'Lilyhammer', Netflix's first original series now online

Today Netflix debuted their first original series titled Lilyhammer. It stars The Sopranos alum Steven Van Zandt. as Frank Tagliano, a mobster who goes into witness protection in Lilyhammer, Norway.

If the The Sopranos was crossed with a fish out of water story this would be it. I've only watched the first episode but I am looking forward to seeing more. Van Zandt is basically playing Silvio Dante here. It is a little unfortunate that this show will almost always be compared to The Sopranos but that's not the worst thing to be compared to after all.

The entire first season which consists of 8 episodes is on Netflix now. And in case you were wondering, there is cursing and nudity. Premium cable, eat your heart out.

Lilyhammer

Video game renting from Netflix is dead

It seems like so long ago that Netflix was giving "Qwikster" the axe. The horribly misguided decision to split the DVD by mail service from the streaming business rubed no one the right way and was ultimately killed before it even launched.

One small good thing to come from the Qwikster debacle was that the Qwikster side of the company would soon offer video games by mail in a similar way that GameFly does today. A little over three months after the death of Qwikster, Netflix has chosen not to go forward with their video game plans.

GameFly owns the video games by mail space now and some competition would be a welcome thing. Netflix has many more distribution centers than GameFly which means it takes a few extra days to get games than it does to get a movie from Netflix. A new rival might have pushed GameFly to add new centers or reduce pricing but sadly Netflix is no longer a threat.

via: The Verge

Netflix kills Qwikster

Netflix has decided not to go ahead with plans to spin off their DVD by mail division. In September Netflix planned to split off and rename the by mail service to "Qwikster." That quickly sparked outrage from users already irritated by the recent price increases.

Regarding the early death of Qwikster, CEO Reed Hastings said in a blog post today, "This means no change: one website, one account, one password… in other words, no Qwikster." Netflix reportedly still plans to add a video games upgrade.

Netflix really can't catch a break. Their stock is down again following this reactions. It seems there is a bad reaction every time Netflix pokes their head out these days. I find it ridiculous still that people are so hostile over a relatively small price increase. Netflix is a really remarkable service that we have all gotten far too accustom to. I personally have no problem paying a little more for a service that plans to give new and original content down the road.

Trailer: Netflix's newly acquired drama starring Steven Van Zandt

Netflix has already acquired a new series from David Fincher and Kevin Spacey, their new acquisition stars a former HBO star. Steve Van Zandt or you may know him as Silvio Dante, part of Tony Soprano's crew, is the star of a Norwegian produced drama called Lilyhammer.

Van Zandt plays a mafioso who rats on his boss and is put under witness protection. He chooses Norway of all places and sets up life for himself anew. Before I saw the trailer I thought with this premise it would be a comedy showing a hardheaded mafia type having to fit in with the good natured people of a small town. Although the trailer features some funny moments, Van Zandt quickly sets up shop as the king pin in his new setting, exacting some mafia justice on a few poor saps along the way.

Steven Van Zandt was originally asked to play the character of Tony in The Sopranos but turned the role down. It will be interesting to see how Van Zandt will play the top dog. Netflix is also reported to be in talks to exclusively air the new season of Arrested Development. We'll see what comes of that. Netflix's missteps aside, I really can't wait to see this series, House of Cards and what ever they do next. Watch the trailer for the show after the break. Lilyhammer will premier in early 2012.

via: Deadline, /Film

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Blockbuster to offer movie streaming service but only for DISH subscribers

Hot on the heels of the Netflix/Qwikster abortion news, Blockbuster is announcing they are getting into the streaming game. The new service will at first only be available to subscribers of the DISH network. Not exactly the best way to go after Netflix. A version of the service for non-DISH users is still an option though.

The service will have upwards of 5,000 movies and cost subscribers $10 per month. You also have the option of renting DVDs, Blu-rays and video games by mail. I think it's plain to see Blockbuster missed the boat on the streaming biz and even further back with DVD by mail. However, it is good to have competition to keep Netflix on their toes, although they are having a hard enough time not tripping over themselves as it is.

via: Tested