Jump to content

  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

Say Goodbye to Blockbuster in 2011

Dpantherman

By Dpantherman,
in Huddle Lounge

Recommended Posts

Dpantherman Apprentice

Dpantherman

Posted
Posted

by Monika Bartyzel Jul 13th 2010 // 11:45AM

Blockbuster was once the mecca of rentals. While indie metropolitan stores may have always reigned supreme in terms of stock and scope, Blockbuster was the "it" locale for the rest of the country. It wasn't so long ago when stores would be packed on a Friday evening as people rushed to grab the new releases, and shelves stocked sure-to-be-there bets -- films that weren't guaranteed because no one was going to the store, but because they'd have huge piles of discs.

Now Blockbuster is a movie ghost town. After the onslaught of Netflix and Redbox, the end has been near for a while. The company has managed to hold on, just barely, but financial types are now expecting the end to come in 2011.

Blockbuster is near the top of 24/7 Wall St's new list of brands expected to disappear by the end of 2011. The company is currently considering Chapter 11, and it lost another $65 million last quarter. 6,000 stores are still left, but 24/7 believes that the only life left in the company is the kiosk/delivery rental methods. "Its brick-and-mortar business is dead."

It just goes to show you how much of any movie business relies on the casual moviegoer, not the eager-to-watch-everything cinephile. I always, and wrongly, thought that video stores would stay around for the increased options, the older films, and the immediacy the system awarded. You wouldn't have to plan a night in with friends, they could just head to the local store with you and decide between the old and the new.

With streaming, members were offered the immediacy mail could never provide, popping the last piece into Blockbuster's death puzzle. Netflix-free Canada might have to wait for Blockbuster's death knell to prod zip.ca to rival the 'flix in title options and streaming, but chances are that in the U.S., most folks won't really feel the impact of Blockbuster's death. All the company can hope for is a nice influx of buyers when all of their dvds hit the 5-for-$20 bin.

http://www.cinematical.com/2010/07/13/say-goodbye-to-blockbuster-in-2011/

I haven't bought anything from them in years, don't have any friends that have either, we use redbox. I will be making the trip the discount bin when its closing time though!! :biggrin:

Link to comment
Share on other sites
House Newbie

House

Posted
Posted

I hate Redbox.

Everytime I would try to rent a movie from there either a) they would be out of everything worth watching B) there would be a long line c) the person in front of you would be returning a movie and have the bar code pointed the wrong way and stupidly trying to insert the disk over and over and over and over and over and over again.

Usually though it was a combination of all three, first b, then c, and finally a.

I don't go to blockbuster anymore either but I hate fuging Redbox.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Darth Biscuit Mentor

Darth Biscuit

Posted
Posted

There's so many Redboxes around here, that's generally not a problem for me... unless you go to the ones at Walmart...

I knew BB was gone... we would still rent there every once in a while, but when they went to that $5/5 day thing, that was the last straw... On Demand, Netflix, Redbox and streaming online killed them dead.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Dpantherman Apprentice

Dpantherman

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I hate Redbox.

Everytime I would try to rent a movie from there either a) they would be out of everything worth watching B) there would be a long line c) the person in front of you would be returning a movie and have the bar code pointed the wrong way and stupidly trying to insert the disk over and over and over and over and over and over again.

Usually though it was a combination of all three, first b, then c, and finally a.

I don't go to blockbuster anymore either but I hate fuging Redbox.

people must not use it alot here bc they always have what i need. they have it online too. them and netflix are what i use

Link to comment
Share on other sites
House Newbie

House

Posted
Posted

people must not use it alot here bc they always have what i need. they have it online too. them and netflix are what i use

Netflix and on-demand.

About 2 months ago though, my wife went to Blockbuster to rent some movie. I don't remember what it was but it was probably the first time either one of us had been in a Blockbuster since I had left Guam.

Somehow the little fuger behind the counter talked her into paying $20 for a Blockbuster Rewards card. She came home and was all excited because we got 1 free rental for every 5 rentals and 1 free "old movie" rental a month.

I was not happy. I have since decreed that she is not allowed to go anywhere by herself where they have any type of reward card for sale.

We have reward cards for just about every store on the planet. I am 99% sure that she would be a reward card from a crack dealer on the corner.

"Hey, for $20 I will give you a card that is good for a free 8-ball for every 10 8-balls you purchase!".

Link to comment
Share on other sites
cookinbrak Grand Master

cookinbrak

Posted
Posted

I hate Redbox.

Everytime I would try to rent a movie from there either a) they would be out of everything worth watching B) there would be a long line c) the person in front of you would be returning a movie and have the bar code pointed the wrong way and stupidly trying to insert the disk over and over and over and over and over and over again.

Usually though it was a combination of all three, first b, then c, and finally a.

I don't go to blockbuster anymore either but I hate fuging Redbox.

You can go to Redbox.com and reserve a movie at whichever kiosk you use. Not saying they'll have anything, but I check before I go.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
House Newbie

House

Posted
Posted

You can go to Redbox.com and reserve a movie at whichever kiosk you use. Not saying they'll have anything, but I check before I go.

Good tip, that would at least eliminate a. If you can think of anything that would eliminate both b and c, beyond walking into the store and laying waste to some dumb mofo's, I will start to use Redbox again.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
UCaneFanII Newbie

UCaneFanII

Posted
Posted

Was at Blockbuster today for the first time in a hot one. $9 for video games? wtf. It's only for 5 days too. Not even a week. Their selection was tiny too. Redbox, Gamefly, and the interwebz are murkin off on them.

Other noteable businesses going out next year:

Kia Moters

Reader's Digest - (no homo)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • jfra78
      Post Draft Luke and JJ Podcast

      By jfra78 · Posted

      Thank you
    • GamecockSmitty4
      Post Draft Luke and JJ Podcast

      By GamecockSmitty4 · Posted

      Here’s a summary of the JJ and Luke podcast transcript. Opening / Bryce Young Fifth-Year Option     •    JJ: Breaking news — Panthers picked up Bryce Young’s fifth-year option at $25.9M, guaranteed, coming in 2027. Combined with his 2025 salary of ~$6M, that’s $31M over two years — called it a “no-brainer.”     •    Luke: Enthusiastic about the move. Highlighted Bryce’s improving TD/INT ratios (11/10 → 15/9 → 23/11) and the value of entering year three with Dave Canales. Noted $25M is a bargain relative to the $60M top of market. Luke’s Personal Update — Charlotte Christian Football     •    Luke: Working with Charlotte Christian school football program, which hired a new head coach. Coaches include Greg Olsen, Luke, and Greg’s dad Chris Olsen (a New Jersey State coaching Hall of Famer).     •    JJ: Jokingly quipped that Charlotte Christian’s coaching staff is “the world’s greatest” — a Fox analyst, a Hall of Famer, and the best Panthers RB ever — all coaching middle school football.     •    Luke: Praised Chris Olsen’s deep football knowledge spanning decades and his ability to connect with kids. Round 1, Pick 19 — Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia     •    JJ: Panthers were on the clock and submitted their pick almost immediately — a sign of confidence and preparation. Freeling is 6’7”, 320 lbs, played in the SEC in a pro-style system.     •    Luke: Loved the pick. Emphasized you can never have too many quality offensive linemen. Noted Freeling’s size, athleticism, and arm length as key traits. Said the pick also reflects team’s philosophy of drafting great people, not just great players.     •    JJ: Noted reporter Darren Gantt compared Freeling favorably to Jordan Gross — bigger, heavier, and faster — as a potential franchise left tackle.     •    Luke: Pointed out that young players like Freeling still have physical development ahead of them, comparing the trajectory to Christian McCaffrey’s growth from age 20 onward. Round 2, Pick 49 — Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech     •    JJ: Panthers traded up from 51 to 49 (pick swap with Minnesota) to grab Hunter. Played audio from Panthers area scout Kaden McLuhan, who scouted Hunter.     •    Scout Kaden McLuhan (audio): Said Hunter’s size is immediately striking, and that everyone around him spoke glowingly about his character, energy, and love for the game.     •    Luke: Praised Hunter as a massive (6’3”, 320 lbs, ~34” arms) two-gap nose tackle who fits perfectly in the Evero defense. Compared his prospect profile to Akiem Hicks. Said having Derek Brown, Bobby Brown, Derrick Brown, Terson Wharton, and now Hunter creates varied body types that stress offensive linemen.     •    JJ: Noted Hunter ranked third among all prospects in run-stuff rate and sixth in interior pass-rush win rate — addressing a perception that he couldn’t rush the passer. Rounds 3–7 Highlights     •    Luke: Highlighted WR Brazle (3rd round, 6’4”, 437 speed, 1,000+ yards at Tennessee) as the vertical threat the offense needed. Also praised OL Sam Heck (5th round) as a technically sound player whose “short arms” caused him to fall but who has proven himself.     •    Luke: Mentioned CB Will Lee (6’1”, 33” arms) fits the Panthers’ DB prototype — big, long corners.     •    Luke: Praised S/LB hybrid Zaki Wheatley (5th round, 6’3”) as a big nickel similar to Trayvon Merek.     •    Luke: Excited about the linebacker competition between Devin Lloyd, Trevvin Wallace, and Claudin Cherless.     •    JJ: Noted Panthers had the #1 “steal/overreach” rating in the entire draft — drafting players lower than consensus big boards projected. Around the League     •    Luke: Admitted being “a little jealous” that the Miami Dolphins drafted LB Jacob Rodriguez (Luke’s favorite LB in the draft). Has personal connections to Miami’s coaching staff (Jeff Hafley, DC Shawn Dugen — a childhood teammate).     •    Luke: Also noted Miami’s selection of OT/G Kaden Proctor out of Alabama, who will likely move to guard. League Trends — Bigger Tight Ends / 12 & 13 Personnel     •    JJ: Observed the NFL saw its highest run rate in ~11 years (~52%) and a notable pivot toward big blocking tight ends in this draft.     •    Luke: Explained the cyclical nature of NFL offense/defense evolution — as defenses get smaller to match spread offenses, teams counter with bigger personnel (12/13 formations), which then forces defenses to get bigger at the nickel/“big nickel” spot. Called it an ongoing arms race.
    • hepcat
      NHL 2026 Playoff Thread

      By hepcat · Posted

      Dan Vladar is their best player and that is going to be the difference in the series 
×
×
  • Create New...