So the season 6 finale of The Walking Dead officially screened April 3rd. Like most people, I’m just anxiously waiting for it to be on Netflix because what college student has a tv & cable. And I mean, what college student even has Netflix except those brave souls willing to share? If you’re sad you can’t watch any more Walking Dead, check out these TV series available at the Media Library. If you dig The Walking Dead, you’ll probably dig these too.
1) Falling Skies
Season 1 DVD 14749 v.1-3
With Executive Producer Steven Spielburg, Falling Skies has become a major Sci-Fi television series. The world is left in tatters after a unexpected invasion by aliens, leaving the planet’s remaining human population to fight for survival against the occupiers. The aliens have cultures and identities all of their own, and are often portrayed as powerful, mysterious, and merciless. The story starts off by circling around Tom, a guy who is after the aliens that have captured his son and other youth, attaching them to controlling bio-mechanical harnesses. It’s got the survivor, familial, and guy heavy action like The Walking Dead.
2) Sons of Anarchy
Sons of Anarchy, SAMCRO, is series about a motorcycle group dealing with both illegal and legal issues in a town called Charming. Tension in the gang begins when their president and his stepson begin to have differences on how the gang should be run. Its got violence, death, and motorcycles all combined into the idea of identity in this group called Sons of Anarchy. Season 1 DVD 14584 v.1-4
3) Under The Dome
Under the Dome, based on a Stephen King novel, tells the story of a small town in Maine where a massive dome suddenly cuts them off from the rest of the world. Everyone trapped inside has to find a way to surviving as resources diminish and worry rises. What the hell is this dome? Where did it come from? Will it ever go away? Season 1 DVD 15068 v.1-4
4) The Killing
The Killing is a murder mystery series based in Seattle, focusing on murder cases a little differently than your typical homicide TV series. The first season circles around the death of Rosie Larson. Episodes delve into not just the murder case but the girl’s family and their suffering, along with the detectives and other main character’s personal lives. With the dreary Seattle weather combined with foreboding mysteries, The Killing will always keep you wanting more.
Season 1 DVD 13870 v.1-4
Season 2 DVD 16467 v.1-3
Season 3 DVD 16468 v.1-3
The Killing is based on the original Danish series, Forbrydelsen, which holds the same basic plot. The Danish series is was a very well received series, known to be a cult classic in Europe, and recognized for acting and the original concept of focusing on one murder case throughout a whole series.
Danish Original Series: Season 1 DVD 13854 v.1-5
5) Boardwalk Empire
Boardwalk Empire takes place during the Prohibition of the 1920s and 1930s. Enoch “Nucky” Thompson, played by Steve Buscemi, is a political figure facing his personal and political life dealing with mobsters, politicians, and others. If the idea of mobsters, politicans, guns, and sly talking well dressed people appeals to you, then you’ll enjoy Boardwalk Empire.
Season 1 DVD 13116 v.1-5
Season 2 DVD 14926 v.1-5
Season 3 DVD 14869 v.1-5 
Turkey legs, mock combat, and anachronistic clothing. These are the things renaissance fairs are made of. You and your friends, new to the scene, try to blend in by adorning yourself with hats and tunics. A good costume is expensive though, and earning coin in a place like this requires some skill… Or daring.
In Ren Faire by Atlas Games, players put on performances, ranging from accents and puppet shows to arm wrestling and balancing acts for the audience to fund their costume building. The first to complete their outfit wins.
In our play through, the competition was tough. Each player chose to focus more on ruining each other’s outfits by buying t-shirts and other modern clothing, and stealing gold than on procuring their own costume. When challenges were made, such as the arm wrestling contest in the photo above, each pushed themselves to the limit to win. By the time our winning Ren Faire attendee, now a Scottish fairy jester, had purchased their last clothing card, our four player game stayed within the listed hour of gameplay, and tons of fun and hilarity had ensued.
This compact card game uses party game mechanics to bring new life to the simple act of piecing outfits together. In addition, the costume stacking element with transparent cards really works well, and capitalizes on a game element rarely seen.
In all, Ren Faire was a blast to play!
We would like to thank Atlas Games for this great donation, as well as their donation of Once Upon a Time, Murder of Crows, Gloom, and Lunch Money.
If you would like to give Ren Faire a try, or another selection from Atlas Games, they are available for check out here, at the UNT Media Library.
It’s a subject many people don’t feel comfortable talking about openly, but it’s an important one. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and in honor of that here is a list of both documentaries and feature films discussing the various impacts, attitudes, social prevention, harsh reality, and trauma that all revolve around sexual assault. It’s a serious issue, and these films reveal how we can talk about it, understand where the problems may come from, and hopefully prevent and create awareness.
No!
DVD 6788R
No! is an insight to the reality and impact of sexual violence on Black women and girls. It discusses the behaviors and mindsets of Black men that reinforce the assaults. No! also strives to send messages of violence prevention advocacy and testimony from survivors defying victimization.
No! is more than just a documentary, it’s a movement towards creating awareness, including events, teaching guides, and a website: http://notherapedocumentary.org/
Precious
DVD 11463
Precious is the story of Claireece ‘Precious’ Jones, an obese, illiterate, black 16 year old girl living in Harlem of 1987. Her parents are both abusive, and her father raped and impregnated her twice. Precious is suspended from school after getting pregnant a second time, and is arranged to go to an alternative school. With this shift, other adults in her life, including her teacher and social worker, help her find a glimmer of hope. Even under the finding that her father has died of AIDS and she is HIV-positive.
The Line
DVD 12178
The Line is documentary exploring the complicated and ambivalent ways sexual assault often gets framed and understood in the wider culture. The Line is also attached to a advocacy campaign: The Line Campaign, which is a non-profit organization and movement focusing on ending sexual violence but empowering youth, creating space for dialogue and media to inspire change.
The bro code: how contemporary culture creates sexist men
DVD 13011
This film revolves around Thomas Keith’s exploration of male culture that conditions boys and men to disrespect women.It looks at a range of contemporary media forms that glamorize womanizing, are violent or demeaning to females in pornography, have comedians who make fun of sexual assault, and other media that focus in myths of American manhood. It uncovers the flaws in virtually every corner of our entertainment culture. These themes repetitively express that sexism and violence against women is not only normal — but cool — for boys and men to control and humiliate women. The Bro Code challenges this concept, particularly focusing on the youth to step up and fight back against the idea that being a real man means being sexist.
Rape in the fields
DVD 14937
Investigates the hidden problem of sexual assault routinely inflicted upon female migrant laborers working in America’s fields and packing plants.
It Was Rape
DVD 16417R
Eight women of different backgrounds, ages and ethnicities relate personal stories of surviving sexual assault in their younger years, as well as their struggles toward healing, empowerment, and finally speaking out.
Additionally, UNT is holding various events throughout the month of April to raise awareness. Check out the following links to get involved and learn more information:
Sexual Assault Awareness Month events at UNT aim to educate, raise awareness
Post by Special Projects Student Assistant Valarie GoldAdventure Time Card Wars
Boardgame 218 It’s a game that doesn’t take itself very seriously, but I mean what can you expect from a game within the world of Adventure Time? The goal of the game is to break through your opponents creatures and attack them directly, and depending on how intense you wanna play, there can be some pretty cool underlying strategy. Each Adventure Time character involved has a deck that represents a different landscape and a different play style.The Big Bang Theory
Boardgame 349
This is pretty much a variation on Apples to Apples themed around the The Big Band Theory. It’s a pretty fun variation though, with “Bazinga” cards, “Experimental Formula” cards, and plenty of awkward references just like the show. If you like to party with a bunch a people and love the show, this one’s for you.
Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game Boardgame 361
Each of the players takes on the role of one of the hobbits, the object being to destroy the ring before the ring bearer becomes captured by Sauron. It has a very cooperative nature to it, where you have to determine how quickly to complete tasks based on the ultimate goal and how that will affect all players.
LOTR DBG: Fellowship of the ring Boardgame 281
So with these type of game, one hopes that it’s not just a brand slapped on a few cards and a pieces of cardboard. That’s definitely not LOTR DBG. This game relies on power points, is engaging, and plus you get a bunch of different options to replay with different characters!
Game of Thrones
Posted by Student Special Projects Assistant Valarie Gold. 
The year is 1919, and post Great War Germany has established a new republic with the Weimar Constitution. The problem? The country is split between two political factions, each attempting to shape this new government in its own image.
There are the Liberals, limiting the government’s control over the people.
There are the Fascists, seeking to seize control of the government, and control through coercion and fear.
Who will win? Who will control the country?
In Secret Hitler, by Max Temkin, Mike Boxleiter, Tommy Maranges, and illustrated by Mackenzie Schubert, 5-10 players take the roll of politicians in post war Germany, each trying to manipulate the government to their own benefit, unsure of who their allies really are. In the mix, one player has been given the roll of Hitler.
This secret roll game really delves into the political system, encouraging even the liberal party to pass SOME fascist policies to give themselves an upper hand in controlling the outcome of the game.
As the game proceeds, players take turns as President attempting to seat a Chancellor. Voting takes place for each nominee. Failure to seat a Chancellor may prevent the opposing team from passing their policies, but it also adds the frustration of the populace. Anger the populace too much, and they may force a policy through the government themselves. Once a Chancellor is seated, legislation is passed, and new powers may unlock for the President.
During this time, the Liberal Party is attempting to pass five liberal policies or assassinate Hitler, while the Fascist Party is attempting to pass six fascist policies or to elect Hitler as Chancellor after three fascist policies have already been enacted.
In our play through, one fascist player quickly passed some fascist policies, revealing their hand early. As the Liberals worked together to black ball this open fascist, the remainder of the Fascist Party positioned Hitler to be elected. In the end, four fascist policies and three liberal policies passed before Hitler took the Chancellorship and seized the government, leading to a Fascist win.
In all, the game is a thrilling example of German politics leading up to WWII, where each player seeks to gather information on each other, build power for their party, and minimize the opposing player’s time in office.
We would like to thank the creators for their kind donation of their game to the UNT Media Library. If you would like to play this game, or use it to teach a class, you can find it here at the Media Library. The break is finally here!
So… now what?
Some people go home, some go on adventures, some just lay in bed and watch movies all day (I mean, that sounds like a great option personally). Whatever your plans are, we’ve got a few spring break related movies at the media library that might help your week be all the better!
Spring Breakers DVD 15287 Four college friends plot to fund their best spring break ever by burglarizing a fast-food shack. Turns out that can lead to being arrested, hung over, and going on trial in bikinis. The girls get bailed out unexpectedly by Alien, an infamous local dealer who then decides to takes them on the wildest spring-break trip in history. The Exploding Girl DVD 12028 Ivy’s living the good life. She’s in college, heading home for spring break, and has a romance back at school making life seem flawless. As the days go by, though, she finds herself growing distant from her boyfriend and getting closer to her longtime friend Al. The film explores the story of a young girl coming of age and finding a deeper kind of love in New York City. The Hitcher DVD 7245 An ordinary couple hit the road for spring break. Their pleasure trip soon turns into a waking nightmare after encountering a mysterious hitchhiker. Things seem merely tense at first but only get worse when the couple are forced to deal with the man’s accusations and implications of their involvement in his own devious actions. The road becomes a battleground of blood and metal. 2001 Maniacs DVD 6023 Eight people set out for Daytona Beach on spring break. In Georgia, though, the group gets sidetracked by a detour, and ends up being the guests of honor in the town of Pleasant Valley for their annual Guts ‘n Glory Jubilee, complete with an out-of-this-world barbecue. Just… get ready for ridiculous. Crocodile DVD 439 High school sweethearts Brady, Claire and six of their college friends board a houseboat for spring break vacation. Turns out there’s something lurking around and isn’t too happy when suddenly it’s nest is missing an egg. The kid’s weekend of fun-in-the-sun will turn into a weekend of terror. Who’s gonna survive the croc?And yes, we are open over Spring Break!
We’ll be open March 15th-18th (Tu-Fri) 12-5pm
So come say hi and pick up one of these or many of our other movies, games, and more!
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