Just how did we survive during the BLOCKBUSTER YEARS?

Hands up if you grew up with the Blockbuster Video Rental Store?

!!!!!!!! (those are meant to be hands!)

During the 90’s, it was my main port of call for entertainment (thankfully there was one right where I lived - though it’s long gone now) and was a place I visited at least twice a week (remember when renting was cheap) - with 80’s horror, comedy, action movies and for some reason the titles of Bill & Ted, Super Mario Bros, E.T and don’t ask me why… but I always remember renting it all the time… Superman IV being what I remember renting most.

Ah, those days were good. Word association for Blockbuster to me are Yellow… Summer…. and Fun.

Long live Blockbuster. Long Live VHS!

I’ve just recently got myself a new credit card (as my last one just expired) and I’ve just signed up to a Blockbuster Online DVD Rental so I can use up all the free trials at the various companies with my new card and today I’m getting Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (yet to see), The 400 Blows (love it!) and Casablanca (can you believe I have never seen this).

Two of those titles I would have struggled to get at a Blockbuster in the 90’s (I’m not talking about Magorium because it didn’t exist then, obviously).

Sure it’s easier through the post now… it’s fun choosing your list but there was nothing quite like visiting your local Blockbuster and picking up a crappy title off the shelves.

It’s sad to thing that the company is a dying breed…

5 Comments »

I absolutely hate Blockbuster videos, what a fucking scam that place is! they charge so much for one night’s rental it’s rediculous! it’s nearly as bad as the local shitty cinema(Empire at the Gate)here in Newcastle.
Good news is though..Hooray!The Tyneside Cinema is re-opening at the end of this month all re-furbished with 2 brand spanking new screens(That makes it up to 4 screens!) and you can still get in for 3 quid during the day. First two films I’m gonna see there is “Honeydripper” and the new”Indy “film
Get in!!
I feel like a proper film fan again!

Comment by The Glove | May 14, 2008

Being a bit older, we had the joy of those older video rental shops back in the day. Our local was called Supervideo. No barcodes to be scanned here. Instead there was a card in the video sleeve, like at the library, and they would simply write your membership number on there.

Amazingly, Supervideo didn’t go out of business when a massive Blockbuster opened across the street. Blockbuster was more expensive. Well, both are gone now.

I use LoveFilm for my movie rentals. Ridiculously cheap.

Comment by Rory | May 14, 2008

There’s a reason Blockbuster is a dying breed - they charge $6 for a three-day rental. For less than that, you can have a Netflix account with unlimited one at a time rentals. It’s ridiculous.

Comment by Christine | May 14, 2008

VIDEO CRAZY!!! I worked there for many years (B4 it went Apollo) and often thought of ourselves like the video version of Empire Records! Used to give free videos to the staff at the next door pizza place in return for, you guessed it, free pizza! Also the smell of a brand new VHS just opened will stay with me forever :o)! SAVE OUR VIDEO SHOPS!!!! The cheaper ones at least. And bring back VHS? Maybe not.

Comment by Iwan Williams | May 14, 2008

I disagree with above. I love films, so much I was a projectionist for AMC theaters and worked my way up as a District Manager for Blockbuster then was recruited to Hollywood Video, worked all 3 many years…95 till 2005…saw many changes and experiments. price depended on area and competition. but 90% depended on management and staff of the store, they were allowed to give breaks, get involved with the community, my store had trivia nights and give-aways, we always thought out of the box and I was even recognized as one of top 20 stores in the u.s market. (San Jose, CA) all were great companies if your at the top, but tough on wages for the bottom and the generals publics attitude (like our pampered culture now) was hell if you didnt do “as they wanted”.

Comment by Jet Cougar | May 14, 2008

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