The Weinstein Gamble
 

So, the Weinstein brothers have signed a deal with Blockbuster. Starting Jan. 1 next year, all releases by Weinstein will be available for rent through Blockbuster, and Blockbuster only (no Netflix, no Hollywood video).

Does this seem like a bad idea to anyone else? In the deal, they're getting $ from Blockbuster for every rental, plus bonus $ based on how well the movie does in theaters. But is the limiting one's distribution really worth that? As a Netflix customer, I know my reaction wouldn't be, "Hmm, I better consider switching to Blockbuster." It would be, "Scerw the Weinsteins."

Of course looking at their slated upcoming releases, I won't feel any great loss. But it just seems silly to me for an independent studio, even one with a big name behind it, to be making it harder to get their product.

Are they only avaliable through Blockbuster for all eternity or just for a limited time - like a few months? If they're getting cash upfront it doesn't sound like a horrible deal for them. If you were a netflixer and they came out with a movie you really really wanted to see it's not a massive hassle to go to Blockbuster.

The article doesn't specifically say "forever", but nor does it say "for X time frame".

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15731212/

No, it's not hassle to go to Blockbuster...but it's even less of a hassle to put something else in my queue, and I suspect more people are going to be doing that than will be making an extra trip and spending an extra $4.

True but unless it was a huge hit that you really wanted to see it probably wasn't going in your queue anyway. It will be interesting to see if this works out and if other studios follow suit.

I am not going to bend my normal routine for the Whinesteins.

If it's spelled Weinstein, it should be pronounced "wine-stine"; why do they pronounce it "wine-steen"?

I know. I just decided Whine was better.

Pronouncing the German "stein" as "steen" is a long standing Americanism. It really should be "vine-shtine" anyway.

My maiden name is German, and my father's family demanded people pronounce it...incorrectly. :rolleyes: Took me until jr. high to figure that out.

And, because of all of you people, no one can pronounce Chris' name correctly. Yes, you all. ;)

I don't know what you're talking about. I can pronounce "Chris" correctly. :p