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Suspect Video and Culture
Categories: Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video DVD & Video Game Rental Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Bookstores Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Music & DVDs DVD & Video Game Rental, Bookstores, Music & DVDs [Edit]
605 Markham StToronto, ON M6G 2L7
Neighbourhoods: Koreatown, Palmerston, Seaton Village
(416) 588-6674
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 12 pm - 11 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
8 reviews for Suspect Video and Culture
8 reviews in English
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Review from Harrisimo F.
Toronto, ON
3/16/2012
Suspect video is way more than just a video store, it is a media culture hot spot which boasts an impressive collection of rare films and a cool spread of toys, comics and graphic novels.
The staff there are indeed quite helpful and friendly and know a fair amount about good films and other forms of media for those who may have some questions for them.
What really sets Suspect apart from other video stores though is the atmosphere of the store itself. The set up is really quite fun, with new films for sale behind retro fit cages and the walls littered with various films posters and retro images, not to mention the way they separate genres into fun sub categories like blacksploitation and samurai films.
Located on Markham just down from honest eds and just up from a series of amazing bars, Suspect is really at the center of the art scene in Toronto. Where else can you find a place that has it's own 70's porn section?
Gotta love those afro's and I'm not talkin' about the ones that sit atop your head... -
Review from Vivek S.
2/8/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Your friendly neighbourhood movie store. I stopped in the other day to pick up a DVD and was really impressed by the friendly service. Though the shop itself isn't terribly large, they still stock a wide selection of hard-to-find and obscure titles, particularly horror and cult films. And speaking of obscure, if you still have a working VCR they also have a pretty robust collection of videotapes too.
The rental is cheap ($3.50) and while I was in there they were giving one of their regulars a break over late fees. I like that. That said, do make sure to read their list of "top five lamest excuses" for returning a movie late. I enjoy any store that uses humor to make the point: don't be a jerkface.
I shall return!
Obligatory Title Pun: Not your usual SUSPECT.
Menu Readability: Actually, I think their sign is virtually unreadable.
Need to mention: Open from noon to eleven every day.
What this place teaches me about myself: I love movies!Listed in: Take a look, it's in a book, Video and Record Shops
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Review from Luke S.
Toronto, ON
5/3/2012
Great selection and an awesome staff. This is my kind of video store. You can go to the front counter and tell them a title you like and that you are looking for something similar. The suggestions I have gotten from them (all the staff is helpful) have been awesome and often something I might never have picked out on my own. This is a great video store!
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Review from Zoe R.
1/18/2011
Seriously, excellent hot spot for movie geeks, culture fiends, and everyday joe blo's alike. Great selection. Awesome English, and non-English language selection, too. Plus they are dog friendly (got to love dog friendly vid stores).
I could mention a store clerks name, but I won't - instead, I'll describe him generally as being: knowledgeable, intelligent, down to earth, passionate about films, and easy to like!
I love this place!Listed in: 5 *star* wonders
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Review from Spiro P.
Toronto, ON
12/18/2010
This is a superb video store for finding a lot of underground films and documentaries. They also carry a few underground books and magazines.
The store clerks are knowlegable about worldwide filmmakers past and present. People here can definitely be described as artsy.
If you are looking for a particular title that is not mainstream, be sure to contact Suspect Video. -
Review from bleach r.
York, ON
1/10/2011
No doubt, the best place for DVD rental in the city.
Sure you can find more @ blockbusters but if you're looking for the special edition or rare films and festival films, then Suspect is the place.
A good comparison is, do you like a big mall or the cool indie boutique ?
Now, for some people, it might look messy, but for those who understand !, it's great, it's like going to a underground clubs ( but full of DVDs )
Yes, there is Queen video, but the staff are a bit snoby. or 2Q video ( false pretenders )
Suspect has a very relaxing atmosphere which for me it's a bonus. -
Review from Eliah H.
Toronto, ON
3/29/2010
When it comes to video rental stores Suspect Video is a Toronto landmark. I've been going to Suspect on and off since the early 90's and as far as I know they are Toronto's first true independent video store to offer rental of movies that lie on the fringe of filmmaking. This place is for the die-hard film junkie who wants something more profound than whatever blockbuster fodder Hollywood offers up each week. You can up your cool factor +1 just by walking into Suspect Video, +2 if you get a membership and ask to see their Nakada Hideo directed horror films.
Whether you are looking for an old British TV sitcom, blood squirting Japanese samurai movies, vintage porn, 1930's Film Noir, anime, 80's screwball comedies or some small budget documentary that won an award at the 2001 Venice Film Festival, Suspect Video probably has it somewhere in their vast stock. In a nutshell you go to Suspect Video to rent those otherwise impossible to find movies that Blockbuster wont touch. Heck they still carry VHS!
Aside from video rentals Suspect Video has DVDs for sale, a magazine rack of alternative culture magazines as well as the odd horror inspired figurine and energy drinks that look like blood IV bags. The store is small (how they manage to fit in new stock I can't imagine) and you'll probably need to dig your way through the racks in order to find what you want. The staff are always friendly and helpful in finding you what you are looking for or suggesting something you may like. Not only, you can probably find helpful notes written on DVD covers denoting exactly why the film is cool or is otherwise a must-see.
As far as prices go Suspect Video continues to be one of the most affordable video rental stores in Toronto. In fact even for new releases I don't think anyone beats their rental fees. Icing on the cake is their "Staff Picks" section where you can rent some cool flicks recommended by the staff for a mere dollar!
I've considered dropping a star in rating of Suspect Video because they've yet to carry Blu-Ray and that they rarely have multiple copies of movies. But really if you think about it Suspect is as it always was, a small indie video rental store that carries a lot of cool films. They filled a niche in the movie rental business before anyone else had the guts to. Video stores have come and gone but the original Suspect Video is still around and much loved by it's patrons.
If you live within reasonable distance of the store I strongly recommend getting a membership here. It's a treasure trove of film and you never know what goodies you may come away with every time you visit.Listed in: Indie Video Rental
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Review from Anna V.
Toronto, ON
10/24/2008 1 photo
Everyone knows that Blockbuster is only good for current movies and video games. If you want something old, cult following, rare, or foreign, you're gonna need to go to Suspect.
There is a complicated system that I can never figure out, but i just try to go without anything specific in mind and I usually find a gem.
I get all the hot documentaries here.
It's also cheap and you get a password with your membership so that you don't have to remember a card.
