Jul 6, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68
Why DVDs are Still Important
Okay, y’all. I admit. There’s a lot to be said about streaming videos. No extra clutter on the nightstand or when traveling. No storage issues (well, at least not at the house). And super bonus: no “ohmagosh where I did put that?” Or super-super bonus: no breakage.
But there’s something to be said for getting your entertainment the semi-old school way. And it comes with its own bonus.
Now, I enjoy Netflix as much as the next person. I mean, how many of you already know when Stranger Things Season Two is available? [Here’s a hint: Come home early from Trick-or-Treating this year.]
I love instant access to all the episodes of Fuller House. I’m watching my way through all eleven seasons of FRASIER this month. Last month it was FRIENDS, but you knew that.
But, see, I also love my DVDs and Blu-Rays for one very important reason: Behind the Scenes.
I love picking up a season of NCIS or ER [or the newest hottie I mean, hero, Avengers movie] and having access to bonus features.
Hearing Aaron Sorkin talk about why he wrote a certain episode of the West Wing, or picking up on Iron Man’s special effects . . . Those aren’t things you can get through online streaming.
And I don’t know about you, but I hope *fingers crossed* I’m not the only one who likes the rewind button. I mean, seriously. I’m talking laugh-out-loud or “what the heck was that?!” moments when you just have to experience it again now without waiting for the feed to reload. In writers terms, we call that taking the reader out of the story. That’s no way to keep the momentum!
Sure, you can’t take everything with you. But when you’re going on a trip, you don’t pack the kitchen sink, do you?
And here’s one more reason to love DVDs and Blue-Rays: Sometimes your shows aren’t available.
Okay? Who else cried when Netflix took down FLASHPOINT? And why is Pet Sematary only available around Halloween?
These things are important, people!
Oh, wait. One more awesome reason: I’m told by more than few to prepare for that foretold horror, the worldwide EMP. You know, that moment when the internet and all things attached go down. I know, I know. Let’s for a moment forget the correlation that in such an event my DVD and Smart TV will also most likely definitely not work. Let’s just stick to the streaming video for this conversation. Thanks.
So. What’s This Girl gonna do when I can no longer access my Netflix? I think I’ll survive.
I may have to learn how to churn butter . . . But in the event of an emergency, I can string my discs together and find a laywoman’s way to harness the power of the sun.
You can’t get a tan from Hulu. Just sayin’.
Why DVDs are Still Important
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear . . . Why DVDs are Still Important @RealMojo68 #DVD #EMP #netflix
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear . . . When streaming videos doesn’t give you full access. @RealMojo68 #netflix #streaming #DVD
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
Save
Save
Jul 6, 2012 |
[NOTE: This blog post is written after viewing only the premiere episode of THE NEWSROOM. All opinions herein are solely based on one episode… so far…]
I have a list of favorite TV Shows. While it’s no secret that FLASHPOINT tops the list, the remaining Top Ten tend to blur together. My order of preference depends on what my mood is. Generally, you can always interest me in watching any of the following:
Frasier reruns
Cheers reruns
Friends reruns
Blue Bloods
NCIS
Once Upon a Time
Touch
The Waltons reruns
The West Wing reruns
Of course there’s many more. Anything on the Food Network. So You Think You Can Dance, Nat Geo programming…
But I’m especially fond of THE WEST WING. In its day, it set high standards for plot, character, directing, writing… it’s now one of the high bars that other shows aspire to reach: “Not since THE WEST WING has there been such a show…”
And now, finally, six years later, there’s a show that just might be on par. And the best part? It too is a creation of Aaron Sorkin.
The commercial caught my eye: dramatic storyline, well-known actors. And then. This:
From Aaron Sorkin,
Creator of The West Wing
I’m a huge fan of Aaron Sorkin. His scripts are well-developed. He treats his audience with intelligence and respect. His characters have real struggles. And not everything is neatly finished.
Needless to say, I had to find a way to watch the show, even though I don’s subscribe to HBO.
Enter the internet. The 72+ minute pilot was available online at HBO.com.
I’m not one to stream shows through the internet. I find it to be tedious and halting.
But after seeing several previews for THE NEWSROOM, I decided to take a chance. I was fairly skeptical as I had to register at HBO.com, confirming I’m over the age of 18 and legal to watch “MA”-rated shows. MA stands for Mature Audience. I was concerned what the show might include. After all, HBO isn’t often known for their late-night, uh, family friendly films, shall we say…
I was fully prepared to stop the show at any moment. I’m not one to go in for naked bodies and illicit acts just for the sake of a storyline. I held my breath for nearly 73 minutes and found myself gasping again when it was over.
The pilot episode was fairly predictable. In true Aaron Sorkin fashion, he introduces the characters through resolving an event. Some characters come late to the party but boy! are we glad they showed up! Because in Act II, the main crisis arrives. This is where we get to see the troops in action. And in Act III, the pilot episode wraps up but not too neatly. Sorkin leaves us wanting more and waiting with baited breath for the next Big News Story… and the soap opera that goes on behind the scenes.
Jeff Daniels sets the stage as beleaguered news anchor man Will McAvoy who may or may not have had a meltdown which may or may not have resulted in his getting fired or in his staff quitting. Once that storyline is set, we are brought little by little into
THE NEWSROOM
where we meet the other characters. Through banter, conversation, and reports we learn the backstories and current struggles of nearly everyone involved. We see who has drive and who’s just along for the ride. And we see who might step up to the challenge of making Will the best news anchor, again.
The only reason for the MA rating was the occasional use of the F-word. I have to give kudos to Sorkin and the entire creative team here: They didn’t insert obligatory cuss words just to do so. Each blurt was strategically placed in conversation as a punctuation to a dramatic statement. That made it all the more useful and appreciated. I’m not a fan of the F-word in entertainment. But it does occasionally come out in moments of high stress in real life, and that’s how it was portrayed here.
I look forward to being drawn back into a new world created by Aaron Sorkin. His characters are always complex, thorough, and real. His stories are plausible. And even when it’s predictable, it’s always very, very enjoyable.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
