July 8, 2006
mr. smith goes to the internet
Another media milestone. On July 4, for the first time, I googled for a movie, found it at a legal movie download site, and downloaded it. I was able to access a movie when I wanted it, when the thought crossed my mind, as the mood hit me. Media on demand from the great database of the (OK, mostly corporate) world: this is our great media dream! I thought this day would someday come, but, like so much in media these days, it came before I noticed--like a hacker in the night.
It's kind of scary, actually. Our world is quickly becoming one in which we need never leave our desks. I'm sure that's exactly what our corporate overlords want.
Still, I like the idea of, on July 4, being able to download an old time patriotic movie, and watch it. To be a media patriot, I guess. Not that I'm super patriotic. Super-nostalgic is more like it.
I first thought of Yankee Doodle Dandy, with Jimmy Cagney, which they used to air on WGN, in Chicago, on July 4. But then I decided that was a little too patriotic. Then I thought of one of the opening scenes of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, when Jeff Smith, now an appointed Senator, wanders off to visit the monuments, ending up at the Lincoln Memorial. It's not the first thing I did when I came to DC 19 years ago, but I've always loved that scene.
Besides it's a Frank Capra film. Gotta have a Frank Capra film for July 4, to go along with the one for Christmas (It's a Wonderful Life). Maybe Meet John Doe for Election Day and Mr. Deeds Goes to Town for Tax Day?
I enjoyed it. I agree with the basic idea of the movie,which is the basic idea of democracy: that any of us can make a difference. Though I believe more in the power of organizing and empowering groups of people, rather than one-man-holding-out-against-all scenarios. Anyway, it was a satisfying July 4 film.
The site where I downloaded the movie is cinemanow.com. It's a little clunky, and not a lot of choices at the moment, but it's a good place to start. (And I probably show my techno- innocence when I make a big deal out of these sorts of things: many folks out there have been downloading movies (tho illegally) for years.)