This week we’ll discuss streaming options that are either free, or offer free trials. I’ll pass on recommendations that might help you navigate them. If something good gets dropped for a limited time, I’ll try to alert my readers.
Omar on HBO’s The Wire.
HBO GO is offering free access to their older shows. If you’ve never seen it, it’s a great time to binge on The Wire for free. https://www.hbo.com/watch-free-episodes
MUBI is my favorite streaming service. This is as close to the Z Channel model, as you are likely to get. Each day they add one film and subtract one film. It’s an incredibly eclectic line up (high art and low) where you are likely to see a newly restored print of something that fell between the cracks, and isn’t available anyplace else. Yet. They only license things for 30 days, so they get some pretty A-list foreign films (old and new) and domestic restorations that they might still be shopping around.
Osi74 logo.
OSI74 Is a free channel on Roku. They specialize in Troma type fims, culture jamming (Negativland and Craig Baldwin are well represented) and shows about schlock culture. They are also setting up a channel on Vimeo. https://vimeo.com/osi74/videos
KANOPY was included in a previous dispatch, but it bears repeating: you can watch movies with your library card. https://www.kanopy.com/
The Criterion Channel is a cinephile dream hoard of riches. They also do monthly festivals, where they license content from other studios to augment the very worthy content that they own. They offer 14 day free trials. https://www.criterionchannel.com/
Marquee TV streams ballet, opera and theater from venues such as The Royal Opera House, The Bolshoi, and The Royal Shakespeare Company. Because of the pandemic, they have extended their free trial period to 30 days. https://www.marquee.tv/
Tilda Swinton in Okja.
OVID TV specializes in indie fare. They are currently having themed festivals of Tilda Swinton films and a Rohmer double bill. They are offering 14 day free trials. https://www.ovid.tv/
ACORN TV specializes in programming from the rest of the English speaking world. (England, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand) They offer 7 day free trials. https://acorn.tv/
EROS NOW offers Bollywood fare. In honor of self isolation, they are offering 2 month free trials if you use the promo code STAYSAFE. https://erosnow.com/movies
An appropriately-dressed character on Dark, Season 2.
NETFLIX is offering 30 day free trials. Their international programming has been really strong. Recommended titles for binging: “Dark” (a really complex and intelligent take on time travel) and “Babylon Berlin”. A useful tip on foreign programming: Many shows are dubbed, but you can tweak them to display in the original language with subtitles. https://www.netflix.com/
AMAZON is hosting the SXSW film festival this year, and it’s not behind a paywall! https://www.sxsw.com/film/2020/amazon-prime-video-presents-the-sxsw-2020-film-festival-collection/
PRO TIP: If you are just doing free trials, subscribe to the services one at a time. Study their offerings, and make the most of your free window. If I’ve missed any free streaming options, please share them in the comment section below.
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