Is it over for blockbuster?

[Mr. DS]

All the talk of the independently owned video stores of the day brings back fond memories.  I recall the first one that opened up in our town and how a trip there was magical.  Wall to wall of movies waiting for your viewing.  The kids of today will never appreciate the early days of home video rental.   

[bakerboy]

It is and its about time. They killed the independent cinema by only stocking Top 100. Now Netflix is killing them, but is about to be killed by Redbox who in turn will be killed by the VOD platforms on the Internet. And so it goes, there will be nothing left then Hollywood hits, TV re runs and Porn.

[Torgo]

I've always hated Blockbuster for their once longstanding Puritanical stance on not carrying unrated versions of movies as well as NC-17 films. I know they reversed this stance at least on unrated versions a little while back but it was too little too late.

[Jim H]

It is and its about time. They killed the independent cinema by only stocking Top 100. Now Netflix is killing them, but is about to be killed by Redbox who in turn will be killed by the VOD platforms on the Internet. And so it goes, there will be nothing left then Hollywood hits, TV re runs and Porn.

Redbox is not killing Net Flix (the selection on Redbox is way too weak for that).  Last I checked, Net Flix is doing fine.  Their profits were up the last time I read.

I might also add Net Flix has VOD. 

[InformationGeek]

I rent from Blockbuster now and then when I am looking for a movie that came out recently or when I am looking for something anime wise (The Blockbuster in my town strangely has the best anime collection, while others have none or just VHS tapes that they won't sell).  I also buy some used video games or movies as well.  I don't really go to Blockbuster much since they don't have any real old films though.  However, I do not use Netflicks or any other services similiar to that since I don't want to have to deal with returning DVDs through the mail and somehow losing them.

For most movies I see, I either order them onDemand, watch them when they come on TV, or buy them from PawnAmerica (All movie DVDs start at a nice price of 7 bucks).

[Jim H]

I don't want to have to deal with returning DVDs through the mail and somehow losing them.

Wait, what?  If they get lost in the mail, you tell Net Flix and they believe you.  They have an automated account thing to do it.  It's never happened to me though.

On another note, I went to the local mom and pop video store I mentioned earlier.  It's changed a lot in the year or two since I was last there.  For the worse, unfortunately.  They've cleared out an enormous number of their old VHS bootlegs (they still have some, just not as many).  And basically, they didn't replace them.  They did the same thing with their horror, scifi, and kung fu VHS selections.

So, the only real reason I liked going there is now much, much reduced.  They still have a few old titles, and some pretty obscure things here and there, but WAY less.  They don't even have Rapeman or the Porno Holocaust anymore!

I still managed to pick up five titles, and I watched three of them.  I'll post it elsewhere though.

[Nukie 2]

The only thing I'll miss about Blockbuster is the over-priced goofy looking candy at the checkout!

[BoyScoutKevin]

Well, I don't disagree with anything anybody has said, so far, but if Blockbuster does go bankrupt and shutters all its stores, it's bad news--at least on a short term basis--for my area. For a number of reasons. To whit.

1. The laid off employees most likely will go on state unemployment, which will stress a fund, that is already under stress.

2. Like most laid off employees, they'll probably buy less, which means less state sales taxes being collected, and the state is already having trouble meeting its financial obligations.

3. If the stores close, that means no more property tax, until something else goes in there. Which means the city will be collecting less revenue, and it has already cut back  what it spends, two years in a row.

4. The school district also collects a property tax, so that means less money for the schools.

[justin]

I could care less about Blockbuster, I haven't rented from them since 2003. I use Netflix & love it. 

[bakerboy]

It is and its about time. They killed the independent cinema by only stocking Top 100. Now Netflix is killing them, but is about to be killed by Redbox who in turn will be killed by the VOD platforms on the Internet. And so it goes, there will be nothing left then Hollywood hits, TV re runs and Porn.

Redbox is not killing Net Flix (the selection on Redbox is way too weak for that).  Last I checked, Net Flix is doing fine.  Their profits were up the last time I read.

I might also add Net Flix has VOD. 

Need to look beyond the company statements:

online.wsj.com/article/SB125630839216703953.html

[bakerboy]

This stupid board does not allow me to post links  so just type h.t.t.p://  without the dots of course( or cut and paste) in front of my article. Ir does not even alow editing posts WTF??

[Andrew]

This stupid board does not allow me to post links  so just type h.t.t.p://  without the dots of course( or cut and paste) in front of my article. Ir does not even alow editing posts WTF??

New users may not post links, nor edit their posts.  This is due to the activities of spammers, and is in no way a malfunction of the forum.  However, please keep your posts polite in the future.

[Skull]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiUgJklnmhE

Hmmmmmmm... There is a lesson to learn here... :)

[Trevor]

We have a South African Blockbuster chain but I don't know if its' related to the overseas chain or not.