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Be Kind Rewind (2008) movie poster

Timeline

Be Kind Rewind (2008) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2008 · 102 min · English
Starring
Mos Def, Danny Glover, Jack Black

After a mishap wipes out an entire video store's collection, two friends embark on a mission to manually re-record each film, hoping to save their friend’s job. Their task involves painstakingly recreating beloved classics like "The Lion King" and "Robocop," leading to humorous and unexpected improvisations. The endeavor becomes a heartwarming testament to friendship, creativity, and the power of community.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Be Kind Rewind
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Be Kind Rewind (2008)

Where can you watch Be Kind Rewind? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Be Kind Rewind Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Be Kind Rewind (2008) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Store Faces Demolition

    In the year 2003, the VHS rental store 'Be Kind Rewind' in Passaic, New Jersey, is facing imminent demolition. Its owner, Mr. Elroy Fletcher, is given just 60 days to renovate the store, which local authorities have labeled a slum.

    When
    2003
    Where
    Passaic, New Jersey
  2. Mr. Fletcher's Warning

    Before departing on a trip to honor jazz pianist Fats Waller, Mr. Fletcher leaves his only employee, Mike, in charge. He warns Mike to keep his friend Jerry, known for his conspiratorial nature, away from the store to avoid potential chaos.

  3. Chaos Ensues

    Misinterpreting the warning written on a fogged-up train window, Mike neglects Mr. Fletcher's advice, leading to unforeseen trouble. Jerry, now believing he is being influenced by a nearby electrical substation, accidentally magnetizes himself and wipes out all the VHS tapes in the store.

  4. Miss Falewicz's Involvement

    In the midst of the chaos, Mr. Fletcher reaches out to Miss Falewicz, requesting her to return a film and monitor the store's activities. This adds a sense of urgency to Mike and Jerry's plight as they attempt to save the tape collection.

  5. The Sweding Idea

    Recognizing the need to replace the lost films, Mike concocts a plan to 'Swede' popular movies as a way to cope with the overwhelming situation. He proposes they act in a low-budget version of 'Ghostbusters,' which Jerry enthusiastically agrees to, leading them to create the film in a nearby library.

    Where
    Library
  6. Alma Joins the Team

    While working on their Sweded film, they get another request for 'Rush Hour 2.' To meet the increasing demand, they bring in Alma to their team, adding her unique flair to their amateur filmmaking adventures.

  7. The Rise of Sweded Films

    As word spreads about their humorous Sweded films, Mike, Jerry, and Alma become inundated with rental requests. To capitalize on this unexpected success, they cleverly claim that the films are authentic imports from Sweden and charge a premium price.

  8. A Change in Plans

    Upon returning, Mr. Fletcher initially contemplates transitioning to a DVD rental model. However, he quickly realizes the potential profitability of the Sweded films and gets involved in the filmmaking efforts, excited by the resurgence of interest.

  9. The Copyright Crisis

    Just as their success peaks, two court bailiffs arrive, claiming that their unauthorized films have led to copyright infringement. As they attempt to confiscate the films, the group's collection is tragically crushed under a steamroller.

  10. Mr. Fletcher's Confession

    In a moment of despair, Mr. Fletcher confesses to Mike that his claims of Fats Waller being born in the store were fabricated. With the deadline for demolition approaching and no funds for renovations, the team is crushed by the news.

  11. Community Documentary

    Determined to make a final effort, Jerry rallies the community to help create a documentary celebrating the fictional life of Fats Waller. They aptly title their tribute 'Fats Waller Was Born Here' as a heartfelt farewell.

  12. Demolition Day

    On the scheduled demolition day, Mr. Fletcher invites locals to witness the last hurrah of 'Be Kind Rewind.' In the rush, Jerry accidentally breaks their single television, but a neighboring DVD store owner offers a projector to save the event.

  13. Unexpected Audience

    As the group showcases their documentary on a white sheet in the store's window, they are surprised to see a large gathering of locals, city officials, and demolition workers quickly joining to watch. The atmosphere buzzes with anticipation as they cheer in support.

  14. Demolition Canceled

    After the film concludes, the crowd's enthusiastic applause catches the attention of the city council leader, who unexpectedly reconsiders the demolition plans. In a dramatic turn of events, the demolition is canceled, leaving everyone in a state of joy.

    Where
    Be Kind Rewind
  15. Celebration and Credits

    As credits roll alongside their mockumentary, featuring Fats Waller's lively tune 'Your Feet's Too Big,' the atmosphere turns festive. The community celebrates their love for the store and the bonds formed during this extraordinary journey.

Last updated: November 03, 2024 at 15:09

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Timeline questions answered

Be Kind Rewind Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Be Kind Rewind (2008): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Jerry erase all the VHS tapes?

Jerry becomes convinced that a nearby electrical substation is affecting his mind. When he receives a jolt from the substation, he becomes magnetized and inadvertently erases every single VHS tape in the store just by walking past them.

  • jerry
  • vhs tapes
  • magnetized
  • electrical substation
  • accident
Q2

What is Sweding in the movie?

Sweding is the process of creating low-budget, amateur recreations of popular films. Mike and Jerry act as the cast, using makeshift props and special effects to remake movies like Ghostbusters and Rush Hour 2. The term comes from their false claim that the films are imported from Sweden.

  • sweding
  • remake
  • ghostbusters
  • budget film
  • improvisation
Q3

Why did Mr. Fletcher lie about Fats Waller being born in the store?

Mr. Fletcher fabricated the story about Fats Waller being born in the building to generate interest and save the store from demolition. When the renovation funds are lost and the store faces closure, he confesses to Mike that the Fats Waller connection was completely made up.

  • mr fletcher
  • fats waller
  • lie
  • store history
  • fabricated story
Q4

How does the demolition get canceled?

After the Sweded films are destroyed and the store seems doomed, Jerry rallies the community to create a documentary celebrating Fats Waller. On demolition day, they screen the film in the store window using a projector. The large crowd and enthusiastic response impress city officials, who decide to cancel the demolition.

Foreshadowing: The documentary title 'Fats Waller Was Born Here' mirrors Mr. Fletcher's original fabricated claim, giving it emotional weight.

  • demolition
  • canceled
  • crowd
  • city council
  • community support
Q5

Why do they start charging $20 for rentals?

When customers discover the Sweded films and love them, Mike and Jerry capitalize on the demand by claiming the films are authentic imports from Sweden. This allows them to charge a premium price of $20 per rental instead of the usual dollar, making the venture highly profitable.

  • $20 rental
  • premium price
  • sweden
  • profit
  • money
Q6

Why do court bailiffs destroy the Sweded films?

Two court bailiffs arrive claiming the Sweded films constitute copyright infringement. They confiscate the entire collection and crush all the tapes under a steamroller, which destroys their renovation funds and seems to seal the store's fate.

  • bailiffs
  • copyright
  • steamroller
  • destroyed
  • confiscated
Q7

Why does Mike leave Jerry at the store despite Mr. Fletcher's warning?

Before leaving, Mr. Fletcher writes a warning on a fogged-up train window telling Mike to keep Jerry away. Mike misreads the message and neglects to follow the instruction, allowing Jerry to stay at the store, where he accidentally magnetizes himself and erases all the tapes.

  • mike
  • warning
  • misread
  • train window
  • fletcher
Q8

What is the final documentary about?

In a final attempt to save the store, Jerry rallies the community to create a documentary celebrating the fictional life of Fats Waller, titled 'Fats Waller Was Born Here.' The documentary becomes the centerpiece of their last-ditch effort to prevent demolition.

  • documentary
  • fats waller
  • community
  • final tribute
Q9

Who is Miss Falewicz and why is she at the store?

Miss Falewicz is an acquaintance of Mr. Fletcher who contacts her to return a copy of Driving Miss Daisy and keep an eye on the shop while he's away. Her presence adds urgency as she requests to rent Ghostbusters, forcing Mike and Jerry to improvise a solution.

  • miss falewicz
  • ghostbusters
  • mia farrow
  • rental
Q10

Why does Mr. Fletcher join the Sweding operation?

When Mr. Fletcher returns from his trip, he initially considers switching to DVD rentals. However, he quickly realizes the Sweded films are far more profitable than traditional rentals and become personally involved in the filmmaking, even shortening films to speed up production.

  • mr fletcher
  • filmmaking
  • dvd
  • profit
  • involved

Movie threads

More Movies Like Be Kind Rewind, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Be Kind Rewind tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about DIY creativity and community like Be Kind Rewind

Stories where ordinary people achieve extraordinary things through collaboration. If you enjoyed the community spirit in Be Kind Rewind, explore more movies where creativity and teamwork save the day. These films share a similar optimistic, can-do attitude about people coming together for a common, often quirky, cause.

  • community-driven
  • optimistic
  • quirky
  • heartwarming
  • collaborative
  • uplifting
  • Tone: whimsical, hopeful
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically centers on a local threat—often to a small business or a neighborhood—that forces a diverse group of characters to unite. They discover hidden talents and use unconventional, often humorous, DIY methods to achieve their goal, leading to personal growth and strengthened community bonds.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on grassroots activism, collaborative problem-solving, and the 'we can do it ourselves' ethos. They share a gentle, optimistic tone where the real victory is not just the outcome but the journey of connection.

Movies with playful film homages like Be Kind Rewind

Films that lovingly and humorously reinvent popular stories and genres. Fans of the 'Sweding' in Be Kind Rewind will love these movies that also play with film tropes and recreate stories with a sense of fun. These similar comedies focus on the joy of creation and affectionate parody.

  • improvisational
  • nostalgic
  • quirky
  • meta
  • celebratory
  • creative
  • Tone: whimsical, nostalgic
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot often involves characters who are passionate fans or amateurs attempting to recreate or reinterpret a beloved work of art, leading to a series of hilarious and inventive improvisations. The journey highlights the subjective nature of art and the joy found in the attempt, not just the final product.

Why they belong together: These films share a core meta-narrative about storytelling and fandom. They are connected by a whimsical, improvisational spirit, a love for pop culture, and a focus on the humorous, heartfelt gap between ambitious inspiration and scrappy execution.

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Every angle

Be Kind Rewind (2008) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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