"In Praise of Selective Streaming"

What did you watch last night? If you’ve got a broadband connection, you’ve got access to largest repository of filmed content ever. Are you making the most of it?

I don’t subscribe to Netflix or Amazon Prime because I’m against recommendation algorithms. I don’t want the things I watch to be determined by viewing patterns in aggregate. And I don’t want my ability to watch a given film to be limited by a corporation’s licensing and distribution agreements. 

I rent movies on iTunes. Sure, it’s a bit more expensive, but the expense is justified by a much larger film library. Would you still subscribe to Spotify if you could only listen to a fraction of your favorite music and you couldn’t listen offline? 

This is less a polemic against streaming services and more an argument in favor of thinking carefully about what you’re watching. Each entry in the “Pairs” section will feature two complementary films on a given theme. Possibilities include: American Road Movies by German directors, Coming of Age Stories Featuring Animals, Movies set on Trains, etc.

If you like one of the movies, try the other. If you find the theme interesting, watch both. I believe that recommending movies is more art than science so I can’t guarantee that everybody will like every movie on this list, but I have done my best to provide a selection which includes titles from a variety of countries and on a diverse set of themes. 

Have a poke around, try something new, surprise yourself. Let me know if you have any recommended pairings. Guest posts appreciated!