I walked by a Hollywood Video Store the other day and it was such a depressing site.  The place looked like an abandoned warehouse.  There are empty shelves everywhere.  All the movies are out of place and in disarray.  There’s nobody in there.  And they still have a huge picture of Batman Forever hanging on the wall behind the counter.  I mean, really…Batman Forever?  And it’s not just this video store.  Blockbusters and Hollywood Videos all over the country are closed, or look like they are on life support.  Come on, video stores.  It’s time.  Just die already.

I can’t remember the last time I rented a movie from a video store.  I think my blockbuster card is buried in the depths of my wallet with an expired Dunkin Donuts gift card and a coupon for fruit roll-ups.  But just like every other American, I use Netflix.  It’s sad.  I remember years ago getting excited about video release dates, and heading to the video store to pick up the copy, or reserving it the week before and counting down the days to rent it.  I remember walking into Blockbuster and seeing the card board stand ups for big upcoming releases.  These are cherished memories, which is why it’s sad to see video stores like this.  Just put them out of their misery.  Let them die with dignity.

I love how Blockbuster basically copied Netflix, but also gave you the option of coming in whenever you wanted to pick out a new movie, yet people still use Netflix.  It’s like humans are still paranoid they will get charged with late fees, even though to my understanding the Blockbuster mail system works the same way as Netflix.  But I could be mistaken.

So what was the downfall of video stores?  Was it rental prices that soared too high?  Was it the strict and tedious late fee rules?  Is the selection just not good enough?  It can’t be the “Don’t forget to rewind” thing because VHS is dead.  Well, maybe it was all these factors.

I’ll never forget getting a movie wrapped in those Blockbuster rental cases, but enough is enough.  I don’t want to see big empty shelves anymore.  Just end it.  Please Video Stores.  Admit defeat and leave this world.