The benefits of owning a huge movie collection

[Zarak]

Over here, GenPion remarked that we should have a thread about the benefits of owning a huge movie collection instead of dwelling on the negatives.

Some benefits:

1. You're not beholden to the licenses and censorial whims of streaming companies.

2. You don't have to have ultra-high-speed internet and a stable connection to enjoy a consistent movie-watching experience.

3. You always have an awesome selection of films to choose from, even if it takes you way too long to pick one out.

4. Your wall of movies gives you a sense of accomplishment and purpose that your otherwise dreary life could never afford you.

[Scott in UK]

Originally Posted by Zarak

Over here, GenPion remarked that we should have a thread about the benefits of owning a huge movie collection instead of dwelling on the negatives.

Some benefits:

1. You're not beholden to the licenses and censorial whims of streaming companies.

2. You don't have to have ultra-high-speed internet and a stable connection to enjoy a consistent movie-watching experience.

3. You always have an awesome selection of films to choose from, even if it takes you way too long to pick one out.

4. Your wall of movies gives you a sense of accomplishment and purpose that your otherwise dreary life could never afford you.

Right, so seeing as you've covered the main reasons, why does this need to be discussed.

Or that your reasons are a given anyway, so why does it even need to be mentioned.

[bsend]

I love when I plan to watch one movie and my eye catches a completely different movie that I chose to watch instead. I also really like the idea of picking a movie off the shelf and not being in the mood for it so you grab something else that fits better in the moment.

[Kleeberg]

Full access to special features (like commentaries). I think streaming has just about killed the special feature, unfortunately.

[Jay H.]

I had a stroke in 2014 and have been on disability ever since. When I'm done with the daily housecleaning and dinner prep, it can get kinda boring if I'm not doing something. It isn't always possible to leave the house to take a walk, so having a decent-sized collection definitely comes in handy.

[CrowKiller]

Originally Posted by Kleeberg

Full access to special features (like commentaries). I think streaming has just about killed the special feature, unfortunately.

Makes sense. Most people stream now. I also doubt most of those people ever watched a single extra or listened to a commentary in their life. Always thought it was funny when popular new mainstream movies get lots of extras. Knowing probably almost 100% of their consumer base won't even touch them. Not counting the hardcore collectors and movie nuts that have to know all the ins and outs of the production of the movie. Enjoy them while you can. I reckon they'll go bye bye too eventually when physical does. Other than some brief interviews like you see on zombie garbage like ET and Access Hollywood.

As for my thoughts on physical ownership, OP pretty much listed my reasons.

[Mobe1969]

Originally Posted by Kleeberg

Full access to special features (like commentaries). I think streaming has just about killed the special feature, unfortunately.

Oh yes, I constantly bemoan this - even for series they dropped blu ray releases on like Modern Family. The extras were great on the blu rays. Then they stopped BR releases so I had to choose between itunes and dvd, so I took itunes. No extras.

And as a 3D capable home theater owner add 3D movies.

And at an AV buff - lossless audio. And a 100% guarantee of best possible audio quality

[The Great Owl]

I like having instant access to almost every movie that has even remotely intrigued me during my 47 years of existence.

I love the nostalgia trip of revisiting favorites from my youth, and I love the joy of discovery that comes with the best of my blind buy purchases.

I do not have cable television, I do not pick up any television channels by choice, and I do not subscribe to any media venues except for Amazon Prime. As a result, I do not watch television shows for the most part, except for the chosen few that I own on Blu-ray. Why would I want to waste time surfing channels and watching home renovation shows or sports when I can discover a new movie that might change my life?

[Zarak]

Originally Posted by Scott in UK

Right, so seeing as you've covered the main reasons, why does this need to be discussed.

Or that your reasons are a given anyway, so why does it even need to be mentioned.

Certainly OP didn't capture every possible reason and nuance?!?!

[Scott in UK]

Originally Posted by Zarak

Certainly OP didn't capture every possible reason and nuance?!?!

How many possible reasons and nuance's can there be...

[erixon20]

I like my collection because when I decide at 1 AM in the morning to watch something I have it. I don't have to hope this streaming service has it this month or if it is even working. I lend some to my friends and brothers and they liked some stuff they never even heard of. I like when someone asks me "did You like this movie?" Of course-I own it-why would I own something I didn't like??

[Kleeberg]

I also like knowing that I can hand my collection down to my son at some point. It's also a good hobby that my wife and I can enjoy together.

[Zarak]

Originally Posted by Scott in UK

How many possible reasons and nuance's can there be...

"We have no limits to our world. We're only limited by our imagination."
– Bob Ross

[VideoPhonic]

You know what they say about guys with a huge movie collection?

[weir]

Originally Posted by Zarak

Over here, GenPion remarked that we should have a thread about the benefits of owning a huge movie collection instead of dwelling on the negatives.

Some benefits:

1. You're not beholden to the licenses and censorial whims of streaming companies.

2. You don't have to have ultra-high-speed internet and a stable connection to enjoy a consistent movie-watching experience.

3. You always have an awesome selection of films to choose from, even if it takes you way too long to pick one out.

4. Your wall of movies gives you a sense of accomplishment and purpose that your otherwise dreary life could never afford you.

Originally Posted by Kleeberg

Full access to special features (like commentaries). I think streaming has just about killed the special feature, unfortunately.

Nice! Completely agree 100000%.

[TripleHBK]

I have a room in my home that resembles a very fun part of my childhood (the video store). Just walking in, looking around, and being surrounded by the things (movies, posters, videogames) that left such an indelible mark on my childhood brings me as much joy (and often more) than any one movie typically does these days. Scrolling through a list of files on a streaming service or game console doesn't even remotely come close. (And I say this as someone with a Plex server which hosts Hundreds of tv series, my entire movie collection, family photos, home movies, etc).

[bigdaddyhorse]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I like having instant access to almost every movie that has even remotely intrigued me during my 47 years of existence.

I love the nostalgia trip of revisiting favorites from my youth, and I love the joy of discovery that comes with the best of my blind buy purchases.

I do not have cable television, I do not pick up any television channels by choice, and I do not subscribe to any media venues except for Amazon Prime. As a result, I do not watch television shows for the most part, except for the chosen few that I own on Blu-ray. Why would I want to waste time surfing channels and watching home renovation shows or sports when I can discover a new movie that might change my life?

Cuz some sports like NFL and UFC are awesome! They do seriously cut into my movie time though, almost more than my 4 year old.

The OP nailed the reasons for me. Plus I like just looking at some of the covers even if not planning to watch.

[Rich65]

Also, if you also enjoy autograph collecting like I do as well as movie collecting you can't do this with a digital copy:

[Visitor2014]

As a baby boomer at age 73 - it is more of a matter of asking me the question, "Where are you off to tonight?" Do I allow my streaming channels to dictate where they want to take me? Or do I choose from my collection where I want to go?

There might be a few folks here that have been collecting films and series for the past 37 years . . . and you may not really understand how old age will play a major part in your viewing choices when you each my age . . . but for me it is total immersion each night.

Total immersion at a 7 foot distance from my pillow to a 65" Oled Set . . . puts me in the clouds of Dunkirk or Out of Africa . . . until such time I drift into my sleep. It is a marvelous experience.

Streaming this week of THE CROWN in HDR also was enjoyable, except I missed the commentary accustomed to disks. So much history to enjoy and to further dive into.

As for some folks thinking that all is needed is one viewing to forever remember . . . nope. I have lost count how many times I have watched a favorite and could not remember the plot or the story. I have been told it is like reading a book. We read or view with our current mindset, out current questions, our current hopes. But in two years our questions change, our hopes change, and we begin to "see" the film in a way we could never had seen before. (Think Dr Zhivago)

So yes . . . the OP is preaching to the choir in me. I don't mind. Tonight I am off to the grand estates in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania to enjoy the film FOXCATCHER. It will take me back to the 1980's, but the reviews are very favorable.

[GenPion]

To add to the wonderful comments from each in the thread:

1) Knowing that one is watching a feature-film or television series with the best presentation quality possible. Streaming bit-rates are no match for disc and the difference in audio quality is equally enormous. You have no 24 bit audio on the streaming services (let alone uncompressed audio).

2) The joy of collecting special editions: steelbooks, collectors box-sets, and other special releases help make collecting films so much more enjoyable than simply "clicking" on something to stream.

3) If a zombie apocalypse ever occurs, one can toss discs at zombies ala the Shaun of the Dead vinyl-records scene. The streamers are helpless in this regard. We shall not share our discs.

4) The ladies, obviously! (All kidding aside, if I ever met a woman with as much passion for film as me I'd be ten times more likely to want to "put a ring on it" so to speak).