What the New Beverly is to movie theatres, Cinefile is to video stores. Swimming against the current, it fights on, at a time when the movie rental business has given way to online streaming giants. It sure helps to have a niche, which Cinefile certainly does. This is the perfect place to come once I’ve given up on finding on the internet that rare foreign film, director’s cut, or Criterion collection version of an old favorite. Their library specializes on those movies you can’t find anywhere else. In addition, it’s so well curated, you’re bound to walk out with a couple of other things you would have never thought of watching before.

They have a lot of different fun sections, from those organized by a wide range of auteurs, to some by old movie stars (the likes of Mae West and Jean Harlow), to very specific sub-genres. For example, if I want a romance but, specifically a ‘coming-of-age’ one, they got me covered with a whole section for it! They have a membership plan which is $30 a month, but provides great flexibility (4 rentals at a time, no late fees). If you don’t wanna make the commitment, they also sell movies, with huge sales taking place every few months. Not to mention, they carry original auteur tote bags and t-shirts that you won’t find anywhere else. It’s truly paradise on Earth for all film buffs.