Seriously, what is it about new releases?

Rev. Powell · April 02, 2010, 07:09:20 PM

I just can't identify with the mentality this ad is trying to appeal to.

Why is it important to rent it while it's still a new release? Is the quality of the film going to drastically degrade in the next few weeks? Should they put an expiration date on DVDs?

I mean, the ad implies the movie's available now at Blockbuster and may not be on Netflix or redbox yet. So I'm supposed to pay more to get it at Blockbuster immediately, rather than wait a few days? It makes no sense to me. Even if I really, really wanted to see this piece of crap, I can wait a few days.

Is it just me?

Jack · April 02, 2010, 09:21:18 PM

The "new release" hype is about 80% of the appeal of most of this crap. Wait a month or two and watch it on DVD, and you'll be left scratching your head as to what anyone saw in it. But see it when it comes out and you can talk about it the next day at work or school! Other people will relate to you! You too can be a participant in this wondrous thing we call pop culture!!!

Jim H · April 02, 2010, 10:29:15 PM

Quote from: Rev. Powell on April 02, 2010, 07:09:20 PM
I just can't identify with the mentality this ad is trying to appeal to.

Why is it important to rent it while it's still a new release? Is the quality of the film going to drastically degrade in the next few weeks? Should they put an expiration date on DVDs?

I mean, the ad implies the movie's available now at Blockbuster and may not be on Netflix or redbox yet. So I'm supposed to pay more to get it at Blockbuster immediately, rather than wait a few days? It makes no sense to me. Even if I really, really wanted to see this piece of crap, I can wait a few days.

Is it just me?

Don't know why but image isn't showing up normally...? I got it by copying and pasting.

In any case, it doesn't make any sense to ME. But obviously it does to lots of people. A ton of people I've seen and overheard at blockbuster and other chains in the past have made it clear that once a movie is "old" they'll never watch it again. In other words, every movie is eventually unwatchable to them. So the "newness" must matter to them. I think it's a stupid attitude I can't really even comprehend, but that's about all I can say about it.

Newt · April 03, 2010, 07:27:23 AM

Remember the old advertising pitch: "Be the first kid on your block to..." - it has simply become the basis for an entire culture.

It's not just movies. Anything 'new' is assumed to be the only thing worthwhile; even automatically superior. And even if it isn't really new at all.

We are in danger of producing several generations without any cultural roots.

The Burgomaster · April 03, 2010, 07:41:06 AM

Quote from: Rev. Powell on April 02, 2010, 07:09:20 PM

Why is it important to rent it while it's still a new release? Is the quality of the film going to drastically degrade in the next few weeks? Should they put an expiration date on DVDs?

I worked in a videoptape rental store during the 1980s and it used to frustrate me when people came in looking ONLY for new releases (even if they were crappy movies like MANNEQUIN). If the movies they wanted were not in stock, I would suggest other movies and the customers would ask, "Are they new?" I'd say, "No, but if you haven't seen them and they are good movies, what's the difference if they are new or not?" I remember asking one customer, "So, you'd rather rent a terrible new movie than a good older movie?" (Just to clarify here, sometimes the "older" movies I was suggesting were maybe a year or two old . . . they weren't necessarily from the 1930s or anything!) The customer replied, "Yes." So, there are legions of people wandering the earth who have seen MANNEQUIN but have never seen SOME LIKE IT HOT. I tried to stop them. I really did.

Newt · April 03, 2010, 07:55:07 AM

Quote from: Rev. Powell on April 02, 2010, 07:09:20 PMWhy is it important to rent it while it's still a new release? Is the quality of the film going to drastically degrade in the next few weeks? Should they put an expiration date on DVDs?

Maybe they just want to see it before there is a remake?

Rev. Powell · April 03, 2010, 11:53:33 AM

Burgo's right in that this is not a new phenomenon... I noticed it in the 80s as well.

I think Jack's explanation is the best. I guess most people are undemanding in their entertainment needs, and value the social aspect of the movies more than the movies themselves. They want to be able to talk around the water cooler about the newest thing. There is a commonality to new releases that there isn't if everyone just picked what they actually wanted to see. It's understandable, I guess, but it annoys me greatly.

Mofo Rising · April 03, 2010, 12:58:43 PM

I liked Sherlock Holmes.

Anyway, an old advertising trick is to introduce a desire into people that previously was not there. This would seem to be a prime example.

Also, a new tactic by Blockbuster and several movie studios is to only let certain outlets rent out new releases. That's why Redbox and Netflix have the red "X." My library, which rents out free movies, is also not immune to this tactic.

Basically, that advertisement is the sum total of what Blockbuster has going for it. That is to say, nothing.

BTM · April 03, 2010, 06:00:42 PM

Quote from: Rev. Powell on April 02, 2010, 07:09:20 PM
I just can't identify with the mentality this ad is trying to appeal to.

Is it just me?

Well, maybe they're implying that by the time you get the movie from Netflix, it'll no longer be a new release because sometimes it takes a couple of weeks to get the movie after it comes out (while Blockbuster stocks of a s**tload of copies of the "big" new release films). I mean, I don't know about Red Box, but sometimes it can take awhile to see certain movies on Netflix. For instance, I just got to see Zombieland (AWESOME film, BTW) last week, even though it's been at the top of my list since it came out Mid February.

I mean, you'll note how it says, "Available Now!" there.

SPazzo · April 03, 2010, 07:35:35 PM

Just in case anyone else can't see the picture, the link to it is here. I could only see it from going to Print Page.

But anyways, I have to say, if you pay $6-$7 for a new release movie (or $10-$12 for a movie in the "new" theatre) I think you're more likely to say that the movie was good, even if it sucked. It's something I've noticed in several things. That if you pay more for something, it seems better. *cough* Starbucks Coffee *cough*

I see it a lot in photography. If someone has spent upwards of two grand in camera equipment, all from one brand, they aren't going to turn around and say that that brand is terrible. No, they will usually stick by their brand, even if it does suck.

Back to renting new releases. I think that if you spend more on the movie, you tend to think that it's better. Or even enjoy it more. That would explain why people actually like paying more for something new and shiny. I don't know if there is a word for this phenomenon, but there should be.

Jim H · April 03, 2010, 09:36:03 PM

Quote from: SPazzo on April 03, 2010, 07:35:35 PM
Just in case anyone else can't see the picture, the link to it is here. I could only see it from going to Print Page.

But anyways, I have to say, if you pay $6-$7 for a new release movie (or $10-$12 for a movie in the "new" theatre) I think you're more likely to say that the movie was good, even if it sucked. It's something I've noticed in several things. That if you pay more for something, it seems better. *cough* Starbucks Coffee *cough*

I see it a lot in photography. If someone has spent upwards of two grand in camera equipment, all from one brand, they aren't going to turn around and say that that brand is terrible. No, they will usually stick by their brand, even if it does suck.

Back to renting new releases. I think that if you spend more on the movie, you tend to think that it's better. Or even enjoy it more. That would explain why people actually like paying more for something new and shiny. I don't know if there is a word for this phenomenon, but there should be.

For me, it's the exact opposite - I often feel I don't get my money's worth, and more satisfied with a mediocre film if I saw it at an AM screening (where the ticket is $5). I'm more forgiving of movies I paid less to see. You're definitely right about expensive equipment though, as I see that personally a lot. I'm probably in the minority on all this though.

Mr. DS · April 03, 2010, 09:46:43 PM

The words on the ad are poorly chosen and unclear. The better choice would have been "RENT IT While Others Wait". Blockbuster can have that for the next ad campaign if they want. I only expect a small percentage back.

JaseSF · April 03, 2010, 11:17:25 PM

I went into a Blockbuster once. I looked around and around for some classic films. Not finding anything of interest, I approached the cashier and asked if they had any classic films. He looked at me dumbfounded and pointed me in the direction of the newest releases, not a one of which at that time I had the slightest interest in seeing. I turned around and walked out the door. I haven't been through the door of a Blockbuster since.

Flick James · April 05, 2010, 03:13:22 PM

Why would I want to wait to see Sherlock Holmes? Sign me up now! What's wrong with you people?

feiyen · April 06, 2010, 04:55:40 AM

Isn't Blockbuster slowly or quickly dying (depending on your perspective) I mean I know they have the same deal as netflix, I mean there's at least 3 stores left in this city and the closes one to me just closed this year. I can see why there trying to get you to rent those NEW RELEASES so badly.

Ooo new mottoe should be:
Save a Blockbuster, Rent a new release!