I have both and both are awesome. If you already have a Wii you don’t really need the Roku. If you don’t have a Wii, Roku is cheap and works really well with a very intuitive user interface. I would recommend it over the Wii if it is an either/or situation. This is because, beyond Netflix, Roku is nice on its own. It’s neat to be able to stream Pandora or rent from Amazon on your TV.
Still, if all you want is Netflix and you own a Wii, the disc works well and is free.
It would be an either or situation. I’m leaning toward the Roku; I mean, we’d recoup costs almost immediately from downsizing the plan, plus I get my fill of playing the Wii at future MIL’s house. I would love being able to choose from a large variety what I’m in the mood for (like renting from a brick and mortar store once was), not what’s in disc form in front of me.
Antinor01, is it difficult to set up the streaming on a PS3? My parents’ movie store just closed, and I think they and my little brother would appreciate the streaming. They’re not on the ball enough to only do Netflix by the disc, and littlebluth has a PS3.
It was very easy. You get a netflix instant streaming disk and a code. I don’t recall exactly how it worked, but you basically put the code in on your computer and then it links your account to the PS3. It took all of about 45 seconds.
If it maters to you, I believe the Wii only displays 480 resolution. It’s watchable on our 42" TV and works fine for dramas or TV shows but it’s certainly no substitute for DVD/Blu-Ray when it comes to visual displays of awesome.
In a few months, you won’t even need the disc.
Zombieland is now available, and sort of appropriate for this thread.
I just watched Ping Pong Playa the other night. I haven’t laughed so hard since the first time I saw Grandma’s Boy (which they don’t have streaming yet, unfortunately).
In fact, I’m gonna go watch it again right now.
Most “thrillers” are lame. I suggest four that are crazy good.
The Horseman (very violent, the fight scenes are so good you will forget they aren’t real. There were a few times I actually had to take a break from this movie. It is very brutal and very good. Adults only.)
Funny Games (German, subtitled. This is a legendary film, more tense and nerve wracking than violent, in fact all violence happens… well, I won’t say. It will make you yell at the screen and the perps are amazingly natural and almost likeable. Don’t read the reviews before watching. After watching, you will be itching to write your own because your opinions will be strong on this one. Adults only probably, it will undermine your faith in the human race.)
The Chaser (Korean. Again, a legendary true thriller. You become heavily invested in the characters and the outcome is very uncertain, unlike American films. You will chew your fingernails off. Adults only.)
The Host (Korean monster vs family film, not horror or crappy, really strong character development. Bad name, great movie. One of my all time favorites. Not as brutal as the others, probably suitable for 12+)
Watch any one of these and you will say, “Hey, that guy was right! What were those other three he mentioned?”
Breaking the rules of the thread, Attack the Gas Station! belongs on your long term save only queue, if it ever shows up it will be worth it (crazy crazy crazy Korean comedy.)
Nice thread. All you Netflix Instant Watchers should check out http://feedfliks.com/, a site that lists what movies will be streaming soon, which will expire soon, and more.
Excellent, then it’s decided. I’ll sign 'em up with a Netflix trial and get littlebluth to set up the streaming to the PS3. Thanks a bunch, I really didn’t know that the PS3 could be streamed, thought it was just the Wii and the 360.
Sadly, it doesn’t matter to me, as I’ve got a 32" hand me down regular TV.
You, sir, are a god among men.
I watched it based on your recommendation, and I was pleasantly surprised how good it was. It wasn’t graphic, but the reality of it makes it more macabre than any normal, gory slasher movie.
Also, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is on there. Nothing like going from laughter to rage in 3 seconds.
Season 1-3 30 Rock
Season 1-4 Futurama
Firefly
Serenity
Dollhouse
Sanctuary
The Sarah Connor Chronicles
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Silverado
Walk, Don’t Run
Time After Time
Seconded. Lewis CK is one of the funniest stand-up comedians I’m aware of.
Wow, Ping Pong Playa. I admit I didn’t expect much of this when we watched it, but it was charming. Low budget, but pretty funny and a real work of the heart. You could tell it mattered to the people in it.
My recommendation is a French film I saw recently, Amelie. Really charming, interesting character study with a sweet romantic twist to it. And it was really quite funny.
This movie and Alive hold the dubious honor of being the only two movies I have ever seen that have permanently fucked me up.
I was actually thinking about it again this morning and wondering if there was a good thread in there somewhere. Something like, movies that have changed you life in a bad way.
A highly disturbing film. I recommend it be watched by everyone.
Ever since i got a 360 I’ve mostly abandoned the whole “get movies in the mail” part of Netflix for the vastly superior “stream stuff right to my TV” part of the service. I’ve been very pleasantly surprised by a bunch of movies I’d never even heard about before, movies that i would probably have never added to my queue. Here’s a few gems from the past week alone:
Severance, a British horror/comedy that actually does a very good job in both fronts. Unlike other horror/comedies that are usually very heavy at the comedy but are absolutely not the least bit scary like Zombieland or Shaun of the dead. This one actually delivers on both fronts.
Triangle, i was blown away by this movie. It’s a horror movie, but if i had to compare it to anything it would be Memento. I really don’t want to spoil anything about it, just do yourself a huge favor and watch it.
Fear of a Black Hat, A 90’s hip hop version of “This is Spinal Tap”. And yes it does live up to that comparison. A mockumentary about the fake rap group N.W.H (niggas with hats). Sadly i don’t think this one is available for instant play anymore.
That’s it for now, there have been plenty of stinkers too but that’s for a different thread.
A stunning documentary filmed, with no editing by the government, in North Korea. A great insight into life for the privileged(by NK standards) populous of Pyongyang.
Wonderful and oddly disturbing.
Dear Zachary: A letter to a Son about his Father
Amazingly moving documentary. I dare you to watch the whole thing. I double dog dare you!
It’s sadder, perhaps, than Graveyard of the Fireflies, but equally beautiful and moving. I promise if you watch Dear Zachary, you will never, ever, forget it.
Last night I watched Pressure Cooker, a documentary about an inner city culinary arts program. It was really sweet and feel-good - not hard hitting journalism, but I quite enjoyed it. And you’ll need it after Dear Zachary.
If you love silly old Hollywood musicals, There’s No Business Like Show Business is available for instant viewing. It’s Ethel Merman, Donald O’Connor, Mitzi Gaynor and Marilyn Monroe in a completely corny, angsty, all-singing, all-dancing story. You will laugh inappropriately, pull faces, and snap and clap along.
I was trying to decide if it was fair for me to mention Pressure Cooker. The teacher, Wilma Stephenson, is my cousin. I think the documentary is awesome, but I’m biased. 
She reminded me so much of my high school AP English teacher!
there is a British movie called “Secret Society” that had me laughing out loud (which is unusual) this guy decides his overweight wife is really an alien instead of the secret sumo wrestler that she is.
I would never have rented it but on instant watch it caught my attention.