Christmas Movies on Netflix

Looking for a holiday movie? Some of our favorites like “It’s a Wonderful Life” are not available on Netflix, but there are some great choices for the whole family, couples or adults!

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Netflix Wikipedia

White Christmas Netflix Wikipedia

Jingle All the Way Netflix Wikipedia

The Nightmare Before Christmas Netflix Wikipedia

The Polar Express Netflix Wikipedia

Love Actually Netflix Wikipedia

 

Finally, Fireplace for Your Home displays a fireplace with Christmas music! Perfect background for our Christmas gathering!

Enjoy your Christmas holiday!

 

Netflix Profiles - How to Use This Great New Feature

Netflix has become a part of my routine. It’s often running in the background while I do other tasks around the house -- everything from cooking and cleaning to preparing documents for clients.
Now, thanks to Netflix Profiles and “My List,” you can share your account with a roommate or your kids and have separate lists of programming for each profile!
CNET explains the profiles: http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57598023-285/how-to-set-up-and-manage-netflix-profiles/




Remember, Netflix offers a free trial so it’s always a good time to start a new account!

My Emmy Picks!

Here are my Emmy picks (from this list)...

 

Outstanding drama series: Homeland

Outstanding lead actress in a drama series: Claire Danes, "Homeland"

Outstanding lead actor in a drama series: Damian Lewis, "Homeland" ALTHOUGH Bryan Cranston is worthy as well

Outstanding supporting actor in a drama series: Peter Dinklage, "Game of Thrones"

Outstanding supporting actress in a drama series: Emilia Clarke, "Game of Thrones"

Outstanding comedy series: _________

Outstanding lead actress in a comedy series: Tina Fey, "30 Rock"

Outstanding lead actor in a comedy series: Louis CK, "Louie"

Outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series: Tony Hale, "Veep" OR Bill Hader

Outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series: _______

I don’t have picks for any other categories except:

Outstanding variety series: "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart"

What do you think?

More Astonishing X-Men "Motion Comics" on Netflix

Motion comics are a lot like those things we had as kids in school, where a voice (or voices) told a story then a tone would indicate it’s time to move the image forward to the next slide, except motion comics are better.

If you are a fan of the first Astonishing X-Men set on Netflix, “Dangerous,” you might enjoy “Torn” and “Unstoppable” which are both now on the service.

Check them out here.

Amazon Prime is a Worthy Alternative to Netflix

While I am a huge fan of what Netflix does, especially the latest enhancements to the user interface and the coming profile technology so families can share an account with separate viewing lists, Amazon Prime is a great alternative. With Amazon Prime, you get free 2 day shipping on most items Amazon sells, $3.99 overnight shipping and $8.99 overnight to Saturday delivery. Often the 2 day shipping orders placed on Friday or Saturday arrive on Monday even though the official guarantee is 2 business days (Tuesday).

Join Amazon Prime - Watch Over 40,000 Movies

With the link above, you get a free 30 day trial of the service, well worth giving it a shot if only for the 1000s of unlimited TV shows and movies in the Prime video catalog.

Check it out and enjoy!

Netflix - User Profiles and Super HD

For all of the complaints after that time Netflix was going to split into two services, the company really does offer a low-cost service with very cool features. Many people don’t even know that multiple users can login at the same time, allowing people to share accounts. In my family we have two accounts, but there are often times when four streams are going between here and another remote location. Pretty cool, huh?

Well, even cooler is what’s next. Netflix is currently testing user profiles to allow for more personalization. Imagine, you and your kids/roommates/significant other get your own customized recommendations and movie queues!

If only they could do something about my 200+ (and growing) instant queue list, like beam the movies right into my head so I don’t have to get through 100s of hours of entertainment.

Here are some articles about the new feature:

http://www.engadget.com/2013/06/11/netflix-streaming-user-profiles/

Image courtesy of engadget and Netflix

http://techcrunch.com/2013/06/11/netflix-will-launch-multiple-user-profiles-this-summer-to-keep-your-recommendations-pristine/

 

Side note: I’ve finally taken advantage of Super HD - the quality difference on my Roku 3 at 42” in 1080p is amazing! You can read about the Super HD format here and check to see if your provider offers Super HD by clicking this link.

John Hodgman: Ragnarok

You’ve seen John Hodgman (Wikipedia) before. He was the anthropomorphized personal computer in this series of ads for Apple over the course of 66 ads and 4 years.

He’s a regular contributor to The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, portraying a deranged millionaire. It’s this persona that is at the heart of Ragnarok, a special filmed December 21, 2012, the supposed end of the world according to the Mayan calendar and conspiracy theorists alike. After an introduction from 30 Rock’s Scott Adsit, Hodgman takes the audience (and viewers) on something of a unique trip as comedic performances go.

Netflix subscribers can view Ragnarok (Wikipedia) by clicking this link or the image below.

It you are looking for something different and funny to view - this is a great way to spend 65 minutes.

 

AVENGERS - Now on Netflix!

In case you’ve been waiting, it’s arrived! Check out The Avengers on Netflix now!

Unfortunately, the Edward Norton portrayal of the Hulk is not on Netflix, but don’t worry, there are other options if you want to have a Marvel-movie-universe marathon. Thor is still streaming, but the Iron Man movies have been removed. Instead, take a look at Captain America: The First Avenger. My recommended order: Cap, then Thor, then the Avengers. If after all of that you still ache for some Marvel superheroes, check out the large collection of animated features and series.

Here’s a partial list:

• Invincible Iron Man - animated movie where ultra-rich Tony Stark uncovers evil and designs the suit to combat it.
• Iron Man: Armored Adventures - series with 52 episodes where Tony Stark is a teen genius sporting the retro (late 70s) Iron Man armor.
• The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes - 2 seasons of good animated fun!
• Spider-Man (1967) - 72 episodes make up this classic cartoon series centered on Peter Parker and his battles with Doctor Octopus, the Green Goblin and many others.
• Spider-Man (1981) - this single season of Spiderman is poorly animated, as were most cartoons in the early 80s, but it does have some funny spots. Additionally, episode 6 features Magneto - years before the X-Men got a series. Magneto asks for “$100 million in gold” -- CLASSIC!
• Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends - this was my childhood favorite because I had gotten into the X-Men and Bobby Drake was one of Spidey’s amazing friends!
• Ultimate Spider-Man - focuses on SHIELD and Norman Osborn with Peter as a 16-year-old.
• X-Men - this is the first series devoted to the team, and lasted for 5 “volumes” (instead of seasons), with a great deal of Claremont story coverage, including a Dark Phoenix Saga retelling. Downside to that is they don’t do sexy Jean Grey or Emma Frost any justice at all.
• X-Men: Evolution - returning the team to a time when they are just awkward teens made for a nice twist to this series, which also chose to retool existing X-Men stories far more than they plotted new ones.

As always, click the titles of any shows available on Netflix and your browser will open for instant streaming access!

Plex Media Server - Another Way to Access Netflix and Your Personal Media

Whether you are using a Mac, Windows or even Linux computer, Plex Media Server is a great tool for accessing your media throughout your home (and remotely). The system does live transcoding and now supports direct access to Netflix from within the client application.

Plex clients run on iOS, Android, Windows Phone 7, Windows 8, Rokus, LG Smart TVs, Samsung Smart TVs and Google TVs. The user interface is intuitive and easy to learn and a browser bookmarklet lets you add content from sites like Vimeo and YouTube directly to your Plex server library to stream later.

Personal media content on Plex appears much like you would expect on Netflix thanks to various metadata libraries that are used to search for title descriptions, DVD covers and fan art. The system is also capable of accessing Amazon streaming services, custom channels from popular podcasters and iTunes libraries. Support for so-called “UnSupported Applications” offer users the ability to access adult-themed video streaming sites, video games (through system emulators) and other nonstandard content. Note: some of the nonstandard content cannot be viewed on remote devices (like a tablet computer).

The Roku 3 is a perfect way to access the Plex Media Server, in addition to its built-in features that cover most subscription services.

 

Search Netflix from Wikipedia

I never got around to finishing this thing, but it’s a great extension for Mac users of Safari.

This extension is a great way to easily see if the performer or title you are viewing on Wikipedia is available for streaming on Netflix.

Enjoy!

Roku 3 - now at Amazon!

By now most of us have some sort of hardware TV set-top box for our streaming needs, but if you are still using Netflix (or even Amazon Instant Video) on your computer (and you don’t have a 27” iMac or something similar like I do), you NEED one.

While the Roku 3 is only 99 cents cheaper at Amazon, it does come with free shipping for Prime members, and Prime members also benefit from a growing library of programming that rivals Netflix.

Check it out here -> Roku 3 Streaming Player

I know it seems like I’m always hawking Amazon products, but as noted in my disclosure, I do use affiliate links for Amazon, and while that doesn’t cost you anything extra, it does provide me compensation for posts. By the way, if you find a better price ever on a product that I mention in a blog post, all you have to do is say so and I’ll edit the blog post to give you credit for the recommendation and share the lower price. In today’s economy, we all want to save and if Amazon isn’t the lowest price, I want my readers to know it!

See what people are Tweeting about the Roku 3 below.

Tweets about "#Roku3"

Note: this blog post was scheduled for posting in advance. Any errors should be pointed out in the comments section and they will be corrected in the future. Your help is greatly appreciated.

 

 

Fanhattan? The cool iOS app is a website too!

If you love movies (which is one good reason to read this blog), you’ll love Fanhattan. You can search the iOS app by movie title, actors, and other key attributes of entertainment to find lists of sites and services where you can watch streaming right away! Sometimes when a movie isn’t available streaming anywhere, you’ll just get links to buy the DVD/Blu-Ray instead.

Using search is simple, just type in letters and watch results appear:

One you choose a program, you are presented with watch now and watch list choices.

You can select the option you want to view a streaming choice. If you have Amazon Prime or Netflix, you can often watch your choices free. If the title you want isn’t available for free streaming, add it to your watch list and you’ll be notified when it is available.

The point of this post: I have a few invites left available. Post a comment or send me a message and I’ll hand them out as long as I’ve got them. To be fair, I’ll be accepting requests through tomorrow and choosing randomly from the requests.

Once you get an account for the web version (at http://fanhattan.com) you’ll also be able to invite people after a short delay.

Enjoy!

 

LOST - Still on Netflix and Today is the #EndofLost Twitter Session!

You can still enjoy Lost on Netflix but today is a great time to enjoy the Twitter feed celebrating the anniversary of the End of Lost!

Tweets about "#EndofLost"

This is turning into the Arrested Development Season 4 Blog LoL

But seriously, if you aren’t watching, you are missing what Netflixins’ is about.

This is the Lindsay episode, and I must say, as actresses go, Portia de Rossi (Wikipedia) is one that just keeps getting hotter as she ages. She was a stunner on Ally McBeal, still beautiful through Arrested Development and Better Off Ted, but she’s so pretty in season 4 that it’s blinding.

 

Anyway, enjoy the show. Arrested Development season 4 started on Netflix this morning.

Wanna know when Arrested Development starts EXACTLY?

Wanna know when #ArrestedDevelopment is on? “ANN” to 619-EGG-VEAL (619-344-8325) & you’ll receive a text @ the exact moment of the release!

COME ON!

Arrested Development - Favorite Episode - Mr. F

Less than 48 hours to go for the return of Arrested Development, and I finally figured out what my favorite episode (so far) is: Mr. F (Wikipedia)

You can watch it on Netflix here: Arrested Development Mr. F if you have streaming service.

Charlize Theron plays a very special girl and you have to see it to believe it.

Enjoy!

Arrested Development is coming soon!

We’re less than a week away from the return of Arrested Development, and the folks at Huffington Post have given us a list of the best series moments as picked by the cast themselves!

Check it out here.

There are so many great catch phrases and words that we fans of Arrested Development share amongst ourselves, it is hard for me to pick an all-time favorite, but I must say the Afternoon Delight episode is one of my top choices. As with most AD episodes, the best parts are hard to catch the first time (or even second time) you watch. The background jokes for Afternoon Delight are listed on Wikipedia. The episode is #6 of season 2 on Netflix.

You still have time to start season one on Netflix by clicking the link here or the image below! Get to it!

Netflix Originals vs HBO and other pay channels...

Game of Thrones inspired post:

At this point, I'd much prefer most of these HBO shows be on Netflix (as Netflix originals) - I want to watch a season all at once when the season comes out.

With commercial-free pay TV channels, there's really no reason to play one episode a week other than to give you a reason to subscribe all year.

There's no new Game of Thrones next week, another example of dragging out these short orders of episodes. STUPID.

What do you guys think?

Love comic books and superheroes?

Netflix is a great place to get your fix for superhero entertainment.

If you follow my comic book blog about Marvel Comics Unlimited, you know that Netflix has Marvel’s Motion Comics edition of Astonishing X-Men.

There are tons of other great animated versions of your favorite childhood superheroes, but I think the DC comics releases are among the best. All-Star Superman is one such masterpiece of animated goodness.

A thorough list of Netflix titles under the Comic Books and Superheroes is available here.

What’s your favorite title? What is Netflix missing?

 

What's on Netflix, anyway?

Instant Watcher is a great tool that uses the RSS feeds Netflix publishes to make it easy to find something to watch.

With this handy website, you can easily find the titles that have been most popular in the past 24 hours, specific new titles that are noteworthy (such as being award winners) as well as hot lists of the last hour and titles queued in the last few minutes. It’s really the perfect site to visit when you aren’t happy with the 100+ channels of cable or satellite programming you have to choose from and just need a quick suggestion.

Sadly, as mentioned on the Instant Watcher homepage, the “Expiring Soon” category is no longer available because Netflix has decided not to share this information with third-party websites.

What's for Dinner? Netflixins' !!

Tired of the limited choices of the 100s of channels you have on cable or satellite? Netflixins’ is for you.

You can find great TV series and movies, tagged by genre and with links to Wikipedia and other sites for reviews and options to buy the DVD or Blu-ray versions to add to your permanent library.

Let’s get started with something simple: House of Cards.

This entertaining series combines Kevin Spacey and one of my all-time favorite hotties, Robin Wright with some newer faces in a tale of cut-throat politics that really captures the ins-and-outs of America’s representative democracy as many of us imagine it really is.

Click the link here to go to Netflix and view the whole series in one sitting. Be sure to plan ahead for food and drink because once it gets going you won’t want to stop watching until the end.

I can’t wait for season 2!! Yay!