High-Rise

[Leisher]

Loki moves into a new high-rise built by the latest Alfred Pennyworth. Our society's classes are symbolized by what floor you live on. That's really all I understood before I lost all interest in this movie.

Apparently this is based on a book by JG Ballard. It has a rating of just over 5 on IMDB, which is stunningly low for that site. Typically, IMDB gives out high ratings like a smug asshole Hollywood type gives out pats to his or her own back every time they say something positive about ending racism or poverty, but doing nothing about either.

The forums indicate a LOT of people walked about on showings of this film in theaters. Those same forums also have some folks who claim a Ballard book cannot be filmed. They also have folks claiming it's too smart and highbrow for most people to understand.

Whatever.

Here's what I know: It was boring as fuck. It was clearly symbolic, but the message seemed to be very one sided. There was not a moment that entertained me. Had it not been for the game I was playing at the same time I would have turned it off and moved on with my life. I also know that I hated the direction because despite moments of brilliance, there were more moments of complete shit.

This is one I kind of want Malcolm and/or TPR to see. Am I missing something? Is this as pretentious and full of shit as I think?

[Malcolm]

Is it on Netflix?

[Leisher]

No idea. I happened upon it at the video store.

[TPRJones]

There are still video stores?

Was it on VHS?

[Leisher]

There are still video stores?

Was it on VHS?

I laughed. The funny thing is it wasn't available on Blu-Ray, so I almost didn't get it.

The video store is really close to my house and on the way to anything south, so I still hit it every now and then. I find there are a lot of movies not on HBO, Amazon, Hulu, or Netflix.

[GORDON]

I think the video store revelation is much more interesting than any discussion of this movie.

What was it like? Did they rent the original Nintendos with a $100 deposit? Is there porn in a back room? Tell us more about this portal to 1986.

[TheCatt]

Seriously, I cannot recall the last time I rented a physical video. It was certainly before my oldest was born, but after I was married, I think. So somewhere between 2002 and 2006.

[GORDON]

I think my last time in a video store was a Blockbuster in Jacksonville, NC, in 2005, since closed. After getting burned several times with renting scratched up DVDs that were unplayable, I asked to check them before I paid the rental fee, was told no, and put my rental card on the counter and left. I think it was the next month they posted a multi-hundred-million dollar loss for the quarter, for the first time. I like to think I was part of that.

Nothing worse than planning a pizza and movie night, getting all settled in, and then the fucking movies won't play. Literally nothing worse.

[Leisher]

I think the video store revelation is much more interesting than any discussion of this movie.

That's a great review of this movie.

What was it like?

Before I describe things, to be fair to video stores I don't live in the boonies. As stated, I have a video store, literally, on my drive to anywhere south, which is where my city is located in relation to my house. I drive by it twice a day every weekday and typically once a weekend. It's far more convenient than any Red Box location. Speaking of that, I seem to remember a Red Box discussion here within the last couple of years, which I guess doesn't count as renting videos? I also don't run to the theater for every new movie that comes out. Most don't deserve my attention or my $10 a ticket and dealing with all the assholes there who care more about answering phones or talking to their friend than watching the movie.

But hey, for you pretentious snobs who think it's cooler to pay more money to see a movie , let me break it down:

It's Family Video who I believe is the last chain standing? Their business model seems to be solid. Movies are rented for 5 days except brand new releases which are single day rentals. Newer releases are rent 3 get one free, and slightly older, yet still newer, are $1. They also have a program where you pay $5 for 30 days of 50% everything you rent. Kids section is 100% free.

My wheel house is the movies in the rent 3 get one free and $1 rentals. This is where I find movies that aren't on HBOGo, Netflix, Amazon, or Hulu. (I have a subscription to all.) And call me crazy (and this might be specific to my cable provider), but seeing box art is 1,000,000 times more effective than seeing a text listing of movies.

Better selection and inventory than Red Box, and FAR cheaper than renting the same number of movies digitally. I don't understand why this is a bad thing? Of course, what do I know, I buy ALL my games digitally and don't get boxed copies...

Is there porn in a back room?

Yes! Never been back there because porn is free on the internet, but oddly their bathrooms are in that area as well.

I think my last time in a video store was a Blockbuster in Jacksonville, NC, in 2005, since closed. After getting burned several times with renting scratched up DVDs that were unplayable, I asked to check them before I paid the rental fee, was told no, and put my rental card on the counter and left.

I don't even know how to respond to that. Did you scream "Get off my lawn" while walking out? It's been 11 years and that company is long gone, I think you can let go of the hate now.

At Family Video they flip over every DVD or game and inspect it at the time of rental. If they see any scratches, they have a row of heavy duty dick cleaning/resurfacing machines that they run your item through right then and there. I think in the 10 years I've lived in this area and frequented that store I had one movie fail. It was a kid's movie and it was too far gone to be salvaged by any machines. It was older than time and a free rental, so my level of giving a shit was less than zero.

Nothing worse than planning a pizza and movie night, getting all settled in, and then the fucking movies won't play. Literally nothing worse.

It's a good thing that renting movies digitally completely eliminates this issue. Because internet connections and digital boxes from the cable companies NEVER fail.

Seriously though, being a movie lover I can't limit myself to just digital. That's stupid. Digital is awesome for movies you specifically know you want to watch, but it's pretty much the worst possible option for finding movies you didn't know existed.

[GORDON]

I've never used Red Box, so I will have to take your word for any of that comparison.

Not sure why I am not allowed to continue to sneer at BB for their shitty policies and customer service and retarded business decisions, but I will still take your word about whatever "get off my lawn" meant.

And I still tend to buy physical copies, new, of the movies I really want, so also not sure why you think I am digital only, but again will take your word for it.

See how agreeable i am?

[TheCatt]

Never used Red Box either.

[Leisher]

I've never used Red Box, so I will have to take your word for any of that comparison.

I made no comparison. I was pointing out how folks here discussed using that service and it's only been around a few years. They were not called out for it.

But if you want a comparison, you still buy DVDs and Blu-Rays right?

And I still tend to buy physical copies, new, of the movies I really want, so also not sure why you think I am digital only, but again will take your word for it.

Yep. Damn, get with the times. Who does that anymore? What year is this? Do you still use cash?

Not sure why I am not allowed to continue to sneer at BB for their shitty policies and customer service and retarded business decisions, but I will still take your word about whatever "get off my lawn" meant.

I was implying your anecdote was dated and irrelevant, and you were being a grumpy old man talking about how things were in your day.

Basically, the same thing you were implying when you started this all by calling me out for visiting a video store. Take your MIL frustrations out on someone else.

Never used Red Box either.

To be fair, you're not much of a movie watcher. Have you seen Transformers 2 yet? The series gets better with each installment. Trust me.

[Malcolm]

Have you seen Transformers 2 yet? The series gets better with each installment. Trust me.

A slightly softer kick to the cinematic groin each time isn't a great advertisement for a film series.

[Leisher]

Have you seen Transformers 2 yet? The series gets better with each installment. Trust me.

A slightly softer kick to the cinematic groin each time isn't a great advertisement for a film series.

Would you kindly shut the fuck up? I'm trying to destroy Catt's life.

[GORDON]

I saw what you were doing.

[TheCatt]

To be fair, you're not much of a movie watcher. Have you seen Transformers 2 yet? The series gets better with each installment. Trust me.

Hah. Well, as much as I'm on the trainer, I might watch the whole series anyway.

[TPRJones]

...they have a row of heavy duty dick cleaning/resurfacing machines that they run your item through right then and there...

Leave my "item" alone. I like it's surface just fine.