# Don't like to rent out mature videos? Don't work at Blockbuster!! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 22, 2002, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-like-to-rent-out-mature-videos-dont-work-at-blockbuster/138110 "2002-11-22T06:02:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2003, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-like-to-rent-out-mature-videos-dont-work-at-blockbuster/138110/101 "2003-01-04T05:54:47Z")
I do think the hitmen in Pulp Fiction were glorified. Although you may be legally sane and a killer, I think if you kill people for a living, there’s something wrong with you as a human being. Maybe you’re not a full blown psychotic, but still, you have holes where other people have feelings. PF and a lot of Mafia films have a way of making professional killers seem normal and human except for the little matter of how they make a living. I don’t buy it for a minute. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2003, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-like-to-rent-out-mature-videos-dont-work-at-blockbuster/138110/102 "2003-01-04T05:59:13Z")
Oblong: the question, I think, is that if that isn’t why they cut it, then why the hell WAS it cut? ---
**Author:** ![SC\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@SC\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SC_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2003, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-like-to-rent-out-mature-videos-dont-work-at-blockbuster/138110/103 "2003-01-04T06:20:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Evil Captor \* > **Blockbuster is in fact evil, in fact, it’s 47 percent more evil than any other video store around, though Hollywood Video really is trying very hard.** Bah. Even with their snazzy movie-usher cumberbunds, Hollywood Video’s evil will allways pale in comparason to Blockbuster. > [@](#): > > **In some areas it is EXTREMELY difficult/inconvenient to obtain movies other than through Blockbuster. They have a history of using their economic clout to pressure mom and pop video stores out of business.** Know what? Wal-Mart Uses the same “drive the competition out of business” strategy, and not only will they not carry particular videos, they also force musicians to make alternate versions of albums, and video game manufacturers to tone down video games. > [@](#): > > **My tastes are just too obscure for even them. I stick to [Half.com](http://Half.com), Amazon, etc. for my video rentals. That’s where you get some SELECTION.** In the era of [netflix.com](http://netflix.com), it’s been a lot harder for Blockbuster to achieve total world domination via Microsoftian monopoly. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2003, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-like-to-rent-out-mature-videos-dont-work-at-blockbuster/138110/104 "2003-01-04T06:28:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Evil Captor \* > \*\*PF and a lot of Mafia films have a way of making professional killers seem normal and human except for the little matter of how they make a living. I don’t buy it for a minute. \*\* …yeah and all those bad guys just walk off into the sunset, happy as can be at the end. ---
**Author:** ![SC\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@SC\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SC_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2003, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-like-to-rent-out-mature-videos-dont-work-at-blockbuster/138110/105 "2003-01-04T06:38:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by OpalCat \* > \*\*…so how about they post those hints in the store for those few people out there who don’t read the SDMB? I think that BB would rather people didn’t know. (Note that I’m not saying they hide it or lie about it) \*\* _shrug_ That, I can’t fully answer. As a front line drone, I was not privy to the “whys” behind merely listing a seemingly inconsequential “(Rated Version)” after the title instead of making it more clear that the film meets a standard set by Blockbuster in pursuit of some nebulous “Family Friendly” goal. If I had to speculate, I’d say that the goal was to minimize complaints. Pursuing a “Family Friendly” stance deflects criticism from the “Won’t someone please think of the children?” censorship types, but by not flashing a big neon sign that says “edited by studio for content” over the edited tapes, avoids the wrath of the horndogs out there. After all, in the corporate mindset, time spent explaining a company policy is time that an employee could be getting paid to actually sell stuff. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2003, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-like-to-rent-out-mature-videos-dont-work-at-blockbuster/138110/106 "2003-01-04T06:43:33Z")
_gasp_ What?? You’re not the official spokesman for BB? heh. Yeah I know you can’t answer it or fix it… but we can all agree to grumble about it, I hope. ---
**Author:** ![SC\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@SC\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SC_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2003, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-like-to-rent-out-mature-videos-dont-work-at-blockbuster/138110/107 "2003-01-04T17:21:27Z")
Just don’t single out Blockbuster. Wal-Mart, the broadcast networks, movie theaters in general, and even the great high and mighty SDMB are _all_ guilty of the sin of insisting that someone that produces a work self-edit the content of that work to meet a certain standard before they will distribute that work. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2003, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-like-to-rent-out-mature-videos-dont-work-at-blockbuster/138110/108 "2003-01-05T02:40:31Z")
I avoid Blockbuster like the plague. They move into an area and kill the small mom and pop video stores. I worked at a small mom and pop store. We would rent out \*\* The Last Temptation of Christ \*\* (When it came out it was a huge controversy.) We had maybe one customer who was offended that we would even rent that movie. \*How could we? \*. Me, the 19 year old clerk just replied, \*It’s out hottest renter. \* She promised to never come to us again. Which was fine. I knew everyone who came in and she was a twice a year renter. No great loss. So I wander down to Blockbuster. Not only did their drones brag about not having Last Temptation of Christ ( which made no sense to me.) they muttered that that video store down the road ( where I was at) rented X movies. ( We did. Gasp.) But there on the floor, were a bunch of \*Sorority Jello Wrestling, Hot and Spicy Pizza Girls \* and whatever soft porn jiggle fests. ( Pre Baywatch.) Hypocrites. > [@](#): > > You know how you have those moments when certain things become crystal clear, you can almost hear a little snap in your head? This was one of those moments. **Stoid** This is priceless and so true. \*Doc Hollywood \*? ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2003, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-like-to-rent-out-mature-videos-dont-work-at-blockbuster/138110/109 "2003-01-05T22:26:57Z")
WARNING, POSSIBLE SPOILERS!!! To the people who were touting Pulp Fiction. Okay, I finally saw pulp fiction. It was better than the “piece of sewage” that I’d HEARD it to be. It was in fact fairly entertaining. But, NOT oscar worthy entertaining. To whomever thought the “big mac” scene was the funniest thing in the movie? Ummm, I STILL thought it was inane and dorky, even IN the context of the movie. MY fave part? (SHOULD I CRY SPOILER HERE???), Was the "honeybunny and “pumkin” segment. I mean “okay honey bunny I love you?” and then BAM they’re up and cussing to make a marine blush?? LOL. Also, can whoever said that there were tons of references to other movies PLEASE fill me in?? I didn’t see ANY references to other movies (bearing in mind it’s possible I have never SEEN the movies to which there are supposedly references). Also, what’s with the bullet holes ALREADY being in the wall behind the two hitmen in the “miracle” sequence BEFORE the kid jumps out of the bathroom gun ablazin’??? And the magically “disappearing” bullet hole at the top left of the spray pattern of bullets?? ---
**Author:** ![Blackeyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f6c823/32.png) [@Blackeyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackeyes)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2003, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-like-to-rent-out-mature-videos-dont-work-at-blockbuster/138110/110 "2003-01-06T03:27:49Z")
Yes, CanvasShoes it is true you have never SEEN any of THOSE movies REFERENCED to by “Pulp Fiction” ummmmmm, I’m THINKING. Some of the other Dopers have ALREADY “filled you in” somewhat earler IN the thread. And sometimes there are things called GOOFS in movies, and some of them are called CONTINUITY ERRORS or TECHNICAL blunders. It is quite POSSIBLE that’s what they were. Or MAYBE the Writer/Director Quentin Tarantino WANTED them to BE in THERE for HIS OWN reasonos. ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2003, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-like-to-rent-out-mature-videos-dont-work-at-blockbuster/138110/111 "2003-01-06T03:31:42Z")
Both **Blackeyes** and **CanvasShoes** have exceeded their capitalization quota for the month. Consider yourselves warned. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2003, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-like-to-rent-out-mature-videos-dont-work-at-blockbuster/138110/112 "2003-01-06T03:48:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Evil Captor \* > \*\*I do think the hitmen in Pulp Fiction were glorified. Although you may be legally sane and a killer, I think if you kill people for a living, there’s something wrong with you as a human being. Maybe you’re not a full blown psychotic, but still, you have holes where other people have feelings. PF and a lot of Mafia films have a way of making professional killers seem normal and human except for the little matter of how they make a living. I don’t buy it for a minute. \*\* Actually, after having finally seen the movie, I believe they do something worse than “glorify it”. They “normalize” it. In other words, they make vince and jules look like two ordinary joes off to punch the clock, and oh, it’s so funny that they accidentally screwed up at work by blowing some guys brains all over their work vehicle. It’s all ever so “I Love Lucy” (you’re in Beeeeg Trouble Vinceeeee) when vince makes so many “screwball” comedy style mistakes. Only it’s sooooooooooooooo “hip” and slick and “cooler than thou”. That being said, I WAS entertained, but still don’t see that all the “oh this is the most hip movie of all time” hype was earned. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2003, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-like-to-rent-out-mature-videos-dont-work-at-blockbuster/138110/113 "2003-01-06T03:50:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Brutus \* > \*\*Both **Blackeyes** and **CanvasShoes** have exceeded their capitalization quota for the month. Consider yourselves warned. \*\* i didn’t know there was one,so how do i emphasize words then? without having to resort to the i or u every single time??? you wouldn’t like me in real life either i fear, i’m very animated and cheerful ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2003, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-like-to-rent-out-mature-videos-dont-work-at-blockbuster/138110/114 "2003-01-06T03:53:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Blackeyes \* > \*\*Yes, CanvasShoes it is true you have never SEEN any of THOSE movies REFERENCED to by “Pulp Fiction” ummmmmm, I’m THINKING. Some of the other Dopers have ALREADY “filled you in” somewhat earler IN the thread. And sometimes there are things called GOOFS in movies, and some of them are called CONTINUITY ERRORS or TECHNICAL blunders. It is quite POSSIBLE that’s what they were. Or MAYBE the Writer/Director Quentin Tarantino WANTED them to BE in THERE for HIS OWN reasonos. \*\* I was curious as to what the other references were!!! No need to be snotty about it. How do you emphasize words then??? Sorry, I am a very animated person, I find it very difficult to be expressive in type. Plus I’ve notive a lot of other people using caps in the same way I do. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2003, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-like-to-rent-out-mature-videos-dont-work-at-blockbuster/138110/115 "2003-01-06T05:42:13Z")
**CanvasShoes** , most of the references are very subtle. Subtle enough that they may go by even _serious_ film-geeks several times. For example: Tarantino really likes the french avante garde, and I’m sure there are a lot of references I don’t get. The anachronistic dance contest that Vince and Mia go to is a reference to a Jean Luc Godard film, \*[Band à Parte\*](http://us.imdb.com/Title?0057869). “Band of Outsiders.” (The name of Tarantino’s production company, “A Band Apart,” is a punning reference to this film, as well.) Remember when Butch had the dream about how he came into possession of his father’s watch? Christopher Walken’s character says “Your 22-year old grandfather asked a gunner on an Air Force transport named Winocki, a man he had never met before in his life, to deliver to his infant son, who he had never seen in the flesh, his gold watch.” Winocki is the name of the gunner in Howard Hawkes’ [_Air Force_](http://us.imdb.com/Title?0035616). That line of Marcellus’ about “going to work on him with a pair of pliers and a blowtorch” is lifted from Charley Varrick, with Walter Matthau. It works better in Pulp Fiction. That cabbie, that wants to know how Butch feels after killing a man, and insists that she’s not a weirdo, but “It’s a subject I have much interest in?” She’s played by Angela Jones, and her characterization is strikingly similar to her performance in [_Curdled_](http://us.imdb.com/Title?0101634) – a pleasant young woman with an eerie fascination for murder. The mysterious briefcase, the contents of which can only be seen as an attractive glow? It made a whole mess of trouble for Mike Hammer in [_Kiss Me Deadly_](http://us.imdb.com/Title?0048261) The O.D., from start-to-finish, is lifted from an anecdote in [Martin Scorcese’s documentary about Steven Prince](http://us.imdb.com/Title?0077157). There are a lot of slyly self-conscious references to the actors’ previous work inserted into the dialog: > [@](#): > > MIA: Will you roll me one, [cowboy](http://us.imdb.com/Title?0081696)? > VINCE: You can have this one, [cowgirl](http://us.imdb.com/Title?0106834). > [@](#): > > **Blackeyes:** And sometimes there are things called GOOFS in movies, and some of them are called CONTINUITY ERRORS or TECHNICAL blunders. It is quite POSSIBLE that’s what they were. Or MAYBE the Writer/Director Quentin Tarantino WANTED them to BE in THERE for HIS OWN reasonos. At least one “continuity error” in PF has the appearance of being intentional. The exterior of Jules’ car is not clearly shown until the interior is being cleaned. While it is being cleaned, the exterior appears to be black. After it is cleaned, it’s plain that it’s white. (Possibly this is an illusion due to the change in lighting-- the garage door has been opened.) Jimmy (Tarantino) says “I can’t believe this is the same car.” I think it may have been intentional, though. At other times, Tarantino clearly sticks stuff in that is only there to underline that you’re watching a movie. (Mia’s aspect-ratio visual pun, for example… or the choice to use shaky black-and-white rear-projection to suggest the taxi’s movement.) Now I wanna watch it again. (Twitch.) ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2003, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-like-to-rent-out-mature-videos-dont-work-at-blockbuster/138110/116 "2003-01-06T06:04:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Larry Mudd \* > > * * * > > Now I wanna watch it again. (Twitch.) \*\* LOL,and thank you a BUNCH (take it out of next month’s quota okay!!!) for being polite about it. I honestly was curious. And you answered the question that I asked, (and added a disclaimer to and had rudely and snottily brushed aside), that being the fact that the references were ones from movies I haven’t seen. ---
**Author:** ![catsix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2003, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-like-to-rent-out-mature-videos-dont-work-at-blockbuster/138110/117 "2003-01-06T06:08:55Z")
Aight, that’s it. That’s what I get for reading this damn thread tonight. _Six sticks the DVD in the player_ You drove me to it. I’m watching _Pulp Fiction_ again. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2003, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-like-to-rent-out-mature-videos-dont-work-at-blockbuster/138110/118 "2003-01-06T06:25:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by catsix \* > \*\*Aight, that’s it. That’s what I get for reading this damn thread tonight. > > _Six sticks the DVD in the player_ > > You drove me to it. I’m watching _Pulp Fiction_ again. \*\* Then come back on and post YOUR thoughts on the “pre-existing and disappearing bullet holes”. Okay? lol,thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2003, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-like-to-rent-out-mature-videos-dont-work-at-blockbuster/138110/119 "2003-01-06T14:11:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CanvasShoes \* > \*\* > No need to be snotty about it. > > \*\* I think Blackeyes’ original post was snotty enough that a simple “fuck you” would have sufficed in response to it. ---
**Author:** ![Blackeyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f6c823/32.png) [@Blackeyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackeyes)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2003, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-like-to-rent-out-mature-videos-dont-work-at-blockbuster/138110/120 "2003-01-06T18:22:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Evil Captor \* > \*\*I think Blackeyes’ original post was snotty enough that a simple “fuck you” would have sufficed in response to it. \*\* You’re right. My behavior was not to SDMB standards, and I deserved a simple two word telling off. **CanvasShoes** was being rather civil in not telling me to fuck off. I _was_ being somewhat snotty, much more than I should have been. I crossed the line. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-like-to-rent-out-mature-videos-dont-work-at-blockbuster/138110.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-like-to-rent-out-mature-videos-dont-work-at-blockbuster/138110.md?page=7)