Netflix (DVD Delivery Discussion Only)

[Perkins Cobb]

He means as a DVD or Blu-ray, because some of us scorn the streaming. Instead of getting the new Blu-ray of Narcissus, Netflix is backtracking and discarding it in any physical medium.

[Roger Ryan]

He means as a DVD or Blu-ray, because some of us scorn the streaming. Instead of getting the new Blu-ray of Narcissus, Netflix is backtracking and discarding it in any physical medium.

Ah, of course - I just assumed "MyNameIsCriterionForum" meant his streaming queue since the previous posts were discussing Netflix's Instant Queue in particular. I sympathize completely; while I enjoyed the film via streaming, its standard def encode was severely lacking (not only a "fade to blue" during the climatic scene, but a fade to a blocky, compression artifact-riddled blue!). I was thinking I should have opted for the Blu-ray as a standard Netflix rental, but realize now that is no longer possible...

[Perkins Cobb]

At least they've stocked the new Eclipse Kurosawa set without delay.

[MyNameCriterionForum]

He means as a DVD or Blu-ray, because some of us scorn the streaming. Instead of getting the new Blu-ray of Narcissus, Netflix is backtracking and discarding it in any physical medium.

Ah, of course - I just assumed "MyNameIsCriterionForum" meant his streaming queue since the previous posts were discussing Netflix's Instant Queue in particular. I sympathize completely; while I enjoyed the film via streaming, its standard def encode was severely lacking (not only a "fade to blue" during the climatic scene, but a fade to a blocky, compression artifact-riddled blue!). I was thinking I should have opted for the Blu-ray as a standard Netflix rental, but realize now that is no longer possible...

I believe there's a separate thread for discussing streaming titles and issues. Of course, I also thought there was a thread for "no-shows and aberrations" but couldn't find it... have (or should) all thse threads be combined?

[Perkins Cobb]

It pains me to admit that I have explored this option, but I feel obligated to report that Blockbuster.com has a number of the recent catalog releases that are MIA on Netflix. Also some OOP titles that have already vanished from NF.

[MyNameCriterionForum]

How are they for smaller labels stuff (Synapse, Code Red, etc.)?

[Perkins Cobb]

Hit or miss but they have some newer Code Red & Dark Sky titles, some of the Netflix-scorned Eclipse sets, and all of the Shout Factory Cormans so far. You can also add stuff to your (hypothetical) queue and check its actual ability without signing up first, unlike with Netflix. At least I think you can ... you might have to have an inactive account, as I did.

Don't get me wrong, BB's back catalog is still full of gaps ... It's only the last 6-12 months or so worth of stuff where they're competitive.

[lacritfan]

Red Riding Trilogy parts 2 and 3 are available on Instant Watch but Part 1 is coming soon? WTF?

[swo17]

66 Criterion titles expiring on 9/22

[Perkins Cobb]

66 Criterion titles expiring on 9/22

I probably shouldn't be enjoying this, but....

[Howard Roark]

Tony Richardson's Mademoiselle is going to be available to watch September 1. Its previously been unavailable from ordering, so this is good news.

[reno dakota]

Also added as of next week: . . . Ozu's The Only Son ... but not There Was a Father. How is that even possible? Sigh....

There Was a Father will be available on Tuesday (08/31) . . . in disc form! Given their recent track record, it will probably be pulled out of circulation after a month or two, so see it while you can.

[Feego]

Also added as of next week: . . . Ozu's The Only Son ... but not There Was a Father. How is that even possible? Sigh....

There Was a Father will be available on Tuesday (08/31) . . . in disc form! Given their recent track record, it will probably be pulled out of circulation after a month or two, so see it while you can.

And in the meantime, I Was Born, But... is now unavailable. #-o

[Perkins Cobb]

There Was a Father will be available on Tuesday (08/31) . . .

Along with the four films in the Sacha Guitry set.

In other news, I finally got a "bonus disc" for the first time in many months. So they're still doing that, but sluggishly ... I had to leave Crainquebille Short-Waited at the top of my queue for three full days after it got skipped before Netflix dislodged it as a bonus.

[Matt]

Send Consumerist The Questions You Want Netflix To Answer

[MyNameCriterionForum]

According to my Google Reader, Netflix has just added 621 new titles to instant watch. I haven't scrolled through them all yet, so it's possible it's an RSS error from their site, but I thought I'd mention it anyway. Jeez.

[Numero Trois]

No error to speak of. The Epix deal is now in effect, as well as the one they made with some of the majors last month.

http://feedfliks.com/streaming/coming-soon" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Feego]

The Bed-Sitting Room is now streaming in widescreen for those who are Region 1 locked and have only been able to catch the pan-and-scan version on TCM.

[Feego]

Persona is now streaming as well, and it appears that it is NOT CROPPED! However, it is featured like a widescreen movie, with black bars on the sides, the way Academy-ratio films appear on blu-ray discs. Do you think this may indicate plans to release a blu edition, or at the very least, a corrected DVD?

[Donald Brown]

There was a corrected DVD.

[Feego]

There was a corrected DVD.

No, Persona was never corrected. I realize now that I worded my original post incorrectly (I've fixed it). Persona was always presented in the correct Academy aspect ratio, but the image on the DVD is significantly cropped. See the Beaver review. The print that is streaming on Netflix is not cropped.

The only DVDs that were corrected were Hour of the Wolf and Shame. They were originally presented at 1.66:1 and are now in their correct Academy ratio.

[Perkins Cobb]

Buncha MGM horror movies added in the Epix deal, including the not-on-DVD The Crimson Cult and Octaman.

Much as I hate the middling SD quality streaming experience, I wish the studios license the titles from their burn-on-demand catalog initiatives to Netflix for streaming. Because I'm never going to pay $20-$25 for each of those, and I'd just as soon not resort to piracy.

[tartarlamb]

Skolimowski's Adventures of Gerard is available. Also, Pasolini's Arabian Nights.

AND Jules Dassin's Phaedra and He Who Must Die.

[Perkins Cobb]

Every time I cancel my Netflix service (which is often, because I usually take breaks between months to catch up on import purchases), they've changed the questionnaire at the end where they ask why I'm giving them the boot. It's very revealing. Every time, it's more and more rigged towards streaming -- they used to ask about whether their selection of catalog titles sucked, but that option is long gone. Now, to my amazement, they've added options about illegal DVDs & downloads, even listing some bit torrent sites by name. I wonder if Netflix is making a list of people who say that, yes indeed, they are switching from Netflix to the Pirate Bay for the MPAA and the FBI.

What are your primary reason(s) for canceling your account with Netflix? (Select all that apply)
Netflix sends me too many scratched or unplayable DVDs

I was not watching enough movies or TV episodes to justify the expense

I am disappointed with the picture quality when instantly watching movies & TV episodes via the internet on my computer or TV (via devices like Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii and various Blu-ray players and internet-connected TVs).

I am disappointed with the selection of movies available to watch instantly over the internet to my computer or TV (via devices like Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii and various Blu-ray players and internet-connected TVs).

I had a negative experience when contacting customer service

The DVDs I want to watch are not immediately available but are instead short waits or long waits

DVDs took too long to get to me/back to Netflix

I experienced too many technical issues with instantly watching movies & TV episodes via the internet on my computer or TV (via devices like Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii and various Blu-ray players and internet-connected TVs).

I am disappointed with the selection of TV episodes available to watch instantly over the internet to my computer or TV (via devices like Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii and various Blu-ray players and internet-connected TVs).

I need to cut costs


What will be your primary source for movies and TV episodes after canceling Netflix? (Select one)

Video-on-demand offered for free by your cable or satellite provider

HBO

Renting DVDs from a rental machine or kiosk typically located at Fast-Food Restaurants, Grocery Stores / Drug Stores, such as Redbox, Blockbuster Express, DVDPlay, etc.

Movies & TV episodes free on Hulu.com

Video-on-demand or Pay-per-view offered for a fee of typically $2-$5 per movie by your cable or satellite provider

Cable movie channels such as AMC, Turner Classic Movies, Lifetime Movie Network, Hallmark Movie Channel, IFC, Sundance, Fox Movie Channel, etc.

Network websites offering free movies or TV episodes, such as NBC.COM, ABC.COM, CBS.COM, FOX.COM

National broadcast networks such as ABC, CBS, NBC, CW, Fox, PBS, etc.

Renting DVDs from Blockbuster by mail service

Youtube.com

Renting DVDs from a local store such as Blockbuster, Hollywood Video, etc.

Cable TV networks such as TNT, Bravo, TBS, USA, ABC Family, Oxygen, etc.

Bootleg DVDs

Purchasing DVDs

Internet download service offered for a fee, such as iTunes, Blockbuster OnDemand, Amazon OnDemand, etc.

Hulu Plus (a pay subscription from Hulu)

Showtime, Starz, Cinemax, Encore, or The Movie Channel

Peer-to-peer / bit torrent sites such as Torrentz.com, Demonoid.com, Tvlinks.com, ThePirateBay.org, etc.

I will rarely watch at home

[swo17]

Honestly, the main thing keeping me subscribed at this point is that I'm too lazy to transfer my queue to an Excel file. That, and my wife needs to see Letters to Juliet.