Koozie Notes

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

Empire of Dreams

If you are a fan of the Star Wars films, you should enjoy watching "Star Wars: Empire of Dreams"  I just watched this 2 hour show on Tivo and I couldn't help remembering how much I enjoyed watching "Star Wars" when it first came out in the late 70's.  I think I ended up watching "Star Wars" seven times.  I also had a nice collection of Kenner action figures.

The DVD will be released in two days. [21 SEP 2004]
-Chris

Potter at the Movies

I agree with some of Marc Hedlun's grievances on watching the new Harry Potter film. I did go out and see HP3 last Friday at a local Austin theatre. I considered myself a bit lucky to buy three adult tickets ($8.00 per) for the midnight showing considering all other showings that evening had sold out.

Below are my complaints with the movie theatre experience:

1. Advertising. [Agree] Trailers are ok, but any other advertising should be banned.
2. Noisy Neighbors. [Agree] I didn't really hear any talking during the show, but I do find it extremely irritating.
3. Phone & Pagers. [Agree] I guess I lucked out on this one too, since I didn't hear anyone taking calls during the movie.
4. Price. [Agree] I find $24.00 for three tickets a little steep, when you compare just purchasing the DVD for under $20.
5. Parking. [Disagree] Free parking.
6. Snacks. [Disagree] Popcorn, candy and drinks have been overpriced as far back as I can remember. Deal with it.

-Chris

A-Team

Eric Rescorla opined on who he would cast to play the A-Team if the TV show was made into a film. Below I list my proposed cast members.

Part	Actor
Hannibal Smith	Anthony Hopkins
B.A. Baracus	Michael Clarke Duncan
Face	Brad Pitt
Murdock	Steve Buscemi

-Chris

Your Money

Dateline covered a story last night that's important to all, your money. Lets face it, who doesn't like the idea of finding some extra cash? If you have a couple of minutes to spare, take a look at MSNBC's web site where you can search for any outstanding IRS refund checks. Also take a look at your state's unclaimed property web site.

Happy hunting.

-Chris

Netflix: Box-Office Star

Kim S. Nash wrote a flattering article about the success of Netflix, the online DVD rental service. I'm still on the $20.00 plan because paying late fees to Blockbuster stinks!

I'm also happy to report that I have convinced five friends to use Netflix instead of the usual Blockbuster style rental store. If you are not currently use Netflix, take their two week test drive for free.

-Chris

Spellbound

Just finished watching "Spellbound." I really did enjoy watching the lives of eight kids as they prepare for the 1999 US National Spelling Bee. My wife and I kept laughing when we were introduced to the different family cultures and study preparations methods. I give it four outta five stars.

-Chris

Mars: Dead or Alive

PBS will air a Nova special titled, "Mars: Dead or Alive." The show will have footage from the recent landing of a new Mars rover. Time to go program the Tivo.

-Chris

Nasa's Site - http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.html
Headquarters for the Mars Direct Manned Mars Mission

Panaroma pict from Mars

True Brew

Last night I finally got around to watching some shows on Tivo. Good Eats episode, "True Brew" turned out to be an excellent show on how to make the perfect cup of coffee. I really enjoy how the host of Good Eats, Alton Brown, presents cooking from a scientific point of view. I'm just hooked on his show.

Another good article on coffee brewing can be found on Kuro5hin web site.

-Chris

Elegant Universe

I finally watched the first 2 hours of "The Elegant Universe" on Tivo. Brian Greene does a good job of explaining physics and string theory. Good stuff.

I really cracked up when Brian covered quantum mechanics. He walks into bars and asks the bartender for an orange juice. The bartender replies with, "I'll try."

-Chris

Hemi - What is it?

I love those hemi dodge truck commercials, but I never really new what the 'hemi' did. My guess was something in the engine that made the truck faster or added pulling power. Well I finally decided to look this one up on "How stuff works."

Short version:
- Hemi is a type of internal combustion engine.
- Hemi gets its name from its hemispherical combustion chamber
- Hemi is famous as a racing engine

-Chris

Elf

My wife and I went to see Elf Friday night. Pretty typical comedy, but Will Farrell still makes me laugh!

"Santa is coming....I know him, I know him"

-Chris

Matrix

Well I went to BestBuy during lunch and picked up the new Matrix DVD. I asked the cashier if they been selling well. He kinda snickered and mentioned there were people waiting outside this morning before the store opened just to buy it.

Now if I can just find some time to watch it!

-Chris

History of Comics

I just finished watching Comic Book Superheroes Unmasked that Tivo had recorded me. Good 2 hour show. Keven Smith and Stan Lee were the only people I recognized on the show.

I wasn't a huge comic book fan as a kid, but I did enjoy reading them. I still remember reading X-men in high school ('85-'88) along with Spider-Man with his new all black outfit.

I feel the need to visit a comic book store.

-Chris