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Previous Films of the Week / Discussion

245

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  • #32
    BlitzKrieg
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,698 ✭✭✭✭BlitzKrieg


    here's a question for the statistic man?

    Who has nominated the most winners (I know I nominated Tremors and The Good the Bad and the Ugly first in both cases [though it took a couple of rounds for Tremors to get its recognition)


  • #33
    Wacker
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,057 ✭✭✭Wacker


    Karl Hungus wrote: »
    Some good statistics.

    I'm a little dissapointed that there haven't been more animated films getting in there, despite my numerous attempts at nominating Spirited Away. Might throw a vote for The Iron Giant next week.

    I'd be reluctant to get behind Spirited Away (at least for the moment), as there has already been an anime movie picked. I'm all for having a balance, which is why I never vote for Asian movies. They have plenty of support already without my assistance. Older movies need to be dragged over the line however.
    I haven't yet seen the Iron Giant, but I intend to pick it up, as I like Ratatouille and love the Incredibles.


  • #34
    User45701
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,905 ✭✭✭User45701


    the only winnder i nominated was Serenity, Ive been nominating fear and loathing in las vagas for a few weeks now and im very interested to know when other people will get behind it


  • #35
    Galvasean
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,746 ✭✭✭✭Galvasean


    User45701 wrote: »
    the only winnder i nominated was Serenity, Ive been nominating fear and loathing in las vagas for a few weeks now and im very interested to know when other people will get behind it

    When all the other films they like better get picked?


  • #36
    Karl Hungus
    Closed Accounts Posts: 29,130 ✭✭✭✭Karl Hungus


    Odd that not many people post on this thread, you think it would be booming? Oh well.

    I'm still dissapointed there aren't more animated films though, Grave of the Fireflies is the only one so far. Do people just not like animated films all that much? I've been very eager to see both Spirited Away and The Iron Giant get a FotW, but it just isn't happening...


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  • #37
    Wacker
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,057 ✭✭✭Wacker


    Karl Hungus wrote: »
    Odd that not many people post on this thread, you think it would be booming? Oh well.

    I'm still dissapointed there aren't more animated films though, Grave of the Fireflies is the only one so far. Do people just not like animated films all that much? I've been very eager to see both Spirited Away and The Iron Giant get a FotW, but it just isn't happening...
    The Iron Giant was really close once or twice.

    I keep meaning to get behind a Pixar movie. I only ever seem to think of it ten seconds after I nominate something else, which isn't helpful.


  • #38
    Karl Hungus
    Closed Accounts Posts: 29,130 ✭✭✭✭Karl Hungus


    Wacker wrote: »
    The Iron Giant was really close once or twice.

    I keep meaning to get behind a Pixar movie. I only ever seem to think of it ten seconds after I nominate something else, which isn't helpful.

    Spirited Away got extremely close too.


  • #39
    Theboinkmaster
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,055 ✭✭✭Theboinkmaster


    I think the list is shaping up nicely and have discovered a few gems because of it.

    Agree with Karl on the point that lesser-known films are great to get on the list as it gives people a chance to discover them. Whilst Shawshank is a modern classic most people have seen it, however it is nice to see people discuss it.

    As someone else said though as time goes on hopefully the lesser-known and underrated films get onto the list, as the well dries so to speak.

    PS I'm up for some Iron Giant most definitely!


  • #40
    johnny_ultimate
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 30,617 CMod ✭✭✭✭johnny_ultimate


    While I find it great that smaller films do manage to sneak their way in every month or so, I still feel the list needs more variety. As mentioned above, animated films really haven't gotten a chance yet, while the lack of non-Asian foreign films and older films is very disapointing. Seems that whenever the list is getting too American, there is another 'token' Asian film thrown in to silent the dissenters ;)

    Aside from that, I really enjoy the discussion. One or two I haven't yet got around to seeing, but intend on e.g. Brotherhood of the Wolf.


  • #41
    Karl Hungus
    Closed Accounts Posts: 29,130 ✭✭✭✭Karl Hungus


    johnny_ultimate wrote: »
    While I find it great that smaller films do manage to sneak their way in every month or so, I still feel the list needs more variety. As mentioned above, animated films really haven't gotten a chance yet, while the lack of non-Asian foreign films and older films is very disapointing. Seems that whenever the list is getting too American, there is another 'token' Asian film thrown in to silent the dissenters ;)

    Well, Pan's Labyrinth, City of God and Brotherhood of the Wolf are non-Asian foreign films. I would kind of agree with you though, as there are quite a lot of excellent European films out there, especially French and German, and it would be nice if they got a spot. I could easily see a film like La Haine get Film of the Week, Amelie maybe, or Downfall.

    I wouldn't agree about older films though, I think there's plenty of representation on that front, but I suppose it would depend on how old is old for you? I would consider it being pre-1980, and as such there's many greats being represented.

    There is probably a lot of film that aren't as strongly represented though. How many comedy films are there so far? Or for that matter, horrors? And I think neither genre is lacking in it's respective masterpeices.

    I would completely disagree about the Asian films being tokens though, I think they are seriously good films, and are well deserving of their places. There's no doubting just how influential The Seven Samurai is, nor how excellent Oldboy is.


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  • #42
    johnny_ultimate
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 30,617 CMod ✭✭✭✭johnny_ultimate


    Karl Hungus wrote: »

    I wouldn't agree about older films though, I think there's plenty of representation on that front, but I suppose it would depend on how old is old for you? I would consider it being pre-1980, and as such there's many greats being represented.

    I do admit there is alot of classics in there (nice to see the likes of to Kill a Mockingbird represented especially), but I would consider films post 1970 modern. I think it's inevitable though, [assumption] considering most people on here would be under thirty[/assumption] that modern films will dominate.
    I would completely disagree about the Asian films being tokens though, I think they are seriously good films, and are well deserving of their places. There's no doubting just how influential The Seven Samurai is, nor how excellent Oldboy is.

    The token remark was a little sarcastic admittedly, but I do for the most part think that the list tends to have a bit of a trend i.e. American, American, American, Asian (for variety). Don't get me wrong, I love Seven Samurai as much as the next film buff (and I hope Ran makes the cut this week, as it is probably in the top five films ever made) but I think it would be nice to see some more European films in particular getting a chance to shine. Boards wise, the trend seems to be tilted in favour of Asian culture (and I am a massive fan, too). But if the list is to reach definitive heights (which Im sure you will agree is slowly but surely becoming the case compared to the usual nonsense top tens released by this institution or the next) variety is the key. As you point out, there are a plethora of terrific comedies, horrors and animated films from around the globe worthy of placement on the list.


  • #43
    Karl Hungus
    Closed Accounts Posts: 29,130 ✭✭✭✭Karl Hungus


    johnny_ultimate wrote: »
    I do admit there is alot of classics in there (nice to see the likes of to Kill a Mockingbird represented especially), but I would consider films post 1970 modern. I think it's inevitable though, [assumption] considering most people on here would be under thirty[/assumption] that modern films will dominate.

    Yeah, I suppose depending on your definitions, many of the films I'd consider older are 70's movies.
    johnny_ultimate wrote: »
    The token remark was a little sarcastic admittedly, but I do for the most part think that the list tends to have a bit of a trend i.e. American, American, American, Asian (for variety). Don't get me wrong, I love Seven Samurai as much as the next film buff (and I hope Ran makes the cut this week, as it is probably in the top five films ever made) but I think it would be nice to see some more European films in particular getting a chance to shine. Boards wise, the trend seems to be tilted in favour of Asian culture (and I am a massive fan, too). But if the list is to reach definitive heights (which Im sure you will agree is slowly but surely becoming the case compared to the usual nonsense top tens released by this institution or the next) variety is the key. As you point out, there are a plethora of terrific comedies, horrors and animated films from around the globe worthy of placement on the list.

    I think it's just representative of the way the voters are leaning, and where our interests lie.

    But you know something? This forum is an incredible resource for creating interest in films. Take for instance, Save The Green Planet, I created a thread about it, urging people to see it, and I seriously thought it would have absolutely no chance in getting a FotW, but lots of people here had seen it after I urged it, and voted it in, which I was seriously shocked with.

    So, I'm going to go post a thread about European cinema, and perhaps we can drum up some interest in that? ;)


  • #44
    Wacker
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,057 ✭✭✭Wacker


    By my reckoning, the most discernible shift in film-making came in the year 1969. '69 saw the release of Easy Rider and Midnight Cowboy, the two films that really got things moving with the 'new breed' of directors (Coppolla, Spielberg, Lucas, Scorsese, Malick, etc.) that emerged after the big studios had their huge problems, as most typified by the disaster that was Cleopatra. Hitchcock was well past his best by then, and '69 was also the last really big year for the Western as a genre.

    I consider (in general terms) films 'old' if they're from 1969 or beforehand. Anything beyond that is a different degree of modern. There have only been five winners out of forty-eight thus far. This isn't a disasterous under-representation by any means, but I would like to see a few more in there.

    The lack of Hitchcock in the list thus far is the most glaring omission by my reckoning. I get behind Psycho every now and then, but there is no mass support at any given juncture.

    Regarding the Asian film point from above, I have no issue with Asian films winning more than European films, etc. What does bother me a little is that some people only seem to vote for Asian cinema. I see this attitude a lot and I find it a little grating.


  • #45
    Wacker
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,057 ✭✭✭Wacker


    Actually, I just checked, and there has yet to be a single winner by Steven Spielberg, who is easily the most prestigious director in cinema history. He's not my favourite (or even in my top five) but this really surprises me and represents a major hole in the list.


  • #46
    Karl Hungus
    Closed Accounts Posts: 29,130 ✭✭✭✭Karl Hungus


    I don't know, a large part of me considers that "Film of the Week" isn't even meant to be representative of anything, it's merely a film of the week. Just because Sin City got a week earlier than The Godfather did, doesn't mean it's a better film. If we want it to be fully rounded and representative of classics, then it's something that should take serious forethought and debate as to what gets in, what order they're in, and we'd probably be better off not calling it Film of the Week at all!

    So while I've complained that there's not enough animated films, or any other representation of things I believe are more deserving (Still no David Lynch ffs?), I think that's just something we shouldn't give too much thought to. I think it's a good thing that the FotW lacks the pretentions of being a definitive list, and as such we can vote in more quirky and left of field films. I mean, come on, Tremors? I love the fact that it's in there! :D

    Speaking of annoying voting attitudes, there's quite a lot of people who keep on voting for the same thing constantly untill it gets in. Grinds my gears tbh!


  • #47
    Wacker
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,057 ✭✭✭Wacker


    Karl Hungus wrote: »
    Speaking of annoying voting attitudes, there's quite a lot of people who keep on voting for the same thing constantly untill it gets in. Grinds my gears tbh!

    Me too. I test the water with the same films every few weeks, but I don't think I've ever voted for the same film two weeks in a row.

    I'm working on some new stats right now. Bear with me and I'll have them soon.


  • #48
    Karl Hungus
    Closed Accounts Posts: 29,130 ✭✭✭✭Karl Hungus


    Speaking of Senor Spielbergo, I've voted for Empire of the Sun once or twice. Seriously fantastic film, his masterpiece as far as I'm concerned, and a great cast.


  • #49
    johnny_ultimate
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 30,617 CMod ✭✭✭✭johnny_ultimate


    Karl Hungus wrote: »

    Speaking of annoying voting attitudes, there's quite a lot of people who keep on voting for the same thing constantly untill it gets in. Grinds my gears tbh!

    *cough*Serpico*cough* ;)


  • #50
    Wacker
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,057 ✭✭✭Wacker


    Karl Hungus wrote: »
    Speaking of annoying voting attitudes, there's quite a lot of people who keep on voting for the same thing constantly untill it gets in. Grinds my gears tbh!


    Okay, having trawled through all 67 pages of voting, here is what I've observed:

    Firstly, Karl, you have been guily of what you complained about above, with Spirited Away. The difference is that it hasn't won yet despite your underhand tactics!

    Secondly, it took 356 posts before someone voted for the Matrix. Not that I ever have or anything, but I just thought you guys might like to know. I find this particularly surprising considering V for Vendetta has been FOTW. Do many of you guys think V is superior? I certainly don't.

    Thirdly, (unless I missed something) it took an insane 398 posts before anyone got behind any Spielberg films! That was Raisers of the Lost Arc.

    Fourthly, there has not been even one vote for a LOTR movie to date. Not even one!

    Fifthly, I don't have nearly as many voted under my belt as I thought I did. I have backed or nominated 13 films, 9 of which were winners. That is a 69% rate of success. Not bad. But then, I don't get behind something if I don't think it can win. I was c*nt-hair away from getting Rocky 3 in; that would have been an achievement!


  • #51
    Karl Hungus
    Closed Accounts Posts: 29,130 ✭✭✭✭Karl Hungus


    Hmm, I didn't think I voted for Spirited Away that many times. :o

    It should win, damnit! :D


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  • #52
    Galvasean
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,746 ✭✭✭✭Galvasean


    Karl Hungus wrote: »
    I mean, come on, Tremors? I love the fact that it's in there! :D

    Pact: Lets all vote for Frankenfish next week.
    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0384833/

    We've never had a TV movie as FOTW, plus it has the greatest film name ever.
    AND it has the best novelty death ever:
    China Chow gets shot... in the face... by a house... BY A FRIGGING HOUSE!!!!!


  • #53
    humanji
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,976 ✭✭✭✭humanji


    I'm sure this will be met with a resounding "no", but should the film of the week be changed? As it is, it's an on-going list thread, which are against the charter. It's pretty much lost it's meaning since people just name out random film title (and I can't be the only one to think that some people just do it to sound like they're film afficionados, but that could just be my cynical side :( ).

    I would put forward that the film of the week should be the best film that's on during that week. People can check the interweb or those old fashioned news papers to see what films are on the telly and people can vote on those. It would also tie in with recommended movies on tv thread, but will be oh so more prestigious.

    So that's it. In summary: Film Of The Week Thread = pointless. It needs sexing up.

    Right that's killed a few minutes for me. I'm off home.


  • #54
    SuperSean11
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,555 ✭✭✭SuperSean11


    humanji wrote: »
    I'm sure this will be met with a resounding "no", but should the film of the week be changed? As it is, it's an on-going list thread, which are against the charter. It's pretty much lost it's meaning since people just name out random film title (and I can't be the only one to think that some people just do it to sound like they're film afficionados, but that could just be my cynical side :( ).

    I would put forward that the film of the week should be the best film that's on during that week. People can check the interweb or those old fashioned news papers to see what films are on the telly and people can vote on those. It would also tie in with recommended movies on tv thread, but will be oh so more prestigious.

    So that's it. In summary: Film Of The Week Thread = pointless. It needs sexing up.

    Right that's killed a few minutes for me. I'm off home.
    Yes its in need of a change Theres no point to it


  • #55
    Dont be at yourself
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,609 ✭✭✭✭Dont be at yourself


    What're more, as the most popular films of all time are nominated, the actual discussion thread consists of:

    'This is a staggering excellent film. I have it on DVD too'

    'Yes, I loved it too, the acting is great'

    'Fantastic film, I'll never forget when I first saw it'

    'Great film!'

    ad nauseum. It's not much of a discussion so much as a circle-jerk, and so I find myself rarely contributing.

    I'd be in favour of either a) nominating films because of their ability to provoke discussion, or b) discuss the most interesting release of the weekend.


  • #56
    MagicMarker
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 32,865 ✭✭✭✭MagicMarker


    The only thing i don't like about the FOTW is the nominatoins. As soon as one person nominates a half decent movie. Other people just seem to agree for the sake of it.

    I don't think it should be a case of the majority vote.

    In fact, i think there should be a new rule. Each voter HAS to pick a different movie rather that support someone elses vote, and then Karl pics the film of the week from what's been suggested. And no poster can pick the same movie every week, they have to pick something different.

    I think that would be better than someone saying ''Pulp Fiction'', and then everyone else say ''+1''.


  • #57
    johnny_ultimate
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 30,617 CMod ✭✭✭✭johnny_ultimate


    I think it is meant to be a list thread to a degree - all the films users want to recommend.

    I think having a moderator pick from the nominations is an awful idea tbh. The way it is at the moment, every film has a fair chance of getting in. If a moderator chose, no matter how hard they tried they wouldn't please everyone. The current system works as it is a majority, a democracy of sorts even, and its the fairest way.

    I do think the list needs more variety (as I mentioned in the sticky thread) but it is down to the users to pick what they want. If you want to complain about the films being picked, then just vote for something else, and you'd be surprised at how much support some of the smaller films can muster up.

    And I do agree about a need for more, shall we say, controversial choices to drum up debate. Some films have provoked good debate (e.g. Requiem for a Dream, which attracted an excellent variety of fans and haters) while the supposed 'classics' (e.g. The Godfather, or Heat this week) seem to be dull, gushing praise. When everyone totally agrees about the merits of a film, it doesn't make for good discussion.


  • #58
    Pigman II
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,921 ✭✭✭✭Pigman II


    humanji wrote: »
    So that's it. In summary: Film Of The Week Thread = pointless.

    Agreed. We should change the name of it to "how to spend 5 years producing the IMDB top 250 list"


  • #59
    MagicMarker
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 32,865 ✭✭✭✭MagicMarker


    Yeah, but boards isn't a democracy:)

    It's not about pleasing everyone. It's only a list of movies ffs! If someone gets all up in arms if their movie isn't picked then they're probably better off not on boards.

    If everyone suggests their own movie it would provide a more diverse selection imo. You could even break it down into catagories, one week could be comedies, 2nd week action/adventure, 3rd week horror etc etc.

    Fair enough it's more complicated, but i think it would be better tbh.

    Of course it's only a suggestion:)


  • #60
    The Great One
    Closed Accounts Posts: 45 ✭The Great One


    keep the thread as it is for me, it stops people asking "suggest me a film" because they can just check the FOTW list for something to watch as it is the boardsies reccomended list and will also probably contain many films that most people have not seen because somehow the way its been done so far there are quite a good variety of old, new and non-mainstream movies. An example of this is FOTW#1 Oldboy a movie which hopefully because of this "list thread" many many people have now seen that wouldent of otherwise.


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  • #61
    johnny_ultimate
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 30,617 CMod ✭✭✭✭johnny_ultimate


    MagicMarker wrote: »
    Yeah, but boards isn't a democracy:)

    It's not about pleasing everyone. It's only a list of movies ffs! If someone gets all up in arms if their movie isn't picked then they're probably better off not on boards.

    If everyone suggests their own movie it would provide a more diverse selection imo. You could even break it down into catagories, one week could be comedies, 2nd week action/adventure, 3rd week horror etc etc.

    Yeah, it is only a list of movies at the end of the day tbh, but I think the current voting system is probably the best way to handle it.

    Your suggestion is very good though, and definitely worth investigating. Would be a good way to add some more variety to proceedings, and would be certain to drum up some debate! Wouldn't even require a massive overhaul of the current system.


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