Remembering that Arthur and Soul Surfer were both released On Demand early for $30, it makes me wonder, here in the thick of the summer movie season, which circumstances would actually lead me to pay so much money just to see a movie a little bit early. I suppose in the Twitter-fueled land of constant spoilers, it can seem appealing to some, but why rob yourself of the moviegoing experience if you don’t have to? And when would you ever have to? So I thought it through and came up with a few situations where a service like this would actually come in handy. And now? I’m kind of digging it.
Leaving the Country
When I left the country on vacation last month, luckily it was at the exact time The Hangover II and Pirates 4 were opening: two movies I couldn’t care less about. So there was no frustration on my part about missing seeing something awesome with my friends. I was, however, anxious that I was missing Game of Thrones. But TV is already available at home and could be watched the moment I got back to the states. But if a movie was opening I *needed* to see and I knew my chance of seeing it in theaters was shot in any event, then yes, I would pay money to see it early, so I could still be a part of the conversation.
Recovering from Surgery
Let’s say you have surgery on something like your leg or foot that prevents you from moving easily and let’s also say it hurts like crazy and let’s also say you’re on a lot of drugs. (Maybe I’ve been there too.) Something tells me you won’t be venturing out to many movies no matter how long you’ve been waiting to see something. In this case, VOD once again becomes extremely appealing. A way to stay in on the conversation when you are unable to leave your home. This also applies to house arrest, agoraphobia, a broken car, and the flu.
Reviewing/Writing Purposes
If you either write for a website or have your own, but aren’t in the place yet where you can make it on to screening lists, VOD is an awesome solution. Especially if someone is paying you, it’s a way to see and analyze something without relying on connections you may not have yet. It’s an investment, but suddenly gets a lot cheaper when you take into consideration the thrust of the next few reasons — other people.
Babies
You want to see a hard R movie but can’t afford hours worth of a babysitter, or the babysitter isn’t free, or you simply want to see too many movies to get babysitters that often. With this option, you and your spouse essentially pay the same price to not hire a babysitter or be forced to be that annoying person with a baby at a horror movie, which happens WAY too often for my liking.
Watching with a Group
$30 bucks seems absurd for one movie. But the moment that cash covers three to four people, it becomes a value: an animated movie for a family of four, especially if they include small children who don’t do well sitting in theaters, or getting together with a friend who is stuck at home. Make it five to seven people and you’ve got yourself a cheap, brand-new movie and a mini party. Although a stellar home entertainment system is key for this option.
The Intoxication Factor
We all know there are plenty of movies out there many people would like to see intoxicated by whatever means, and sometimes getting intoxicated before or during movies is simply awkward. Yes, the giant screen and options like 3-D enhances the experience for trippy movies like Tron: Legacy or even Across the Universe, but for stoner comedies, what could better than watching it early, from home, with a group of friends? I would VOD Horrible Bosses right now, split the cost, alter my consciousness, pour myself a glass of champagne, open a bag of chips, put my cat on my lap, and still see it before most people do — doesn’t sound bad, right?
Ultimately I think it comes down to this: $30 VOD is for people who *would* see movies often, but *can’t*, for whatever reason.
