All political reasons aside, Video Time is just a great place to go for videos. Though it's smaller and more dimly-lit than one of its big blue counterparts, the selection of older movies is impressively large and varied. There are actually two stores -- one in Riverside and an even larger one off Nuevo Road in Perris, and if you have membership to one, it's easy to get membership at the other -- just show your card -- and you'll likely find any movie you'd ever want.

Membership is easy and free -- just show a valid ID and credit card (ATM debit cards with the Visa/MC symbol are fine), and fill out a little form, and you've got a lifetime membership. Late fees are stringent -- another rental price for every time it's late, which can easily add up -- but so are late fees everywhere.

New releases are one day rentals for the first week or two they're out (and Video Time often gets things up to two weeks before everyone else does), and then six days for the duration of their new release time. They cost around $3. Old movies are 5 day rentals, and cost only $1.50. Games are 2 day rentals (like everywhere else) and are around $3.50, as are DVDs.

The best reason to come here, though, is the employees. You can tell that (on most days) they love where they work and they love working with customers (except for Jessica, who is kind of bitchy, but you can avoid her). Best, they know a lot about their product, and if they don't, they can find out for you.

Much better than big Blue, if I do say so myself.