamer Nation Studios for this great donation, as well as for their donation of Edition Wars and the Eons: Cosmic Expansions.
If you would like to give Eons a try, or another selection from Gamer Nation Studios, they are available for check out here, at the UNT Media Library. 
