MovieChat Forums > Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006) Discussion > Are all video store clerks morons?

Are all video store clerks morons?

posted 17 years ago by derosad
67 replies | jump to latest

Or is it just the ones that work at Family Video? Before anyone gets angry with my statements realize that they were a joke. However, the clerks at my local Family Video are most assuredly morons and do not deserve to work in a store where they are required to recommend films to customers. The manager of the store noticed I was renting this movie and proceeded to laugh at me and then told me she felt sorry for me because I was renting this atrocious film (she didn't use that particular word, I believe it may have been outside of her vocabulary). This seemed rather absurd since every review I have read said Behind the Mask is the breath of fresh air American horror needs and after viewing I have to agree.

This was by far the most creative horror film I have seen coming out of the United States in a long time. It's just sad that when people go to that particular store and ask for advice on movies they have to deal with individuals who cannot appreciate original and imaginative films.

[–] patrick_bateman_90029 17 years ago

She probably didn't see it and probably has some stupid pre-determined view on all scary movies.

Hopelessly in love with Uma Thurman, Ziyi Zhang, Emmy Rossum, and Vanessa Ferlito

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] jaustin035 17 years ago

Now, Emmy Rossum is a lovely lady deserving the best a man could give. Feminine but not appearing weak, beautiful without being overtly sexual. She could eat an entire box of saltines without a word of complaint from me. A lady of ladies.

Certainly a man's man dream come true.

[–] murdoc995 17 years ago

exactly. i hate bitches like that giving movie clerks like me a bad rap. I'm hard-core horror and I love my horror movies. I actually work with a girl who fits that perfect description, calling RESIDENT EVIL a "traditional zombie film". I had to explain to the customer that it was a monster movie, and if he wanted a traditional zombie film, to get Lucio Fulci's ZOMBI. When the customer returned, she wrote out a pamphlet for my manager to read later, telling how glad they are SOMEONE knows a horror movie inside out. I threw it away. heh-heh...

-wesley

Blood, violence, and freaks of nature... what more does a horror-naut need?

[–] derosad 17 years ago

Perhaps she hasn't seen it but she definitely seemed confident in her opinion. Although it wouldn't surprise me if she didn't like it because it didn't live up to the high standards that all the super cool modern horror films have been setting. I mean how could Leslie Vernon ever stand up to the new John Rider or Billy?

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] skellington79 17 years ago

"If you don't love the genre, then most of the movie will go right over your head, making at least the first two-thirds rather boring."

I totally agree with you....I really enjoyed this film, but if you are not a fan, most of it would be lost. Just my opinion....but I thought it was great!

Can't sleep, clowns will eat me.

[–] g_wheely 17 years ago

[[["If you don't love the genre, then most of the movie will go right over your head, making at least the first two-thirds rather boring."

I totally agree with you....I really enjoyed this film, but if you are not a fan, most of it would be lost. Just my opinion....but I thought it was great!]]]

I'm not a particularly big fan of horror, and I really enjoyed this movie. Personally, I tend to think that slashers are pretty weak in plot (Though, I have seen exceptions, such as Saw, which, I guess, isn't technically a slasher anyway)

You look at movies like Hostel, where it's basically torture porn, then look at this, where the movie is pretty cleverly written, with some really original plot twists (And, I know, I should have seen the Taylor character being "the real survivor-girl" coming from the get-go, there where points in this movie that I thought the relationship between her and Leslie would be more along the lines of "Love Story for a Psycho"), and this outshines the blockbuster by a great deal.

I think a lot of people that didn't like this movie disliked it less for what was actually there, and more for what they were hoping would be there. Because, honestly, if you judge this movie on the merits of it's story, it ain't half bad.

[–] mordechi 17 years ago

"And, I know, I should have seen the Taylor character being "the real survivor-girl" coming from the get-go, "

Thanks for the spoiler warning. I'll be sure to keep an eye out for the plot twist when I watch the movie for the first time.

--My enchanted shin! How did you know that was the source of my power?--

[–] [email protected] 17 years ago

They did give a spoiler warning, it was in the subject line. Hey, look! Since you replied to their comment, its in your subject line too! Amazing!

[–] Drknsinstr 17 years ago

Understanding your subject was meant as a joke but I would just like to say one thing... Quentin Tanrantino was a video store clerk. Just sayin... =)

- The Dark One

[–] tsw453 17 years ago

Wow! I thought that was very rude myself. Since when is any clerk supposed to ridicule you over a purchase?

[–] maul57 17 years ago

I work at a video store and I always let people know if a movie looks like garbage, I rather they spend their 6 bucks on something good. That said this is a good film and would recommend it for someone looking for a horror film. We only got 2 copies so if you haven't heard of it (which is possible I mean Internet hype does nothing) you could determine it is a straight to video horror as it has as many if not less copies than those do.

[–] Barrettm 17 years ago

In typical fashion, the clerks at my store had never heard of it.

Yes, Rico. Kaboom

[–] movieguy0924 17 years ago

Well I am a manager at a Family Video, we have what is called our 3rd or 4th row filler. It is the small titles with less than 6 copies, i would probably say 70 percent of the movies on the filler row are absolute garbage(This is where you will find Behind the Mask). That being said you obviously will find a gem or two. I dont criticize movies that I havent seen, but I tell my customers to be cautious with the 3rd row, It has movies like Ed Gein and Butcher,this girl might have gone about it the wrong way, and she should probably see this movie before making such a harsh judgment, because three of my employees and myself have seen this movie, and recommend it to those looking for a good horror flick, not because it is scary. It is just a brilliant Gem, hidden side by side with mostly crap.

[–] derosad 17 years ago

The strange thing about the 3rd/4th row filler is that my local Family Video has at least a dozen copies of the movie on the top two or three rows so if that is what she was going by she was clearly wrong. I mean there were more copies of Behind the Mask then movies that got major theatrical runs.

Also to a poster further up on this thread, yeah I knew Tarintino was a video store clerk. However, Tarintino's work has been on a steady downward slide since Pulp Fiction and honestly he completely missed the mark on Death Proof. He made a QT instead of a grindhouse film but that is a topic for another board. Either way I stand by my statement about the troll working at my local Family Video. In fact, I am pretty sure she actually lives under a bridge.

[–] dehumanized 17 years ago

'I am pretty sure she actually lives under a bridge.'

So she's a junkie, eh?

[–] allenjs75 17 years ago

I haven't been to a video store in years. They still have those things?

[–] dehumanized 17 years ago

LOL! You'd be surprised! They seem to camp out in the restrooms... and they cut the sticker codes off of movies and sneak them in their pants... dirty bastards.

"Tricks are something a whore does for money... or candy!"
-Gob

[–] dehumanized 17 years ago

You oughta see this one *beep* at the Best Buy here in Georgia. She was being a *beep* pain in the ass over my buying the Dead Kennedys CD "PLASTIC SURGERY DISASTERS / IN GOD WE TRUST INC." and every time I go there she uses her annoying *beep* pre-pubescent voice to irritate me about what I buy... next time, though...

"Tricks are something a whore does for money... or candy!"
-Gob

[–] rko290 17 years ago

I thought the film was very good. Very different, very real like a staged doc. I loved how they cut the real film in with the video footage. Creative minds worked well on this film. I have a video clerk at Hollywood Video and we discuss movies for hrs sometime. He pretty much watches all the stuff I watch so we can converse on the subject. Likes and dislikes. But to laugh in your face and they don't know you is another story.

San Diego Ca, Indie Filmmaker

[–] onward-still 17 years ago

Quentin Tanrantino also directed Jackie Brown and produced some terrible stuff in his time. He ain't perfect either.

[–] treetherealest 17 years ago

It's because she's a woman and they don't have an appreciation for good movies. Actually, I haven't seen this one yet, but plan on it.

[–] dehumanized 17 years ago

That's *beep* up. (lol) Although slightly true...

"Tricks are something a whore does for money... or candy!"
-Gob

[–] evilbob52 17 years ago

It always depends, doesn't it? I myself am a video clerk (Blockbuster) and I worship this movie. My co-workers hated it. Whatever. Always ask a few people, because people, as a rule, are dumb as hell.

[–] chynaboo2001 17 years ago

treetherealest,that is soooooo not true! I am a woman and I have a GREAT appreciation for movies, especially those that go outside of the box. He just came across an airhead that was too busy watching the big box office crap and on that point alone,she thought she could hand out movie recommendations. Sooo disappointed in the movies that hit the theatres so far this year. Any who, evilbob52, my local Blockbuster sucked ass the week this movie came out because they had no clue what I was talking about. I went back the following week and they finally put TWO copies out! I was lucky to get the second one!

[–] dehumanized 17 years ago

I think it was partially a joke. But most women I know have absolutely terrible taste in movies. Probably just the horrible Georgian spawns of even dumber parents. I showed my ex "SWINGERS". She hated it. Her 3 favorite movies are DIRTY DANCING, WHITE CHICKS and MAJOR LEAGUE. (Nix on the first two...)

"Tricks are something a whore does for money... or candy!"
-Gob

[–] RatedXSymphony 17 years ago

I loved the movie. It was definitely original. At first I was apprehensive about watching it but as it got going I couldn't turn away from the movie. I was impressed. It was something that could definitely be built upon. When the credits started I was about to turn it off then it went to the camera version so I ended up watching it all the way through. I was a bit disappointed with the ending credit scene as I was anticipating something more. I am hoping they make a sequel that will live up to it.

[–] treetherealest 17 years ago

Yeah, it was PARTIALLY a joke. There are some women who have good taste in movies. Usually, they picked it up from an past boyfriend. ;)

I work at a video store as well. To the person who mentioned Swingers. It seems most females I show that film to, don't like it at all.

There's nothing hotter than a female with a good taste in music and movies...

well I mean..GOOD TASTE is just a matter of opinion....I'll just say a "non-mainstream" taste.

[–] dehumanized 17 years ago

True. Any woman who'll slap on a Tom Waits CD and put SEVEN SAMURAI in the DVD player's alright in my book. Hell, even REPO MAN'll be fine.

NOW INTRODUCING: Yo, *beep* that *beep* name!
-"Brooklyn Zoo" - ODB

[–] wiccanskeptic 17 years ago

I'm not going to lie: a lot of us are.

Those of us who aren't, however, learn fairly quickly that you're not supposed to make fun of the customer or the movies he rents.

I LOVED this movie. But I'm not going to recommend it to everyone who walks in the door. I pointed it out to some of my favourite customers who are also horror fans, but that's about it.

If someone comes up to the counter with a movie I think is crummy, well, it's none of my business.

But yeah, for the most part, video store clerks are morons.

I just reread your post and only now realized it was the manager who said that to you. oh man. Who do you complain to in that situation?

[–] Devilbob 17 years ago

You go back it the store when he or she is working; tell them how much you enjoyed the movie; finally, let them know you'd rather not hear movie critiques from a wage slave who thinks "Little Man" is a comic gem of our time. A caveat, however, doing this could result in strange fee's being charged to your account.

[–] spyder7 17 years ago

No offense (because I know you're mostly kidding anyway), but if you're taking movie advice from movie store clerks, YOU are in fact the moron. Hey, just sayin'! Good luck.

[–] treetherealest 17 years ago

I just saw it today. I'm a video store clerk and it was a very original idea. At first, I thought it was too much like "Man Bites Dog" then I noticed the way it goes from pseudo-documentary to movie. It's fun. Not gory or anything though.

[–] stormyweathers-1 17 years ago

I'M A VIDEO SHOP CLERK AND I NEVER RECOMEND PEOPLE GOOD MOVIES BECAUSE MOST CUSTOMERS ARE CINEMATICLY CHALLENGED

Let it be known, sons and daughters that Satan was an acid head.

[–] derosad 17 years ago

Wow I can't believe this thread has had this many posts since I sarted it. In reference to spyder7, I dont ask movie store clerks for advice. The rotund troll who manages the store overheard me talking about the movie and her inner Roger Ebert emerged just long enough for her to mock me. The joke is on her though, I mean a large elderly man is residing inside her body so I am sure she hasn't been laid in quite a few years, But I digress. I just moved from that town and visited a local video store here in State College. I was surprised to find the store stocked with a large portion of the Criterion Collection available to rent. This was to my surprise a video store stocked with clerks who actually had a sembelance of an idea about movies. I rented Solaris and Insomnia by the way (the originals, not the remakes).