Malayalam Movie Review - Action Hero Biju

Solid movie from Jayasurya....AGAIN.

Malayalam Movie Review - Lukka Chuppi

A fun reunion of college friends!!!

Malayalam Movie Review - Pavada

Another hit from Prithviraj

Malayalam Movie Review - Su Su Sudhi Vathmeekam

Solid movie from Jayasurya....AGAIN.

Malayalam Movie Review - Two Countries

Typical Dileep Movie (and that's not a bad thing).

Malayalam Movie Review - Kohinoor

An entertaining Malayalam Heist Thriller.

Malayalam Movie Review - Salt Mango Tree

Another comedy entertainer from Biju Menon.

Malayalam Movie Review - Neram

A movie about timing!!!

Malayalam Movie Review - Ennu Ninte Moideen

A very well done True Story!!!

Malayalam Movie Review - Amar Akbar Anthony

Great cast to play the leading roles!!!

Malayalam Movie Review - Life of Josutty

Not what I expected from a Dileep Movie - in a Good Way!!!

Malayalam Movie Review - Premam

Premam is the biggest Movie of the year (and maybe ever at this rate)!!!

Malayalam Movie Review - Vellimoonga

Biju Menon has found his niche!!!

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Friday, March 15, 2013

New Malayalam Movie Streaming Online - Legal Options

New Malayalam Movie Streaming Online

Over the past few weeks I have seen various articles all indicating some “legal” way to stream Malayalam movies online.  This is certainly a welcome addition given the level of interest that is seen when a newer Malayalam movie is posted online “illegally”.  For many of the “good” Malayalam Movies posted online, it is not uncommon to see views in the 100’s of thousands in a relatively short period of times.  To me this certainly shows the need and a great opportunity for the industry to cash in on.

So far I have seen two models for streaming:

Option 1. Pay Per View (similar to renting a movie from iTunes)
Option 2. Log on to a site at a specific time to watch movie (Similar to going to a theater for a particular show)

I suppose both have their advantages and/or disadvantages, depending on which side of the industry you are on (Producer Vs. Consumer).

Given the fast paced life that most of us live in, option 1 certainly gives the most flexibility for the Consumer.  I am all for this and I am betting that most of the “100’s of thousands of viewers” mentioned above will also be for it IF THE PRICE IS RIGHT.  I hope the industry realizes what is at stake.  This is really the only way to stop or reduce the online piracy problem that everyone is scared off and convert that interest into a revenue stream.  This in my opinion is more important and crucial to the survival of the industry than trying to make a quick buck.

From most of the articles I have read, it looks like Option 2 is what the industry is leaning towards.  While I am not a fan, maybe they can work it in where Option 2 for new releases and a month later (when the Movie leaves the theaters), convert to Option 1.  Just throwing out a suggestion.

Without knowing much of the financial details behind a Malayalam Film, as a Consumer, I would say anything more than $2 a movie will NOT stop the online piracy problem.  

Looking at any decent movie on YouTube or other streaming sites, I think it’s a very safe bet to assume that an average movie should fetch minimum 100,000 views.  At $2, this should be approximately an extra 1 Crore in revenue or more.  With the average movie costing between 2.5 and 5.5 crores, this is serious money at stake. (If the movie is not getting at least a 100,000 views, maybe it shouldn't have been made?)

Whatever the end result, this is certainly a welcome change.  I just hope it gets executed w/ the consumer in mind and in a way that benefits the Industry in helping create great movies in the long run.