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The Geek Life: The Blockbuster Video Scavenger
Picking the carcass clean By
Robert T. Trate
February 08, 2012
Picking the dying Blockbuster clean this week is The Geek Life
© Robert Trate
The Geek Life is a weekly look at what is happening in the Geek Culture. Movies, Comics, Books, Video Games and TV Shows encompass more than just release dates and reviews. This week the Geek Life picks a dying Blockbuster Video clean.
The location of my Blockbuster Video, which is closing, is irrelevant. You and I both know that sooner or later one near you will be closing, too. Their little sign that says: “This Location Only” is almost laughable. We know it and they know it because video rental stores are about to go the way of the Dodo. It was inevitable as Netflix, streaming videos, and downloadable content have all but eliminated the desire to go rent a movie. The pros and cons of the streaming of movies, downloadable films, and Blu-rays all together is an argument for another day. What I want to share with you is how to make the most of your Blockbuster Video closing.
I have worked in 4 different video stores in my lifetime and a few record stores that sold movies as well. I have seen the ins and outs as well as the various degrees of the video store empire. I’ve put away adult films at a mom and pop store. I’ve even opened a big chain. I’ve seen laser discs added to the shelf only to be swept away by DVDs. I’ve seen it all, trust me.
The Search:
Many of us have tons of DVDs and Blu-rays already. Our libraries are vast but never fully complete. When walking into the dying Blockbuster make sure you have a list of few things in your head. However, it is the surprises that you find that make the trip worthwhile. Personally, this time around I had Criterion Collection DVDs in mind. The reason being that many “normal” people have never heard of Criterion Collection DVDs and these films often get neglected. There is always a good chance of finding some out of print editions or Kurosawa films just sitting there waiting. Plus new Criterion Collection films are not cheap and these will be.
What I have always found to be the best approach, after a quick look, is to start at A and end with Z. A real mind blower I know, but when the store is closing everything quickly gets into disarray. With movie stacks being created by customers and then abounded, it quickly becomes a mess. My recent visit allotted me 10 minutes in the store and I walked away with John Wayne’s Big Jake and Anchor Bay’s Special Edition DVD of The Beast Master. Never did I think I would walk into that store and walk out with Marc Singer’s classic film. Nor did I think I would pay a whole $3.99 for it (ditto for Zardox’s special edition the next day).
TV Shows:
Blockbuster of course had a huge selection of TV shows both complete and incomplete. With streaming of many of these series available now, I found myself thinking $19.99 for Dexter Season 1 was a bit much. That money could be better spent on getting the special edition of Brad Bird’s Iron Giant and the unrated special edition of Jonathan King’s Black Sheep. What I thought was great about the TV Shows being offered both in single packaged discs and by season was what if I had a screwed up disc? I bought a complete new Farscape boxset once and, by the time I got to the third season, I finally noticed one disc was missing. Sadly, there was no Farscape boxset at this Blockbuster Video.
Nah, I want the Blu-ray:
I know a lot of people who want only Blu-rays, now. Sure they are expensive and come with a lot of bells and whistles making some worth holding out for. I found a special edition of Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind on DVD and knew that it wasn’t going to make me happy. Not when the Blu-ray has all the different versions on it. In the same realm of movies, Abrams’ Super 8 was everywhere on DVD but nowhere was there a Blu-ray. That one, too, must be a new Blu-ray purchase.
The Unknown and the Relics:
The video store used to be a cornucopia of titles. Releases of movies both big and small would always, somehow, find their way into your local video store. While you are walking through the Blockbuster, keep your eye open for odd special editions (I found a 2006 single disc Conan the Complete Quest) and older versions of films that are no longer in print such as the Criterions or even one of the various Evil Dead releases. Granted, you probably have it already but who knows what is out there just waiting for you to rediscover?
Pick them Clean:
The video stores are quickly becoming a thing of the past. Take this time to relish in one or two last hurrahs as you walk through the aisles and pick out a DVD or two. While you are there look for that oddball title you always wanted, discover some old classics (I picked up 5 Hitchcock’s myself), and above all, stock up on the movie candy.
Robert Trate writes three weekly columns for Mania: the DVD Shopping Bag, the Toy Maniac, and The Geek Life. Follow Robert on Twitter for his for Geek ramblings, Cosplay photos and film criticisms.
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Another great article!
I've mostly stopped buying DVDs because I noticed I rarely looked at them. Sometimes once maybe twice, but the shelves of legitimate and bootleg shows and movies tend to collect dust except when somebody else wants to see something. When I do decide to buy one it is usually for the extras so I can see all the behind the scenes and info my geeky heart wants to know. But I even found I often don't look at those either. I still haven't looked at the extras for Abrams' Star Trek or Iron Man & Iron Man 2.
I even shared a laugh with a friend about how we enjoyed watching a movie the night before. At our separate homes and without talking to each other, we both set aside time to watch a particular movie premiering on cable and enjoying it that evening. But the thing was we both owned that film and could look at it anytime! Watching it on cable at that time just seemed more special to us.
I keep thinking I need to stop by the next video store closing I see but usually things are well picked over and I don't find things that interest me.
I do have to comment that you buying a Big Jake , Lifeboat,OHMSS, To Catch A Thief, WITH Beastmaster has to be a violation of the laws of God and Man that has probably triggered the Apocolypse! No wonder the world ends this year! :-)