Videoport

I’m not awesome at describing movies, but the staff knows what I want and save hours of scrolling through Netflix looking for that nerdy time travel indie movie with big words recommended to me by a coworker. And when I want to cry because my favorite Canadian sketch comedy show no longer is available to stream on my neighbor’s subscription account, I know I can find it five minutes away in the Old Port. Their $ 40 credit for $ 30 deal covers the cost of my delinquency and the Incredibly Strange section is exactly what it promises to be. Should you go in and not be able to find what you want, the staff will be just as shocked as you are.

You gotta give them credit for still existing at all in a world dominated by streaming media, and where physical movies are usually bought outright or rented through a kiosk.
It’s definitely funky with plenty of character. I hope Videoport manages to stay open even though I myself have no need for their goods/​services.

This place has been around for as long as I can remember, and I often make the drive to the old port to rent from it even though I’m a couple blocks away from a corner movie rental place. There is absolutely no other place that can match the atmosphere or the friendly and knowledgeable staff. For instance, they sell locally made bags of delicious and uniquely flavored popcorn next to the checkout which has always been charmingly decorated with an old 50’s TV and Jim Carrey cutout in a luchador mask and freddy kreuger glove. Little things like that, along with the fact that they always have some kind of «rent 1, get another free» deal going on to remind me that they’re so kickass, always bring me back.

Everyone should get a Videoport account. Not only is the staff amazing & so willing to help you find «that movie with that guy from that show». But they will make you laugh & impress you with their movie knowledge. The movie selection is top notch. Not to mention you will find movies here that Netflix and other online streamers would never have. And check out their daily deals! There is always a free movie offer. If you buy a movie from them, you get a free rental.

They have EVERYTHING. Even stuff you don’t think they’ll have. They have deals every day and the staff is always very helpful.

The best thing about Videoport is their staff. Tied for best thing is their selection of movies and T.V. shows. You can walk in there and say something like this: «You know that movie… it’s black and white I think, where woman has the accident on the train, and she switches places with the other…» and before you are done with your embarrassing monologue, they will have found the movie for you. And they are so nice!
They carry an amazing selection of British mystery series too. Everything from Midsomer Murders, Prime Suspect, Inspector Lewis to the new Sherlock. They’ve got an incredible selection of documentaries, classics, weird movies and a solid kid’s section. Also, their prices are extremely reasonable. I unabashedly love them.

Probably the number one place I miss in Portland. Great selection, surprisingly unpretentious staff (for a video store), decent prices. It’s a tragedy the downfall of the major video rental chains could potentially take down gems like this place as well.

these. guys. are. great. okay, some of them are lovely ladies but everyone who works here is awesome. they can answer any random movie question you have, and if they can’t answer, they try their hardest to figure it out. i always ask for them to hold movies whenever they get them back in and they are sooooo good about calling me as soon someone returns a movie i NEED. love them love them love them. oh and dennis always has awesome suggestions! also, you cant go wrong with their free movie specials each day.

Ring, ring… hello? «Hi, this is videoport calling to remind you…». yes, a friendly human calls me frequently to remind me that I forgot to return a movie about 10 days ago. Sadly, this has happened more than I care to admit. The staff are SO nice, helpful, and knowledgeable. Considering I rack up more late fees than anyone I know, I should stick to redbox or netflix. But I LOVE THIS STORE and want to support such a cool small business. I promise to try to return things on time… mostly.

Every city needs a place like Videoport, tucked into some basement and filled to the brim with unusual titles that only your college comparative film professor has ever watched. They have British television series that you can quote with all your geeky friends to the bewilderment of everyone around you, and documentaries that even the art museum won’t show, and even interesting and worthwhile foreign films that just collect dust because Americans are loathe to watch anything with subtitles but Videoport doesn’t care, they stock them anyway! Because they’re into MOVIES, damnit! And they like people who are also into movies! And they like to TALK to those people about movies! THAT’S HOW INTO MOVIES THEY ARE! AND THAT IS WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT THEM AND RENT THEIR DELICIOUS MOVIES!
Ahem. And also you can bring your dog.

I’ve loved Videoport since day one when Bill opened the place. My dad worked here for like 10 years of something. I grew up in the break room! I also love that they offered VHS of my fav BBC comedies I saw on PBS!

In a world filled with mail order and digital streaming, it is always nice to step back into Videoport and feel the hands on love. Other than Bart and Greg’s Video Venture in Brunswick, the classic indie video rental store has become close to extinct. Let’s face it, Netflix is limited folks and the review system online (ps3/​internet tv/​slingbox) is terrible. It’s hard to find real movie junkies you can talk to face to face these days but Videoport is full of passionate film fanatics to advise you.

Videoport is great. They have the best selection of videos and dvd’s. The staff is nice and friendly and did I mention great selection?

The selection is unbelievable. The ORGANIZATION is minimalist and puts Videoport over the top. Best video store ever… !

I love this place for many reasons. #1 live one block away. I would much rather rent a movie locally than through TWC. #2 the staff is the most knowledgeable. And I thought I watched a lot of movies. I remember one time I was like «do you know a movie with a train and 2 old…» and the employee stated «Tough Guys with Kirk Douglas, right over here.» #3 their newsletter is great to find out movies that you might like or not. #4 The bags. After you rent your movie they place it in a bag. So, it is not like you are renting a movie but receiving a present.

The selection is unbelievable and the service is amazing. Hands down, the best video store I have ever been to!
I recently moved back to Portland and my first stop was Videoport! I bought a copy of Zombies of Mass Destruction and was rewarded with a free rental credit which they put on my old account. They still had my rental history-​276 rentals and counting!

Videoport is the best video store ever, period. A fantastic selection as mentioned including the Criterion collection, Foreign films, and Incredibly Strange! Every day you are eligible for a free movie rental. If you buy a movie from them you get a free rental credit. If you put $ 20 on your account they give you $ 5 free credit, put $ 30 on there and they will give you $ 10 free credit! Come on!
The folks that work there are great. They are have given me lots of background on movies I never would have known otherwise, helped me avoid wasting my time watching movies that just suck, and turned me on to films I probably would have never found otherwise. They will create lists of movies I should watch and remind me. They are the real-​life Geniuses that Apple modeled their iTunes feature by the same name after.
Oh and its a local business, so your money is staying in town!

This is seriously the greatest video rental store in the history of video rental stores. I’m not exaggerating, I promise.
a) They have a whole wall of Criterion films. Call me pretentious, but I love it.
b) Excellent foreign film selection, definitely the most extensive I have ever witnessed in a brick-​and-​mortar rental place.
c) They have a whole section of «Incredibly Strange Films»!! You can never go wrong with that.
d) The staff is super nice and very helpful
Ohmygod, my list could go on and on. I would recommend this place to anyone.

Oh, Videoport, how I love you. I must say, one of the very worst things about leaving Portland for the time I did, was my inability to find a movie rental place that was even a fraction as cool as you are.
You have it all: the classics, the new shit, every action flick, incredible foreign section, t.v. shows, great movies for sale, etc., etc., etc.
Videoport, keep doing what you’re doing. I like your style.
P. S. That tall guy named Dennis who (used?) to work there… Yet another reason to love you! Awesome guy. Very helpful.

Pros:
One of the best video stores I’ve ever been to, including everything I went to the entire time I lived in NYC. The staff is consistently personable and helpful. The selection is amazing and they’re always open to suggestions. Not many things would make me cancel my Netflix subscription, but this place did.
Cons:
Used to the ‘flix, I rack up late fees like there’s no tomorrow. But – a pro, still – they’ll hook me up a bit to mitigate the hurtin’ placed on my wallet.
Notes:
Guys, get a better shelf for the Criterions. I’m no good at elbowing the ever-​present «spinebrowsers» out of my way.