The Last Blockbuster (2020)

A documentary on the last remaining Blockbuster Video in Bend, Oregon.

Director:

Taylor Morden

Writer:

Zeke Kamm

Stars:

Sandi Harding, Kevin Smith, Ione Skye

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sandi Harding	...	Self
Kevin Smith	...	Self
Ione Skye	...	Self
Brian Posehn	...	Self
Doug Benson	...	Self
Paul Scheer	...	Self
Samm Levine	...	Self
Jamie Kennedy	...	Self
Ron Funches	...	Self
James Arnold Taylor	...	Self
Lloyd Kaufman	...	Self
Darren Hayes	...	Self
Kate Hagen	...	Self
Kimberly Leemans	...	Self
Jared Rasic	...	Self

Storyline

A documentary on the last remaining Blockbuster Video in Bend, Oregon.

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Plot Keywords:

employee | store | tv | dvd | blu ray | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Connections

Features Scarface (1983)

User Reviews

Fun/Unique/Nostalgic Look Back At Blockbuster Video

You probably thought that Blockbuster Video had been relegated to the dust heap of entertainment history. In almost every sense, you'd be correct. However, in Bend, Oregon, there exists one final blue-and-yellow shrine to a past physical-media age. "The Last Blockbuster" tells the story of video rental culture through the lens of that unique holdout.

"The Last Blockbuster" is basically a documentary in two parts:

One part focuses on the Bend store, most notably manager Sandi Harding. For those who grew up in the 1990s, it is incredibly nostalgic to see the old store design, membership card, and distinctive marketing images. It is also quite gratifying that Harding has basically turned the endeavor into a family/community affair, catering to customer service in a way "corporate Blockbuster" would never have been able to.

Interwoven within the above story are clips in which various entertainers pontificate on the demise of video rental stores and what it has done for the entertainment process in general. While the you-go-to-the-movies model seems quaint by today's streaming standards (and of course, those pesky late fees or empty cases!), there is also a case to be made that important social interaction has also been lost in the process. Things like date nights, key recommendations, or community-building are now eschewed in favor of strict ease-of-access.

As a frequenter of video rental stores large (Blockbuster) and small (mom-and-pop shops), "The Last Blockbuster" was always going to appeal to my nostalgic sentimentalities. At the same time, it is just general enough--there really isn't anything "too deep" here--to be a great doc for an entire family to enjoy and converse over.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Twitter

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 December 2020 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Last Blockbuster

Filming Locations:

Bend, Oregon, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Popmotion Pictures, September Club

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1