OUCH: STREAMING TITLES NETFLIX MIGHT LOSE — ‘QWIKSTER’ ALREADY A JOKE
Wait. “Apocalypto” is on streaming? … … … … … … … Sorry, had to add that to my queue.
Hollywood board rooms everywhere have to be freaking out because they have absolutely no idea what the market that delivers half their profits will look like in five years — and that market is home video.
Sure, the loss of these titles sucks for Netflix, but we the consumers don’t give much of a damn. It’s all about the value and convenience. If it won’t stream we’ll hit the Redbox on our way out the door after buying a firearm at Walmart. If it’s not in the Redbox, we’ll hit the dollar shelf at Best Buy.
What we won’t do is pay $3.99 for a rental. Those days are waning. And we certainly won’t $14.99 for some awful flick we didn’t like very much in the theatre and can catch any time on streaming or the dollar shelf.
In case you haven’t noticed, I find what’s happening to home video absolutely fascinating.
As far as this insipid Qwikster debacle, it’s already becoming a joke — therefore I’m going to break that part of my personal code that says never offer unsolicited advice.
Dearest Netflix:
You are in a world of hurt right now for only one reason, and that’s pride. You’ve already admitted that the way in which you broke up the streaming and mail services was arrogant and now you have to take the next step and admit the idea was stupid. The good news is that the fix is easy. Swallow your pride, drop the entire New Coke Qwikster mistake, put the services back together, and raise the price from $9.99 to $12.99. Then, after a year or so, raise the price to $14.99.
Those of us paying $9.99 knew the price was a steal. Therefore, a three dollar bump is perfectly reasonable. A 60% bump, especially in this economy, is absurd.
If you don’t make this move, someone else will. Your customers are there to be had right now and you have no one to blame but yourselves.
You’re Welcome — XXXOOO,
John
Sizemore is a terrific actor and screen presence. Not long after he was released this last time, I met him very briefly at an Academy screening of “Saving Private Ryan.” My quick but memorable impression was that this is a tormented soul.
Such a shame.
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SCOTTDS’ EPIC LINK-TACULAR
‘STAR WARS’ FANS ‘NEED TO STFU ONCE AND FOR ALL’ *link fixed*
WHAT ARE TERRENCE MALICK AND CHRISTIAN BALE WORKING ON?
MICHAEL BIEHN WROTE AND DIRECTED A GRINDHOUSE FILM, THE VICTIM
HAPPY ENDING: THIEF WHO STOLE DISABLED MAN’S SUPERMAN COMIC COLLECTION ARRESTED
‘HUNGER GAMES’ STAR LIAM HEMSWORTH JOINS ‘EXPENDABLES 2‘
NEW IMAGES FROM SPIELBERG’S ‘ADVENTURES OF TINTIN’
ADAPTATION OF JEFFREY ARCHER’S ‘ELEVENTH COMMANDMENT’ COMING TO TV
‘RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION’ UPDATE
‘HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS’ – PART 2 ARRIVES ON DVD/BLU-RAY IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS
WATCH KEVIN BACON’S ‘FOOTLOOSE’ AUDITION
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LAST NIGHT’S SCREENING
Straw Dogs (1971): With all the talk about the flop remake I thought I’d give the original another look and let me assure you director Sam Peckinpah’s rumination on what it means to be a man is still as potent as ever. What’s most impressive is how thematically driven the story is — Peckinpah never lets go of his theme even during the “controversial” rape scene — a scene that I’ve never found all that controversial.
For those of you unfamiliar with the story, David Sumner (an outstanding Dustin Hoffman) is an American mathematician who moves to the English countryside with his wife Amy (Susan George). She grew up there and has something of a past with some of the local ruffians who proceed to menace the young couple. David is bookish and oozes the kind of weakness that always attracts bullies while the immature Amy, who’s obviously disappointed by her husband’s lack of machismo, uses a number of childish methods to get his attention and punish him — including flirting with the ruffians who David stupidly hired to fix the roof of his garage.
About halfway through the story, David is duped into a “snipe hunt” which leaves Amy home alone. The leader of the gang is her old lover and he proceeds to “rape” her. What some find controversial is that she ends up enjoying the rape.
What’s not controversial is that this isn’t a rape. It’s a seduction, a violent one, but a seduction nonetheless. She’s immature, disappointed with her weak husband, and obviously wants what she considers to be a “real man.” In this scene, she’s getting back at her husband, not being raped.
The actual rape happens directly after when this “real man” holds her down and lets his friend have a turn. It’s only then that Amy wakes up to reality.
“Straw Dogs” isn’t sexist or misogynist or any of those buzz words. What it is is complicated and a statement on what it means to be a man that makes skinny-jean wearing metrosexuals who identify with the pre-arc David uncomfortable when he ultimately stops being “them” and turns into the kind of man who will do what’s necessary to protect his home.
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CLASSIC PICK FOR WEDNESDAY, SEPT 21
Tomorrow night TCM showcases three James Dean films: “East of Eden,” “Rebel Without a Cause,” and “Giant.”
All are spectacular, especially the somewhat under-appreciated “Giant.”
Dean deserves every ounce of the cult status that grew up around his untimely death. In his short career, he delivered three iconic performances in three unqualified masterpieces.
Please send tips/suggestions/requests to jnolte@breitbart.com
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