access trumps ownership

Last year I bought zero DVDs. In fact, I sold almost my entire collection save a handful of my absolute favorites (yes, I kept LOST IN TRANSLATION). Movies, for me, are currently about access over ownership. With Netflix, bittorrent, Hulu and Redbox it's really not necessary for me to own a movie like, say, BLUE VALENTINE. This may seem strange since I choose that as my favorite film of 2010. But, I think, my DVD purchasing comes down to something that Jeffery was talking about recently. BLUE VALENTINE is not a masterpiece. No movie, in my opinion, from 2010 can be considered a masterpiece. 

This year, so far, I've bought two DVDs - THE TREE OF LIFE and MEEK'S CUTOFF. These are two stunning and unique films that I want to own because I will probably watch them many, many times. But I didn't buy them just for me. I bought them to loan out as well. These are films that should be seen for all the reasons everyone here has written and argued about over the last several months. 

Also, I think that one of the best ways to know someone is to know and understand the things that they admire, the things that speak to them. These films are both of those things for me. I feel strongly about all the films on my 2010 list, but not how I feel about these two films. In some way they both influence or relate to my worldview. 

An interesting paradox here is that I probably liked MELANCHOLIA more than TREE OF LIFE. But I don't plan on buying MELANCHOLIA on DVD. I guess that having a movie speak to me is different than liking it. This is all a bit abstract and probably doesn't make much sense. I'm not sure how to describe it; nevertheless, it's something that I've been thinking about since I read Jeffery's post the other night. Make of it what you will. 

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As for other things, I started THE MAN WHO LOVED WOMEN on Wednesday but had to stop it after about 10 minutes because the dog was barking at a Boy Scout trying to sell us something and ended up chasing the kid out of the yard. Once I was done dealing with that I didn't feel like going back to the movie. 

Brandon and Chris have both been very kind to S02E01 of THE WALKING DEAD. I found a lot of it silly and full of wtf moments - though there were a few points where the tension was there. But I'm the guy who loves a great campy episode of TRUE BLOOD. So, who am I to criticise? Great blood splatter effects though. Looking forward to the rest of the season, which hopefully brings with it some stronger writing. Jason, are you watching THE WALKING DEAD? I'm curious as to how true it is to the comics. 

Jeffery and Chris, have either of you read CITY OF GLASS by Paul Auster? I just started it tonight after a discussion on Facebook reminded me that I own the book. Anyway, BORED TO DEATH definitely pays that novel many debts throughout the show. It's a quick and fun read that you should pick up if you ever see it somewhere cheap.