With the introduction in the last 10 years of high-tech, low cost home entertainment equipment, spending the evening in your living room watching videos has become a big pastime. And a big business.
Corporate video giants like Blockbuster and Hollywood Video have erected mammoth video stores with thousands of popular movie titles, an array of video games and even guarantees that the movie you’re looking for will be in stock. But prices are rarely dropped, with the average video price at $3.49, and two-for-one deals are few and far between.
Now, that’s just fine and dandy if you don’t mind spending a lot of money on videos and your movie tastes don’t stray from the typical Hollywood fare of “Ten Things I Hate About You” and “The Talented Mr. Ripley.” However, if you’re looking for a more daring selection of films and good old fashioned prices, locally owned video stores are where it’s at.
Consistently voted the best video store in town by Eugene Weekly readers, Flicks & Picks is hands-down one of the most popular rental resources in town. Located a few minutes off campus at 2777 Friendly St., Flicks & Picks boasts a massive selection of foreign, comedy and cult classics, as well as a back stock (off the shelf) of more than 8,000 older titles. Monday and Tuesday are dollar nights (excluding new releases,) and as an added bonus, competitors’ two-for-one coupons are always accepted. Flicks & Picks is open daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Closer to the University, Premier Video, on the corner of 19th and Agate Streets, houses an extensive collection of cult films, such as the entire Twin Peaks television series on video. Their back stock selection includes more than 2,000 films, and the store is open daily from 1 p.m. until 11 p.m.
Down the road at 2475 Hilyard St., Silver Screen Video is another conveniently located, locally-owned store. The selection isn’t remarkable, but prices are affordable. Older titles cost $2 for five days, and new releases are $3 for two days. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.
Silver Star Video and Tanning, just past the dorms at 1888 Franklin, is worth checking out as well. Another purveyor of dollar days on Monday and Tuesdays, Silver Star carries several cult, independent and foreign films, and advertises itself as the Bijou Art Cinemas venue with the slogan, “If you missed it at the Bijou, find it at Silver Star.” They’re open every day from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.