On Netflixification

I read an article not too long ago-- but long enough ago that I cannot remember where and thus cannot provide a link (or remember anything quotable to retrieve it from the Google)-- that tried to make Netflix out to be a cultural problem. Basically, the gist of the argument was that because Netflix's streaming offerings are largely made up of junk that's either been long forgotten or quite quickly forgotten after a not-so-successful theatrical run, people are watching more junk instead of cinematic morsels. The author also threw in the dangers of having Netflix as our cultural feeder, or big brother deciding what we're going to watch. Finally, I believe the article ended with a tear about this is somehow hindering connoisseurs from digging up early '90s experimental films with someone crying in the wrong end of a saxophone as the soundtrack.

To this, I say: hogwash.

I'm certainly sympathetic to complaints about Netflix's recent service hiccups (i.e., the big price increase for DVD/BluRay rentals and its abandoned move to separating streaming and mail service, both resulting in a noticeable loss of customers), but the author flailed from the outset, and failed entirely to see the other side of the coin.

Although the streaming offerings have a long way to go to match Netflix's disc-by-mail offerings (which, by the way, I still happily pay for, plus extra to get BluRay discs), the streaming offerings are still among many options. Instead of working through 50-100+ channels, it's on-demand. And it's great. So, while I agree that far too many people went "Ooo" when they saw The Siege or A Knight's Tale pop up on the "New Movies to Watch Instantly" line this weekend, isn't this nevertheless miles ahead of basic cable, which kept both of these movies alive for years and arguably drew more viewers because the only other offerings were, well, basic cable?

But it's the options themselves that are the clincher: Netflix streaming is growing in quality, and the alternatives to Bruce Willis on autopilot are already many. The other week a friend asked for a list of good movies on Netflix streaming, and I was quickly able to come up with quite a long one-- long enough to know there were things he definitely had not seen.

For serious: Whit Stillman's Metropolitan is now streaming on Netflix. Why are you reading my blog when you could be watching this?

But why limit the joy to my friend? Here's the list, trimmed down to 25:

1.) Downfall (2004)

2.) Chinatown (1974)

3.) The Thing (1982)

4.) Trainspotting (1996)

5.) The Lost Boys (1987)

6.) This is Spinal Tap (1984)
7.) The Way Back (2010)

8.) Escape from New York (1981)

9.) La Femme Nikita (1991)

10.) The Last Emperor (1987)

11.) Mad Max (1979)

12.) To Live and Die in L.A. (1985)

13.) Chariots of Fire (1981)

14.) 21 Grams (2003)

15.) Lust, Caution (2007)

16.) Metropolitan (1990)

17.) A Man for All Seasons (1966)

18.) Kagemusha (1980)

19.) Doctor Zhivago (1965)

20.) Nowhere in Africa (2001)

21.) The Twilight Samurai (2002)

22.) The Long Good Friday (1980)

23.) The Kid Stays in the Picture (2002)

24.) Zero Effect (2002)

25.) 4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days (2007)

And this is just feature films. I cannot begin to praise what Netflix has done with current and past television: the first season of Upstairs/Downstairs (1971) is streaming right now, as is more recent (and excellent) fare like the first four seasons of Mad Men.

Like all things Netflix streaming, the availability of these movies is not guaranteed to last, but I've confirmed that they're all still up there at the time of this posting.

Perhaps a lot of this is being lost amidst all the junk that's available on streaming but, again, these distractions are nothing worse than what they always were. The fact remains that for about 10 bucks a month (on top of internet and/or phone service) one can now stream excellent films on demand right to one's home. No fighting over the only copy at the library/video store. No worries about risking your Criterion copy as a loner disc. There's still room for improvement, but Netflixification is as right as entertainment gets.

(It's also worth noting that for the uber independent types, that's what YouTube is for.)