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Maxie Zeus
08-15-2001, 02:44 PM
Big news, people. We're going to try to launch a movie club here at Toonzone, on the AniGen board!

The idea popped up first in "The Neverending Post" on the Batman Beyond Board. We were comparing lists of favorite movies, and discovered that many of us had favorites that others had never seen, and in some cases never heard of. And some of us got really curious to see those other movies.

Mainly, we want to discover new movies, films we've never seen and might never have seen, except for the recommendation of our fellow board members. For that reason the club will focus not on films we've all seen and loved, but on fresh experiences. I can't promise that everyone will love every movie, but no matter what it should be eye-opening!

Each week we will put up two new threads (much in the manner of "Fresh Questions") announcing two new selections drawn from a list of favorites submitted by members. One thread will be an "All Ages" selection, meaning that it will be a movie that does not carry anything higher than a PG-13, or which does not contain material that would warrant a higher rating. It will also be a film that is "accessible" to most ages and sensibilities. The other thread will center on a "Mature" selection, meaning that it may contain elements warranting an R-rating, or is a particularly difficult or challenging bit of cinematic art. Each announcement will contain a short introduction, written either by me or by the board member who selected the film, describing it forus.

Over the following week, we will watch the films, and then post responses to it: observations, critiques, reviews, and responses to others' critiques. And since we'll have something like an organization behind it, we should have a reason to go out and look at something, instead of just randomly catching a new feature down at the multiplex and hoping that someone else at TZ caught it too.

* * * * *

OK, that's the pitch. How will it work?

Well, there is no "membership," official or unofficial. The threads will be open to anyone who wants to participate--your choice and call. But I do need help from you guys to set up the list. I need to hear from YOU what YOUR favorite films are.

If you want your voice heard, send a list of 10-15 of your favorite films to tzmovieclub@yahoo.com. (To make it easier on me, please alphabetize your list.) It doesn't have to be a list "all time greats." It can be guilty pleasures that you want to share with the rest of us. Anyone can propose any film; also, you do not have to separate your list into "All Ages" or "Mature" sections (I will do that myself after the final list is compiled).

I will then take those lists and compile them into a master list of all the films proposed. After that, I will send the master list back to all the people who sent in their favorites, and ask them to remove from the list all the films on it that they have NOT seen, and to send back the names of all the ones they HAVE SEEN. Based on the responses I get back, I will then pick out a batch of films that have NOT been widely viewed, and thus will be new to the greatest number of people. Then we can start having fun!

About your lists: Because films that have been widely viewed here will certainly be dropped, there is not much point in sending in titles that we've all seen. "Return of the Joker" is huge favorite around here, and rightly so. But then we don't need the movie club to watch and discuss it. Your best bet is to send in titles that you really like, but that are probably not widely viewed. But, regardless, send in something!

About ratings: Because we'll have two threads going, aimed at slightly different audiences, there is no need to be especially concerned about ratings. However, I would appreciate it if you tried for a mix, so that one thread or the other does not become too impoverished.

Availability: The films you choose should be relatively available for viewing, so that we can maximize partipation and not marginalize anyone. DVD-only release are out for that reason, as are some of the more obscure foreign or classic releases. If you're unsure about your title's availability, go ahead and propose it. But if it looks like it will be hard for most people to find, I may just not put it on the final list.

I will accept submissions until Friday, August 24, so that you can have a lot of time to think about what you want to put on your list. When you come up with it, please do NOT send it in by replying to this post; send them to the email address above.

If you have any questions, ask them here, or send me a PM or email. I'll be happy to help.

Don't be shy: Gimme lots to work with, folks, and we can have a lot of fun!

mxyzptlk
08-15-2001, 04:54 PM
i am gettin excited bout this.

happyheathen
08-15-2001, 05:32 PM
That sub-divisions be made:

1. age group. I'd recommend some things for the over-18 group that would be of little interest to younger (and no, the is not about language/nudity/sex - there are adult concepts)
example: Allegro Non Troppo
Conversely, a show that appeals to a 12 yr old may not do anything for a 20 yr old (I'm sure there's a couple around)

2. Category - whatever lines you wish, but a single title per week it kinda thin - a week is a long time, if the title is not available, or of no interest.

good luck

mxyzptlk
08-15-2001, 05:37 PM
Originally posted by happyheathen
That sub-divisions be made:

1. age group. I'd recommend some things for the over-18 group that would be of little interest to younger (and no, the is not about language/nudity/sex - there are adult concepts)
example: Allegro Non Troppo
Conversely, a show that appeals to a 12 yr old may not do anything for a 20 yr old (I'm sure there's a couple around)

2. Category - whatever lines you wish, but a single title per week it kinda thin - a week is a long time, if the title is not available, or of no interest.

good luck

personally no offence but i do not like that idea. i think you oughta give it a little summery or plot line of the movie out and let people decide weather or not they wanna see it. cause when we were posting our list of favorite movies on the tnp thread that people like maxie had many movies on his list that were on mine. and i am only 14.

James
08-15-2001, 07:26 PM
Sounds cool. I must confess that there were many 'classics' on your list Maxie that I keep meaning to watch. My mate is a big film buff and I keep meaning to extend my film palette via his collection but I never get round to doing it. This may be a good incentive to do so. Any ideas people have of films worthy of seeing would be well worth it from my POV - I feel the need to broaden my horizons a little (I do have too much of a taste for cheap and tacky movies!!!)

Joker85
08-15-2001, 08:47 PM
This sounds like fun!!! Count me in! I would love to have a good excuse to actually watch all those movies which I want to see but never get around to.:)

Maxie Zeus
08-16-2001, 11:55 AM
Originally posted by happyheathen
That sub-divisions be made:

1. age group. I'd recommend some things for the over-18 group that would be of little interest to younger (and no, the is not about language/nudity/sex - there are adult concepts)
example: Allegro Non Troppo
Conversely, a show that appeals to a 12 yr old may not do anything for a 20 yr old (I'm sure there's a couple around)

2. Category - whatever lines you wish, but a single title per week it kinda thin - a week is a long time, if the title is not available, or of no interest.

good luck

Hmm. I must confess to not knowing if the movie-a-week rate is the right one or not; probably we won't know until try the thing.

mxy makes a really good point in regard to the age division. One's liking for material is less a matter of chronological age than of temperment. I know lots of thirtysomethings who would despise "Barton Fink" (say) as much as most 12 year olds, and I've known 12 year olds who would love it as much as I do.

But how about this idea? We might put up 2 movies a week, one that is pitched relatively high, and one that is pitched rather lower. The former would lean toward challenging titles (and more open to 'R' rated material) while the latter would lean more toward overtly popular fare (and leaning greatly toward lighter ratings). That could keep us busy for a week (twice as much to go around for some of us) while making the week's selection more widely palatable.

Maxie Zeus
08-16-2001, 01:49 PM
Originally posted by mxyzptlk
i think you oughta give it a little summery or plot line of the movie out and let people decide weather or not they wanna see it.

A good idea, and I was planning on doing this. If I know the movie in question I'll give a little introduction. If I don't (and most of them I won't--that the idea, after all), I'll ask the person who proposed it (or one of the proposers) to give the introduction.

optimal321
08-16-2001, 04:19 PM
Originally posted by Maxie Zeus


Hmm. I must confess to not knowing if the movie-a-week rate is the right one or not; probably we won't know until try the thing.

mxy makes a really good point in regard to the age division. One's liking for material is less a matter of chronological age than of temperment. I know lots of thirtysomethings who would despise "Barton Fink" (say) as much as most 12 year olds, and I've known 12 year olds who would love it as much as I do.

But how about this idea? We might put up 2 movies a week, one that is pitched relatively high, and one that is pitched rather lower. The former would lean toward challenging titles (and more open to 'R' rated material) while the latter would lean more toward overtly popular fare (and leaning greatly toward lighter ratings). That could keep us busy for a week (twice as much to go around for some of us) while making the week's selection more widely palatable.

That sounds good!

mxyzptlk
08-16-2001, 04:27 PM
Originally posted by Maxie Zeus


Hmm. I must confess to not knowing if the movie-a-week rate is the right one or not; probably we won't know until try the thing.

mxy makes a really good point in regard to the age division. One's liking for material is less a matter of chronological age than of temperment. I know lots of thirtysomethings who would despise "Barton Fink" (say) as much as most 12 year olds, and I've known 12 year olds who would love it as much as I do.

But how about this idea? We might put up 2 movies a week, one that is pitched relatively high, and one that is pitched rather lower. The former would lean toward challenging titles (and more open to 'R' rated material) while the latter would lean more toward overtly popular fare (and leaning greatly toward lighter ratings). That could keep us busy for a week (twice as much to go around for some of us) while making the week's selection more widely palatable.

can anyone post about either movie cause i dont think their was movie on my list that was not r or not rated.

Maxie Zeus
08-16-2001, 07:19 PM
Originally posted by mxyzptlk


can anyone post about either movie cause i dont think their was movie on my list that was not r or not rated.

Oh, sure. Anyone can propose any title. In fact, if we go this dual route it probably won't be until I make up the final list that I'll try sorting them according to which track they'll go on.

So, don't worry about separating out or classifying your lists according to "maturity." If we do this dual track I'll take care of that end.

Maxie Zeus
08-17-2001, 06:46 PM
OK, the more I think about it, the more I like the idea of having 2 selections and threads going simultaneously each week. First, it means that there is more activity for those who really want to get into it. Second, it means that if we split the selections into mature and unrestricted categories we will have more freedom to introduce mature material (R-rated movies or movies that are more challenging to the viewer) while not marginalizing anyone who has to (or wants to) stay away from such material. And third, it means that we might put some interesting double features up. "The Big Sleep," for instance, is a great detective movie from the 1940s, and "The Big Lebowski" is a quasi-parody of it. It would be neat if we could arrange selections that bounced off each other in an interesting way.

I made some changes in the big pitch that opens this thread. If you don't want to hunt them out up there, here are the relevant additions I made:

"Each week we will put up two new threads (much in the manner of "Fresh Questions") announcing two new selections drawn from a list of favorites submitted by members. One thread will be an "All Ages" selection, meaning that it will be a movie that does not carry anything higher than a PG-13, or which does not contain material that would warrant a higher rating. It will also be a film that is "accessible" to most ages and sensibilities. The other thread will center on a "Mature" selection, meaning that it has an R-rating, or contains elements warranting an R-rating, or is a particularly difficult or challenging bit of cinematic art. Each announcement will contain a short introduction, written either by me or by the board member who selected the film, describing it for us."

"About ratings: Because we'll have two threads going, aimed at slightly different audiences, there is no need to be especially concerned about ratings. However, I would appreciate it if you tried for a mix, so that one thread or the other does not become too impoverished."

* * * *

To distinguish between threads, we'll need some kind of code or symbol to indicate if it is the "mature" thread or the "all ages" thread. I was thinking of giving each thread, when it starts, a title announcing the selection-type and selection itself. Something like:

"Toonzone Movie Club (R): The Shining (1980)"
"Toonzone Movie Club (G): The Haunting (1960)"

Actually, I'd like to stay away from the MPAA ratings, which have unwanted connotations. I was thinking of "(M)" for the mature thread and "(A)" for the all-ages thread, but I'm open to suggestions. Any ideas?

Eraserhead
08-17-2001, 07:11 PM
Originally posted by Maxie Zeus
Actually, I'd like to stay away from the MPAA ratings, which have unwanted connotations. I was thinking of "(M)" for the mature thread and "(A)" for the all-ages thread, but I'm open to suggestions. [/B]

Good point about going on your own instead of the MPAA's choice of ratings. *Case-in-point* One of my all-time favorites, The Good,The Bad,and The Ugly is given an R-rating by them. Now besides the victims that are gunned down by "Angel Eyes" in the opening of the film, this movie is no more than a PG-13 flick at best. Where as a Paul Thomas Anderson picture (I wont say which one) certainly qualifies as "adult" material and deserves the "R".

Your "(M)" and "(A)" ideas may work out just fine.

Maxie Zeus
08-17-2001, 09:17 PM
--that popped up here, I moved it into its own thread. Go back to the AniGen menu and look for "The Good, Bad & Ugy" thread.

Joker85
08-18-2001, 12:13 AM
I would like to see us watch and review some of those old Vincent Price horror flicks! God, I love those...:)

Maxie Zeus
08-18-2001, 06:12 PM
Originally posted by Joker85
I would like to see us watch and review some of those old Vincent Price horror flicks! God, I love those...:)

Then put them on a list and send them in! :)

James
08-18-2001, 07:41 PM
Actually, it's nice to see something so constructive coming out of 'The Neverending Post', those disappointed by it's imminent closure could take solice in this - it's legacy!!!

Good job Maxie, you've put a lot of work into this so far - I hope it pays off!!! :D

Joker85
08-18-2001, 08:20 PM
Will do Maxie. I'm heading over to IMDB next and will send a list over.:)

Bud 'n Lou
08-19-2001, 05:40 PM
Sent my list. :O)

Maxie Zeus
08-20-2001, 06:47 PM
Original plan: I was going to close off submissions of favorites on Friday, then circulate the resulting list over the weekend. But I would like to put up new selections each Thursday night or Friday (giving people the weekend to watch them). So on the original plan we wouldn't have gotten started for another 10 days, at least.

Well, I don't want to wait that long.

New plan: I am going to go ahead and circulate the list I've already got to those who've already submitted favorites lists. From that list I'll pick our first 4 films (2 per week). In the meantime I will continue to accept favorites lists until further notice; these will go onto a later list for use in making later selections. So keep sending (tzmovieclub@yahoo.com) them in!

First two selections should be up on Friday.