I've been spoiled by Comcast OnDemand and NetFlix and shit so it was a funny thing when I browsed my local Hollywood Video store. My first impression is that you can see how badly online rental services are ravaging the industry. The store just looked like garbage compared to what it was maybe 5 years ago. Shelves were a mess, movies were strewn about, and the overall vibe was just like the place had already gone under; somebody just forgot to tell the employees. I can't imagine places like this existing much longer except in select areas.

After I got over that initial shock I noticed a strange phenomenon. There are metric tons of straight-to-DVD movies that don't register on any radar that I've been monitoring. Supposed A-List Hollywood personalities have been relegated to these cheesy, no budget, no name movies that made up the bulk of the "New Releases" section. It's a goddam riot. Either they are hard up on finding work or they don't think anyone will notice that they were the lead role in "National Lampoon's: Fart Humor" or better yet "American Pie: Band Camp". I seriously recommend just a casual look through your local video store to see what I mean. You may be surprised.

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