die blockbuster video, die
November 5, 2007 by Cash
Ah Blockbuster.. how do I hate thee? Let me count the ways. First off your idiotic late fees used to irk me, especially when I was only a few hours late and still got charged. Luckily, your computer systems were so archaic I was able to go to another Blockbuster, use my card, and not have to pay your fines. Of course, I eventually ran out of Blockbusters in my area, which made me seek out other options. Secondly, your ‘family friendly’ bullshittery. Who are you to determine what movies I rent? Your already pathetic independent / foreign film ’selection’ was further castrated by your decision to keep anything NC-17 off the shelves. Most people don’t realize this, but unless you say Eyes Wide Shut in the theatres, you will NEVER see the original, NC-17 version as Kubrick intended. Why? Because freaking Ballsbuster threated not to stock it unless it was re-cut to receive an R rating. RIDICULOUS. I am now a recovering Blockbuster customer, block-free for 6 years (thank you Netflix).
Apparently, I’m not the only one singing the death toll for this outdated, un-needed service/company.
Don Reisinger over at Cnet has a wonderfully articulate piece heralding the downfall of the once mighty video store.
Simply put, Blockbuster is doomed. And while many of us have known it for a while now, it’s amazing to me that the chairman of the company admitted this in a not-so subtle way, as well.
For Blockbuster, there is currently no prospect for growth. Not only is it incapable of breaking the Netflix shell, the brick-and-mortar stores are failing, and there is little chance it will be able to capitalize on the future of movie rentals–downloading.
The way I see it, Blockbuster has two options: sell off the company as soon as possible or spend huge sums of cash on research and development and strategic partnerships with distribution companies to make downloading movies a viable alternative to Netflix.
But unfortunately, I simply don’t see this happening. I think Blockbuster will try to stay the course in the hopes it can find a way out. It won’t.
I’ll give it two years before this company goes under
Truly music to my indie-film loving, anti-censorship supporting ears.
[...] Six years. It’s a long time for any relationship, let alone one with a company like Netflix. Don’t get me wrong, I love Netflix. Their overall business model, huge independent movie selection (including unrated and Nc-17 titles) and power to finally topple the evil empire of Blockbuster video (read my rant here) are good things indeed. Still, after six years of being one of Netflix’s best customers, it’s time to move on. [...]