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The other day I was really really in the mood for an old movie that would make me think and also make me laugh and that I hadn't seen before and that preferably featured someone kind of fabulous. Of course I made the trek to my local video rental store (well, I live upstairs)  and asked the owner, an affable and knowledgeable film buff (well, we're friends), "What should I rent? I'm in the mood for an old movie that will make me think and also make me laugh and that I haven't seen before and that preferably features someone kind of fabulous." 

He tapped his finger to his temple and then prescribed, with the confidence of a doctor diagnosing a common ailment, "Ninotchka!" and hopped off his perch to find the DVD.

Sure, I could always stream something instantly on my iThing of choice. But while advancing technology can save time in this way, it still can't cure a condition that was generated in the hey dey of the video rental store experience and has followed us into the Internet age: Movie Rental Paralysis.

You know the feeling. You step into the stacks and immediately your list of whatever movies you wanted to see evaporates and you can't remember a single movie you ever wanted to watch in your life. 20 minutes later, you're sweaty and going cross-eyed and whoever you're renting a movie with wants to kill you. Eventually you escape with a copy of some dopey new release you never wanted to see but that they have a million copies of, and you return home feeling slightly defeated, and like the evening's sense of possibilities has been squelched. Having limitless movies on demand only exacerbates Movie Rental Paralysis, transporting the psychotic episode to the privacy of your own home.  This is one condition only a professional can help with.

This same know-it-all (I'm kidding, Joe) video store owner informed me that October 15th is
International Independent Video Store Day. So this October 15th, join the fight against Movie Rental Paralysis. Go to your local video rental shop, and ask the oracle (I mean clerk) what movie will cure what ails you. You'll support a small business owner, and you might just find the movie that changes your life. Or ....perks up your evening.

Further reading for film buffs:
Memorable movie quotes
Plan the perfect movie night