Kathrina Maribao on Perfect Days, the rise of collecting physical media, and making the most of your library card.

On a long flight from Houston to Cebu, Philippines, I discovered my most recent favorite movie, Perfect Days (2023). It’s about a quiet janitor, Hirayama, dedicated to maintaining and cleaning the public toilets around Tokyo city that provide both architectural charm and necessary relief accessible to all. Hirayama leads what at first seems a seemingly straightforward routine: wake up, drive to work, listen to music, clean toilets, bathhouse, read, and sleep. Although Hirayama first appears to be somewhat of a simple man, what becomes clear later as we learn more about him is his rich inner life. 

His small apartment features a wall filled top to bottom with books and numerous book stacks spread in a corner for overflow. On the other side, his collection of cassette tapes takes up significant space from one side of a window to the other. Hirayama displays an affinity for music, particularly the medium which he listens to, his cassette tapes. These cassettes are quite literally the soundtrack to his otherwise simple, or mundane, life but to him they bring comfort. Since he’s not much of a talker, they’re also a means of connecting with others

One character, his coworker, tries to sell one of his rare cassettes for money, and another character steals another cassette after listening to it together, but returns it later. For Hirayama, the books and cassettes are an extension of him. “If possessions reflect personality, then Hirayama is a simple man who loves American music, black-and-white photography, and robust prose,” writes Tyler Watamanuk in Prune.

Physical media collecting in general is slowly gaining back interest over the last decade. Vinyls are quietly gaining sales year by year capturing about $65 million dollars in sales just last year out performing CDs. Cassettes are also experiencing a resurgence as well, particularly from Gen Z for its compact size, front-to-back listening, retro feel, and, just like vinyls, cute and colored tapes that are highly collectible. 

Still, streaming remains king capturing over 90% of the market. Between all major streaming platforms customers are spending upwards to $1000 a year for access to entertainment catalogues. The main problem, though, is streaming platforms noticeably getting worse: password crackdowns, removal of features (Netflix kills casting), flooding of ads in basic plans, constant shifting of titles, and everyone’s favorite, constant price increases. Collectively we’ve traded ownership for access over the last decade with nothing but a “here, damn” from platforms.

Given our collective subscription fatigue and the downhill experience of streaming platforms, the rise and return of physical media just makes sense. We’re craving tangibility, the act of actually holding a piece of media in your hands. The tactility of opening and closing the case. Appreciating the art cover or taking the time to read the inside pamphlets with lyrics and art. Streaming is fast and ephemeral. Collecting and curating a personal media library of all your favorites is slow and takes time, but your memory is strengthened by the titles’ actual presence in your home. In some ways, the act of displaying your movie or music collection can also be a form of decor or taste signaling. 

My biggest realization when browsing stores for movies is how much streaming stole real world, community rituals from us. The act of going to the store, browsing with a friend or side by side with other film lovers, choosing very intentionally which films to take home, and curating your movie night. All of it reminds me of the days when Blockbuster was at its peak.

These days consumers are also more willing to buy secondhand than ever before. Thrift shops and used bookstores like Book Off, Half Price Books, Lost & Found Media all offer pre-owned titles for a low(er) cost. Brand new titles still remain pricey, but now building a personal collection is entirely doable with deals like $1 dvds, half-priced vinyls and CDs, and Blu-ray titles for 5 for $20. Lifetime ownership for a great value.

Books aren’t the only thing you can borrow from your library. Today, libraries are like video rental stores with some even borrowing the Blockbuster vibe. They remain one of the biggest and most consistent purchasers of physical media, particularly movies often purchasing multiple copies at a time, and maintain large, up-to-date catalogues of DVDs and Blu-rays of movies and TV shows. In the Houston Public Library system they offer the notoriously pricey Criterion Collection films, a few Netflix titles like Arcane, all Studio Ghibli movies, and a very extensive Disney catalogue from brand new titles to the older 1960’s Mickey Mouse cartoons. If there’s a title that’s not available, you can make a suggestion to the library to purchase it to add to their catalogue. Considering all media available (and I haven’t even touched on the library’s digital services), let’s not forget all of these movies can be borrowed completely for free. No algorithms, no ads, no data harvesting, no subscriptions.

I think Hirayama was on to something when he maintained his affinity for reading books and listening to music on his cassettes. If you’re only looking at the surface his life might appear simple and maybe even a bit lonely, but he filled his free time with consuming stories and music he loved, and he filled his space with them. He lived with them. Streaming might not ever leave us for its sheer convenience keeps us in a chokehold, but the rituals of physical media, the act of these pieces living in reality with us, all add depth to an experience that we’ve lost. Connecting to the present is an art and physical media helps us stay in it.

WATCH IT NOW: “Perfect Days” Criterion Collection DVD is free to borrow, or stream it for free on Kanopy with a Houston Public Library card.

LATELY IN HOUSTON

Save the Garden Oak Theater! Houstonians rallied Sunday to save the 80-year-old Garden Oaks Theater from demolition after its $7.1M sale to Heights Investment Fund. The 1947 Pettigrew and Worley–designed theater (sister to River Oaks Theatre) retained its facade and interior details through Grace Church's 16-year tenure. Protesters want it preserved as cultural space, not flattened for development. Petitions circulating. Houston's preservation fight continues.

Lion dancing in Houston isn't just Lunar New Year spectacle. It's year-round discipline, competitive sport, and centuries-old tradition. Troupes like Lee's Golden Dragon, Houston Lion Kings, and Unity Lion train on eight-meter-high jongs, perform 140+ shows annually, and compete nationally. Once exclusive, today's scene welcomes all backgrounds. Broken bones, custom $1,000+ lion heads, and nonprofit funding fuel the passion. Cultural devotion Houston only glimpses once yearly.

Western fashion goes global (duh). Houston's Rodeo fuels a cowboy boot boom that puts national "cowboycore" trends to shame. Custom bootmakers like Republic Boot Co. and Lucchese see thousands in sales as March approaches, even orders placed a year ahead for $2,200+ custom pairs. From Paul Wall to Astros players, everyone needs Rodeo-ready boots. Western wear isn't fashion here; it's tradition. Comfort, craftsmanship, and Go Texan Day reign supreme.

WEEKEND EVENTS

All Weekend

• Houston Book Show 

• Rooftop Rodeo at POST

Thursday, 2/19

5:30pm-7pm, Art | “A Shell of Myself” by Esther Santee at Elgin Street Studios.

6pm-9pm, Art | “Stones That Learned To Breath” by Meredith Purdue at Laura Rathe Fine Art Opening Reception. “An opulent collection of new large scale paintings that merge the solidity of natural minerals and gemstones with the ephemeral quality of breath.”

6:15pm, Live Jazz | Tour & Toast: Frida The Making of an Icon at MFAH. Sold Out but check for future dates. 

8pm, Live Jazz | Mark Simmons JR and Friends at Moth. $20.

Friday, 2/20

6:30pm, Live Music | Jazz Night at Segundo.

7pm-11pm, Art | “Anything But Canvas” Art Exhibition at Box 13 Art Space.

7:30pm, Live Music | Brooklyn Rider: Frida’s Dreams presented by DACAMERA. $48 and up.

8pm-10:30pm, Live Music | This Session R&B Jam at Tribeca. $30.

Saturday, 2/21

11am-4pm, Rodeo | 4th Annual Rodeo Festival at Houston Farmers Market. “A full day of live music, family-friendly activities, and plenty to explore across the market.”

1pm-4pm, Culture | Woodson Black Fest at CAMH. Free but RSVP.

4pm-6pm, Silent Reading | Bunnies & Books at Brazos Bookstore. “Bring a book to read (or come grab a new one) and maybe a cushion to sit on and join us as we help create a peaceful space for some sweet foster rabbits to get some love!”

8pm, Rodeo | Vinyl Ranch at Dan Electros. $19.

8pm-Late, Live Music | Velvet District presented by The Astro Market at Axelrad. “A night dedicated to jazz, r&b, and community!” Free.

10pm-2am, Nightlife | Bad Bunny Night at Saint Charles Studios.

Sunday, 2/22

11am-4pm, Workshop | Croissants Workshop at Central Market Cooking School. $104. Almost sold out.

11am-4pm, Market | Houston Matcha Market: Books & Matcha Edition. Free.

11am-5pm, Market | That’s Hot Market. “That’s hot market is back and bringing you the hottest Y2K vibes💅🏼💋🛍️ Huge $30 fill-a-bag sale” Free entry. 

2pm-6pm, Thrift | Houston Record Swap at Axelrad. “Buy, sell, + swap vintage records, cds + tapes.”

3pm-8pm, Rodeo | Let’s Rodeo at Bayou Heights Biergarten. “Join us for an afternoon packed with live music, a mechanical bull (5–7PM), Boots & Brews market (local vendors), plus giveaways and prizes.”

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