In times of recession, and the phrase “staycation” popping up all over magazines and television spotlights, getting a bargain is the best way of not only keeping one’s sanity (we all need our downtime) but also making the most of your hard-earned dollars.
You’ve likely heard and will continue to hear complaints from the Hollywood studios that ticket sales are down, and they are.
But just like now’s a great time for buyers to purchase a car (presumably, that is), so too is it a great time to be a consumer.
Remember Blockbuster Video’s slogan, “Whoa. What a difference”? Those were the good ol’ days, and once we bring that slogan into contemporary times, as we can see, it really is a difference. Movie rentals aren’t what they used to be.
Sometime between the widespread availability of DVDs and Blockbuster’s nemesis Netflix started delivering movies straight to your mailbox without late fees, the counterculture began to change. People really started to stay at home, at least when it came to renting movies.
Now for the average price of about $3.99 you can stay at home and access new releases on Tuesday and never have to leave your living room.
Though the bootleg market is as strong as ever, the truth remains, they’ve never taken much from the market as a whole. Those who want quality entertainment usually pay for that entertainment. The issue now is that most of these consumers have been affected by the economy in way one or another, but would you rather pay $4 for a two-night rental or $1?
Redbox offers just that. Though you will at first feel slightly out of the water, as I did, standing amongst shopping carts and vending machines as you try to make your selection, it’s a rather neat way of getting movies quickly – minimize the wait time, slash the cost. Very simple.
Using a free rental voucher I got from their website (www.redbox.com) I tested it out at a nearby Walmart store (you’ll find them at Meijer too). Fairly simple stuff. You select from several categories, which can be broken up into genre if you prefer (sci-fi, suspense, drama, etc.).
My only issue is that there were approximately three pages maximum to scroll through under your preferred category. The selections are current enough (“Watchmen,” “Coraline”), but I prefer a wider canvas to stretch my fingers across. According to the website, you can actually place your order online and retrieve your DVD at your preferred Redbox location. In theory this could be a good thing. Obviously in terms of selection, Netflix has Redbox beat, but in the neighborhood of convenience and decreasing the wait period between rental exchanges, Redbox should certainly be a contender in the next year or so.
Bottom line? It’s $1 per movie, per night. It’s a better deal than either Netflix or Blockbuster online (Blockbuster’s attempt at “riffing” on the Netflix model).
Of course, you’ll probably find it difficult to beat $1. If you’re looking to do that, you can always take a stroll to your library. Yes, the library.
The Detroit Public Library houses a pretty decent collection of new releases and classics, all at no cost. If you rent the movie on a Thursday you can keep it until Tuesday. Plan to spend at least 15 minutes browsing, as it has grown in popularity and both college students and families alike are taking advantage of this service. VCR owners (those of you still out there) can browse the DPL’s still impressive collections of VHS tapes.
The DIA offers free admission on Fridays for Detroit residents. Have you been to the DIA lately? They’re doing a lot to stay fresh and interesting. It’s a perfect date idea or when having a get-together. Only problem is once you’ve kind of gone through the exhibit, there isn’t much left to do. There is a great cafeteria.
The Be There Lounge, 15410 W. Chicago (off Greenfield), offers some of Detroit’s best jazz, blues and R&B artists in one spot on Wednesday nights starting at 9 p.m. There is no cover charge. The audience is treated to a jam session that includes trumpeters, saxophonists, guitarists, singers and a few surprises.
I think we are slowly moving towards a world that values active participation to passive viewing. The number of families owning a Nintendo Wii or a Playstation 2 is growing. Not only, according to a recent report are they outselling the souped-up Playstation 3, but games are starting to be viewed as an “all-ages entertainment,” as it should be.
Let’s face it. Video games are creating some of the most engaging, innovative movies around (“Grand Theft Auto IV” is a fine example). They have already surpassed Hollywood storytelling with narratives far superior to the recycle bin we call the movie theater.
If you prefer to go “old school,” sans game controller, MJR Theaters (with locations in Southgate and Allen Park) offers the best deals, hands down. Free popcorn on Tuesdays and ticket prices are always very reasonable. If you feel somewhat cheated by your Star AMC experience (as I do these days), give MJR a spin.
MJR reminds me of going to the movies in the late ’80s and early ’90s with my family. Those simpler times, when piling in the car to go to the movies was considered “an outing.”
I can recall the theme music to “Mortal Combat” drifting from the arcade, and the smell of popcorn and hot butter. My fist clutching my ticket stub like it was a passport to another world.
In the end, it’s all about changing the “change game,” you might say — putting more money in your pocket and enjoying life, making the recession work for you.
This is hardly an exhaustive list of things to do either very cheaply or for free in the metro Detroit area. I welcome some of your personal picks and choices. Send them to cfortune@michronicle.com.
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