What is happening to this forum?

norrie rugger

Of late, there have been loads of threads around "List your Best/Worst"
FFS we even have a Lapdancing one now

These listings are generally just that, lists. I would love if for every movie you "list" you had to give a proper reason for your choice, against similar movies.

It just seems pointless and boring, to me, to have dozens of people just throwing up random movies/scenes etc

keefg

norrie rugger wrote: »

Of late, there have been loads of threads around "List your Best/Worst"
FFS we even have a Lapdancing one now

These listings are generally just that, lists. I would love if for every movie you "list" you had to give a proper reason for your choice, against similar movies.

It just seems pointless and boring, to me, to have dozens of people just throwing up random movies/scenes etc

Hear Hear.

My Hungus used to work hard trying to prevent these "list your" type posts but they have been allowed now.

Favourite lists are OK in moderation (and if they are relevant to the current film market) but as you say this forum has just become overrun with them lately and they're not much fun to read.

Some of them are just plain stupid.

Basq

Bring it to Feedback FFS... what good is this thread here either?! :rolleyes:

A forum is only as good as it's users and ye all SUCK!

Handsome Bob

norrie rugger wrote: »

Of late, there have been loads of threads around "List your Best/Worst"
FFS we even have a Lapdancing one now

These listings are generally just that, lists. I would love if for every movie you "list" you had to give a proper reason for your choice, against similar movies.

It just seems pointless and boring, to me, to have dozens of people just throwing up random movies/scenes etc

Why don't you grab the bull by the horns and lead by example eh? It's no use complaining about something if you are not willing to actively implement solutions.

I have tried myself to create threads. I created one the other day on A Perfect Getaway and started with a strong enough OP to get discussion going. However people were either not interested or haven't seen the film.

I also tend to create Trailer or Teaser threads in order to get hype and discussion going for films but these threads are lucky to get past a page. On an American forum that I'm part of there are huge threads on every upcoming film under the sun with discussion ranging from average to excellent. It just seems that on here we don't feel the same excitement for upcoming films.

purple_hatstand

LZ5by5 wrote: »

Why don't you grab the bull by the horns and lead by example eh? It's no use complaining about something if you are not willing to actively implement solutions.

I have tried myself to create threads. I created one the other day on A Perfect Getaway and started with a strong enough OP to get discussion going. However people were either not interested or haven't seen the film.

I also tend to create Trailer or Teaser threads in order to get hype and discussion going for films but these threads are lucky to get past a page. On an American forum that I'm part of there are huge threads on every upcoming film under the sun with discussion ranging from average to excellent. It just seems that on here we don't feel the same excitement for upcoming films.

There are approx. 300million people in America.

I agree with you completely. Ignore the 'crappy' threads and start 'good' ones.

Handsome Bob

purple_hatstand wrote: »

There are approx. 300million people in America.

I agree with you completely. Ignore the 'crappy' threads and start 'good' ones.

Yeah but this isn't the "Boards" of America, it's a forum with a specific talking point (superhero movies), but it also allows chat about movies in general. This forum has a membership total of 19,459, in comparison to boards' 254,479.

norrie rugger

basquille wrote: »

Bring it to Feedback FFS... what good is this thread here either?! :rolleyes:

A forum is only as good as it's users and ye all SUCK!

Not in feedback as I am asking the users of this forum and not users of other fora. You know, those types.... After Hours etc. Shudder

Handsome Bob

Maybe a few creative games would help? The likes of Pro Wrestling and The Noc Forum have implemented good ideas which has engaged the posters in some good discussion.

quarryman

That reminds me, i need to start a "What's your favorite list?" thread...

Necronomicon

LZ5by5 wrote: »

Maybe a few creative games would help? The likes of Pro Wrestling and The Noc Forum have implemented good ideas which has engaged the posters in some good discussion.

I like this idea. It's a real shame that a few people took Film of the Week way too seriously and spoiled it. But ideas like that, the draft competitions in Soccer and Pro Wrestling, and more recently the idea started by Mr. E (I think) in Games where regular users are asked questions are all good ways of increasing interest in a forum. Actually I think that last example would work well here.

banshee_bones

LZ5by5 wrote: »

Maybe a few creative games would help? The likes of Pro Wrestling and The Noc Forum have implemented good ideas which has engaged the posters in some good discussion.

Do you mean the "In the well" Threads where posters ask questions (relevant to the forum!)of people who have volunteered to answer them?

Handsome Bob

Necronomicon wrote: »

I like this idea. It's a real shame that a few people took Film of the Week way too seriously and spoiled it. But ideas like that, the draft competitions in Soccer and Pro Wrestling, and more recently the idea started by Mr. E (I think) in Games where regular users are asked questions are all good ways of increasing interest in a forum. Actually I think that last example would work well here.

I'm not familiar with that one. How does it work? Would it be like putting posters on the spot asking questions about movies in general?

Necronomicon

LZ5by5 wrote: »

I'm not familiar with that one. How does it work? Would it be like putting posters on the spot asking questions about movies in general?

A person is picked to answer questions (about games in that case obviously) by other users in an almost interview-like format. Then that person picks the next person, and so on.

Edit: Example - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055658737

Handsome Bob

banshee_bones wrote: »

Do you mean the "In the well" Threads where posters ask questions (relevant to the forum!)of people who have volunteered to answer them?

Not really. Take Pro Wrestling for example and what they are doing right now. Two wrestlers are chosen, a poll is put up, and posters engage in discussion about who they think was better. This is a crude example, but in this forum you could put Schwarzenegger up against Stallone and you could discuss who was "the" action star.

In the Noc Forum I (and Doctor DooM) created tournaments where fictional characters were put against each other, and the posters engaged in discussion over who was better, and why.

Stuff like that.

banshee_bones

LZ5by5 wrote: »

Not really. Take Pro Wrestling for example and what they are doing right now. Two wrestlers are chosen, a poll is put up, and posters engage in discussion about who they think was better. This is a crude example, but in this forum you could put Schwarzenegger up against Stallone and you could discuss who was "the" action star.

In the Noc Forum I (and Doctor DooM) created tournaments where fictional characters were put against each other, and the posters engaged in discussion over who was better, and why.

Stuff like that.

AAaaahhhhh! Sounds good! i like it!

davenewt

norrie rugger wrote: »

It just seems pointless and boring, to me, to have dozens of people just throwing up random movies/scenes etc

I'd disagree to a certain extent. There's a few films I intend to watch now after seeing other people list them as amongst their favourites... might broaden my horizons, you never know!

I'm not saying "let's have more list threads!" but they can be interesting, and sometimes more useful as a source of recommendations when they aren't full of lengthy critique posts.

Depends what you want to get out of the forum/threads I guess. You don't have to read them if they're not your cup of tea.

Handsome Bob

Necronomicon wrote: »

A person is picked to answer questions (about games in that case obviously) by other users in an almost interview-like format. Then that person picks the next person, and so on.

Edit: Example - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055658737

Ah right, that sounds pretty sweet. I like it because it has a specific topic, which makes it different from your typical "In The Well" threads (that's not to say I'm dissing those threads, it's just sometimes people can be reluctant to answer personal questions about themselves).

banshee_bones wrote: »

AAaaahhhhh! Sounds good! i like it!

The key is to make as a rule that you have to give a reason for your answer. Otherwise it will just descend into a one word post farce.

MikeC101

For what it's worth, the "list" threads are starting to become irritating to me - filled as they are with "*movie* is shoite" posts with nothing more to them

But equally a lot of the posts I get the most out of in terms of introducing me to movies I've not heard of, or influencing me in whether to see a movie - LZ5by5, Darko, Karl Hungus, nedtheshed spring to mind as posters I most frequently see posts by that would introduce me to something I wouldn't otherwise have heard of - I won't always have anything to add to them, as I've not seen the movie - though I will often be inspired to go and track the movie down based on their reviews.

I can see how it might feel pointless to continue making posts that don't get a huge response, and I'm as guilty as anyone by not bothering to make it known that the post was of interest to me, when in fact I greatly appreciate the effort put in by posters to offer extensive reviews of movies, especially foreign / genre stuff I might not otherwise have heard of.

norrie rugger

MikeC101 wrote: »

For what it's worth, the "list" threads are starting to become irritating to me - filled as they are with "*movie* is shoite" posts with nothing more to them

But equally a lot of the posts I get the most out of in terms of introducing me to movies I've not heard of, or influencing me in whether to see a movie - LZ5by5, Darko, Karl Hungus, nedtheshed spring to mind as posters I most frequently see posts by that would introduce me to something I wouldn't otherwise have heard of - I won't always have anything to add to them, as I've not seen the movie - though I will often be inspired to go and track the movie down based on their reviews.

I can see how it might feel pointless to continue making posts that don't get a huge response, and I'm as guilty as anyone by not bothering to make it known that the post was of interest to me, when in fact I greatly appreciate the effort put in by posters to offer extensive reviews of movies, especially foreign / genre stuff I might not otherwise have heard of.

This is it, I LIKE list threads. As long as the poster takes a moment to explain why they like the movie.

Just putting the name of the movie, tells me nothing. I know that I could go research the movie named but I always thought that the reason for the List, is that you could get a feel for the other persons tastes and opinions

Karl Hungus

Question. Would you like pointless list threads nipped in the bud again?

krudler

List threads are ok as long as theres explanations as to why said list is the best/worst whatever, theres plenty of decent discussions to be had if people would put in the effort instead of writing just the titles of the movies

Handsome Bob

Perhaps a rule could applied that one has to give a reason as to why they are choosing who is "list-worthy"? What I mean is that people can't just say "These are what I think are the best movies of all time";

1. The Godfather
2. Heat
3. American History X
4. Terminator 2

etc etc.......

Rather they would have to say "I think The Godfather is number 1, and here's why in my opinion....."

keefg

Karl Hungus wrote: »

Question. Would you like pointless list threads nipped in the bud again?

I personally don't mind list threads as long as they are relevant, eg. if a new Bond film has just been released and there is a "What's your fave Bond film" poll, then fair enough.

But the terrible random "What DVD's do you own?" type of threads are a waste of time.

Handsome Bob

keefg wrote: »

I personally don't mind list threads as long as they are relevant, eg. if a new Bond film has just been released and there is a "What's your fave Bond film" poll, then fair enough.

But the terrible random "What DVD's do you own?" type of threads are a waste of time.

People make those kind of threads? :eek: That's just trivial crap, however the likes of the "Best Scene Ever" threads have potential if people can engage in discussion.

][cEMAN**

Karl Hungus wrote: »

Question. Would you like pointless list threads nipped in the bud again?

If there were no point it would either receive no replies, or would go offtopic immediately.

If the replies are formed in response to the OP, then it kinda has a point doesn't it? Point reached by on topic response.

Now gimme back the feckin' lapdancing thread. It's informative, and entertaining!

Fysh

' wrote:

[cEMAN**;61824749']If there were no point it would either receive no replies, or would go offtopic immediately.

If the replies are formed in response to the OP, then it kinda has a point doesn't it? Point reached by on topic response.

Now gimme back the feckin' lapdancing thread. It's informative, and entertaining!

I respectfully disagree - a lot of list threads in the film forum are like the "who would win in a fight between superhero a and superhero b" threads are to the comic forum; potentially good but also potentially full of "ZOMG wolverine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Type responses.

As for your lapdancing thread, just go and watch pron ffs

callmescratch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spgTwZ2h4kI

johnny_ultimate

Karl Hungus wrote: »

Question. Would you like pointless list threads nipped in the bud again?

There does seem to be some sort of popularity for list threads - maybe not amongst more 'regular' (if thats the right word) users but many people obviously enjoy them, with some of the list threads well surpassing five pages. Not a fan myself (and can usually spot the ones to ignore a mile off!) but let them stay as long as the forum isn't completely flooded with mindless listings of the top twenty films featuring rabbits as main characters without any actual kind of reasoning (actually that could be an interesting thread). There does seem to be less in-depth discussion these days, so maybe a couple of more offbeat subject matters could be raised in the coming weeks alongside the usual upcoming / just released film threads? Blitzkrieg started a great in-depth discussion about game narratives over on the games forum recently (http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055655931), perhaps try and bring up some discussions that require some more thought than merely "this film was good / bad" responses?

][cEMAN**

Fysh wrote: »

I respectfully disagree - a lot of list threads in the film forum are like the "who would win in a fight between superhero a and superhero b" threads are to the comic forum; potentially good but also potentially full of "ZOMG wolverine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Type responses.

I didn't say they'd necessarily be intelligent replies

TheManWho

What about having one thread where users could pitch list threads. For example a user would propose a thread for the greatest opening sequences which would be rejected or approved by a moderator. If approved then the thread could go ahead and be made, if rejected then we are saved from another boring pointless list thread.

Red Sleeping Beauty

I always thought it was odd how the Film forum is tucked away in Arts arranged the way it is. Bit of promotion wouldn't hurt

Anyways, games are good. Have ye had a "guess the scene" game ? Someone posts up a scene from a film and you've to guess what film it is. Or the Wrestling forum had a "post a caption" kinda game where someone posts a pic and you've to give it a funny caption. Funniest wins of course.

Average-Ro

I remember in he soccer forum a few months ago a few users wrote articles about something football related. The other users voted on their favourite in an "Elemination Round" type thing.

With a lot of users here, could we try doing something similar? Set a certain amount of words and pick something film related to write about?

Handsome Bob

Average-Ro wrote: »

I remember in he soccer forum a few months ago a few users wrote articles about something football related. The other users voted on their favourite in an "Elemination Round" type thing.

With a lot of users here, could we try doing something similar? Set a certain amount of words and pick something film related to write about?

I'd be up for that. However Hungus, Darko, and Blitzkrieg are banned from taking part! :pac:

I've been giving off about the list threads for quite awhile now, they have a habit of cluttering the place up and given the trend these days for making lists on everything, lapdances included we really have to implement some new rules.

I have no problem with a list thread if done correctly. There is a right way to do it.

The Right Way:
Best Film Ever:

Crank
I know, I know a trashy action film with Jason Statham and a completely bonkers script. That it all comes together and works in such a fantastic...............................etc

The Wrong Way:

1. Crank

or Wrong Way 2:

I lve th3 f1lm cr4nk, wt f1lm u lk 2?



A few lines about why you think the film is good adds so much to a post. There was a post awhile back in a best film ever thread I think where a poster just copy and pasted the imdb top 250 films. While he may have been trying to be ironic the fact remains that list threads are the equivalent of how much I drank last night threads. They are neither smart nor funny enough to warrant any serious attenttion.

Running Bing

Ill be honest, today is the first time in a while I have ventured onto this forum. It used to be my first port of call when I logged on but over the last couple of months things have just gone to the dogs tbh. Every second thread is a pointless list thread.

Now dont get me wrong, I think list threads can be great, if they involve discussion, the problem is the majority of the list threads on here dont.

Its just a case of "which film is x" and then sixes pages of responses with people listing random films with absolutely no justification. They clutter up the board, add absolutely nothing, completely lower the tone of the place and take away from other topics that are worth discussing.

Anyway, Ive said my piece. Suffice to say this was a much much better forum when list threads were outlawed imo. There are some very knowledgeable people who use this forum and I love reading their opinions but I just dont think its worth wading through seven pages of sh1te for some sensible discussion.

Average-Ro

LZ5by5 wrote: »

I'd be up for that. However Hungus, Darko, and Blitzkrieg are banned from taking part! :pac:

I wa thinking along the same lines, it's only fair for the rest of us, other wise 4th is the new 1st:P

Average-Ro

I do have to say that I used to come onto this forum quite a bit, but now I just go to the soccer forum and if I feel in the mood, I'd come here. It's just gone downhill in the last while IMO.

List threads can be fun and informative if done right (see Darko's post). Enforce that and the forum will benefit me thinks.

missingtime

What ever you do, please dont get rid of the What have you watched recently thread, thats pure gold.

ziedth

I also like the idea of "games" so to speak,

Also Darko hit the nail on the head with list threads but you have to back up your nomination.

The couple of threads I have started that might encourage a list I almost always but "and why".

lostexpectation

this film forum isn't busy enough to refuse list threads, its pity cos we could discussmore b films we've seeut this gets hived off in the pet project lets be film reviewers on a discussion board dead end.

Handsome Bob

Just so we know what has been gotten out of this thread so far, the ideas that have been thrown up are;

• In The Well type threads where posters answer questions regarding Film. Example: Games Forum - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055658737
• Fictional character tournament. Example: Nocturnal Forum - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055561397
• Weekly head-to-heads regarding actors and actresses with poll. Example: Pro Wrestling Forum - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055657425
• Posters going head-to-head in a writing competition with poll regarding Film. Example: Soccer Forum - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055481634&highlight=Xavi6

So what are the general preferences out of the four?

Average-Ro

LZ5by5 wrote: »

Just so we know what has been gotten out of this thread so far, the ideas that have been thrown up are;

• In The Well type threads where posters answer questions regarding Film. Example: Games Forum - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055658737
• Fictional character tournament. Example: Nocturnal Forum - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055561397
• Weekly head-to-heads regarding actors and actresses with poll. Example: Pro Wrestling Forum - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055657425
• Posters going head-to-head in a writing competition with poll regarding Film. Example: Soccer Forum - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin
  /showthread.php?t=2055481634&highlight=Xavi6

So what are the general preferences out of the four?

I like the fictional character tournement and the weekly head to heads. I'd say they'd be good fun.

ziedth

LZ5by5 wrote: »

Just so we know what has been gotten out of this thread so far, the ideas that have been thrown up are;

• In The Well type threads where posters answer questions regarding Film. Example: Games Forum - http://m.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055658737
• Fictional character tournament. Example: Nocturnal Forum - http://m.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055561397
• Weekly head-to-heads regarding actors and actresses with poll. Example: Pro Wrestling Forum - http://m.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055657425
• Posters going head-to-head in a writing competition with poll regarding Film. Example: Soccer Forum - http://m.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055481634&highlight=Xavi6

So what are the general preferences out of the four?

I'd have to vote the in the well threads first then maybe match ups for actors/characters second.

Average-Ro

LZ5by5 wrote: »

Just so we know what has been gotten out of this thread so far, the ideas that have been thrown up are;

• In The Well type threads where posters answer questions regarding Film. Example: Games Forum - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055658737
• Fictional character tournament. Example: Nocturnal Forum - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055561397
• Weekly head-to-heads regarding actors and actresses with poll. Example: Pro Wrestling Forum - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055657425
• Posters going head-to-head in a writing competition with poll regarding Film. Example: Soccer Forum - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055481634&highlight=Xavi6

So what are the general preferences out of the four?

Actually LZ5by, the link you provided there wasn't what I meant by the writing competition. I'll try to find the link...

Average-Ro

This is what I meant by writing competition:

http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055434553&highlight=write

Karl Hungus

Right, I've cleaned up some of the posts in this thread rather than lock it, because I do think this is an important matter to discuss. I don't want to see posters bitching and flaming each other again.

johnny_ultimate

Average-Ro wrote: »

This is what I meant by writing competition:

http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055434553&highlight=write

Good idea. Always liked reading the in-depth, personal articles written when people were choosing film of the week, was just a shame the threads themselves often didn't provoke much discussion. But with a bit of 'competition' it would hopefully stimulate some good discourse!

Average-Ro

That's my thinking too, I think it could making for some interesting articles.

I proposed this to Karl in a pm a few minutes back but am interested to hear feedback from people on here.

With all the talk of a best films ever thread, I thought that we could do our own boards best of list.

The rules would be simple, each poster could nominate a film and then argue why they felt the film deserved a place in the boards top 20 or 50 films, hell if we got enough interest we could expand this to triple figures. There would be no discussion in the thread and each poster could only post once.

To vote for a film, posters could simply thank the post of the film or films they felt deserved a place. Each week I would be happy to tally the votes and do an updated list of the top films.

Otis Driftwood

One thing I do miss is the film of the week thread.It brought to my attention some films I had otherwise missed or ignored.Plus it sparked discussion about the movie.

I think it was closed because some people were re-regging just to vote for particular movies (how ridiculous is that) but I am open to correction on that.

Karl Hungus

My opinion on this, I would lean very strongly against organising any sort of game, competition, head-to-head or 'in the well' type events, and I have two reasons for that. First, we all know how Film of the Week ended up, it brought out some of the worst in the forum, and I've said before that I'd rather quit modding than do another FotW. I think any similar organized event would probably end up the same way, and if posters can't keep civil in the forum as is, I don't believe they'd be able to stay civil in any thread where a poster is in a spotlight, or similar.

Secondly, I don't think the idea of an organised event is a good way to stimulate discussion. It certainly didn't work with Film of the Week, that only stimulated flaming and comptetitiveness and some of the nastiest attitudes I've seen on the film forum, and that nastiness hasn't yet gone away. I think that you, the users, are either going to stimulate discussion yourselves, or you're not. You're not going to offer up an interesting opinion in an organised thread, if you're don't already have interesting things to say.

I asked if you wanted to see list threads closed down again, but to tell the truth, right now all I see happening is that would merely alter the signal to noise ratio. We'd have less lists, but that wouldn't guarantee more interesting discussion. Some people are quick to snip at those who'll post list threads, but don't have much of interest to say otherwise. I say to you, if you want more interesting threads, it's up to you to post them and it's up to you to generate that discussion. The forum is its users, you're the ones creating the content, the forum is just a place for you to do so. It would be far, far too easy for me to just say "List threads banned" and close them down, but that would only be counter-productive right now.

The fact is, when interesting discussion does come along, it's squashed by flaming and in-fighting. This was one of the most interesting threads I've read on here in a long time, but it fell victim to the very nasty "your taste is crap" kind of posts that is really killing off discussion here. Why would anyone want to actively take part in discussion, when people just take part in bashing other people's tastes and opinions. I find myself posting more and more on other film forums rather than here, not just because of the lack of interesting discussion, but because of the flaming and the nasty attitudes. So quite honestly, cop the **** on and stop lowering the tone of this forum yourselves.