#81 Media's Future

The world was happy place when I got my first DVD player, probably 10 years ago, and have since collected many movies in this format. Netflix was my next big discovery. Now, I have been introduced to streaming movies on my computer, entertainment at my fingertips whenever I feel inclined. Have yet to try Blue Ray, but am sure its in the cards. How much has changed since the small, colorless, 3 channel set I grew up with. Now, its 3-D movies, although the lack of Oscars for Avatar, the movie that changed the face of moviemaking, is telling in just how interested people are in the technology. In my opinion, its a Fad, just like 8 track tapes, and cassettes, and will eventually follow the same course. And yet, it will be integrated into all forms of media, movies, television. Will people really want to toss thier 50" flat screens, for another, more expensive television, that you have to wear funny glasses to watch? Some will, to be sure, those gatherers of all things technical, but I believe, in the general populace, the fad will not last long. In movies, perhaps, but not TV.

I must agree with Robert Cringely's article on the demise of network television, it is too easy, and there are too many ways to get better viewing and content then on network television, which had its heyday 20 years ago. And I doubt that having 3D will change that. However, I think that 3D will revolutionise the gaming industry, all that reality, all that blood spilling and cars racing and aliens being blown to bits green goo splashing in your face? It will truly make it an experience.

Theaters will always be around in some form, even if it only for nostaligic reasons. There really is nothing like a movie theater experience, whether its something loud and splashy, and soft and mysterious. The dark draws you in, the popcorn smells waft, the rustle of candy wrappers, the shared laughter or cries of fright, there is nothing like it. People aren't going to give that up, and it can't happen in one's living room, no matter how big the TV.

Not being a gadget oriented, I do not buy every new thing that hits the market. Content with a device doing only what it is supposed to do, much of the new innovations are not of great interest to me. However, if and when the time comes that DVD's are replaced physically by something new, I will no doubt be like "K" in the movie Men in Black, when, showing a new, smaller disc-shaped item, proclaims, "This is gonna replace CD's soon. I'll have to buy the White Album again." Guess I will be standing in line.

# 80 Movies

Netflix is one the greatest inventions known to mankind! I have been with them for about a year, have had very few problems, get to see lots of the BBC series that I enjoy, and they come and go in a timely manner. I have not yet utilised the streaming to the computer option, time is a bit of a problem, a small monitor and an uncomfortable chair also add in to the unwillingness to view movies on my computer. However, the option is there, and I will no doubt use it at some point. I don't own a Wii, and I haven't been in a Blockbuster since I got Netflix. I have not had occasion to use the Redbox either, but know they are popular.

I did watch a bit of What's Eating Gilbert Grape streaming on Hulu, and was impressed with the picture and sound quality, and realising I needed to re-watch this movie. I took a look at TheAuters.com, and watched a scene from The Andulasian Dog, a film created by Salvador Dali and friend, which was disturbing in the extreme, but interesting. Apple Trailers was neat, but not something I would use. Internet Movie Database has been part of my world for a long time, for information, movie trailers and to settle Bar bets. Watched two trailers, Alice in Wonderland and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

Making movies readily available is a marvelous thing, that almost anyone can enjoy, as long as they have a computer. In today's ecomomy anything to entertain and save a few bucks should be treasured.