What to Watch Instantly on Netflix? (and now all streaming services)

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

BTW.....the new setup where Netflix organizes the entire series together in one spot rather than having to search out each season of a series is a great improvement. Makes it a lot easier to watch the TV series. Also lets you know how many shows you're looking at watching if you do decide to dive into a series.

[terpkristin]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

BTW.....the new setup where Netflix organizes the entire series together in one spot rather than having to search out each season of a series is a great improvement. Makes it a lot easier to watch the TV series. Also lets you know how many shows you're looking at watching if you do decide to dive into a series.

It's a double-edged sword. I have some series like Scrubs, Family Guy, and South Park that are long-running, and it's hard to sort through over 100 episodes to find the one I want, which is what I do when I watch those shows.

/tk

[Raiders Army]

We watched Ip Man based on the recommendations over at slickdeals (the Blu-Ray is $14). I would heartily recommend this movie for any kung fu fan...or anyone else for that matter. My wife's chief complaint is she didn't like reading the subtitles, but I got used to it after a bit.

It is an excellent movie.

Spoiler

When Master Ip says "I want to fight ten men" that fight is crazy awesome

[PilotMan]

Originally Posted by terpkristin

It's a double-edged sword. I have some series like Scrubs, Family Guy, and South Park that are long-running, and it's hard to sort through over 100 episodes to find the one I want, which is what I do when I watch those shows.

/tk

See, it's not hard for me, because I am cursed to watch episodes numerically, unless I've already seen it, an episode must be watched in order. It can get a little tedious.

[bignej]

Blue Mountain State - raunchy series about a fictional college football team. Not normally my cup of tea but 1 episode quickly turned into 8. Waiting for the kids to go to bed so I can watch more.

[terpkristin]

Originally Posted by PilotMan

See, it's not hard for me, because I am cursed to watch episodes numerically, unless I've already seen it, an episode must be watched in order. It can get a little tedious.

Yeah, I do that for a first-watch, too (like Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, which I've been watching). But for stuff that I just use to zone out/relax, like old favorite episodes of Scrubs, South Park, Futurama, or Family Guy, the new series feature is particularly annoying.

/tk

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Wow, there's a ton of new movies out there now. Looks like they added most of the 007 library to the list.

[hoopsguy]

Now rotating between Dexter for my online viewing while waiting for mail shipments of The Wire. Too much good TV.

[Butter]

Originally Posted by Sweed

And "Cheers" has finally made it to instant watch

Also the whole Jack Lord "Hawaii Five O" series and all of the old "Mission Impossible" episodes. Time to relive my youth.

That is awesome. Going to make the Cliff on Jeopardy episode a priority watch soon.

[Sweed]

And "Wings" is now being streamed.

If it weren't for sports I think I could cancel Dish and get along just fine with only netflix.

[panerd]

Originally Posted by Sweed

And "Wings" is now being streamed.

If it weren't for sports I think I could cancel Dish and get along just fine with only netflix.

I have the same problem and am generally late to the party (i.e. took me years to stop paying for a landline, kept my starz subscription until I realized netflix provided it as part of their streaming...) so if somebody could get me out from directv's ridiculous pricing plan I would be forever grateful. I wonder if a way exists already to watch sports as everything else could easily be watched on netflix, over the air antenna, and worst case hulu+.

I guess specifically I am talking about PTI, Fox Sports Midwest for Cardinals and Tigers, and a way to watch ESPN on my TV.

[gstelmack]

I just gave up on most sports outside of broadcast NFL games and some broadcast college games. I lost watching most of the NHL, I've never watched that much NBA and MLB, and tough for ESPN hiding all the stuff on ESPN3/360 so it could be tied to needing an ESPN subscription through cable TV.

Although the non-NFL leagues are supposed to have reasonable streaming packages available if you want them. The NFL charges an arm and a leg, does it through DirecTV, and they have restrictions (sigh).

Even sports weren't worth the $80/month it would cost me to keep them.

[Sweed]

Originally Posted by panerd

I have the same problem and am generally late to the party (i.e. took me years to stop paying for a landline, kept my starz subscription until I realized netflix provided it as part of their streaming...) so if somebody could get me out from directv's ridiculous pricing plan I would be forever grateful. I wonder if a way exists already to watch sports as everything else could easily be watched on netflix, over the air antenna, and worst case hulu+.

I guess specifically I am talking about PTI, Fox Sports Midwest for Cardinals and Tigers, and a way to watch ESPN on my TV.

Originally Posted by gstelmack

I just gave up on most sports outside of broadcast NFL games and some broadcast college games. I lost watching most of the NHL, I've never watched that much NBA and MLB, and tough for ESPN hiding all the stuff on ESPN3/360 so it could be tied to needing an ESPN subscription through cable TV.

Although the non-NFL leagues are supposed to have reasonable streaming packages available if you want them. The NFL charges an arm and a leg, does it through DirecTV, and they have restrictions (sigh).

Even sports weren't worth the $80/month it would cost me to keep them.

We are in a dead spot for over the air reception of local tv. I could go with the very basic cable package (still get NFL games and espn 360 is part of the package) and save $80 or so a month. That would leave me plenty to pay for MLB over the net and still come out way ahead.

My problem is even though I'm an ~8 hour drive from Chicago MLB still puts me in the blackout area for my Cubs (at least last time I checked). If I could find a way around that I would seriously look at making the change. I do enjoy my baseball IE Cubs games though and going without isn't something I want to do.

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by Sweed

We are in a dead spot for over the air reception of local tv. I could go with the very basic cable package (still get NFL games and espn 360 is part of the package) and save $80 or so a month. That would leave me plenty to pay for MLB over the net and still come out way ahead.

My problem is even though I'm an ~8 hour drive from Chicago MLB still puts me in the blackout area for my Cubs (at least last time I checked). If I could find a way around that I would seriously look at making the change. I do enjoy my baseball IE Cubs games though and going without isn't something I want to do.

See I'm in the "if they don't want to make it easy for me to watch, screw 'em, I've got plenty else to do" camp. I'm one of those who hasn't watched a Thursday night NFL game since they came on NFL network, and while I miss them, I don't miss paying for them. That's one less subscriber / advertising viewer they lose out on. Same for ESPN, the sports that are on it, etc. I may be just a drop in the bucket, but that bucket gets more and more full each year as people drop cable and satellite service for OTA / broadband.

If they want me to watch, they'll make it easy for me. If they'd rather cozy up to the cable companies, eh, that's their business, I'll just go play more Portal 2, or Mario Kart with the kids, or go to a movie (sigh), or other much cheaper forms of entertainment. Life's to short to pay $80/month for the privilege of watching other guys play games.

[tarcone]

We got rid of directv and have local and netflix. I listen to the Cards on the radio. College football hasnt started. Im wondering where I can get my Iowa football. But beyond that we havent looked back.

[Butter]

The movie FOUR LIONS. It is a hilarious movie about 4 terrorists planning a big "job" in London. It doesn't sound hilarious, but damned if it isn't. Watch it today. Three thumbs up.

[digamma]

Originally Posted by tarcone

We got rid of directv and have local and netflix. I listen to the Cards on the radio. College football hasnt started. Im wondering where I can get my Iowa football. But beyond that we havent looked back.

ESPN3 probably gets you a lot of the way there.

[DanGarion]

Netflix on Android phone is awesome.

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by digamma

ESPN3 probably gets you a lot of the way there.

Assuming you can get it. Since I don't get TV with TWC, I don't get ESPN3 over my RoadRunner connection.

[AnalBumCover]

Originally Posted by DanGarion

Netflix on Android phone is awesome.

You got it to stream on your Android? Which phone do you have?

[RainMaker]

Friday Night Lights. The first 4 seasons are on Netflix Instant and the 5th and final one will be up shortly (it's out on DVD). It is an incredible show, you just have to give it half a season to really hit you. The most realistic characters I've ever come across in a television show.

[JPhillips]

Marwencol is a great documentary about a former alcoholic that was beaten nearly to death and now creates and photographs pseudo-WWII scenes as a sort of self therapy.

[Scoobz0202]

I watched Marwencol a few weeks ago. Was really interesting.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by AnalBumCover

You got it to stream on your Android? Which phone do you have?

There's Netflix streaming on iPhone as well. Just have to download the app.

[DanGarion]

Originally Posted by AnalBumCover

You got it to stream on your Android? Which phone do you have?

Droid X. I used a modified version of the released version (since the Droid is not officially supported at this time).

[dave731]

It looks like they just added "Eerie, Indiana", just finished watching the "Bite the hand that feeds us" episode...that show was great when I was a kid. I'm loving Wings and Cheers as well. I'd be done with regular television as well if it weren't for sports and I'm still leaning strongly towards canceling DirectTV. If I used the $80/month towards attending Clemson football and basketball games, I might still come out alright.

[JPhillips]

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

The movie FOUR LIONS. It is a hilarious movie about 4 terrorists planning a big "job" in London. It doesn't sound hilarious, but damned if it isn't. Watch it today. Three thumbs up.

This is really good, like Monty Python on jihad.

[Qwikshot]

Originally Posted by Scoobz0202

I watched Marwencol a few weeks ago. Was really interesting.

I concur, I watched it too. Odd to think that getting lost in fantasy allows for one to get reattached to reality.

[DataKing]

Highlander. No, not any of the terrible sequels or any of the other bullshit that followed, but the original. If you haven't seen it, do so.

[wade moore]

Highly disappointed that Veronica Mars was pulled. We were about 1/2 through season 2.

[cschex]

Originally Posted by wade moore

Highly disappointed that Veronica Mars was pulled. We were about 1/2 through season 2.

Are you sure it was pulled? It's still showing up in my Instant Queue

[GoSeahawks]

God Grew Tired of Us
It's about the Lost Boy's of Sudan coming over to America, learning our culture having never used running water or electricity and working to send money back home. Very interesting...

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by cschex

Are you sure it was pulled? It's still showing up in my Instant Queue

If they pull an instant watch and you have it in the queue, you still have access to it. Always wise to add things to your queue if you're in the process of watching it. I've learned that the hard way more than once.

[tarcone]

America:The Story of Us. Watched the 1st couple episodes. There are 12 in all. Pretty good documentary. Good facts. Like 10% of all Americans can trace the heritage back to the Mayflower.

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by cschex

Are you sure it was pulled? It's still showing up in my Instant Queue

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

If they pull an instant watch and you have it in the queue, you still have access to it. Always wise to add things to your queue if you're in the process of watching it. I've learned that the hard way more than once.

This was different.

It was in my queue, went to watch it, and it said it wasn't available.

However, it appears to be back as if you search for it it is in the options to add and play.

Odd.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by tarcone

America:The Story of Us. Watched the 1st couple episodes. There are 12 in all. Pretty good documentary. Good facts. Like 10% of all Americans can trace the heritage back to the Mayflower.

I was excited to see this but I didn't really like it. Felt they focused too much on getting celebrities into the thing than putting together good information. I'd rather see historians or figures who lived out those events than hear what Puff Daddy and George Lopez thing about it.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I was excited to see this but I didn't really like it. Felt they focused too much on getting celebrities into the thing than putting together good information. I'd rather see historians or figures who lived out those events than hear what Puff Daddy and George Lopez thing about it.

+1. All the blowhards just ruined it.

[DataKing]

Some nice additions recently. Particularly for South Park (the first 14 seasons) and Bruce Campbell (The Evil Dead, The Man with the Screaming Brain, Alien Apocalypse) fans.

[DanGarion]

My wife and I have been rewatching Eureka, highly suggest it for anyone that would like to watch a light Sci-Fi show.

[McLovin]

WWII in HD. Awesome documentary following personal stories with a lot of never before seen footage. Very well done.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I guess I'm now part of this thread whether I like it or not.

Gave in to wife & son and signed up for Netflix tonight.

Good news: They're both happy.
Bad news: The first movie my son joins an XBL party to watch with friends is directed by Uwe Boll (Far Cry).

I feel like such a parental failure.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Okay, noob question time I guess.

What's the deal with the instant stuff, does it come & go frequently? Checked out the instantwatcher site mentioned a few pages back in the thread & incredibly randomly saw that the 1964 Beckett expires tomorrow, notable since I was just talking about that movie here at home two days ago. The site noted that it was available for streaming for two years, is that kind of normal? long?

[molson]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Okay, noob question time I guess.

What's the deal with the instant stuff, does it come & go frequently? Checked out the instantwatcher site mentioned a few pages back in the thread & incredibly randomly saw that the 1964 Beckett expires tomorrow, notable since I was just talking about that movie here at home two days ago. The site noted that it was available for streaming for two years, is that kind of normal? long?

I have huge queues (close to 500+ dvds, 150+ instant), and most weeks there's 3-4 changes in either direction (stuff moving on and off the instant watch list). But most things seem to stay on instant watch once they get there (seems like 90 to 95% do).

[Matthean]

Freakonomics and No Impact Man were rather good documentaries I watched. I had not seen Blazing Saddles in decades so that was fun to watch again. Mostly been watching season one of Veronica Mars.

[judicial clerk]

Pulp Fiction

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Anvil: The Story of Anvil is a great documentary. Tough not to root for these guys by the end of the show.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Okay, noob question time I guess.

What's the deal with the instant stuff, does it come & go frequently? Checked out the instantwatcher site mentioned a few pages back in the thread & incredibly randomly saw that the 1964 Beckett expires tomorrow, notable since I was just talking about that movie here at home two days ago. The site noted that it was available for streaming for two years, is that kind of normal? long?

I'm showing it as available on mine and nothing about it expiring.

From what I gather, Netflix rotates movies in and out. I don't know if this is a server space issue or part of the deals they cut with the studios. Probably a mix of both.

I'd also be curious to see if movie availability is different for various regions. Netflix uses a content delivery network that is more localized so I can imagine that some of the least requested items might get rotated out of regions for more popular ones as a cost cutting measure. So maybe the servers I pull it from has it while yours doesn't right now. I had a bunch of National Geographic stuff on mine that became unavailable recently.

I'm pretty sure they use user statistics on some of the things so saving items to your instant queue is always a smart move even if it's not currently available.

[JonInMiddleGA]

They Live

[JPhillips]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Anvil: The Story of Anvil is a great documentary. Tough not to root for these guys by the end of the show.

I enjoyed that one too. I wish someone had pointed out the biggest problem with the band was the sound of the lead singer.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

I enjoyed that one too. I wish someone had pointed out the biggest problem with the band was the sound of the lead singer.

Yeah, it was sort of odd. He was the glue that kept the band together, but also seemed like the one who kept them from succeeding. But at the same time, you're really excited for him and the band during the final scene/concert.