Send Those Netflix Dollars to Facets

It has not been the smoothest week for Blockbuster-killer and reigning streaming video content titan Netflix. Social networks were aflame yesterday with the groans and whines of several million users who stand to see the price of their streaming video and DVD-in-the-mail plan effectively jump 60%. Whether or not it means a Netflix subscription still qualifies as a good deal or this affects consumers will consider an industry-backed alternative like Hulu Plus or more specialized upstarts such as Mubi, yesterday's news verifies that the shift away from DVDs and Blu-Ray discs and towards digital streaming alternatives continues to accelerate.

Netflix is the biggest (by far) player on the streaming block, with deals with the big Hollywood players and hardware manufacturers that its competitors surely envy. Lots of folks are bound to keep their streaming plans intact and forgo the now pricier-seeming DVD-in-the-mail portion of the Netflix subscription.

For anyone still hungry for DVDs, now is a great time to consider Chicago's own video-by-mail option: Facets Multimedia. With plans starting at $8.99 for one DVD at a time and both monthly and annual subscription options, the dent to your pocketbook will be quite comparable to the one left by Netflix. Those dollars will go to help support a truly unique local institution, which has been doing vital work to keep cinema culture alive for 36 years now.

And while Beverly Hills Chihuahua might not be part of the catalog, Facets' long history as a distributor has afforded them a collection of hard-to-find titles unmatched anywhere, period. They'll even still send you VHS copies of titles not yet available in disc form (in fact we've got one sitting at home right now). We've been enjoying the service since they officially launched it two years ago and can tell you that since some early kinks were worked out we have never regretted the decision. Plus, keeping that money local while supporting the festivals, retrospectives, distribution activities, conservation efforts and events that Facets Multimedia offers gives us the warm and fuzzies.

Yeah, you missed the Groupon, but it's never too late to sign up.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@chicagoist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Steven Pate in Arts & Events on July 14, 2011 3:40 PM

Comments [rss]

Mimihaha

I switched from Netflix to Facets to avoid the streaming thing.

Eric

I don't even live in Chicago (yet) and I'm still thinking about getting a Facets subscription. Appreciate what you have in that place, Chicago!

Joseph

Any streaming?

Facets Multi-Media

Not yet, but it's in the works.

elysedc

speaking as a facets intern, I can tell you that although we don't have "Beverly Hills Chihuahua", that is not to say we don't have mindless dog-related fare. If that's what you're in the mood for, you can always hit up the much beleaguered "Marmaduke," which is an absolute masterpiece in mediocrity, and depending on who you are, weirdly enjoyable. http://www.facetsmovies.com/us...

wildviolette

I live in Wicker Park and the only place I'll rent movies from is Odd Obsession on Milwaukee, just west of Leavitt. It's dirt cheap and they have pretty much everything.

Guest

Yes! Facets is awesome, and an amazing Chicago institution, with friendly and knowledgeable employees and great recommendations and hard-to-find titles that probably wouldn't even show up on a Netflix search. They have film festivals and great movies every week in their theatre. And even with a basic membership you get in free to the screenings, so if you go even once a month, you're saving money with a membership. Do it and help support one of Chicago's best film havens.

irritablevowel

Not to mention Facets Film School, where they have 6 week classes on different film genres, directors, actors, etc. taught by local film professors. The classes are fun and informative.