Nothing to do with the similarly named film studio, 20th Century Flicks is a small independent DVD…read moreand video rental shop. It's better than Blockbusters for so many reasons, the chief one being that they have dedicated staff who have an encyclopaedic film knowledge. You can go in, say something along the lines of 'I want that film, I think it was Hitchcock, made 1961 or maybe '64...' and they will usually be able to work out what you're looking for. They also go to the trouble of writing little cards with their opinions of the movies, which I think is a nice touch. Their library is as comprehensive, I've always been able to get what I want and kept up to date. They do a good line in ex-rental, so it's worth going along even if you don't rent much. Walking past this morning I saw Atonement on DVD for £5, a bargain. 20th Century Flicks is a good place to find a film and has a bit more of a personal touch to it, which I always appreciate.

This is quite simply the best video rental shop in Bristol. Unfortunately I live a bit too far away…read morenow, but I used to go here all the time when I was in Clifton. Why? Well, it's independent for one, which is a bonus in any walk of life. Also, the staff know what they're talking about and are all encouraged to write cards and lists recommending their faves new and old, with art house and cult hits very much to the fore, not just the latest crap from Hollywood. It's a little bit expensive but you certainly get what you pay for. And if they don't have what you want on their heaving shelves, ask at the desk as they can dig pretty much anything, however obscure, up for you from their back-up warehouse.

It is any movie lover's dream - the latest films available 24 hours a day to rent on the Gloucester…read moreRoad for just 99p. Pop along to the cash-point like shop face, pick your movie and take your dvd away (some films are also available in blu ray) Just make sure that you get it back in time, otherwise the prices start cranking up! Even though you can pick up movies from the hole in the wall at any time, you can also visit the shop during its opening hours to register for your membership card. The staff are very friendly and helpful so if you prefer the human touch, it's worth popping in.

The only reason that I go to the moviebank is because it's really close to me. The selection is…read moregetting better but it's still not that great. It's 99p for a dvd if you get it back within 6 hours (maybe 12?) and that's brilliant if you want to do a 24 marathon or something like that. Although it sounds cheap, if you keep the dvd for longer then they start stacking up the prices. The good thing about moviebank is that you can get films out at any time because it has a machine in the wall that dispenses the dvds. The staff are really friendly too, and are happy to recommend a film if you don't know what to watch. Warning: Don't keep your moviebank card next to your credit/debit card or else you won't be able to use it next time you want to get a film out.

I have never been into a Games Workshop before, nor did I ever think that it would suit me, but…read moreafter the experience I had in this store I will definitely return again someday. While passing by I saw some Lord of the Rings items that caught my eye and so I went inside to check them out. I felt a bit out of place when I noticed that the entire store was full of men of all ages and I the only female (a bit like Penny from The Big Bang Theory when she goes into the comic book store). I was greeted warmly by the Store Manager and he quickly introduced me to the types of products that they sell and who their typical patrons are. There were displays (game tables) all over the store with completed (painted) figures and hundreds of kits in boxes with all different types of soldiers, terrains, and scenery. I have done models before, mostly cars, so I understood the basics of assembling and painting each piece of each figure and was able to join into the conversations that were going on (did you know that there are gaming clubs that take field trips to these stores? So cool!!) I did feel a bit out of the loop since I had no experience with Warhammer before, but I was glad that the Store Manager had time to explain it to me in between helping the other patrons. Whether you are a regular visitor to this store or if you are just passing by and something catches your eye (like me) you will have a very informative and welcoming experience - I guarantee it!

A warning to all you ladies out there: if, after dragging your doting boyfriend around the retro…read moreshops of Park Street, you loving ask, 'is there anywhere you want to go?' you may just end up at Forbidden Planet. This comic book and sci-fi mega store is every boys dream and every girl's nightmare. Be prepared to lose several very important shopping hours here. Having said that, it's easy to admire the scale of the store and the quality of the goods they have to offer. Even I, a sci-fi phobic, enjoyed flicking through the comic books and eyeing up the DVDs. It's a great place to shop for presents for boyfriends, friends and little brothers. And, luckily for me, the shop assistants are so helpful so even the clueless can pick the perfect stocking filler.

Comic book nerds and geeks (or those that think Sci Fi is so square that it's hip) from all around…read morewill love forbidden planet. It's not the easiest place to find - it's on the less visited part of triangle, so a little away from the main shopping drag on Park Street, but definitely worth making the effort for. If you're not into comics too much yourself, this is definitely a brilliant place to grab an original gift for someone who is - there's endless amounts of memorabilia. The stuff here is pretty expensive though.