Netflix users must choose carefully

November 6, 2006 —

I've never seen the movie Whale Rider. But the DVD is sitting in my apartment right now, just like it has been for about three months - right next to the television on top of a bright red envelope.

It sounded good at the time. But it must be one of those movies you can only watch when you're in a certain mood. Apparently that mood is one that doesn't come over me very often, or at all.

Such is the problem with Netflix. It is far too easy to put movies in my queue. With just one click I can add An American Werewolf in Paris to a long list of movies that I have only the slightest desire to actually watch. Then I can rearrange those movies so that the ones I have never even heard of but that feature a cameo by Christopher Walken will remain in the middle of the pack forever, never making it past number 20 on the countdown to my mailbox.

And all the while I'm at home watching trash like Cry Wolf and saying, "Netflix rocks!"

So how did that pesky Whale Rider sneak its way to the top of my queue? I must have forgotten to log in for about two weeks and move it to its rightful place at number 36. And now it sits in its original envelope, gathering dust while someone in Munger who really likes movies about the Whangara people of New Zealand could be enjoying this movie that I refuse to watch.

I pay slightly more money to have three DVDs at a time from Netflix. As evidenced by my lackluster viewing habits, I really only need two discs (or even just one) at a time.

But then I think, if I only had one DVD at a time, I could be stuck with a movie I don't want and have no backup movie to watch instead. I could have Whale Rider clogging my proverbial Netflix arteries and be left high and dry until I open that envelope and force myself into a Whale Rider mood.

I just know that Whale Rider will be worth the wait - but is it worth the price? So far it has probably cost me close to 20 dollars to have that movie lie motionless on my entertainment center. If I had just been smart and added to my list only those movies that I knew I would watch, then I wouldn't be wasting so much money.

But Netflix isn't about making smart decisions. I have found that it's about finding those obscure movies that I stumble across based on the Web site's recommendations. How else would I have seen Coffee and Cigarettes? I didn't enjoy Coffee and Cigarettes, but that is beside the point.

Netflix has opened my eyes to a world of indie films that are often far more enjoyable than the blockbusters raking in the big dollars. And yes, one of those films is Whale Rider. I bet it's a great movie. I bet I'd really enjoy it. But at this rate I might have to just return it unwatched. After all, I have an entire list of movies waiting to be sent to me.

I think I may just send you back, Whale Rider. It's a tough decision, but I just looked at the New Releases and I can be the first person to reserve a copy of You, Me & Dupree. Netflix rocks!