Movies & TV

  • Three on a Theme: Films About Elections

    With the 2020 elections on the horizon and dominating the news cycle, it is a great time to engage with media that focus on various aspects of electoral politics. Here are three documentary films, available for free with your library card to stream on Kanopy, that tell specific lesser-known election stories from the United States… Continue reading

  • Three on a Theme: Disability Justice

    2020 is an important year for disability rights in America, as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) turned 30 years old this July. This landmark piece of legislation was the result of the hard work of activists in the disability justice movement, which is still in progress today. Here are some SPL resources from disabled… Continue reading

  • Ray Harryhausen – Featuring Creatures

    As a kid in the 1960s I loved the Sunday afternoon movies. Sometimes a Tarzan flick, sometimes a Kung Fu movie, sometimes a Hammer Horror, and sometimes it was a creature feature. Sure Godzilla or Mothra were fun, but the BEST creature features were done by a guy by the name of Ray Harryhausen. Harryhausen… Continue reading

  • 100 Years of Agatha Christie

    In October of this year, we get to celebrate Agatha Christie being brought into our lives. Her first novel The Mysterious Affair at Styles was published in the U.S. in October of 1920. The United States was first to be introduced to Hercule Poirot. He would go on to be the main character in 33… Continue reading

  • The Story of Film Part 13: New Boundaries – Cinema From Around the World

    As Mark Cousin’s The Story of Film marches into the 1990’s, we are now on the cusp of a technological step forward that will change the face of cinema itself. But before we cross the digital threshold, let’s focus on the filmmakers emerging during the waning days of celluloid. Though he began his film career… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2020: Trans or Non-Binary Author

    For transgender and non-binary folx, 2020 has been a mixed bag politically, while the intentional killing of trans folx continues, unabated. Publishing has been a bright spot, as trans and non-binary authors are more visible than ever before; yet J.K. Rowling’s controversial position on trans rights, considered by many to be transphobic, shows more work… Continue reading

  • Three on a Theme: Movies About Being Outside

    What is almost as good as getting outside in the summer time? Watching movies about other people getting outside! The outdoors are a great component of so many amazing films available at the library, but there are some films in which “outside” features almost as a character all on its own. These films are different… Continue reading

  • The Story of Film Part 12: Fight the Power – Protest in Film

    In our last column on Mark Cousin’s The Story of Film, we looked at the rise of Hong Kong and Bollywood cinema, and the triumph of big budget, high concept blockbusters in Hollywood. More change was on the way in the 1980’s, with the rise of MTV and music videos making a huge impact on… Continue reading

  • Celebrating 30 Years of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): The ADA Anniversary Movie Project

    Hello, my name is Isaac. I have worked for the Seattle Public Library for about a year now and I have come to appreciate a lot of what the Library has to offer. I have been recently helping the Library with the ADA anniversary movie project and I would have to say there is a… Continue reading

  • Three on a Theme: Music Documentaries on Kanopy

    The library has always had great resources for music buffs, but lesser known among these are the many documentaries about music, musicians, and musical history that are available on our video streaming services. Often, these include both great insights into the works of famous musicians or hidden gems that tell a particular story about music… Continue reading

  • Comics before Cinema! Part Three

    This is the third and final feature of comics as the original source material before their cinematic adaptations. I admit that I have not watched or read many of what I’ve listed (though not for a lack of trying!) and I made it a point to explore outside the expansive DC and Marvel universe. Today I will be showcasing the nitty gritty of graphic novels and comics, and how those stories… Continue reading

  • The Story of Film Column #11: The Arrival of Multiplexes and Asian Mainstream

    As we close out The Story of Film’s look at the Seventies, we focus on three major developments that would influence world cinema dramatically. First was the rise of Asian films in the world market, specifically the action and fantasy spectacles coming from Hong Kong. Second were the changes in Indian cinema, leading to the… Continue reading

  • Positive Reflections of Older Adults in Movies

    It’s not so easy to find movies about characters in the 60+ age category, let alone ones that depict older adults in a positive light. Fortunately, some are available for free viewing on Kanopy and Hoopla attesting that seniors can indeed lead interesting and meaningful lives. My Old Lady, a 2014 English movie adapted from Israel… Continue reading

  • Documentaries for Pride

    Even though Pride events and in-person festivities are cancelled this year, it is still possible to celebrate LGBTQ resilience from the comfort of your home – and the Library can help with that! Aside from going out to protests and engaging with written content by queer authors, there are also lots of video resources available… Continue reading

  • The Story of Film Column #10: Movies To Change The World

    As we continue our walk thru Mark Cousin’s The Story of Film, we’ve now reached the 1970’s, one of the defining decades in cinema history. As we saw in the last column, an influx of talent from television, film schools and independent filmmaking had led to the birth of the “New Hollywood” movement in America. At… Continue reading

  • Comics Before Cinema! Part Two

    This is the second of three posts featuring graphic novels and comics as the original source material. If you liked what you’ve seen on screen, try reading it…because sometimes the comic book is better. I admit that I have not watched or read most of what I’ve listed (though not for a lack of trying!)… Continue reading

  • The Story of Film, Part 9: American Cinema of the 70’s

    The Story of Film, Part 9: American Cinema of the 70’s

    As we’ve seen in The Story of Film, while American cinema had been at the forefront of filmmaking for many years, over time, Hollywood’s movies had begun growing stagnant. The Production Code Administration still restricted what could be said, done, or shown in American movies. But by the early 1960’s, the PCA was losing its… Continue reading

  • The Story of Film Part 8: New Directors, New Form

    Continuing our journey through The Story of Film, we move further abroad as a new wave of filmmakers emerges across the world. With the French New wave in full flower and major new filmmakers from Italy and Sweden, cinema was in an exciting period of growth, with new directors emerging from countries whose voices had… Continue reading