Does anyone else miss Blockbuster Video shop???

[MidiMitch]

Just that really. I miss the ritual of going to choose a video. Netflix just isn't the same as the excitement of choosing a video in Blockbusters and then popping into the chippy for tea. Lots about our childhood was rubbish in comparison with our DCs but at least we had that

What do you all miss?

I can't say I miss going out on a dark wet night to choose a video, nor the mad dash to get it back on time without incurring a fine.

I miss good chocolate, and proper bread.

I know what you mean. On the way home we used to love talking about what the videos would be like. And we used to shout “be kind, rewind!” when the videos finished.

But I don’t miss the worn-out ones or the late return charges.

We found some unreturned Blockbuster videos in my parents house when we were clearing out. We were probably partly responsible for it going bust!

I used to love our local video store. They had a corner shop next door so my siblings and I would go in and buy penny sweets then go and choose a film. This always took nearly an hour due to disagreeing and/or the little cardboard triangle that said out of stock I agree OP, on demand just isn’t the same. Way more convenient though!

There's a funny twitter feed of the last blockbuster - in America, Ohio maybe

Midi

You’d better hope they’re still not looking for unreturned videos! At video shop rates you probably owe £8 million.

We were watching The Holiday the other night and discussing blockbuster video as there isn’t a scene in it.
Couldn’t be bothered trekking out to watch a film at home these days thanks!

I hear you. I miss going to blockbusters with family or friends and discussing sometimes heatedly which one we were going to get! It forced you to get some fresh air, and I remember on particularly dark rainy nights being delighted when you saw the blazing lights of BlockBusters.
Its more about anticipation. I miss when Christmas was great because the best films and tv shows would be on, ones you missed or couldn't afford to see at the Cinema

We were reminiscing about Blockbuster this morning when we were talking about why HMV has struggled.

We had Blockbuster around the corner from us, and I think we used to get a mid-week special of two videos for some discounted rate. I'm sure we hired DVDs from them too in later years.

I sometimes get DVDs out of the library. I can probably get them via some other method (Netflix or on demand cable tv) but I do like the ritual of choosing a physical copy of something and sitting down to watch it.

To be honest, it’s probably less time consuming than flicking through Netflix, Prime etc trying to decide what to watch

First stop was Blockbusters, then the off licence, then the chip shop and finally home to enjoy.

I miss it. I miss the popcorn that you could get alongside the videos. We never went out especially for it though. It was always on a Saturday daytime went we went out for other reasons anyway.

I miss it. and the little membership card thing. Sigh.

The queues were sometimes a pain in the bum as well. Still, you got plenty of time to choose sweets.

It was nice going in on a Friday evening or something, picking out films for the weekend and buying some popcorn. Sometimes I think these days we have too much choice that it just becomes overwhelming

Ruffina

Greygardens you're so right. Studies have shown that too much choice makes you unhappy.

I was trying to explain to my children the excitement of video recorders becoming something people had. A film you could choose to watch! Was amazing. The first film we ever got out of the video shop was Splash. I loved the saturday night fun of choosing, even the ENDLESS discussion and negotiation with siblings. My dad was always sent to take them back.

What about remembering to drop the video back? usually through the 'letterbox' when blockbusters wasn't open.

I'm not a film person so it brings back memories of ' Do I have to watch that shite tonight?'

After choosing a video or buying from the ex rental stock, I would go into Safeway supermarket bakery and buy a donut that had a blueberry compote on the TOP surround by a cream cheese frosting. Still the best cake I ever had and a real treat every Saturday. I miss that.

I worked in my local Blockbuster when I was a student. Best job I ever had!

I used to love Blockbusters
Would go there with my dad and pick out a film and one of the tiny tubs of Haagen-Dazs (always strawberry, always eaten with the tiny plastic spatula thing.)
'Posting' the films back in the little letterbox as well.

I miss decent drinks. With sugar. Everything is ruined with sweeteners now.
Tizer used to be my drink of choice, it tastes like shit now.
Decent chocolate (Dairy Milk is just godawful now) - my MilkTray was appalling this year.

I also miss the 'excitement' of Christmas. Now it's rammed down our throats from October onwards it just doesn't feel as special anymore.
Maybe I'm just getting old and miserable.

Do I miss our old independent video rental store - yes.
Do I miss Blockbuster who bought them out, doubled the prices/fees and halved the selection - no, I don't.
I shed no tears when Blockbuster went bust.

I miss blockbuster/video shops although probably not as much as dh. I used to loose him for hours in there!