Into Video

As a long time resident of upper Haight,
Into Video, was more than just a place to rent videos.
It was part of upper Haight .
It’s sad to see they are closing.
Thanks everyone for the many years of great suggestion’s.
First runs, staff picks and those hard to find,
didn’t even know they existed obscurities on film.
I will also miss my red licorice fix.
Simon the Cat :(

I used to work here a million years ago. I always wondered if they’d make it through the great mail order video wars but I am happy to see Into Video is still thriving.
This place had the best selection of documentaries — I have seen more messed up truth due to my late night hours at this store than anyone should. It was awesome.
I loved the staff picks section — that was always fun to play with. Do they still have a copy of Hands on a Hardbody? I can’t find that movie anywhere these days!
You also have to love a store that has doggie treats and red vines for free — what more can you ask for?

Sunday night, 9pm. Still stuck in the hangover I can thank Friday for. I can’t admit to myself or anyone else to going to bed at 9pm… so a movie sounds like a great idea.
I’ve scanned through Red Box at Lucky’s enough times (that’s 2), to know that they probably don’t have anything worth watching, or that I’ll stay awake during… so «video rentals» search lands me here.
Being lazy, I first call the store asking if they have «The Cove» which I’ve heard is interesting. The guy is helpful, looks to make sure it’s in stock, and gives me cross streets without asking me why didn’t I look it up myself (see above: lazy).
They’re open until 1am on a Sunday. I felt early. While only scanning the one row of DVDs looking for the «C“s, I can already tell this is my new go-​to over redbox.
4 stars not 5? Movies were ~3.83 rather than a dollar… but definitely worth the 3.83.

C’mon people. This is a local video store, not Netflix. They only have a few copies of a movie, if you keep it someone else can’t watch it. they do not have hundreds of copies of every title to allow low lifes to keep them as long as they see fit. if you like Netflix stick with them. I have had trouble finding some foreign movies from them which with their budgets should never be an issue. I like this place to supplement my Netflix subscription. Also, why would you rent more than a few movies at a time knowing they have to be back the next day? I did this for years before Netflix sprung up. You hipsters like the 80s maybe try living like we did back then.

I used to stop in here regularly back in the day. Their late night hours and proximity to Haight street convenience stores (for evening packet carrot cake runs) was a solid draw. The random hoodies and T-​shirts which hung in the window also always beckoned me in.
Plus thanks to my mom’s influence and deep love of local video stores — I’ve sworn off Netflix… most likely for life.
But what really left a lasting impression on me — about — Into Video is the random night I popped in here for a cheesy comedy and the guy at the counter recommended that I see the movie Black Tar Heroin (which follows young Black Tar heroin addicts in San Francisco).
It was the most emotionally jarring movie that I have ever seen. I didn’t sleep for days afterward. I even called in sick for my temp job the next day — I was so haunted my it.
It made me look at people and the world differently.
At first I was annoyed that the guy hadn’t warned me about how real the documentary was, but days later — as the documentary played back in my head — I realized that that — realness in life is important to see.
It was a reminder that the people you see everyday on Market and in the Tenderloin — with glazed desperate looks on their faces — once had childhoods — and childhood dreams. And that the brutal face of addiction is all consuming and unbiased (not sure that’s the right word). Anyone can be it’s victim.
Into Video doesn’t necessarily have the most extensive video selection like Le Video, and isn’t overflowing with charm like my new favorite local video gem.
But it does have character.
It carries a quirky selection of the obscure. The unsettling. And the memorable.

This is an awesome little video store. Do not let your subscription to Netflix prevent you from also getting a membership here.
For a little video store they have a crazy large variety of movies and even more important: an educated and friendly staff that can talk to you about and recommend all sorts of different movies. They also have a great variety of pre-​paid rental packages to take advantage of.
Rentals are two-​days and there are late fees. Though their return time is 8pm and they are usually flexible if you are (within reason) past 8pm.
Lastly, and most importantly, they usually have a large vat of red vines for customers to munch on as they check out with their movies. And that is just cool.

I’m at my husband’s house in the Haight for a few days. I wanted to watch a video so I Unilocaled video stores in the area. Found this place. Mike was very helpful and may be able to find a movie that I have been looking for for a while.
Netflix is putting local video stores out of business. Remember the days when you could go to your local video store and find a great indie flick, and have a conversation! Well, this is one of those places. i love Netflix, but it’s great to support your local store too every once in a while.
I wonder if these stores could start doing a monthly subscription package like Netflix. Perhaps they could get more customers that way. I would definitely pay fifteen dollars a month to get unlimited rentals here.
Another great thing about the store is that they will sell you a video you might want. If you are debating between renting and buying, ask if they will sell you the video for a discounted price!

It seems like some of the reviews here are a little dated in terms saying you have to return stuff the next day, since now they have two day rentals even for new releases. (I tend to bring back stuff as soon as I’m done, though, so someone else can watch it.) They’re super-​friendly, and have even ordered DVDs for rental that I’ve suggested.
My brother really liked the Monty Python Holy Hand Grenade t-​shirt I bought him here. When so many places close up early on Haight St, this place stays open, and it might be just the spot for a last-​minute gift or a souvenir for an out-​of-​town visitor from their selection of pop culture shirts.

I will never be a true Netflix convert. I que things up impulsively, I never really feel like watching what I receive, I forget to drop them in the mail once they’ve been watched… yada, yada. Enter, Into Video — for those late-​night immediate gratification kind of moments!
I see these guys at least once a week, and we always cheer together when I don’t have a late fee (this is rare). They’ve recommended quite a few good documentaries, from Cocaine Cowboys to Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired. Their selection isn’t outstanding, but it does the trick.
4 stars for Into Video for:
— Having a Ben and Jerry’s fridge.
— Waiving my hefty late fees once in a while.
— Not making fun of me when I rent chick flicks (tee hee).

«Yay! I’m a fan.» doesn’t really translate here. Its the only rental place in the Haight. Anything’s better thank Blockbuster though, did you know the fucker who started Blockbuster has his own island? Look it up.
But I fully support local rental places. Sure netflix and blockbuster-​by-​mail is cheaper and there are no late fees… but you can you really have impulse rentals without being in the place?
also, they’ve got the twilight zone on dvd.
also, they sell tshirts. i don’t buy them, but im sure hipsters love that shit.

Alright, so maybe I was a little harsh.
The dude whom I was so angry with in my last review now no longer works there, I guess. We will add a star because the latest batch of employees seem to be pretty good human beings. And, another star because of how much their T-​shirts rock. If you want a T-​shirt that is MADE OF WIN, then look no further. RVCA eat your heart out.
But, I am still withholding a star because of the douchebag who works there in the morning. You all know who I’m talking about. The guy with the hat and the guitar pick for an earring. He always sighs grumpily if you want to buy something because it is SUCH an inconvenience for him to get off his ass and do anything. I really hate when I see someone working full time at a job for a long time who does a bad job. I think to myself, why can’t he just quit/​be fired so that someone who deserves a good steady job can take his place? I really wonder what sort of sway he has over the owner that lets him stay there.

F-​blockbuster and netflix!
this is a great little video shop, and I officially got my soul back from netflix. there’s a great selection for a small store, and the people there are super friendly and helpful. i would quit my day job and work there if i could… movie heaven!
TIP:
get one of their packages… you know you’ll be back, and it’ll save you a bit of $$.

Excellent selection of independent and foreign films, e.g., check out how many Truffaut films they have, and they’re open late. It’s nowhere near the size of Le Video but is the best video store in the Haight Ashbury/​Cole Valley area and it’s much, much better than Video Nook.
Their movie themed t-​shirts always catch my eye. I remember that they would often advertise and provide free rental coupons in the Haight Ashbury Beat, so if you can find one of those, look for a coupon.

What can I say? Mike is awesome, and he’s always so helpful when suggesting movies, and he’s very honest.
You can drop off movies at 8:30 and they won’t hold it against you; they’re not sticklers on time, luckily. Just don’t return too late after 8.
And best part= every 10 movies, you get to take one home for free!
Love this place! And they’re open late!

I’ve been a member here forever. Ok — not literally forever, but for 14 years, I think. I’ve probably got one of the lowest still-​active member numbers. I can’t tell you what it is because you’d rent movies on my account and I’d run out of credits and then I wouldn’t be able to rent any for myself and that would suck. But I can tell you that my member number at into video contains a sexual reference. You’ll have to figure the rest out on your own.
Anyway — what’s not to love about our own little neighborhood movie shop? The selection is great, the staff is funny, they give away free red vines and treats for your dogs. Mike, the owner, and I have been trading Packers v. Cowboys barbs for 14 years. Seriously — it’s like home in this place.
Screw Blockbuster. Hell, Screw NetFlix. Just go to Into Video and rent a film. You won’t regret it!

Into Video is Definitely better than Blockbuster, Hollywood and all those other big shiny corporate places. Its’ good for indie shit, interesting foreign films, documentaries and hard to find classics. The staff is always super nice, friendly and helpful.
However I don’t like how it’s laid out. I understand they’re working with minimal space, but I always feel like I’m navigating a maze in here. AND, although the videos all seem to be clearly labeled, I just can’t seem wrap my head around how the DVDs are organized. I’m not retarded, it’s just confusing. Especially with SO many options available, i find myself walking in circles for a good amount of time. It makes my head spin.
The late fees are definitely a bummer. But, hey, you gotta do what you gotta do, and good for them for finding a way to stay open in the face of Netflix and Blockbuster.

Hello into video — did you miss the memo? Hello, are you there?
Every other video rental place in the world is changing their model so you keep movies longer or indefinitely or downloading even. Who the heck can return a movie the next day unless you work there? «Into late charges» would be more like it.

Another little gem in my ‘hood, the Upper Haight. Into Video is a great place to go when I know I want to sit on the couch all day and night watching movies. Since you have to take the movie back the NEXT DAY, make sure you write yourself a little reminder or you’ll have to pay for the movie AGAIN for each day it’s late (yeeeahhhh, not cool– Blockbuster definitely beats Into Video in that aspect).
I like the quirky laid back people who work there, and they’re really good at giving advice on what crazy new indie movie you need to watch that will ‘change your life, man.’ They have a section where each employee gives recommendations, and I always seem to find old movies in there I always wanted to watch but had forgotten about. It definitely has a musty smelling ‘my-​personal-​hygene-​challenged-​brother-​who-​lives-​in-​my-​parents-​basement’ feel to it, but it’s nice and homey. I feel familiar here. And hey, you’re in the Haight. That’s just the way we roll.

The three of us went to this video and novelty store to see what they have. This adjacent store is a place where you can rent videos and buy Bob Marley memorabilia. They also carry a variety of Tee’s. Then all of sudden kids yelled, «DADDY, LOOK!» (pointing to the ceiling)
Looking up in the ceiling, Matt saw a t-​shirt with logo of Captain America’s famous shield. The excited Matt immediately drag the DUDE, who was chatting on his cell-​phone, and demanded an XL Captain America’s shirt. He sold me the XL T-​shirt for $ 21.00. Matt was thrilled that this place has the T-​shirt. Captain America has not done much in recent years, unless he is with «The Avengers»
Any store that carries Captain America items, regardless of flaws will get:
«5 FUCKIN STARS!!»

I’m a Netflix girl now because Into Video didn’t carry Gilmore Girls and if you’re not down with Stars Hollow, then I’m not down with you.
But, seriously, video stores always tap into my ADD side that leaves me perpetually unable to make desisions, so I spend too much time wandering and never being able to decide between flicks. I’d rather have it decided for me. Also, they do take VISA but will likely be a little upset about it. I don’t need this kind of judgement. Sunnyvale bot, take me away!