Movies & TV
-
“The Librarians” Takes You to the Front Lines of Democracy
“I never imagined that what’s happening right now could ever happen. It didn’t dawn on us that we would come under attack.” In the opening scene in the documentary “The Librarians,” a woman sits, her face obscured for anonymity. She is a school librarian, telling the story of what happened in Texas in 2021, after Continue reading
-
Mossback’s Northwest: Early Roots of Seattle’s Libraries
How did Seattle become a literary city? The roots to that accomplishment began “in the muck and mire of the frontier city,” says Cascade PBS host of Mossback’s Northwest, Knute Berger (aka Mossback). Mossback recently aired a fascinating episode on the city’s literary roots, and its connection to Skid Road. It was filmed partly in Continue reading
-
Day of the Dead – Día de los Muertos at the Library
It’s almost Day of the Dead/Día de los Muertos, which is celebrated on Nov. 1 and 2 in Mexico and Latin America. Join us as we explore the history of Día de los Muertos and explore the variety of ways this holiday remembers and honors deceased loved ones. Join us to learn and honor your Continue reading
-
Fall 2025 Author and Arts Events at the Library
When is the Library a comedy club? On Wednesday, Sept. 24, when guest curator Amy Hirayama kicks off a series of programs titled “Serious Play,” with a night of comedy gold from local comedians. This fall you can also explore the myth of bringing your authentic self to work with viral Ted Talk speaker Jodi-Ann Continue reading
-
These Books Became 2024 Oscar-Nominated Film Adaptations
The Seattle Public Library’s Reader Services team recently debuted a new monthly column in the Seattle Times. Read the article by Reader Services librarian Misha Stone on the Seattle Times website or below, where it’s republished with permission. The Seattle Public Library loves to promote books and reading. This column, submitted by the library, Continue reading
-
Blu-Ray Bruce!
Did you know we recently added Blu-Rays? And that compared even to streaming HD, Blu-Ray offers better stability (vs. Wi-Fi), picture, and audio (especially when considering beautifully curated prints)? Enter Bruce Lee! Where legends collide, your library’s box set, Bruce Lee: His Greatest Hits contains seven painstakingly restored Blu-Rays featuring most of the local legend’s best work. Continue reading
-
More Music Documentaries, Please!
Let’s continue our dive into music documentaries, snapshots of musical process and lasting impact from notable musicians. On deck today: Little Richard and 90s band Morphine. Little Richard: I amEverything is well-titled. Gay. Black. Visionary. Check. Check. Check. But was Richard the king of rock? More on that later. The film explores his career chronologically Continue reading
-
Thrills and Chills for Winter Movie Nights
When the sun goes down at 4pm and the weather report says ten solid days of rain, there is nothing I like more than a hot cup of tea, a blanket, a cat on my lap…and watching something scary. For horror fans, there is nothing better. Like listening to moody music when you’re feeling down, Continue reading
-
One Documentary, One Concert, One Night of Rapturous Viewing!
Get your toes tapping and your soul soaring with these music documentaries. Starting with the elephant in the room, The Elephant 6 Recording Co. documentary takes an inside look at the 90’s rock collective most famous for Neutral Milk Hotel’s mythically held greatest-album-of-its-decade: 1998’s In the Aeroplane over the Sea. But as Robert Schneider, creative/spiritual leader Continue reading
-
A Day With(out) Art
By the late 1980’s, the AIDS crisis had reached a fever pitch in the United States. Afflicting primarily (but not exclusively) the gay male population, tens of thousands of people were dying every year, with elected officials responding at a snail’s pace, if at all. To emphasize the impact this was having on the arts Continue reading
-
Watch in the Dark: Film Noir Picks for Your Dark and Stormy Nights
It’s getting darker, folks. Sad about shorter days? Why not fill your longer nights with movies! Once we truly inhabit Seattle’s usual noir state…tumbling into the unrelenting dark, opting against navigating rain-slicked streets, and becoming actually as well as metaphorically more internal, it becomes time to embrace rather than turn away from the darkness without Continue reading
-
Using Horror to Expose Truths About Race: Tananarive Due at the Central Library on Nov. 1
Halloween might be on Oct. 31, but the season continues at the Central Library on Wednesday, Nov. 1, when award-winning horror writer and Jordan Peele collaborator Tananarive Due appears to discuss her much-anticipated new novel “The Reformatory,” just one day after it’s released. The event, which runs from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., is free Continue reading
-
Now Showing in Blu-ray
Beginning this fall, patrons will have an additional way to view movies, TV series and documentaries when the Library begins offering Blu-ray format for filmed media titles that are only available as a Blu-ray disc. This means our collection of filmed media will offer access to: DVDs Combo Packs (Blu-ray disc + DVD disc) Blu-rays Continue reading
-
Come On Barbie, Let’s Go Read
If you’re like me and everyone I know, you can’t wait for the upcoming live action Barbie movie, out in theaters on July 21. Here are some book recommendations to get you in the mood to watch Barbie sparkle and shine! If you want to live in Barbie’s dream house with all of your gal Continue reading
-
Women’s History Through Film
Every so often, we like to remind folks about the incredible wealth of content available through the Library’s streaming databases, such as Kanopy. And what better way to celebrate Women’s History Month than watching a series of documentaries about inspiring women? For those wanting to learn more about Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected Continue reading
-
Theater, Music and Film: February 2023 Events at The Seattle Public Library
We’ve got some amazing author programs and community events planned for February, from Lambda Award-winning novelist Annalee Newitz to Bonnie Garmus, author of the bestselling novel “Lessons in Chemistry”. The Fifth Avenue Theatre is also back with a Sondheim show talk and the South Park Branch is hosting a movie screening with former Washington State Continue reading
-
Library Finds: Cozy Up With These Family-Friendly Streaming Movies
When it comes to raising children, the years might be short, but the days and nights can be long, especially in the dark days of a Seattle winter. Streaming entertainment to the rescue! Through your Library card, you can access hundreds of family-friendly films, TV shows and programs, for free, through services such as Hoopla Continue reading
-
Winter Break Fun: 8 Ways to Entertain Kids Through The Seattle Public Library
Winter break is coming up – what’s your plan? If you need help keeping your children entertained and maybe even learning while they’re on break from school, The Seattle Public Library has many solutions, from new Read-Along books to streaming stories, TV and movies. Find more programs and services at www.spl.org or at any of the Library’s 27 Continue reading