Look, I love Netflix. I really do. But sometimes it drives me crazy.

While it seems like most of the world has abandoned physical media, I still receive DVDs from Netflix by mail. I like to watch as many new releases as possible, and their streaming service just doesn't provide the variety I crave.

Every now and again, Netflix will have a new release available same day as DVD (usually independent films and documentaries). Such is the case with "Frances Ha," the exceptional new film from Noah Baumbach ("The Squid and the Whale") about a vivacious 20-something dancer (Greta Gerwig, who also co-wrote alongside Baumbach) struggling to be independent in New York City.

It's one of 2013's best movies - funny, character-detailed and an unpretentious examination of the modern day "struggling artist." I'm glad it's available through Netflix streaming, because the more people see it, the better.

I just wish Netflix would tell DVD subscribers like me when such movies will be available for streaming. After putting it at the top of my queue, I received a DVD copy of "Frances Ha" on Tuesday, the first day the movie was available on any home video platform.

Sure enough, later that day, Netflix alerted me that "Frances Ha" was available for instant streaming. Hey, thanks for telling me after I wasted one of my disc rentals!

While my experience is only a small annoyance, it speaks to Netflix's increasingly secretive business model. Some months ago, the company stopped listing upcoming titles for its streaming service. They also blocked sites like InstantWatcher.com from even listing when movies would expire from the service.

Netflix won't reveal viewership numbers for its programming either, notably the performance of originals like "House of Cards" or "Orange is the New Black." That matters little to common consumers like you and me, but you can bet such a practice irritates the heck out of its network and streaming competitors.

Netflix also keeps detailed records of what you watch and how often, so much so that they even brag about how their recommendations are remarkably accurate in determining what movies and television shows customers will want to watch.

That might work for the casual user, but I don't really like a computer program trying to determine my taste in movies. Google already does that for every other aspect of my life.

Whatever. This is movie-nerd-griping. The important thing is "Frances Ha" is widely available on Netflix Streaming. It's great, no matter how you watch it.

• Amazon Prime jumps into original programming

Not to be outdone by Netflix, Amazon has just launched its first original series, the political comedy, "Alpha House," from "Doonesbury" creator Gary Trudeau and starring John Goodman. The first three episodes are available now, while the rest of the season will be released week by week exclusively to Amazon Prime subscribers (an annual service that includes streaming titles and 2-day shipping on most items sold through the site).

Stay tuned next week for a full review.

• Stop destroying the White House

Wondering which "Bad guys invade the White House" movie to watch this weekend? "Olympus Has Fallen" performed better at the box office and is available now on Netflix Instant Streaming. Meanwhile, "White House Down" comes from "Independence Day" wrecker Roland Emmerich and stars the dreamy Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx.

In the battle between these dopey and unsettlingly violent titles, America definitely loses. Both of these movies are just terrible.

Tyler Wilson can be reached at twilson@cdapress.com.