I’ve previously spoken about my recent move back toward physical media, and how I’ve started to learn to embrace it again. I still use streaming services, and I like the flexibility which digital offers (especially when travelling), but I miss owning hard copies of films.
As such, I’m building up a curated collection of movies and TV shows. The collection includes films which I want to own in a physical format, be it on DVD, Blu-ray, or 4K; the odd obscure title which is nowhere to be seen on streaming; and a few older films and TV shows which I already owned, but have rescued from the dusty confines of the cupboard.
My physical media collection is a work in progress, but it’s something which will build over time. I missed owning physical copies of films, and feel that streaming is a bit all over the place at present (and very untrustworthy), so inching back toward the physical realm is my way of correcting an imbalance.
Plus, I am currently feeling very nostalgic for the days of VHS and DVD. I’ve previously spoken about how I worked in a video rental store during the early ’00s, and I feel that as we move further and further away from that period, and away from investing our time and money into movies like we used to do, something is getting lost along the way.
This isn’t me attempting to bad mouth streaming, but everything has become so disposable. Too many films come and go these days, with next-to-no traction, and that’s largely because they are only available on one streaming service.
I understand that Netflix, Disney+, Paramount et al want exclusivity with their films and TV shows, but restricting titles to one place is having a negative impact. Keeping it on one platform is not the big draw these companies believe it to be, and by not sharing it around through retail, rental, or regular TV networks are stopping wider audiences from paying any attention to their films and shows.
Of course, I bring all this up because back in the day, video rental stores played a huge part in giving movies and TV shows a second life. Even if something flopped at the box-office, it could often find a new audience on video or DVD, and studios and streamers appear to have forgotten this.
I haven’t forgotten and as I start to rebuild my physical media collection, I wanted to bring a little bit of the video rental days back into my home. No, I haven’t set up a rental service, nor have I recreated an exact replica of Hollywood Video in my own home, but I have slipped a bit of Blockbuster magic onto my shelves.
Amongst my collection of DVD, Blu-rays, and 4K discs, I have added four faux-Blockbuster DVD rental movies. These are custom-made rental cases, mocked up in Blockbuster graphics to appear as if they have come direct from my local video rental store.
The reason I have them is a.) for a bit of fun, and b.) as a neat little reminder of the good ol’ days. Apart from a couple of independent rental businesses which still operate here and there, and that one remaining Blockbuster store in the US, video rental is essentially dead, but it doesn’t have to be forgotten.
These custom-made cases were not my creation – I got them from Etsy – but they are based around films I enjoy. The four films are Batman (1989), Batman Returns (1992), Batman Forever (1995), and Batman & Robin (1997).
I chose these films as I wanted a collection of three or four cases, that give the impression I went to Blockbuster one night and decided to rent a series of films. As the Batman Anthology from 1989 to 1997 is my favourite movie series, it made sense to go for these titles.
The cases were mocked up by the Etsy seller, and were designed to look as close to original-style Blockbuster rental cases as possible. He included various details on the front, back, and spine, including a movie synopsis.
I provided the text for the back of the cases, as I wanted them all to match, but the seller would have happily done this for me. I also asked for the store’s address details to reflect those of an old store I used to use, which in this case was one in Derby in the UK.
With the right equipment (namely a printer) and a bit of time, I could have mocked up these cases myself, but was happy to let someone else do the job for me. The key thing here was to have the cases prepared and ready to go on my shelves, so they could be integrated into my collection as I began to build it.
As the seller only makes the cases and doesn’t supply the DVDs, I tracked down cheap battered copies of the films via eBay. I then popped them out of their knackered packaging and placed them into the Blockbuster cases.
And the great thing here is that it doesn’t matter if these discs, or even the cases themselves are a bit rough-and-ready. Anyone who can remember the days of video rental stores will recall that many of the tapes and DVDs were in a ‘used’ condition, so this only adds to the nostalgic charm.
Despite any scuffs, my faux-Blockbuster DVD rentals are perfectly playable, but they are being added to my collection for display purposes only. They help give me that nostalgia hit I often crave, and whisk me back to simpler times.
The addition of the faux-Blockbuster rentals are a non-essential, but perfectly enjoyable piece of fun to add to my curated physical media collection. The rentals aren’t the only bit of the past I’ve added, as I’ve slipped in some VHS too (more about that in the next post), but they are a great addition.
While piecing together my physical media collection the emphasis is on my love of film. Video rental stores were a big, BIG part of my interest in movies growing up, so I wanted to reflect this however possible.
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Thank you for taking the time to read this post about curating a physical media collection. For more useful posts on It’s A Stampede!, be sure to check out the recommended reads below.
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