Netflix Archives - Biggs' Zone

RTotD: The Dwindling Supply of Physical Movies

On March 2, 2021

When I was in college I had a ritual every Tuesday. After classes were done for the day I drove to Best Buy. Tuesday’s is when new releases hit the store shelves and they were always on sale the week their first week. Lately I’ve noticed a terrible trend. A dwindling supply of physical movies in stores.

I’ve noticed it at Best Buy, Meijer and Target. The movie section used to span several rows of motion picture delectation. I’ve also noticed a dwindling presence of Blu-ray players available for purchase. This is all very disconcerting! I don’t always feel like streaming a movie. In fact, I rarely feel like streaming a movie!

Streaming Services Ruin Everything!

I’m not opposed to streaming services; actually I really enjoy them. We have accounts on several of the main services available, but I mostly use them to stream television series. My problem is I prefer to watch movies using my 4K setup with my own Blu-ray, sound system and television. I don’t want to always rely on an Internet connection to stream a 4k movie. Also, I don’t trust the steaming companies. They like to add things (ex: “MACLUNKEY!!”) or remove things to suite their political agenda.

It’s also not easy to find the movie I want. A lot of these streaming services cycle movies and no single streaming service has ALL the movies. Basically, if you want more variety, you have to subscribe to multiple services, which gets expensive. I got rid of cable so I didn’t have to pay the high price for television. I’m not going to turn around and pay the same amount of money subscribing to 14 different streaming services so I can access any movie I want at any given time.

Amazon still sells physical movies, which is fine, I can order it online and it’s “usually” delivered in about 24 hours. However, sometimes I don’t like to wait. Like most people these days, I want instant gratification. I’m curious about what the future of “home video” will look like. VHS replaced betamax, DVD replaced VHS, Blu-ray replaced DVD. Are streaming services on course to replace Blu-ray and, in turn, any form of physical movie? I’m not sure I’m a fan of that.

/cheers

The things that go through my mind when I’m alone with nothing but my thoughts for entertainment is dangerous. Some might even say eccentric. Consider this your warning about today’s Random Thought of the Day

RTotD: TWD Should Pass the Torch

By Biggs

On November 1, 2018

In Random Cogitations

I haven’t watched Season 8 of The Walking Dead yet. I forgot it was even available on Netflix. After seven seasons of it I’ve realized that the novelty has worn off. The tragic rumor of Season 9 is that it is Andrew Lincoln’s final season. Rick Grimes will be killed off (because that’s how a character leaves the show). Also I have not seen any statement by AMC that this is the final season. So The Walking Dead will continue on without Andrew Lincoln? That’s like killing Matt Murdock but not ending the series (don’t get any ideas Netflix!).

Just End It and Pass the Torch

If Andrew Lincoln is leaving in true Walking Dead fashion, then end it with season 9. It’s time to pass the proverbial torch. There are many new shows now that are providing that fresh mystery and thrill (e.g. Stranger Things and The Haunting of Hill House). Every season of TWD is starting to be a rehash of the prior season (find a town, encounter someone truly twisted and evil, defend the town, destroy the town).

At this point I’m starting to root for the zombies. In fact let’s just end the series with all of mankind turning to zombies. Just wipe everybody out!

By the way, if you enjoy watching thrillers then check out The Haunting of Hill House. It’s very well done!

/cheers

The things that go through my mind when I’m alone with nothing but my thoughts for entertainment is dangerous. Some might even say eccentric. Consider this your warning about today’s Random Thought of the Day

Netflix and a Series of Unfortunate Events

By Biggs

On February 7, 2017

In Biggs On

Netflix has been dominating the streaming television market. It’s hard to believe that just 10 years ago I was subscribing to their DVD mail service. They are not only dominating the streaming market with movies and syndicated television series, but also with their own series. I have already expressed my enthusiasm for Jessica Jones and now I have a new series that I must tell you about. Lemony Snicket and a Series of Unfortunate Events, starring Neil Patrick Harris and Patrick Warburton.

It is the same Lemony Snicket story from 2004 starring Jim Carrey. It is just as dark and deranged, and it is excellent! Partick Warburton’s somber tone as Lemony Snicket is so amazing and authentic (which here means “realistic” or “lifelike”) that you are almost expecting him to cry at any moment. His monotone narration and stoic demeanor provides the perfect commentary for the plight of the Baudelaire orphans.

NPH as Olaf is the Perfect Dichotomy

If you are familiar with the books or the 2004 movie then you know that Count Olaf, the main antagonist, claims to be an actor. He thinks he’s a great actor, when he’s actually awful. Hence the dichotomy of Neil Patrick Harris’ portrayal, which is astounding! I think his Count Olaf is better than Jim Carry’s Olaf from the movie. When I saw the branding for this show I didn’t even recognize NPH behind all the makeup. Then I was skeptical as to whether he could pull off an eccentric buffoon because I still think Barney Stinson when I see Neil Patrick Harris. However, the only similarity between Barney and Olaf is they are both “legendary”.

There are only eight episodes, each one has about an hour runtime so there is plenty of time to catch up. It has been renewed for a second season. If you’re looking for a great show, albeit a little dark, you definitely need to check out Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events.

I could accomplish so much more if I only had minions!

Netflix Wins Again with Jessica Jones

By Biggs

On January 22, 2016

In Geek Canon

I just finished watching the first season of Jessica Jones. It’s the newest Marvel series Netflix has produced starring Krysten Ritter (from “Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23“). Jessica Jones has a scarred and tortured past. She’s a private investigator in Hell’s Kitchen with superhuman strength and has a penchant for drowning her pain in whiskey. This is the first Marvel series produced since its success with Daredevil, and Netflix wins again with Jessica Jones.

I will admit that the first episode doesn’t really pull you in as quickly as the episodes that follow. Once you start learning more about Killgrave (brilliantly portrayed by David Tennant) and his sordid obsession with Jessica, you will binge on this show. By the end of the series you will see Krysten Ritter in a whole new light. She proved to me that she is an amazing drama actress. You will also meet Luke Cage, another series Netflix is working on, and the future husband (based on the comics) of Jessica Jones. He’s the man with unbreakable skin.

The first season naturally focuses on character development using Killgrave as the main antagonist to introduce us to part of Jessica’s past and her abilities. It also sets up the presumed relationship between Jessica and Luke. By the end of the season there is even a subtle hint of a potential Daredevil-Jessica Jones crossover? After all, both series take place in Hell’s Kitchen.

Jessica Jones has been renewed for a second season. I would check it out but with the caveat that this show is definitely not safe for children (there is lewd language and sexual situations). Season 2 of Daredevil will start on March 18th so if you haven’t checked out Season 1, you still have time.

/cheers

I could get so much more accomplished if I only had minions!

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

Tag: Netflix