Netflix Vs. Spielberg

Ryan Fredrick, Reporter

Netflix wants to change the way people watch movies, while renown director Steven Spielberg wants to keep traditional cinematic experiences with audiences.

 

“I like traditional theaters more than subscription services. I like the experience of the theater, with the popcorn and recliners. Nothing can match it,” junior Jay Clements said.

 

Netflix’s argument, as found on Twitter, is that they want to bring cinematic experiences into people’s houses for people who cannot afford to go to the cinema or who live in a small city without cinemas.

 

“Netflix offers a great service for shows and movies when you can’t go to the movie theater every time you want to watch a new movie. Obviously, watching a movie in a theater is a better experience, but sometimes it just does not work out that way,” senior Hayden Thomas said.

 

Spielberg, who is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science’s Board of Governors and considered by many as one of the most powerful people in Hollywood, has previously said in many interviews he thinks that films that forgo a theater run or have a limited theatrical release should not be in contention for Oscars.

 

“It seems like Spielberg wants to gatekeep all movies that were not released for theaters, but there are so many great Netflix originals people love that should be recognized for their contributions,” junior Anna Mitchell said.

 

The debate for how audiences intake entertainment could be the crossroads for the entertainment industry. Audiences have started watching movies in mass quantities with Netflix and Hulu always there which opens them to more types of movies, according to CNN.com.