Breakable: A Netflix Story

Post by **Dale** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 9:17 am

I'm a loyal customer of Netflix. You're allowed to believe that I'm making the following story up. I would if I were you. But, I hereby solemnly vow: True story.

I've been a member of Netflix since, I think, 2001 or so. Happy customer. With two exceptions, all the DVDs I've rented have arrived in good enough condition to view. Some are scratched or in need of cleaning, but a bit of Windex has taken care of these problems along the way.

About two years ago, I think, I rented the movie "Unbreakable." That Bruce Willis movie by M. Night Shanana or whatever his name is. The DVD arrived broken down the middle. Snapped in half. I confess that it took me a few minutes to notice the irony of the title of the movie and the condition of the DVD. So, I've told this story occasionally to people.

I was thinking about that movie again recently. I had seen it in the theatres and didn't like it much, and wanted to give it another chance. So, I put it on my Netflix queue and it arrived today. And, I kid you not, the DVD is broken. Not split in half like the one a couple of years ago, but a fracture from the spindle hole all the way out to the rim. A perfect junior high teaching aide for what a radius is.

This can't be a coincidence. Can it??

Now, I contend that there's a guy working for Netflix that has a sense of humor. Or maybe there's some underground Internet-based movement to play this trick on Netflix and customers are breaking them and sending them back in. I don't know.

Joseph E. Smith · Post by **Joseph E. Smith** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 9:33 am

I you wish to see that flick again (though it doesn't get any better the second time IMHO), you may want to drive to your local video rental place... at least they check the condition of the DVD before letting it out of the shop.

emmline · Post by **emmline** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 10:53 am

Joseph E. Smith wrote:... at least they check the condition of the DVD before letting it out of the shop.

They don't, however, clean off the buttered popcorn smudges which tend to send the dvd player into brainfreeze. I too must frequently spray and wipe them.

Jeferson · Post by **Jeferson** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 11:22 am

Without a doubt, Dale needs to order "Busted."
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115791

Jef

Doug_Tipple · Post by **Doug_Tipple** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 11:27 am

DaleWisely wrote: Now, I contend that there's a guy working for Netflix that has a sense of humor. Or maybe there's some underground Internet-based movement to play this trick on Netflix and customers are breaking them and sending them back in. I don't know.

poltergeist

ShadowBG625 · Post by **ShadowBG625** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 11:33 am

Doug_Tipple wrote:poltergeist

All are welcome....

..............................All are welcome...

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 11:38 am

Dale, movies are evil. They rot your brains. Consider yourself blessed...

Joseph E. Smith · Post by **Joseph E. Smith** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 11:42 am

Cranberry wrote:Dale, movies are evil. They rot your brains. Consider yourself blessed...

... not SERENITY!!!! Or the FIREFLY dvd series!!!

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 11:46 am

Joseph E. Smith wrote:
Cranberry wrote:Dale, movies are evil. They rot your brains. Consider yourself blessed...
... not SERENITY!!!! Or the FIREFLY dvd series!!!

I don't know what (who?) those are. I haven't watched a movie in over six years. And my brain has not rotted. I consider myself blessed.

And I no longer watch television either. w00t

Congratulations · Post by **Congratulations** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 1:50 pm

Television = Satan.

Movies = Good.

My dad has recently taken a shine to foreign indies, and he's been putting them on DVDs (perhaps not legally...) and mailing them to me. It's great fun.

I suggest "Sexy Beast." It still makes me gurgle with delight.

I.D.10-t · Post by **I.D.10-t** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 3:29 pm

Cranberry wrote:
Joseph E. Smith wrote:
Cranberry wrote:Dale, movies are evil. They rot your brains. Consider yourself blessed...
... not SERENITY!!!! Or the FIREFLY dvd series!!!
I don't know what (who?) those are. I haven't watched a movie in over six years. And my brain has not rotted. I consider myself blessed.

And I no longer watch television either. w00t

Tis nothing compared to the internet.

PS Mr. Wisely see if you can get The prisoner and tell me who #1 is.

Mitch · Post by **Mitch** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 6:07 pm

I.D.10-t wrote: PS Mr. Wisely see if you can get The prisoner and tell me who #1 is.

With Dale's luck , he'll open the case and Rover will pop out!

cowtime · Post by **cowtime** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 7:29 pm

I take out and pick up a bunch of those Netflix on my route and have never seen one that appeared to be broken.

I think someone out there has a real sense of humor.

Tim Hall · Post by **Tim Hall** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 8:29 pm

You could always rent Shattered.

http://imdb.com/title/tt0102900/

See what happens. I dare you.

emmline · Post by **emmline** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 9:34 pm

I do know that when I used to get one of those plastic combs that said "unbreakable" on it, there was a part of me that wanted to break it just to see.

Chiff and Fipple Forums

Breakable: A Netflix Story

Breakable: A Netflix Story

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