There are a number of sites that allow for free movie downloads, especially as some movies are made expressly for the public domain, so as to avoid the copyright issues, either because the artist doesn’t want to deal with it, or because of a dislike of playing by the rules. Also, independent moviemakers are realizing the advantage of getting their movies out at any cost, especially those that do mostly shorts. The studios also make some of their movies available, especially as they realized the advantages of just having their movies out there and available.

Although there a lot of sites that offer free movies, most of these sites charge a nominal fee, usually monthly, for users to download their movies. Also, a number of them also download software onto your computer, mostly for tracking purposes. Thus, a free movie is not always as free as you’d think.

Although catering specifically to short films, Atom Film (www.atomfilms.com) is definitely of interest to the movie-watcher. Notable for handling a number of famous recent shorts, Atom Films allows a moviemaker to create a portfolio online for potential investors, as well as giving those who would make shorts anyway an outlet.

Offering a somewhat small library, Entertainment Magazine (emol.org/movies) offers some movies with some definite history to them (such as 1922’s Nosferatu). Although definitely of interest to movie buffs, the collection is definitely limited.

Bit Torrent (www.bittorrent.com) is in the gray area. Specifically, although there are a number of movies that are available through the service that are definitely illegal (a practice frowned upon by the majority of those that use it), there are those movies and shows available through Bit Torrent that were meant for broadcast only, and are usually taken out of the system once the shows have been licensed.