Previous Films of the Week / Discussion

Karl Hungus

First of all, we have the previous/discussion thread thread for a reason, just so this kind of thing could all be kept there. Secondly, if you read the charter with reguards to spamming/pointless threads, it's pretty clear what that means, and that this thread does not fall under those guidelines. This thread is not a list thread, but merely the first post provides a portal to all of the Films of the Week, having the functions of linking people to the threads on those films, and also providing a resource as to what films have already been chosen, thus avoiding a lot of repeat votes.

As well as that, if anyone is under the impression that the point of FotW is to recreate the imdb's top 250, or create any kind "Best of" or any variant on that theme, then they are clearly misunderstanding what the whole thing is about. It's been outlined before that this is merely highlighting a film that the posters are voting for, there is no order in which they are selected, and there is nothing saying one film is better than another. So is that cleared up?

Now, on to more grueling matters of how exactly the whole thing should be run... I'd tend to agree that it wouldn't be good for a moderator to choose the film each week. It would be one person's opinion, and frankly guys, I think you'd all get tired of yet another Kurosawa or Kitano or Miyazaki film picked week after week.

As for voting for films that would be on TV that week, it would be essentially duplicating the recommended films on TV thread, which is not something I see any point in. Yes, some of the threads can indeed be a circle-jerk, no argument there, but at the same time, any thread here has potential to be like that. How exactly do we determine which films are going to ellicit the most debate, and how do we choose accordingly?

The way things are now, there really aren't any pretentions as to what the Film of the Week represents, and if you want to take a look at this thread and think to yourself "Yes, this is a very fine list of films, I agree wholeheartedly with the choices" then you're free to do that, or you can just ignore it as something going on in the background, and contribute to all the other threads out there that pique your interest. Or you can simply take it at face value, and see that it is a film being voted for, not as the best, not to take part in any top list, but merely to be talked about.

Edit: I will say this though, if you want to spice things up, then don't expect for it to be completely re-jigged on your behest. You the voters have the power, and if you want to put your heads together and vote in something completely different, something to mix things up, then it falls to you to do so. Want Star Trek V in there? Go right ahead.

Dont be at yourself

As for voting for films that would be on TV that week, it would be essentially duplicating the recommended films on TV thread, which is not something I see any point in. Yes, some of the threads can indeed be a circle-jerk, no argument there, but at the same time, any thread here has potential to be like that. How exactly do we determine which films are going to ellicit the most debate, and how do we choose accordingly?

I think there is a fundamental misunderstanding as to what the FotW thread is about. Like yourself, I don't see it as an 'award', mainly a springboard for discussion. As such,I won't nominate a film just because it's good, but rather because I believe it will generate discussion. Looking at the previous films of the week, though, and it seems that most users simply want to re-create the IMDB Top 250.

There's no doubting Heat etc are great films, but they're not going to inspire full-blooded debate and argument. I'd nominate Norbit ahead of it.

Karl Hungus

NekkidBibleMan wrote: »

I think there is a fundamental misunderstanding as to what the FotW thread is about. Like yourself, I don't see it as an 'award', mainly a springboard for discussion. As such,I won't nominate a film just because it's good, but rather because I believe it will generate discussion. Looking at the previous films of the week, though, and it seems that most users simply want to re-create the IMDB Top 250.

There's no doubting Heat etc are great films, but they're not going to inspire full-blooded debate and argument. I'd nominate Norbit ahead of it.

While I don't disagree with you in general (Although the whole recreating the 250 thing is hardly a valid critisism, seeing as there are many films that have been voted for that are not on the 250), I don't think we can successfully determine which films are going to create debate... Take a look at Sin City, surely a film that many people didn't like, but the actual FotW thread probably had the least replies of all.

If you try and vote for something that will cause a stir, then I'll be behind you with my vote next week. Deal?

Dont be at yourself

Deal!

PWEI

Anybody know if we want to change our vote instead of posting a new reply how come we cant just edit our original post?

Karl Hungus

PWEI wrote: »

Anybody know if we want to change our vote instead of posting a new reply how come we cant just edit our original post?

I tend to discourage vote changing, so if you can no longer edit your original post (you can only edit for a day afterwards I think) then just leave it until next week.

PWEI

Karl Hungus wrote: »

I tend to discourage vote changing, so if you can no longer edit your original post (you can only edit for a day afterwards I think) then just leave it until next week.

OK,fair enough...

Jrad

Retr0gamer wrote: »

They are far and away the 2 best vietnam films.

Ah ba ba ba ba, lets not forget full metal jacket and Hamburger hill. Mafia and vietnam war films are the cream of the crop in my humbler!

Jrad

#2 - 12 Angry Men - Great film, wasnt expecting much but loved it
#21 - City of God (Cidade De Deus) - Absolute gold
#32 - The Terminator - Preferred the sequal
#33 - Requiem For A Dream - Ass to ass!
#35 - Apocalypse Now - Excellent, a must see
#37 - Goodfellas - I could watch this 20 times one after the other
#40 - The Godfather - Nothing needs to be said here
#43 - American Psycho - Sabrina, wash you V****a - Christian Bale is one of the best.

There you go, ye prob couldnt give a s**t but there it is anyway

grames_bond

well if you want a movie that is going to invoke discussion, and arguement, next week im going to vote for death proof!! it is either a love it or hate it movie and i loved it! and do think it should be FoTW, it has no chance this week so ill go for it next week!

Makaveli

But with the way things go in the voting the first runner-up is usually the one with the most push in the following week. Anchorman will win this week, and Empire Strikes Back will be going for third time lucky and will probably get it next week.

Galvasean

Makaveli wrote: »

But with the way things go in the voting the first runner-up is usually the one with the most push in the following week. Anchorman will win this week, and Empire Strikes Back will be going for third time lucky and will probably get it next week.

Yeah, there should probably be a month ban for films which come second. It might keep the fan boys at bay for a while.

Karl Hungus

Do people see an end to this?

Serious question, do people want to see this keeping up each week, or should there be an end in sight, such as when it reaches a certain number?

Wacker

I want to see it keep going anyway. Why end it? If it is on account of the hassle involved in counting votes, well I sympathize. I've done it a few times when trying to decide what deserved my vote more, and it was a pain in the ass. Why not deputize people to take over on a weekly basis? It might freshen things up a little too.

Karl Hungus

No, it's not much hassle. Just wondering if people think it should end.

Necronomicon

Karl Hungus wrote: »

Do people see an end to this?

Serious question, do people want to see this keeping up each week, or should there be an end in sight, such as when it reaches a certain number?

I don't see why it should end. I've definitely been introduced to some new movies by it. But maybe it could be categorized by year or something. I can't remember though, did it only start in the middle of last year sometime? Or else maybe categorize it by month. Just something to break it up, so that in a year's time we're not looking at a huge list without any breaks in it.

Just my 2c.

Bubs101

Maybe when it gets to number 100 or some other milestone have people vote in order of preference to determine the "best" film of the week. Give them a couple (10) of slots to fill as well so as to prevent there being a tie for 0 points with 75 films

johnny_ultimate

RECOUNT!

The Seventh Seal:
Ztoical
Johnny_ultimate
Karl Hungus
Fysh
Faceman
Pride fighter
Thusspakeblixa

Alien:
Pwei
Cerebralcortex
Bubs101
Galvasaen
Cozmic
kawaii

In the words of Tony Harrison: this is an outrage! Actually, Alien is a damn good film, but you know, just to be awkward

Karl Hungus

****.

Sorry man, you're right, I miscounted. Should I let Alien go on this week, or strip it of it's title?

Pigman II

Why not make the thread open to both films?

Wacker

I figure justice must be done, and The Seventh Seal be awarded the prize it should have had.

Pigman II

Karl Hungus wrote: »

No, it's not much hassle. Just wondering if people think it should end.

Yes, I think it should end. To me at least it all smacks a bit too much of "organised fun". Actually this whole forum is going that way come to think of it.

Karl Hungus

Pigman II wrote: »

Yes, I think it should end. To me at least it all smacks a bit too much of "organised fun". Actually this whole forum is going that way come to think of it.

I'm probably going to regret asking this, but... Could you elaborate?

BaZmO*

Karl Hungus wrote: »

No, it's not much hassle. Just wondering if people think it should end.

I think the biggest problem with FOTW is the people that keep on voting for the same film every week without fail. And then if the film does get in in they just post one or two lines like, "So glad it eventually got it. I love this film!!"

If the film is that good surely you have more than a one liner to express your joy or admiration.


I know nobody will go along with this but in the Alternative Music section (when it used to be moderated by John) the AOTW was always picked by the moderator, that way insuring that it was always a mixed bag of selections of old and new rather than a list of "classics" or a selection of films picked because people stuck with the same selections week in week out until they got in.

BlitzKrieg

did the mod picked the album at will out of the selection nominated by members?

BaZmO*

BlitzKrieg wrote: »

did the mod picked the album at will out of the selection nominated by members?

As far as I can remember it was just the mod that picked it but it has changed recently to a public vote system which imo doesn't seem to be working as well as the old way. As I've said before, it just turns into a "classics" list. No real room for debate when that happens.

BlitzKrieg

that might be a bit hard to do with films, It would require that Karl Hungus or Ixoy or someone would hunt down a film each week to first watch and then elect as film of the week.

Nothing against Karl or them, but it just seems alot of work and then issues like taste would be a big part because there would be certain films Karl would be more favourable of and others he would look down on and it will probably attract more calls of unfair modding or elitism if that favour was to become apparant in his choices.

BaZmO*

BlitzKrieg wrote: »

that might be a bit hard to do with films, It would require that Karl Hungus or Ixoy or someone would hunt down a film each week to first watch and then elect as film of the week.

But wouldn't being a moderator of a Film Forum mean that you watch a lot of Films anyway?

And I'm sure it wouldn't be beyond the Moderators to put a bit of balance in their selections.

BlitzKrieg wrote: »

Nothing against Karl or them, but it just seems alot of work and then issues like taste would be a big part because there would be certain films Karl would be more favourable of and others he would look down on and it will probably attract more calls of unfair modding or elitism if that favour was to become apparant in his choices.

That's why I was saying that it's not necessarily an idea that a lot of people are going to agree with but I guarantee it'd open up debate on the chosen FOTW more so than the current system.


Anyway, it was just an idea that I was throwing out there for discussion.

Galvasean

I just read over the list and I must say that it has a refreshing mix of many different kinds of film. I guess the system does work. Its only a bit of fun anyway.

Declan A Walsh

I think that the current arrangement for the Film of The Week thread is fine. I view it as a person recommending a film to watch every week. It does not imply it is necessarily the best film ever, although it might be. Maybe, if the thread was called "Your Film for This Week", there would be less arguments about its function. No, don't change it!

I know it can be annoying when individuals decide to try again the following week with their nomination (!), but it's only a bit of harmless fun.

Now, let me give you my view of the previous films of the week that I have seen in full or almost in full.

#2 - 12 Angry Men - great juryroom-based drama. Wonderful acting.

#4 - This Is Spinal Tap - certainly hits the target on parodying metal acts in particular, and is significant in trail-blazing a particular. I'm not sure if it could
be called a classic, though.

#7 - Pulp Fiction - a very confusing film (with all those flashbacks), but some wonderful acting and dialogue. Although, I'm always on two minds about that scene in the shop... you know the one!

#9 - One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest - Great direction, great story and great acting from a no. of people, including Jack Nicholson.

#14 - John Carpenter's The Thing - I just love it. Unintentionally funny perhaps, but John Carpenter creates a film which can be scary but satisfying at times.

#25 - Die Hard - good action film and escapsim. Wouldn't stay at home especially, but if I happen to put it on I'll stay with it!

#28 - Aliens - definetly scary at times and a rivitting story. Suffers from comparison with Alien.

#34 - The Shawshank Redemption - what can I say: such a sublime film from Frank Durabont. For me, it's the story and the pace that make it - very much down to the director. Special word for Morgan Freeman's contribution as actor and narrator - fantastic. One of my all-time favourite films.

#37 - Goodfellas -a bit of a classic Mafia film. Wonderful dialogue and storyline thanks to director Martin Scorsese. Joe Pesci is a revelation in it.

#39 - Casablanca - over-sentimental for me. The story could be good if it wasn't for the style of the film.

#40 - The Godfather - Great story, great screenplay. Brando and Pacino are just sublime.

#47 - The Usual Suspects - The suspense and dialogue are what make this film. Hats off to Bryan Singer on his directing. Good performances too.

#49 - Heat - Michael Mann's directing is just superb. You are rivetted to your seat by the storyline. De Nero and Pacino are fantastic in their roles. Another one of my all-time favourites.

#51 - Monty Python's Life Of Brian - Very funny film. The team all do their parts well. Terry Jones shows his mettle as a director.

#54 - Psycho - This is director Alfred Hitchcock at the top of his game. Wonderfully suspenseful film, with a fantastic performance by Anthony Perkins.

#57 - Alien - One of the first of its kind of horror movie - I think it was the gore element. Both scary and shocking in equal measures. Don't know if it has ever been surpassed in that genre.

#58 - Raiders Of The Lost Ark - enjoyable action escapist caper. No strain on the brain here!

#60 - American Beauty - A sublime film with much humour (black and otherwise), but also a very unsettling one, with some pathos and tragedy thrown in. Full marks to Sam Mendes as director and Kevin Spacey and Annette Benning in their performance.

#61 - Falling Down - Very enjoyable film. There are a lot of laughs in it, but it is quite dark too. Michael Douglas gives one of his best acting performances.