I guess I won't be seeing any movies from them either.

I haven't rented from Blockbuster since i 2000 and i don't plan on going back.

[sarcasm]Yeah, I'm sure Total Access will put them right out of business. Netflix is such a great value by comparison. And there are so many other B&Ms to choose from...[/sarcasm]

dumb. most people that i know that rent, use netflix, should be interesting on how this goes.

ah well....so be it. This doesn't bother me in the slightest. I believe it's just another attempt at Blockbuster to try and regain something in the market. I haven't rented from them in over 3 years and have no intention whatsoever of going back. There is no way they can compete with Netflix, even with that ridiculous offer they have currently with their choice of mail them back or drop them off.

If the Weinstein movie sounds really good and worthy of a rental then I'll blind buy it from somewhere, and if it turns out I don't like it then I'll put it on eBay to recoup something back.

Since The Protector hits stores next Tuesday I wonder what's happening with this. Netflix does have that title listed on their site so I was curious.

Nearly a month later, Netflix shows The Protector as "available". It also lists Police Story 2 and Infernal Affairs 2 & 3 - all part of the Dragon Dynasty line - releasing on Feb. 13th.

I put PS2 in the #5 spot on my queue. We'll see what happens...

My local Hollywood Video finally got a copy of The Protector as well.
I'm going to try getting PS2 and the Infernal Affairs flicks through Netflix. If not, I'll add them onto the Blockbuster Online queue.

I haven't been too impressed with the "exclusives" from the Weinstein Co. so far. Good lord, 'The Protector' is just plain awful and I loved Tony Jaa's first film. Rented 'Unknown' this last weekend and it was, eh, ok. Just ok.

IMO, the mass public isn't really missing out on too much so far...

I was wondering why both The Protector and Unknown had 'Blockbuster Exclusive' plastered all over both the cover and the disc. Forgot about this exclusivity with the Weinsteins.

= J

So far, the Blockbuster Exclsives that I've stumbled upon are...
The Protector
Seven Swords
The Gathering
Prey
Unknown

I got "The Gathering" shipped today from Netflix, so I don't know what kind of BlockBuster exclusive it is.

Netflix, as well as any other video rental outlet, CAN purchase copies of these titles. From what I understand, they're just not able to purchase them through their normal distributor. Theoretically, there will be less copies at other rental outlets.

You are right Blockbuster can't compete with Netflix in the fact that heavy renters at Netflix get throttled (slowed down in what is sent). I get to pick movies right away at the B & M store with Blockbuster. That is right Blockbuster has no competition with Total Access, no other store does it. I get twice as many movies now as before with Netflix. Truly a crappy deal... whatever...

Blockbuster throttles as well. The Total Access thing is great if you want to drive to a Blockbuster to return movies.

which kind of defeats the purpose if you ask me, you need immediate gratification, so you jump in a car, waste some gas, return it yourself, no wonder Blockbusters stores still exist. Blockbuster in their infinite wisdom closed two stores in town (Washington DC) - stupid move, for Total Access.

Has Blockbuster started throttling? When I first joined there was a problem receiving movies and they assured me that they don't. They gave me some free rental coupons for the inconvenience.

Since then it's been okay, although with Total Access now I don't need to send things back as quickly so I don't know if I could tell. Did Netflix tell people they were throttling or did they deny it?

It's also worth mentioning that in addition to the in-store exchange, you get a monthly coupon that can be used for game rentals.

Blockbuster does not practice throttling, so they claim.

School for Scoundrels is another BBV exclusive that comes out next week, curious to see if any other rental chains actually carry it.

I still don't see what the big deal is. If other rental companies can purchase the films and rent them, then who cares. It just hurts the Weinsteins in the long run.

As far as Blockbuster Vs. Netflix...I haven't rented from a rental store in several years and don't plan to. And I would never, ever support Blockbuster via store or online rentals. They have always been a crappy company (I used to work for them years ago as well) and always will be.

Works great for me I drive by one on my way to and from work. I have not ever been throttled, I get new releases shipped right away and everything else shipped with the same efficiency. DVD's arrive in one day vs. two days that it took for Netflix, and I live 30 miles from the Netflix center.

My guess about the exclusives is that they must have to purchase a certain amount per store in order to make it worth it. There is no shortage of the exclusive titles at my local store.

I agree. After being a Netflix user, then moving to Blockbuster, the difference in speed of delivery is very noticeable. Netflix was taking 3-5 days at times. Blockbuster is between 1-2.

I never go into the store, so I never use that option. But so far (8+ months), Blockbuster has been much better.

I'm curious about that myself. That's the type of title Hollywood would have a full bay of so I'm wondering what they'll do.