FRED MANTEGHIAN BLOG

One of the myriad benefits we can enjoy now with the end of the high definition disc format war is the elimination of competition that threatened to drive down prices of hardware and software. Imagine what would happen if cars came in different colors. What a mess.

Out of respect for the victors, Netflix, the nation's largest rent-by-mail service, has decided that since high definition discs cost more than regular DVDs, they will charge their customers more. Sure, exhibiting a more thug-like corporate mentality (you know, like Wal-Mart), they might have demanded that the studios meet their price point, and not the other way around. I thought the objective was to make high def pervasive? Instead, Netflix has decided to perpetuate the greedy (and not a little masochistic) pricing policy chosen by the studios who, at the same time, profess their inability to sell standard DVDs, much less the blu-ray variety.

Walk into most retailers, and three BD movies are going to run you the better part of a C-note. But we, the all consuming public, have demonstrated our lack of interest in consuming, of DVDs at least. That's either because the novelty of DVD has worn off, or that in a fit of good taste, America's decided that most of what Hollywood produces doesn't seem worth the $20 they charge for a DVD, much less $30 or more they'd like to get for a blu-ray.

That's not to say we don't all have our funny bones exposed for the tickling. For instance, on July 29th of this year, Dark City will be out on blu-ray, and I'm there man, I'm there! But the rest of the time, I'm being pretty selective.

And by selective I mean, I just can't bring myself to buy a standard DVD anymore. It's just sooo pre-high def. I'll set my DirecTv DVR to search HBO for a movie on high-def and wait to watch for free (sorta). The lost thrill of holding the medium in my hands is nicely ameliorated by the thirty bucks I just saved by getting the message for free.

And as it stands, I'm not exhibiting nearly any of the buying frenzy of the early DVD days. Now if they drop the prices enough so that $17 bucks gets me a blu-ray at Costco or Amazon, well, then, I'm there man, I'm there!

So without further ado, and sung to the tune of beer . . .

Bud Light presents, Real Men of Genius. Today we salute you, Mr. Major Motion Picture Marketing Department Flunky. You finally gave us what we wanted. The knowledge that our every high def disc desires are being manufactured and stockpiled for that fire sale that will inevitably precede the processing of your pink slip. Your adamant insistence that consumers will willingly pay almost twice as much to own a movie in high def that they didn't bother going to the movies to see and that they won't even buy on a regular DVD, or even rent, was pure brilliance. We stand in admiration of your back catalog releases that clearly prove your mastery of the Excel spreadsheet sort command. So crack open a Bud Light and enjoy a cool refreshing swig of life. You deserve it Mr. Major Motion Picture Marketing Department Flunky.