Thank you, Blockbuster

My brother and I struggle to contain our excitement as we pull into the car park. An inviting glow emanates from the building and a large, blue sign with bold yellow letters, sits above the door. There it is.The chill in the air is bitter, but as we enter through the heavy front door the warmth of the heater pushes back the winter cold. I make my way toward the back of the store, passing the snack area and various genres — comedy, classic, action, drama. Finally, I reach my new favourite section. World Cinema. By this point in time, I’ve devoured the Japanese horror section, thoroughly enjoying films such as Ringu, Ju-On, One Missed Call, and Suicide Club. I love how the style of these horror movies differs from the horror movies I am used to. Rather than relying on obvious jump scares, they exude a chilling and gritty tone; slow-burn horror, and practical effects. What they lack in a Hollywood budget, they make up for in atmosphere.

I’m keen to see what else the world of cinema has to offer me, and over the next few years, I will attempt to make my way through the entire section, discovering films that are still some of my favourites today. Battle Royale, City of God, Breathless (not the Jean-Luc Godard film, but a Korean film by Yang Ik-Joon), Amélie, Pan’s Labyrinth — just to name a few.It was at this time in my life I formed a more eclectic passion for cinema. I’d always loved movies, but this was a fresh and exciting venture. I was seeing new approaches to filmmaking, I was exposed to different cultures and refreshing takes on genres I was fond of. Every trip felt like an opportunity to discover a new gem.

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