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Categories: Videos and Video Game Rental, Active Life
Neighborhoods: Museum District, MontroseMon-Thu. 12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sun. 12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
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This place is the real deal when it comes to renting movies. Sure, you could go online and put movie sin your Netflix queue, but Netflix is not going to die a little on the inside when you return the third disc of gossip girl and then rent the fourth disc. Sometimes you need someone to let you know that you're addicted to something bad. But I can't help it! Gossip girl is so addicting!
This place is local, the owner is the Michael Jordan of movie store employees (MVP), and they will be getting back gossip girl back soon.
Nice place, nice selection, excellent service, and decent prices. Good customer service in retail establishments is getting harder and harder to find these days...but you will find it here. Sure, visiting a store may not be as convenient as Redbox or Netflix, but if you need help picking out a cool movie to watch, this is the place to go.
Okay, I'm being overly generous with my stars, but seriously, if you met Rob, you would too.
I love the idea of supporting local businesses and that usually means restaurants for me. The hubs is obsessed with watching movies and when our Netflicks doesn't come in soon enough, he goes over to MOViES immediately.
We struck out quite a bit as far as selection goes, but I'm also a little weird in my tastes. Rob is ridiculously well versed in movies and I enjoy that he isn't just some teenage jerk pissed off at the world and plotting how to spend his $6/hour salary. If you ask for a recommendation, he'll give you perfect options based on what you've rented before. AND he's pretty honest about his takes on the movies.
There are plenty of specials for every day of the week which is fantastic for us and our hectic schedule. We never have a consistent "movie night", so it is nice to know that whenever we stop in on a whim that there is some kind of "deal" going on.
Oh, something worth mentioning is the AWFUL parking situation. In general you can find a spot, but there have definitely been times where there is nowhere to park and you risk it in the empty lot next door. Plus, backing outta there is a heinous task during rush hour. Yuck!
Support your indie shops in Houston! Having said that, they only deserve your support if they work hard to keep your bizness and Rob is the hardest working man in the movie rental industry.
On Richmond and just west of 59 is Movies The Store. I always look for reasons not to go to Ball Buster, I mean, Blockbuster and so far, Movies The Store is the best reason I have found to date.
Some of the specials:
+Monday - All catalog (older titles) 1/2 off
+Tuesday - Older New releases $2
+Wednesday - Rent 1 catalog, Get 1 Free
+Thursday - All Rentals 30% off
Rob has a Wednesday Movie Nights @ Domy Books! (http://yelp.com/biz/do...) Free Admission and the shows begin @ 8:00 PM.
I had some concerns that a little shop might not be open on Sundays but no fear - Sundays Open Noon - 10 PM
Rob does not mind if you call first to see if your fav movie is in and I think his recommendations would be spot on if you're stumped on what to watch.
He stocks new releases, older releases and classics. Right now, he is having a movie poster sale. (Stocking stuffers anyone?)
Today's selections? Feeling a little bit on the retro side. I picked "24 Hour Party People" & "Basquiat" (I know, I hate Julian Schnabel too) and Andie grabbed "Basketball Diaries".
I will be back next week to check out the new releases and so should you.
In the interest of full disclosure, I live within a block of Movies!, so a fair amount of my enthusiasm for the place stems from my ability to traipse over there in 30 seconds, wearing flip-flops no less.
Yet my devotion to the place runs so much deeper than mere convenience...Movies! and its friendly, knowledgeable proprietor Rob Arcos serve a source of inspiration...to those of us who really love film and love talking about film...to those of us who dream of quitting our day jobs and spending the rest of our days perched in a quaint, welcoming storefront, sharing what we love with an adoring and friendly patron base...to those of us who believe in entrepreneurship and independent, local business...
Much like President Obama, Movies! is a return to what I appreciate about being American, and in spite of my having (eek, confession time) a limited Netflix subscription to fill in a few gaps, I will continue to support my independently-owned, local video store.
Best.Movie.Store.Period.
Seriously, I have no reason to rent movies anywhere else. I look for a more personal, more intimate experience when renting films and Rob's store will give you just that.
He gives me ideas, and usually has a ton of personalized selections. MOViES The Store has grown incredibly over the past year as well. Every week the selection expands - to the point where the store is running out of shelf space.
I look forward to seeing this store continue to grow as a milestone for Houston's independent business community. It is important for Houston that independent stores become successful in order to promote its own personalized culture - this is a prime example of what Houston has to offer. Its up for Houstonians to keep our city fun and unique by supporting our local stores.
If you like movies, you'll love this store and its owner.
Thank Jeebus for MOViES The Store.
I love Movies! This is not a box that you wait in a line to use, nor is it a big box retail chain with teenage kids who don't care about movies. This place is owned and run by a super movie nerd named Rob who has seen most of the films and will give you his honest reviews. He gets to know his customers and what they like and he is able to suggest other things you might like. Sure, Netflix has algorithms that can do that, but Rob is a real live human being who keeps the love of home video watching a true art form!
I love Movies the store! Rob is soooo nice and always down for chatting about flicks. I love going to a local place over a chain or ordering movies off the internet. Everyone always seems super friendly and I've gotten into many conversations with other customers.
For some 20 years I watched the mallification of Manhattan spread like an unstoppable cancer that steadily diminished the character of my favorite island on earth. Ultimately, when I meditate on how much I love and miss Manhattan, I'm really thinking of a time more than a place.
That's one of the reasons I'm all about soliciting independently run enterprises like "MOViES The Store" -- even if it takes a little extra effort. Ironically, we only discovered this quirky little shop after a strategically-placed flyer at Amy's Ice Cream caught our eye; otherwise, there's nothing especially inviting about the store's generic exterior.
Inside, the whole vibe of this place reminds me of Championship Vinyl, the record store from "High Fidelity" but without the snobbery. The owner of MTS, whose name also happens to be Rob, engaged me in an interesting conversation about director Adrienne Shelly's untimely death when I recently returned "Waitress." Like that's ever going to happen at Blockbuster.
The selection is small but eclectic which perfectly suits a movie whore like myself whose tastes range from low to high brow. Since joining, Rob's emails have alerted us to several local film events and screenings. And, there are daily rental discounts worth checking out.
Even though we no longer live in the immediate vicinity, it's worth the trip to support a place like this and hopefully see it expand its selection and build a quirkier, less generic storefront.
For those of you who have never met Rob Arcos, you should. Rob is Houston's greatest movie resource. And please, don't imagine a Simpson's Comic Book Guy type movie fan; Rob is a Hero, working tirelessly to bring great movies to the city of Houston. He has been manager of the Angelika, and the River Oaks Cinema, but now he has found his true calling, his Kingdom. It is called... Movies the Store.
Unlike any other movie rental place I've ever been, Rob hand picks every movie on the shelves, and they're all there for a reason. At Blockbuster, it's hard to find any real gems because they're drowned out by all the noise. (One copy of Little Miss Sunshine, but they've got a whole shelf of Anaconda vs. Python, direct to video!) At Movies the Store, the selection is based on quality, not quantity. The quantity isn't bad either, and it's always growing. Rob is nearly always there, ready with a friendly and intelligent recommendation, and always happy to chat about movies. Going to Movies doesn't feel like renting from Blockbuster, it feels like borrowing a great flick from a friend. A friend who happens to be the city's greatest movie buff.
Prices are reasonable ($3.25 for catalog, a dollar more for new releases, with weekly specials that really make you want to stop in on a Wednesday!) The late fee policy is simple and fair.
If you decide to become a member, make sure you get on the weekly email newsletter. I've never gotten more useful spam :-) Rob does a great job of letting us know what's new at the store, and even keeps us abreast of what's notable in theaters around town.
A super, super-independent video store, operated by the knowledgeable Rob Arcos. (Seriously, ask him about any movie - he knows about 10,000). The store is cozy, membership is free, the rental price is low, and the selection expands so often that it's hard to keep up. (Don't worry, though - you can subscribe to his email newsletter and stay on top of what's going on.)
Weekly specials include:
Monday - TV Shows 1/2 off!
Wednesday - Rent 1 Catalog, Get 1 FREE!
Friday - Rent 2 New Releases, Get the 3rd FREE!
And in general, every time you rent 5 movies you get one FREE.
There are occasionally in-store screenings, or Rob-hosted screenings at theaters around town (highly recommended).
The store's one year anniversary is coming up in October, so be on the lookout for an awesome party. (And keep in mind that the store hasn't even been around a year, so don't freak out if they don't have your favorite obscure flick - just tell Rob and he'll put it on his list.)
It is more than worth a visit. You will either fall in love with kind, funny, smart Rob, or fall in love with the welcoming neighborhood video store that you've been longing for. He remembers all of his customers by name. It's incredible.
The store is right across from the Richmont Square apartments - you might miss it the first time you drive by, so be on the lookout.
I still can't fully commit to the five stars but in my last visit it's obvious that the selection is growing every day. MOViES is a genuine, independent store with an owner who appreciates film and cares about the community so, kudos, MOViES! A+ for effort and dedication. Thank you!
I prefer to rent my movies from an independent movie store and I really try and do so if AT ALL… Read more »
Rob Arcos, I just want you to know that you are a true asset to us Houstonians, and I most whole-heartedly thank you!
When you walk into Movies the Store, there may not seem like much of a choice in selection (growing still, daily growing). But how wrong you are. Quality is key. I have never walked out of this video store without (at least) two gems. Movies I'd forgotten about or movies that are at the top of my list that I've been dying to watch or re-watch. Walk up to ANY shelf in his store, and you'll rethink the two selections you already have in hand. Seriously. I sincerely wish everyone good luck in narrowing your selection down. Good luck! Beyond that, his store that is, he sends out a (or couple of) great weekly update(s). Sign up on his e-list.
What does this man not do for movies and this city?! He hosts weekly viewings of movies at DOMY (Wednesdays, on Westheimer next to Brazil) and monthly discussions of a book and viewing of it's movie at the newly re-opened downtown library. Beyond that, he holds events at his store, such as Sunday evening game night.
Above and beyond the aforementioned, if you are uncertain of the choices you have narrowed down to, ask his opinion. They are always dead on. He will NOT lead you astray, but he will not lead you away from something you JUST THINK you must watch.
I cancelled my membership to Netflix as soon as I discovered this awesome local movie store. Rob is the friendliest store owner I have ever met. He is always so eager to please his customers! You can even make movie suggestions for his catalog selection and YES he actually listens to your suggestions. It's great supporting a local store like Rob's! I hope more people wander into his store and discover how AWESOME it is.
I was really ticked when they closed the Montrose Blockbuster, forcing me to go ALL THE WAY over to W. Gray. But if they hadn't I'd have never discovered the best little video store in town. Now I never have any reason to go to blockbuster, and I realized they have enough of my money anyway. Now that Rob has clicked with my movie taste, I just walk in and have him pick something for me, and I'm never let down. For you big box movie store customers be prepared to see a selection of movies you've never even heard of.
This is the best movie store in Houston, not like the independent stores staffed with film snobs. The owner is so nice and knowledgeable, and the prices are low. If you tell him your mood, he's able to recommend the perfect one. They have a growing selection, and are very open to ideas for movies. I live a block away and now my whole street is a member.
This is a tough one to review. It's not the greatest in the world, but it is by far the greatest in Houston. On a normal scale it is maybe a 3.5, but on a Relative to Houston scale it is more than a 5. The owner is really nice, even ordering a movie for my wife that they did not have in. This will be the place that we rent from in the future; I just can't give it 5 stars because the selection is pretty small.
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