The 6th Annual Historical Appreciation Challenge Discussion Thread
#1
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The 6th Annual Historical Appreciation Challenge Discussion Thread
Its that time folks. Time for the Historical Appreciation Challenge. I took it over since Travis bowed out.
In a nutshell, here are the basics:
This challenge will run from dusk on 31 May until dawn on 1 July 2015.
Movies and TV content specifically about a historical figure, event or period are eligible.
Tangential content (i.e., fantasy, time travel, movies merely set in a generic "past" where the time period is not emphasized as important) is to be excluded, except...
The final night of the challenge, from dusk on 30 June until dawn on 1 July, you may watch Time Travel films to count double with your Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge list. However, the setting(s) must have already taken place, so you can't watch a movie set in the future that travels to a different point in the future.
Is TV Content Allowed?
Certainly! Just make sure that it's as consistent with the spirit of the challenge as the movies you might watch. We used to allow anything on The History Channel carte blanche but with the proliferation of reality TV shows there, try to remember that no matter how dangerous driving a semi across ice is, it isn't "historical"...yet!
Counting
Many of the films at the heart of this challenge have considerable run times, so even though there's always a sort of de facto goal of hitting 100 movies watched, it's not really expected here. We'd much rather you take this opportunity to finally see Lawrence of Arabia than to squeeze in two shorter films.
Since there are no prizes for this challenge, feel free to count using whichever method best suits you. The standard is that 2 TV broadcast hours or short films is equivalent to 1 movie. Some members prefer to count each episode or short as a single entry. Others tally their cumulative viewing time. Whatever floats your boat. It's your list!
Why Aren't Documentaries on the Checklist?
It's up to each participant to decide what mix of dramatizations and documentaries best suits him or her. If you want to watch documentaries exclusively, you're welcome to do that. If you don't want to watch any, that's fine, too. Some checkmarks will be easier to attain with docs, though!
Hey, What About...?
Regarding specific films, I would suggest--and this goes for any questions--that you ask about a specific film in the discussion thread and see what feedback you get from others who have seen it. If you don't get anything helpful, my rule of thumb is that if you feel that you have a sufficient reason to believe that it's an appropriate selection then go ahead and watch it. If it turns out not to really fit the nature of this challenge, still count it as a viewing but please share your thoughts with us.
CHECKLIST
The checklist is from last year, so any one has any suggestions for a change, just let me know.
Here is a link of Historical films, courtesy of Caligulathegod:
http://www.vernonjohns.org/snuffy1186/movies.html
In a nutshell, here are the basics:
This challenge will run from dusk on 31 May until dawn on 1 July 2015.
Movies and TV content specifically about a historical figure, event or period are eligible.
Tangential content (i.e., fantasy, time travel, movies merely set in a generic "past" where the time period is not emphasized as important) is to be excluded, except...
The final night of the challenge, from dusk on 30 June until dawn on 1 July, you may watch Time Travel films to count double with your Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge list. However, the setting(s) must have already taken place, so you can't watch a movie set in the future that travels to a different point in the future.
Is TV Content Allowed?
Certainly! Just make sure that it's as consistent with the spirit of the challenge as the movies you might watch. We used to allow anything on The History Channel carte blanche but with the proliferation of reality TV shows there, try to remember that no matter how dangerous driving a semi across ice is, it isn't "historical"...yet!
Counting
Many of the films at the heart of this challenge have considerable run times, so even though there's always a sort of de facto goal of hitting 100 movies watched, it's not really expected here. We'd much rather you take this opportunity to finally see Lawrence of Arabia than to squeeze in two shorter films.
Since there are no prizes for this challenge, feel free to count using whichever method best suits you. The standard is that 2 TV broadcast hours or short films is equivalent to 1 movie. Some members prefer to count each episode or short as a single entry. Others tally their cumulative viewing time. Whatever floats your boat. It's your list!
Why Aren't Documentaries on the Checklist?
It's up to each participant to decide what mix of dramatizations and documentaries best suits him or her. If you want to watch documentaries exclusively, you're welcome to do that. If you don't want to watch any, that's fine, too. Some checkmarks will be easier to attain with docs, though!
Hey, What About...?
Regarding specific films, I would suggest--and this goes for any questions--that you ask about a specific film in the discussion thread and see what feedback you get from others who have seen it. If you don't get anything helpful, my rule of thumb is that if you feel that you have a sufficient reason to believe that it's an appropriate selection then go ahead and watch it. If it turns out not to really fit the nature of this challenge, still count it as a viewing but please share your thoughts with us.
CHECKLIST
Spoiler:
The checklist is from last year, so any one has any suggestions for a change, just let me know.
Here is a link of Historical films, courtesy of Caligulathegod:
http://www.vernonjohns.org/snuffy1186/movies.html
Last edited by shadokitty; 05-14-15 at 12:48 PM.
#2
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Re: The 6th Annual Historical Appreciation Challenge Discussion Thread
I'm starting off with the last season of Downton Abbey and then I'll figure out where to go from there.
#3
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Re: The 6th Annual Historical Appreciation Challenge Discussion Thread
I'm probably going to do mostly documentaries.
#4
Re: The 6th Annual Historical Appreciation Challenge Discussion Thread
I have a bunch of Historical, Biblical, and War films I plan to get in this year. I'm thinking of starting with They Died with their Boots On as it's one of the oldest unwatched films in the pile (yes, I've seen it before but it's been decades...).
#5
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Re: The 6th Annual Historical Appreciation Challenge Discussion Thread
This will also give me an excuse to watch Midway, that I got for Christmas. I've seen it on TV, but haven't watched the DVD yet. I was saving it for this challenge. I may also revisit Gettysburg and Gods and Generals.
#6
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Re: The 6th Annual Historical Appreciation Challenge Discussion Thread
If anyone gets Reelz, I just discovered a good show that would also be eligible for the challenge, Cold Case Files. It's a documentary series that follows cold case detectives as they try to solve cases.
#8
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#9
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Re: The 6th Annual Historical Appreciation Challenge Discussion Thread
That said, I'd much rather other people take turns running them and am thankful for you and others when you work on them.
I'm not going to be watching much for the next year or three, but I still love reading the threads and looking at people's lists.
#10
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Re: The 6th Annual Historical Appreciation Challenge Discussion Thread
I'm in again this year. But don't know how much i'll be able to do because of work. Might be a very low total. But i'm willing to participate and do what I can.
#11
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Re: The 6th Annual Historical Appreciation Challenge Discussion Thread
#12
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Re: The 6th Annual Historical Appreciation Challenge Discussion Thread
I found this link in the very first Historical Challenge. Has a fairly exhaustive list of Historical films on every possible Historical period or event.
http://www.vernonjohns.org/snuffy1186/movies.html
http://www.vernonjohns.org/snuffy1186/movies.html
#13
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Re: The 6th Annual Historical Appreciation Challenge Discussion Thread
I found this link in the very first Historical Challenge. Has a fairly exhaustive list of Historical films on every possible Historical period or event.
http://www.vernonjohns.org/snuffy1186/movies.html
http://www.vernonjohns.org/snuffy1186/movies.html
#14
Re: The 6th Annual Historical Appreciation Challenge Discussion Thread
I found this link in the very first Historical Challenge. Has a fairly exhaustive list of Historical films on every possible Historical period or event.
http://www.vernonjohns.org/snuffy1186/movies.html
http://www.vernonjohns.org/snuffy1186/movies.html
#15
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Re: The 6th Annual Historical Appreciation Challenge Discussion Thread
Not sure. It was originally Mister Peepers/The Man with the Golden Doujinshi who posted it. Not sure where he got it from.
#17
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Re: The 6th Annual Historical Appreciation Challenge Discussion Thread
I apologize for not putting the link in the first post yet. I will get it done in the next couple of days. Lately, I haven't been motivated to even get on my laptop, just using my phone to access the forum.
#18
Re: The 6th Annual Historical Appreciation Challenge Discussion Thread
I found this link in the very first Historical Challenge. Has a fairly exhaustive list of Historical films on every possible Historical period or event.
http://www.vernonjohns.org/snuffy1186/movies.html
http://www.vernonjohns.org/snuffy1186/movies.html
It is a good resource, though.
Last edited by Ash Ketchum; 05-11-15 at 07:35 PM.
#19
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Re: The 6th Annual Historical Appreciation Challenge Discussion Thread
Try shooting him an email and let him know.
Or we could maintain our own list, using that as a basis.
Or we could maintain our own list, using that as a basis.
#20
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Re: The 6th Annual Historical Appreciation Challenge Discussion Thread
I updated the first post with Caligula's link. Sorry it took so long, but I haven't even been accessing the forums from my laptop lately.
#21
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Re: The 6th Annual Historical Appreciation Challenge Discussion Thread
Just thought I'd post a heads up for anyone with either a DVR, or History Channel on Demand. Starting on Memorial Day, there is a good looking mini series about the rise of Texas, called Texas Rising.
#22
Re: The 6th Annual Historical Appreciation Challenge Discussion Thread
^I can't make up my mind about that one. Mainly because the more recent History Channel series of that type are more sensationalistic than informative. But as you said, it looks good which is why I'm on the fence...
#23
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Re: The 6th Annual Historical Appreciation Challenge Discussion Thread
Yes, can't wait for this one. It looks good. Plus I just saw the book Texas Rising in the store today. I might pick that up sometime soon as well.
#24
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Re: The 6th Annual Historical Appreciation Challenge Discussion Thread
I hear ya. I remember watching National Geographic shows as a kid. What they used to do one segment on, as part of a show, they now stretch out an entire show to stupid lengths just to show something. I'm looking at you Man vs Monster. I didn't need to sit through that entire episode to know that you were going to find a vampire bat and not a giant bat monster from the moment the show started.
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Re: The 6th Annual Historical Appreciation Challenge Discussion Thread
It wont be historically accurate. They've taken a few liberties including folklore in it. Its first and foremost entertainment.