Soderbergh Lets Viewers Watch New Movies Where They Want

from the adjusting...-finally dept

Earlier this year, a Blockbuster representative suggested that a great way to cut down on movie piracy was to admit that not everyone wanted to go see a movie in the theater, and to just release movies on DVDs at the same time as in the theater -- giving viewers a choice on how to watch new movies. While this was obviously a self-serving statement from a video rental company, it still does make some sense -- which is probably why it seemed like it would never happen. However, it looks like there are some forward-thinking people around in Hollywood. Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh has done a deal with some of Mark Cuban's companies (which explains some of this) to release six new films in theaters and on DVD at the same time. Soderbergh defended the decision by noting: "Economically, the film business in general is using a model that is outdated and, worse than that, inefficient. It's worth finding out if this is going to work better for audiences." What will be more interesting is if the industry recognizes that, if they want people to actually go out to the theater, they need to improve the movie-going experience.
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  1. identicon
    TheFly, 30 Apr 2005 @ 12:57am

    Here's an even crazier idea. . .

    Taking that idea a step further, how about offering the DVD version of a movie at the concession of the theater that's screening it?
    Imagine, you're walking out of a great movie tat you enjoyed so much, you want to take it home. You could. And, perhaps at a discount with your ticket stub from the screening.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  2. identicon
    Trent, 30 Apr 2005 @ 2:08am

    Re: Here's an even crazier idea. . .

    i think that is a brilliant idea. That is something that would (well, in my opinion at least) help both sides. Movie goers wouldn't have to wait to take home the dvd, and movie makers would get an extra sale. i'm not sure that theatres would like that so much though...

    link to this | view in thread ]

  3. identicon
    Danno, 30 Apr 2005 @ 7:44am

    Hurray for more options!

    I love that idea. Some films I REALLY want to see in a theater, and some I just want to see, or own sometimes.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  4. identicon
    the mad downloader, 30 Apr 2005 @ 7:52am

    ..

    I for one will gladly rent movies from zip.ca as new releases rather than download rips of them, if they become available.
    I hate going to the movies, paying $12 and being robbed for food prices (and prohibited from bringing in your own), and then being forced to sit through THIRTY FRICKING MINUTES of commercials (well, I suppose you could plan to show up for every movie 30 minutes after the stated starting time, and have to sit away from your friends)! I vowed never to go again.. I prefer watching movies in my own home, where I can cuddle with my wife on the couch.
    I'm sure the movie theatres won't like the idea of DVD's being released at the same time, because I'm certain I'm not the only one annoyed by the way theatres do things. They'll just have to change their ways to stay competetive: less annoyances, and more perks.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  5. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 30 Apr 2005 @ 3:24pm

    Re: Here's an even crazier idea. . .

    Great idea because there are some movies that you want to see but can't find anyone to go with. No one wants to goto a theater alone so the only choice, sometimes, is to download a pirated version.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  6. identicon
    thecaptain, 2 May 2005 @ 5:01am

    Re: Here's an even crazier idea. . .

    That's a great idea. I remember a few times when I loved a movie so much that I went and downloaded the ripped version going home from seeing it in the theater, just to have it til the DVD came out.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  7. identicon
    Trent, 2 May 2005 @ 5:12am

    Of course...

    ...being an ex-pat in China, the only choice i really have is to buy the dvd. $.70 a disc, and most come out around the time the movie opens in the theatre (sometimes sooner). It's rough some times...

    link to this | view in thread ]

  8. identicon
    Precision Blogger, 2 May 2005 @ 7:17am

    A word to the wise:

    Make ABSOLUTELY SURE the movie has been shown in a theater before you download it. Otherwise you may be a federal felon (due to the new Family Entertainment Act) even though the movie's owners have allowed you to have your download.
    - Precision Blogger
    http://precision-blogging.blogspot.com

    link to this | view in thread ]

  9. identicon
    marcelo toledo, 15 Nov 2006 @ 8:06pm

    watch movies where you want.

    If this idea became a trend, I would cut off one of my arms in appreciation to whoever made it happen.My personal opinion is that aside from the "oscar nominated" flicks going to see a movie nowadays is full of people that talk, scream , use cells bring their baby , have knives,start fights, and if your really lucky bring their foreign mom or dad and translate the whole movie for them OUT LOUD!!!! this idea would be so awesome (picture it) blockbusters,same day ,your home ,your beer,your chips.I gotta go, im starting to cry .....out!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  10. identicon
    william king, 31 Dec 2006 @ 3:05pm

    Re: Re: Here's an even crazier idea. . .

    hey

    link to this | view in thread ]

  11. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 28 May 2009 @ 10:48am

    lookif you dont want to show the poeple wehere to find real websites to satisfy their needs dont fool with people around because they are not going to be happy i hat these kind of stupid websites

    link to this | view in thread ]

  12. identicon
    movies, 26 Jun 2009 @ 3:43am

    Soderbergh

    Is Soderbergh really 100% free of charge and hosts the films on their servers or is it a collection of streaming links?

    link to this | view in thread ]


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