May Film Discussion: Robot & Frank

May Film Discussion

Watch and Discuss 

Robot & Frank
This month's Film Society discussion we will about Robot and Frank.  This Alfred P. Sloan Award winner was directed by Jake Schreier and written by Christopher Ford.  This was the first full length feature film for both writer and director, and was a favorite at the Sundance Film Festival.  The Alfred P. Sloan Award is given annually to a film that depicts science, technology, or math or has a character that is a scientist, engineer, or mathematician.  We hope that this quirky little gem, will win your heart and mind.  And there is much to discuss about a film like this.

Set in the near future, an aging ex-convict named Frank (Frank Langella, in a remarkable performance) lives alone and is experiencing increasingly serious mental deterioration and dementia. Frank's son Hunter (James Marsden), an attorney with a family of his own, grows tired of making weekly visits to his father's home, but is reluctant to put his father into full time care, so he purchases a robot companion (voiced by Peter Sarsgaard), which is programmed to provide Frank with therapeutic care, including a fixed daily routine and cognitive enhancing activities like gardening.  This is one buddy film, you won't want to miss.

This film is rated PG 13 for profanity, mostly at the beginning of the film, but peppered throughout.


Watch & Discuss
This month, the Film Society will engage in discussions about the themes of this movie.  The enjoyment of the films we watch can be enhanced by thinking more deeply about them and participating in discussions both online and at our monthly meeting.  Everyone is invited to participate in these discussions with us. Please join us and engage in thoughtful discussion about this film right here.

Questions for Discussion
Please leave your comments regarding these questions and any thoughts about the movie you'd like to discuss or share in the Comment Box below.

1.  The film is set "in the near future" but we never really know when.  How is our present technology enhanced to be "futurized" just a bit, to keep the feel of the film as "present-day" as possible?
2. Why do you think it is important for this story to be in the present day?
3.  What current social or cultural trends does this film portray or satirize?
4.  The film plays with film genres.  How many genres of movie do you find in this film?
5.  What do you think about robot helpers?  Is this a viable way to utilize technology effectively?
6.  Is it possible to have a relationship with a device that has no sentience?  Does this require redefining the term "relationship"?  Does this require a redefinition of sentience?

References
Robot & Frank on IMDB
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1990314/

Robot & Frank: vision of the future?  interview with the director in The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2013/mar/08/robot-and-frank-vision-future

Movie Trailer



© Copyright Swank Motion Pictures, Inc.

Image Credits
http://www.thefilmbrief.com/2012/09/tuesday-trailer-robot-and-frank/
http://www.parentalguide.org/movieratingsguide.html

Saturday: April 20 - Library Community Appreciation Day

The Farmington Library Association Board of Trustees has cordially cordially invited the community to the Goodwin Library Community Celebration Saturday, April 20, 2013 12:00 to 4:00 pm. The Celebration will begin at the Farmington Recreation Center 12:00 – 2:00 pm with a Social and Program, then move to the Goodwin Library 2:00 – 4:00 pm for an Open House.

Entertainment will be provided by Rochester Poet Laureate, Pat O'Brien, singer, songwriter, storyteller, and great friend of the Goodwin Library.

The event will begin with a meet and greet social. They will have balloons and small giveaway items for kids. Finger foods, desserts, and light beverages will be available for everyone to enjoy. The program will begin with presentations highlighting the history and contributions of the community of organizations that share the Goodwin Library building and end with a tribute to Beulah Thayer, honoring her years of support for the Library and the Town of Farmington. Following the presentations, there will be a performance by Rochester Poet Laureate, Pat O’Brien, singer, songwriter, and storyteller.

Then, the celebration will adjourn at the Recreation Center and move to an Open House at the Goodwin Library. The children’s room will be renamed and dedicated to Beulah Thayer in a short ceremony. Also, representatives from each of our library community organizations will be present in their respective spaces in the Goodwin Library to give interested parties a tour, or answer any questions about their organizations.

The Goodwin Library Staff-  Friends of the Goodwin Library-  The Goodwin Library Trustees

The Farmington Historical Society-  The Farmington Woman’s Club

Goodwin Library Community Celebration-Advocacy Day-Program2013

Download a souvenir program from Scribd and print it, or come to the event and get one!   

'Hunger Games: Catching Fire' Trailer Debuts On MTV Movie Awards: 'She Must Be Eliminated'

http://huff.to/171ilze

Flavorwire’s Guide To Movies You Need To Stream This Week

http://bit.ly/13fAIhA

Illustrated Floor Plans For Wes Anderson Films

http://bit.ly/XE7AQA

'Veronica Mars' Movie Kickstarter Success Celebrated By Kristen Bell, Rob Thomas

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Film Society Future Dates

At the last meeting of the Society, I announced that the next meeting would be on May 8th, the second Wednesday of the month.  I made a mistake with the dates the Film Society would meet.  I apologize for the error.  This date conflicts with the Friends of the Library meeting, and we don't want to exclude anyone from attending either meeting!

Next Film Society Meeting 

6:00 PM

Monday

May 13, 2013

Note: Future meetings of the Film Society will be on the second Monday of each month!

Leave comments as to suggestions for future movies.

We had a great showing of Life of Pi at our last meeting, with a great conversation following.  I look forward to meeting with everyone at our next showing.

Thanks for you patience as we schedule our films and guild our programs,.
Stan

Legendary Film Critic Roger Ebert Dies At Age 70

http://huff.to/XtnMGr

Thirteen Terrifying Movies I Saw Before I Was Old Enough And So Am Now Permanently Scarred, by Lemony Snicket

http://bit.ly/Z7U1fE