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Tuesday, August 12, 2008
How do you rent your movies?
It seems like every few months, the home movie-renting business offers a new twist. First it was your good old fashioned video store. Next it was DVDs by mail. Then it became watching a movie on demand, piped in through your cable/satellite feed. Now we have DVD rental kiosks, of which Redbox seems to be the most ubiquitous.
Me, I’m a Netflix man, but I’m a little different from the average renter. Unlike 95 percent of moviegoers, I’m actually LEAST interested in the new release section. Since I’m fortunate enough to have watching movies as part of my job, I see most everything theatrically. So I use Netflix mostly to catch up on older movies I’ve not seen.
I tried video on demand a few times, but I’ve found playback is a little funky lately, so I tend to avoid it. On the other hand, video on demand does force you to watch the movie soon, whereas Netflix enables me to be lazy enough for me to keep movies for months on end. I’m sure that ain’t just me.
I haven’t tried Redbox yet, but I like the idea of being able to reserve movies from home before you actually go out. Still, Redbox is all new releases, so again, I would get that only if I needed a movie pronto.
And brick and mortar stores? I can’t remember the last time I rented from one. I’ll go in there occasionally to pick up used DVDs on the cheap, but otherwise, I don’t see the need anymore. Seems the industry doesn’t either. Remember when you used to be able to rent from gas stations?
So which approach do you prefer? Or do you mix and match? Why? Clue me and your other readers in, maybe you’ll give us ideas or venues we haven’t thought of.
And to add to the fun, if you feel so inclined, tell me what your’re watching lately. Here’s the top of my Netflix queue, after the jump.
8 1/2: Never have seen one of the best movies about movies. I’m on that kick with the release of Tropic Thunder at hand. (Review coming tomorrow).
Out of Africa: One of the few Best Picture winners I’ve not seeen. I’m trying to catch up with movies directed by the recently departed Sydney Pollack.
Day for Night: Another of the movie-movies I’ve not seen, to my shame.
The Electric Horseman: More Pollack.
In a Lonely Place: One of Bogart’s most unusual performances, so I’ve heard.
4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days: Really need to catch up with this one to do a proper 10 Best list.
Point Blank: NOT to confused with the Keanu/Swayze movie. This is a 1967 crime drama I’ve always wanted to see ever since Martin Scorsese featured it in his A Personal Journey documentary about American movies.
Jesus Camp: Acclaimed and reputedly frightening doc that got away from me.
Sherrybaby: A drug addiction drama with Maggie Gyllenhaal in the lead. I like her work.
Animaniacs: Catching up with one of my favorite TV cartoon shows - and saving monry from buying those expensive DVD box sets in the bargain.
Your turn!
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