Commissions Earned

The 2020 documentary “The Last Blockbuster” is coming to Blu-ray Disc on February 2nd, 2021, via distributor Passion River, according to retailers. The film, directed by Taylor Morden, focuses on the very last Blockbuster video rental store located in the town of Bend, Oregon. This features interviews with and appearances (at the store) from such people as Kevin Smith, Doug Benson, Brian Posehn, Jamie Kennedy, Samm Levine, Lloyd Kaufman, Paul Scheer, Ron Funches, Ione Skye, and the store’s manager Sandi Harding. The tech specs have not yet been detailed but you can for sure expect 1080p  HD video. It is known that the Blu-ray release will come in the form of a “combo pack” meaning that it will also include the DVD counterpart, in 480p SD (standard definition). The package art may be getting some last-minute changes, as I’ve found what you’ll see above on retailers because I’ve also found this package art via the distributor’s website listing which ironically goes to an incorrect link. Regardless, here’s what they’re showing the package contents for this Blu-ray set will look like.

As I can roughly tell by these low-resolution images this appears to include bonus features, but I’ve yet to find a list of those. In the meantime, you can find the film on Blu-ray already listed to preorder over at Amazon and at retailer Best Buy. Further below, after the break, you can find the trailer for the film (in 4K) over on YouTube as well as a long synopsis, which is taken from the distributor’s website.

 

Trailer:

“The Last Blockbuster is a fun, nostalgic look back at the era of video rentals and the story of how one small town video store managed to outlast a corporate giant. Featuring interviews with comedians and celebrities with ties to Blockbuster: Adam Brody (“The O.C.”, Jennifer’s Body), Ione Skye (Say Anything, River’s Edge), Doug Benson (“Getting Doug with High”, The Lego Batman Movie), Paul Scheer (“The League”, “Veep”) and director Kevin Smith (Clerks, Jay and Silent Bob), with narration by Lauren Lapkus (The Wrong Missy, “Orange Is The New Black”).

Filmmakers Taylor Morden & Zeke Kamm follow the manager of the world’s sole remaining Blockbuster in Bend, OR, Sandi Harding, as she reflects on the store’s vibrant past and navigates the difficult task of keeping a video rental store open in the era of streaming. Taking us through the history and subsequent rise and fall of the franchise, the documentary reveals the real reason why Blockbuster went out of business (hint – it wasn’t Netflix), while celebrating the unique and defining culture it created in the ‘90s, honoring a simpler times and the sense of community that could once be found in Blockbuster locations across the world.”