Mike Anthony’s Reasons For Collecting Physical Media

There are so many streaming services out there to watch your favorite movies or tv shows.  It seems like more keep popping up each day.  And let me state up front, I find these services convenient, inexpensive, and fun to browse through.  However, I want to discuss some reasons why you should collect physical media.

First, with most of these services, there are licensing agreements in place. That means a movie you liked that you have saved in your Favorites list might one day be removed from their platform.  Sure, you may have yet another subscription for another service that has the movie, or you might just be out of luck when you want to watch it again.

Next, what happens when your internet goes out?  I’m not saying this happens to everyone frequently.  It may never happen to you.  (Consider yourself lucky lol).  But if it does, don’t plan on streaming that flick before bed.  You’re once again out of luck, with no way to watch the film you were planning on checking out.

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My 3^rd point is one that many people don’t know unless it has happened to them.  Even if you technically purchased a digital copy of a film on a specific online service – you don’t really own a copy of it.  You own the right to stream it as long as said service carries the movie.  And hopefully that will be forever.  But again, that’s not always the case and so one day you might go to put on a movie you purchased and “own” a digital copy of, but you won’t be able to watch it.  Why?  Because it’s been removed from that specific platform.  How frustrating!

Now, I was going to make my next point be all about the actual audio and visual experience.  You know, nerding out about specs of streaming services.  However, I figured that would be too lame.  But let’s just say, especially for audio, you’re not going to get that same surround sound experience from a blockbuster action film you’re set on watching as you would with an actual disc.

Instead, I’ll make the last point about the feeling of owning and putting in a disc.  Heck, even putting in a VHS tape is more rewarding than streaming.  Sadly, many young people don’t realize how cool it is to go to your shelf, pick out a DVD/Blu-Ray open the case, take out the disc, and insert it into a specific player.  There really is a special feeling that comes along with that! So, I’m not saying you need to do away with your streaming subscriptions.  But do keep in mind, that maybe when a film or show comes out that you enjoy, it might be not only rewarding but handy, to own your copy of it.  Really own it!

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If you live in Morris County you can pick up some items for your collection here:

Barnes and Noble

FYE

Have you been getting your fill of holiday movies? Are you into Christmas classics? Comedies, rom-coms, Dramas, or Religious themed flicks? Whatever you’re into, there are a plethora of movies to choose from to get you in that Holly Jolly spirit. Today, let’s take a look at 5 incredible movies that take place at Christmas Time but aren’t necessarily Holiday films.

I Christmas movie setting sometimes sparks a debate! Is it a Christmas film or is that just the setting? Could the movie have happened any time of the year? Or, is there some importance to when the scenes of the film happen?

It’s hard to say exactly what is and isn’t a Christmas movie. I mean, heck, a few weeks back I reviewed “Violent Night” which takes place on Christmas Eve with Santa himself. Except he’s beating the crap out of thugs and criminals and saving a family from being held hostage. So, some might even say, is that really a Christmas movie?

What I kind of think is that if the film makes you feel good, then it could be considered a holiday film. As long as it has some other big factors. Taking place on or around Christmas. Someone dressed like Santa. Gift-giving or Christmas music, etc. I think as long as one of those happens and you get a warm feeling from it, you can call it a Christmas movie.

Now keep in mind, there are all sorts of “warm” feelings. The end of the movie doesn’t have to have all of the characters holding hands or hugging on Christmas Morning as Santa watches from afar. It could just be a satisfying ending with some good dialog that makes things right in the world of the film itself.

Why don’t we take a look now at 5 incredible movies that take place at Christmas Time but aren’t necessarily Holiday films.

It's an iconic buddy-cop action movie with some great scenes that happen during the holiday season. Even the opening credits have Bobby Helms’s “Jingle Bell Rock” playing over them!

Sure, you don't automatically think Christmas when you hear this title, but in the odd, but satisfying Tim Burton-directed sequel,  there are some holly jolly moments which give it Christmas-adjacent feels.

Eddie murphy and Dan Akroyd?  Yeah it's got the laughs.  But there's an argument to be made that it's just a holiday movie in general since it starts around Thanksgiving and wraps New Year's!

Geena Davis has amnesia, but slowly begins to remember she used to be a spy.  There's some great action all set to Christmas music!  Family sing-a-long?

So it's set at Christmas time, but is also one of the greatest action movies ever made.  I'll let you decide the argument of whether or not it's a Christmas flick!