Rejoice! Everybody Will Get to See The Interview, Even Without Theaters

"The Interview"

Yesterday a bunch of smaller, independent theaters got permission to screen The Interview on Christmas Day. Today Sony announces you'll be able to also watch it through all sorts of streaming services tomorrow as well. At this point, you'll be hard-pressed to not watch The Interview. From The Washington Post:

Just one day after hundreds of independent movie theaters said they will show the controversial film on Christmas Day, Sony confirmed that it will distribute the film over Google's Play service and YouTube Movies, as well as on Microsoft's Xbox Video and a dedicated Web site -- seetheinterview.com -- run by Sony itself.

It won't be free, though:

Seeing the movie on YouTube and other streaming sites will cost $5.99; the film is also available for purchase, in HD, for $14.99. You can start watching the film Thursday, Christmas Eve [NOTE: Apparently today, not Thursday], at 1 p.m. E.T. -- ahead of when it screens in many movie theaters.

"It was essential for our studio to release this movie, especially given the assault upon our business and our employees by those who wanted to stop free speech," said studio chairman and chief executive Michael Lynton. "We chose the path of digital distribution first so as to reach as many people as possible on opening day, and we continue to seek other partners and platforms to further expand the release."

Eh, I'm still going to see Into the Woods instead.

Comments

[Kaptious Kristen]

I'm going to watch 10.5 airings of A Christmas Story instead.

[paranoid android]

I declare a favorite holiday movie discussion thread!

My vote is for a sweet and sentimental little movie about the importance of being with your loved ones for Christmas: Die Hard.

What's yours?

[Tonio]

A Christmas Story

Close second: A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas

[DK]

Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.

[Tonio]

Really?

[DK]

Actually, I'd probably go with Die Hard, but if Santa Claus Conquers the Martians was on, I'd probably watch at least parts of it. I remember watching it as a pre-teen kid and enjoying how bad it was.

[Tonio]

First appearance of Mrs. Claus in popular media!

[paranoid android]

There's something charming about how earnestly terrible those 50's sci-fi movies were, and marrying the comically cliche alien weirdness to ham-fisted Christmas themes is great. Also despite being boring at parts, it's much more watchable than, say, Santa Claus, which is just pure nightmare fuel.

[Florida Man]

Nightmare fuel? You must be referring to Jaws. That is the only movie that made me scared in real life for years. I couldn't even swim in a lake at night without getting paranoid.

[Tonio]

Lake Nicaragua has freshwater sharks. Merry Xmas and sweet dreams.

[Florida Man]

Lake George gets bull sharks because the river connects it to the Atlantic and bullies can tolerate brackish water. I've mostly gotten over my shark phobias.

[antisocial-ist]

And I think they've found bull sharks as far up the Mississippi as Illinois.

[SIV]

Grafton, IL

[Kaptious Kristen]

Oy.

[The Tone Police]

Fuck yeah Santa Claus Conquers the Martians!

I was just singing the song to myself today: "S-A-N-T-A...C-L-A-U-S...hooray for Santy Claus!"

[Kaptious Kristen]

I'm a huge sap, so The Polar Express. And my Ma was from Cleveland and she was awesome and she loved A Christmas Story, so I do too.

[Tonio]

And how could anyone forget The Hebrew Hammer? featuring Judy Greer.

[Doghouse Riley Jr.]

That's a damn funny movie.

[Tonio]

Something to offend everyone!

[antisocial-ist]

I like the old Rudolph movie, with the audio from Full Metal Jacket.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MaQ6ODrQg0g

Also, Srooged with Bill Murray.

[Florida Man]

I love scrooged!

[Florida Man]

The life and adventures of Santa claus, because there is a immortals vs demons fight scene.

[Cdr Lytton]

Watching Christmas in Connecticut right now.

[Tonio]

Not a movie, but the "Christmas in Heaven" production number at the end of Monty Python's The Meaning of Life.

[SusanM]

Merry Christmas with the best poetry 99 Bananas can muster:

'Twas the night before Christmas, with just the wife and the kids
Gone to sleep after watching bootleg holiday vids;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care and panache,
By the Guatemalan orphans who polish my monocle stash;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds;
While visions of consumer goods danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew with my Glock,
Tore open the shutters to find who I should block.
The moon through the rain of (non-existant) global warmng,
Gave a lustre to a sight my vision was forming,
When what to my wondering eyes did appear,
But a miniature sleigh and seven tiny rein-deer,
With a little dark driver with a jacket so slick,
I knew in a moment he must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
"Now, Ayn! now, Ludwig! now Alan and Milton!
On, Matt! on, Jesse! on, Elizabeth Nolan!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

[SusanM]

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the housetop the coursers they flew
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too?
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in black, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a pedler just opening his pack.
There were fun games, unfinsished and broke!
Tainted veggies picked by Mexicans smugglng coke!
Chinese-made toys bought at guaranteed low cost,
(disregarding the American jobs that were lost);

[SusanM]

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath;
Which all came from his Wizard-shaped bhang.
That he offered to share (just not for too long).
He was skinny and lean, with a jacket so black,
And I laughed when he smiled, I was taken aback;
He gave me a cake, made by a baker who was proud
That his store policy was that no gays are allowed;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his task,
And filled all the stockings; then emptied his flask,
Yes he was giving and I know that's sedition,
But nothing would work unless I bought the Platinum Edition;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave quite a shout,
And away they all flew when he said "Let's move this bitch out".
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove his magic cart?
"Happy Christmas to all, except for those who work at Wal-Mart!"

[Francisco d'Anconia]

*slow clap*

+1 Right Jolly Old Elf

[antisocial-ist]

*Standing Ovation*

[Enjoy Every Sandwich]

"It's Christmas Theo; it's the time for miracles."

[Tonio]

Florida woman wearing 'Catholic Warrior' t-shirt destroys holiday display of rival religion on public property.

I'm having trouble believing this since I am constantly told that Christians are always the victims and never the aggressors.

Merry Xmas, Eddie!

[ace_m82]

Not like it doesn't happen to both sides...

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news.....tio/nFy76/

Then again, if I saw a woman wearing a "Catholic Warror" t-shirt, I'd probably assume she's an idiot who had little idea what the word "Christian" means anyway.

Signed, An Evangelical Christian, libertarian, Austrian economist

[Tonio]

FTFA: Homeowners believe this was the work of local teenagers. Also, they hanged the Santa figurine so this seems to have been vandalism for the sake of vandalism, not religiously motivated.

Butt-hurt duly noted, though.

[ace_m82]

It's quite easy to Google such a thing:

http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/.....n/a4ddl6q/
http://www.local10.com/news/ba.....s/30045418

I can keep going...

I would bet a significant amount of money that it happens more to nativity scenes than to non-Christians.

But your insistence on using insults rather than arguments is duly noted!

[Florida Man]

Ace,
It happens more because it is a majority Christian nation. It shouldn't be too hard to say vandalism of another person's property is always wrong. I think the satanist and the Christians and anyone else should be able to display whatever they want on their own property. that shouldn't be controversial. When you want to dictate what happens on public property is when non-sense ensues.

[ace_m82]

When you want to dictate what happens on public property is when non-sense ensues.

Precisely. There ought not be any "public" property, but if there is, it's almost impossible to regulate any behavior whatsoever without stomping on someone's rights. Abusus non tollit usum

[Tonio]

Your dishonest characterization of the events in your first link makes me disinclined to waste any more time fact checking you.

If you think my accurate characterization of your butt-hurt is an insult, then I'll leave you to stew in your own, hypersensitive juices. Not wanting to further offend someone as oppressed as you are in America in 2014.

[ace_m82]

I didn't characterize them in any way other than that they happen to both sides. You read into it more than was there. But by all means, go on without Googling it, it's not like you have anything to lose other than your preconceived notions...

You would have a really hard time actually offending me. I am an Evangelical Christian who survived 4 years in the Marine Corps. You simply have a warped opinion of anyone who dares disagree with you!

[Tonio]

Upon re-reading, yes you are right that vandalism happens all sorts of holiday displays, and you did not characterize the vandals in any fashion. I'm sorry for mischaracterizing your position. I was wrong. My bad.

Your linky #1: Vandal yells 'Long live Satan', after egging, decapitating Nativity statues at St. Odilo in Berwyn. Yep, it appears you got me on that one.

Your linky #2: I can't view the video, but according to the transcript (see "transcript" link below video) a statue was stolen, not vandalized. Value of statue $2,500. No descriptions of thief/thieves, no pentagrams or anti- or counter-religious sentiment. Quite possibly a case of simple theft for economic motives.

And as Florida Man noted above given that christianity hugely predominates in the US, it is far more likely that a christian display be vandalized than any other. Also, certain other religions (jews, moslems) don't have statues.

[ace_m82]

A fair comment. I salute you, Sir!

[BigT]

A Christmas truce! How sweet.

[UnCivilServant]

I don't think she's an actual member of the Knights Templar, Hospitallar, Teutonic, or Malta.

[Tonio]

In her own mind I'm sure she is. 😉

[Marty Comanche]

The "Satanists" are only putting up the display to antagonize people. They are claiming to be a religion in order to make that point that anybody can claim to be a religion, which, good job. Then they demand that they be allowed to put up a display that implicitly mocks those who actually have religious faith.

I don't know if this display or that of the FSM would be considered "fighting words" in court, but the clear purpose is to provoke anger.

Now their diorama -- that even they don't care about because, remember, they don't even believe in their own religion -- was torn down. Well, let me get out my violin.

Also, nice touch calling her an aggressor. I'm sure she's off to invade Poland and behead apostates.

[Florida Man]

Troll somewhere else. People round here believe in freedom of speech. If religious displays were kept on private property none of this would be an issue. Oh yeah, aggressor does not equal invader.

[Tonio]

That's some tasty, delicious butt-hurt there, Marty.

[Sevo]

Marty Comanche|12.24.14 @ 1:43PM|#
"I don't know if this display or that of the FSM would be considered "fighting words" in court, but the clear purpose is to provoke anger."

Oooh! 'Fighting words'!
Merry xmas!

[Sevo]

I'm not gonna see any movie, but I'm glad the studio grew a pair.

[Francisco d'Anconia]

To bad they had to be shamed into it.

[Francisco d'Anconia]

Too

[Sevo]

Agreed, but plenty get shamed and STILL don't grow any.

[Tonio]

Ohio town claims that nativity scene they don't like violates zoning regulations.

Let me see, who would be offended by this? Muslims? Buddhists? Hindus? Shinto? Seems like I'm forgetting someone....Jews? No, that's not it.

[Sevo]

"The neighbors don't like it. My father hates it and anything bad that happens he blames it on that,"

I'll bet dear ol' dad doesn't walk under ladders, either.

[Tonio]

Zoning regulations - the municipal equivalent of the Commerce Clause, there's nothing it can't do!

[Sevo]

From the same page:
"Russell Brand attacks Christmas ads: 'What is our ideology? Worship of Christ or worship of products?'"

Russell, I'll take "products", thanks.

[Florida Man]

X-mas has gone secular, get use to it. The Japanese love Santa, that doesn't mean they are all about to become Christians.

[Tonio]

While Santa is based on a somewhat obscure saint, it's always been a secular deal. Hardcore Christians hate them some Santa.

[Florida Man]

I'm not a big x-mas guy because my parents were southern baptists and drove all of the fun out of the holiday and were certain that I knew from a young age Santa was a lie and it was baby Jesus birthday and they paid for the damn presents and now I need a bourbon.

[Sevo]

Florida Man|12.24.14 @ 1:29PM|#
"I'm not a big x-mas guy because my parents were southern baptists and drove all of the fun out of the holiday"...

My folks were somewhat religious, but I've been an atheist for as long as I have any recollection of an opinion on the matter. Ditto the santa-gig also, but I humored my parents for a while.
OTOH, I ENJOY xmas; the shopping, smiles, fireplace, good food. All that stuff that just represents people having a good time.

[Florida Man]

I enjoy the movies and the lights. My wife loves everything about Christmas so I can get a little sick of the music and the shopping.

[Kaptious Kristen]

I am a born & bred atheist, and I had the best Christmases as a kid. The snow, the tree, the presents, the hot cocoa, the fireplace, the carols. I love all of it.

I know quite a few people who dislike Christmas, and they all identify as Christian. They're probably saying to themselves "I was into Christmas before it became mainstream".

[Sevo]

"They're probably saying to themselves "I was into Christmas before it became mainstream"."

That or like that self-righteous twit Brand, they're conflicted between what the fantasy they 'should' be living and the *fact* of xmas.

[Tonio]

Sorry, Florida Man.

FWIW I still enjoy Christmas in the limited sense which an adult can. Even went to a religious pageant featuring a friend's kid. The holiday season does bring out the best in most people.

[Tonio]

Rage-inducing trigger: Don not click on this link unless you have a strong stomach. Note top illustration of Brand and what he's wearing around his neck.

[Doghouse Riley Jr.]

What an ass. If only the Norks had been fans of the original Arthur. Also, Katy Perry must really hate her parents to have married that nitwit.

[The Late P Brooks]

I'm still going to see Into the Woods instead.

I'd rather watch Ed Wood.

[The Late P Brooks]

We're No Angels.

"Well, did you tell him?"

"He knows, already."

[Kaptious Kristen]

OK, I'm outta here. You all be good. Or bad. I really don't give a shit.

Merry Christmas!

[Florida Man]

Be safe, have fun.

[Krokko]

Invasion USA and The Long Kiss Goodnight!

[Enjoy Every Sandwich]

Not even the cause of Freedom of Speech can induce me to waste my time on this movie. If I'm going to stick it to The Man (including a very little man like Kim) can't I do it with a good movie?

[Tonio]

This isn't the movie we might have wished for, it's the movie we have.

[Remnant Psyche]

Viral marketing scam? Anything is possible!

[HazelMeade]

I saw The Interview. It's ok. Not super awesome the whole way through, but it has it's moments.

However, I really got the impression that the true intended audience for the movie was the North Korean people and the regime. There's just way too much dialogue that seems intended to speak directly to various people in the regime, and in the Korean system. Like, for instance the fact that the hot North Korean army woman doesn't stay with the American TV producer, because she says that she needs to stay to help the Korean people through their time of turmoil. And then he's all like "she honey potted me!". And how they play "Winds of Change" at the end, as a direct reference to the collapse of communism. I could go on with more specific examples.

I wouldn't be terribly shocked if it turned out the entire thing was an elaborate psy-ops operation by the CIA, maybe even the whole hacking scandal was concocted as a means to ENSURE that the film would be leak into the country and be seen by the people there.

[BoscoH]

This might be the only angle that could get me to waste $7 on this now, and I was really looking forward to two movies this Christmas back in the summer. One was The Interview and the other was Paddington (nudged to January 15). If it's a propaganda play, I'd want to see if there's any subtle irony in it. Hoping, but not encouraged from what I hear.

As to other Sony content. I'm not boycotting yet, but if something they make is a toss-up, I'm out. They did this to themselves, and are now trying to pass off the costs of archiving way too much and having ineffective defenses onto the rest of us. These people suck.

[Mitch Connor]

The Movie SUCKED !!!

I'm beginning to think it wasn't North Korea and it was Sony All Along.
This would had never been a box office hit without the HYPE.

Team America, World Police was a million times better. And, if The N.Koreans didn't kill us for that, they'll have no problem with this one. Other than the end, it made the leader look like a pretty fun guy.

[BigT]

The Interview was a sophomoric series of butt and dick jokes for an hour, but was quite funny when it portrayed Kim Jong Un. It is hardly the classic Chaplin takedown of Hitler of "The Great Dictator", but it compares with Sasha Baron Cohen's "The Dictator" on Qadaffi.

Would not watch again except for the last 20 mins.

[HazelMeade]

I actually thought the middle third, where Kim John Un hanging out with the TV talk show host, was the best, especially the part where he discovers the grocery store was fake and all the grapefruits were made of plaster. Damn you Kim, you liar, you tricked me!!!