Adventures in movie rental
Like a lot of people, I think, my friend Paul and I often say to one another, “We should rent that!” after a movie we both like but haven’t seen in a long time comes up in conversation.
So the other night we decided to rent a movie. Neither of us could remember any of the “WSRT!” candidates, of course. I suggested we go to the fine local establishment, Bongo Video. Paul said he would rather go to Four Star, which does have a larger selection, but irritates me by being one of the most inaccessible retail establishments imaginable – it’s downtown Madison, across from about four always-filled parking spots, on a one-way street bordered by two more one-way streets.
So we venture forth to Four Star. And eventually we leave the store with “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” the one movie in creation that every video store on God’s green earth has 40 copies of.
To add insult to injury, when I made my special trip back to return the movie, I ran inside (since I was parked illegally) and handed the DVD to the girl behind the counter. She pointed to another empty counter five feet away, saying, “Returns are over there.”
Let me just say: I love Bongo Video.
And we love you, prodigal renter!
Come back to the fold!
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We go now.
Bongo doesn’t give me enough time to watch the movie–we ALWAYS have late charges. Four Star gives you 5 days or something.
The Bongo mini-reviews always amuse, though.
Four Star gives me a headache, and their employees have consistantly treated me with disdain. I don’t go there.
Bongo Video rules.
Agreed: Four Star is populated with the most flagrant twats Madison’s graduate schools have to offer. If I wanted to be ignored I’d go to a bathhouse.
Bongo Video! rents regular rentals (meaning not New Releases) for 5 days for $3.50, including tax. Kids’ movies rent for $2.50 for the same 5 days. And Bongo rents those same regular rentals in a bundle: 5 tapes or DVD’s, 7 days, $7.97, including sales tax.
Bongo also treats customers with disdain, but only if they’re really asking for it. 🙂
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We go now.
So what did you think of Hairy Pooter & the Chambermaid of Slutlets?
I’m laughing (with love) at the sales pitch. I know I’ve seen that 5/7 deal, but except for Muppet dvds, which are like soothing crack to all my nostalgic places, I don’t think I ever consume that much video that quickly. And I agree that the people that work at Four Star think they’re filming Clerks instead of paying their bills.
Plus, Bongo’s right next to Bahn Thai… mmm… peanut sauce-covered broccoli… mmarrfffmmahmf. In the real world, my video renting at Bongo vs. 4 Star is split roughly 50/50 (mostly because, the Other of Significance works right next to 4 Star).
I just wanted to disagree because disagreement is evil and against the 1st amendment, and deserves hysterics and banishment… and if I got banished maybe I’d get some work done. 😛
James: I actually liked it more on video, although I missed about a half hour because my mom called. (That still left 3.9 hours of magical fun.) It didn’t have to do all the exposition of the first one, so it could spend time on the action, which I thought was a little intense for a kids’ movie.
I’m interested in the third one, because it’s directed by Alfonso Cuaron, who directed “A Little Princess.” I’m hoping he’ll dispense with Chris Columbus’ literalness and give us something with real magic to it.
Mr. Cuaron also directed the most excellent and erotic “Y Tu Mamá También” from 2001. Sun-soaked, free-wheeling, gender-bending, road trip to paradise. Magical, indeed.
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I go now.