Thought I'd share this website with all of you because it's possibly the best website I've ever encountered. I'm not sure how to describe it. It's like Hulu on steroids. You can watch watch pretty much any movie you want, even if it's still in theaters. I just finished watching Duncan Jones' Moon (which was awesome).  You don't even have to deal with torrents or other peer-to-peer garbage. Its all streaming video like Hulu. Check it out.

-the 37th President

Some people may not like the fact that you posted this.

A few sites like this exist and they are good if you don't mind lackluster quality.

I imagine there would some legality issues with this site.

Nope, the site is legal. They would have something like this somewhere:

Quoted Text STC does not  stream, host, communicate or make available content of any kind. The videos that STC links to are hosted and shown from a wide range of third party broadcaster, video streaming and TV network websites. Any videos shown on third party websites are the responsibility of those sites and not SurfTheChannel. We have no knowledge of whether content shown on third party websites is or is not authorized by the content owner as that is a matter between the host site and the content owner. If you are the copyright owner of the video on the third party site that this page links to and you have not authorized it for publication then please report this link to us immediately for removal. This can be done by following the guidelines on our Link Removal Policy. SurfTheChannel is not responsible for content of external internet sites. SurfTheChannel.com is not responsible for the availability of such third party web sites. The content of such third party web sites is beyond our control. We neither endorse, make any representations nor accept any liability (whether direct or indirect) for such third party web sites or their content, products or services offered at those web sites, or by their sponsoring companies.

Like Surf The Channel does. The site would be legal, as they are just a portal to ILLEGAL streaming sites. This is the same as peer to peer torrent sites (some of them).

I have found that Megavideo usually has very lovely quality when streaming and recommend it.

Quoted from Old Time Wesley Some people may not like the fact that you posted this. A few sites like this exist and they are good if you don't mind lackluster quality.

I've actually been surprised by how good the quality has been. The stream of Star Trek I watched was near DVD quality. I guess people are bringing better cameras to the theaters.

For us screenwriters who want to make it in the business, sites like this ain't good as it stops people splashing the cash.

Quoted from jayrex sites like this ain't good as it stops people splashing the cash.

Yeah, but it doesn't stop the movie companies from fronting the cash to us. After that, then, they worry.

Let's be honest, folks... Most revenue in hollywood comes from DVD's and pay for services. such as Netflix - and on demand. Box Office is only a means to an end... Basically, we've done it for so long we've gotta carry on tradition. Like the drive in movie, in door theaters are slowly giving up the ghost.  You might not see it now, but as your tv screens get bigger in your living room and that HD content comes faster down your optic cables... The movie, and the cost involved will not even be a second thought to you all.

It might seem like a never situation, but it's closer than you think.  Hell, I have a 52 in 1080P Sony bravia, blu-ray player and a ps3... I can get any movie I want in HD quality and never leave my house.  < Not that I condone that behavior, but I'm just saying... I never wanna go to the movies anymore.  

To be fair, Hollywood makes it easier and easier with the shit they unload on us, but still... Fact is fact. Movies suck and paying 70 bucks for your family to go to one is financial suicide in the American economy. I don't care if Obama can win 100 Nobel awards for not doing anything, he hasn't balanced our budget yet and, to quote a line from my upcoming epic "FROST BITE" -->  "he can't turn water into wine, turn back the hands of time or raise the dead."

Nuff said...

Quoted from Nixon I guess people are bringing better cameras to the theaters.

Is that why they keep coming in all the time inspecting the people in the theater?

Baltis, I don't know how many Tv's we have in this house, but they are all tube TV's.   Husband came close to running out and getting a big LED last weekend for the Gator game when the "big" TV in the family room had a really skewed picture. I fixed it however, by slapping it a few times. That always does the trick.

I usually rent or by movies from iTunes then watch them on my laptop. 17" is more than enough for me.  

Quoted from jayrex For us screenwriters who want to make it in the business, sites like this ain't good as it stops people splashing the cash.

I'm not saying you're wrong but people have been claiming pirated movies would bankrupt hollywood for nearly a decade. Film (and other forms of media) are constantly changing, and I think sites like this are part of that change. Change is good. Look at how people get and interact with media today and compare it with ten years ago. I'm not sure I could survive without itunes and hulu.

How many people, here, would be cool if someone stole your script?  If you're fine with it, then enjoy your films.


Phil

Quoted from Grandma Bear I usually rent or by movies from iTunes then watch them on my laptop. 17" is more than enough for me.

Exactly... and that's more than enough for most people today. That's why the movie industry is hurting. They have to have a reason to go out and they just don't.  I'm like you in a lot of ways, I love streaming movies onto a lap top or a little TB drive and being done with it.  I've done away with all physical media, save for my blu-ray collection which I'm now porting over to my TB drive at under 4 gb and still retaining 96% of the original picture in the process.

The problem with the above link, the site the guy posted and is touting as god... Hollywood hasn't made a movie I'd pay to go see in years and, in turn, they haven't made one worth stealing, either.  Why bother?

Quoted from dogglebe How many people, here, would be cool if someone stole your script?  If you're fine with it, then enjoy your films.

I have voiced my opinion on this many many times...

Quoted from dogglebe How many people, here, would be cool if someone stole your script?  If you're fine with it, then enjoy your films. Phil

I call BS on that.

By me watching a film on one of those streaming sites, I am making no money from it. What's the worst thing that can happen? I'm not paying my $15 or so to see it in the cinema, or my $5 to hire the DVD, I hear you say.

BUT, if it is a good film, I will tell my friends and family about it. Some of them are sure to buy, hire or see in it in the cinema, which they may not have done without me telling them about it. Hell, I might even go with them.

So by previewing the film, as I do on these sites, I am, by word of mouth (which is the best advertising) making good films make more money, and crap films make less money.

One could even argue that the film industry are making more money due to exposure on sites like the one posted than if they weren't posted.

Stealing a script, changing some character names, making it, and selling it IS making money, and is of course bad.

Big difference in my book.

This is partially why the price of movie tickets have risen so much.  People are finding ways to watch them for free (stealing them).


Phil

Quoted from Tommyp I call BS on that. By me watching a film on one of those streaming sites, I am making no money from it. What's the worst thing that can happen? I'm not paying my $15 or so to see it in the cinema, or my $5 to hire the DVD, I hear you say. BUT, if it is a good film, I will tell my friends and family about it. Some of them are sure to buy, hire or see in it in the cinema, which they may not have done without me telling them about it. Hell, I might even go with them. So by previewing the film, as I do on these sites, I am, by word of mouth (which is the best advertising) making good films make more money, and crap films make less money. One could even argue that the film industry are making more money due to exposure on sites like the one posted than if they weren't posted. Stealing a script, changing some character names, making it, and selling it IS making money, and is of course bad. Big difference in my book.

And I call BS on this.  You're not doing the studios any favors by stealing their movies. And you don't have as much pull with your friends as you may think.  They are also influenced by movies critics and what the honest viewers say.


Phil

Well it is a fact that word of mouth advertising is the best advertising.

Anyway I don't have anything to retort, because I've said it all before.

I'm sure production companies are still making their zillions of dollars with these sites up... because if they weren't, don't you think they would put more effort into taking them down?

It's like jaywalking. Yes, it's illegal, but many cops do not care if you do it, and the ones that do give you a warning.

Phil, I do understand your point, but I stick strongly to mine. Maybe it's because I'm young? I dunno... I might change with age, but at the moment, I do not feel bad for "stealing" movies.

And please, at least I am honest about my dishonestly.

I HATE people that think it's okay to steal from anyone because "they make tons of money anyway". This goes for all of us trying to protect our "Intellectual Property". Why the hell do you bother registering your scripts if you think it's okay for someone to steal it?

Regardless of one's stance on piracy, I don't think it can be compared to stealing a script. No matter how much a movie gets hurt by piracy, there's money coming from somewhere and while the people behind the movie might be getting screwed out of their percentages, a lot of them still got paid for their jobs. If someone steals your script, not only do you not make a cent but they get all the credit for your hard work and creativity. So it's more than just money being lost for the screenwriter. They lose everything. What any movie loses from piracy is variable. No matter how wrong you think piracy is, you can't compare something to nothing.

And besides, what exactly is the film industry doing to counteract piracy? It's not like they can do anything, really. Piracy's here to stay. But honestly, it seems like what the industry's doing only makes things worse. Jacking up the prices? They risk alienating even more audiences by trying to cover their bets. There's plenty of turds out there who download movies and music for the sheer accessibility of it but a lot of it is also a response to the poor quality of the product. Also, the studios aren't helping themselves by not screening their crappy movies for critics. People automatically know they're bad when this happens and any good reviews they could've gotten are lost.

I won't argue that piracy isn't stealing. Honestly, that's impossible. Even if you download a movie and go out to buy it afterward, it's still stealing. I don't condemn it but really, it is what it is. Either way, it's not going anywhere.

Pia, please don't hate me! Now you put it like that, my point regarding that was weak, and I take it back. I still stick with the fact that pirated movies are possible making production companies more money than they would have if it was all above board.

James, I agree... It can't be compared to stealing a script.

I see a film at the cinema, or hire a film about once every two weeks, but I would be much more willing to see a film in the cinema if it was half the price. They would pack the place out.

Quoted from Grandma Bear 17" is more than enough for me.

If I were a braver man there's a good joke in there methinks.

Re

Quoted from James McClung Piracy's here to stay.

So's rape, murder, hunger and bigotry.  That doesn't mean we should condone it.


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe So's rape, murder, hunger and bigotry.  That doesn't mean we should condone it. Phil

Not sure I'd lump piracy amongst any of those or even in the same ball park. Besides, I don't condone it and made no attempt to do so. I just don't think it can be compared to stealing scripts.

I'm trying to produce a reality show... A LOT of money is at stake. If people can watch the series for free, we the producers and the investors might not get our invested money back. This isn't peanuts we're talking about...

Now. Interesting a mod should post the link.

Had a look. Pretty damn good quality. Good selection too.

My view is this. Guy who watches a pirate probably not gonna spend the money for the original official thing anyway. If it all disappeared tomorrow do you really think sales and movie tickets are gonna sell far more. I don't think so.

The figures for piracy are like most statistics: made up on the spot.

86.2% of all statistics are bullshit.

I don't see the harm myself. It's like that "Home Taping Is Killing Music" rubbish in the 80s. Er no. You're making millions EMI you liars.

I'm with TommyP on this. I don't think the studios are exactly in the poor house now are they? And lumping piracy in with rape, murder, hunger and bigotry is just plain old silly/

Re is entitled to his opinions as are everyone else.

Nuff said.

Re

Quoted from dogglebe How many people, here, would be cool if someone stole your script?  If you're fine with it, then enjoy your films. Phil

There is a difference, there, I have to admit.

Only one person can steal my script and make money from it. After that, anyone who steals the script would be stealing from them.

Besides, there'll always be stupid people who go to the movies, who buy DVD's, etc.

On the other hand, I love going to the movies. Great experience, except when you're surrounded by stupid people who don't stop talking, or when the projector is off-center. So, if the movie is worth my money, and fuck buying food. I just bring it in myself, as I used to work at the theater, so they know me.

9 times out of 10, though, the movies I see are not worth my very-limited supply of money.

Last thing, Dog. Hollywood, and their neverending stream of money has about an 80-year headstart on my scripts. Hollywood would wipe its ass with $1,000,000. Now, for me, $1,000,000 would be the difference between living how I am now and living better. So, despite what you may believe, there is no comparison between pirating movies and stealing a script.

-Sean

don't call Phil Dog...

also, there's no "never ending stream of money from Hollywood". You have no idea what you're talking about!

Quoted from Grandma Bear don't call Phil Dog... also, there's no "ever ending stream of money from Hollywood". You have no idea what you're talking about!

I call people by their usernames by habit. From now on, I'll try to remember to call him "Phil", ok?

And, you're right. I have no idea what I'm talking about. But I know God damn well they have more money than I do. So, if they have money to burn on lame sequels and pointless remakes, all the more power to them. I wish them good luck and happy trails.

I have a creedo, I stand by. It's not forcing beliefs onto others. Don't try and change my mind and I won't bother, either. =)

Quoted from Mr. Blonde Last thing, Dog. Hollywood, and their neverending stream of money has about an 80-year headstart on my scripts. Hollywood would wipe its ass with $1,000,000. Now, for me, $1,000,000 would be the difference between living how I am now and living better. So, despite what you may believe, there is no comparison between pirating movies and stealing a script.

So, because the studios have made money off them, it's okay to steal from them, right?

Phil

Phil has never called himself "Dog".

Investors may have more money than you, but it's up to them what they want to invest their money in. It's not for you to decide if they made a sucky choice and therefore the product is for you to download for free.

Quoted from Mr. Blonde I have a creedo, I stand by. It's not forcing beliefs onto others. Don't try and change my mind and I won't bother, either. =)

This isn't a matter of beliefs; it's the law.  You're not supposed to d/l and copy films.  If you believe you have the right to, because the company makes a lot of money, then you should feel okay about stealing groceries, cars, medications, and Dachsunds.


Phil

Quoted from Grandma Bear Phil has never called himself "Dog".

I always wondered why so many people, here, do that.  Especially when I sign my name each time I post.


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe So, because the studios have made money off them, it's okay to steal from them, right? Phil

Who said it was ok to steal? Certainly not me. I know stealing is illegal. Yet, apparently, if you use wireless internet and get someone else's connection, it's unlawful. I never understood what makes it different.

I'm rambling, though. Sorry.

Do people steal? Yes. Is it right? No. Will it stop? No. Who does it? Depends. In my case, people who can't afford to go to the theater, which is considerably more enjoyable than watching at home.

Quoted from Grandma Bear Phil has never called himself "Dog". Investors may have more money than you, but it's up to them what they want to invest their money in. It's not for you to decide if they made a sucky choice and therefore the product is for you to download for free.

Yes, I understand that, me (Pia, is it?). I could've called him by his full online name "Dogglebe" but it would be very much ado about nothing, seeing as how I quoted him...

As for responding to that part, see above. I already answered it. And, again, you're trying to make me accept your opinion. Wars get started by people who fight over opinions.

EDIT:

Quoted from dogglebe This isn't a matter of beliefs; it's the law.  You're not supposed to d/l and copy films.  If you believe you have the right to, because the company makes a lot of money, then you should feel okay about stealing groceries, cars, medications, and Dachsunds. Phil

No, it's my opinion, as you missed what I said saying. My opinion goes along with what you said about how... Let me get a direct quote. I hated mis-quoting people. "So's rape, murder, hunger and bigotry.  That doesn't mean we should condone it."

It seems to me what you're saying there is that you're comparing crimes against humanity to not paying out $16 (which is usual) for something that is not only non-essential to your survival but also not of a quality that is even worth the viewing, more often than not, of course. Sounds like you are comparing apples to bowling pins, there, Phil...

Wars also get started when people violate the rights of others.

I think I'm done with this thread.


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe In reference to the one post where Phil is talking about copying media...

I dunno, Phil... I copy my movies all the time. I also make back up disc to any OS or software I buy for reasons of not having to buy it again, should I lose the original. For instance, I use Corel painter x for all my art work and stuff... I made a back up of it, thankfully, because someone stole my original. Now anytime I need to use it on a reboot I just use it.  Had I not done so I would've had to fork out 300 bucks again.

I find no harm in copying your media and backing it up, as long as you've bought it once. I do not condone stealing, streaming or peer to peering viable media or software... I do advocate backing up your stuff so, in the event something goes wrong, you have it.

I was actually referring to people calling me Dog or Dogglebe, here.


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe I was actually referring to people calling me Dog or Dogglebe, here. Phil

I know, I got the wrong quote...  

Quoted Text This isn't a matter of beliefs; it's the law.

Laws are beliefs themselves, so I believe his argument does have some merit. Whether you are punished for disobeying them or not, or if you even give shit about them in the first place, is a different matter entirely.

Quoted Text If you believe you have the right to, because the company makes a lot of money, then you should feel okay about stealing groceries, cars, medications, and Dachsunds.

But the thing is, he doesn't. You're trying to lump everything together into one category. It will never work. In fact, comparing piracy to rape like in your other post is quite possibly the and most ridiculous thing I have ever read, and that's being nice. Crime is too broad a term for you to do that.  

If I want to watch Twilight through a stream just to pick it apart for a blog review, I'll do it. There's no way I will contribute money to that craze. That doesn't mean I feel like I have the right to go outside and rape a girl because I'm horny. Like it or not, we all have different ranges of what we consider ethical behavior. Some people don't give a shit about piracy. I don't think they should be lumped together with rapists and bank robbers, or other people who commit criminal assaults.

Personally, I don't like watching pirated movies or streams because the quality is almost always horrid. I just felt the need to point out just how ridiculous your analogy was.

Quoted Text I find no harm in copying your media and backing it up, as long as you've bought it once. I do not condone stealing, streaming or peer to peering viable media or software... I do advocate backing up your stuff so, in the event something goes wrong, you have it.

I wish I had started doing that sooner. I had to pay for two DVDs of The Exorcist because some jackass spilt Kool-Aid on my first one. Actually, not just "some jackass," but my friend. But still..I was pissed off, to say the least. That thing is hard to remove once it dries up.


--Julio

Quoted from Baltis. I find no harm in copying your media and backing it up, as long as you've bought it once. I do not condone stealing, streaming or peer to peering viable media or software... I do advocate backing up your stuff so, in the event something goes wrong, you have it.

Pretty sure that's legal, so long as you are copying media for the reasons you've stated.

Quoted from dogglebe This isn't a matter of beliefs; it's the law.  You're not supposed to d/l and copy films.  If you believe you have the right to, because the company makes a lot of money, then you should feel okay about stealing groceries, cars, medications, and Dachsunds.

See? Now that's a way better comparison than rape, murder, etc. Still, downloaders don't give a shit. Why? Because they can commit crime in the comfort of their own homes with complete anonymity and without having to see the faces of the people they're ripping off. Not to mention the process is the same as, say, updating virus software. This is precisely why piracy is so prevalent.

As I've already said, I'm not condoning it and not knowing much about the costs of filmmaking like Pia, I won't presume to know how much piracy effects filmmakers (although I'm damn certain their profits aren't nonexistent, even if they don't make all of their money back). I will say that as a paid (but not yet professional) screenwriter, I'm not going to let piracy bother me. Not now and not in the future. If Abattoir gets pirated and I lose part of my cut, I'll be bummed for sure. But I won't lose sleep over it. What's the point when there's practically as many illegal downloaders out there as there are voters? And just like voters, they're all anonymous. There's really not much you can do as a writer. The studios are losing the battle as it is and it seems like they're trying really hard. That's not to say there's nothing you can do but personally, I really think my time is better spent writing the best I can than joining some kind of crusade.

Oh dear. the old "piracy is bad. . . Mkay"

I'm surprised this argument is even happening here. I thought if you write scripts then you must be a movie geek.

If you are stupid enough to buy a super duper $2000 flat screen TV so you can download and watch poor quaily movies than more fool you. Let the stupid people be happy.

One very simple reason I don't do pirate movies cause I am obsessed with films and I believe you only get to experience a movie for the first time once and once only. so you want to make that experience as perfect as possible.

But if I fail to see a particular movie at the cinema or unable to rent it on DVD, than I resort to my trusty Utorrent. But only as a last resort.

So, you write a script, get it produced, and all that, shouldn't someone pay to see all that hard work?

No, it doesn't help that it is expensive and that most of what's out now is crap, but still

I'm of the same opinion as Tonka. I love movies and would prefer to see the ones I'm really keen on at the cinema. As for the ones the ones I let slip through to DVD, I'd still prefer to pay $3 to watch them rather than watch a crappy pirated version. The philistines who prefer watching crappy quality DVDs over good quality ones, just to save a few lousy bucks, are usually the type of people who prefer Dominos’ pizza over authentic Italian pizza.   But hey, we all have different taste. It’s just that some people’s taste is in their arse.

Quoted from Takeshi I'm of the same opinion as Tonka. I love movies and would prefer to see the ones I'm really keen on at the cinema. As for the ones the ones I let slip through to DVD, I'd still prefer to pay $3 to watch them rather than watch a crappy pirated version. The philistines who prefer watching crappy quality DVDs over good quality ones, just to save a few lousy bucks, are usually the type of people who prefer Dominos’ pizza over authentic Italian pizza.   But hey, we all have different taste. It’s just that some people’s taste is in their arse.

To be fair to piraters, there are good ones out there. Hell, I can rip a Blu-ray movie under 4 gb and retain 96% of the picture quality using the proper software and tools to do it.  It also doesn't take but an hour to do it.  Now, I don't go out and slap these movies up on sites for people to DL, but I know people, myself included, that can take a 4gb DVD and compress it down to 700mb and still retain the quality of the film within 2 % of it's original quality.

It's a challenge to some people to make good quality rips. Some people just do it for back ups and some people do it for other people.  There's always a market for it and I don't agree with feeding into it, but there are benifits to tech and I encourage people to explore those benifits.

Hmm hmm hmm. It could almost be said that Hollywood has been dumbing down the movie going public so they can shovel any sort of shit onto them. And now the movie audience has got so dumb they will watch any poor quality pirate shit and embrace it as if it with the same zezt as HDD blu-ray.

As the kid from the Simpsons would say: HAR-HAR! and point his finger at the big studios.  

Quoted from tonkatough Hmm hmm hmm. It could almost be said that Hollywood has been dumbing down the movie going public so they can shovel any sort of shit onto them. And now the movie audience has got so dumb they will watch any poor quality pirate shit and embrace it as if it with the same zezt as HDD blu-ray. As the kid from the Simpsons would say: HAR-HAR! and point his finger at the big studios.

How else was Soul Plane supposed to get an audience?

I called the argument before it started. Thank you.

Back to this site Nixon posted. It looks a lot like Youtube which doesn't have the copyrights to everything posted, I'm sure.

As long as you can't download the movie I don't see why if the person enjoyed the film they wouldn't turn around and purchase it.

I don't really care about the argument because whatever side you are on you cannot win. If you have the time to argue and it gets nowhere be my guest but neither side cares what the other says.

Quoted from tonkatough Hmm hmm hmm. It could almost be said that Hollywood has been dumbing down the movie going public so they can shovel any sort of shit onto them. And now the movie audience has got so dumb they will watch any poor quality pirate shit and embrace it as if it with the same zezt as HDD blu-ray. As the kid from the Simpsons would say: HAR-HAR! and point his finger at the big studios.

If the big Hollywood studios went broke due to piracy and big budget movies became  financially unviable, I wonder if the emphasis for making movies would shift from making movies for money and on to making movies for the sake of the art.