May 2011 Make-Your-Own Challenge Discussion Thread
#276
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Re: May 2011 Make-Your-Own Challenge Discussion Thread
I'm nearing the end of my available movie serials.
Looks like I'll either need to change themes or order a few from my "wish list" to finish the month. I'm looking at picking up 1 or more of these:
"Buck Rogers" (Top of the list and I've *never* seen the serial before)
"The Phantom"
"The Jungle Queen"
"The Lost City"
"Zombies of the Stratosphere" (3rd appearance of the "Rocket Suit" plus Leonard Nimoy as a Martian invader)
"The Green Hornet"/"The Green Hornet Strikes Again" (Big fan of the 60's series and I've never seen these)
Gotta decide tonight so whatever gets ordered will arrive in time.
Looks like I'll either need to change themes or order a few from my "wish list" to finish the month. I'm looking at picking up 1 or more of these:"Buck Rogers" (Top of the list and I've *never* seen the serial before)
"The Phantom"
"The Jungle Queen"
"The Lost City"
"Zombies of the Stratosphere" (3rd appearance of the "Rocket Suit" plus Leonard Nimoy as a Martian invader)
"The Green Hornet"/"The Green Hornet Strikes Again" (Big fan of the 60's series and I've never seen these)
Gotta decide tonight so whatever gets ordered will arrive in time.
They actually have a bunch of the ones you listed, if you want to watch them before buying better copies (The Phantom, The Green Hornet, The Green Hornet Strikes Again, Shadow of Chinatown).
#277
Re: May 2011 Make-Your-Own Challenge Discussion Thread
^Thanks for the reminder about archive.org! I tend to forget that site for older PD stuff. I'll be doing some "screening" on some of those I listed.
Didn't you comment earlier about how "bad" "The Clutching Hand" is?
Didn't you comment earlier about how "bad" "The Clutching Hand" is?
#279
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Re: May 2011 Make-Your-Own Challenge Discussion Thread
http://camelotbroadcasting.com/about/
The stuff you're looking at is on the top under suspense.
#280
Re: May 2011 Make-Your-Own Challenge Discussion Thread
And this site
http://camelotbroadcasting.com/about/
The stuff you're looking at is on the top under suspense.
http://camelotbroadcasting.com/about/
The stuff you're looking at is on the top under suspense.
#281
Re: May 2011 Make-Your-Own Challenge Discussion Thread
^Yeah, the more I look the more I lean toward "The Lost City" and "Zombies...".
Thanks for the link but I'll most likely go for the VCI version to get *much* better quality than a MC multi-pack (plus I already have most of what's on that particular set in other MC sets). Be aware that the Flash Gordon, "Radio Ranch", and "The Phantom Creeps" on that set are edited, movie length, versions of the respective serials.
I do *not* have "Shadow of Chinatown". It sounds interesting plus it's early Katzman with Lugosi. Sinester Cinema has a DVD-R version fairly cheap supposedly made from the only known 16mm print. I'm not crazy about DVD-R releases but the only other versions I've found are from MC and Alpha, both of which are on-again/off-again with quality of the prints used on the serials. Essentially, I use them if I want a farily cheap "screener" copy. If it turns out farily good (like those John Wayne and Zorro ones were) I'll generally not "upgrade". Since I liked "Drums of Fu Manchu" it looks like I'll need to add that one to my list.
I have this version of "The Phantom Creeps" ($2/Big Lots). It's not a very good copy and has a very large "bug" which appears frequently and for long periods. It was purchased mainly to see if I liked it. I do so I'll eventually get the VCI edition of that one as well.
I don't want to sound like a shill... but so far *every* serial I've purchased from VCI has had very good video and audio. Well worth the extra few $$ if you're a fan of the genre.
Thanks for the link but I'll most likely go for the VCI version to get *much* better quality than a MC multi-pack (plus I already have most of what's on that particular set in other MC sets). Be aware that the Flash Gordon, "Radio Ranch", and "The Phantom Creeps" on that set are edited, movie length, versions of the respective serials.
I do *not* have "Shadow of Chinatown". It sounds interesting plus it's early Katzman with Lugosi. Sinester Cinema has a DVD-R version fairly cheap supposedly made from the only known 16mm print. I'm not crazy about DVD-R releases but the only other versions I've found are from MC and Alpha, both of which are on-again/off-again with quality of the prints used on the serials. Essentially, I use them if I want a farily cheap "screener" copy. If it turns out farily good (like those John Wayne and Zorro ones were) I'll generally not "upgrade". Since I liked "Drums of Fu Manchu" it looks like I'll need to add that one to my list.
I have this version of "The Phantom Creeps" ($2/Big Lots). It's not a very good copy and has a very large "bug" which appears frequently and for long periods. It was purchased mainly to see if I liked it. I do so I'll eventually get the VCI edition of that one as well.
I don't want to sound like a shill... but so far *every* serial I've purchased from VCI has had very good video and audio. Well worth the extra few $$ if you're a fan of the genre.
I vote for "Buck Rogers" myself.
I was quite lucky in my serial purchases a few years ago (spring of 2002). I found a number of Republic Pictures VHS releases (two-tape sets) in stores before they all went out of print. Most have not come out on DVD. These included "SOS Coast Guard" (highly recommended), "Fighting Devil Dogs," "G-Men vs. the Black Dragon," "Jesse James Rides Again," and "The Adventures of Frank and Jesse James." The only Republic Pictures DVD release of a serial I have is "Captain Marvel," which looks absolutely stunning.
#282
Re: May 2011 Make-Your-Own Challenge Discussion Thread
I vote for "Buck Rogers" myself.
I was quite lucky in my serial purchases a few years ago (spring of 2002). I found a number of Republic Pictures VHS releases (two-tape sets) in stores before they all went out of print. Most have not come out on DVD. These included "SOS Coast Guard" (highly recommended), "Fighting Devil Dogs," "G-Men vs. the Black Dragon," "Jesse James Rides Again," and "The Adventures of Frank and Jesse James." The only Republic Pictures DVD release of a serial I have is "Captain Marvel," which looks absolutely stunning.
I was quite lucky in my serial purchases a few years ago (spring of 2002). I found a number of Republic Pictures VHS releases (two-tape sets) in stores before they all went out of print. Most have not come out on DVD. These included "SOS Coast Guard" (highly recommended), "Fighting Devil Dogs," "G-Men vs. the Black Dragon," "Jesse James Rides Again," and "The Adventures of Frank and Jesse James." The only Republic Pictures DVD release of a serial I have is "Captain Marvel," which looks absolutely stunning.
#283
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Re: May 2011 Make-Your-Own Challenge Discussion Thread
And now it's just sad... I posted about finding that site way back in #110 on May 1st and commented on how they have "The Clutching Hand" available... and I completely forgot about it - plus it, along with archive.org, is bookmarked in my PD films folder! Talk about your basic brain-fart...


I just finished House of the Devil and this is my only mini-review for the entire challenge. I found it overrated and glad I never did a blind buy on it. I know it's trying to be an 80s movie but they don't have to keep throwing it in your face more than actual movies from the 80s ever did.
And the end with
Spoiler:
Even with the issues throughout the film, it was still worth watching at least once.
#284
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Re: May 2011 Make-Your-Own Challenge Discussion Thread
So I just got done watching Rasputin and the Empress from 1932 TiVoed off of Turner Classic Movies. Due to a lawsuit about this movie that made future movies have the disclaimer of "This motion picture is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental."
#286
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Re: May 2011 Make-Your-Own Challenge Discussion Thread
My power converter shut down my whole system for undervoltage or overvoltage. So I couldn't watch anything yesterday and have to call the electrician today.
#287
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#288
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Re: May 2011 Make-Your-Own Challenge Discussion Thread
Well, without about a week left I'd say I've made pretty great progress on my challenge:
10 Seasons of The Simpsons + 5 Volumes of Futurama + 4 Futurama Movies + A Few Miscellaneous Episodes of The Simpsons and Futurama

I dunno if I can finish four more seasons, a movie, and the Tracy Ullman Shorts, but I'll give it a go.
10 Seasons of The Simpsons + 5 Volumes of Futurama + 4 Futurama Movies + A Few Miscellaneous Episodes of The Simpsons and Futurama

I dunno if I can finish four more seasons, a movie, and the Tracy Ullman Shorts, but I'll give it a go.
#289
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Re: May 2011 Make-Your-Own Challenge Discussion Thread
#290
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Re: May 2011 Make-Your-Own Challenge Discussion Thread
I'm jumping in real late but I've got a bunch of foreign movies I've been meaning to watch. Started with the good the bad the weird and I saw the devil. Both awesome films. After a break I just finished watching La Horde and man I should have stuck to Korean pictures because that movie sucked hard.
#291
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DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: May 2011 Make-Your-Own Challenge Discussion Thread
I'm jumping in real late but I've got a bunch of foreign movies I've been meaning to watch. Started with the good the bad the weird and I saw the devil. Both awesome films. After a break I just finished watching La Horde and man I should have stuck to Korean pictures because that movie sucked hard.
And for the people who claimed a spot in the List Thread but haven't listed anything yet, it's not too late to start.
#292
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Re: May 2011 Make-Your-Own Challenge Discussion Thread
I was wondering if you were going to come back. Make sure to post your list in the List Thread so I'll remember to add you in for the drawing for free stuff from HamiltonBook.com.
And for the people who claimed a spot in the List Thread but haven't listed anything yet, it's not too late to start.
And for the people who claimed a spot in the List Thread but haven't listed anything yet, it's not too late to start.
#293
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Re: May 2011 Make-Your-Own Challenge Discussion Thread
I guess I will make my challenge (watch 50 from my unwatched movie pile) but I ended up purchasing 62 titles this month so my net is still not good!
#294
Re: May 2011 Make-Your-Own Challenge Discussion Thread
^
Sounds like many of my months... 
I just finished "Captain Marvel" and the postman delivered:
"Zombies of the Stratosphere"
"The Lost City"
So I'll have some to watch over the weekend without resorting to streaming. I *hate* sitting in front of the computer to watch films, plus that's what the TV's for. I'd dl and burn 'em to DVD were it not for all the drives are too full for such a project and I'm feeling too lazy to clean 'em off at the moment!
Sounds like many of my months... 
I just finished "Captain Marvel" and the postman delivered:
"Zombies of the Stratosphere"
"The Lost City"
So I'll have some to watch over the weekend without resorting to streaming. I *hate* sitting in front of the computer to watch films, plus that's what the TV's for. I'd dl and burn 'em to DVD were it not for all the drives are too full for such a project and I'm feeling too lazy to clean 'em off at the moment!
#295
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Re: May 2011 Make-Your-Own Challenge Discussion Thread

I can't believe I did it, but I managed to watch every episode and movie of both The Simpsons and Futurama available on DVD, plus some broadcast episodes of The Simpsons.
One thing is bothering me though, lol. According to my tallying, I reached 107.5 entries; this equates to 323 and 87 episodes of The Simpsons and Futurama, respectively, and 5 movies OR 215 Television Hours (
). However, when I checked episode lists on Wikipedia, it says I only watched 322 episodes of The Simpsons, and everything else stays the same. The problem is, that makes it 107.25 Entries, which is contrary to my final count. It's a minor discrepency, but it's annoying me because I can't figure out which episode I left out in my Queue (I think it must have been just a random episode I caught on TV).But anyway, I watched Seasons 1-13 and 20 of The Simpsons and The Movie; I also watched a few random episodes from the 14th and 15th Seasons that were on Christmas With The Simpsons 2 and Kiss And Tell: The Story Of Their Love; and a few episodes from the 22nd Season during their on-air broadcasts. As for Futurama, I watched everything, including the Special Hypnotoad and Video Game Episodes.
All in all, I've enjoyed the challenge a lot. It was great to revisit two of my favorite shows and see how they both changed over time. While a decline in quality is definitely noticeable for The Simpsons, even the not-so-good seasons did have some good episodes, and the most recent seasons show marked signs of improvement. It's just too bad Season 14 hasn't been released on DVD yet so I could've included it at the end.
That said, I'm really looking forward to watching non-Matt Groening stuff now, lol. It's not that I got tired of watching The Simpsons or Futurama, but there have been other things I wanted to watch and put off because of the Challenge. Anyway, it was a fun Challenge and I enjoyed seeing what other people accomplished during it. Hope everyone finishes their goals before the month is over, I know I'm glad (and surprised) I did.
#296
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Re: May 2011 Make-Your-Own Challenge Discussion Thread
Nice job, kstublen
#297
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Re: May 2011 Make-Your-Own Challenge Discussion Thread
Agreed! Very impressive kstublen. Reminds me of the old me. 
I think I did 20 of my "short seasons", all 6-10 episodes iirc, so maybe 140 episodes total; or about a third of what you watched.
I did Futurama last year for one of the Challenges (Animation?) and loved it all, especially the Hypnotoad episode!
And great job on that pic!

I think I did 20 of my "short seasons", all 6-10 episodes iirc, so maybe 140 episodes total; or about a third of what you watched.
I did Futurama last year for one of the Challenges (Animation?) and loved it all, especially the Hypnotoad episode!
And great job on that pic!
#298
Re: May 2011 Make-Your-Own Challenge Discussion Thread
Finished my comedy movies A to Z, so this weekend I'm just watching movies I had to passover. Stuff like This is Spinal Tap, Raising Arizona, Liar Liar, and Office Space.
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Re: May 2011 Make-Your-Own Challenge Discussion Thread
#300
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