The Film Shop

My previous review started with ‘The Film shop is DVD rental perfection’. With an opening line like that I have no idea why I four-​starred the place.
I don’t visit as much anymore which is sad and I blame our Smart TV. I really should make an effort to go more often rather than pressing that streaming-​movie button on my remote otherwise places like this will die out and then where will we get our amazing 80s teen movies to show to our younger relatives.

Instructions:
Take a bill with you.
Take photo ID with you.
It’s free to join.
You give them your full name and a password.
You choose a film.
You pay, £2.50 for one £6 for 3 or £3 for new releases.
And that’s it. No card. No membership number. Simples.
I’ve walked past this place lots of times and finally I decided to go in. I could easily spend hours in here. Their film selection is just a greater selection of my own. Strange Antipodean films, classic westerns and musical, cult French film, and a small injection of cheese. Yes you can still get Dirty dancing from here.
This film rental shop proves that renting movies is not going out of fashion. Blockbusters is going bust because they are crap. It’s all about introducing people to films that are not on their radar, not just throwing flash cardboard cut outs of Johnny Depp as a Pirate around your shop and trying to sell over priced popcorn.
If you live around here, join. It’s free and totally worth it.

A really unique video rental shop, a great selection and a very laid back atmosphere to make your choice in.

How do DVD rental places survive in an age of Pirate Bay and Bit Torrent? ‘Taste’ is the definitive answer from this Broadway institution. There is taste here in spades, backed up by deep knowledge of arthouse, European, world and alternative cinema. The accompanying educational categorisation scheme helps, being, as it is, sorted according to director (rather like in the fiction section of a bookshop). This makes for new discoveries every time you visit. Staff are predictably laid back, both in reommending material, and in enforcing unpaid bills. Which is nice. The fridge magnet messages in the window are also a stroke of genius. Other branches in Stoke Newington Church Street and on Liverpool Road in Islington.

Yeah, pretty slinky this one. The Film Shop, and I’m a sucker for calling these things films. Keepin it rooted in Britain, we call them films. The Film Shop just have an incredible selection of films to hire. And you know with a place like this, that the staff are overflowing with expertise and a slight geeky charm. So I always leave thinking, ‘do they rate my pick’? It mattttters not, film should be for everyone, and everyone will be able to find something which suits them here.
Yeah, like another reviewer, it is so easy to revert to hiring DVDs online, that’s the way of the world. But I reinforce the thrill that there is when you wander into the Film Shop and peruse the shelves for something you weren’t expecting, weren’t looking for and I guarantee that it’s a bigger better buzz. They do kind of specialise in the artier, more high-​browly calibrated end of the archive, but that’s ok. Who doesn’t like arthouse cinema?
If you’re in the area, or even not, still come here to hire and watch amazing films. Can everyone stop this nonsense about ‘movies’?

The Film Shop on Broadway Market carries an excellent selection of titles both classic and contemporary. The size of the shop is misleading, for the variety is impressive, and even the most widely exposed cinephile can surely find something here to satisfy their interest. Rental rates are reasonable, the only drawback for me is the bike ride to return the discs when due.
They endeavour to help but I worry that their film knowledge might not be quite so extensive as their selection. Once I overheard them very passively deciding which DVD to bring home that night for themselves. Their choice was horrifying. I nearly fled, the two-​disc set of LA COMMUNE tucked under my arm. No matter. Just try not to stump them with your categorical screen knowledge.
When services like LoveFilm carry similarly wide collections it can be tempting to succumb to laziness and let the discs come to the door. It would be such a shame if our slothfulness did in small shops such as this, and much though I resent the frigid, windy cycle north through the estates of Squirries Street, I try to rely as much as possible on the face-​to-​face at Film Shop.

If only there were more film shops like this in the world. Quality rather than quantity, and an approach to film based on genuine passion. The staff have an extensive knowledge of film, and manage to keep a pretty accurate catalogue list in their head, rarely consulting the computer catalogue to find the film you’re after.
The store is typical of the Broadway Market style, specialising in cult, indie, foreign and arthouse films. What is unusual about the store is its layout. The store is only one small room with a bench in the shape of a tree branch situated in the middle. To the right is a wide selection of foreign films organised alphabetically in reference to the country. To the left, very interestingly, films are arranged alphabetically under the names of directors. Film buffs will love it.
If you do not know the director of the film you want, just ask. If you want a relaxing Sunday evening then go and visit Dan and Pia at the film shop.

The Film Shop on Broadway Market stocks every film you could ever want, it has all the latest blockbusters but also specialises in art-​house, classics and cult films.
Many are listed under the Directors name so it’s particularly useful for the film lovers out there.
The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, they obviously spend a lot of time watching films so can give you some suggestions if you’re feeling overwhelmed. I usually spend hours trying to find something so I’m always relieved when someone comes and picks a good film out for me!
Situated in the middle of Broadway Market the Film Shop has a message board so is a good place to look if you’re house hunting, or searching for a local yoga or even life drawing class. The definite plus of living in such a community street.

Great movies. I’d love these independent film shops to have online library’s so you can choose before you go.
Good 3 for £6 midweek deal too — don’t forget to take them back tho — ouch.
Good British, Short FIlm and Documentary selection too.

You’ve seen the weather forecast, it looks gloomy, the winter nights are beating the daytime into frightened retreat and the idea of staying in and watching a movie is uppermost in your mind.
The next thought is what? Never easy I know and the film shop on Broadway Market doesn’t make that process any simpler. Documentries; Horror; European; comedy; particular director’s; Iranian, you name it, and they most likely will have it.
The prices are the same as any other video shop and they do also have plenty of mainstream films, but the chance to dive into the unknown is tempting here, especially as the knowledgable staff are on hand to assist your decision making. The shop is always busy, and it opens until 10pm too.