So I've been ripping my DVDs to a media server as well as going to used book stores and adding to the collection just so I can stop funding all this woke nonsense. From a technical standpoint its all cool and fun and I've been sharing my story with various friends (omitting the 'woke' part because many of these guys are all part of the facebook consciousness 'Landru, save us')
From 3 separate people at 3 separate times now - my talking about just using my own library for streaming purposes rather than pay the fee has led to them responding, exactly word for word, "I subscribe to Disney+ because I can't afford to buy all those Disney movies" like it's some sort of hypnotic suggestion. (and I don't even bring up Disney+, just streaming services in general)
Certainly that's true if you buy the discs new - but if you get them off of EBay or a used book store you can pick up most Disney movies on bluray for under $10 and DVD for usually $5! So, yeah, you've got some costs up front if you're a BIG Disney fan of yore but the media is YOURS, can't be edited for content behind your back and you'll always have access to it (and will eventually recoup the cost)
I had a friend last night (that spurred on this rant) then go on to say that he watched "The Black Hole" and "The Apple Dumpling Gang" which he would've never seen if he didn't have D+ - As if he's justifying the $90/year price tag to himself by saying he's watching movies he couldn't be bothered to watch without it? Don't get me wrong - I'm a spend your money as you see fit kinda guy. But none of my friends were touting how GREAT D+ was... they were all grudgingly defending their monthly tithes to the mouse (I have it because it'd be more expensive to not have it) and, more importantly, using the same verbiage...
Just an odd Sunday morning note...
Meanwhile, I'm sitting here with my peg leg and eyepatch.
The whole "I wouldn't have seen these movies" thing holds no water. You can browse through their list on other sites and even torrent websites have these packages of multiple movies.
Most of this shit I don't even afford the bandwidth despite it being out there on the high seas.
most streaming sites like fmovies and 123movies will recommend you all the latest releases and let you pick year and genres if you want to be more selective.
Even then, I would say over 60-70% of the stuff on their subscription isn't really worth anyone's time anymore.
"Apple Dumpling Gang"? Seriously? The fact that they didn't think to watch it until they saw the title says everything about how culturally influential and important that film is. And they would rather pay $90 a year than the $4 to rent on demand from Prime? Or, you know, watch a good movie instead. Like the ones you see a million of at the thrift store or in garage sales. At least people wanted to see those enough to pay $20 a pop at the time.