I'd like to ask Spielberg to define exactly what theater experience he's talking about, since he has no issue (I assume) with people buying DVDs of his movies to watch at home. Does he want a minimum sized TV to watch his movies on? Does he only want to allow people to buy his DVDs if they first saw his films in the theater? Must I have a "crowd" in my living room, or is me alone allowed? What sound system does he require at my house?
Okay, maybe he thinks, "but the big screen, right there in front of you! Not just sitting next to your 65 inch TV at home..." Is he factoring in the up and coming VR solutions? I see ads for the Oculus Go where with the goggle on, they can recreate a large screen theater experience for the viewer. Does that qualify?
I'm guessing he just doesn't like these new formats. He's being old-school and wants us all packed in movie houses. Sorry Steven, times change, you need to change with it.
@Sindroid: I agree with you on the cost of films. I'm retired in the US and finally signed up for a "movie program" a chain offers that for a flat fee gives me access to the films. It helps with the costs.
I like your point about your home setup. My brother did the same. He also has a family and overall it was cheaper to watch at home than a theater. Spielberg is missing that. Many home systems can be closer to a theater experience than old TV systems.
Plus, if he's so into the pure experience, I don't see him demanding an end to the DVD sales of his films for viewing at home?
He's just being old school and needs to get with the times.
@lzand0z: You make excellent points here! I would add, I remember when Hollywood leaders testified in front of Congress against the new tech that VCRs brought to the landscape. Much later I remember reading that they made same/more the first weekend of DVD sales of Spiderman than the entire run in theaters.
So yes, they need to get with the times and stifle their fear. These new "ways" will lead to more movies, more business and more profits for all.
You are not kidding about cost. Where I live an evening viewing is $14! The better presentations (IMAX, Dolby Cinema) cost up to $19. I joined a theater's chain movie program where for a flat fee I can see a number of "free" films a week. Otherwise I just couldn't afford to go as often as I do.
I personally loved many of Spielberg's films, but on this topic, he's wrong. If he's so into the "theater experience" why doesn't he lash out against his films moving to the DVD format to be watched at home? Or does he want a requirement that his DVDs can only be viewed on a minimum 50" screen and the viewer must be sitting within 4' of the TV? Yep, I'm being a bit snippy here... ;-)
Emily, thanks for the video overview. Let's see, sad to not see Lost in Space returning next... Okay, maybe April? Any news would be appreciated on that.
Some of what you showed interests me, Triple Frontier, The Highwaymen, the animation anthology,... But you didn't mention Santa Clarita Diet, which as I understand is returning March 29th. If that is true, that deserved a spot in your segment. But maybe I'm the lone fan of Drew Barrymore eating people. Yea, that could be the answer here... ;-)
Thanks for the updates. Can't wait to see your video for April's releases.
@nabinator: I felt the same, I liked the standalone films more than the new trilogy based films. Honestly, I felt Rogue One was one of the best Star Wars films. They really nailed it.
@WingChopMasta: I like your idea. Netflix should start creating some shows for the DC universe. I'd be interested in that. The only issue I have now is time honestly. I don't watch all the superhero stuff on the CW just due to time. Though I watched all the Netflix MCU ones.
@YukoAsho: I have to admit you are right. As I told the other person who posted, I didn't focus on the fan's feeling of ownership enough. They are two different groups. The SW fans are very critical. And yes, I'm a bit that way too. I give the MCU films an easier time.
Though with SW my issue is more with the new trilogy, I actually liked the two standalone films we've gotten so far. I wished Disney would continue with those.
Well, can't wait to see what they give us next. I love the ol' franchise and I'll keep watching, even if I'm mentally rewriting the story in my head as I watch. Lol.
@Pierce_Sparrow: Honestly, that's a great point that I just passed over. You are right, the fans are different and very wrapped up in Star Wars. I still go, because I love Star Wars, but I have to admit, I'm not as picky with the MCU as I am with the SW universe.
To balance it out, I really enjoyed Rogue One, and I thought the Solo movie was okay, it didn't deserve the bad press it was receiving. I just felt the trilogy didn't flow the way I thought it should.
Well, it'll be interesting to see what we get in the final film and in the expected new trilogy.
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