Netflix: The Last Blockbuster

The Last Blockbuster ever anywhere. Wow, it sounds like extinction. This is a documentary streaming on Netflix that I came across the other night. It was a program of hope—that this place has survived—and of nostalgia—its fame and renown has only increased with the distinction of being the last.

It also seemed a bit lonely, no other mate in order to procreate. Also there is the hint in the show that they, too, might be shut down, refranchised at the end of their contract. For now, Bend, OR has the only known Blockbuster in existence.

The doc also brought up memories. I remembered me and my husband walking to the Blockbuster on Argyle, to a strip mall in Little Saigon, to pick up a couple of videos. This is the square bulky thing. It was hard to choose from among all the new releases—and, though we were assured of numerous copies, there was still a scarcity. We waited around hoping someone might drop off the one I wanted to see. Mike’s preferences were art house so those were usually in stock, on the shelf.

But what really came back to me was the memory of the snacks, all the drinks and candy and chips in the aisle on the way up to the register that we had to walk past. Ohhh, how I wanted to be able to indulge in microwave popcorn, a cold Coke from the fridge, those big boxes, movie-theater size of chewies and chocolates. But, usually we could only get the videos—unless we had borrowed the Cornerstone magazine Blockbuster card and then we might feel the freedom. Otherwise, to come up with the $7 or whatever to rent 2 videos was usually all we had.

This was before Netflix, this was even before Netflix subscription where they mailed us a CD—again, the art house ones Mike was unable to get except at perhaps Facets, a Chicago treasure house for cinema-philes. Of course, there was no streaming. That would be in the future—the future when somehow money became a little easier to get a hold of. And, besides, we co-opted a password of some friends/relatives and could watch for free anytime.

In fact, watching The Last Blockbuster on Netflix seemed ironic, like a chicken eating an egg or visa versa. The thing that killed you at the same time resuscitating you. Not sure of the analogies, just the surrealness of how it has all turned out.

That, and that VCRs, videos, and even CDs have gone the way of the dinosaur. Fossils of the past that occasionally resurface and provoke museum-like awe, or like freak shows in circuses—except the term freak show is no longer PC (for good reasons) and there are no longer circuses. All this to say: stay tuned, everything will change.