Movies 2026: Shame and Money

[rufus]

I knew Sony was in deep shit over that, but I never expected Google to do the same.

I would recommend anyone who has a digital library to connect their accounts with Movies Anywhere (it started as a Disney initiative, but a lot of producers jumped on board, except Paramount, MGM, A24, and Criterion Collection). It (currently) safeguards against one entity (Sony/Google) from removing items from your library as Movies Anywhere populates *all* your connected libraries with the film (if Movies Anywhere eligible).

Or you could just buy physical media.

I know, I'm old, and things are different these days. But there's something about being able to hold a record, or blu-ray, in your hands, to read the liner notes, to admire the cover art, to know that it's yours, that's special to me. Yes, I watch streaming cause its convenient, but if I really love a movie or tv show, I want to have my own physical copy.

Like The Lord of the Rings movies. Of which I have them in three forms. The DVD extended cuts, which I will never get rid of simply for the packaging, the theatrical cut blu-rays, and the extended cut blu-rays. Haven't gone the 4k route yet, because there are issues with the 4k versions.

 

[Kepler]

I have gone back to physical books.

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

I have gone back to physical books.

My wife and I have made a point to try and shop at independent bookstores whenever we go on vacation in a major city. Probably never would've read Sociopath, Stay Out of New Orleans, or Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean otherwise.

 

[ticapnews]

Physical media is going away. Sony is getting rid of it for videogames and the PS6 probably won't even have a disc drive. DVD's and Blu-Ray of anything but blockbusters are nearly impossible to find. The movie studios don't want to be shelling out money to have discs made, shipped all over the world and then split revenues with retailers. They would rather you buy it digitally from them; or better yet sign up for their streaming service. They control 100% of the profits and never have to worry about losing sales on a secondary market.

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Or you could just buy physical media.

I know, I'm old, and things are different these days. But there's something about being able to hold a record, or blu-ray, in your hands, to read the liner notes, to admire the cover art, to know that it's yours, that's special to me. Yes, I watch streaming cause its convenient, but if I really love a movie or tv show, I want to have my own physical copy.

Like The Lord of the Rings movies. Of which I have them in three forms. The DVD extended cuts, which I will never get rid of simply for the packaging, the theatrical cut blu-rays, and the extended cut blu-rays. Haven't gone the 4k route yet, because there are issues with the 4k versions.

I buy physical copies of the media that is most important to me, and that I know will hold up over time. That's why I also have the extended cut LOTR on discs.

Another example - my vinyl first pressing, original Steve Albini mix of In Utero. I play it 3-4 times a year, store it carefully, and I'm willing to bet I could probably sell it on eBay for 3-5x what I spent on it in 2008 - but it's a landmark to me, so I keep it.