Tuesday, August 22, 2023

Movie DVDs

 

Netflix is ending its DVD-by-mail service next month. I'm sad to see it go. 

People used to ask me why I still had the service after streaming started. My answer was simple: Netflix's DVD library is huge and contains many films that aren't available elsewhere, especially older, artistic or foreign works.

I just looked at the stats in my account and they're very interesting. I began the service in 2003, twenty years ago. Since then I've watched 2,272 films. That averages to 113 movies a year -- or one movie every three days. And nine a month.

That's a lot of movies! How much do you watch on average?

12 comments:

  1. Wow, that's a lot of movies, Ally! Our last movie rental store in Victoria is closing down https://www.timescolonist.com/business/pic-a-flic-video-closing-after-40-years-7041173 - I used to rent from them in the 90s, but not a lot in the last 10+ years. L and I have an extensive DVD collection of movies and TV shows, many of which you just can't find on streaming (try watching "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" all seasons, or "Angel", or even "Babylon 5").Sadly, the local library declined to buy up Pic-a-Flic's collection, so I'm hoping they have a big sale.

    L and I watch 2-3 movies a week, plus ongoing shows (currently watching all seasons of "Lucifer"). That number goes down during football season, lol.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I admire your DVD collection and movie-watching habit. I support both. It's sad how many films "disappear" when they aren't carried on streaming services.

      Delete
  2. That's a lot of movies indeed, Ally! xxx

    ReplyDelete
  3. I miss the Netflix DVD days!!! I used to get so excited to see them in my mailbox. Streaming just isn't the same.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I had but didn't use Netflix streaming very often for years. It's just the past few that I finally jumped aboard the bandwagon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You and everyone else. The media just noted a significant event: just now more people watch streaming than "linear" television (i.e., over 50%).

      Delete
  5. I didn't know that Netflix did this! WOW! We only started using Netflix in Lockdown on my MiL's shared account (which we can't do now...will have to actually sign up!).
    I used to buy lots of DVDs from charity shops to watch when I lived alone without any digital TV but since we don't have a DVD player, I've not watched so many.
    You have watched so many! You must have such extensive knowledge of films!x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You stumbled on one of my core secrets: when I was in college I debated whether to go to law school or film school (like NYU's graduate school for filmmaking). I was already making movies (on 16mm film) back then; it was my passion. I gave up the dream of that life in the cinematic arts because my girlfriend at the time (Maura, who currently lives and works in Wales) was a fine art painter whose vision and talent dwarfed mine. I realized one of us needed a well-paying job and I was better suited to sacrifice an art career. I have no regrets about that choice but never let go of my passion for film.

      Delete
    2. That IS an amazing secret to know!!!!! WOWWWWWW!!!!! And you did that for Maura! What were your movies about???

      Delete
    3. I was in a loving relationship with Maura at the time so I made this decision for us as a couple, not just for her. We needed financial support and it wouldn't have been right for her to sacrifice her career. My movies were subjective views on existential angst, such as people suffering with loss. One film I planned but wasn't able to make was about a topic then-unknown to the general public: i.e., anorexia.

      Delete