OK. No whining. Just some specific examples of VOOM programming I'll miss now that they aren't available to me anymore. Seeing "The Forbidden Kingdom" in the theaters this weekend reminded me of just how much I enjoyed VOOM's 24/7 HD commercial free widescreen offerings. This list is a work in progress that I eventually hope to share with the CEO who says he reads all of his e-mails.
From VOOM’s's Kung Fu channel: Many of us knew that Jackie Chan had a career prior to "Rumble in the Bronx." But, for a great many of us, those movies were either hard to find or virtually unavailable. Now that I have seen 5-10 of his Hong Kong cinema movies, it is even easier to understand how he became an international star.
Ditto re - Michele Yeoh, she made many enjoyable movies prior to "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." But, how does someone from Minnesota with no direct connection to the Asian community find and see those movies? Thank you Voom and the Kung Fu channel.
The three "Chinese Ghost Story" movies were one of, and perhaps the, most enjoyable discoveries from VOOM. Three great movies that can stand on their own or as part of a wonderful trilogy.
"The Circle of Iron" movie brings to life some of the spiritual and philosophical themes present in martial arts while telling a quality action-adventure/fantasy movie. This one might be a bit more available; but I had never seen it prior to getting the Kung Fu channel.
All of this growth from someone who is no Kung Fu Phooey. I'm 56 and I lost interest in Bruce Lee after the Green Hornet got canceled.
From VOOM's Rave channel, I saw broadcast of great concerts from Montreux Jazz Festival ; something I haven't seen anywhere else. I saw old favorites I hadn't seen for years (channel scanning when a familiar looking face catches my eye - I flip back - Yes! That is Keith Emerson and the rest of Emerson, Lake and Palmer!!) and discovered new ones. Queens of the New Stone Age are fun. But, what really blew me away was discovering the group "Apocalyptica"; four classically trained cellists with the drummer from Slayer playing songs from Metallica and others. Outstanding and wonderful!! Well worth seeing, hearing, and catching whenever you can. I have since picked up their in-concert DVD and it is great!!
From VOOM's World Cinema Channel, catching the "US high definition premier" of "The Dinner Game" was some of the best use of my time ever! A great comedy that subtly teaches both the actors and the viewers some valuable life lessons. One of my highest possible recommendations! Perhaps even more so for those who feel they don't like French cinema.
The original version of "The Visitors" with Jean Reno far outshines its' American remake; even with Jean Reno playing the same role.
Again, these selections just aren't readily available anywhere else now that VOOM is gone.
As for VOOM's Monsters/Monstervision channel, many posters have already praised this channel extensively. I like it too. My personal favorites were the older sf and horror movies in as HD as possible presentation and the Hammer Studios films. While there are other channels offering material from this genre, no one did it quite as well as Monstervision. Add in uncut, as originally presented, and no commercials, and you've got a product second to none. Seeing the Halloween Party at the Playboy Mansion was a special treat. The Monsterama shorts with Bob Burns, Elvira, and others reviewing genre collectibles and related subjects is the best I've seen in that area since the Sci Fi channel dropped Sci Fi Buzz.
That's all for right now. This is still a work in progress that I hope to share with DISH. People need to know that one person's "business decision" is another person's loss of a valuable, and possibly unique, resource that can add to one's growth and quality of life.
