As part of a recent rock’n'roll weekend, I had Saturday night ‘in’ with some beers and a DVD. I wandered to my local DVD outlet (not a Blockbuster, as other DVD retail outlets are available), to browse the current selection.
I like films, I always have done. When I was student I worked as a projectionist in my local cinema, so have always had a natural affinity to the film industry, I’m sure that it is just bad luck that has prevented me becoming a global megastar. As a result I eagerly anticipate new films, and very much like to see what is available.
The store has an area titled, “New Releases”. Which I think is pretty self explanatory. If it’s been released in the near past, it will be here. Or so I thought.
“Hi, I wondered if you could tell me where the new releases are please?” I asked the young lady behind the counter.
“They’re over there on that wall,” she replied not looking up from her Hello magazine.
“Err, no, actually, that’s just about every film you have, what I’m specifically looking for are the new releases.”
“They’re all over there”
“Mixed in with everything?”
“Yes”
“You do realise that you’ve got copies of Mr & Mrs Smith, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and Scary Movie 3. All of which have been out for over 18 months. This is not Newly released.”
“Well it’s all relative isn’t it?”
“Relative in what timeframe? Compared to human evolution? The age of the Bible? The time it’ll take you to read that magazine?”
“No need to get Sarky, if you want something just ask.”
“That’s the point, I don’t know what I want, I just want to browse what new films are out now without having to look at every single DVD you have.”
“Well, they’re all over there on that wall.”
“OK, I want to look at the classics section, you know, films that aren’t Newly Released. Where might I find those, or would they also be ‘over there on that wall’?”
“They’re over there on that wall.”
Needless to say I watched Sky that night and drank myself into a stupor.
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Oli · October 25, 2006 at 8:44 am
Just sign yourself up to one of these dvd rental things of blockbuster or such, true it does take a while for the popular ones to get through to you, but for £13.99 a month you can easily copy, i er mean, watch 15-18 movies a month, more if you have time to do this every night!
Murphy · October 25, 2006 at 9:19 am
Surely your contacts in projectionist circles could get you advance press viewing copies?
Or maybe 16mm doesnt fit in your DVD slot.
Admin comment by Mr Angry · October 25, 2006 at 9:37 am
Oli – I’m an ‘on-demand’ kinda guy, the thought of ordering and waiting doesn’t appeal. I want it now!
Murphy – It’s been a while since I was a projectionist (the last film I showed was Jurassic park – 19 times), and the cinema where I worked is now a nightclub…
z · October 25, 2006 at 10:11 am
If the sign hadn’t said ‘New Releases’ it wouldn’t have mattered. But then, you wouldn’t have been angry, so you wouldn’t have had anything to write about. Likewise, if the woman at the desk had been charming and helpful.
It was all meant to be.
TJ · October 25, 2006 at 10:30 am
I think you will need to do your research first, as you would do with a car purchase. Granted they are not on the same scale but hey, it’s not my fault a muppet works in the DVD shop.
Rock n roll night in criteria:
1) beer – check
2) wireless broadband – search on new DVD releases and select top 3 choices
3) Fiver in wallet
4) send flatmate to DVD shop to take his mind off the hole in his ceiling
I have tried to assist should you be having another R & R weekend. New releases are:
Pirates of the caribbean – Dead Man’s Chest
Da Vinci code
Ice age 2
24, series 5
X-Men 3
greavsie · October 25, 2006 at 12:34 pm
To take z’s point a little earlier. If this had all been pre-ordained then it doesn’t bare thinking about the possibility of a blog called ‘I am extremely happy’.
I think your blessed.
AFC 30K · October 25, 2006 at 12:52 pm
I really would have been hacked of with the drippy cow behind the counter and also the shop for misleading everyone…
As Greavsie say’s though it would never suit you telling us what a really happy customer your are….
Talking of customer service does anyone know of any good customer service software suitable for a small business?
Admin comment by Mr Angry · October 25, 2006 at 1:02 pm
z – I was destined to write this blog? I’m not sure I like that idea….
TJ – I prefer more cerebral films like Schindlers List, The Piano, and Dude Wheres My Car.
greavsie – what a dull read that would be…
AFC 30K – When I am a really happy customer I will tell you all, probably…
BoyOnTop · October 25, 2006 at 1:54 pm
A newly released classic, standard wanky marketing speak. The kind salesperson was right really, its all relative, and one day we’ll all die, so why bother…
Ldbug · October 25, 2006 at 3:23 pm
Yeah, we have a place like that up the street. I’m not sure how they actually classify their films…I constantly see someone ‘putting them in order’ to the directions yelled from the lady at the desk. Yet, I have not determined exactly what that mystical order is…
If I may, I do have two suggestions for you that are fairly new: “Saint Ralph” a Canadian film about a kid that goes to a Catholic school in the 1940’s. It’s funny, sad, and inspiring. It’s not what I expected at all. (ps not a film about religion, just that the kid goes to the school and has his own sort-of idea of life)
Also “Water” an Indian film about widows in India. It’s set in the 1930’s during the rise of Ghandi. It focuses around the injustices/prejudices toward widowed women. It’s not just about girls, though. It’s really good, and the guy in it, John Abraham, is now one of my fav actors!
Admin comment by Mr Angry · October 25, 2006 at 4:05 pm
BoT – It’s a cup-half-empty day today is it?…
Ldbug – I see no mention of space, violence, or sex in those films so it’s unlikely I’ll be hiring them out…
Ldbug · October 25, 2006 at 4:27 pm
Ah, I see…well, in that case “Ultraviolet”? “Aeon Flux”? but I think both of those have been out for a bit..
Sorry, I’m on an indie film kick at the moment, but if I see something in the sex/violence/space genre I’ll be sure to update you!!! (I’m low on cash so I spend some ‘wild nights’ in with too much wine and movies)
Dr Clip · October 25, 2006 at 8:50 pm
wankers.