[HHFi]

A couple of years ago, I went to Blockbuster to return two videos and planned to rent another. But when I got to the counter, I was told I owed a $3 late fee because one of the videos I had checked out was due at noon while the other one I'd checked out at the exact same time wasn't due until 10 p.m., and it was now 1 p.m. I only had a few bucks cash on me, and I told them loudly, forcefully, and only slightly profanely that I would pay that late fee, but I was doing it with money I had planned to use to rent another video. And that was going to be the last time I would EVER rent ANYTHING from Blockbuster. And it was. I noticed recently that that particular outlet is now out of business. What a surprise.

I now get DVDs from the library or from a locally-owned store with a much better selection (and all rentals are due by closing time). Luckily, I also work in the media and have a friend who is a movie critic and brings her advance screener DVDs over because I have a great video projector and can set up a theater in my living room. This weekend, I sat on my sofa and watched "Sideways" and "The Incredibles." To hell with Blockbuster.

[monkeyshine]

Yeah they had dumb policies. I kind of understand them, since some movies are in greater demand the longer you hold it the less money they can make off it. It was just business. But, I didn't like it either. I don't like their stores. Their stores are a waste. Big stores, big shelves, but they stock the shelves wide instead of narrow - meaning, very little inventory. For first run movies it worked, but if you wanted to rent Kubrik's Paths of Glory - you'd never find it at any Blockbuster. I just recorded Killer's Kiss - a movie that is hard to find - on my ReplayTV unit. It was on at 4 am last week - so no, I didn't stay up to watch it, the machine captured it and I will watch it at my convenience. Same with Stone Cold - a fun, campy movie. I don't think it's even available on DVD. But it's on my personal DVR!