I'm gonna be in the Times Square area in June and - besides the Virgin Megastore - are there any retailers in this area that sell DVDs - particularly cult films, 70s sex romps, etc...?

Gone, gone, gone...

The closest would be Entertainment Outlet at 24 W. 40 St. between 5th Ave. and 6th Ave., not exactly in Times Square.

If you're into Japanese cult films, there's the new branch of Kinokuniya Books on 6th Ave. (Avenue of the Americas) between 41st and 40th Streets, opposite Bryant Park. The DVD section is on the second floor.

There's a Virgin Megastore on 14th Street and Broadway, opposite Union Square Park, which is probably a better source of cult films on DVD. Their DVD section is bigger than the one in Virgin's Times Square branch. And a few blocks south of 14th Street, on St. Mark's Place (8th St.), east of Third Avenue, is Kim's Video. 2nd Floor.

Is the 47th or 48th or whatever chamber of shaolin still 'round?

It was the 43rd Chamber and, no, it's not around, but you can still see the "43rd Chamber" sign on 43rd Street just west of 8th Ave. right over the photo shop that took its place. 43rd Chamber, in its final incarnation, was actually briefly on 41st Street in 2001 before finally going out of business later that year after its owner-operator, Shah, went to Canada and was not allowed back in the U.S. after 9/11--at least that's the way I heard it.

Brian and some others helped me with almost the same question about a month ago. I wasn't impressed with the selection at the Times Square Virgin Megastore. I did make it to Kim's and bought a few things there. I didn't make it to J & R but I'll try to get there next time.

On a side note, I'm from a small town in PA about 2 hours from NYC and the East Village was a different experience for the family. My wife was in Kim's for about 30 seconds then grabbed the kids and said "uhhh...we'll wait outside!" and made for the door! :P

And you're talking about the cleaned-up yuppiefied East Village, filled with wannabes from the hinterlands who are enrolled at NYU. You should have seen it during the punk era and, before that, the hippie era. Ahhh, the good ol' days. B)

I was just in that area last night and was appalled at all the new construction going on along the Bowery. It just ain't the same. :(

I have to say we had a great time despite the Good Friday crowds in Times Square. We stayed in Weehawken and took the ferry into the city. Did the touristy stuff on Friday and some shopping on Saturday. The people we came into contact with were friendly and helpful.

This topic is leading me to post a new topic of my own. Maybe I'll see you on that post Brian...