Hi everyone, as the library is closed on Monday and Tuesday in observance of the Christmas holiday, and in lieu of recommending books to read, I’m going to do something different and recommend some videos you can stream for free from the Digital Catalog — they’re perfect for watching on your new mobile device – no app required!
Just click on the photo of the video you’re interested in, you’ll be prompted to enter your library card number and PIN (by default the last four digits of your phone number) and, if the title is available you’ll be able to instantly watch the video! If the video is checked out you’ll be able to place a hold on it).
(Note: Click on the photo of the video you’re interested in to request it or check it out)
And if you’d like to stream some additional titles – here’s a link to the Streaming Video section of the Digital Catalog:
Here are our suggested titles including some holiday favorites and some just plain fun to watch movies.
First the holiday titles:
BIG Adventure, The BIG Christmas Tree:
A Holiday Special!
Watch as the perfect Christmas tree is found by helicopter for the world-famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration! See how the giant tree is transported to New York City and decorated with over 26,000 lights!
Learn the story of the Christmas Tree and how it came to be a holiday tradition! Meet a man with 14 Christmas Trees and over 20,000 ornaments! Even visit a Christmas tree farm!
Discover the magic and lights of the holidays in this Little Mammoth Holiday Special for kids 3 to 100!
Casper’s First Christmas (1979):
Yogi Bear, Boo Boo, Huckleberry Hound and more Hanna-Barbera characters get lost and decide to spend Christmas by vising Casper, the friendly ghost. But soon they encounter a not-so-friendly ghost.
Christmas Trade (2015):
Just days before Christmas, an LA real-estate lawyer (William Baldwin)and his eleven-year-old son magically swap bodies. As they walk in each other’s shoes, from a cutthroat law firm and the frightening days of sixth grade, the father and son rediscover what it means to be family
A Doggone Christmas (2016):
It’s a canine caper when Murphy (Just Jessie the Jack), a charming pup with telepathic abilities, escapes a government scientist (Dominique Swain, Face/Off) and runs straight into the loving arms o two young brothers (Walker Mintz, Nessie & Me; and Jayden Hedden, Betrayed). But the Washington brass won’t give up their secret weapon so easily, and with a no-nonsense special forces agent hot on Murphy’s trail (Lauren Parkinson, Avengers Grimm), the boys and their school buddies must hide the pint-sized Jack Russell Terrier from helicopters and drones–and their mom and dad (Amy Holt, I Am Singh, and Rib Hillis, General Hospital), who’ve forbidden them to have a pet! Can this unexpected team of heroes, armed with only their wits, their bikes, and a strong bond with Murphy, channel the real spirit of Christmas to save the day?
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Live (2012):
Mannheim Steamroller’s music is incredibly moving by itself, but add an enthusiastic live performance by some very animated musicians and an intense multimedia presentation and the result is even more powerful. This 56-minute Christmas concert features many favorite numbers from the album Christmas in the Aire, but “Joy to the World” perhaps best epitomizes that distinctive Mannheim Steamroller sound: powerful synthesized melodies and harmonies, an intense drive and pathos, and skillful ornamentation. The accompanying fireworks on a huge, over-stage screen add a striking visual dimension to the song. Several Renaissance-inspired numbers like “In dulci Jubilo” and “Wassail, Wassail” showcase unusual Renaissance instruments and are paired with a rich, on-screen portrayal of a Renaissance feast. The instrumental, theatrical, and multimedia performances are beautifully, effectively done. The album ends, as Mannheim Steamroller tradition dictates, with “Going to Another Place,” an all-time fan favorite.
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964):
A film this bad has never looked so good! Horizon Movies proudly presents a fully restored edition (from HD elements) of the notorious holiday classic. The Martians are irked that their children spend so much time watching TV shows from Earth that sing the praises of Santa Claus, so they decide to make a trek to the planet to capture Mr. Claus. During their mission, they also abduct two children who lead the aliens to the North Pole and Santa. The Martians take all three earthlings back to Mars, where, with the help of a native, they manage to spread Christmas cheer throughout the red planet. SCCTM took on newfound fame in the 1990’s after being featured on Mystery Science Theater 3000 and became a holiday staple on Comedy Central in the years following its 1991 premiere, becoming one of the series’ most popular episodes.
And on to the just plain fun to watch movies!
Brave Girl (2014) (Genre: Kids Videos):
When Clara arrived in America, she couldn’t speak English. She didn’t know that young women had to go to work, that they traded an education for long hours of labor, that she was expected to grow up fast. But that didn’t stop Clara. She went to night school, spent hours studying English, and helped support her family by sewing in a shirtwaist factory. Clara never quit, and she never accepted that girls should be treated poorly and paid little. Fed up with the mistreatment of her fellow laborers, Clara led the largest walkout of women workers the country had seen. From her short time in America, Clara learned that everyone deserved a fair chance. That you had to stand together and fight for what you wanted. And, most importantly, that you could do anything you put your mind to. Animated.
Dark Shadows, Volume 1: (Genre: Fantasy):
In late 1960s Maine, handyman Willie Loomis releases vampire Barnabas Collins from his coffin.
Barnabas then goes to the Collin’s Family estate, Collinwood, claiming to be a relative from England. Although noticing Barnabas’ resemblance to his “ancestor” in the foyer portrait, the Collins family does not realize he is the same Barnabas who lived at Collinswood in the 18th Century. As Barnabas moves into the Old House on the property, those around him are unaware of the horrors that will soon follow.
If you find you like Dark Shadows – there are other episodes of the series in the Digital Catalog so you can find out what happened to Barnabas and company!
Jack Frost (Genre: Kids Videos, Nostalgic Videos):
A 1979 Rankin-Bass, stop-motion animated program similar to Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Jack Frost is a classic winter tale of good and evil, hope and despair, and love and sacrifice that will captivate viewers 5 and older. Narrated by Pardon-me-Pete Groundhog (Buddy Hackett) and framed as an exploration of the tradition of Groundhog Day, the music-filled Jack Frost is actually the story of young sprite Jack Frost who, under Father Winter’s leadership, is responsible for bringing winter weather to the world. Felt, but never seen, a lonely Jack begs to become human when he falls in love with January Junction resident Elisa. Father Winter grudgingly grants Jack Frost a winter of humanity, warning that in order to remain human forever, he must acquire the four essentials of a home, horse, bag of gold, and wife by springtime. Finding these essentials requires that Jack Frost overthrow the evil King of the Cossacks Kubla Kraus, a mission that is difficult and dangerous. Even with the help of fellow sprites Snip the snowflake maker and Holly the snowflake gypsy, Jack must make a very significant personal sacrifice in order to remove Kubla Kraus from power and ensure the continued well-being of Elisa and January Junction. Tami Horiuchi, Amazon Review.
The King’s Speech (Genre: Historical, Drama):
After the death of his father King George V (Michael Gambon) and the scandalous abdication of King Edward VIII (Guy Pearce), Bertie (Colin Firth) who has suffered from a debilitating speech impediment all his life, is suddenly crowned King George VI of England. With his country on the brink of war and in desperate need of a leader, his wife, Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter), the future Queen Mother, arranges for her husband to see an eccentric speech therapist, Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). After a rough start, the two delve into an unorthodox course of treatment and eventually form an unbreakable bond. With the support of Logue, his family, his government and Winston Churchill (Timothy Spall), the King will overcome his stammer and deliver a radio-address that inspires his people and unites them in battle. Based on the true story of King George VI, “The King’s Speech” follows the Royal Monarch’s quest to find his voice.
Lucky Texan (1934) (Genre: Western):
Gold miners Wayne and Hayes strike it rich. Before they can cash in their claim, John is falsely accused of the robbery and murder of Gabby. However, Gabby shows up at the trial in disguise in order to spring an trap on the real bad guys. Yakima Canutt was the stunt double for for virtually all the actors in the cast. Good fun for Wayne fans.
The Magnificent Seven (1960) (Genre: Western):
Spectacular gun battles, epic-sized heroes and an all-star cast that includes Academy Award winners Yul Brynner and James Coburn, together with Steve McQueen, Eli Wallach and Charles Bronson, make The Magnificent Seven a legend among westerns.
The Seven Samurai is “a hard-pounding adventure” (Newsweek) and “an enduringly popular” (Leonard Maltin) cinematic classic. Merciless Calvera (Wallach) and his band of ruthless outlaws are terrorizing a poor Mexican village, and even the bravest lawmen can’t stop them. Desperate, the locals hire Chris Adams (Brynner) and six other gunfighters to defend them. With time running out before Calvera’s next raid, the heroic seven must prepare the villagers for battle and help them find the courage to take back their town or die trying!
Planet of the Apes (1968): (Genre: Fantasy):
A bewildered astronaut (Charlton Heston) crash-lands on a strange planet ruled by apes who use a primitive race of humans for experimentation and sport. Starring Charlton Heston and Roddy McDowell.
The Philadelphia Experiment (1984):
The origins of this story are not science-fiction – they are science-fact. In 1943 the U.S. Office of Naval Research conducted a series of tests at the Philadelphia Naval Yard to develop a sophisticated camouflage system to make ships invisible to radar. During the final test aboard the destroyer the Battleship Eldridge, something went wrong – very wrong. This film explores beyond reality to ask the question “what if…” Two young seamen get caught in a violent tornado-like vortex and fall through a time warp to a different era – 1984. Desperately they struggle to find a way back to their own time, but their efforts become all the more vital as the rift in time threatens to suck present-day earth back to the past. Michael Pare (Streets of Fire, Eddie and the Cruisers) and Nancy Allen (Carrie, Dressed to Kill) star in this psychological sci-fi hit.
The Quiet American (1958):
A love triangle brews amidst a growing political tempest in this “brilliantly intellectual” (Los Angeles Times) film in which nothing is quite as it seems. Adapted from the acclaimed novel by Graham Greene, Academy Award-winning writer-director Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s screenplay “delivers dialogue that not only sparkles but bites deep with the irony of truth” (Citizen-News). In 1952, Saigon is caught between the corrupt colonial powers and the Communist uprising. An idealistic young American (Audie Murphy) champions a shadowy Third Force, but cynical British journalist Thomas Fowler (Michael Redgrave) is concerned only with the American’s interest in his mistress. When jealousy forces Fowler to take sides at last, the personal and political consequences are devastating.
Red Balloon (1956) (Genre: Children’s Videos, Nostalgic Videos):
Winner of the Best Original Screenplay Oscar 1956
Winner of the Palme d’Or 1956 Cannes Film Festival (short film)
A Boy makes friends with a seemingly sentient balloon, and it begins to follow him. It follows the boy to school, to the bus, and to church. Boy and balloon play together in the streets of Paris and try to elude a gang of boys that wants to destroy the balloon. Winner of the Best Original Screenplay Oscar, and there is almost no dialog spoken in the film.
Stolen (2012):
STOLEN follows Will Montgomery (Nicolas Cage), a master thief who has been sent to prison for eight years after being double-crossed in a heist gone awry. Upon his release, he s ready to leave his criminal past behind and rebuild his relationship with estranged daughter, Alison Loeb (Sami Gayle). Montgomery’s former criminal cohorts and FBI agent Tim Harlend (Danny Huston), are all convinced that the $10 Million dollars was hidden away by Montgomery before he was sentenced. In order to get his hands on it, former partner in crime, Vincent (Josh Lucas), kidnaps Alison and demands the missing loot as ransom; giving Montgomery one day to deliver. Montgomery is left with only one choice: To trust his instincts and join forces again with another old partner in crime, the beautiful, sexy and smart Riley Jeffers (Malin Akerman). Together they must pull off one more heist so he can get his daughter back… before it’s too late.
Tidal Wave (2009):
A deep-sea earthquake occurs creating a tidal wave that is headed straight for Haeundae, a popular vacation spot on the south coast of Korea, which draws visitors from all over the world. During its peak season, more than a million vacationers pack onto its narrow one-mile strip of sand. While tracking offshore seismic activity, Professor Kim (Kyung-gu Sol), a marine geologist, recognizes the impending danger of a mega tsunami. He desperately attempts to warn authorities and alert the unknowing vacationers of the 500 MPH destructive force of nature headed their direction.
Tomorrow we’ll resume our regular daily suggested reading recommendations!
You can request physical items, i.e. print books, DVDs & CDs, online via StarCat:
or by calling the library at: 607-936-3713 x 502.
Have a great day!
Linda, SSCL
Online Catalog Links:
StarCat
The catalog of physical materials, i.e. print books, DVDs, audiobooks on CD etc.
The Digital Catalog (OverDrive)
The catalog of e-books, downloadable audiobooks and a handful of streaming videos.
Freegal Music Service
This music service is free to library card holders and offers the option to download, and keep, three free songs per week and to stream three hours of commercial free music each day:
RBDigital
Digital magazines on demand and for free! Back issues are available and you can even choose to be notified by email when the new issue of your favorite magazine is available.
About Library Apps:
You can access digital library content on PCs, Macs and mobile devices. For mobile devices simply download the OverDrive, Freegal or Zinio app from your app store to get started. If you have questions call the library at: 607-936-3713 and one of our Digital Literacy Specialists will be happy to assist you.
Tech Talk is a Southeast Steuben County Library blog.
Tech & Book Talk at SSCL 