Koozie Notes

Boxee for the Mac

Take a look at some free software called Boxee, which provides an easy interface, to stream free video content from the Internet to your computer.

They have versions for Apple Macs and Linux.

--Chris

Netflix Price Drop

Capitalism is in full swing.  Netflix announces that it will drop the monthly fee on its 3-out plan by $1 per month.

The $17.99 monthly plan is reduced to $16.99 and provides unlimited DVD rentals with three DVDs out at a time and the ability to watch 17 hours of movies and TV series instantly on a PC.

Netflix members are not required to do anything to receive the price reduction. Their new lower price will automatically be reflected on their next bill, on or after July 24, 2007

-Chris

HP 4: Thumbs Up

This morning I went and saw "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"and had a great time.  I even purchased my tickets beforehand using the Fandango service for the first time.  I didnt want to take any chances of showing up at the theatre and findin g out the HP4 was sold out.

Thumbs Up.

-Chris

Firefly & Serenity

I finally finished watching the first season of Firefly and I'm hooked.  I first heard about the show from John Dvorak while listening to an episode of This Week in Tech (twit). John spoke highly of the show even though he dissed the theme song.

I rented the DVD version of Firefly through my Netflix account, but you can pick up the four DVD box set at a local retailer.

Even though I thoroughly enjoyed the TV show, I learned quite about about the back story from "The Signal," a podcast created by die hard fans that called themselves the Brown-Coats.

Now I'm looking forward to the release of the movie version of Firefly.  "Serenity," should be in theaters next weekend.

-Chris

Catching up on DVDs

Yesterday, I picked up a copy of the extended wide-screen version of the "Return of the King" from Peter Jackson's wonderful LOTR trilogy.  I've been meaning to do this since December, but  I've been..uh..busy?

I must boast that I did finally watch all three of the Star Wars DVDs.  That took about a week to complete, squeezing in movie watching at odd times, without inflicting my geekness on other family members.  If you're a fan, you must watch "Empire of Dreams" on the 4th DVD.  I love the scene where the ILM worker asked "Wow, who did this?"

-Chris

 

Netflix Offers Multiple Queues

(via Gizmodo) Hacking Netflix posted an in-depth review of Netflix's new feature of setting up different queues for each family member.

Netflix today launched a new Web site feature that enables customers to create up to five separate "profiles" for family members. Internally called the "marriage saver," this should end a lot of arguments over rental choices. The main account is the administrator, and new users can be added in the My Account section of the Web site. You switch between users by using the new profile selector in the header graphic.

I can see another use for this new feature, watching a DVD series without inconveniencing your regular movie distribution. For example, I just finished watching the six DVD anime series, Cowboy Bebop. Since I'm on the three (3) movies out plan, I carefully orchestrated my movie queue so I would only check out a single Cowboy Bebop DVD at any one time. That way, my wife and I could still enjoy two regular movies during the week.

-Chris

I Solemnly Swear I am Up to No Good

This evening my family watched the third Harry Potter film on DVD.  What a treat.

Circuit City marked down the DVD from $19.99 to $14.99, so I picked up a copy during my lunch break.  I've been waiting a long time for November 23 to get here and now I wait again for the fourth installment to hit the theaters.

-Chris

The Incredibles

Today I took the family to the movies to catch a matinee of "The Incredibles" by Pixar.  Like others have repeated, it was a great show and I think I enjoyed it more than my two year old.  This film looks like a good candidate for a DVD purchase.

-Chris

Netflix & Shrek 2

When I went to check the mail this evening, I was greeted by three lime green Netflix mailers with Shrek and Donkey.  I couldn't help but think of the Spaceballs'  quote on Merchandising.

Yogurt: Merchandising, merchandising, where the real money from the movie is made. Spaceballs the T-shirt. Spaceballs the lunchbox. Spaceballs the coloring book. Spaceballs... the flamethrower! Kids love it. And my favorite, Spaceballs the Doll -- me!

-Chris

Netflix Drops Pricing

(via HackingNetflix) Netflix will drop their monthly rental fee effective 1 NOV 2004.

Our new pricing is as follows:

• 2-at-a-time, 4 rentals per month: $11.99/month
• 3-at-a-time Unlimited: $17.99/month
• 5-at-a-time Unlimited: $29.99/month
• 8-at-a-time Unlimited: $47.99/month

We will automatically change your billing rate to the new lower price at the time of your November billing cycle. You do not need to contact us to get the new, lower rate.

Netflix recently increased their pricing in July '04 and now they plan on lowering their price below my original monthly rate of $19.99 (3 at-a-time). I'm not complaining.

-Chris