Life for fans of foreign movies in Louisville, Kentucky is going to get much poorer on Saturday, September 22nd. After three years of valiant battle with the likes of national chains, changing technology, and the loss of the only nearby city-owned, public parking lot to private condo developers, they're calling it a day. Around the World Book and Video will be closing.

All videos are on sale. Here's the chance to stock up on that beloved foreign film you saw in college, or whenever. Call Rehana at (502) 479-9955 for more information.

Dear friends, we are going to miss your store!

While you Tim Tywker fans are waiting to see The Princess and the Warrior, check out Winter Sleepers. It is not quite as breathless as Lola, but with more snow. The theme of vehicle crashes consequent to people's choices continues. In fact, you could make a graduate seminar in existential angst if you put together these three movies, and their themes:

Holy Smoke: What are you here for?

You Can Count On Me: Is your life important?

Winter Sleepers: Why didn't you lock the door?

Dear friends of Around the World Book and Video,

If you have not been in the store recently, please send in your email address for our member mailing list.

Send it to Around the World and we will keep you posted!

Rehana is keeping busy doing searches for movie special orders for the holidays. Can't find what you have been looking for? Call the store and she will try to find it for you.

The Terrorist is now in, in both DVD and video. This movie, in distribution by John Malkovich, tells the story of the last days of the life of the woman suicide bomber who assassinated Rajiv Gandhi. And speaking of John himself, if you haven't seen Being John Malkovich, be sure to check out the video next time you're in.

Somebody in your house getting a PS2 for a holiday gift? Don't forget Around the World's HUGE selection of American and International DVDs.

No further posts will be made to this blog today in observance of December 1st as International Aids Day and A Day without Blogs.

For more information, check out Brad Graham's Day Without Weblogs Site.

P.S. I am not an employee of Around the World Book and Video, but I do write reviews under the column Foodie's Guide to the Movies, which you might have seen on the store's newsletter or web page, and I have helped Rehana set up the Blogger. I PAY to rent all the movies that I watch, so you can be assured that you are not getting a bribed reviewer!!!! However, as a loyal customer of the store, I do rely on Rehana's advice about individual movies before I rent them....so many movies to watch, so little time! See you around the checkout counter!

I still don't have a DVD player at home, so I rented one and checked out ALL FOUR DISCS of From the Earth to the Moon from Around the World. Since I don't have HBO, I had missed this eight hour special. You need a full day or a holiday weekend to see this thing, but it is worth it. As a baby boomer, who grew up to the background music of Nasa's schedule, I felt like I was reviewing my life story while watching this thing. Remember when they first circled the moon? We got to stay up late and listen to the news about it on Christmas Eve that year. This four-disc set brings it all back. Enjoy the Thanksgiving weekend, and send in your reviews!

Don't forget...the holidays are on their way. If you want to special order a favorite movie, we will do our best to get it for you. We specialize in finding the hard to find, little known treasures of the recent cinema past. Order early and give us enough time to find it for you. Also, we have plenty of suggestions for gift ideas. Email Rehana with your questions or special requests!

Return To Me now out on DVD! We have this movie, one of the top films for repeat viewing this past summer at the movie theaters. It was even featured on a Wall Street Journal list of multiple viewings movies. It is suitable for the entire family, and rated PG. Great music! Nuns on bicycles! Great food! (Hmmm, maybe time for Foodies' Guide to the Movies to check it out!)

Welcome to our new Blog! In the interest of getting news to you, our loyal customers, more quickly, we are experimenting with this new weblog for the store. Check it frequently for news of our newest videos and DVDs, read reviews, and catch up with the latest from London (or wherever else our loyal correspondents roam!)