Here’s a thread answering this same question. Hope it helps:
You just missed Kim’s …. Anyway, around the corner from the old location of Kim’s on St. Mark’s Place in the East Village there is Norman’s Sound and Vision, which has some DVDs in the basement. All of them used, but there are sometimes rare finds there, like I bought the French Import of In The Mood For Love and Invisible Waves there. The majority of their DVDs are below $10. Then there’s Entertainment Outlet, they have a couple branches around like in Bryant Park and their DVDs are dirt cheap, they even have a World Cinema/Criterion section, but it’s small. J&R on Park Row has a great World Cinema selection, but the prices vary, I was able to get Prime Cut there for $5. There’s also a Japanese place called Book Off, near the Public Library and Grand Central and they have an amazing selection of Japanese DVDs, but unless you can read Japanese, you’re going to have to guess the movie from the cover. Academy Records on 18th street also has a small but excellent selection of DVDs, and good prices too, especially on Criterions. But if you’re really willing to venture out, as in going out to Jersey, The Princeton Record Exchange is phenomenal not only for their selection but also their prices are ridiculously low, I’ve seen Criterion DVDs for as low as $15, used of course.
Sniff. I miss Kim’s.
Although it is pretty cool to think all of the films I rented are now being watched by cinephiles in some small town in Italy.
Princeton Record Exchange is a must-visit if in South Jersey. Just thought I’d second that.
Thanks TJ…. sounds like Jersey is on the agenda for sure!
Kim’s is on 1st Ave now. It just relocated, it didn’t die…it’s between 5th and 6th Streets. Enjoy.
I was there 7 hours ago, it’s quite open.
Thanks Cinesnag….. it’s on the list!
Good to know, Cinesnag. Obviously I’m not a New York local, I only visit there once a year.
I did go on a similar search last December, so I’d be more than happy to pass on what I discovered to you, Musycks. Happy hunting!
If you’re just staying in or around the NYC area, you may find Princeton to be a bit too much of a hike to justify just for dvd shopping. If you end up in that area, it would be worth a visit.
Do not for the life of you go to Jersey.
Thanks to all…. and I like how the thread got cleaned up, taking out the abuse. Criterion must be moderating? and Jersey doesn’t scare me, I’ve been to Glasgow!
Isn’t there a Kim’s Video by Columbia University on Broadway and 116th?
Musycks
I’m making a trip to NYC in October and wondered if any Auteurs knew the local terrain and could recommend some good stores that cater to the foreign/classic/arthouse end?