"The Final Countdown" - ever wondered what would happen if a 1980s U.S. carrier was transported back in time to December 7, 1941? I figured it was the right time to find out...

basically your typical 1980s military movie, plenty of American muscle and military-porn of missles and jets taking off of carrier decks and explosions. Good campy fun.

The entire series of the "West Wing" is now available. One of my all time favorites. It's been available on Amazon Prime for a while, but is now also on Netflix.

The streaming service was down from about midday Christmas Eve until yesterday afternoon on a large majority of devices. I'm Jewish and therefore had nothing to do during that time...my fiancee and I would've been able to get through a whole season of Breaking Bad. Surprised I didn't murder anyone because of this.

We had that problem, too, and thought it was an issue with our Roku box.

Yeah I figured it was on my end as well as I was trying to go through my Samsung Smart TV app or whatever its called, but then did a search on Twitter. Some real pissed off people out there (I was just joking about the potential murder).

Welp. I know what I'm doing with the remaining days of my break.

Count me as one of them that were going insane. I think I checked the wiring and restarted the box and pc countless times.:)

Vegucated. I'm never going to eat meat again (until I get drunk next)

There's a series of 1-hour documentaries on great albums that seems to deliver, if that sort of thing would appeal to you. Mostly interviews with the artists and a variety of studio/production/promotion types, but if you watch one on an album that you already know and love, it's a pretty rewarding experience. I watched the two on Aja and Transformer and have been looking up the albums since doing so - that's a good sign.

Does this series have a name?

It appears to be titled "Classic Albums" with those as the first two words of each individual title (they are list6ed individually, not as an ordered series)

Watch Classic Albums: Lou Reed: Transformer Online | Netflix

Based on the titles that come up on Netflix, I think this is the series itself.

Classic Albums - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If so, I'm pretty sure I've seen the Iron Maiden one on VH1 at some point & it's exceptionally good. I believe this is the one where Martin Birch talks about the story with his car crash and where he describes talking to Patrick McGoohan about the band recording The Prisoner.

Oh man this stuff is awesome. The two best for me were:

The Marinovich Project - The crazy story of Todd Marinovich
The Best That Never Was - The sad story of Marcus Dupree

The Four Year Plan...what nutballs these dudes are.

That would be the final nail in the Amazon Prime coffin for me. Does anyone else have constant crashes with their iOS apps? I use to think that that my first-gen iPad was to blame for the constant Amazon Prime crashes, but not they have the iPhone app available and it crashes on my 4S as well. Buggy piece of crap.

3 days later. One season down.

West Wing fans, what are the good and bad seasons? I had seen a little bit of this show to know it was good but the first season was much better than I expected.

I'd say the first 4(up to the time Sorkin leaves) are all good, with Season 2 being my personal favorite. The last 3 are up and down in quality, with some great episodes. By that time, though, the draw is mainly the characters you've become attached to in the first four seasons (Toby, CJ, President Bartlet, Leo, Donna, etc)

We just finished Season 4 of Mad Men, but Season 5 isn't on there. Boo.

I'm still wading through CSI:Miami.

At the end of season four of Lost
Beginning of season 3 of That 70s Show
skipping around Magnum PI
and of course randomly choosing Futuramas.

In order: Peep Show, Shameless(UK version), Todd & the Book of Pure Evil ...

Lots of quality TV shows.

Rewatched the whole series of Enterprise last month, starting in on Voyager for January. Yes, the whole thing, clunkers and all.

About half way done with the second season of Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes.

It's bad enough Jeph Loeb took a crap on the Ultimate Universe,, but cancelling A:EMH and replacing it with a more episodic series that will be closer to Ultimate Spider-Man totally sucks. Avengers and Spectacular Spider-Man are the best two animated series Marvel has had since early 90's X-Men and they both got axed in favor of vastly inferior products (in the case of Ultimate Spider-Man, at least).

Heh, I watched the Avengers stuff as well and really enjoyed the alternate universe they created. I felt like the plot/pace was really good, especially in comparison with most of the animated series in this genre.

Agreed that the transition to a new Avengers series will likely be a bad thing, and if it really is focused on self-contained episodes without any continuity I would likely lose interest very, very fast.

Doesn't crash for me on my 3rd gen iPad or iPhone 5. Hysterically, it seems to crash for me on my Kindle Fire (first gen).

/tk

Blue Valentine just hit Netflix. I highly recommend it.

They recently consoladated all of the classic Doctor Who episodes under one umbrella. I figured if I'm going to start watching Dr. Who, I was going to try to start with before the 8th Doctor (ie, the 2005 series). This allows for that to happen much easier.

Finally got around to watching Bernie last night. One of Jack Black's best performances IMO. Solid flick, well worth the time.

Yeah, that's a fantastic movie, but...... Don't ever watch it with your sig other though. Never. I mean it. Don't do it. That movie is like a shot straight to the baby maker. Williams and Gossling have amazing on screen chemistry.

Goon was gay porn hard.

Agreed. It's an emotional kick in the c-word.

If you have not seen it I highly recommend The Last Detective on Netflix - really well done mysteries/detective show, and I really like the actor who plays the main character - might have to read some of the books it was based on now.

My old equipment room on the USS Nimitz is in the movie, although at the time it was an officer's stateroom. I watch it just for the glimpses of the Nimitz.

Just signed up with Netflix free trial. Wanting to get rid of directv movie channels, but a little disappointed with the movie selections. So before I go to Walmart and buy a Roku is there any other service that has a good selection of movies to stream?

Amazon Prime? If you only do Netflix streaming, your choices will be more limited versus getting streaming and DVDs.

By my experience, no. Even Roku will be a disappointment. If you want to watch anything decent movie-wise, you'll have to pay for it. Amazon, Vudu, HBO Go all require either PPV or subscription. I have yet to find a (legal) way to stream for free decent movies made in the last 10 years.

Amazon and iTunes have the best selection but they are PPV. Not sure if that's what you're looking for though.

Was trying to avoid ppv and cut 40 or 50 dollars off my directv bill. My daughter records stuff from the premium channels on demand stuff but we never seem to watch those channels. Netflix does not have the ocean's movies for streaming and directv charges $4 to watch them on demand unless they happen to be on one of the premium channels.

I have a Roku box and use Netflix and Amazon, as well as some MIT and Revision3 and Plex stuff.

I find myself watching more Amazon than Netflix, but it's mostly stuff I rent or buy to watch (NCIS addiction, BBT, the occasional movie). I end up using Amazon credit for most of it; I get those from Coinstar when I bring in my bags and bags of quarters.

I also use the Roku for HBOGo but I haven't cut the cord and HBOGo is only available if I subscribe to HBO on my FiOS...

/tk

I only use my Roku as a way to watch Netflix and Amazon Prime on my TV. The Roku itself has channels, but it's really lacking in anything worth a damn.

:D

Depends what you like.

I like the MIT stuff and the TED Talks. Some special event stuff (like the Stewart-O'Reilly debate). And Plex is useful. I use it to tag videos online and watch them on my TV, and sometimes I use a friend's media server to watch his (massive) collection of stuff. myPlex

HuluPlus is probably also good, for those that use it (I don't).

I also use it to watch some of the Revision 3 podcasts. And have used it with Pandora, but not often.
/tk

How much free stuff (non ppv) with Roku?

A lot. I don't see a section purely for the free stuff though.

Channel Store | Roku Streaming Player

I mainly use Netflix for movies (CSI: Miami and HIMYM binging excepted), though the streaming selection isn't that great after you've had it for a few years, and Hulu+ for TV shows. Not as good as having cable, but the massive amount of money I save each month is worth it for me.

I'd say my biggest joy of Netflix besides long TV show marathons, is finding and watching all kinds of obscure stuff I might not have otherwise. I wouldn't get discouraged that there isn't a lot of big name recent stuff always. The exploration is a big part of the fun for me.

Yea, if your main concern is recent movies then Netflix isn't your best avenue and that is a valid concern if that is your number one priority.

But I get more than my $7-8 worth based on series and documentaries. Shit, West Wing alone has been more than worth this past months subscription.

Kids are watching Nightmare Before Christmas right now and loving it. They've also had a blast exploring the recently added Disney archives. We've watched some of the 1970s and 1980s movies that I remember but that they've never seen before. Great Mouse Detective, The Rescuers, Rescuers Down Under, etc.

Amazon is better for newer stuff it seemed like, but you are paying for it so you need to keep it under control. Netflix is still the best if you have kids, and you want to have them watch movies during the weekend. But yeah, you can't expect to cut cable and get cable like options for drastically cheaper.

I guess I assumed that once movies hit non ppv premium channels they would be available for streaming on Netflix.

It's studio based/bundled. Isn't it typically at least a few months after most of these movies air on HBO, etc.

Most of the the newest titles go through Netflix DVD side first.

Netflix told me the studios hang on to streaming rights to sell more dvds. They said Hunger Games is now available for streaming in Canada but will not be available for streaming in the U.S. for maybe another 6-8 months. It still does not explain the Ocean's (11,12,13) movies not available for streaming.

I would assume that many older movies did not have streaming language built into the deal. Something/someone probably wants compensation that has not been met in order to release the films.

Netflix told you that?

Netflix spent $1.2 billion on licensing fees last year. It's just not possible to afford every movie ever made, so they have to pick and choose. I'm sure they could land streaming rights to the Hunger Games now for the right price, but it's probably not the best value considering their audience and what else they can get for that $.

Yes

I'm kind of surprised more studios don't unload their old stuff on Netflix/Amazon for lower fees. If a movie is over 3 years old, you're probably not pulling in big DVD numbers. So why not make something on it? I get it with top quality stuff, but the mediocre crap I'd take anything I could get.

Is anyone interested in House of Cards when it gets released on February 1? Has some big names in it and looks good. Kind of surprised at how they are releasing it though all at once. I can burn through a series in a week or two.

Maybe not milking it like networks do, but I'd have put out a first episode or something as a teaser to the show and then released the rest down the line. Or maybe released them in a couple chunks. Anyways, I'm always happy for new quality content no matter who makes it. And not having to worry about ratings might actually allow creators to focus on quality.

I'm kind of surprised that House of Cards has such a large budget(100m). It would seem that Netflix would be better off working with smaller amounts.

Red Dwarf is there now! :)

House of cards, the netflix original show with Kevin Spacey made by David Fincher, is now available. Im really curious how well this and the arrested development episodes do for them.

I wonder if there will be critical backlash because of the way it was just dumped with no lead time. It has to receive a lot less press than a normal show would.

House of Cards has been awesome so far. Watched the first episode and now on to the start of episode 3.

Agreed, I watched the first episode last night and thought it was very well done.

I'm on episode 6 now. I just can't stop watching it. Kevin Spacey was freaking perfect for the lead role.

How is this show not presented front and center when signing into your netflix account? The only promotion I saw was in my email today.

I went on my ps3 to watch and was drawing a blank on the actual name of the show. Figured no problem it will be promoted and easy to find. Hell, it's not even listed in the new offerings.

Ok, go online from my computer to the netflix site. Again not promoted in any way I can find. I had to come here to this thread, or to my email, to get the name of the show so I could watch it and then search for it online so I could add it to my queue.

Really looking forward to seeing it but a massive fail on netflix part of making it easy to, first know about and second to be able to find to watch.

It was a banner at the top of the website for me.

Same on my iPad.

Same on my PS3, so I'm not sure why it didn't show up for you, Sweed.

Well damn, have no clue. I do have no script on firefox so maybe that prevented it online but I don't see a reason why it wouldn't on my ps3. Weird.

Oh, well three episodes in and enjoying it.

Don't see it advertised on the Netflix app I use on my Samsung.

Finally got around to House of Cards yesterday, through four episodes so far. I suspect I'll finish the season by next Monday.

Is the $100 million bet on bringing in/retaining enough new subscribers to cover the costs of the show?

Figure $10/mo * 12 months = $120/year = need something like 800K-850K new subscribers? Assuming the math in my head is right ... Would be interested in how they identify new subscribers for the show, compared to people who are just checking out the product for the first time. Or how they factor in retention of existing subscribers, who may have otherwise voted for Hulu or Redbox or other services out there.

And at what point, assuming that their bet here is considered a success, does that lead to an increase in the cost of the offering? Beyond those already forecast for increasing streaming costs for movie content?

Right now, I'm just enjoying a new/good show. But I am at least a little interested in what this changing model suggests going forward.

It popped up front and center on the 360 app for me. Enjoyed the show. Won't say great, but pretty damn good. While I enjoy binging through shows, this does seem like one that might work better stewing over episodes for a week. I wonder if they would have been better served breaking it up a bit.

Should be interesting to see how the award shows handle it. You have to figure someone will be up for something on this show. Either Spacey for best actor or Robin Wright for supporting.

I also think it's clear that Netflix wants to be a premium channel that you can get anywhere. That quote about becoming HBO before HBO becomes them is fitting. Seems like they'll go for a mix of original content, exclusives, and then licensed filler.

It'll be interesting to see if it pays off. Put it this way, Netflix has more monthly subscribers than Showtime. And Showtime has been able to put out a lot of quality original programming.

I've got two episodes left in "House of Cards" and might just stay up to watch them tonight.

What a cliff hanger....

House of cards.. what kind of shits going to go down ?

Netflix is going to be integrated with Facebook.

Netflix Adds Facebook Integration in the U.S.

Cause what everyone wants to know is why are you watching 9 1/2 weeks at 1 am on Wednesday morning?

I thought Spacey was distracting and borderline awful at moments. I sure hope he doesn't get any kind of award buzz for acting like a tall talking chicken I say I say.

If you're a baseball fan there are about 20 episodes of a show called "Ed Randall Talking Baseball" from the early 90s that are pretty good stuff. I'm watching an interview with a pretty young Greg Maddux that is great.

Even though I thought Spacey was terrific, this post needs more love. I also caught the Foghorn Leghorn echoes.

Next series coming to Netflix.

This looks pretty fantastic and it doesnt hurt Weeds creator Jenji Kohan is behind it.

Yeah the preview makes this one that I'll at least watch.

So far, Netflix Original Series is 1-2 for me. As awesome as House of Cards was, Hemlock Grove was that terrible.

Avengers was added.

Kumare is pretty good.

Upstream Color is a great sci-fi movie.

Oh yeah, thoroughly enjoyed this one.

Did anyone watch Lilyhammer, which I think was their first original show?

Some WTF suggestions from Netflix.

12 WTF Netflix Suggestions

So Netflix released their next original series, "Orange is the New Black." It was created by the same woman that thought up Weeds. I've watched the first 5 episodes and actually am enjoying it. It's a bit twisted (much like Weeds was), but it's still entertaining. It's about a woman sent to prison for a crime she committed 10 years prior and the other inmates...each episode seems to tell the back story of one of the inmates through the events that unfold in each episode.

/tk

Hah, that's funny. Similar to our feed not too long ago. I don't consider these "family friendly":

I really like how they handle this and it's been an engaging series so far, and I'm not a guy who likes the WIP setting normally.

Is it House of Cards? No. HoC is still much better. But it's very solid, and I find it interesting despite the fact the protagonist comes across as quite bland.

In fact, I think in this case that blandness works to a degree, because it makes the characters around her that much more interesting, and allows the viewer to think about how they would react if they were in the protagonist's situation, in a way that a stronger character/actress wouldn't enable them to.

Edit: In the NF Original Series list that I've watched, it'd go:

1. House of Cards
2. Orange is the New Black
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Lastandleastforever. Hemlock Grove.

Just finished up season one of Orange..... just amazing.... easily 10/10. The last 4 episodes especially, about as perfect as it gets.

Hemlock Grove actually got renewed. Enjoying Orange is the New Black.

Is there anything in the pipeline from Netflix that looks good? I liked HoC and liking Orange, but I feel they really need a signature show.

The very last episode was the best so far IMO.

This Max guy is getting me to watch things I normally wouldn't. Granted, Rain Man is awesome, but I'd usually just rifle through it. But when Max is like, you want to watch Rain Man? I'm all for it.

I think Arrested Development and HOC are the "signature shows". Orange is a nice surprise though, i think its really good.