« Guess the News | Main | Growing Pains »
February 15, 2007
Stupid Netflix
I have a somewhat co-dependent, passive-agressive relationship with Netflix. On the one hand, I am exposed to all sorts of interesting movies that I will never see in the theatre (or that came out years ago). On the other hand, on an absurdly frequent basis I am sent damaged DVDs. And all too often, it is only when I am halfway through the film--totally engrossed in the story line--when that dreaded skipping and stalling problem occurs.
Take tonight for example. I was 110 minutes into Bus 174:
This moving documentary depicts a fateful day in June 2000 when a Rio de Janeiro bus carrying 12 passengers was hijacked by a man named Sandro do Nascimento. Cameras rolled as he touted his plans to kill all aboard but was finally persuaded to give himself up. A cop nonetheless opened fire on Nascimento, killing a passenger instead and causing the city's streets to erupt in riots. Details of Nascimento's very troubled childhood are also featured.
Ok, so even though I knew how it was going to end, I was still on the edge of my seat. I'd made it through the initial hostage situation, the poorly trained and under-armed police force, a look at Rio's juvenile detention facilities, and interviews with street kids, drug dealers, and social workers. I was JUST getting to the part when 6 p.m. is approaching, the hour in which Sandro has proclaimed he will shoot one of the hostages in the face.
And then...
The movie stopped, and refused to start again. I tried fast forwarding through the glitch, and then stopped the DVD, cleaned it, and tried again. No dice.
But wait! Suddenly the movie started again, and I settles back into the couch to see the climax of the movie. But...what's this? Why is the bus driving away? Why is the camera panning across a funeral procession?
Ahh. Apparently the DVD skipped to minute 156, completely leaving out the part where...well, I'm not exactly sure WHAT happens because, of course, I can't see it. I assume that the Netflix summary is correct, but then the woman at the end of the film says something about forgiving Sandro for shooting the woman. So maybe the cop didn't shoot her by accident after all. The world (and by that, I mean *I*) will never know.
Damn you, Netflix. Damn you!
Comments
First off, you can return it for a new one and watch something else in the meantime. Second, f*ck Netflix for giving away the ending. Third, double f*ck Netflix for giving away the WRONG ending. One of the best things about this movie is that we never heard of this standoff, so it is compelling in a way it can't be for Brazilians.
Interestingly, it was in my recent list of eclectic 5-star suggestions to a friend:
Run Lola Run
Shaun of the Dead
Roger Dodger
Bus 174
The Secretary
Transamerica
and
Open Water
Posted by: bad apologies at February 15, 2007 10:17 AM
Make sure you have a dvd player that was manufactured in the last 2 years. Older dvd players are very prone to disk errors.
Posted by: phs at February 15, 2007 12:36 PM
