This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure for more information.
Gah! I am sold out on this service we’ve discovered!! We just had a friend tell us about it last week and we’ve already used it twice.
I can’t count how many movies we’ve skipped over the years because of a just a scene or two with sexual content or pervasive language. Or movies that we watched years ago that we’d love to show our boys…except for that one part. You know what I’m talking about, right? If only we could filter content in movies…
Some years ago, there was a service that allowed people to rent movies and filter content as they chose. It was shut down pretty quickly, if I remember correctly, by Hollywood big-wigs crying, “Censorship!”
Enter VidAngel.
Filter Content in Movies
Movies only cost you $1 ($2 for HD) to watch.
Here’s how it works: You purchase the movie you want for $20 and download it. Oh, and they happen to have filters available for you to choose from. Isn’t that nice? But wait! They have a fantastic return policy….return the movie within 24 hours, and you’re given a $19 refund ($18 if the movie was HD). Sweet!
Sound confusing? It’s not.
Here’s how they explain it on their website:
For us to legally offer filtered movies, you must own the movie. This means you purchase every movie for $20. To make this as affordable and user-friendly as possible, we have created a “Sell-Back” option that allows you the choice to sell the movie back and receive credit in your VidAngel account. No hassle, no fuss — just enjoy your filtered movie, sell it back, and only pay $1.00 for your SD movie.
The first movie we watched using VidAngel was my husband’s pick, Big Trouble in Little China. I wouldn’t call it an 80s classic, like some would. But that’s neither here nor there. The original has nudity and lots of language. The great thing about the way that VidAngel allows you to filter content is that you really are in control. You can check a broad category, like “language” or you can go in and select exactly what words, or types of language you’d like to filter. Other categories include violence, sexual content, and drug use. They even have a ‘Jar-Jar Binks Filter‘… seriously, you could watch The Phantom Menace without Jar-Jar…hilarious! (and tempting)
The language filter silenced blocked words. Not having ever seen the original, I couldn’t judge how seamlessly the film was edited when scenes were cut, but it didn’t seem choppy.
The next movie we watched was Dead Poet’s Society. Not a ton of language, but one scene with some nudity. Knowing that movie, I can say that the editing was done well. My kids definitely noticed that something was skipped, but it didn’t disrupt understanding the scene.
Lawsuit
We love this service! And we want to show our support of it. If you check out their website, you can read about how several major movie companies have come together to try and shut VidAngel down…crying, (surprise, surprise) “Censorship!”
Here’s how VidAngel sees it, and I agree:
1) WE BELIEVE IN GREAT CONTENT.
Before creating software, the VidAngel team was actually best known for their video content. We have helped create a long string of Internet hits like Studio C, Squatty Potty, Poo-Pourri, Orabrush, Orapup, the World’s Largest Nativity, and others.
As content creators, we love movies and TV shows that are compelling and well-crafted. Not only do such movies entertain, they also change behaviors and minds of people — we believe movies help change lives. That’s why we provide movies and TV shows to our customers in a personalized and inexpensive format.
2) WE BELIEVE IN PERSONAL FREEDOM.
Producers and directors should have the personal freedom to create whatever movies and TV shows they choose. We condemn censorship of their content in the public sphere.
But individuals, in the privacy of their homes, should have the personal freedom to watch that content in the way they choose. That right is protected by law.
That’s why VidAngel does not claim to be a moral authority. We will never tell you what to watch or what filters to use when watching a movie or TV show. You have the choice to watch however the BLEEP you want. VidAngel just facilitates your personal choice.
And that’s why I’m telling everyone I know about Vidangel.
I need this in my world!
*This post contains some affiliate links. Part of why I created The Sparrow’s Home was to be able to share resources that I’ve found useful or wonderful in some way. Every so often, I’m fortunate enough to become an affiliate with the makers of these fantastic resources. This will never add cost to my readers.
Marcia says
Thank you so much for letting us know about VidAngel! I can’t wait to try it out for the next family movie night!
Susan says
I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Sumudu says
Never heard of VidAngel. So glad I joined this blog challenge to learn new things. Will definitely be giving this a try
Susan says
Awesome! Thanks for stopping by!
Roy A Ackerman, PhD, EA says
Very interesting.
But, given the vocabulary that obtained in our house (nuff said), I decided to explain to the kids that mom was an adult and they were kids. They could hear those words but not use them. EXCEPT- when folks called (this was years ago) during dinner. It was always some sort of unsolicited phone call. They could use them to their hearts’ content, since the caller (illegal) could never complain. They got their giggles, got it out of their system, and learned to never use the words otherwise.
Now, with the sexual scenes in movies- I never let them “enjoy” such interludes.
Susan says
Roy, I just heard another parent last night talking about language in a similar way. She was saying that they taught their kids that “swear words” were adult words. Much like driving a car, or drinking alcohol are things that an adult can choose to do, but not a kid. Your take with the sales callers reminds me of when we were breaking my son of thumb sucking–he knew he could only do it when he was in his bed, nowhere else. Eventually he grew out of it, too.
Lindsey says
Unfortunately they are currently having legal trouble and are being asked to take down most of their content.
Susan says
I knew about the lawsuit but hadn’t checked on the status in awhile. Sad. This is what they have posted on their site:
Dear VidAngel customers,
First, the bad news. The judge has issued a preliminary injunction against VidAngel, requiring that we pull down all the studios’ content. We are seeking a stay of this injunction, but if our efforts fail, we will need to take down the movies of all major studios.
Now the good news. This is the first battle in a long war. We will launch an immediate appeal. And unlike previous filtering companies, we have the funds to fight this all the way to the Supreme Court. We’re committed to protecting your right to watch filtered movies in your home.
In the meantime, we will be finding and creating family-friendly shows and movies so you can still watch quality content on VidAngel. This will be a gradual process, so please be patient with us. We will keep you posted as this develops.
Hang in there,
Neal Harmon, CEO of VidAngel
#ThisIsNotOver #SaveFiltering