Being a movie-lover can be maddening and blissful here in China. DVDs are so handily obtained, but at the same time a game of roulette takes place: will the film quality be a shoddy substitute or have I got my hands on the real deal? It can be exhilarating. To purchase movies with the mystery of authenticity looming gives the blind spender a surge of adrenaline; and beyond that there’s a carefree blissfulness to the whole affair.
Upon entering my favorite local DVD shop (which I visit at least once a week without fail), I anticipate walking out with at least one new movie in hand. In comparison to the rental craze that fixates most American viewers, the rate of purchasing here must seem rapid and even a little irresponsible.
Take into account the relative price of a new movie out here (9 RMB for a quality copy, 5-6 RMB for a mediocre transfer, and you can even get entire TV series or collections of films for a nominal fee), and it really doesn’t amount to much more than keeping up with your weekly or bi-weekly movie rentals back home. And let’s not even address the gauging that occurs at the cinemas back home (although I’ve always maintained that visiting a theater is an experience altogether worthy of a higher price—but $10 per go is really going too far isn’t it?).
I anticipate returning home with at least 5 kg of added bulk from DVDs alone. And, for the record, I haven’t been completely footloose or numbskulled when buying these cheap little treasures. I generally select films of good caliber that retain at least some replay value. So in that way, I’m really stocking up for good and all…until another format comes along and blows away the fragile and gleaming discs that I covet so ferociously. In vain, let me offer my plea to the unrelenting wheel of technology to stop, or at least pause graciously, so as to allow me ample time to take in all the movies my heart desires.
Upon entering my favorite local DVD shop (which I visit at least once a week without fail), I anticipate walking out with at least one new movie in hand. In comparison to the rental craze that fixates most American viewers, the rate of purchasing here must seem rapid and even a little irresponsible.
Take into account the relative price of a new movie out here (9 RMB for a quality copy, 5-6 RMB for a mediocre transfer, and you can even get entire TV series or collections of films for a nominal fee), and it really doesn’t amount to much more than keeping up with your weekly or bi-weekly movie rentals back home. And let’s not even address the gauging that occurs at the cinemas back home (although I’ve always maintained that visiting a theater is an experience altogether worthy of a higher price—but $10 per go is really going too far isn’t it?).
I anticipate returning home with at least 5 kg of added bulk from DVDs alone. And, for the record, I haven’t been completely footloose or numbskulled when buying these cheap little treasures. I generally select films of good caliber that retain at least some replay value. So in that way, I’m really stocking up for good and all…until another format comes along and blows away the fragile and gleaming discs that I covet so ferociously. In vain, let me offer my plea to the unrelenting wheel of technology to stop, or at least pause graciously, so as to allow me ample time to take in all the movies my heart desires.
1 comment:
Oh! I normally download movies from the Internet~but sadly that there are a lot of rubbish movies~ maybe I should visit you bf you go back so that I can grab some movies to watch from your recommandation...or just get them bf we can meet everytime, and reture to you the next time~is that fine? I think I can really improve my English from reading your blog o!really cool wording and nice stories!! Cheers!
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