What Would You Expect from a DVD Store?

Okay, I know that most of you can't remember what a DVD store is. Your most recent memory of such a store would probably be an empty shop with a shoddy paint job and maybe some left-over shelves inside. While you may be getting your movies straight to your letterbox or streamed straight from an internet portal, there are still a few DVD stores peppering the universe. So bear with me - even if you haven't been to a DVD store since they ditched videos, this is still a topic worth delving into.

What would you expect to get each month?

Near the beginning of each month, we get Order to Buys, which is where we order everything that we'll get in store for the next month. Here, we get a pretty huge selection: everything from the big blockbusters to the straight-to-DVD atrocities to the smaller indie fares. Most of the time, we get a bit of everything. Apart from the indies. 

Now, if a movie makes it to the cinemas, you'd naturally expect it to be at your local DVD store in case you missed seeing it or wanted to catch in again. This is never the case where we are. In the neighbouring city, there are two different cinemas: a larger multiplex for the big titles, and a smaller arthouse/indie cinema which shows the smaller titles. Considering The Artist hasn't made it to either of those cinemas, whatever they do get must be pretty special. Therefore, it should be our duty to follow up their screenings with a couple of DVDs on our shelves. That explains why Melancholia is missing from this month's order. Hmmmm.

I understand that there is probably only a select few people in my town who would enjoy an arthouse/indie fare like Melancholia. But I find it a little disheartening when we can spare a bit of space for nine copies of a straight-to-DVD horror that nobody cares about and completely ignore films that made it to the cinemas, had moderate success with the general audience and the critics, and that most people have actually heard of. There are only so many big name blockbusters, so people need something to fall back on after that. After the cinemas have dealt with the movies, it is our job to care for it after that. When we don't care for them, Hollywood wins. And they wonder why there are so many mindless blockbusters. Take a look into the world of DVD buying. We should be providing a range of entertainment. And yes, that range should reach down to the dreaded pretentiousness of Lars von Trier's apocalyptic nightmare.

Top 10 movies I like to watch at Christmas time

This list may seem a little strange, mainly because most of these movies have absolutely nothing to do with Christmas, but they are all films that have some importance to me...mainly around Christmas time. I'm not a huge fan of actual Christmas movies, and it is always these ones which get me in the spirit.

10. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

I'm not really sure why this one screams out 'Christmas' to me. I think it's because I like watching movies about peoples lives (see further on in the list) around Christmas, and I can also stand a bit more romance around this time of the year too. In saying that, Benjamin Button is one of my most beloved movies, and I'd take any opportunity to watch David Fincher's most underrated work. If it were just for the scene where Daisy unexpectedly turns up to see Benjamin a while after she pushes him away in Paris.

9. Singin in the Rain



I think this choice probably has something to do with the fact that I watched it a few days before Christmas two years ago, so I always associate it with Christmas. Musicals are the best type of movies to watch around Christmas, mainly because they'll always give you that fuzzy feeling inside (if you're not too cynical). Singin in the Rain has often been voted as the best musical ever made, and it probably is. It has such a charm and more humour than you can shake a stick at, and it's definitely enjoyable.

8. The Philadelphia Story



There's nothing like Katharine Hepburn around Christmas time, I can tell you that now. And I just happen to think that watching black and white screwball comedies is damn cool on Christmas day too...

7. Gone with the Wind

If Christopher Nolan wasn't around, then Gone with the Wind would be my favourite movie. Trust me, I know everything there is to know about this one movie. And Christmas always feels like the right time to watch it (esepcially since I got the 70th anniversary 5 disc edition last year). It's just so epic, and it always makes me feel on top of the world after I finish watching it. 224 minutes of techicolour greatness there. Oh,  and the beauty of Vivien Leigh...

6. Casablanca

Casablanca has always been near and dear to my heart ever since I bought it on Boxing Day in 2007. It's just so romantic and beautiful that it melts my heart every time I watch it. Hey, it always puts a smile on my face too, even after I've been crying right the way through it. If only those people in Hollywood could make a movie that is half as good as this one without being too cheesy.

5. The Wizard of Oz

Is there a better family film? The Wizard of Oz is a particular favourite over here when it comes to holiday movies. I got the beautiful 3 disc set for Christmas in 2008 and it was on TV last year during Christmas afternoon, so it's hard for me not to associate this with Christmas. It just reminds me of how lucky I am to be at home and with my family, and not to wish for something over the rainbow...because that doesn't always turn out great.

4. The Shawshank Redemption

Yeah, I've been told that this one may be a little depressing for Christmas time, but that must be how we do it in New Zealand. I first caught a glimpse of it back in 2005 (I think?) when it was on Christmas night (I didn't watch the whole thing...I was young and slept a lot). I then first watched the whole thing when it was on TV around the Christmas period last year, and was quite frankly amazed by it. And guess what is on tomorrow night? The Shawshank Redemption. I mean, come on, it gives you a lot of hope, and it is the best movie ever made...so why not?

3. It's a Wonderful Life

This is probably the movie on this list that is based the most around Christmas. And let me tell you, this is quite possibly the best Christmas movie ever. From Jimmy Stewart running down the street yelling 'Merry Christmas!' at everyone to the whole town coming together to help his cause, It's a Wonderful Life just shows us all how lucky we are to be living the lives we were given and to have the people surrounding us. Gosh, does this one bring a tear to my eye or what?!

2. Forrest Gump



Here is another movie that is usually on every Christmas (or 23rd December mostly), so I can't not associate it with that period of time. But it's not on this year! Oh well, I'll just have to get out the DVD for it's annual watch. Everyone in NZ loves Forrest Gump. And what better time of the year is there to watch it than Christmas time?

1. Meet Me in St. Louis

This is my 5th favourite film of all time, mainly because I will, without fail, watch this every Christmas. Not just because it features the beautiful song 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas'. It just has that feeling of family and how great it is to be together, in the place that you love most. It's so light, fluffy and infectious that I feel so upbeat after watching it...the true meaning of 'Christmas spirit'. I look forward to taking the DVD out of it's place on my shelf and giving this a watch again. It's basically the meaning of Christmas to me.