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Welcome Film Lovers... |
| Hello
and welcome to That's Rentertainment
-- the last locally owned and operated video store in the Champaign-Urbana
/ University of Illinois area. That's Rentertainment caters to film
fans (and fanatics) who have grown tired of the typical
Blockbuster fare. We specialize in International, independent, classic
American and Art House films on DVD (with a handful of VHS tapes
left over that have never been released on DVD). With over 39,000 DVDs and close to 3,500 BluRay discs, That’s Rentertainment has the largest selection
of movies in the entire Champaign-Urbana area -- if not all of Illinois.
We get new movies every week -- if you want to be kept up to date
about them sign up for our weekly e-mail
update or check out our New Arrivals
page. Membership is free (requiring
only 2 photo IDs, or an ID and credit card) and rentals can
be as cheap as $1.00 per disc, so come
on down and check out what you've been missing! |
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| League of American Bicyclists Bicycle Friendly Business |
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In April 2012, the League of American Bicyclists (LAB) designated That's Rentertainment as a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Business. Thank you to everyone who voted and put in a kind word for us during the process. We are one of 67 businesses nationwide to receive this designation during this cycle -- and the only video store on the list. As a life-long resident and a cyclist for almost as long, I am honored to have received this award and plan to continue doing all I can to promote safe commuting and recreational bicycling in the Campustown and Urbana-Champaign area. (more) |
| Summer Hours |
Summer hours have kicked in -- here they are:
Monday - Saturday (11am - 10pm)
Sunday (noon - 10pm) |
| This Week's New Release Message |
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Summer is here...
... and parking on campus is abundant! Perfect, because there were quite a few heavy hitters released this week including: "Chronicle" (w/Dane DeHaan, Alex Russell and Michael B. Jordan), "The Devil Inside" (w/Fernanda Andrade, Simon Quarterman and Evan Helmuth), "The Grey" (w/Liam Neeson, Dermot Mulroney and James Badge Dale) and "One for the Money" (w/Katherine Heigl, Jason O'Mara and Daniel Sunjata). On the TV front we got Flashpoint (S4) and Hell on Wheels (S1). Also, new to the AIF sction is "Kinyarwanda" (2011 Sundance Audience Award winner) and we added "My Perestroika" ("... the story of five people from the last generation of Soviet children who were brought up behind the Iron Curtain") to the International section. As always, you may peruse the complete list of new arrivals is below.
A car is considered a classic if it's over 25 years old. Antiques are generally over 100 years old. But, movies are a bit different. Should "Throw Momma from the Train" (1987) really be kept in the "Classics" section or should it be at least as old as "Richard III" (1912)? Here at Rentertainment we define a classic as anything older than I am. In other words, it had to come out in 1962 or earlier (with a few exceptions). Remember: my video store, my rules. In any case, here are the Top 100 renters from our Classic Movie section:
1) CITIZEN KANE: REMASTERED (DVD)
2) CASABLANCA (DVD)
3) BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S (DVD)
4) ROMAN HOLIDAY (DVD)
5) PATHS OF GLORY (DVD)
6) PHILADELPHIA STORY, THE (DVD)
7) MODERN TIMES (DVD)
8) MELIES, GEORGES: 1ST WIZARD OF CIN (DVD)
9) ON THE WATERFRONT (DVD)
10) THIN MAN, THE (DVD)
(a longer version of this list and more "Top 100" lists can be found here)
Remember: Rentertainment is in Summer Hours mode. We will be open Monday-Saturday from 11am to 10pm and Sundays from noon - 10pm... plan accordingly.
Have a great week...
Geoff (and all the other Rentertarians) |
(for this week's complete new release listing and previous week's listings click here) |
| Meet the Rentertarians... |
| Jessica |
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10 movies that I re-watch repeatedly, repeatedly:
(August 16, 2011)
1) Blade Runner (SF)
2) Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (ST)
3) Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (ST)
4) Aliens (SF)
5) Amandla! A revolution in four part harmony (DOC)
6) Twister (GEN)
7) Jurassic Park (SF)
8) Stander (INT)
9) A Goofy Movie (ANI)
10) Blazing Saddles (COM)
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Renter News -- not all about film but all of interest... |
Illinois Green Business Association Certifies That's Rentertainment as a Green Business!
With assistance from the Illinois Green Business Asociation, That's Rentertainment continues to implement as many energy saving, waste reducing and environmentally friendly practices as possible. After working with the IGBA for the past few months, we are pleased to be their 4th Certified Green Business in Champaign-Urbana (the first three businesses to be certified were the International Society of Arboriculture, B. Lime, and Ippatsu Salon). You can read more about the process and what we do to reduce, reuse and recycle right here. |
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The 2010 Parkland College Graphic Design Poster Project
Last year we were lucky enough to have John Havlik and Paul Young's Parkland College Graphic Design class use That's Rentertainment as a "client" in a poster creation project. We were even luckier this year because they asked us to do it again! Once again, I think they did a great job. Next time you are walking by or in the store, check 'em out. Or, you can see them right here on the inter-tubes: 2010 Posters and the 2009 Posters. |
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Introducing "The Itty Bitty Bike Shop"
If you've been in our store lately, you may have noticed what might very well be the smallest bike shop in the world (right now it's 2' x 2') sitting where the Pepsi machine used to sit. We call it the "Itty Bitty Bike Shop". It's got all the basics for your commuting needs: chain lube, inner tubes, lights, multi-tools, patch kits, some reflectors, tire levers, water bottles, and, of course, the ChampaignCountyBikes.org Urbana-Champaign Bike map. We've also got a pump (schrader and presta) in case you need some air. By the way, 10% of all sales will go to ChampaignCountyBikes.org and another 10% will go to The Bike Project in Urbana. Ride safely! (link) |
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What's up in the local world of cycling?
1) Are you a bicycle commuter, interested in becoming a bicycle commuter, or just love joining groups? Check out ChampaignCountyBikes.org -- tons of information (including routes and maps) and super nice folks.
2) The Priarie Cycle Club has started their spring rides. Check out their web site for more information.
3) We've got a Cycling in Film list posted and here's a bunch of links to other cycling related stuff
4) Next time you are at Renter pick up a "Watch for Bikes" t-shirt -- now in "don't hit me" neon green!!!
5) And, we've made it easier than ever to stay hydrated while riding with the official That's Rentertainment water bottle. Check 'em out here. |
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Welcome "Urbana-Champaign Bike Ride!"...
We've started a new web site -- UCBikeRide.com! You'll find some route maps (and a few cue sheets), some local cycling links, and a Google group for setting up spur of the moment impromptu bike rides. Check it out, join the mailing list and get out on your bike... it's fun. |
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Champaign County Bike Map
This week at the farmer's market, Champaign County Bikes held a press conference to announce the release of the all new Champaign-Urbana Area Bicycle Map. According to the good folks at CCB, "20,000 copies will be made available at local bike shops, fitness centers, other retailers, and public buildings throughout the communities. 10,000 copies will be distributed on the University of Illinois campus." Maps can picked up at various locations in Champaign-Urbana... including That's Rentertainment! (link) |
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Essential
Art House Films: 50 Years of Janus Films
A few years ago (2007) I decided to watch the entire Essential
Art House box set -- one film per week in the order presented
in the box, alphabetical chronological order. I wrote
one paragraph reviews of each film as I watched them. If you want, you can read the reviews here. |
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Sign up for the That's
Rentertainment mailing list!
Enter your e-mail address in the box below and hit "Submit"
to start receiving the weekly That's Rentertainment New Arrivals
(every Tuesday-ish) e-mail update of the new DVDs
available for you to rent (sample updates can be seen
here): |
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NOTE
#1: We will never ever give, sell or provide your
e-mail address to anyone. It will only be used to send out
the That's Rentertainment New Arrivals weekly update.
NOTE #2: If you have a spam blocker in place
make sure <renter@rentertainment.com> is in your white
list. |
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International
Video Transfers: That's Rentertainment can transfer your
PAL VHS tapes and DVDs to NTSC video and DVD. We can also make DVDs from your home videos (VHS, 8mm or MiniDV). Click here
for more information. |
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| GIFT
CERTIFICATES: Give the gift that shows you don't care enough
to give it a whole lot of thought -- Gift certificates are NOW
AVAILABLE! Buy one for a friend, send one to your kid or be
selfish and just get it for yourself. |
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That's
Rentertainment used to be the proud sponsor of...
we've stopped but you can still watch the Red Green Show on WILL-TV |
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