Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Wildfires affect Netflix shipping

Brad over at Neologies.net has a great post about Netflix suspending his billing and shipping due to the wildfires in his area.

I received this email from Netflix last Thursday because I live in San Diego County. Just about all of greater San Diego County was affected by the wildfires, many of which are still raging over a week later. Here's the full text of the email:

Your Account is on Temporary Shipping Hold

Dear Brad,

The U.S. Postal Service has let us know that postal delivery to your address has been interrupted due to the California wildfires. All of us at Netflix extend our sympathies to you and your loved ones during this difficult time. Given this situation, we have temporarily stopped shipping movies in your area. We are in regular contact with the USPS and will automatically resume delivery as soon as your postal carrier is able to deliver movies to you.

During this time, standard billing will be suspended but will resume normally as soon as your postal carrier is able to deliver movies to you. While we are unable to send you DVDs, you can still watch movies and TV episodes instantly on your PC at Netflix.

If postal delivery to your address has not been interrupted and you are receiving this message in error, please visit www.Netflix.com and follow the instructions at the top of the page.

If you have any questions, please call us anytime at 1-877-638-3549.

-Your friends at Netflix

November movie releases with Netflix links

Scheduled theater releases for November. Dates are subject to change. Linked titles are available to be saved in your Netflix queue.

2-Nov-07
American Gangster
Darfur Now
Bee Movie
Joe Strummer: The Future is Unwritten
Martian Child

9-Nov-07
I Could Never Be Your Woman
No Country for Old Men
Postal
War/Dance
Saawariya
I'll Believe You
P2
After Dark's Horrorfest 2
Lions for Lambs
Fred Claus

14-Nov-07
Southland Tales

16-Nov-07
Love in the Time of Cholera
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
Margot at the Wedding
Redacted
Beowulf
Eleven Men Out

21-Nov-07
Enchanted
Christmas in Wonderland
This Christmas
August Rush
Hitman
The Mist
I'm Not There
Nina's Heavenly Delights

23-Nov-07
Starting Out in the Evening

28-Nov-07
The Savages
Chronicle of an Escape

30-Nov-07
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Flawless
Aaja Nachle
Teeth
Awake
Protagonist

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

My picks for this weeks Netflix releases

Two small movies really stand out.

Journey from the Fall



and... Pierrepoint

Lisa Nishimura-Seese joins Netflix

Lisa Nishimura-Seese has joined Netflix as VP of independent content acquisition, a newly created post in which she’s charged with broadening the selection of independent and small studio films offered on the DVD rental site.

Nishimura-Seese formerly was general manager of indie supplier Palm Pictures.

"I have long admired Lisa's innovative and creative insights in the home entertainment and independent film worlds,” said Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos, to whom Nishimura-Seese reports. “Her role at Palm Pictures positions Lisa perfectly for success in this new position."

Prior to Palm, Nishimura-Seese worked at Six Degree Records, Valley Media and Windham Hill Records.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Shared or Roll over minutes for Netflix watch instantly?

Amy Bellinger has an interesting idea to solve her problem of running out of watch instantly minutes.

I'm almost out of Netflix instant watching minutes, but it's occurred to me that I might use other people's minutes with their permission, maybe my parents. I don't think a lot of Netflix users take advantage of the instant watching feature.

It seems like there might be a secondary market to sell that time, except, since you'd have to log into other people's accounts to watch from their banks, there would be a security problem, or you'd have to go on trust. You'd have to be a pretty nasty person to maliciously delete or reorder somebody's cue.

Murder trial in Alaska pushes movie to Netflix top spot

Well, at least locally anyhow. According to the Anchorage Daily News the movie that prosecutors claim was the inspiration for a local murder is the top movie "Netflixed" (hey is that a verb?) by Alaskans.

The 1994 flick "The Last Seduction" was No. 1 on the Netflix local favorites list for Anchorage last week. Guess we can all figure out why. Wonder if the prosecutors who used it so shamelessly to taint the Linehan trial get a cut.
Prosecutors argued that she was inspired by the film and plotted to kill Leppink after viewing it. Defense lawyers say just because she thought it was a good movie doesn't mean she acted out its plot in her own life.

Seems like a great reason to move The Last Seduction to the top of my queue. More background on the case.

Friday, October 26, 2007

Red Envelope Entertainment's "Steal a Pencil for Me"

Red Envelope Entertainment's Steal a Pencil for Me was among the eight named nominees for best use of news footage in a documentary by the International Documentary Association.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Rodney Anonymous recomends some movies, I provide Netflix links

Many of you young whipper-snappers may not remember my bud Rodney Anonymous a.k.a Rodney Linderman of the Dead Milkmen. For those of us that grew up watching Tony skate without a helmet, the Dead Milkmen were our generation's blink182. Well not only is Rodney a great musician and humorist, he is also an avid movie buff. On his site he also provides some great reviews of each movie with the classic Anonymous wit. Check out both of his lists: 1 & 2. Here are a few of his twisted picks.

Return To Oz
Marat/Sade
Citizen Ruth
Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills
Brotherhood of the Wolf
Brain Candy
The Young Poisoner's Handbook
The Baby of Macon
Cold Comfort Farm
Battle Royale
Funny Games
The Crowd
Tales From The Gimli Hospital
The Blue Angel
Suspiria
Putney Swope
Ridicule
Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things
Bandit Queen
Lord Love a Duck
The Warriors
Night of the Hunter
Kind Hearts and Coronets
Tokyo Decadence
Wild in the Streets
The Ruling Class
Barfly
Badlands

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Can you feel the love tonight? Lion King Porn?

Peter Bradshaw of the UK Guardian claims to have found the only Walt Disney film with a sex scene in it.

I've discovered an explicit sexual element to Simba and Nala's union. In this sequence, they roll together, over and over, down the hill. In their semi-accidental embrace at the bottom, Nala licks his cheek - and Simba does an "ooo-er, gulp" sort of take at the camera. It's obvious there is magic in the air. Until this moment, however, things are pretty U-certificate. But look: during this shot, in the bottom left corner of the frame, Nala is settling back in a very languorous and inviting manner. Then we cut to a close-up on Nala's face. And that expression ... I mean ... that's the minxy facial expression of a Disney character who clearly and explicitly wants something that I can't remember a Disney character wanting before or since: vigorous and protracted penetrative sex.


Here is the "questionable" video, decide for yourself. Or Netflix the Lion King if you just can't get enough:

Barry McCarthy upgrades fiscal 2008

From reuters

LOS ANGELES, Oct 22 (Reuters) - Netflix Inc (NFLX.O: Quote, Profile, Research) Chief Financial Officer Barry McCarthy said on Monday the company's previous forecast for a decline in fiscal 2008 net income was "overly pessimistic" in light of changes in the competitive environment.

McCarthy told analysts on a conference call that the online DVD rental company now expects fiscal 2008 net income to be "flat to slightly up" on a year-over-year basis.

Netflix saw its subscriber base shrink for the first time ever in the second quarter as a result of aggressive competition from rival Blockbuster Inc (BBI.N: Quote, Profile, Research).

Blockbuster's new management announced recently that it would ease spending on its online DVD rental business, which competes directly with Netflix.

Monday, October 22, 2007

Netflix releases this week

I like Mr. Brooks and of course Fido.

Mr. Brooks


Fido

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Coppola's Zoetrope steamrolls George Hickenlooper: "Hearts of Darkness" to be released on DVD

George Hickenlooper and Fax Bahr's documentary chronicling the making of Coppola's Vietnam War epic Apocalypse Now is probably one of the most insightful examinations into the craft of film making. Until now Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse was only available on VHS, but the DVD will release on November 20th. Paramount Home Entertainment is releasing the DVD, but not without a bit of controversy.

George Hickenlooper, the co-writer and co-director, of Hearts of Darkness is very disappointed with the cover art of the DVD and feels that Coppola has snubbed both he and Fax Bahr's creative contributions to the film:

Having just viewed the packaging of my film, I have to say I am really pissed off. And I am not pissed off at Paramount. I spoke to Home Video guy Michael Harkin today and he told me Paramount had nothing to do with the packaging or mastering of the DVD. It was ALL delivered by Zoetrope. So this is all Francis' doing...

I have just seen the packaging and I am really disappointed. By writing at the bottom of the package "Eleanor Coppola's Follow-Up Documentary" there is an implication that HEARTS was Eleanor Coppola's documentary, period. Which kind of bomastically [sic] implies that Fax Bahr and I were little more than ghost writer/directors.

The truth is Eleanor Coppola was NOT INVOLVED AT ALL IN THE MAKING OF "HEARTS OF DARKNESS." She saw the film once we had FINISHED IT and before we showed it to Francis. I honestly don't think she had one comment.

Well yes she did. She asked us to remove Dennis Hopper's remark that Francis was supplying him with cocaine on a daily basis. She also asked us to remove Grey Fredrickson's remark that Francis was almost arrested when military police showed up because the real dead bodies being used on the Kurz compaound were actually stolen from a local morgue. That was it.

...I worship Francis and his general support and enthusiasm for creative expression and filmmaker's independence -- especially in light of his doing YOUNG YOUTHFUL YOUTH. I just find it a tad bit hypocritical that he would so blatantly disregard the two principal creative forces behind HEARTS OF DARKNESS.


The cover that has Hickenlooper steamed:

heartsofdarkness



Honestly I can't wait, this is a great documentary. I hope Netflix gets it soon.

Friday, October 19, 2007

Easter egg in Transformers DVD

If any of you were lucky enough to get Transformers when it released this week (mine is on short wait) , several readers have reported that if you watch through the end credits there is either an extra menu with teaser trailers for Ironman in HD and some Transformers montage clips.



*hat-tip Mark

Thursday, October 18, 2007

115 Heist Films with Netflix links

Making its way up the digg chart is a list of the top ten robberies of all time. Although very few of the top ten have been made into movie, there are several films that touch on actual historical heists:


The North Hollywood Shootout:
44 Minutes

The Lufthansa Heist:
Goodfellas

The Great Train Robbery:
Buster

But if you really want heist movies:

11 Harrowhouse
3000 Miles to Graceland
After the Sunset
The Asphalt Jungle
Bande à part
Bandits
The Bank Job
Best Laid Plans
The Big Hit
Blood and Wine
Blue Streak
Bob le flambeur
Bonnie and Clyde
Bottle Rocket
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Butch and Sundance: The Early Days
Catch Me if You Can
Charley Varrick
City on Fire (1987 film)
Confidence
Cops and Robbers
Cradle 2 the Grave
Crime Spree
Criss Cross
Dead Presidents
Die Hard
Die Hard with a Vengeance
Dillinger (1973 film)
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Don't Say a Word
The Driver
Entrapment
Face (1997 film)
Family Business
Foolproof
Fun with Dick and Jane (1977 film)
Fun with Dick and Jane (2005 film)
The General (1998 film)
The Getaway (1972 film)
Going in Style
Gone in Sixty Seconds (2000 film)
Gonin
Grand Slam (1967 film)
The Great Train Robbery
The Great St. Louis Bank Robbery
The Grifters
Gun Crazy
Hard Rain
Harlem Nights
Heat
Heist(2001)
The Hot Rock
House of Games
How to Beat the High Co$t of Living
How to Steal a Million
Inside Man
The Italian Job
The Italian Job (2003 film)
Jackie Brown
Kelly's Heroes
Killing Zoe
The Killing
Ladykillers (2004)
The Ladykillers (1955)
The Lavender Hill Mob
Layer Cake
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
Loophole (1981 film)
A Man, a Woman, and a Bank
Matchstick Men
Miami Blues
Mission: Impossible
National Treasure
Never a Dull Moment
A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
No Deposit, No Return
No Good Deed
Ocean's Eleven (1960 film)
Ocean's Eleven (2001 film)
Ocean's Thirteen
Ocean's Twelve
Odds Against Tomorrow
Once in the Life
Ordinary Decent Criminal
Out of Sight
Payback
The Perfect Score
A Piece of the Action
Point Break
The Pope of Greenwich Village
Quick Change
The Real McCoy
Reservoir Dogs
Ronin
The Score
The Silent Partner (1978)
Small Time Crooks
Snatch
Sneakers
Stander
The Sting
Swordfish
Take the Money and Run
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three
Thief
The Thomas Crown Affair (1968 film)
The Thomas Crown Affair (1999 film)
Thunderbolt and Lightfoot
To Catch a Thief
True Romance
The Usual Suspects
The Way of the Gun
Where the Money Is
White Heat
The Wild Bunch

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

DRM and Netflix

Well Defective by Design's Anti-DRM campaign is now targeting Netflix and the buzz is hitting the blogs. Hacking Netflix is covering it and Frostfire and others are providing Anti-DRM card to include in your return envelopes. I have to say, I agree with Hacking Netflix, this should be sent to the MPAA and studios. The main problem with DRM is that it restricts "free use" when you have purchased a CD or DVD.

As I see it, Netflix is not selling the movie, they are renting it or renting access to it online. Add to that the fact that Netflix is at the mercy of the studios and I fail to see how harassing Netflix will solve the DRM debate. This may be an ingenious way of getting the word out for the Anti-DRM campaign, but what will the result be? Even if they persuade Netflix that DRM is evil, all it will mean is that either we will have less variety in our watch it now selections or Netflix pulls the plug on the entire thing. That may be a victory for Defective by Design, but a loss for Netflix customers.

Then there is that quiet question that floats around everybody's head, but nobody really wants to ask:
"If I sign and send in one of these anti-DRM cards to Netflix, will I be tagged as a movie pirate?" It is a legitimate question.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Writers Guild wants piece of the Netflix pie

Well not just Netflix. All digital revenue really. FROM VARIETY via videobusiness.com

Accounting for digital revenue has emerged as a major sticking point during the three months of contract negotiations between companies and the Writers Guild of America.

Monday, October 15, 2007

Oscar front runners

Do you like chasing the Oscars in your queue? Here are a few of the front runners to save in your queue.

BEST PICTURE
A Mighty Heart
American Gangster
Atonement
Charlie Wilson's War
The Kite Runner
In The Valley of Elah
No Country for Old Men
Things We Lost in the Fire

The Great Dictator

Today marks the 67th anniversary of the release of the Charlie Chaplin classic The Great Dictator.
From the Netflix summary:

Charlie Chaplin plays dual roles in this prescient twist on the immortal prince-and-the-pauper tale: look-alikes Adenoid Hynkel -- Tomania's anti-Semitic ruler -- and an amnesiac Jewish barber. After 20 years in a hospital, the barber goes home, oblivious to the plight of Tomania's Jews. Soon Hynkel cracks down on them … but a case of mistaken identity gives the unassuming barber a chance to make an impassioned speech for a return to democracy.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Woodstock Film Festival winners with Netflix links

Ted Sarandos, chief content officer at Netflix, was presented the Honorary Trailblazer Award at the Woodstock Film Festival. Some of the other winners were:

August Evening
- Best Feature Narrative

The Cool School
- Best Feature Documentary

Sali M Baba - The Maverick Award for Best Short Documentary

High Falls - The Diane Seligman Award for Best Short Narrative

Fantaisie in Bubblewrap - The Maverick Award for Best Animated Film

War/Dance - The Haskell Wexler Award for Best Cinematography

Constantine's Sword
- The Maverick Award for Excellence in Editing of a Feature Documentary

In Search of a Midnight Kiss - The Maverick Award for Best Editing of a Feature Narrative

Netflix releases for this week

Couple of interesting releases this week. First The Hoax takes a shot at depicting the infamous Howard Hughes autobiography scandal of the 70's. Next, A Mighty Heart, is the Daniel Pearl story and probably an Oscar standout. Catch it now before everybody is renting it in late January.

The Hoax

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A Mighty Heart

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Saturday, October 13, 2007

New drop point in Erie, PA?

From the NSLog();



Just recently, rather than sending my DVDs from NetFlix back to Pittsburgh, I've noticed that they instead go to PO Box 13001, Erie, PA 16514.

Cool.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Poaching in the king's forest.

A thousand years ago, the taking of a deer from the king’s forest was considered a capital offense. Penalties included fines, floggings, and often death. However, for every crime there are at least two stories. The king contended the land and all resources on it were his. Those that poached a deer, no matter the reason, were thieves and dealt with as such. To the peasant, however, the king was the thief and ultimate con artist who promised good fortune but offered only hardship. Royalty sat on its golden throne and sapped the common man of his money, liberty, and sustenance. Taking a deer, while illegal and risky, provided needed meat for a family and sometimes a brief reprieve from the gruel of indentured servitude. Two sides to the same story.

A thousand years later, we continue to play this same game. The stakes are no longer life and death, but the danger and allure of poaching still calls to the common peasant. No longer is the prey a stag; the quarry is now a movie. The DMCA helped usher in the MPAA’s coronation as the royal sovereign and succeeded in fencing off public domain to a small tract of land. With its passage, the DMCA increased the intellectual property owner’s power while increasing the penalties for taking the king’s deer. Poaching is as dangerous as ever, yet it continues to happen on a record scale. According to the MPAA in 2005, poaching cost the industry 18 billion dollars. So why does it continue, because there are two sides to the same story.

The king’s version of the story is simplistic, yet accurate according to the law. The king owns everything. The entire film industry is his forest, and peasants must pay to suckle from his teat. He paid for it, he created it, and he assumes all risk and keeps all profit. The stags are his intellectual property, but he also owns everything from smallest field mouse to the crappy two-minute flash trailer. Every spoken word, every image, even the idea itself, is his to tax. His relationship with the peasant is two dimensional and flat. He is the sovereign, and the peasant is either a revenue stream or a thief.

Since most of us are peasants, the other side of the story is easy to relate to, yet complex to get a handle on. The complexities arise because each peasant has a unique relationship with the king and although the king influences our lives immensely, individually we affect the king very little. The MPAA’s intellectual property permeates our lives. It shows up on our lunch boxes, on our fast food bags, and stares us in the face as we consume mass quantities of breakfast cereal. It influences our language, our wardrobe, even our political opinions and if we are caught poaching; it can even affect our freedom. The peasants, however, have only the power to affect the king’s treasury.

This imbalance of power has a tendency to foster a strained relationship where perceived grievances can excuse or justify the unethical act of breaching copyright law. Whether poaching takes the shape of downloading or just outright copying, the relationship has deteriorated to the point that the peasant harbors no sympathy for the king or his copyrights.

The peasant’s grievances stem from the game the king plays with his intellectual property. As the peasant drudges through his daily grind, the king shows up selling a box. He promises that in that box is a succulent cut of meat from the forest stag, an exciting alternative to the monotonous diet of television reruns and early post-season exits of his favorite sports team. Intrigued, the peasant asks to see the meat. The king refuses explaining that if the peasant wants to see the meat, he must first buy the box. Unsure if the box even contains meat, the peasant protests until the king offers to crack the box a small amount allowing the peasant to sniff the contents. Convinced the box contains his desires, the peasant, hands over his hard-earned money. Upon opening the box, the peasant finds a succession of six smaller boxes all wrapped in advertisements for other boxes and either a rancid piece of meat or something masquerading as meat. Feeling cheated and disappointed, animosity grows and the peasant longs for his money back.

After playing this game repeatedly, the peasant stops buying the box and starts poaching. To the peasant, there is no value in the box. Convenience, ease and cost overshadow the risks involved in poaching. By poaching, the peasant no longer has to suffer ten minutes of “unskippable” previews or commercials. He does not feel cheated when the smell, advertises deer and the box contains chicken. Since he is out no money, the ridiculous anti-piracy ads that previously called him a thief, even though he purchased the movie, provide only a thirty-second laugh.

So what is a king to do? Regardless of any action by the king and any attempt to address the grievances, a certain number of peasants will always feel conned and therefore continue to poach. For years, the decision seemed black or white. Either crack down hard on poachers risking the perception of tyranny or ignore the problem until the poachers deplete the forest. Nevertheless, in this entertainment feudal system there seems to be an alternative. For many peasants, myself included, the option of paying a king’s vassal a monthly fee in return for access to an all you can eat buffet is a wonderful compromise. For the price of purchasing one DVD, a peasant can rent dozens of movies through a service such as Netflix. Granted the box may still be a lie, but there is value in having the ability to see the contents cheaply before deciding to buy it.

Maybe the answer lies in creating two versions of the box, one for rental, devoid of all previews, commercials, hard to navigate menus, and special features. And another version created strictly for retail sale containing all the special features those willing to pay top dollar for the movie really want. Then again, maybe there is no answer. If the underlying problem has nothing to do with soured relationships or perceived grievances, and it all boils down to the fact that it is easier and cheaper to poach then there will always be poachers in the king’s forest.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Is is time for Netflix to go International?

Well not internationally delivering movies of course but Watch Instantly. The Sydney Morning Herald has an interesting piece on Australia's version of Netflix, EzyDVD. Looks like EzyDVD struck a deal two weeks ago to assume 30 percent ReelTime Media listed broadband content over the next three years.

It seems to me that there is a revenue stream Netflix is ignoring. Maybe Netflix could offer a reduced rate for international subscribers that only allows "Watch Instantly".

Ed has Birthday Wood

The iconic director/writer/actor would have turned turned 83 today. Tim Burton's Ed Wood is a fairly accurate biography of the late great Ed Wood staring Johnny Depp.

If you want to check out some of Ed's work try:

Night of the Ghouls

Glen or Glenda

Bride of the Monster

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Red Envelope Entertainment to release Confessions Of A Superhero

Netflix's film distribution division, Red Envelope Entertainment, picks up filmmaker Matt Ogens' Confessions Of A Superhero.
Matt's documentary chronicles the lives of four, fame seeking, actors who make their living working as superhero impersonators on Hollywood Boulevard and delves into the trials and tribulations of trying to make it in Hollywood. The film should be released in November.

The Black Sox scandal

The sound of cracking bats in the cool autumn air is a sure sign that the MLB playoffs are afoot. This day marks the anniversary of the last game of the 1919 World Series AKA the Black Sox scandal. A couple of movies that address this topic are a few of the best baseball movies made. Check them out.

Eight Men Out


Field of Dreams

Monday, October 8, 2007

Autographed Netflix Flap

Dave in California emailed me this photo of his autographed Tony Bennett NFF. I can't vouch for its authenticity, but it is a cool collector piece . Here are some Bennett Netflix links just for Dave, but from reading his email......he has probably already seen them all.
davesbennettauto

Tony Bennett: An Intimate Night

Tony Bennett: An American Classic

Tony Bennett: The Music Never Ends


Tony Bennett: Duets: The Making of an American Classic

Tony Bennett: Live by Request: An All-Star Tribute


*hat-tip Dave in California

Netflix Now Playing Down in Front with Dana Carvey

Netflix is offering a free screening of Down in Front with Dana Carvey. It is being billed as a celebration of the world's favorite classic movies that are available from Netflix Watch Instantly. Let's face it, it is a great PR move very similar to when cable companies give you a free sample of HBO or something. Down in Front with Dana Carvey will be available to everyone with an Internet connection and Internet Explorer on October 12th and 13th. On Friday and Saturday it will be available through this link, until then it is just a redirect to Netflix's home page. As far as the content of Down Front, well according to CNN:

It features Mr. Carvey's comedic commentary on films that include "North by Northwest," "Singin' in the Rain" and "The Exorcist." For "The Exorcist," Mr. Carvey imagines how rocker Neil Young might have composed and performed a title song for the film called "Little Girl with the Spinnin' Head."

Sunday, October 7, 2007

Netflix releases for this week

I can't say there is much releasing this week on DVD that tickles my fancy. Of course Surf's Up is a must for the kids, but my pick this week is:

You Kill Me

Saturday, October 6, 2007

SpeedBit Video Accelerator adding Netflix watch instantly

Buried in a SpeedBit pimp piece from ISRAEL21c is an interesting paragraph:

Speedbit currently supports some 60 video sites among them Reuters video, CNN, ESPN, Youtube (partially), and iTunes as part of its premium package (ditto for the Netflix movie streaming service, which is to be added in the coming days).


Looks like netflixers may benefit from this technology. Well at least those that don't own macs LOL. Sorry I couldn't resist. Personally I have never used this SpeedBit Video Accelerator, so I can not vouch for its ability. If you have used it and have an opinion, feel free to post it. For now, here is a diagram of how the software works:

diagram

R.I.P. Silent Film Era

Today marks the day in 1927 that the opening of The Jazz Singer whispered in the demise of the silent film by being the first full length "talkie".

Also Academy Award Nominee Elisabeth Shue turns 44 today.
Her nominated performance: Leaving Las Vegas

Netflix Service for University Instructors

Netflix helps educate the masses. The University of Washington is starting a pilot program that allows instructors to request DVD's through the University's Netflix account. The goal is to give instructors access to titles that the Media Center does not have on hand. An excellent idea; I hope it pans out.

The UW Libraries Media Center is pleased to offer UW instructors access to a free Netflix DVD rental service. This service will augment our permanent collections by offering access to titles we do not currently own, faster access to popular titles we do own, and the opportunity to preview titles before requesting they be purchased by the Libraries.

Friday, October 5, 2007

Hollywood Video stores to close

Looks like Movie Gallery, the parent company of Hollywood Video is shutting down 520 stores nation wide.

From the The Oklahoman via Trading Markets:

The financially-strapped Movie Gallery Inc. will shutter about 520 underperforming and unprofitable Movie Gallery and Hollywood Video stores...

Video store closings seem to be a sign of the times. Earlier this year, Blockbuster announced plans to close 282 stores in the United States...

A Hollywood Video store manager who wished to remain anonymous said his store has lost about 10 percent of its business to Redbox, the DVD-dispensing kiosk found at most McDonald's locations around the United States.


Now will always be first in line to defend the little mom and pop stores that are run out of town by the likes of Walmart and other multi-million dollar corporations. But this is different. Movie Gallery Inc. IS a multi-million dollar competitor to Netflix and Blockbuster. This isn't a case of the big guy squishing the little guy. As Jake Dollarhide, chief executive Tulsa-based Longbow Asset Management Co., said
"This is what happens when consumers' taste changes, because it's no accident Movie Gallery and Blockbuster are struggling. They're operating on an outdated business model,"

He is exactly right. Brick and mortar stores are outdated for JUST RENTING movies. If the customer is given the choice of being able to take their time deciding their rentals and get it delivered to their home or spending $3 a gallon gas to go pick over boxes on a shelf; convenience is going to win out. Now if brick and mortar stores were to offer the customer an added value, they may regain some of the market share.

Don't ask me what that added value could be. I am no marketing genius, but I do know that some candy at the counter is not adding much value.

Black Friday

On this date, in 1945, a six month strike by Conference of Studio Unions (CSU) boiled over into a bloody riot at the gates of Warner Brothers' studios.

Happy B-day Karen Allen! Although she has appeared in over 50 movies she is most remembered as Indiana Jones' "g-ddamn partner" in Raiders of the Lost Ark. At the ComicCon 2007 it was revealed that she will reprise her roll as Marion along side Harrison Ford in the forth installment of Indiana Jones.

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Collecting Netflix Envelopes

For some of us, when those little red envelopes arrive, there is more than just the excitement of receiving our latest queue topper. There is a rush of exuberance, similar to ripping open a pack of baseball cards. We are the geeks that collect Netflix envelopes. Here is a brief primer on the basics of collecting Netflix envelopes. This is by no means a complete guide. It is just a glimpse into the various areas of collecting.

Netflix Flaps (NFF’s)


This is probably the most popular niche for the average collector. Since Netflix began adding flaps to their envelopes, promos on the inside have varied from coupons to movie ads. Like any movie memorabilia fan, NFF collectors seek out favorite stars, movies, shows, etc…

Drop Point Collectors

Some Netflixphiles like to collect envelopes with far away drop point locations on the address. One of the most popular is Hawaii. There are close to 50 Post Office Box drop points around the country and collectors strive to have one of each. These are commonly traded between collectors and there are various checklists out there. I will try to post one in the future. Drop points are not to be confused with distribution points. Drop points are the P.O. Boxes the return movies are mailed to. Netflix then trucks the movies to their distribution centers and back again.

Evolution Collectors


These collectors examine the famous envelopes for changes to the general design. CNN has a great slide show of the various designs Netflix has tried.

Whole Envelope Collectors

Some collectors do not separate the flap from the re-mailer and collect it as a whole. Correlated flaps and re-mailers are usually kept whole. What is a correlated envelope? It is when a flap and the drop point address have something in common. For example, the recent Dexter flaps that went out with a Florida drop point are desired because the setting of the show is Miami. It is even better when the flap correlates to the drop point city. Collecting correlations requires research and a love of movie history.

Well there you have it, a quick foray into collecting the red crack. You will never be able to rip open your latest delivery without think about us geeks.

Happy B-day Annie

Anne Rice that is. Today the author who inspired Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt to neck in Interview with the Vampire turns 66 today.

This day in 1883, also, marked the first run of the Orient Express. Less than 100 years later Albert Finney would be solving a Murder on the Orient Express

And in 1993 the infamous Black Hawk Down incident occurred.

Susan Sarandon also turns 61 today.

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Netflix opens up Butte distribution center

Now I need an envelope from Butte for my collection.

From the Montana News Station

The DVD rental company Netflix has opened a distribution center in Butte.

Netflix ships about 1.6 million DVD's nationwide each day with an estimated 10,000 DVD's now coming out of the Butte location on East Iron Street. This is the 46th center for Netflix.

The company was founded on quick home delivery of movies and Corporate Communication Director Steve Swazy says that this center will help serve the state of Montana by providing next day delivery.

"Prior to this Montana was served out of Denver facility with some service out of

Spokane and Boise, but mostly out of Denver and it was a two or three day shipping because of that. So we think that people in Butte should get their DVD's as fast as people in Los Angeles or New York or anyplace else so we came up to Butte to open this distribution center."

The new center has created six new jobs in Butte.

Netflix's Cineconcerts

Netflix is sponsoring four "Cineconcerts" featuring a showing of the documentary The Orchestra of Piazza Vittorio and a performance by the orchestra.

The documentary is the story of how two Italians created an orchestra comprised entirely of immigrants from all over the world. It features 30 different musicians playing 15 unrelated instruments create musical magic.

Netflix will also release the film nationally through its Red Envelope Entertainment in November.

Here is a .pdf file from www.theorchestraofthepiazzavittorio.com about "Cineconcerts" dates and locations.

Netflix releases for this week

As a father of two kids under 6, I rarely get time to go to the movies. If I do, it usually involves an animated character. 1408 is a movie I have been dying to see since it opened in the theaters but couldn't. It finally releases today, and I can't wait to get that red envelope nirvana in the mail. My picks for this week:

1408


Day Night Day Night



The Sarah Silverman Program: Season 1 (what can I say? This chick had me hooked when she fired up a joint on Dinner for 5)

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

October Movie Releases

Theater releases for October. Dates are subject to change. Linked titles are available to be saved in your Netflix queue.

5-Oct-07
The Heartbreak Kid
The Good Night
Feel the Noise
Finishing the Game
My Kid Could Paint That
Broken
The Seeker: The Dark is Rising

10-Oct-07
Control
Sleuth
Lake of Fire

12-Oct-07
Canvas
Laaga Chunari Mein Daag
Terror's Advocate
The Final Season
King's Corn
We Own the Night
Lars and the Real Girl
Michael Clayton
Elizabeth: The Golden Age

17-Oct-07
O Jerusalem

19-Oct-07
30 Days of Night
Gone, Baby, Gone
The Ten Commandments
Sarah Landon and the Paranormal Hour
House
Out of the Blue
Rendition
Reservation Road
The Comebacks
Things We Lost in the Fire
Weirdsville
Wristcutters: A Love Story
Jimmy Carter Man From Plains
Bordertown

26-Oct-07
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
Slipstream
The Sasquatch Dumpling Gang
Saw IV
Rails and Ties
Bella
Music Within
How to Cook Your Life
Dan in Real Life
Mr. Untouchable

31-Oct-07
Lake of Fire
Moondance Alexander

Auto-Complete rocks

I love the new auto-complete on Netflix, it makes adding numerous movies a snap...especially for bad spellers like myself. Although, it doesn't work yet for directors and actors.

Anders Bylund over at Motley Fool has more:

Netflix could still keep its simple and pretty good search as is, and just add an "advanced search" option to the side, the way IMDB and Google already do. As it is, the magic of Firefox add-ins lets me do movie searches at IMDB and add what I find there to my Netflix queue in a couple of clicks. I just feel bad for all the poor Internet Explorer users out there who don't have that luxury.

Then again, you need a Microsoft browser on a Windows-enabled PC to use what is perhaps Netflix's biggest difference-maker versus rental rival Blockbuster -- the "Watch Instantly" digital movie streamer. Oh, Netflix, why can't you just make everyone happy? Cross-platform movie streaming and advanced search on your own site. That's all I ask. And I can't be the only subscriber with wishes like these.