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It's nice to be able to get these free preview weekends, but we're having a hard time
trying to decide which channels we like (and may consider subscibing too) because
a lot of the *premier* programming seems to be older movies and shows.
It would be nice to see what the newer movies are like when VZ offers a free movie
premiere weekend. We've also noticed a lot of repeats between the premier channels.
It's still cool that you offer these though. 🙂
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@ocean25 wrote:It's nice to be able to get these free preview weekends, but we're having a hard time
trying to decide which channels we like (and may consider subscibing too) because
a lot of the *premier* programming seems to be older movies and shows.
It would be nice to see what the newer movies are like when VZ offers a free movie
premiere weekend. We've also noticed a lot of repeats between the premier channels.
It's still cool that you offer these though. 🙂
First, I should probably mention that Verizon has been offering a free new movie (via FlexView VOD) to all subscribers. As to what netwrok to select, that depends on what you like. Movies in OAR? 3D? Independent films? Original programming?
HOB has some excellent original material, as you may have seen. They do get big budget movies but all widescreen movies are cropped, ,losing at least 30% (or more) of the actual picture information. (A big drawback for effects films like 2012 or GREEN LANTERN.) If you have a 3D set, HBO OnDemand offers some 3D films, but they are also cropped. Almost NO independent films are shown. For me HBO is WORTHLESS for movies but worthwhile for their original programming only.
Cinemax is primarily just movies (no 3D) but they are all cropped as well. If I could drop it from my package, I would. Occasionally, a movie might premiere here a month or two before HBO (and vice versa).
EPIX films are often shown correctly, but the current big-budget movies from Paramount (except for STAR TREK, where I assume the director put his foot down, bless him) are all cropped. Also, their OnDemand films are NOT in Dolby 5.1....just Pro-Logic or Mono. (This is the only channel out of this group where that is the case) They primarily get films from Paramount, MGM, and Lionsgate.
As for Showtime and The Movie Channel...I couldn't live without them. They have fewer big-budget blockbusters but much more in the way of independent films. Also, they are the ONLY premium channel which has a policy of showing films as they were meant to be seen, in their original widescreen format. In addition, Showtime (like HBO) has a good slate of original programming, often edgier than HBOs. (SHAMELESS comes to mind.) And of course, there's DEXTER. The Movie Channel has no original stuff, but often more horror oriented material (Including a weekly Saturday Night double-feature which they call SPLATTERDAY.) These two are the most rewarding for me, as it is where I discover terrific films that I may not have heard of. (If you select this, don't miss TRIANGLE or DISAPPEARANCE OF ALICE CREED.) Some of these smaller films don't even get a Blu-Ray release, but they can be seen in HD here.
Starz also crops films, but occasionally one gets through in the correct widescreen ratio. (ZOOKEEPER) One can only hope that indicates a change in policy for this channel but I'm not holding my breath. They also have 3D onDemand and, unlike HBO, these seem to NOT be cropped but are shown as they appeared intheaters. They do get most new films from Sony and Disney. They also have some original series...not as many as HBO or Showtime, including SPARTACUS, BOSS, and the new MAGIC CITY.
As for Showtime and The Movie Channel...I couldn't live without them. They have fewer big-budget blockbusters but much more in the way of independent films. Also, they are the ONLY premium channel which has a policy of showing films as they were meant to be seen, in their original widescreen format. In addition, Showtime (like HBO) has a good slate of original programming, often edgier than HBOs. (SHAMELESS comes to mind!) And of course, there's DEXTER. The Movie Channel has no original stuff, but often more horror oriented material (Including a weekly Saturday Night double-feature which they call SPLATTERDAY.;
As for repeats, well that's always been the case since these channels first began. And that can go from channel-to-channel for HBO/MAX and SHO/TMC. Also, Showtime, HBO, and Starz have more than one channel. For example, if you get Showtime, you also get Showtime 2, Showtime Extreme, Showtime Showcase, etc. EPIX has just the main channel and EPIX 2.
All depends on what you want. Hope this helps a wee bit.