Things are getting tough ou there for the people who make these incredible films available to us, the fans and compulsive consumers. Here in Seattle, Best Buy does no longer carry hardly any of the indie-retro labels like Panik House or Mondo Macabro. A local chain, Silver Platters, has also dumped most of these from their New Release bins. At least we have options like Scarecrow Video and the occasional well-stocked Borders. But sometimes you live in areas where you are just plain out-of-luck, my friend!
Matt Kennedy, the president and CEO of Panik House Entertainments, has posted a blog concerning this problem, which we are in complete agreement with, and we re-post it here in total solidarity. Testify Brother!

I have been getting a lot of inquiries from people about where to find Panik House and CasaNegra DVDs. We have links on the website for a couple of online vendors, but for consumers who would rather walk into a brick-and-mortar store to browse and buy, the selection is getting ever thinner.
Tower Records, a big supporter of indie labels, has gone out of business, and Sun Coast, the largest buyer of foreign films on DVD, filed for bankruptcy. A number of big-time retailers who had previously promised to maintain a wide selection of titles are copying the Walmart formula of stocking only a hundred or so titles, and CHARGING to carry any titles that slip below sales of 100 units per week.

This is not good news for the discerning film fan.

As a matter of fact, this is a form of censorship.
They are limiting their title selection to safe and friendly studio fare, and by eliminating purchase options are forcing consumers to buy what is available instead of what they really want.

BUT YOU DO HAVE A CHOICE!

Send a message to the Walmarts of the world that you do not need them -THEY NEED YOU!
Make your voice heard this holiday season by buying from retailers who care about their customers. Do not trade a discount dollar today for the abolishment of freedom of choice later.
The only way to teach big corporations a lesson is to threaten their bottom line, and if enough of us band together to boycott the big chain stores that moved into town and drove the smaller, customer service oriented establishments out of business, then we can make a difference!
If you live in an area where Walmart is the only game in town, do your shopping online this year. Many retailers offer discounted or free shipping, and you will not have to leave the house, which gives you more time to watch cool movies!

Hear, hear!