Videodrome Closes: End Of An Era

They fought the good fight.

We all bought and rented like crazy, trying to keep the magic going.

But sadly. it had to end.

On October 26, 2013 at 9PM, The Videodrome closed its doors.

To the person who commented on the Edmonton Journal's story of the store's impending closing, something to the effect of "No big deal, movies are online now, sheesh!". On the face of it, of course you are correct.

As I've said, the Netflix concept is brilliant, and I'm very much a fan.

But I ask you to consider this: Unless you've purposely gathered your friends around your computer or big screen for a movie night, how do you share that you found somehing awesome or moving if you're alone? Facebook or Twitter, I suppose you'll tell me. Fine, but I'll bet your machine slows down to a crawl if you have two social apps plus Netflix open at the same time.

There is nothing like rediscovereing pure joy of The Blues Brothers with a group of people, as I did in the store one cloudy Saturday afternoon.

Not every video store owner would turn on the director's commentary for Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan because you were curious to find out what director Nicholas Meyer had to say. Quite a bit, actually. He seems very well-read, and expounded on the nautical aspects of the story and the importance of A Tale of Two Cities in its opening and closing. But most importantly, he detailed how he sneakily drained the Shatner out of Captain Kirk's line "Here it comes" in the Khan battle by shooting multiple takes. But Heather did that for me, because she understood that people have deep connections with the movies they love.

And Videodrome, I have to say thank you for stepping up my movie knowledge immeasurably over the last two years or so, and for putting up with me when transportation issues dictated that I sometimes stay at the store literally for hours at a time. I appreciate it, truly. Hopefully we can meet again, in some form or capacity. While I'm thinking of it, thank you Heather for making it possible for me to reconnect with Burt Reynolds' underappreciated 1978 gem The End, which he also directed. Playing a man who's told he's  going to die, Reynolds as director and star manages to walk the fine line between the serious and darkly comic aspects of the situation. And all this in the midst of the Smokey and the Bandit/Cannonball Run craziness to boot.

In closing...some pictures:

 Owner John was doing his best to smile that day, helping faithful customers find treasures amid the remaining stock. My friend, you fought the good fight. I salute you!

Kevin and Moira, bathed in an otherwordly glow...do they know something we don't?

Thanks also to Dave, Glenn, Chris, Sandy, and all the fellow customers I had very lively discussions with. It was all very enlightening and educational.

See you soon!

Your Friend,

Mike