Message to Netflix

I don’t have a movie collection or even a music collection to brag about. I believe when it comes to buying DVDs I might as well take a 20 dollar bill out of my wallet and put it on the shelf and never touch it again.

OK, that’s harsh. Maybe you could watch the DVD again when you are with someone who hasn’t seen it. But all that really means is that I’m paying to be a commentator. You know, the guy who laughs before the funny parts, finishes lines incorrectly and uses the phrase “oh, here comes the good part.”

And when my friends get irritated and tell me to stop, I tell them to have fun reading the synopsis on Wikipedia because you won’t find this classic at a Redbox.

Neftlix used to be the answer. I loved the ability to flip through an endless amount of movies and television shows. But every time I would find the amount of options less appealing when I realized the selection is mediocre at best. I assume that’s what it feels like to stare at your DVD collection and then start believing your DVD stand is cooler than the movies it holds.

Lack of titles combined with the new pricing options Netflix emailed me July 13 puts me at a crossroads.

I used to pay $10 per month to have the power to stream and receive unlimited DVDs through the mail. Effective Sept. 1, Netflix will separate the streaming service and DVD mail service costing $7.99 each.

The streaming is the most convenient, but the mail service provides the quality movies the streaming lacks.

I’m all about convenience, and I would keep the streaming service if I hadn’t watched all of the “30 Rock” seasons. I already pay enough to not watch your movies, so this is the end of you and me, Netflix.

As I said, I’ve never seen the point in a movie collection. But with Netflix’s latest act of tyranny, I’m reconsidering my position. Perhaps I’m missing out on something special. If I’m going to struggle to find a movie to watch, I would rather it be because I enjoy them all.

Maybe I will start a movie collection someday. On second thought, no I won’t. In 15 years, the only thing worse than a guy with a DVD collection will be the guy with a VHS collection.

It looks like my only option is to actually leave my house and risk my life to make it to the movie rental store. And yes, those still exist.     

­— agreiner@indiana.edu