I’ve been in love with Netflix

for two years. I’ve been happily hooked up ever since a friend insisted I take advantage of a free trial offer and I signed up for the 2 DVDs at a time package at $13.95 a month.

I’ve never considered leaving Netflix for the obvious reasons, such as, no late fees, free mailing, and fast service (I can return my movies on Tuesday, or even Wednesday, and get my new moves on Friday!). If I do the math, and I’m averse to math, it’s a good deal—if I watch 2 movies a week and get them at my local video store for $2.50 that equals $20.00 a month, and that doesn’t include the late fees I always manage to rack up. While these perks alone are enough to justify my membership, they are not the main reason I’m still enamored with Netflix.

I’m sticking with Netflix because there is icing on the cake, (in my opinion, cake would be boring, bland, and unappealing without icing)—I get to see great movies and fantastic series I otherwise wouldn’t because I refuse to pay for the so-called premium channels. And, I absolutely love watching as many of the episodes in a series I want without having to wait until the following week. I simply hate the waiting, and much prefer the instant gratification of being able to see the next episode immediately.

Mad Men

This is a  fascinating AMC drama series - if you were born in the 60’s, this will destroy any illusion you may harbor of sweeter times. This series brings home the bitter truth of American culture at the height of its childish narcissism, racism, sexism, and existential angst! And, no one ever stops smoking or drinking unless they are sleeping or having sex. If you’re too young to have directly experienced the 60’s, watching this series will make you grateful for women’s lib, laws against sexual harassment in the workplace, and laws prohibiting smoking in public places! Women are treated like children, groped in the workplace, and bored and ignored at home.

Jon Hamm plays Don Draper, a New York advertising exec with a secret past who is attempting to validate himself by finding success in the world of advertising. The Mad Men (execs in the world of advertising) are all social climbers; they’re both obsessed with and disillusioned with trying to achieve the American dream. There are no Ozzie and Harriet’s in this series—only wannabes who are drowning in booze and can’t see through their cigarette smoke. Mad Men is a cautionary tale for those who romanticize the 50’s, and who believe we’d be better off without the women’s and civil right’s movements.

Dexter

Not for the squeamish! When I first heard this Showtime series is about a serial killer, I said, no way I’m not going there! Now, I’m one of the millions of fans of this edgy series that chronicles the life of a forensic expert who is also a serial killer with a code that prohibits his killing good guys. What fascinates me is that Dexter, played by Michael Hall (from Six Feet Under), narrates the story in such a way he becomes likable and we are pulled into seeing things from his point of view. This series is complex on every level and it has so many twists and turns in the plot, viewers are surprised and hanging by a thread of suspense at every turn. Dexter makes us realize things are usually not what they appear and we cannot judge a book by its cover. It also forces me to put aside black and white thinking as I identify with Dexter’s dilemmas and the extremely complex decisions that confront him and the people in his life.

Weeds

This Showtime series is the story of a California Suburban widow, played by Mary-Louise Parker, who out of desperation becomes a pot dealer. Every episode becomes quirkier and more outrageous as Nancy Botwin becomes involved with dangerous members of drug cartels and other criminals. The cast of characters are outlandish and the scenarios are off the charts. This is a black comedy of sorts, where satire and social commentary on our country’s institutions, mass conformity, and the general superficiality and decadence of American life ongoing themes.

More Things to Love about Netflix

I love I can create a queue that puts my movies in the order I want them shipped.

I love I can search for new movies in lots of different ways: I can search by actor, or category, or new releases, etc—the category selection is almost endless.

I love I can rate movies so Netflix knows my taste in films and makes recommendations for movies I may like.

I love I can preview the movies I’m interested in seeing right on my computer.

I love people can watch movies on their computers.

I love I can access movie reviews by members and well-known critics, like Roger Ebert.

I love I can add friends to my account who rate movies and make recommendations.

I love taking my time to choose my movies carefully without standing at the video store feeling helpless to make a decision.

I love the enormous selection of Indie (independent), foreign films and documentaries.

I love not having to depend on the Premium Cable Channels to see moves—too many B movies and not enough consistent, good quality films.

Why I don’t subscribe to the so-called Premium Channels

I don’t subscribe to Premium cable channels, (unless I’m on a free trail), because Netflix is a better deal. I’ve been there and done that, and even though I’m a fan of many of the series on premium channels, I got sick of the 2 star repeats and felt ripped off. I also hate the way cable keeps bribing us to add to our packages until we’re breaking the budget. Also, I’m very lucky to have friends who get the complete package, so I can go to their houses to watch things like Bill Maher’s Real Time (that’s a series with time sensitive subject matter and worth seeing when aired).