Comments, Suggestions & Feedback for the 2009 "October Horror Movie Challenge"...
#2
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Had a blast. Didn't have to spin-kick any relatives. All I needed was FOUR more. Lookin' back on it, that's the only thing that sucked about it.
Well, other than the Funny Games remake. Oh, and Zombies! Zombies! Zombies!
Well, other than the Funny Games remake. Oh, and Zombies! Zombies! Zombies!
#4
Challenge Guru & Comic Nerd
I'm thinking that perhaps we won't need the 31 films subset next year. I obviously liked the idea, but very few people participated. It looks like maybe only a dozen or so of us watched more than a handful of the list, and only about 6 people actively participated in the thread.
I feel that if done, it needs to be in a separate thread, for spoiler reasons, but if only a few people are going to participate maybe it isn't worth the trouble.
Maybe I'm wrong and there are a dozen or more lurkers who liked the discussion, but I doubt that.
I feel that if done, it needs to be in a separate thread, for spoiler reasons, but if only a few people are going to participate maybe it isn't worth the trouble.
Maybe I'm wrong and there are a dozen or more lurkers who liked the discussion, but I doubt that.
#5
DVD Talk Gold Edition
I'm thinking that perhaps we won't need the 31 films subset next year. I obviously liked the idea, but very few people participated. It looks like maybe only a dozen or so of us watched more than a handful of the list, and only about 6 people actively participated in the thread.
I feel that if done, it needs to be in a separate thread, for spoiler reasons, but if only a few people are going to participate maybe it isn't worth the trouble.
Maybe I'm wrong and there are a dozen or more lurkers who liked the discussion, but I doubt that.
I feel that if done, it needs to be in a separate thread, for spoiler reasons, but if only a few people are going to participate maybe it isn't worth the trouble.
Maybe I'm wrong and there are a dozen or more lurkers who liked the discussion, but I doubt that.
I thought the discussion was great, and definitely was a lot more in-depth than could be had by talking about "random" movies in the other thread.
Perhaps more of the subset could be chosen by the DVDTalk members next year. That would, in theory, spawn more discussion. However, it was disappointing that some of the people who picked the movies didn't post anything about the movie they chose.
I'd say it's definitely worth trying again next year.
#6
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I personally liked the 31 movies idea. I even went out and bought the movies I didn't have so I could watch them (I even bought "The Shining" which is amazing considering how much I LOVE that movie).
The only reason I didn't post in the discussion more was that I got so sick that eventually when it became clear I wasn't going to be watching many movies at all, I restricted my viewing to movies that happened to come on the movie channels while I was flipping around on the few days I was up to watching movies at all (that's why my list was so weird this year with so many off the wall titles like the abysmal "Monster Arc" and "Rottweiler"). I still tried to participate in the thread when we were discussing movies I'd seen (and of course when it came time to discuss te movie I chose). Like Numes, I think the discussion was good and I think it would be worth trying again this year.

#7
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I think the problem with the 31 subset is if you're going to specify which movies to watch on a certain day, you're assuming everyone has the film (or has it readily available on that day). But if they don't, they just have to hope it's available to rent on that specific day. And if they're like me, many people don't want to (or can't afford to) make blind buys just to participate.
Not a criticism, just an explanation of why some (myself included) may not have participated.
Not a criticism, just an explanation of why some (myself included) may not have participated.
Last edited by cinemaphile; 11-10-08 at 10:34 AM.
#8
DVD Talk Limited Edition
No offense, but I hope next year, more people use spoiler tags for their checklist. Maybe it's just because I don't use the checklist, but it got to be a pain having to scroll through them. At one point, I had to hit 'Page Down' four times to scroll through someone's list... and they'd only watched one movie.
Rob
Rob
#9
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
I think the problem with the 31 subset is if you're going to specify which movies to watch on a certain day, you're assuming everyone has the film (or has it readily available on that day). But if they don't, they just have to hope it's available to rent on that specific day. And if they're like me, many people don't want to (or can't afford to) make blind buys just to participate.
Not a criticism, just an explanation of why some (myself included) may not have participated.
Not a criticism, just an explanation of why some (myself included) may not have participated.
#10
Challenge Guru & Comic Nerd
No offense, but I hope next year, more people use spoiler tags for their checklist. Maybe it's just because I don't use the checklist, but it got to be a pain having to scroll through them. At one point, I had to hit 'Page Down' four times to scroll through someone's list... and they'd only watched one movie.
Rob
Rob

I think the problem with the 31 subset is if you're going to specify which movies to watch on a certain day, you're assuming everyone has the film (or has it readily available on that day). But if they don't, they just have to hope it's available to rent on that specific day. And if they're like me, many people don't want to (or can't afford to) make blind buys just to participate.
Not a criticism, just an explanation of why some (myself included) may not have participated.
Not a criticism, just an explanation of why some (myself included) may not have participated.
Perhaps more of the subset could be chosen by the DVDTalk members next year. That would, in theory, spawn more discussion. However, it was disappointing that some of the people who picked the movies didn't post anything about the movie they chose.
I'd say it's definitely worth trying again next year.
I'd say it's definitely worth trying again next year.
Another idea would be to have genre nights instead of specific film nights. Each of the following could be a night: a vampire film, zombie, Frankenstein, Giallo, silent, holiday, outer space, Stephen King, Bava, Fulci, werewolf, aliens, killer animals, serial killer, etc.
It should encourage more discussion. For example, on the Frankenstein night we had, it was limited to the classic original. Many people may not have it, may not like older movies, dislike that particular film (blasphemy), or had seen it recently and not want to watch it again. But they may have other Frankenstein-ish films that they want to watch, like the Re-animator films for example. More people would watch a film, so more would post, and therefore more conversations, which was/is the ultimate goal.
#11
Moderator
Agreed. Whoever came up with that idea deserves a
, was it Dick L? Way too many people included the checklist but then didn't even use it. Chad, on that cool separate box thing that you do with some of your posts, can you include the forum code to make it all spoiler? I'm lazy and haven't figured out that formatting thing you guys do...
Good points. We tried to pick films that many people would already have in their collection, or were easily attainable. One thing I did, perhaps not entirely kosher, was to rent all the ones that I didn't own as soon as we set the lineup, and create my own Divx versions of them, tossing after viewing.
Yep, but remember that part of the point is to get us to try new things.
Agreed. More early participation and choosing may get more participation.
Another idea would be to have genre nights instead of specific film nights. Each of the following could be a night: a vampire film, zombie, Frankenstein, Giallo, silent, holiday, outer space, Stephen King, Bava, Fulci, werewolf, aliens, killer animals, serial killer, etc.
It should encourage more discussion. For example, on the Frankenstein night we had, it was limited to the classic original. Many people may not have it, may not like older movies, dislike that particular film (blasphemy), or had seen it recently and not want to watch it again. But they may have other Frankenstein-ish films that they want to watch, like the Re-animator films for example. More people would watch a film, so more would post, and therefore more conversations, which was/is the ultimate goal.

Good points. We tried to pick films that many people would already have in their collection, or were easily attainable. One thing I did, perhaps not entirely kosher, was to rent all the ones that I didn't own as soon as we set the lineup, and create my own Divx versions of them, tossing after viewing.
Yep, but remember that part of the point is to get us to try new things.
Agreed. More early participation and choosing may get more participation.
Another idea would be to have genre nights instead of specific film nights. Each of the following could be a night: a vampire film, zombie, Frankenstein, Giallo, silent, holiday, outer space, Stephen King, Bava, Fulci, werewolf, aliens, killer animals, serial killer, etc.
It should encourage more discussion. For example, on the Frankenstein night we had, it was limited to the classic original. Many people may not have it, may not like older movies, dislike that particular film (blasphemy), or had seen it recently and not want to watch it again. But they may have other Frankenstein-ish films that they want to watch, like the Re-animator films for example. More people would watch a film, so more would post, and therefore more conversations, which was/is the ultimate goal.
#12
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Another idea would be to have genre nights instead of specific film nights. Each of the following could be a night: a vampire film, zombie, Frankenstein, Giallo, silent, holiday, outer space, Stephen King, Bava, Fulci, werewolf, aliens, killer animals, serial killer, etc.
It should encourage more discussion. For example, on the Frankenstein night we had, it was limited to the classic original. Many people may not have it, may not like older movies, dislike that particular film (blasphemy), or had seen it recently and not want to watch it again. But they may have other Frankenstein-ish films that they want to watch, like the Re-animator films for example. More people would watch a film, so more would post, and therefore more conversations, which was/is the ultimate goal.
It should encourage more discussion. For example, on the Frankenstein night we had, it was limited to the classic original. Many people may not have it, may not like older movies, dislike that particular film (blasphemy), or had seen it recently and not want to watch it again. But they may have other Frankenstein-ish films that they want to watch, like the Re-animator films for example. More people would watch a film, so more would post, and therefore more conversations, which was/is the ultimate goal.
...or perhaps a "featured" film pick, but then the alternative would be the related genre.
For example, Day 1 could be "Nosferatu"/Vampire films, Day 5: "Night of the Living Dead"/zombie films, etc.
(*genres could always repeat, like if you have both Nosferatu and Dracula on the list)
Last edited by cinemaphile; 11-10-08 at 11:22 AM.
#13
Challenge Guru & Comic Nerd
A STELLAR idea!! This might encourage more discussion than a single film (though people could still discuss particular films). Plus, the added benefit is the discussion might give us ideas for additional films to view for the overall challenge.
...or perhaps a "featured" film pick, but then the alternative would be the related genre. For example, Day 1 could be "Nosferatu"/Vampire films, Day 5: "Night of the Living Dead"/zombie films
(genres could always repeat, like if you have both Nosferatu and Dracula on the list)
...or perhaps a "featured" film pick, but then the alternative would be the related genre. For example, Day 1 could be "Nosferatu"/Vampire films, Day 5: "Night of the Living Dead"/zombie films
(genres could always repeat, like if you have both Nosferatu and Dracula on the list)
And yes, I was already working on that "featured"/alternate formatting in my mind. Perhaps we could even have a list of off-the-wall alternates, titles that you may not think of as a "whatever" film, but do meet the criteria. Had a couple specific examples in mind, but they slipped it.
#14
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Sorry, I wasn't around 
Joined in summer as a Bargain forum watcher, and only recently started joining in the rest of the forums.
Another opportunity to promote discussion. Once the 31 days list is posted, people could make recommendations and suggestions.

Joined in summer as a Bargain forum watcher, and only recently started joining in the rest of the forums.
Perhaps we could even have a list of off-the-wall alternates, titles that you may not think of as a "whatever" film, but do meet the criteria.
Last edited by cinemaphile; 11-10-08 at 11:29 AM.
#15
Challenge Guru & Comic Nerd
I was a bargain forum only user for most of my first 5 or so years here.
#16
DVD Talk Gold Edition
I'll second this opinion. Aside from wanting to include TV shows/specials etc (and I'm in the minority anyway so it's a "moo" point), I like the challenge just the way it is.
As for the 31 Films Subset, I would have participated more had I actually been less busy and able to watch more movies (I counted a whopping 13, including the 6 Wild Cards). I was actually one of the first to suggest the 31 Films Subset so I'd hate to see it go away.
Maybe we could take a poll next year (closer to the start of the challenge) to see how many people plan on participating and whether or not it should have it's own thread. I agree with Trevor that if next year's will have the same amount of participation as this year's, then it should just be included in the regular discussion thread.
As for the availability of the films for the subset, there were only about 3 that I was not able to find and had I looked harder, I probably would have. I got most of the one's that I didn't own from the library. Many had to be "inter-libraried" from other Illinois libraries, but the list was posted early enough that I was able to get most of them. Of course, as you can see from my list... I didn't watch many of them.
But I had all intentions of doing so. I still plan to watch the ones I have never seen eventually. Maybe I'll even dig up the old thread and post my thoughts. 
Finally, I'm all for the "genre" days as well. This will allow some flexibility and probably expand the discussion a bit.
Anyway, that's my 2 cents.
As for the 31 Films Subset, I would have participated more had I actually been less busy and able to watch more movies (I counted a whopping 13, including the 6 Wild Cards). I was actually one of the first to suggest the 31 Films Subset so I'd hate to see it go away.
Maybe we could take a poll next year (closer to the start of the challenge) to see how many people plan on participating and whether or not it should have it's own thread. I agree with Trevor that if next year's will have the same amount of participation as this year's, then it should just be included in the regular discussion thread.
As for the availability of the films for the subset, there were only about 3 that I was not able to find and had I looked harder, I probably would have. I got most of the one's that I didn't own from the library. Many had to be "inter-libraried" from other Illinois libraries, but the list was posted early enough that I was able to get most of them. Of course, as you can see from my list... I didn't watch many of them.


Finally, I'm all for the "genre" days as well. This will allow some flexibility and probably expand the discussion a bit.
Anyway, that's my 2 cents.
#17
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I came in late to the other thread, but it seems like the rules are solid. I wanted to participate, but that is another issue.
I think the 31 days subset was a good idea. Trevor hit it when he said picking films that most people "should" have. I also love the genre idea...I have a ton of stuff like that and I could easily get those as well. I am all for it.
Lastly a question. I read through the rules and something came up...what if you do have a horror movie that got the MST3K treatment and is only available that way, does it count? Or does it fall into the TV realm?
I think the 31 days subset was a good idea. Trevor hit it when he said picking films that most people "should" have. I also love the genre idea...I have a ton of stuff like that and I could easily get those as well. I am all for it.
Lastly a question. I read through the rules and something came up...what if you do have a horror movie that got the MST3K treatment and is only available that way, does it count? Or does it fall into the TV realm?
#18
DVD Talk Gold Edition
I like the idea of the 31 days subset. I just didn't have access to a lot of the movies. I was also afraid to go in the thread for the days I had the movie out of fear of seeing spoilers for movies from previous days where discussion was still ongoing.
#19
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Like you, I only saw a handful of them, but was easily able to differentiate the posts without having to worry about spoilers.
#20
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My problem with the 31 film subset, and I know I'm probably alone with this, but most of the movies I DID end up watching, but spread throughout the month no where near the day it was scheduled.
Like I watched the Exorcist at 10:00 on Halloween night, like usual, instead of earlier in the month.. and I always intended too. Most of the films I watched were pretty much off the cuff. I took 4 DVD's, all of different types, and would pick based on which I haven't seen in a while, which seemed more fun, etc.
On top of that, I didn't feel like going on and on about let's say "The Shining" when everyone else watched it, and wrote their reviews, what would be at that time 4 pages earlier..
Don't know if that made sense, or not.
Like I watched the Exorcist at 10:00 on Halloween night, like usual, instead of earlier in the month.. and I always intended too. Most of the films I watched were pretty much off the cuff. I took 4 DVD's, all of different types, and would pick based on which I haven't seen in a while, which seemed more fun, etc.
On top of that, I didn't feel like going on and on about let's say "The Shining" when everyone else watched it, and wrote their reviews, what would be at that time 4 pages earlier..
Don't know if that made sense, or not.
#21
DVD Talk Gold Edition
It made sense, but I wouldn't worry about posting something about a movie just because it was discussed previously. It's not like you're bumping a thread from 2 years ago.
#22
DVD Talk Gold Edition
I think the point of the "subset" was to discuss the movies on a certain day whether you watched that movie on that day or not. So if you watched "The Shining" on 10/1, but we weren't discussing it until 10/15 (just making up dates here), you didn't have to re-watch it. The dates were just to give people time to watch the movies. Like "Shadow of the Vampire" was for 10/2, but I didn't watch it until over a week later. I then chimed in with my opinion at that time. Of course, nobody had any reply so maybe you have a valid point here

#23
Challenge Guru & Comic Nerd
But yeah, the whole point was to try to watch it on that day, or to at least discuss it on that day. More to encourage discussion, but also a sort of shared movie-night experience was the goal.
By the way, anyone else do all 31? I went early on 1 of them (for my checklist race), but otherwise did all 31 on the right days.
#24
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
OK, the problems I have with some of the suggestions for changing the 31 Films subset.
The genre idea is too similar to the other checklist that many people are already doing. Plus, I don't think it would inspire more discussion. It might even cause less. And I don't think the discussion would be as in depth. With multiple people watching the same movie, there is more room for discussion/debate/interpretation. Otherwise, it would just be people saying, "I watched this and it was good." Or spoiler tags all over the place.
And I guess that dovetails pretty well into my issue with putting 31 days discussion into the general thread. It would discourage some of the in depth discussion we had for fear of spoilers. For the most part, the general thread stuck with very general discussion about some films, some recommendations and talk specifically about the contest.
#25
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The genre idea is too similar to the other checklist that many people are already doing. Plus, I don't think it would inspire more discussion. It might even cause less. And I don't think the discussion would be as in depth. With multiple people watching the same movie, there is more room for discussion/debate/interpretation. Otherwise, it would just be people saying, "I watched this and it was good." Or spoiler tags all over the place.
And I guess that dovetails pretty well into my issue with putting 31 days discussion into the general thread. It would discourage some of the in depth discussion we had for fear of spoilers. For the most part, the general thread stuck with very general discussion about some films, some recommendations and talk specifically about the contest.
And I guess that dovetails pretty well into my issue with putting 31 days discussion into the general thread. It would discourage some of the in depth discussion we had for fear of spoilers. For the most part, the general thread stuck with very general discussion about some films, some recommendations and talk specifically about the contest.
Personally, I would have liked more discussion on the 31 films, and I'll try to get my cancer in line so I can participate more next year, but I really liked the detailed (albeit limited) discussions we had this year. I think it was worth having the subset for the few really good conversations I had and the cool comments and reviews I got to read from others, and I wouldn't want to muck that up too much next year and miss out on the cool, in-depth discussions we had this year. If we do the 31 days again I think it's wroth trying things the way we had them this year (even though I crapped out on the challenge and won't get to pick a movie next year).
