Laser Blazer

Closed. So sad. :‘C I quit Netflix for you, Laser Blazer. And this is what you do to me.

Laser Blazer used to be THE Laserdisc Store that had everything a movie lover could possibly want. The store quickly transitioned to THE DVD store that had one of the best and widest selections of movies. The times, though, haven’t been kind. Back when I lived on the westside I didn’t mind paying a little more for my movies because I really liked and respected the guys that worked there and the vibe of the store. As times got tougher though, I did have to switch my purchasing to mostly online stores… I think that kind of sums up what has happened to Laser Blazer. I’ve watched as business has slowed and eventually as the hours got shorter and the floor space narrowed more and more. Now comes word that they are having their going out of buisness sale through the end of the year. I’m planning one last trip over there to say goodbye and sift through all the clearance items. Goodbye Laser Blazer… you will be missed!

The vultures are circling this once-​great bastion of digital laser read entertainment. The store has been reduced to about one-​fifth of its former size and now feels cramped and cloistered.
But we never went there for ambience now, did we? What really hurts is the compromised breadth and depth of the selection, especially with Blu Rays. It seems like there’s no attempt to hang onto that potentially valuable niche market, especially in West LA, which has a disproportionate amount of people who actually care about 1080p transfers, lossless audio, and enhanced features. There are huge gaps in the selection display, so much so that nearby alternatives like Barnes & Noble, Second Spin, and (gasp!) Best Buy are far more attractive to the Blu Ray consumer. I’m all for supporting local, non-​chain businesses but Laser Blazer have gotten off the pot.
The Blazer has become like Bob Dylan in the mid-​Eighties. That is, they can lay claim to formerly being perhaps the best ever but they’ve been diminished and overtaken by too many others to warrant curiosity. And unlike Dylan, I don’t see a big comeback on the horizon.

I love Laser Blazer. Ivan and his coworkers are extremely knowledgeable about all kinds of movies, and they can look up just about anything you want to find and tell you whether it’s available on DVD. (I come in and say things like, «What Christopher Lee movies haven’t I seen?» and they help me fill in the blanks.) Great store!

I love a bargain, simply because I love to collect movies. The one thing that is super unique to this place is their selection of Laser Disc movies.
They have tons of used titles, tv box sets and new releases for sale and tons more for rent.
If I can get my hands on a laser disc player I’m for sure coming back here and splurging some serious cash.

You will not find better in LA.
Laser Blazer has been THE place to get first laserdiscs, DVD’s and now Blu-​Rays for going on nearly 20 years.
Especially rentals. They have more titles than any large outfit (Netflix, Redbox or Blockbuster) and pretty much any other stand-​alone store. Foreign, cult, independent: the usual films that are scarce elsewhere fill the shelves here.
They also have great deals: with a membership, 3 day rentals are half priced (membership is $ 30, so rentals are $ 1.98!) and on Wednesdays and Thursdays it’s 2 for 1. That’s right — $ 1 dollar per title.
The store is clean and bright. The staff is pretty knowledgeable. And for an extra bonus because the store is popular with film industry people, you never know who you might spot perusing the aisles.

Great if you want obscure movies you can’t find on Netflix, and tons of oldies but goodies. They have a great selection to both purchase and rent, and it is one of the few DVD rental places in LA. The staff is not always the friendliest, but are certainly knowledgeable abou the movies they carry and can give you really great suggestions.

I know that I can always come in here and find what I am looking for. Excellent blu-​ray rent and sales selection.

Me and this place go waaaaayyyyyy back. In college a bunch of us would occasionally splurge and rent a laserdisc player for a week and overdose on things like the Criterion edition of «2001» or the extended version of «Aliens» and this place never let us down. Staggering selection, especially now that it’s pretty much the only game in town as far as independent DVD shops go.
Only thing I’d complain about (and I have) is that their special order system has a few holes. I’m not the type to throw a fit about such things, but three instances of special orders not going anywhere have made me look elsewhere for the few things I can’t find on the shelves of Laser Blazer.

Sure Amoeba has destroyed most of the record/​DVD places in LA… but if you like going to a ‘Mom and Pop’ that is not over crowded… and with a staff that is pretty cool, Laser Blazer is the place.
I like to buy most of my DVD’s online now, for the cheap price and lack of sales tax… but if you want it same day, without paying too much… the LB has not let me down.
Also, if you still have Lasers (Like I do. sorry, but they are awesome).you can find some neat gems here.
Swing by, give them your business… We want these guys to stay around!

This is the best place in the whole world. Tho I miss the really hot nerdy chick that used to work there. I think her name was Jenny. She was so nice and helpful all the time. I love Ivan, now there’s a character. Andrew was the comic guy but he knows everything. The used room is the best place to get cheap cheap deals if you dig a little.

Man I love this place. It is an old style store (in a good way) for people who like great selection with REAL customer service. A place you can hang out and browse and not feel like they are watching you.

This is a big dvd store. Kevin Smith’s Secret Stash is inside in the back.
Nice Service. You can’t rent only buy except laser disc.
No animé section.

One of my favorite places to buy DVDs in Los Angeles. The selection is HUGE and prices are great. Nice to shop in a store that specializes in DVDs rather than going to Target & Best Buy. The only downer is that they always ask you for your name when you purchase something so they can put what you buy in their computer. Would rather just give them the money and have a normal transaction. Takes loger for them to ring you up because of this, and I do not like the idea of my purchases being tracked.

I’ll admit it, I own a Laser disc player. I was one of those fools who loved the record sized dvds and enjoyed every minute of it. And like any technology it eventually got phased out. Rather quickly because of the VHS. Oh you sleek little black tape temptresses. Where was a Laser disc fan to go? Here.
Well, that was till they magically shrunk down those shinny disc and made them mainstream for everyone to pick up. Since DVD got going so well Laser Blazer has phased towards DVD and Blue-​ray. While they still have a good selection of LD titles but you can tell that they’re more focused on the new formats. Leaving those who grasp on to old, dead technology with nothing but memories to hold on to.
They also offer rental and new/​used buying of titles. Now some of the prices may be a little on the high side, it’s not generally going to beat best buy’s loss leader sales, but what you are really paying for is the convince of being able to find it all in one spot because you will indeed find anything and everything put on shinny circular disc here. Obscure or out of print, you’ll be able to get it here.
Street parking is a little tough at times, but shouldn’t be anything that will distract you too much. They often have in store appearances from writers, directors, etc. So it does have a good buzz about it.

Unreal selection of DVDs to rent and to buy. Go hear instead of Best Buy or Blockbuster. The prices are the same if not cheaper.
The staff is really well-​versed but they are kind of like the self-​righteous group from High Fidelity, only in a DVD store.

Loves it! Like the movie Clerks come to life. Great selection, knowledgeable staff, good prices, nice ambiance.

As far as old school video store go, it’d be hard to beat this place. HUGE selection, well organized, knowledgable staff… Even a massive selection of used dvds for sale as well. In the past year, they’ve even improved their hours. (open later)
I still rent most of my discs from Netflix, but when there’s something I need or want right away, I go here.

This place used to be the best and only place in town to buy premium laser discs (thus the name). They’ve now essentially phased out their laser disc business and moved to selling and renting DVDs.
Their collection is extensive and unique. They carry a large number of indie films. Their staff really KNOWS movies. They’ll let you know if the «cool» indie film you’ve heard so much about is worth watching or not.
Film afficionados frequent this establishment. Great for those who want quality movies to watch «now» on the westside — when you don’t wanna wait for Netflix to arrive.

The only place to rent and buy DVDs in westside LA — I used to live much closer to Lazer Blazer, but now we live about a 15 minute (LA drive) away and even though there are DVD stores closer, it is worth the drive.
They always have an incredible selection of foreign films, the staff are INCREDIBLY knowledgable (ivan is a family favorite) and rentals are super inexpensive.