Netflix Primer

The first time I streamed something over the Internet was most likely fourteen years ago when I first hopped onto "high speed" service. High speed quoted simply because by today's standards, well, let's just say it's come a long way and I would love to post about those days some other time. The method of delivery was Realplayer, unfortunately still around and because of those terrible years, has a horrible stigma around the name (to me, at least, I assume everybody hates it). What was streamed? I have no idea, but an educated guess would be a movie trailer.

Essentially the quality was terrible, there was lots of buffering and yeah, the quality was horrible. But what can you expect in terms of quality back then? I remember downloading Quicktime movie trailers back then that were about 240x152 or something ridiculous like that. So you can imagine what a stream would be. Overall not a great experience, and something that I wouldn't go back to until my hand is forced with sites such as Youtube. Quality is getting better, as is the whole experience.

So you can now stream a few minutes, in high quality, but a whole movie? I've ignored the whole scene, only taking a peek at a few articles here and there, until Netflix launched in Canada a few days ago. So there are lots of questions but we'll get right to the point: can I stream high definition onto my television and watch a movie without interruption? The first test would be yes, yes you can.

Now, Primer is the definition of a low-budget, indie flick so the quality cannot be superb, and perhaps is not the best movie for testing a streaming service like this, but quality be damned, this movie is one of the best. Just one last note on the quality: it did have some of those "streaming artifacts" and blocking present, so in considering choosing this format or a disc, the disc is always going to win. But something must be said for the convenience of selecting a movie and you watching it within seconds.

They say Primer was filmed for $7000 but you would never know it: the low-budgetness is built right into the film: a young group of what we can only call inventors, are inventing. They are cost-conscience and using whatever they can around the house. We have no idea what they are building and it doesn't matter. They speak in another tongue that you should be able to understand, and you sort of do, but moving onto the next scene it hits you that you are still unclear what just happened.

And then you are watching a movie about avoiding doubles and time travel. Things get interesting and tense, as the movie progresses things start making sense but it's still unclear how this device works, but don't worry, it's not relevant. This movie has such lofty ideas and doesn't hold back; you appreciate the ability and freedom to analyze what you've just seen after the movie is done.

I'm still not entirely sure what happened in the end but that's not going to get me down. Primer is a blast to watch, and reaffirms my faith in science fiction film-making: it's more about the ideas than the special effects.