Video Library

I haven’t rented a video from Video Library since I moved from West Philly in 1996. But I’m so glad the place is still there and pretty much looks the same in set up. Of course, DVDs have overrun video cassettes, but whatever.
Obviously, I can’t give a current review. But I’d like to reminisce. I went to the Video Library at least once a week for years. I think you could rent a video for under $ 3 for 3 days, as long as it wasn’t a current movie. I usually chose the staff selections and watch a lot of great indie films. I developed my life long love for Jim Jarmusch at the Video Library.
I developed a monster crush on one of the rental guys there. Every week, I’d go and try to get him to ask me out. After three years, he did invite me to be his sort of date for a party. We also saw Kids in the movie theater together. Not a good date movie. He and I were pretty disgusted. Nothing came of our outings but to this day, I think fondly of him and Video Library.
Awwww.
Geek love.

I’m not here to write a review so much as clear up a few misconceptions since a lot of the reviewers for Video Library have some details wrong.
First of all, the game store next door (Redcap’s Corner) is not owned by or associated with Video Library. It’s separate ownership, subletting from Video Library. That’s why there’s a separate entrance and a wall separating the two stores.
Next of all, I’m pretty sure the opening of Redcap’s Corner hasn’t affected Video Library’s video selection one bit. They’ve condensed the store and not all of their collection is always on display (though most of it still is), but if you’re looking for a movie you need only ask the clerks and they’ll tell you whether or not they have it in stock. On a related note, however, their selection did take a hit when they opened their south Philly location, which they did some months before Redcap’s Corner opened.
Just thought I’d make that clear, as people seem to be mis-​targeting their concerns. Video Library isn’t moving away from video rentals, the games (other than video games) belong to a different establishment, the reduced selection occurred before that establishment moved in, and Redcap’s Corner itself has a Unilocal page if anyone has grief with or praise for what they’re contributing to 4040 Locust St.

A small video store at the west edge of Penn campus, there’s a decent selection of current and some past loves in movies, and an okay international section, too.
Relatively cheap and convenient since the area doesn’t have a Blockbuster. Some other comics and toys sold there, too.
They’re moving slowly away from videos to games & comics, though.

I like Video Library. I really do. I just don’t love it.
It’s super close to my apartment and they always have something interesting. I know I can go and rent something as awesomely terrible as Harold, or go for an old stand by like Stranger Than Fiction. The rates are cheap. Apparently, it’s cool or hipster or something stupid to go there, but whatever. Cred is cred, I guess.
Though their selection is cool, it’s not wide. And they only have a few, if only one, of each movie. Since they expanded the card playing place next door, I think their selection has gotten smaller.
All in all, it’s worth having a membership because it’s free. You can rent, if you want, or never go in again, if you want. It’s worth it to have just in case.

I went there for the first time today! Owner is knowledgeable and passionate about what he sells (comics). Lots of different trades for an indie comic store. They also rent dvds and sell board/​table top gaming stuff. The owner told me he is going to start selling video games in the fall, at which time this place will not only kick exponentially more ass, but will make tons of cash as well. I love this place.

It’s a hard call but I have to take Video Library down a couple notches. It’s an even harder choice because I’m taking it down those notches down despite the fact that it’s largely due to something I like. I was happy with the fact that it was a place that hooked up cinema and comics under one roof (Beyond thrilled actually). And in a lot of ways it definitely met my expectations for both. And when I found out that it was getting ready to hook up a spot for gamers I was beaming at the seams (I play MTG and I’m proud of it). And I definitely can’t wait to give Redcap’s Corner a fair try.
But when they bought in the new wing they ended up being pretty unkind to their movie section. In fact the last time I was there it pretty much looked like a twister ran through it. Movies were so scattered that, if it wasn’t a new release or a TV series, it was nearly impossible to figure out if they carried it.
I can understand why their leaning more towards supporting the comics and other. In the age of Netflix video rental is becoming more than a little obsolete. So I can picture them taking a serious hit on that department, and can totally sympathize. But still they could have done a better job of working on the new wing without doing a total upheaval of their movie section. Maybe they’ll work on getting it back into a better order eventually. But until then it’s hearsay to cinephiles.

The neighborhood video store may be a relic of (better?) days, but for us romantics, there’s still something great about taking that DVD home in hand as opposed to clicking on your Netflix queue. For a rental store to compete, though, the movies need to be well-​stocked and readily available. Unfortunately, as any movie-​watching hopeful who’s ever visited Video Library well knows, the liklihood of *not* finding your first, second, third… sixth choice is apparently far greater than finding anything at all.
New releases disappear as soon as they hit the shelves, and old favorites are absent for days. Even quirky flicks go fast, since Penn students grab them up for «film» class. The «rent-​by-​mail» perk, which was once, to be fair, an exciting innovation, is old news, so no points awarded there. Although the old-​school feel and friendly staff make
you reallllly want to rent in the flesh, nostalgia isn’t enough. Netflix and Itunes prevail. Sigh.

Had to write a little more. I finally got ahold of the TV season that I mentioned in my earlier review — the one that was on the shelf but not actually in stock, twice — and got it home to find it was missing the first disc. Having the first disc is rather vital to watching the rest of them, so I brought it back. They tried to help, but the first disc is apparently MIA. This place is slipping.

No matter what bizarre or obscure film you plan to watch; there is a good chance you’ll find it at Video Library! You can also find plenty of great stuff you didn’t yet know you should be watching.
Just remember to return your selection promptly, or the fees will add up. And you’ll have to leave the city. Or the state. Or change your name. Or just stop going there and hope they forget.
And then you’ll miss out on all those great movies.
And you will be a sad, sad little bear.

I’ve always enjoyed this place. The staff is helpful and friendly, and while the selection can be hit-​or-​miss, I can usually find something to entertain myself. My problem, which doesn’t necessarily lie in the store, is that I am terrible at returning videos on time. The addition of the comics makes this an easy place to stroll through.

I told my friend that he needed to see the movie «Network.» We strolled on down to the video library, although we both thought that they probably wouldn’t have it. It seems a little obscure.
They did! Amazing. The layout was kind of confusing to me, with sections like «Recent Favorites.» What exactly does that mean? I suppose it’s well suited to serendipitous encounters.
And yeah, $ 2.50 a night is kind of expensive… but it’s so close to home, I’m definitely coming back.

This little hole in the wall is convenient for when you want to grab a movie and stay up all night (there are no Blockbuster’s around) but it IS pricey. $ 2.50-$ 3.00 for a night?! I suppose it is good because, if you return it in a day, you end up paying less. My problem is, what if I decided to skip the movie tonight and watch it 2 days from now? Paying $ 7.50 for a movie rental isn’t cool.
The upside of this place is that it has a number of off the wall movies. So if you like movies that aren’t the «norm» and watch movies and return them in a day, this is the place for you. If not, tough luck.