In today's fast-moving technological landscape it's all about convenience. Movies through the mail are giving the modern film enthusiast countless options with the least amount of effort.
Netflix and Blockbuster Online are known as the two largest movie-by-mail services.
Both companies' formats are relatively similar. They both boast no late fees and no due dates.
In order to have an account the customer must have a credit card, a mailing address and access to the Internet.
There are several different types of accounts available at each service at different price levels.
"The whole mechanism of film distribution as far as when and where we get to see things is changing right before our eyes," said David Appleby, a professor of communications at The University of Memphis. "It (Netflix) gives great access to films that people wouldn't have otherwise."
The selection that online movie services have allows people to see all of a certain type of film that they want to, according to Michael Robles, a senior communications major.
"You can make a list of all the kinds of movies that you like to watch," he said. "It's a lot better than wasting gas in your car to go to the video store."
Netflix and Blockbuster Online both offer accounts for $17.99 (plus tax) per month that send the customer three DVDs at a time and unlimited rentals. Each DVD comes in an envelope with pre-paid postage, and shipping usually takes about a day.
"They have a lot more selection than the video stores," said Trevor Bynum, a senior communications major. "It's very inexpensive for a month. If you watch a lot of movies it costs about the same as renting three from the store."
Netflix boasts more than 55,000 separate titles and offers reviews of the films on their Web site. The services will also give customers movie recommendations based on the person's movie selections and online film reviews.
Online movie rentals can give customers the chance to be exposed to many different types of films, such as independent films or documentaries that may not run in theaters for very long - if at all - in a city like Memphis, according to Appleby.
"I love Netflix. It allows me to catch up on the fairly recent films that I've missed or didn't have time to get to," he said. "I think that it's great for film students because they are reading about films, but they may never get to see them."
Online movie rentals are doing more than just changing the way people access movies. It is changing the way that filmmakers release their films, according to Robles. Steven Soderbergh directed a film titled "Bubble" was released in theaters and on DVD at the same time in 2005.
"For serious movie fans, it's (online movie rentals) the best thing we have," Robles said. "Now we have the ability to see what we want to see instead of what Hollywood wants us to see."
Keep checking The Daily Helmsman for more on independent film options in Memphis.
