Wish I had more money to support my DVD habits. I'm 15, but have a fairly nice collection. Yes, my parents absolutely spoil me

speedray - I understand what you're saying
marty - I understand what you're saying

What I don't understand is the necessity of some people - not pointing at you 2 - to hijack a thread that is dealing with college-aged students love/passion for movies. I started this thread specifically to keep it to our age group so we could have a discussion to ourselves since it seems to me that a majority of threads on the board here are run by an older group. If people want to start a 'why teenagers are stupid and need to start reading the newspaper and watching the news everyday' thread please bring it to the Politics section of the "Other Talk" category on the board. Thank you very much.

And on that note, zidane: you definately have a pretty large collection IMO considering your age, like you said definately have a fair share of mainstream, but nice to see some titles like Mean Streets, Miller's Crossing and Taxi Driver, some titles I don't recall most of my high school friends having heard of at the time.

and yes, natevines - that is a nice collection, be happy you have parents that support your hobbies, since I started collecting DVDs, my parents have always been saying to me "why do you need so many movies?" (with a nagging Brookyln accent). Just now (4-5 years after I really struck a passion for film) my parents understand why it's so important to me.

Zidane, your collection is just that: yours. There are titles that I wouldn't own, titles that I proudly own, and titles that I'd like to own. The first two titles listed in your collection are 2 Fast 2 Furious and 25th Hour. I love 25th Hour, and laughed my way through a viewing of 2 Fast 2 Furious with some friends of mine. The important thing is that you're happy with your collection. At 17, with over 220 titles...I sure would be. As far as what's included, most of my college-age friends haven't seen, and probably haven't heard of, such titles as Battle Royale, Das Boot, Fanny & Alexander, The Killer, Seven Samurai, and so forth. If Stealing Harvard and xXx also peak your interest, great. You've definitely got some variation in your collection. I like it...but more importantly, I assume that you like it, and that's really all that matters.

To Natevines...I'll second fliggil's comments. You're lucky to have parents that support your hobbies. Through the years, I've made my way through everything from coins, to sports cards, and now to DVD's, with other fleeting hobbies in between. Throughout, my family has always wondered why I felt the need to spend my money on useless collections. I think they've always accepted my passion for collecting, but on the same token, they never really understood it. It's good that you've got a family willing to not only understand your passions, but to help support them, also.

That said, and at the risk of turning this into a "rate my collection" thread, you've got a hell of a library (including more than a few titles that I'd gladly own if I had the money to do so).

-JP

Bustin' my balls again, are we, marty, eh?

Nothing, I was just expanding on speedyray's anology that while the college-type may be "enlightened" on all things art, that they know next to nothing about real world geo-politics, which most out of college people would consider a bit more important than knowing who some less well-known director from 50-70 years ago was.

Guilty as charged, and proud of it...considering that I voted for Gore in 2000...I guess something changed, huh....the skyline of NYC, for one.

Well, it's actually quite easy to generalize about the anti-war protestors. Why? Because when you go ask them what they're protesting for or against, you get a dozen different answers from racism to the environment, etc. And considering that most of those rallies are organized and funded by groups that are fronts for Socialist and Communist groups, you go figure...

You see, that's just it. I wasn't stating how wonderful my musical taste was. I specifically said that my taste was different and had groups that many had never heard of. I also specifically said that I did not berate folks who didn't know those groups. But it appears that the youngsters here are berating those, who don't know who their obscure foreign film directors are. Yes, maybe these directors were great and contributed a lot to the genre of film, but if they are not well known in contemporary circles, then who are they to skoff at those who don't.

OK, here's a test...next time there's a protest, I challenge you to go down and ask them if they know who the Vice President is. Betcha 80% of them don't know. That's backed up by previous attempts by other folks.

That it is. And I have no problem with that. But for these enlightened youngsters to skoff at those who don't share their same taste in obscure directors and their latest Criterion collection, don't expect me to fall all over their shoes.

No, that's a true sign of an "elitist" person, especially when they shoot it back in your face with a "nyah, nyah, nyah, nyah...I know more than you..."

I dare these "educated" people to name me 10 NASCAR drivers....now then...there ya go.

Mike, thanks for your perfect views on life, if you could now, please take it to the "Politics" section of the "Other Talk" category.

I really would like to get this topic back on track instead of having to start a new one.

lol, movies like stealing harvard and xXx, are crap i agree. I just started collecting dvds a little less than a year ago, last june i believe. I started out with one dvd(starwars Episode 1) it was even full screen, then i found this place and dvds sparked my interest. I love film, i like a lot of older movies, theres a whole lot of older films id like to get and see mainly from the 20s-40s, era. I have been renting a lot of criterions lately and there have been plenty that i loved and still need to buy. Mostly all my friends like these mainstream moives, i mean my best friends favorite movie is Van Helsing rofl. Pathetic i know.. but thats how most of my friends tastes in movies vary. I can tell you most teenagers are into the pop corn flicks, and wouldnt mind watching a mindless movie. After being apart of this forum for almost a year, i have learned to appericiate cinema. I mean i read somewhere on this fourm talking about the marx brothers and rented it and loved it(still need to buy it) but with out this fourm i never would have heard of it. I try to turn my friends on to liking these older movies but for the most part they dont like them. Although i did manage to convert most of my friends into Widescreen lol.

Dale Jarrett
Tony Stewart
Jeff Gordan
Mark Martin
Rusty Wallace
Kurt Busch
Michael Waltrip
Jimmie Johnson
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Bobby Labonte

Born and raised in Houston, Texas...you're going to have to come up with something a bit more difficult than that. ;)

-JP

NASCAR is not a sport. I do not enjoy NASCAR, hence I do not know any drivers beyond...I don't know, Dale Earnhardt's kid? That makes me no more or less educated than you, haha, I'm sure.

There are uneducated morons on both sides, Mike. GIS "morans" and get yourself an eyeful of a fine, upstanding citizen of Wal-Mart Nation. But I digress.

Relax. Chill. And please take note of the fact that none of your posts have anything to do with the topic of the thread, as far as I can see. You just seemed to come in and read "Why I Became a 9/11 Republican" on the subject line. OK, fine, do whatever, but...there's a section for that, and this isn't it.

fliggil, a big kudos to you for starting up a thread like this. It actually is quite refreshing to know that some of this generation's youth are appreciating quality cinema and that they're actively participating in this very thread you provided for us. I myself have been collecting for about five years since I was 16. The initial draw for me was actually home theater sound. I fell in love with the dynamic audio presentations dvds and a 5.1 system could provide. I'll still buy a "The Rock" and "I, Robot" anyday as long as it has killer a/v. But of course, any film fan can't help but be later drawn into a variety of great movies.

My goal now isn't just to buy or watch important movies, but to build and own a diverse collection of films encompassing all types of genres. I wasn't too concerned with the lack of Kurosawa or Fellini, but rather Japanese and Italian cinema altogether. Having this open mind made the transition to other genres I onced ignored or shied away from like silents, anime, documentaries, and even classic animated Disney features much easier. My collection now includes all types of cinema, extending to all reaches of the globe.Though presentation is important, they can never substitute for content and substance. I think it's fine that many college.high school students enjoy the average mainstream flick, but I would hope they'd keep an open mind about all types of genres.

I forgot where I heard this from, as it's not my analogy, but someone once compared films to foods. Like specialty food, certain films are an acquired taste. If your average summer flick is a bag of doritos, which anybody can pick up and enjoy, a Godard work would be a fine French cuisine.

I've actually have successfully introduced many friends to foreign and obscure cinema. Instead of taking a snobbish approach, I just studied there tastes, and recommended one title at a time, with adjusting levels of accessibility. In other words, give them someting easy to swallow to begin with, and if they like what they see, carefully add more to their plate. Be patient, understanding, and open minded. If each of us can all convince 4-5 of our closest friends, we may see many more fans of quality cinema within our own generation. Sixteen year olds will be selling out local art houses instead of the cinemaplex.

Last, but not least, just watch what you enjoy, but give all movies a chance. With that said, I can both appreciate and enjoy the melodrama of a Sirk piece, or the rumbling bass of a DTS Spidey 2 track. And no, I haven't picked up the Fanny set, I was too busy saving up for Cassavettes five films, but I'm sure I'll get to it eventually.

This is hilarious. I want to preface this post by stating that I'm 24 and currently a law student. I attended college to major in film, but chose finance instead.

First you get the music snobs who tell you if it isn't "indie" it sucks. Then you get the film snobs who tell you that watching The Third Man or The Maltese Falcon will allow you to more greatly appreciate cinema and make you a better person than someone watching Die Hard with a Vengeance or Billy Madison. Art is not objective. What one person loves and connects with varies differently from person to person. You can see this by looking at the DVD list sigs in everyone's links. Don't worry about what other people are watching. Most people who want to sit down and watch a film after class want something that doesn't require a lot of thinking, will make them feel better, and will provide some laughs and entertainment. I'm sorry but 9 times out of 10, Band of Outsiders, Rebecca, The Seven Samurai, or La Dolce Vita just isn't going to accomplish those things for the average person.

You'll realize over time that the movies you go back to and love are the Tao of Steve, Real Genius, Dazed and Confused, Almost Famous, Big Lebowski, Chasing Amy's of your collection and not the cinematic (snob) classics.

If you don't think filmmaking's has progressed over the last 75 years to become both a better ART form, and better entertainment device, you are sadly mistaken.

For the high schoolers in the thread, don't worry, everyone has big dreams. But eventually you'll realize that if you want to get laid, you're gonna have to watch 13 going on 30, instead of Shock Corridor.

YEAH! The sooner you high schoolers realize that all girls are brainless beings, incapable of having their own refined tastes in whatever the field may be...the better off you'll be. Got that, kids?! Girls don't want somebody who has tastes outside of the norm. If you want to get laid, you'd better get busy realizing that a girl is nothing more than a body with a vagina and ground-beef for brains.



The ignorance and stereotypes offered by people can sometimes be overwhelming.

-JP

deadlax: Obviously 'most people' want to watch Big Lebowski compared to La Dolce Vita on a regular basis, that's what makes mainstream, well mainstream, and why it isn't arthouse. That's the reason mindless reality tv rules the airwaves, and not the Charlie Rose Show. What I think some people here may be mistaken about is that you may think our sole goal is to turn every mainstream fan into a fan of Fellini, Kurosawa, etc., but it isn't. It's like music. You have a friend listening to a current rock radio station, so you say "hey ever listen to any Led Zeppelin? check them out, besides being amazing musicians, you can hear where a lot of current rock draws from." It's the same with cinema. Obviously not everyone is gonna go out and buy some Zeppelin, just like after watching Kill Bill with a friend, your friend probably won't go out and buy A Touch of Zen to see some of kung fu's history on film based on your suggestion. If you're going to appreciate art, it has to be with an open mind to suggestion.

And it's not that people check other people's signatures as some sort of elitist 'my collection is better than yours' (well with some people I'm sure it may be), but in my opinion I like going through other people's collections for ideas on movies to check out if we have similar tastes.

And as for the 'want to get laid' comment, sometime's it's just not worth it to sit through 13 going on 30 To me, for the other people who also said that you have to watch movies like that to get laid, it's almost like saying 'you gotta read Nancy Drew books with a girl to get laid'. Sure if you're wasted and looking for a quick score that's all good, but I need someone with a slightly higher mental capacity for something longer than a 1-nighter.

Wow, the spin of a burgeoning liberal. 9 times out of 10, my statement is correct, and I stand by it. They don't call them "chick-flicks" for no reason.

Well deadlax isnt that far off from truth. The thread is basically come pat yourself on the back for liking non-mainstream films. So you watch films from Sweden. Thats great. Its good that you can look beyond mainstream titles and see what good stuff there is out there. Coming in here and boasting, acting like watching mainstream movies is some kind of fault is ridiculous.

Would you please copy and paste the comments that people have made in this thread saying that "watching mainstream movies is some kind of fault." Thanks, I'll be waiting.

-JP

My gf made me sit through the whole movie of How to lose a guy in 10 days....

I believe if you actually check out the majority of our lists in this thread, you will see we have some mainstream titles. I believe 1 or 2 posters pretty much only had mainstream titles. We understand the importance of them for the film industry, and often times the success of mainstream leads to more funding for independent pictures. Sure I have some Bergman and Fellini, but I will not deny owning Boiler Room, How High, or My Big Fat Greek Wedding. There is a lot of enjoyment for some people in those pictures and I, nor do I think anyone else here, would deny it. (Well maybe MBFGK, but anyways) All we're doing is talking about how we enjoy foreign, arthouse, etc. pictures as well. We're not looking for a pat on the back from anyone except the people that this thread is intended for if anyone would care to read the title...

Thanks....that was the very point I was trying to make in more eloquent language than I could muster.

When a aficionado of one "artform" becomes a snob by only believing that others must respect and/or adhere to some "classic" as if it was the end all be all to "knowing" the artform, then that's what tends to turn a lot of people off.

Me, I'm just a DVD aficionado...I collect DVDs. Just as I did with VHS back in the day. I guess my DVD collecting kinda reflects the way I collected VHS. How? Well, IIRC, the only readily available VHS that were available to buy were mostly mainstream titles. The so-called "classics" were usually relegated to the back aisles of rental stores. And considering that I very rarely rented, the last things I would rent were some old "classics".

So when DVD came along, er when I started collecting DVDs, my collecting habit pretty much stayed the same. I buy mostly mainstream titles, and relatively new titles. The only older titles I buy are typically Westerns or war films. Has the DVD format gotten me to buy titles that I'd ordinarily not buy on VHS? Yes. But typically, they have been TV shows, or some asian foreign language films that now have an available English track.

Secondly, I buy DVDs of titles that will entertain me...not school me on the benefits of reveling in cinematic greatness. Are some of my titles, "great ones"? Sure. Are some guilty pleasures? A few. Are some just mindless action flicks? You betcha! Are some chick flicks? HELL NO!!! Sorry, deadlax, but "13 going on 30" will not be found in my house, ever.

I bet you watch a movie per night on the Sundance Channel too, huh?

If my freaking cable provider offered it, I most certainly would . I usually check out TCM, Bravo and AMC, but more often just watch something I own. Which unfortunately for money's sake, usually leads me to a local b&m to buy yet some more.

You seem to be forgetting the New Kids on the Block!




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Whoops, that's the one I meant to say, when I said the Back Street Boys. Eh? Those boy bands all look the same to me.

Oh...oh...oh...oho....oh....oh...oho....the right stuff...

Im a 17 year old high school senior, and I spend almost all my money on books like "perks of being a wallflower," "the virgin suicides," and "rules of attractions" and on TV DVD's like "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Gilmore Girls," and "Sex and the City" and my friends are always making fun me, calling me the pop culture freak (i can answer any question they have about that)... but today I got back at them all... they all have 3.8/4.0 GPAs and none of them got in the university we all applied to as "strech school" (UC Berkly) well, today i got my acceptance letter (and my gpa is 3.2), but I wrote one of my essays on pop culture and how I wan't to be a film historian. It was Awesome to see the looks on their faces.

The mail doesn't come on Sundays.

They made an exception for his acceptance letter. They knew how badly he wanted to rub it in his friends faces.