CHECK IT OUT:See the movie, read the book, pick a winner

The 2007 Oscar winners and nominees of the 79th Academy Awards were fun to watch last Sunday whether you were a serious film buff or just wanted to focus on the fashion excesses or foibles of the celebrities. After the glamour and glitz is over, the actual movies and the books that inspired them receive new attention as fans visualize their favorite stars in the roles assigned to them by authors and producers.

The library has the DVDs and the books so you can judge for yourself whether the awards were well-deserved or simply overrated. It’s a matter of personal preference in the privacy of your own home.

“The Last King of Scotland” by Giles Foden: The movie “The Last King of Scotland” was based on this fictional book dealing with Ugandan history. Forest Whitaker won best actor for playing dictator Idi Amin. Read this adventure novel, watch the DVD and decide what changes or events you would have emphasized in the film.

“Dreamgirl: My Life as a Supreme” by Mary Wilson: The factual autobiography by ex-Supreme vocalist Mary Wilson reveals the down-and-gritty truth about the famous, ‘60s super-star “girl group” known as the Supremes and their ultimate prima donna songstress, Diane Ross. Jennifer Hudson of “American Idol” fame won best supporting actress for her supreme depiction in “Dreamgirls,” now on DVD, which won for best sound.

“Flags of Our Fathers” by James Bradley: This is the true story about the five Marines and one Navy corpsman who were immortalized during combat in World War II when they raised the American flag at the battle of Iwo Jima. The photograph of that event served as a symbol of hope that has lasted up to the present. The movie “Flags of Our Fathers” was a nominee for best sound editing.

“Marie Antoinette: The Journey” by Antonia Fraser: This all-inclusive biography describes the life of Austrian-born Archduchess Marie Antoinette, beginning with her engagement at age 14 to the future king of France, Louis XVI, through her life as Queen of France at the royal court, and finishes with her courageous demise in facing the guillotine during the 18th century French Revolution. Award-winning Sofia Coppola wrote, produced and directed the visually stunning film, “Marie Antoinette,” which won for best costume design.

“The Devil Wears Prada” by Lauren Weisberger: A “fictional” account based on Vogue magazine’s real editor Anna Wintour, this delightful tale about the ultimate, demanding boss is fun to read from the top of its coiffed head to the tips of its pointy-toed boots. The film version of “The Devil Wears Prada” garnered two nominations, with Meryl Streep as best actress, and best costume design.

Don’t forget family film fun! Especially for kids and the parents who love them, the library has these great additions.

“Happy Feet: the Essential Guide” by Glenn Dakin: This new juvenile nonfiction book presents character profiles and scenes from the animated picture as well as facts about emperor penguins.

“Mumble’s Journey: The Junior Novelization,” adapted by Megan E. Bryant: This juvenile paperback tells the story of the young penguin Mumble, who loves to dance and his unique “happy feet.” There’s also “Happy Feet,” a Junior Cine-Manga version of the best-animated-film-winning, “Happy Feet.”

Some DVDs are so recent they are on order. Others are available now as one-day DVDs, seven-day DVDs or in the children’s DVD section.