Blockbuster Video Is Back! In Miniature Form

Who remembers Friday nights combing the aisles of Blockbuster Video? Hovering around the new releases while the employees with the cart go up and down the aisle returning VHS's to their rightful place. Waiting for that one copy of "Big Trouble In Little China" to come out. It was magic. And it's back. In mini form. In England.

Peter Goddard 39, is a self professed child of the 90's and loved going to Blockbuster Video (didn't we all?). So while some people in his neighborhood of Alderholt, England built tiny book library for people to check out books (also awesome). Peter went well beyond and did this:

The classic film fan spent weeks creating the DVD library out of an old record cabinet — complete with light-up sign and popcorn — before throwing open the tiny doors to his neighbors in the town of Alderholt, England.

He's got a "Must See Movie" section as well as snacks for people - and even a gentle reminder to "rewind" your DVD's on the shelf (I'll admit we got my Mom with that a couple of times, she'd look for the rewind button on the DVD player). But let's focus on Peter and his love of Blockbuster video (even in England - was there anywhere in the world that didn't have a Blockbuster video? I should probably google that...here you go: at it's peak Blockbuster had over 9,000 stores with over 65 million registered customers (that blockbuster card was in front of my drivers license)

Now obviously this doesn't mean Blockbuster video is coming back...but when you look at how people celebrate retro (vinyl anyone?), maybe it's not so far off to think folks with start building DVD collections and creating their very own Blockbuster Video in the basement, garage, or even by the curb. But let's go back to those days, shall we?

I still remember going with my Dad to Blockbuster to pick out movies (once we convinced him that the laser disc player he bought was a complete waste of money). There was the candy/stale popcorn aisle that acted as a distraction from the goal: new releases. We'd walk up and see the latest film wasn't there (the case was, but nothing behind it...such a tease when you want to watch "Romancing The Stone"). My move was to pick up the case, look at the back and then look back at the shelf - waiting for the "Blockbuster Elves" to come out from behind the wall and give me a special copy that they were holding for me...but if that didn't work, you made this move:

Friday nights and all the new releases are gone. Or are they? The return box was where all the smart Blockbuster Video folks went. We'd work in a slow circle, glancing at the box as people dropped off their movies (imagine musical chairs but with Harrison Ford). You could tell the employees were clearly irritated with us when we'd hover...but I didn't care. There it was - Starman with Jeff Bridges and Karen Allen!

I'd ask if I could have it, they'd sigh and say "I've got to check it in first" - suddenly my elbows came out like Rick Mahorn boxing out for a rebound. This was my video. MY VIDEO. MINE. You'd leave Blockbuster like a conquering hero - making sure people saw what you had acquired, holding the video so the title would show. There was nothing like Blockbuster.

Why are we putting together our Top Five Party Movies from the 80's? To get you ready:

It's one of our favorite events of the year - The Sands 2024 at Planet Hollywood in Cancun. Register here and listen to our show (Big Jim's House) at 7:30 and 8:40 for you name (there...shameless plug out of the way).

It seems easy enough, right? Five days in Cancun with live music from folks like Bret Michaels, Ace Frehley, The Fixx, etc. - drinks flowing, dancing, laughing and tearing it up.

But are you ready for it? Seriously. This isn't karaoke night with a couple of beers (I can speak to that from experience). You need inspiration, motivation, and role models to guide you. That's why I've prepared my FIVE 80's movies to get you "party ready". So grab a seat, pop some popcorn and get ready to rock.

Top Five Party Movies From the 1980's isn't something we take lightly. Oh wait. It is. But when you start thinking about all the party movies in the 80's and how to narrow it down to five...some get cut out:

This movie fell right between Animal House and American Graffiti. Halloween night in Beverly Hills, 1965. Robert Wuhl as Turk, the leader of the Knights (imagine Bluto from Animal House if he was determined to commit multiple felonies). This movie featured iconic scenes (none of which I can go into detail about - but you'll never drink punch again, or sing "Lawrence of Arabia" the same way),

"The Hollywood Knights" is the perfect party primer because it doesn't care and goes so far over the top it can't see the top. Must watch (but not with the kids)

Tom Hanks. America's favorite dad. We love him in sensitive roles and as one of our leading actors who brings a smile - whether he's Sully landing a plane in the Hudson or Otto, the grumpy but loveable old man next door.  But there was a time my friends....oh there was a time when he played in movies like Bachelor Party! A magical adventure with dead donkeys, strippers, tennis and Adrian Zmed as his best friend (what else do you need?)

Tom plays Rick, the irresponsible but loving boyfriend having his bachelor party at a local hotel with his motley group of friends. Absolute 80s insanity at it's finest. The perfect movie to get you ready for any party.

Val Kilmer has always been underrated in my mind. We get so caught up in "Top Gun" and "Heat" that we forget he was in some absolutely over the top movies (have you ever seen "Top Secret"?).

But for my money if you need a party inspiring movie you go with Real Genius - let's be honest, it's a cross between "Big Bang Theory" and "Animal House" with Val Kilmer as Chris, trying to corrupt his young roomie Mitch.

Sarcasm? check. An amazing prank involving a lot of popcorn? check. Real Genius checks all the boxes and teaches you to not life so seriously.

Easily the most box office successful of the films I'm listing, that doesn't mean it can't have party value. This movie is about one mans defiance in the face of "the man" (or principal) - it's more than though. Ferris is raging against everything: getting old and boring, conformity, school, restaurants and well....everything. We all wish we were Ferris - but most of us wind up as Cameron. That's okay - because his journey of self awareness is just as important in this movie as Ferris getting everything he wants.

Party movie? Hell yeah. Did you see the parade scene? This will definitely motivate you

I'll admit trying to pick out one John Hughes movie to inspire your party mentality was tough. The Breakfast Club taught us to stand up for ourselves and we have more in common than we realize (and school janitors are the coolest people). Sixteen Candles was that journey of confidence for Samantha in a world that doesn't see her - but she overcomes it all and sits on her dining room table eating cake with a guy.

But if you're looking for "party fuel" from John Hughes you've got to go with Weird Science. It's got pershing missiles in the living room, mutant bikers, drunk at a blues bar, a very young Robert Downey Jr as the school tool (he's so good at being a bad guy). But at the end of the day it's two young men and Kelly Le Brock - this film is 100% hormone driven madness. And I love it.