The Netflix Thread

[Spun Lepton]

And movie studios just continue to make stupid, stupid decisions. It's almost comical.

It really is! It's astonishing how oblivious some of these decision-makers can be when it comes to understanding the simplest human behaviors.

[Raiders]

Last I heard, HBO is planning their own competing streaming service, which is probably why they pulled support from Netflix.

www.hbogo.com (http://www.hbogo.com)

[number8]

What baffles me is that these things aren't decided lightly. I mean, it's Warner Bros. They have people whose job it is to chart the pros and cons of decisions like this, and the standard procedure is to hire third party research firms to market test consumer behavior to see if they would do the things the studios think they would do. And this is the result.

Either studios continually make decisions against their findings or there really are a big chunk of consumers out there (who aren't internet-savvy like us) who do follow this pattern and play into the studios' hands.

Either scenario doesn't sound that far-fetched, actually.

[number8]

Last I heard, HBO is planning their own competing streaming service, which is probably why they pulled support from Netflix.

HBO Go has been available for like 2 years, dude.

[Dukefrukem]

I refuse to give any more money to Comcast than I already do.

I die a little inside but what are my other options?? I refuse to watch cammed videos and it's coming up on Oscar time.

[Robby P]

Either studios continually make decisions against their findings or there really are a big chunk of consumers out there (who aren't internet-savvy like us) who do follow this pattern and play into the studios' hands.

What percentage of the general movie going population do you think even knows what a torrent file is? Beyond the 18-26 demographic, anyways.

[D_Davis]

I die a little inside but what are my other options?? I refuse to watch cammed videos and it's coming up on Oscar time.

Just wait until they are available elsewhere. I guess I just don't care about seeing things right away or at any certain time, especially not because of the Oscars or anything like that.

[number8]

Wait, I think I get the logic now. We're thinking about it backwards.

They're not targeting blind buyers. They probably know that people who only want to watch the movie are not going to suddenly buy the thing because they can't rent it.

I think it's a strategy to exploit the impatience of people who already liked the movie in theaters and are already considering owning the movie. A lot of these people tend to curb their enthusiasm after discovering that they can just rent the movie again and again instead of buying it. Without the option, when they're in Target or whatever and they see that movie on the New Release section, they'd be more likely to think, "Well, I can just wait 2 months to see if it might show up on Netflix, but what the hell, I liked it, didn't I? Might as well buy it."

[D_Davis]

But aren't DVD and BR sales way down? Almost all of my film-buff friends who used to buy a ton of movies have basically stopped buying movies altogether.

[Dukefrukem]

Just wait until they are available elsewhere. I guess I just don't care about seeing things right away or at any certain time, especially not because of the Oscars or anything like that.

Meh. I enjoy the Oscars enough to want to watch as many nominated films as I can. It's like picking winners in the playoffs, like we're all doing in the NFL thread.

But 8's right. WB's biggest movie of the decade all time is being released in 6 months and they know people will want to see it after it leaves theaters. So they'll cash in on the impatient f@@ks like me, while reaping in the normal rental fees when it finally hits from the people who didn’t get a chance to see it in theaters.

[Spun Lepton]

HBO Go has been available for like 2 years, dude.

Is it available on the PS3??

[number8]

Is it available on the PS3??

They keep saying it's coming, but not yet. So far it's only browsers, Android, iPhone, iPad and Roku box.

[Irish]

It really is! It's astonishing how oblivious some of these decision-makers can be when it comes to understanding the simplest human behaviors.
I think they get the behavior but they're sorta stuck.

The ideal would be to make money off every channel while allowing no one channel to get significant leverage in the marketplace. Part of that means continuing to sell to Netflix & Blockbuster while subtly undercutting their business at the same time.

It's interesting to me that Apple and Amazon aren't part of this deal, and I assume that they'll continue to sell & rent downloads without these restrictions.

More interesting is that these announcements are coming into play as the studios are trying to get their own streaming service off the ground.

[Spun Lepton]

They keep saying it's coming, but not yet. So far it's only browsers, Android, iPhone, iPad and Roku box.

I must've heard that news and in my head it eventually morphed into, "HBO has a streaming service coming soon."

[Lazlo]

I must've heard that news and in my head it eventually morphed into, "HBO has a streaming service coming soon."

The issue is that it doesn't compare directly to Netflix of Hulu Plus or Amazon since you still have to have cable/satellite and a subscription to HBO. It comes with the subscription (if your cable company has an agreement with HBO), which is nice, but it doesn't put you in a position to eliminate cable. I suppose at some point they'll make it available on its own, but not yet. And us Time Warner folks are still waiting on it to come online.

[number8]

Confession: I don't have cable and use someone else's login to watch HBO Go. Eep.

[ledfloyd]

Confession: I don't have cable and use someone else's login to watch HBO Go. Eep.
you can do this? *investigates*

[EyesWideOpen]

Never Say Never is on instant watch now. I know you guys have been waiting to see it before choosing your best documentary on the Match Cut Awards.

[EyesWideOpen]

Film Socialisme added today.

[Spinal]

The Names of Love is now available.

[Adam]

Tuesday, After Christmas got added recently. It's really good!

[B-side]

Nice to see you back, Adam.

[Rowland]

Kôji Wakamatsu's United Red Army and Caterpillar, both 2011 US theatrical releases, are now available. I've seen the latter, and while it was ultimately a mild nay from me, I can see some around here really digging it; at the very least, I'm still seriously considering lead actress Shinobu Terajima for a MC award nomination.

Also, I'm not sure whether or not it was just recently added, but Christopher Smith's Black Death, one of last year's best genre films, is up, which I recall DaMu and Grouchy really liking as well as myself obviously.

[Spinal]

Good tip. Been meaning to watch more Wakamatsu.

[Dukefrukem]

Netflix ditching video game rental idea

[number8]

They're also slowly giving up on their DVD service.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2012/01/netflix-dvd-video-games.html


On an earnings conference call with analysts Wednesday, Hastings said Netflix now has no plans to spend any marketing dollars on its DVD-by-mail service, which lost 2.76 million subscribers during the last three months of 2011.

"We expect DVD subscribers to decline each quarter forever," he said.

[Dukefrukem]

Well that's fine as long as they provide those DVD services into steaming services. There's 90% of the movies in my DVD queue are not available instant streaming.

[number8]

That's not exactly up to them.

[Spun Lepton]

They would need to increase prices on their services to get some of those DVD titles on Instant, and we've already seen the public's overreaction to that.

[NickGlass]

For those who thoroughly enjoy The Magnetic Fields, there's a fairly good documentary on Stephin Meritt called Strange Powers.

[Ivan Drago]

Film Socialisme added today.

I can watch the whole thing in real time now instead of the version sped up to be four minutes long!

[Dukefrukem]

So we don't have a RedBox thread, but I found it interesting that RedBox will be rejecting WB's 50+ day deal to offer movies and will instead, buy them the day they hit shelves at retail....

[Scar]

Never watched the show Supernatural. Stayed home sick today, and I think I'm on episode four or five now.

[Skitch]

Its pretty entertaining. I watched season one, I'll probably have to continue now that its streaming. My buddy is a huge fan, and he says it gets really really good around season four.

[number8]

That's what I heard. It's something that bothers me about sci-fi/fantasy shows, is that a lot of them take a season or two to be generic and draw the laymen in before getting to the really juicy stuff. Shows like Fringe, Buffy, Supernatural, etc, people will always say, "Oh the first season sucks dick, no doubt, but wait until season 3 and it becomes THE BEST THING EVER." So I go, "Alright, I'll skip to Season 3," and they'd go, "No! It's so great because it's built from the foundations laid out in the mediocre episodes in the first two seasons. It will definitely have more impact if you watch in order. Just wait it out." And I'm like, "I do not have the patience for that."

[Mara]

Never watched the show Supernatural. Stayed home sick today, and I think I'm on episode four or five now.

Kind of lame for the first season, and then gets good for 2 & 3, and excellent for 4 & 5.

Then I was so frustrated with season 6 that I gave up, but I might revisit one of these days.

[Mara]

That's what I heard. It's something that bothers me about sci-fi/fantasy shows, is that a lot of them take a season or two to be generic and draw the laymen in before getting to the really juicy stuff. Shows like Fringe, Buffy, Supernatural, etc, people will always say, "Oh the first season sucks dick, no doubt, but wait until season 3 and it becomes THE BEST THING EVER." So I go, "Alright, I'll skip to Season 3," and they'd go, "No! It's so great because it's built from the foundations laid out in the mediocre episodes in the first two seasons. It will definitely have more impact if you watch in order. Just wait it out." And I'm like, "I do not have the patience for that."

This is the bane of being a supernatural-television watcher. But we feel stronger for waiting out the boring stuff.

[Ezee E]

That's what I heard. It's something that bothers me about sci-fi/fantasy shows, is that a lot of them take a season or two to be generic and draw the laymen in before getting to the really juicy stuff. Shows like Fringe, Buffy, Supernatural, etc, people will always say, "Oh the first season sucks dick, no doubt, but wait until season 3 and it becomes THE BEST THING EVER." So I go, "Alright, I'll skip to Season 3," and they'd go, "No! It's so great because it's built from the foundations laid out in the mediocre episodes in the first two seasons. It will definitely have more impact if you watch in order. Just wait it out." And I'm like, "I do not have the patience for that."
Can't really think of a show that comes to mind, but I immediately don't even give it a try if it takes a full season to get going. Most of those TV shows have twenty-something episodes. That's a lot of wasted time.

[number8]

5 episodes of mediocrity is my limit. Especially in serials, I feel like I have to give it at least that much to start ramping up. Deadwood, Dollhouse, Rome... These are brilliant shows that I wouldn't have thought so if I didn't give the first few episodes a slide.

[Ezee E]

5 episodes of mediocrity is my limit. Especially in serials, I feel like I have to give it at least that much to start ramping up. Deadwood, Dollhouse, Rome... These are brilliant shows that I wouldn't have thought so if I didn't give the first few episodes a slide.
Four to five episodes isn't bad at all though. And with Deadwood/Rome, those aren't even bad episodes. It's more confusing or hard to get into because of the language, amount of characters, etc.

Dollhouse I can't speak for.

[Lucky]

Dollhouse's concept grabbed me from the pilot, I never felt like I was just trudging on. When it decided to get serious at "Man on the Street" it was some fine television. "A Spy in the House of Love" would rank pretty highly on my favorite TV eps list.

[Mara]

Dollhouse I can't speak for.

It's awesome if you can get a few episodes in.

See, that's the problem. Some of my favorite shows, those that I've had a real relationship with and have given me more than entertainment but real thought-provoking emotional and intellectual journeys, have had some really rough patches.

It makes sense. It is, in a way, a real relationship, in the sense that you spend significant time with these characters over years and years, not like with film. And every relationship is going to have some times when you're not happy with what's going on. The question is whether or not what you're getting out of it is worth the trouble.

So, although I'm a huge Buffy fan, I'm quick to admit that some of the episodes are terrible. I mean, inexcusably awful. And not just in the first season... consistency is a real problem. But, at the same time, I've had an emotional connection to the show 85% of the time, and my emotional resonance is hard to quantify.

That's why it's hard to jump into the middle of a quality serialized show. I had a friend who picked up Mad Men in the fourth season, and I was tearing my hair out with her, because she wanted to reap the benefits of four years of character development without putting in the time to really understand the characters. She asked me what was up with Glenn and Betty, and I tried to explain it to her for half an hour. That relationship-- a fairly minor one in the series-- has been unfolded to the audience over years of development, and there's just no way to summarize it.

[Ezee E]

Mad Men might be a show that took a full season to get into it. I don't think I cared for it until the final two eps of the first season.

[EyesWideOpen]

I disagree that Fringes first season sucked. It was still a very good show and set up the characters and the universe. Its just that in its second season it really amped up and delved into the shows mythology.

[EyesWideOpen]

I've been having a hard time getting into Mad Men. Its taken me like four months to get through the first seven episodes. Good to hear it starts picking up at the end of the season.

[Mara]

I've been having a hard time getting into Mad Men. Its taken me like four months to get through the first seven episodes. Good to hear it starts picking up at the end of the season.

It's a strange little monster. I didn't dislike the first season, exactly, because it was well made, but it always struck me as being extremely cold and clinical. So far, I think every season has been better than the last, because it slowly lets you into these character's lives.

[D_Davis]

So we don't have a RedBox thread, but I found it interesting that RedBox will be rejecting WB's 50+ day deal to offer movies and will instead, buy them the day they hit shelves at retail....

So good.

Man - when are these media dinosaurs going to finally realize that they don't have the power any more?

[D_Davis]

It's a strange little monster. I didn't dislike the first season, exactly, because it was well made, but it always struck me as being extremely cold and clinical. So far, I think every season has been better than the last, because it slowly lets you into these character's lives.

Huh. I'm just the opposite. Loved the first season, and have liked each subsequent season less. I've only made it through S3, but I don't think I'll watch any more.

[EyesWideOpen]

That's what I heard. It's something that bothers me about sci-fi/fantasy shows, is that a lot of them take a season or two to be generic and draw the laymen in before getting to the really juicy stuff. Shows like Fringe, Buffy, Supernatural, etc, people will always say, "Oh the first season sucks dick, no doubt, but wait until season 3 and it becomes THE BEST THING EVER." So I go, "Alright, I'll skip to Season 3," and they'd go, "No! It's so great because it's built from the foundations laid out in the mediocre episodes in the first two seasons. It will definitely have more impact if you watch in order. Just wait it out." And I'm like, "I do not have the patience for that."

I strongly disagree about Fringe. The first season is still really good television but during the second season is when it starts getting super awesome delving into the mythology of the show.

[Watashi]

I enjoyed the first season of Supernatural. I watched the second season and was quickly distracted and never fully watched the third. I liked what I saw though.

[ledfloyd]

5 episodes of mediocrity is my limit. Especially in serials, I feel like I have to give it at least that much to start ramping up. Deadwood, Dollhouse, Rome... These are brilliant shows that I wouldn't have thought so if I didn't give the first few episodes a slide.
how did you ever get into doctor who?

[Robby P]

Huh. I'm just the opposite. Loved the first season, and have liked each subsequent season less. I've only made it through S3, but I don't think I'll watch any more.

Season 4 is by far the best the show has to offer. I'd recommend giving it a shot.

[Skitch]

Watching a doc on two obsessed fans of 80's pop star Tiffany called I Think We're Alone Now. One is intersexual and the other has asburgers. This is insane.

[number8]

Dude I watched that on a whim couple of weeks ago. That doc is FUCKED UP.

[Skitch]

Dude I watched that on a whim couple of weeks ago. That doc is FUCKED UP.

I concur. Scary to think people like that are out there in the world...

[NickGlass]

I've actually seen that documentary twice. The first viewing was when I couldn't sleep, at 2am, on a weekday. Oddly appropriate. It's also a popular talking point among my group of friends. Yeah.

[Lucky]

What is an intersexual?

[number8]

What is an intersexual?

She is biologically both male and female. Her chromosomes are neither XX nor XY.

(This is including but not exclusive to a hermaphrodite, which is defined more strictly to people who have both reproductive organs)

[Lucky]

She is biologically both male and female. Her chromosomes are neither XX nor XY.

(This is including but not exclusive to a hermaphrodite, which is defined more strictly to people who have both reproductive organs)

So people with Klinefelter's Syndrome (XXY) would be included as intersexual, but not Turner Syndrome (X), XXX's or XYY's? I've never heard the term used before.

Also, what about the psuedohermaphrodites? The definition you give for a hermaphrodite applies for true hermaphroditism (which is rarer than pseudo).

[number8]

So people with Klinefelter's Syndrome (XXY) would be included as intersexual, but not Turner Syndrome (X), XXX's or XYY's? I've never heard the term used before.

Also, what about the psuedohermaphrodites? The definition you give for a hermaphrodite applies for true hermaphroditism (which is rarer than pseudo).

Hm, I believe so. Being biologically intersex requires you to have both male and female physicalities, so being XXY does count since it display characteristics of both sex chromosomes. The others don't. As far as I know, having XXX chromosomes don't really affect you physically all that much, anyway.

I could be wrong, but I think "pseudo-hermaphrodite" is a somewhat outdated term that's been replaced by the more inclusive and modern term "intersex," which can include various degrees of hermaphroditism. It's actually kind of surprising to me that you'd know the former but not the latter. If you've ever seen the updated acronym LGBTIQ, that's what the I stands for.

EDIT: I neglect to mention that while intersex usually refers to biology, from a social standpoint it's inclusive of folks who don't socially identify as male or female (ie Third Gender). This, admittedly, tend to be relative to their surrounding social norms, so it's a little more loosely defined.

[Lucky]

I see, I see. Interesting.

Yeah, XXX and even XYY's aren't that clinically different (if at all) from XX's and XY's. They taught us male/female pseudo-hermaphroditism in med school. You're undoubtedly right on with your outdated term theory. It's interesting to get the social backdrop on the subject, thanks for the responses.

[Mara]

I had a friend once with Turner's syndrome. She had problems.

[Rowland]

The Mill & the Cross is up, which most people agree is deeply flawed, but also a remarkably singular experience.

And there's Blubberella. Don't let curiosity get the best of you with that one. Or do, so I'm not the only asshat who's seen it.

[number8]

Wow.


Netflix rep: "Okay Dan, I just went and talked to my main supervisor as to why the movie had been pulled and the reason it was pulled was the production company pulled the streaming rights from us because all the publicity after Whitney Houston's passing there was an opportunity to make really a very large amount of money on the DVD sales of her movies. So they're going to pull all the streaming titles we have of Whitney Houston so they can make more money off the DVD sales of her movies."

https://plus.google.com/102898672602346817738/posts/CLQyX6ZxnxT

[Kurosawa Fan]

I wish I could say I'm even slightly surprised.

[Spinal]

That's gross.

[Ezee E]

The rep could've saved face and at least brought up that she had a movie coming out later this year which would've boosted sales regardless......

[Derek]

The rep could've saved face and at least brought up that she had a movie coming out later this year which would've boosted sales regardless......

How would that make the production company that pulled the titles look any better? If anything, it'd make them look even more callous and greedy.

[Ezee E]

How would that make the production company that pulled the titles look any better? If anything, it'd make them look even more callous and greedy.
Save face and at least say that was the plan all along, regardless of death or not. That's simple business.

[DavidSeven]

That story is apparently bogus (http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57381475-93/warner-cut-off-netflix-to-profit-from-whitneys-death-not-true/). Netflix lost the streaming rights back on December 30, 2011. The guy who broke the orginal story admits he was wrong (https://plus.google.com/102898672602346817738/posts/3iaNpknNCY2) (or at least that he received wrong information).

[Derek]

Save face and at least say that was the plan all along, regardless of death or not. That's simple business.

Save face by saying they already planned to pull the titles right after she happened to die? It's bogus anyway, so I guess it doesn't matter.

[Dukefrukem]

The Artist will be streaming soon (http://netflix.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=441).

[Skitch]

Can someone explain EPIX to me?

[number8]

It's a cable channel. Why do you ask?

[number8]

This is really cool. Roku is ditching the box model and is going to be this portable HDMI thumb drive from now on. Just plug it into an HDMI port like a USB stick and you can have that TV access Netflix, Hulu, etc.

http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/gadgetlab/2012/01/roku-streaming-stick.jpeg

[Dukefrukem]

I saw that at CES. Can you buy that yet?

[Skitch]

It's a cable channel. Why do you ask?

I read that Netflix made some deal with them, but it came across like Epix was a streaming service as well, so I was confused. I know they do stream some stuff because one of my buddies said he watched something on Epix because he had a one month trial of their service.

[Killed_by_Smalls]

I read that Netflix made some deal with them, but it came across like Epix was a streaming service as well, so I was confused. I know they do stream some stuff because one of my buddies said he watched something on Epix because he had a one month trial of their service.

You can stream their content on their website, but I believe you have to be a subscriber. I have Dish and get 4 EPIX channels (3 HD). They actually show a nice mix of new and old films.

[number8]

Their website offers a trial account that you can use to access the streaming for a month, but if you want to use it after that, you have to order Epix from your cable company and then use your cable login to stream from the site.

But yeah, now most of their shit are on Netflix anyway.

[Kurosawa Fan]

You can watch Epix for free if you have a Roku, but there are commercial interruptions during the movie. Not many, but enough that I haven't used it very often.

[Skitch]

Thanks, guys. :)

[EyesWideOpen]

They added Being Elmo. I was pretty pissed I missed this in theaters.

[EyesWideOpen]

They also added Archer Season 2.

[Dukefrukem]

Starz movies disappear this week. :(

[Mysterious Dude]

I have two choices: Caligula or Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. I don't think I have time to watch both before they disappear from Netflix Instant tonight.

[number8]

They added every episode of The Adventures of Tintin!

[EyesWideOpen]

They added season 2 of Luther.

[number8]

Also season 6 of Doctor Who.

[Derek]

Netflix might be partnering with cable companies (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/06/netflix-cable-partnership_n_1325244.html?ref =technology), offered as an ondemand option and, perhaps, have it's own channel(s).

[Boner M]

Apparently What Happened Was... is on instant watch, check it out ya dummies.

[Rowland]

Kitano's Outrage is streaming. I didn't think that much of it, but fans who haven't already will want to give it a look.

[Ivan Drago]

If I can somehow get Xfinity On Demand and Comcast internet without getting Comcast cable, that'd be the greatest thing ever.

[number8]

They added Atlas Shrugged: Part 1.

[Dukefrukem]

Debated whether starting another thread for this but here's some news'

In a press event panel that included almost every big studio executive -- sans Disney -- Walmart announced an exclusive in-store disc to digital conversion service. Starting April 16th, in more than 3,500 stores, you'll be able to bring your DVD or Blu-ray discs in and have 'em added to your Vudu movie collection. The privilege of watching movies, you already bought, online via Vudu will cost you $2, but if you own the DVD, it'll cost you $5 to upgrade your digital copy to HD. In addition, you can now buy UltraViolet movies via Vudu and watch them via other UV supported sources -- we assume this is a two-way street, but it isn't spelled out that way in the press release (after the break). This is easily the biggest news for the, now beta badged, UltraViolet service but most of our complaints persist until there's single-sign on and the standard downloadable CFF (common file format) is a reality.

[Irish]

I assuming that to take "advantage" of this service, you've got to give up the disc.

If so, that's a brilliant (and evil) way to get people to give up the rights on something they already own.

[EyesWideOpen]

She is biologically both male and female. Her chromosomes are neither XX nor XY.

(This is including but not exclusive to a hermaphrodite, which is defined more strictly to people who have both reproductive organs)

I just watched this doc and read up on it and apparently in the dvd commentary she admits that she is not intersex she was born a male. She just tells people that.

But you guys were right what a weird documentary.

[number8]

I assuming that to take "advantage" of this service, you've got to give up the disc.

If so, that's a brilliant (and evil) way to get people to give up the rights on something they already own.

Nope. You get to keep it.

So yeah, borrow a friend's Bluray for a couple of hours, get your own digital copy for $2.

[Dukefrukem]

Nope. You get to keep it.

So yeah, borrow a friend's Bluray for a couple of hours, get your own digital copy for $2.

I'd do that.

[Rowland]

Ohhh, My Joy has been added, been meaning to catch up with that one. Also, Sayles' Amigo, Twkwer's 3, and Ruiz's awesome Mysteries of Lisbon.

[NickGlass]

Twkwer's 3

It has its moment of flashy, voiceover-driven charm, but at it's core it's very dumb.

[EyesWideOpen]

They added Rango for the few of you that haven't seen the best animated film of 2011.

[D_Davis]

They added Rango for the few of you that haven't seen the best animated film of 2011.

Yep - looking forward to finally watching it.

[Watashi]

All of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic has been added as well.

My plan to convert Spinal to a "brony" is soon at hand.

[Derek]

All of My Little Pony: Friendship of Magic has been added as well.

My plan to convert Spinal to a "brony" is soon at hand.

I have a feeling something else will be "at hand" while you're watching that.

[number8]

8uI1Y8B6L28

[D_Davis]

I have a feeling something else will be "at hand" while you're watching that.

Penis!

[Irish]

All of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic has been added as well.

My plan to convert Spinal to a "brony" is soon at hand.

Please tell me you're joking and you're not actually one of those people.

[EyesWideOpen]

All of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic has been added as well.

My plan to convert Spinal to a "brony" is soon at hand.

That's cool, I've been meaning to watch that show.

[Watashi]

Please tell me you're joking and you're not actually one of those people.
No, but I like the show. It's well-written and acted.

[Irish]

I was really hoping the whole brony thing was some Internet hoax or urban legend.

[Derek]

No, but I like the show. It's well-written and acted.

Is it true that it's not until Season 2 that Twilight Sparkle's journey to Ponyville teaches her enough about friendship that her conflicts with the Cutie Mark Crusaders begin to have a real moral complexity? In other words, can one skip right to the second season and still be able to follow it or will they be lost in Equestria?

[Ivan Drago]

How far Netflix has fallen since losing Starz Play.

[Lucky]

How far Netflix has fallen since losing Starz Play.

What are you missing? I don't think I've noticed.

[Watashi]

Is it true that it's not until Season 2 that Twilight Sparkle's journey to Ponyville teaches her enough about friendship that her conflicts with the Cutie Mark Crusaders begin to have a real moral complexity? In other words, can one skip right to the second season and still be able to follow it or will they be lost in Equestria?
It's true.

[Derek]

How far Netflix has fallen since losing Starz Play.

Yeah, I really miss all those pan-and-scan versions of their features...


It's true.

Damnit!

[Spinal]

I have a feeling something else will be "at hand" while you're watching that.

I want no part of this. This is like scary animated Equus stuff.

[Winston*]

scary animated Equus stuff.

What about this doesn't say "Spinal"?

[Ivan Drago]

Yeah, I really miss all those pan-and-scan versions of their features...

I thought pan and scan was full screen only?


What are you missing? I don't think I've noticed.

I just feel like Netflix's selection has gotten significantly weaker. They added Rango, but that's really the only one that's gotten me excited for a while. Maybe it's just me.

[Derek]

I thought pan and scan was full screen only?

Nope. I don't know if they did it to all their titles, but there were at least a dozen times that I started up something that was 1.66 or 1.78 to 1 and it came up in as full-screen. It got to the point where as soon as I saw the Starz logo pop up on a feature I wanted to watch, I knew I was screwed. They did have some good tv shows though.

[number8]

No, but I like the show. It's well-written and acted.

Did you know that the writer of MLP is behind the Super Best Friends on DC Nation?

[D_Davis]

http://i.imgur.com/gEBLe.gif

[Dukefrukem]

I thought pan and scan was full screen only?



I just feel like Netflix's selection has gotten significantly weaker. They added Rango, but that's really the only one that's gotten me excited for a while. Maybe it's just me.

Check out http://www.icheckmovies.com.

The official lists keep netflix relevant to me. There's just so much I have yet to experience and a lot of it is on Instant Watch.

I watched a movie called Irma Vep last night. Never heard of it before, but it was on a list and I enjoyed it.

[Russ]

http://i.imgur.com/gEBLe.gif
OK.

If you combine this video with this audio of The Liars (http://soundcloud.com/muterecords/liars-no-1-against-the-rush) song that Boner posted in another thread, you will achieve all kinds of "your chocolate is in my peanut butter" karmic goodness.

http://i1.ifrm.com/2898/7/emo/fresh.gifhttp://i1.ifrm.com/2898/7/emo/fresh.gifhttp://i1.ifrm.com/2898/7/emo/fresh.gif


:pritch:

[number8]

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/04/09/sopa-supporters-await-cash-infusion-from-netflix-pac/


In a recent filing with the Federal Elections Commission (FEC), Netflix revealed that it has created its own political action committee called FLIXPAC, designed to support anti-piracy measures in Washington and the candidates that favor them.

:sad:

[EyesWideOpen]

Added Herzog's Into the Abyss, Sleeping Beauty (the naked one), and Yakuza Weapon.

[dreamdead]

Added... Sleeping Beauty (the naked one)

And my weekend viewing is now set. Thanks for the heads-up, EWO.

[number8]

Also Human Centipede 2.

[Skitch]

Melancholia.

[Skitch]

Estevez's The Way has been added. Been looking forward to that one.

[Dukefrukem]

Netflix just released earnings and they finally reached the subscriber level they were at before they announced the price hike.

[number8]

Fucking sweet, they added Jem and the Holograms.

[Mara]

Fucking sweet, they added Jem and the Holograms.

And I wasted all that time on YouTube.

Truly truly truly outrageous.

[number8]

I watched like the first 7 episodes in a row on Saturday. Day wasted.

[Mara]

And yet they still don't have "Beverly Hills Teens," the epoch of bad Saturday cartoons about the uber-capitalistic 80's, of which I think I saw every episode when it aired. Sad.

[Mara]

I watched like the first 7 episodes in a row on Saturday. Day wasted.

Well then. May I recommend.

s4AjEZy7J6M

[number8]

The Holograms' rivalry with The Misfits is nonsensical. The Misfits steal and commit huge amounts of property damage in every single episode, in brazen daylight, and sometimes they even actively try to injure or murder Jem and her friends. And no one ever involves the authorities. "Oh, that Pizzazz and her home invasions! This means we really have to beat them at the battle of the bands!" GIRL, IT'S CALLED PRESSING CHARGES.

[Mara]

And if you get to the episode where one of the orphan girls experiments with drugs and tries to jump off the roof, please let me know if it is as glorious as my imperfect mind remembers it.

[EyesWideOpen]

They added Tyrannosaur.

I've been wanting to watch it.

[Skitch]

Oh! Me too!

[number8]

Lucky McKee's The Woman!

[Bosco B Thug]

Lucky McKee's The Woman!
It's the winner of Netflix Instant. Such a watchable movie (for me), I've played it randomly not just once since it got added.

[number8]

Have you seen The Offspring?

[Ivan Drago]

Lucky McKee's The Woman!

YES! May is one of the most underrated horror movies of the last decade, and I've wanted to see another film from McKee for quite some time.

[Bosco B Thug]

Have you seen The Offspring?No, but now that dirty, puffy Pollyanna McIntosh is now a socially ubiquitous "thing," I'm gonna go for it eventually (even though apparently it's pretty not good).

[Yxklyx]

Lucky McKee's The Woman!

No, she's a man!

It really really sucks that you can't search by director's name anymore on Netflix. I mean that's some major dumb ass suckitude.

[Kurosawa Fan]

It really really sucks that you can't search by director's name anymore on Netflix. I mean that's some major dumb ass suckitude.

I can still search by director's name. In fact, I'm looking at all of Lucky McKee's available movies as I type this.

[Yxklyx]

I can still search by director's name. In fact, I'm looking at all of Lucky McKee's available movies as I type this.

Are you doing Instant Watch? I'm still on DVDs. The results I get for Lucky Mckee are:

Masters of Horror: Lucky McKee: Sick Girl
Sadie McKee
Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!
Lucky
Luckey
Good Luck!
The Lucky One
Luck
etc...

[Kurosawa Fan]

Oh, yeah, I only do Instant Watch. When I type in "Lucky", the results show both video results and people results. His name can be clicked, which brings up The Woman, Red, Sick Girl, and Roman.

[Yxklyx]

Oh, yeah, I only do Instant Watch. When I type in "Lucky", the results show both video results and people results. His name can be clicked, which brings up The Woman, Red, Sick Girl, and Roman.

I think they're trying to get us to move off of the DVD program. They recently dumbed down the Search and there's nothing like People Results anymore - it also displays huge cover art so you can only see 2 search results without having to scroll down.

So, is Kawalerowicz' Mother Joan of the Angels on Instant Watch? One reason I haven't switched is because I don't think Instant's library is as extensive.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I think they're trying to get us to move off of the DVD program. They recently dumbed down the Search and there's nothing like People Results anymore - it also displays huge cover art so you can only see 2 search results without having to scroll down.

So, is Kawalerowicz' Mother Joan of the Angels on Instant Watch? One reason I haven't switched is because I don't think Instant's library is as extensive.

No, it isn't, and the Instant library definitely isn't anywhere near as extensive. I've actually been pretty unhappy with the Instant Watch alone, and am likely going to move back to both. Instant Watch is just too limiting.

[Dukefrukem]

My instant watch queue has 134 titles queued.

KF, get back on iCheckmovies.com

[bac0n]

Watched a made-for-TV biopic on The Three Stooges, with Moe being played by a fella I had never heard of, Larry being played by someone I recognized but couldn't place from where, and Curly being played by Michael Chicklis. Yes, Michael Chicklis from The Shield. Pretty sure this movie came out well before those days tho.

The movie was serviceable enough, but I gotta say - Chicklis really did a great job with Curly. He NAILED some of their classic gags. I couldn't help but chuckle in spite of myself.

[Mysterious Dude]

329 titles on my regular queue, 312 titles on my instant queue. I'm catching up to myself!

[Derek]

I don't think KF's saying he'd run out of stuff to watch on his Instant Queue, but that a lot of films he'd like to watch are still only on DVD. I'm with him there. I am down to one DVD at a time, since Karagarga helps to curb the appetite for unlimited accessibility.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I don't think KF's saying he'd run out of stuff to watch on his Instant Queue, but that a lot of films he'd like to watch are still only on DVD. I'm with him there. I am down to one DVD at a time, since Karagarga helps to curb the appetite for unlimited accessibility.

Yep, exactly this. What happens is I really want to watch a particular film, it isn't available, so I end up watching something else I was much less interested in, or I don't watch anything at all because my mind was fixed on one particular movie, and I walk away feeling vaguely dissatisfied. I've been considering getting a membership to BTGuard and just obtaining things on my own.

[Irish]

What happens is I really want to watch a particular film, it isn't available, so I end up watching something else I was much less interested in, or I don't watch anything at all because my mind was fixed on one particular movie, and I walk away feeling vaguely dissatisfied.

This was exactly how I felt before I quit the service. The convenience is great, but the selection is terrible. I went months between watching anything, and didn't feel like doubling the subscription fee just to access 1 DVD at a time.

[Ezee E]

I'm in the same boat. Particularly new releases need to be improved from Netflix. But with the studios actively pushing for Netflix to delay their releases longer and longer, I don't see this getting fixed.

[number8]

I guess I'm lucky that Netflix keeps adding stuff I really want to watch week after week. Sucks to not have that.

[Skitch]

I wonder if you guys are looking deep enough. I have 300+ things in my queue, I cannot catch up.

[Ezee E]

I wonder if you guys are looking deep enough. I have 300+ things in my queue, I cannot catch up.
I look at my DVD queue and see 90% of them unavailable on Instant Watch. And only 10 of the 100 are newish releases.

[Skitch]

Drive is now streaming. :)

[Lurch]

I've got a question about the aspect ratio presentation on instant.
I watch Netflix through the Wii and recently have noticed that some movies filmed in the 2.39:1 ratio are being shown in 1.85:1. I know that it was not uncommon for the Starz presentations to be cropped, even to pan and scan, but these are not Starz presentations. Most recently this occurred when watching Killer Elite and Land of the Dead.

Does anyone know if this is becoming common practice? Is this just a Wii issue? It is very disconcerning, and I cannot get a response from Netflix.

[Skitch]

Hmm. Maybe a Wii thing? I recently got a Roku (so I wouldn't burn out my PS3 as its on so much) and I had to set the options up for screen and sound on it. Could very well be a Netflix thing though.

[Ivan Drago]

Drive is now streaming. :)

And $20 of my money that would've went towards the blu-ray have been saved.

[bac0n]

Yeah, saw this on Netflix, while wondering what in the hell to watch. Sure made that decision easy.

[romantisaurusrex]

Drive is now streaming. :)

Am I the only person who found this movie really irritating and predictable? And I'm halfway in love with Gos. Part of it was the soundtrack.

[Scar]

Am I the only person who found this movie really irritating and predictable? And I'm halfway in love with Gos. Part of it was the soundtrack.

Yes.

[Spun Lepton]

Been watching some of the Spaghetti Westerns they have available.

Death Rides a Horse -- 5/10
My Name is Nobody -- 6/10
The Mercenary -- 7/10

[Irish]

Am I the only person who found this movie really irritating and predictable? And I'm halfway in love with Gos. Part of it was the soundtrack.

No.

There's a couple of people around who didn't like it (I'm one of them). I tried to find some posts pointing out its shortcomings, but now I can't. :sad:

[DavidSeven]

I was positive on the film based mostly on its technical merits, but I didn't find anything particularly interesting about the story. I believe I described the whole thing as feeling "wafer-thin" when it was released. I also wasn't thrilled with the choices that Gosling and Refn made with the lead performance.

I think I'll probably give it another look now that it's on IW.

[kopello]

I thought Drive was a snooze-fest to be honest. I can kinda understand what people saw in it, just wasn't my cup of tea.

[Gizmo]

I agree with the last couple posters. Decent film and I see it's merit, but wasn't my cup of tea.

[Derek]

You guys have bad taste in tea.

[Kurosawa Fan]

You guys have bad taste in tea.

Red Rose represent! WHAT WHAT!!!

:cool:

[Skitch]

:lol:

[bac0n]

Regarding Driver, I found the general, I dunno, almost morose and mechanical nature of the film and its leading man, punctuated by the very focused staccato of very intense graphic violence to be rather cool. The soundtrack helped the vibe immensely.

[Ezee E]

Best Actor.
Best Score.
#2 Match Cut movie of the year.

Somebody liked it.

[Milky Joe]

Yeah, it rules.

[Dukefrukem]

Yup

[Skitch]

Rules so hard.

[EyesWideOpen]

They added all of Jon Benjamin Has a Van for anyone who likes awesomeness.

[Spun Lepton]

Continuing on my spaghetti western kick, Ace High is pretty good! Fairly average story with some ham-fisted moments and occasionally clunky dialogue, but the entire thing is elevated by Eli Wallach's presence. His performance is fantastic and helps me forgive a lot of the other problems. 7/10

[Spinal]

I don't like this thing where you watch a movie and the credits start and it pops out and suggests other titles for you to watch. Let me watch the end of movie without disruption, thanks.

[number8]

Yeah. I do like how when you're watching a TV show the next episode pops up during the credits. That's convenient.

[Skitch]

The Heir Apparent: Largo Winch is now streaming. Been interested in this one for some time. I quite enjoyed it.

[Ezee E]

I don't like this thing where you watch a movie and the credits start and it pops out and suggests other titles for you to watch. Let me watch the end of movie without disruption, thanks.
This happened once DURING the movie for me. I believe it was Shutter Island. Awful.

[Scar]

Yeah. I do like how when you're watching a TV show the next episode pops up during the credits. That's convenient.

Same here. Guess I haven't watched a movie in forever on Netflix.

[Spinal]

Yeah. I do like how when you're watching a TV show the next episode pops up during the credits. That's convenient.

This, I don't really mind.

[Rowland]

Wes Craven's surprisingly decent Deadly Blessing is up on Netflix, albeit with what appears to be a VHS-quality full-frame transfer.

[Thirdmango]

Yeah. I do like how when you're watching a TV show the next episode pops up during the credits. That's convenient.

It's convenient when I'm watching something like Angel. It's super annoying when I'm watching Frasier since they have things go on during the credits and I end up missing entire jokes.

[Bosco B Thug]

Wes Craven's surprisingly decent Deadly Blessing is up on Netflix, albeit with what appears to be a VHS-quality full-frame transfer. Or one can wait for the DVD and Blu-ray release coming soon (http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/167799-halloween-ii-halloween-iii-special-edition-blu-rays-a-more-on-the-way). Unfortunately soon means at least a few months from now, but it'll be original aspect ratio and beautiful.

[Rowland]

Or one can wait for the DVD and Blu-ray release coming soon (http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/167799-halloween-ii-halloween-iii-special-edition-blu-rays-a-more-on-the-way). Unfortunately soon means at least a few months from now, but it'll be original aspect ratio and beautiful.Wow, impressive.

[EyesWideOpen]

They added The Rum Diary.

[EyesWideOpen]

They added Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie.

[Spun Lepton]

They added Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie.

Yes, and dear god I tried to watch it. What a pile.

[Spun Lepton]

Wes Craven
decent

Does not compute.

[Skitch]

Thor is now streaming, and they said coming this summer...Captain America, Transformers 3, Immortals, and Conan The Barbarian.

[Mara]

Saved By the Bell, seasons 1-6. And one of my sisters had been watching it.

[number8]

Battle Royale and, ugh, Battle Royale 2.

[Skitch]

I thought you liked BR2, 8? I seem to recall you defending it pretty hard, but its been so many years I could be wrong.

[ThePlashyBubbler]

Louie Season 2 added. Now I can get caught up for next week!

[Spinal]

Battle Royale and, ugh, Battle Royale 2.

Yeah, the sequel pretty much does away with all of the tact and character investment of the first film.

[number8]

:|

[Scar]

Battle Royale and, ugh, Battle Royale 2.

Didn't you use to love Battle Royale 2?

[Spinal]

:|

Was this for me? I think one of Battle Royale's strengths is how it takes the time to give us a glimpse into the personalities of each of the kids rather than just slaughtering them willy nilly like Hunger Games does. Do you disagree?

[Mysterious Dude]

Love and Death and Sleeper... I'm going to watch at least one of these right now.

[Mal]

Love and Death and Sleeper... I'm going to watch at least one of these right now.

The full run time of the Woody Allen PBS doc is online now too. It's fantastic.

[Dead & Messed Up]

I don't know if it's new or not, but That Mitchell and Webb Look has a great first episode. "Numberwang" and "BMX Bandit & Angel Summoner" were really flippin' funny.

[Skitch]

I've been quite enjoying Jon Benjamin Has A Van lately.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I don't know if it's new or not, but That Mitchell and Webb Look has a great first episode. "Numberwang" and "BMX Bandit & Angel Summoner" were really flippin' funny.

Definitely not new, but worthy of promotion at any and all opportunities.

[Spinal]

How much time and money was spent developing this stupid 'Play Max' feature? Jesus, how useless.

[Kurosawa Fan]

How much time and money was spent developing this stupid 'Play Max' feature? Jesus, how useless.

What is this? I've never encountered it. A Google search isn't even yielding results.

[Spinal]

What is this? I've never encountered it. A Google search isn't even yielding results.

It talks you through the process of finding a film on Netflix. It's basically an automated video store employee. It showed up after I updated the software on PS3.

[Kurosawa Fan]

It talks you through the process of finding a film on Netflix. It's basically an automated video store employee. It showed up after I updated the software on PS3.

Yikes. Sounds like an awful addition. I would hope it can be ignored/turned off?

[Spinal]

Yikes. Sounds like an awful addition. I would hope it can be ignored/turned off?

It's basically a more drawn-out version of its recommendation system for people who like machines to talk to them.

[Irish]

Not sure how long it's been available, but Instant Watch has a Royal Shakespeare production of King Lear with Ian McKellan in the lead and Macbeth with Patrick Stewart.

Watching Lear now. Pretty damned amazing.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I've heard Macbeth is reeeeaaaaallly bad. Haven't seen it myself yet.

[Irish]

I've heard Macbeth is reeeeaaaaallly bad. Haven't seen it myself yet.

What? Nooooooo. Say it ain't so. Did you get any specifics or was it more a general warning to stay away?

The Lear was incredible, but oddly made. Like they film a stage production without any audience.

[Kurosawa Fan]

What? Nooooooo. Say it ain't so. Did you get any specifics or was it more a general warning to stay away?

The Lear was incredible, but oddly made. Like they film a stage production without any audience.

Not much more other than they made some bizarre changes, and the tone is what kills the production. Take it with a grain of salt, as it's coming from someone whose literary opinion I respect, but know nothing of their taste in film or productions like this.

[Irish]

Not much more other than they made some bizarre changes, and the tone is what kills the production. Take it with a grain of salt, as it's coming from someone whose literary opinion I respect, but know nothing of their taste in film or productions like this.

Cool, thanks for the head up. I'm wary but I'll give it a try because of Patrick Stewart (and the Lear thing has me in the mood to watch more Shakespeare, besides).

[EyesWideOpen]

They added that recent Titanic BBC mini-series and Rampart (Woody Harrelson).

[Beau]

What? Nooooooo. Say it ain't so. Did you get any specifics or was it more a general warning to stay away?

The Lear was incredible, but oddly made. Like they film a stage production without any audience.

I watched a couple of these productions back in the day to prepare for English tests during College, and most of them were "stage productions without an audience". As a result, they were respectably "filmic", since they could stick that camera wherever they wanted. I mean, it was still a stage production, but with a certain visual freedom. I rather enjoyed them.

[Spun Lepton]

Netflix has been invading my teenage years. First they posted Hardbodies, which was a film that I'd "watched" frequently during puberty (read: I masturbated to it whenever it was on Cinemax). And now Screwballs has appeared.

Well, I watched Screwballs this week. I *only* watched it this time, hands out of the pants! Back when I was a teenaged horny-toad, I watched it on Cinemax a number of times, only because it really trumped the other teenaged sex-comedies of the time by showing far more boobies. I *loved* it for that reason alone.

I could say it was terrible, but who fucking cares? The filmmakers knew what they were making and the material reflects that. Bad writing, bad acting, bad characters, pretty much all around BAD. But, there were boobies!

What was funny is that there was SO MUCH I didn't remember about it -- AT ALL! -- but then there were moments where I thought, "Holy shit, this moment is really burned into my memory!" I remember being really ... ahem ... agitated by them as a kid. As an adult, not so much.

Anyway. Screwballs. Not really recommended unless you're 14 years old. To rate it as an adult would be unfair, so I'll just leave it at that.

[Rowland]

The brilliant Nostalgia for the Light, which made our top 20 for last year and also tied in the Matchies for Best Documentary despite being seen by a relatively small number of us, is now up, so watch it if you haven't.

[Skitch]

Netflix has been invading my teenage years. First they posted Hardbodies, which was a film that I'd "watched" frequently during puberty (read: I masturbated to it whenever it was on Cinemax).

*raises hand*

Guilty!

[NickGlass]

Two of my favorites from last year, Tomboy and My Perestroika, were added recently. Go watch, people, go. They're both short and sweet.

[number8]

Ohh nice. I second Tomboy.

[Dukefrukem]

Redbox's streaming movie service is finally crawling towards reality. In February the DVD vending company announced a partnership with Verizon that would finally usher the Walmart staple into the 21st century. According to Fast Company, Redbox Instant will enter an internal alpha today, beginning the process of ironing out the bugs and fine tuning the offering. Heading up the joint venture will be newly appointed CEO Shawn Strickland, who served as a VP in Verizon's FiOS division. Both physical discs and streaming media will be available as a single package, but execs have been quiet on pricing and structure of those subscription plans. Supposedly we'll be getting more details later today, but in the meantime you can simply go visit the fist-pumping landing page at the more coverage link and sign up for more info.

Even if their stream is as "crappy" as Netflix, the fact that you can physically go to a RedBox makes this a bit more attractive for the instant gratification crowd. I almost questioned how Blockbuster died so quickly and not thinking of this before. Nuke the stores, come out with a vendor styled kiosk and pry you way into streaming. Sure now they have streaming, but they should have thought this when Netflix was in it's early days.

[number8]

It's gonna be shitty at first, but it'll be interesting to see in a year or two. If they get their catalog right, they're going to be a big competition for Netflix, especially since they also carry video games.

[Irish]

Even if their stream is as "crappy" as Netflix, the fact that you can physically go to a RedBox makes this a bit more attractive for the instant gratification crowd. I almost questioned how Blockbuster died so quickly and not thinking of this before. Nuke the stores, come out with a vendor styled kiosk and pry you way into streaming. Sure now they have streaming, but they should have thought this when Netflix was in it's early days.

Weren't Blockbuster stores independently owned and operated? Either way, they couldn't do kiosks without screwing over their existing locations. And someone would still have to pay rent and utilities on all that brick and mortar.

I assume the Redbox/ Verizon deal is going to be a clusterfuck, because those kind of cross corporate offerings usually are. There's got to be a huge culture gap between these two companies, and neither one has any experience in the retail web (Blockbuster didn't either, tried to emulate Netflix, undercut on price, and still failed).

[number8]

Weren't Blockbuster stores independently owned and operated? Either way, they couldn't do kiosks without screwing over their existing locations. And someone would still have to pay rent and utilities on all that brick and mortar.

Yeah, but that's why he said "nuke the stores." You don't have to worry about brick and mortar when they're irradiated.

[Irish]

Yeah, but that's why he said "nuke the stores." You don't have to worry about brick and mortar when they're irradiated.

And how do you propose doing that without completely disrupting your revenue stream for the entire quarter?

These guys had 60,000 employees and 900 stores. Dropping the human resources and liquidating the leases on the physical locations -- nevermind setting up the new deals to allow you to operate as Redbox does -- can't be done with a snap of the fingers.

It would take an enormous, bet-the-company initiative and probably close to a year of execution to pull this off. And before you get started, you have a chicken and the egg problem: Set up kiosk deal and alienate your store owners, or don't and phase out the locations one by one, hurting your revenue.

[number8]

....

I was making was a joke about literally nuking the stores.

[Irish]

....

I was making was a joke about literally nuking the stores.

I know. I decided to ignore it so I could talk about what I wanted to talk about. :P

[number8]

Well, I agreed with you from the get go, so you've basically just used me as a strawman. :sad:

[Irish]

Well, I agreed with you from the get go, so you've basically just used me as a strawman. :sad:

Yep. And I'd happily do it again. :lol:

[Dukefrukem]

can't be done with a snap of the fingers. .

And I didn't expect them to. When did Netflix get popular? 2002/03?

When did Blockbuster file for bankruptcy? 2010.

You had 8 years to get it right and see where the industry is going. This is a case of smartest-dog-test. Companies so stubborn and set in their ways they ignore the industry and continue to do what they've been doing.

[Irish]

And I didn't expect them to. When did Netflix get popular? 2002/03?

Netflix didn't turn a profit until 2003. Before that, they were a money pit.

Blockbuster maintained their stores for the same reason Netflix is still renting physical DVDs.

[Dukefrukem]

Blockbuster maintained their stores for the same reason Netflix is still renting physical DVDs.

Because getting licenses to stream every single movie from every single studio is expensive.

[Irish]

Because getting licenses to stream every single movie from every single studio is expensive.

Well, that's true but not what I was getting at -- which was about how freeing yourself from outstanding obligations isn't so easy.

Blockbuster made a lot of good moves. They pumped money into advertising and ramped up their online business pretty quickly. The overhead involved in the stores, coupled with a late start, golden parachutes and bizarre boardroom fights hamstrung their ability to do much more. By 2007/08 their balance sheet was already in trouble.

In the last couple of years, Netflix has made a lot of bad decisions, lost licensing rights, alienated customers, and let their website and mobile apps stagnate. Right now, they're extremely vulnerable to anyone and everyone, and exist at the sole pleasure of the MPAA.

Streaming isn't such a great business. Anybody can hire the techs and do it right. What looked brilliant in 2005 is going to look mighty shortsighted by 2015.

[Skitch]

Donnie Brasco added. Time for a rewatch.

[Skitch]

And Captain America on saturday.

[EyesWideOpen]

God Bless America & The Hunter were added as far as 2012 releases go. They also added a bunch of Troma stuff and the ESPN 30 for 30 docs.

[EyesWideOpen]

I've been getting interested in basketball stories/docs since starting Bill Simmons basketball book so I watched the Reggie Miller and Allen Iverson 30 for 30 docs. Both were really good and informative although I think the Iverson one dragged on a little too long and was the weakest of the James films I've seen.

[Kurosawa Fan]

All of the 30 for 30 docs being added is just awesome. I can't wait for the new ones this fall.

[Lazlo]

Y'all should watch Tim Richmond: To the Limit, which I worked on. I doubt there's too many NASCAR fans here, but it's a great story and I think we did a good job on the show.

[Ezee E]

Spike Lee directed the Reggie Miller one, I believe.

[EyesWideOpen]

Spike Lee directed the Reggie Miller one, I believe.

Nope Dan Klores. Lee is in it a ton though.

[amberlita]

Loved the original 30 for 30 series. The Two Escobars was by far my favorite. I still remember the dinner I had while I was watching it (one of those Meijer oven-roasted chickens and some pasta salad, for those who were curious).

[Skitch]

I can't wait to watch all that!