that thread http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1018&message=33510273 is now closed (full), but I found this post interesting. I'll re-post it here:
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RedFox88 wrote: 'Film keeps improving'
> Last year Kodak put out TMY-2, their sharpest 400 speed b+w ever. They also made an improved and sharper TMX100.

> Ektar 100 came out a year ago too and has great DR and exposure latitude (puts dSLRs to shame) and is as sharp as Ektar 25. So it's 2 stops faster and as sharp.

> Kodachrome 64 (though now out of production) is as sharp as Kodachrome 25, but 1 1/3 stops faster.

> Fuji Velvia 100 is a stop faster than Velvia 50, but has finer grain and is sharper with better skin tone reproduction.
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I found this really interesting. Not only did I think film sales were stagnant and on the way out, but I was totally unaware of innovation in the area.

Could you, if you wanted, still easily develop film in your area? How long before that's gone?