Too Close To Call: Bay Street Video vs. Videoflicks

With Academy Awards upon us, we take a look at Toronto’s biggest two purveyors of Oscar-winning movies. Bay Street Video and Videoflicks are independents still thriving in a world dominated by iTunes and Netflix. But who comes out on top?

Michael ‘Apocalypse Now’ Bernick

vs.

Joe ‘Cabaret’ Carlino

Bay Street Video (172 Bay St.)
Michael Bernick, 1993.
Shop, owner(s) & year opened:
 
Videoflicks (1701 Avenue Rd.)
Joe Carlino and Steve Cohen, 1981.
25,000 in rentals, plus 25,000 for sale. Number of titles in stock: 50,000 in rentals.
$4.95. Cost to rent one new release: $4.43.
It’s not a growing industry, but independent stores with good selections and knowledgeable and friendly staff are doing well. In the Internet era of instant access to thousands of free movies, how’s the video rental biz? I’m asked at every cocktail party: “How much longer do you think you have?” I don’t see a downward trend for at least five to eight years.
Apocalypse Now. Favourite flick: Cabaret.
If it were an action film — only because my wife likes them so much — Jason Statham or Bruce Willis. What actor would play you in a movie? Seth MacFarlane … somebody light and breezy and witty and fun.
Pistachios. Preferred movie snack: Popcorn.
I haven’t seen any of them because they haven’t come out on DVD yet! What’s your pick for best picture at the Oscars? I think Lincoln will probably win. It’s historical, it’s Spielberg, it’s King’s Speech–like in many ways.
Probably a short speech:
“…I’d like to thank everybody I’ve ever met in my life.”
What kind of an Oscar speech would you give? (Would you cry, have your mic cut off…?) I would go a little Dustin Hoffman. (Thank everybody for considering me but say that I am by no means special.)
     

 

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