Area Blockbusters have closed their doors, locking up ahead of their expected ‘Best Used By’ date of Janurary 3rd.  A company press release in September indicated that the company may cut up to 960 stores nationwide by the end of next year.  A helpful ex-employee, James, informed us that Charlottesville’s three locations, Arlington, Abbey, & Rio Hill have all scuttled the brick and mortar shops as of 11:45AM yesterday (12/22).  Nearly insurmountable competition by Netflix seems to be the core culprit, while online streaming and cheaper distribution options were cited as well.

The current plan appears to indicate a ramp up of kiosk locations, in competition with the prevalent Redbox video rental machines owned by parent company Coinstar.

UNCUS reports that other local video stores Sneak Reviews, C’ville Video, Video Etc., and Universal Video all seem to be continuing the good fight, and are hopeful that the closings will keep them in the running a little longer.  [Photo Credits]

[written by That Grrl]

I have long disliked Blockbuster for their hypocrisies in film availability (as well as their bizarre way of filing their films; is “Gone With the Wind” a drama? Romance? Adventure? Classic? Where in the hell IS it already?!).  But this is just ridiculous.  IFC has clearly lost its mind in deciding to give Blockbuster “an exclusive 60-day rental window, including both the physical and digital rental distribution channels, for each title as it becomes available. During this period no title will be available on a retail basis in any format.” Currently, Netflix and Blockbuster operate on a pretty even playing field, making use of the “first sale doctrine.”  Under federal law, first purchaser can also rent that purchase to others via a system such as Netflix.  The agreement between IFC and Blockbuster essentially delays all retail sales of an IFC movie until after the 60-day Blockbuster rental period is over.  Theoretically, an agreement which could be duplicated with other film companies and distributors.

Why does any of this matter?  I really can’t explain it any better than the linked article, by Jim Emerson, Chicago Sun-Times blogger and editor of RogerEbert.com.  The article not only clarifies why this is important, but discusses other Blockbuster practices that simply nauseate me as a consumer and lover of film. Right now?  Pretty happy to say that I’ll be sticking with Netflix and Sneak Reviews (when nothing but brick and morter will suffice).  For a city that supports film passionately enough to host the VA Film Festival and to keep the likes of Vinegar Hill in business, this seems like information many in Charlottesville might like to have.–ThatGrrl

[read more at Sun Times]