Kanopy

[EinCB128]

https://www.kanopy.com/


You have to have a Los Angeles or New York public library card to do so. You can watch Criterion films, too.

In July, LAist announced that you could stream hundreds of movies from the Criterion Collection for free if you had a Los Angeles Public Library card. We immediately reached out to the New York Public Library inquiring about our own hidden benefits as library card holders, and at the time they did not offer access to Kanopy's streaming service, which the LAPL uses. But lo and behold, they have now decided to add it (you're welcome?)—starting Friday August 4th, anyone with a library card (both NYPL and Brooklyn Public Library) will have access to hundreds of movies. Here's what you need to know:

You'll need to go to nypl.kanopystreaming.com, or bklynlibrary.kanopystreaming.com, or access the site via the Library's Articles & Databases page.
You will need to create a sign-in, and then punch in your library card number and PIN.
You can view up to 10 movies per month with an NYPL card, and 6 per month with a BPL card.
Once started, you will have three days to watch each movie.
Videos are accessible with captions, transcripts, and compatibility with assistive technologies.
Films can be watched from anywhere, anytime, on smartphones, tablets, PCs and smart TVs.

Kanopy offers a broad selection of more than 30,000 feature films, documentaries, foreign language, and training videos. And yes, as part of the Kanopy subscription, you will have access to the Criterion Collection (around 400 movies), which focuses on licensing "important classic and contemporary films."

Don't have a library card? You can get one instantly through the NYPL's SimplyE app; that card will get you immediate access to hundreds of thousands of NYPL e-books, but for physical materials and any other databases (like Kanopy), you will need to go to a branch, and "upgrade" your e-card to a full access library card.

[dune1984]

The Oklahoma City Metro library system has this now.

[kingdoxie]

Wow, lots of library systems have this now! I live in a medium size town and just signed up, now I can watch some Criterion films I've been wanting to see. Thanks to the OP for posting and dune1984 for bumping!

[dune1984]

Rec'd an email that Kanopy is adding A24 films.

[dune1984]

The Art of Self-Defense has been added. Codes have been hard to find.

[RCRochester]

Signed up to Kanopy. I'm only allowed 4 free movies per month, which is fine with all the other viewing options I have. Lots of Kino titles which is a good way to test drive some movies without blind buying them. Watched Rider on the Rain yesterday (the English language version). Great film. They have a couple more Euro-period Bronson films I need to check out.

[RCRochester]

Watched Farewell Friend and Someone Behind The Door on Kanopy. Both enjoyable films though I don't think I'll have a huge desire to see them again any time soon. Rider On The Rain has been added to my wishlist for a future Kino sale purchase.

I'll definitely have to check out The Oscar next, that's one I've always been curious about.

[EPlay]

The Hawaii State library system has had a trial of Kanopy for the last month (and they hopefully make it a permanent thing with a limited number of rental credits every month).

I LOVE the selection of many foreign and "arthouse" films!!! My favorites so far have been:

Nobody from Nowhere (Un illustre inconnu) - Fantastic French thriller starring Mathieu Kassovitz from "The Bureau" series (which I'm coincidentally watching now and almost done with Season 3 on SundanceNow.)

The Women on the 6th Floor (Les femmes du 6e étage) - Charming comedy about a wealthy stockbroker whose life is changed after getting to know the Spanish maids who work for him and his neighbors.

Return of the Hero (Le retour du héros) - Jean Dujardin is mistaken for a war hero and does everything to keep the illusion going. (Also available on Amazon Prime.)

The Mission (Cheung foh) - Very happy to see this Johnnie To film again after many years. The streaming quality is actually better than the horrid Mei Ah DVD.

Asako I & II (Netemo sametemo) - Interesting relationship story from Japan with an enigmatic lead.

[RCRochester]

So I watched The Oscar on Kanopy. I've been wanting to watch this film for decades after first reading about it in one of the Golden Turkey Awards books. It certainly lives up to it's "so bad it's good" reputation with overwrought melodramatics and terrible acting. Poor Tony Bennett had me in stitches at times, and Stephen Boyd made his character seem like a completely sociopath, which possibly could have been the intent. Once this sinks in a bit I might pick up the Kino blu-ray at some point just to relive the awfulness.

[EPlay]

A couple of others I've especially enjoyed:

Like Sunday, Like Rain - A child prodigy and his new nanny form an unexpected bond. Starring Leighton Meester.

Jackpot - Fun Norwegian dark crime comedy co-written by Jo Nesbo.

[RCRochester]

Watched A Place In The Sun for the first time on Kanopy. A very popular and successful film from 1951 with Liz Taylor and Montgomery Clift. It's a great piece of melodrama although it's clear that certain plot points and positions of morality were influenced by the Production Code. It's due to finally be released on blu-ray in Australia later this year by the new Imprint label but, alas, though I enjoyed watching the film it's not something I'd ever want to own.

[postmodel]

Can any fellow Kanopy users check out the Day of the Dolphin? I tried watching it today and it looks blurry. I thought it was maybe my connection, but when i threw on a different movie, it was clear as day. I really want to check this one out without a blind buy since I heard it's not the greatest film. I'll try another device later on today, but wanted to see if other's have an issue. Thanks!

[EPlay]

My free Kanopy trial ended and we are now on limited credits per month; otherwise, I would have gladly checked for you, postmodel.

Another recent viewing I'd recommend is "How About Adolph?", a humorous and thought-provoking German film. It's basically a group of people talking over dinner, but I LOVE good dialogue.

[RCRochester]

Some recommended titles I recently watched on Kanopy this month:

Real Life, a hilarious comedy from Albert Brooks which is probably more relevant today than it was in the 70s seeing as it deals with reality TV. Seeing Brooks and Charles Grodin in the same film was mind-blowing as they are both masters of dry, deadpan humour.

Caper of the Golden Bulls - Fun 60s heist movie set during the running of the bulls in Pamplona with some interesting plot twists and turns. Good for checking out if you are interested in the Kino blu-ray.

Perfect Friday - another Kino title, and another heist movie. A bit less flashy than Golden Bulls but it's cleverly plotted and also fun.

[RCRochester]

Noticed that several of the Cinerama films such as This is Cinerama, Seven Wonders of the World and Cinerama Holiday are now airing on Kanopy in their Smilebox presentations. I plan on watching them all. I've only seen How the West Was Won and really liked the Smilebox effect. I love seeing old photos and film of past decades including the 50s just to look at the styles, architecture, fashions, etc., so I'm really looking forward to checking these out.

[BluBonnet]

Has anyone else noticed much inferior PQ from Kanopy than you'd get from other streamers?

My Internet handles 4k streaming fine, but the few times I've used Kanopy or Hoopla, the PQ was probably inferior to what you'd get with a DVD.

[Edgar_in_Indy]

I just started dabbling in the services, and I also noticed the picture quality to be lackluster. I had only tried a couple shows though, so I was reserving judgement.

[EPlay]

The recent award winner "Another Round" with Mads Mikkelsen is available to view on Kanopy. (I'd already seen and own it.)

A couple of films I've recently enjoyed:

Ramen Shop
Come as You Are

[EPlay]

Lovers of the Arctic Circle (Les amants du cercle polaire) recently became available on Kanopy. Had to watch it again as I'm really fond of this Julio Medem film. This film has such a following I'm not sure why it doesn't have a blu-ray yet like some of his other films.

[EPlay]

Joe Bell is already available on Kanopy.