When Blockbuster video merged with Dish Network in 2011, it was announced that 500 Blockbuster stores would close. Well, we now know this store in Sarasota is one of those and it will close forever next month. Everything inside is being sold. When I say everything, I mean it. Even the bubble gum machine had a 'sold' sticker on it. Truth be told, after 15 years of loathing Blockbuster, due to a billing error on their part (I have a good memory when it comes to bad customer service), the company finally lured me back a couple of years ago with offers of free video rentals. I'm not one to watch a lot of movies, so Netflix or something similar just isn't for me. But, occassionally, I like to watch a movie at home and I don't want to upgrade my monthly cable bill for the option to download a movie on demand. So, that more or less left Blockbuster. Oh, well. Now, if I want to rent a movie I suppose I'll have to use Red Box at my local grocery store, which is fine, except the selection is rather limited. How do you watch movies at home?
13 comments:
That's the problem with mergers... I don't have TV!
Well, we pretty much don't unless we buy the movie at WalMart (and it must be very very good) or someone loans one to us. The last movie we bought and watched was "The Help."
We have 'Lovefilms' here in the UK - an online service connected to Amazon. Netflix has been trying to get business here but selection is poor. Blockbuster shops are still here but they are struggling. Sign of the times. But you know me, SRQ, I love going to the cinema and seeing films on the big screen :). Fun article.
I have friends with various movie downloading options so if I really need to stay in and watch a flick, I make a play date. Otherwise it's basic cable and the history channel. I also find YouTube has been posting full movies from the 40's and 50's. I have a cable I got from Amazon to display my iPad to the TV. Works actually better than one would think.
I 'steal' them off of Hulu and other places. Ah, the criminal mind.
I am embarrassed to tell you how I waste money.
I must admit, I rarely watch movies at home (or in the theater). When I was in the US, I used Netflix, but here in Canada they only have streaming (which has much fewer options). I would definitely use RedBox if they had it here, but Canada is a little behind the times when it comes to things like that!
The other day driving through southeast Ocala, I noticed a Blockbuster store that was still in business. It's the only one left here, I believe.
Technology changes things very fast because the pace of the accumulation of knowledge is quite incredible.
Twenty some years ago I remember reading that 75% of everything we know has come to us in the past 50 years!
Can't imagine what things will be like 50 years from now. But I'm pretty sure I won't like it! :-)
I don't watch many movies SRQ but we do have 'World Movies" on Foxtel and if a French movie comes on I can be tempted to sit for a while! Honestly I admire people like Ciel, who don't have a tv in the house, it really is such a waste of time!
Ah sign of the times, remember when they were ubiquitous? I do love watching movies though I'm a bit picky about which ones I see (so not much watching in quantity). We have streaming Netflix but the selection isn't limited, so we also borrow the public library's pretty good selection. Have you looked into Amazon or iTunes? If I can't find anything via Netflix/library, I like to check out the short-term 'rental' options on iTunes and Amazon - they've some surprisingly good picks.
I swear by Netflix, via U.S. Mail. We have a t.v. but no television satellite service (the only option here) so if we watch anything it's a DVD movie - Netflix or our own small "library" of favorites. I don't miss t.v. and after some years of subscribing Netflix makes pretty good recommendations to me. (the Blockbuster here closed about a year ago. I stopped going to video stores because the employees were such unhelpful zombies.) And reading's a wonderful pastime, too.
I'm a Netflix subscriber and I rarely watch movies. I'm watching last season's Downton Abbey right now and Season 6 of Grey's Anatomy! I've even decided to go back and watch some old favorites - like NYPD Blue, Groucho Marx (Yep, You Bet Your Life is on DVD!). There are also many great National Geographic documentaries available. I find this much better than watching TV on line. Who wants to sit in front of your computer to watch a TV show! I like to be propped up in bed with some popcorn. And there are no commercials!
I just recently subscribed to Netflix, primarily so I could watch the first season of Downton Abbey. Had to watch season 2 on YouTube (pay) and got caught up on season 3 on PBS. I'm going to hang on to Netflix for a few months and see how it goes. I just have to remember that I have it!!!
Sue
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