The Interview Probably Just Changed The Way You Watch Movies Forever

What you are seeing with the multi-platform debut of "The Interview" just changed the way you'll see movies forever.  The movie theater chains always had the threat of not booking a studios other releases if they didn't get the opportunity to show movies first and they just blew it

Since the major chains declined to show "The Interview" it opened the door for the studios to test all of these platforms.  If it goes well, it will happen more and more. One of a movies greatest expenses is advertising, right now most advertise when the movie is released, then again when it's sold for home consumption.  The only thing missing from this current setup is that d.v.d.s are not in stores. This is a small oversight because of the urgency of this situation, because you can "buy" the movie right now online. It's even the first thing you see when you head to YouTube right now, and that's GOT to be good for business.

The old school methods of distribution no longer work. People want what they want and where they want it. There is not a single chance that I would go to the theaters to see "The Interview", but I'll rent it and maybe buy it.  I prefer my movies at home just like some people prefer them in theaters.  I don't think this means the death of theaters either.  You can make mixed drinks at home but that doesn't keep people from going to bars.  Having a movie available on all platforms may prove to be MORE profitable.  For example, I was a little pumped for the Rock in that Hercules movie.  If it had been available to rent when it hit theaters, I would have got it, but somewhere along the line when the hype died down I got disinterested and haven't even bother to look and see when it coming on the premium channels.

It's going to be VERY interesting when they total up the box office from all of these sources.  It's my bet that things are going to change FAST.