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Featured

Fuck Netflix!

By Michael Musto, Tuesday, Apr. 28 2009 @ 1:00PM
Comments (20)
Categories: People I Hate

netflix.jpg
I've enjoyed assuming the role of a bitter Luddite and screeching stuff out my window like "Fuck Facebook!" and "Screw you, Twitter!" It's fun to play the part of a crusty Yosemite Sam type who hates any kind of technological advance that messes with the status quo of communications and entertainment.

So you knew it was a matter of time before I knotted up my forehead and shrieked: Fuck you, Netflix!

I actually loved video/DVD stores! I savored the idea of picking out a movie because I was in the mood for one, and deciding just what type of film I wanted at that very moment. With Netflix, you have to order at least a business day in advance and wait for it to come, so you're forced to become a sort of psychic who's supposed to guess what you and your friends might feel like watching on Friday. (And yes, I know certain films can be streamed immediately onto your computer. I prefer not to look at that screen for entertainment, if you don't mind.)

For years, Kim's Video on St. Marks Place was my home, a gem-filled shrine to cinema where I could scour the shelves and get whatever old movie I wanted quickly and for only $1.25! When it closed, I traipsed over to the West Village Kim's, where they don't have nearly as good a selection, plus they don't honor the other Kim's' (free) memberships because "We're independently run." They wanted $20 to start a new membership!

So I might be forced to join the Netflix army by default. At least they have tons more titles than any video store could ever stock. But how do you get over the frustration of having to pre-plan your movie watching? Just because I'm craving The Wicker Man right now doesn't mean I want any part of it tomorrow!

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Comments (20)

Girl Ditzi says:

EXACTLY!!! This is a problem. Shit, our mood changes within minutes- you gotta look at the upcoming weather forecast,etc. to make the right informed Netflix choice.

Posted On: Tuesday, Apr. 28 2009 @ 1:42PM
Savannah Montgomery says:

This is why you sign up for more than one DVD at a time and choose wildly divergent titles...now you're covered.

Posted On: Tuesday, Apr. 28 2009 @ 2:04PM
kim's lover says:

Yeah, just order 100 titles at a time and maybe two nights from then you'll feel like watching them all.

Posted On: Tuesday, Apr. 28 2009 @ 2:08PM
pudgi bear says:

It's also pretty impossible to know just what Netflix has without serching for a genre or star. In a video store, you could go to your section and tell what you wanted from what was on the shelves.

Posted On: Tuesday, Apr. 28 2009 @ 2:09PM
queenie says:

Netflix is annoying, but unlike Facebook or Twitter, at least it does provide a service. It's true, though, you have to be a psychic reader to order something for later in the week.

Posted On: Tuesday, Apr. 28 2009 @ 2:32PM
Tim says:

Oh Michael, you're just SOOOO damned sexy when you assert yourself this strongly.

Posted On: Tuesday, Apr. 28 2009 @ 2:45PM
Jim Queen says:

It is a problem, because sometimes you have to wait for the mood to strike while the dvd just lays there for weeks, even months. As one character said on Jackie Woodman, "Netflix is the new New Yorker, yet another pile of things I won't get to."

Posted On: Tuesday, Apr. 28 2009 @ 2:48PM
d.L. Hugedick says:

Do you mean the original Wicker Man, which I'm always in the mood for, or the Nicolas Cage remake, which no one's EVER been in the mood for?

Posted On: Tuesday, Apr. 28 2009 @ 2:49PM
Peter Pumpkinhead says:

And not to mention that about one third of all the DVD's you get are scratched/damaged.

Nothing like watching a movie or show for a while, and then having to send the damn thing back and pick up where you left off days later.

By the way, this Swine Flu thing is BULLSHIT!!! Remember 1976?

Posted On: Tuesday, Apr. 28 2009 @ 4:27PM
ulu says:

I want Basic Instinct II rightnow because I'm in a pervy mood, but damned if I'll want it tomorrow! I hate Netflix! But I refuse to go to Blockbuster even if it's still open.

Posted On: Tuesday, Apr. 28 2009 @ 4:35PM
Monica Breedlove says:

Michael, next time you're on Greenwhich Street, pop into The World of Video -- great selection, knowledgeable staff -- why not join up and pop in as the mood strikes? Don't let Netflick's whims replace your own!

Posted On: Tuesday, Apr. 28 2009 @ 5:18PM
daintycakes says:

Yeah, world of video's selection is pretty good, but they charge a membership fee and want four-plus dollars per movie. You might as well stick with Netflix.

Posted On: Tuesday, Apr. 28 2009 @ 5:46PM
frankiefrank says:

Ha, ha. I have never rented a movie. (It's like renting used toilet paper, eewww.)Eventually, they are all available on TV---at least the ones I would watch.

Posted On: Wednesday, Apr. 29 2009 @ 2:03AM
Tim in SF says:

Why don't you idiots learn how to torrent your movies? Nearly everything is available via P2P. For free and as quick as a download. Plug your computer into your TV and voila!

Posted On: Wednesday, Apr. 29 2009 @ 3:02AM
Lazy says:

I am a longtime World Of Video member, in fact I have been singlehandedly keeping that wonderful store in business since I pay a huge amount in late fees, due to the fact that I can never manage to drag my lazy ass down there to return discs on time. Sorry my WOV friends, but money's tight these days, I'll be sticking with no-late-fee Netflix for the foreseeable future.

Posted On: Wednesday, Apr. 29 2009 @ 11:22AM
keith says:

Yes, and don't forget all the movie lovers that will be out of work due to Neflix and Redbox. Someday everyone will miss us!

Posted On: Wednesday, Apr. 29 2009 @ 11:25AM
Dick says:

first starbucks now a rant against netflix? the good thing....netflix has a huge gay section 99% of the remaining video stores don't have, and just about every foreign film possible. that's a start. and i love starbucks, so there

Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 30 2009 @ 2:08PM
jkk says:

did you try http://www.maxdelivery.com/nkz/exec/Category/Show?categoryId=2

it is a NYC rental delivery service - i have not tried it but you can keep rentals for 13 days - they are delivered to you and you mail it back postage free -

pretty good alternative

Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 30 2009 @ 6:09PM
w says:

"forced to join netflix"?? Its called torrents.

Posted On: Sunday, Jun. 28 2009 @ 12:29PM
Netflix says:

Hi people,
Well I have ordered for some cd and I got it very late and also it was not in proper condition. So I complained about it and they changed my packet.

Posted On: Monday, Jan. 11 2010 @ 4:11AM

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