The Last Blockbuster

The Last Blockbuster is a 2020 American documentary film that takes viewers back in time to the heyday of brick-and-mortar video rental stores, and dives into the story of the last remaining Blockbuster video store on the planet. The documentary follows the journey of the Bend, Oregon Blockbuster store, which once had 9,000 locations across America and was a staple of Friday night movie-viewing, until the rise of digital streaming took over.

The documentary starts with the opening of the Bend, Oregon Blockbuster store, showing how it managed to stay afloat despite the rapid decline of the video rental industry. The owner of the store, Sandi Harding, shares her personal experiences and insights into the business, and how Blockbuster stores were once the hub of the community. Along with other former Blockbuster employees and customers, Harding talks about the nostalgia of walking through the aisles of a video rental store, picking out a movie, and getting excited about the latest titles and releases.

Throughout the documentary, we see the importance of Blockbuster stores in the lives of many people, and how the video rental giant influenced the pop culture landscape of the 90s and early 2000s. Director Taylor Morden talks to experts and former Blockbuster employees, such as Kevin Smith and Lloyd Kaufman, to get insight into Blockbuster's impact on the film industry.

The Last Blockbuster explores the relationship between movie studios and video rental stores, and how Blockbuster revolutionized the home-entertainment industry. Additionally, the documentary offers a glimpse into the competition Blockbuster faced from other video rental stores like Hollywood Video, as well as the rise of digital streaming and how it became the new normal.

The documentary also explores the cultural significance of Blockbuster in Bend, Oregon, where locals share stories about the store's importance in their community. The Bend Blockbuster store often hosts events like movie nights and has become something of a tourist attraction. In the documentary, we see how the store adapts to the modern era, offering streaming services, merchandise, and a nostalgic experience to its customers.

Overall, The Last Blockbuster is a heartwarming and informative documentary that offers a glimpse into a different time in the entertainment industry. It reminds viewers of the joy that came with the experience of renting a movie from a store, giving everyone a chance to relive the nostalgia of the past, all while telling the story of the last remaining Blockbuster store still in operation.