I proposed this idea here. Let’s start with ground rules. [ul]
[li]You must view the movie before posting in this thread. If you have previously seen the movie, you must rewatch it if you plan to be in the club.[/li][li]No posting if you haven’t seen the movie, please. Seriously. Even if you see someone leaving themselves open to an easy insult, if you haven’t watched the film, please don’t post here. And watching “most of it” doesn’t count. Nothing personal.[/li][li]Watching in groups is allowed, as is posting friends’ reactions to films.[/li][li]The film will be decided, and the club members have one month in which to view said film. At that time, a new movie will be chosen for the upcoming month, and discussion on the old movie will begin. [/ul][/li]
That’s all I can think of. I vote for something I haven’t seen, like the Apu trilogy mentioned in the thread above (maybe just the first one is manditory and the rest are optional) or 8 1/2. Starting with something foreign is a good way to be pretentious. I also haven’t seen Clockwork Orange, which I nominate, though I know it is hated by many. Suggestions are welcome!
Great idea, it’s just taking me a bit to think of good films to suggest. And rather than get bogged down before we even start, if you want to make the first choice, go right ahead. Part of the fun of this would be seeing movies I wouldn’t have thought of myself.
Throw a movie out and I’ll give it a try!
I agree with Robot Arm it’s half the fun seeing a movie I probably would never think about.
I love film. My college minor is film. I collect movies. I memorize movies.
However, after seeing one too many classic and amazing examples of brilliant filmmaking trashed by the otherwise intelligent members of the SDMB simply because of some sophomoric grudge or bias, I think I will hold out until I can get a feel as to whether or not this venture will be any better than the usual.
Nothing personal, Swiddles. I think it is a fabulous idea and if it works and people can come and give their honest, knowledgeable opinions of the films themselves, then I’m all for it.
Boy, that sounded incredibly elitist, didn’t it? Sorry–didn’t mean for it to! I’m not a film snob! Really!
I haven’t seen A Clockwork Orange. I say this is a good idea. Let’s rock! [sub]ok, can I GET any more '80s[/sub]
…or they embrace thoroughly mediocre efforts without saying more than “Great this” or “Awesome that”. Just take a look at some of the “Flawless” films listed in that recent thread to see how dubious some people’s standards can be.
No, I don’t think it did. I think the problem is that our society has engendered the concept that anyone can be a film critic, so there isn’t much to it. Film analysis, thoughtful and critical, is a discipline. Though everyone can have an opinion, some opinions are naturally more informed than others. One’s exposure to all sorts of film (both its history and diversity) and the mindset one has when approaching a film has much to do with this.
Count me in, too. I think it could be very interesting, but I think a couple additional guidelines are in order:
[li]All films made after 1953 or so must be screened in letterbox. This may be difficult, but screening a film by Nick Ray (for example) without seeing his full-screen intentions is like lopping off the ends of The Last Supper so you can only see 8 disciples. A major formal element (and for such a visual medium) is completely lost.[/li]
[li]I propose we stay away from films that are a little bit too popular. Clockwork would be an interesting film to discuss, but I fear there are too many people who already love it or hate it, and any widely-seen film that so easily polarizes people makes having a more indepth discussion a possible uphill battle. Book clubs often commit themselves to more obscure or well-known/little-read books. Maybe Film Club should be similar?[/li]
[li]Combining these two points together, it might be easiest to concentrate on films from the 30s/40s. That way, the widescreen issue is moot and those whose film knowledge does not predate, say, the late 1960s will either abstain or be forced to watch the film to participate.[/li]
Just my $0.02
I think this is a terrific idea, as it would give me an excuse to see many movies that I’ve never seen. Count me in.
Sounds great to me- I wouldn’t mind doing A Clockwork Orange, as I just re-watched it.
Zette
I’m all for it.
I am such a huge film buff. I do mean that in the broadest sense of the word. From the obscure, independent and foreign to the blockbusters of Hollywood and the sleepers that have been forgotten, I love many types of movies.
My friends call me the Movie Psychic because I very often can “figure out” the endings of movies, or the plot twists they will take. Ahhh, the joys of understanding character development & storylines. I do think I know my sh*t when it comes to movies. At least compared to the general population.
I do have a long way to go, however, and participating in a Film Club with other dopers would be a perfect way to hone my skills and find new movies and learn new things in the many reels of film that are out there.
I’m totally in!
I’d like to join the club, but, with the semester ending soon and Christmas fast approaching, I won’t be able to participate until January.
I think letterbox should be preferred, by all means, but not mandatory, for the simple reason that some movies are just impossible to find in letterbox. It’s gotta be obtainable. And while limiting the club to older movies does solve that problem, we’d be cutting off our nose to spite our face if we opt to ignore the most recent 60 years of film history.
I’m in. I love films, and look for any excuse to watch one.
I however, don’t think we should restrict ourselves to letterbox, as has been pointed out, sometimes you just can’t find a copy.
I also don’t think we should limit ourselves to obscure or little known films. If people want to discuss a film with a cult following, such as A Clockwork Orange, which BTW, I wouldn’t mind discussing as I’m one of the people who love it.
Tom take am slightly different take we should feel free to recommend a film that is not that well know but deserves a wider viewership. For instance, I would recommend the Peter Jackson film “Heavenly Creatures,” about a tragic murder in New Zealand in the '50s. Had a little bit of attention due to it being a very early Kate Winslet film, but deserves to be recognized for it’s fine mix of reality, madness and fantasy. Also, it’s a fine bit of proof the Jackson can intermingle special effects and live actors.
I think this is a good idea.
Now, the other question that popped into my mind is: Video or going to the show.
I’m game for both, as I need an excuse to get out of the house or lock myself in the basement away from the adult responsiblities.
There is one, and Ang Lee, flick ( don’t know the title) spose to be out this week or so that looks just mesmorizing in visuals. I definately want to see that. Sorry for the vagueness, but that is the segment I am in in my life.
That would be “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” starring Chow Yun Fat and Michelle Yeoh. Had a friend see it two weeks ago, and said that it is spectacular and touching.
“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” is quite a good movie, but also seriously overrated and overhyped. A lot of people seem to have the idea that this is the first intelligent or skillfuly-made martial arts movie, which could hardly be further from the truth; CTHD is just another quality entry in a traditional genre, and I think it’s kind of an insult to other filmmakers that CTHD has gotten such a reception based on Ang Lee’s name and the films success at Cannes and Toronto. Still, it’s not Lee’s fault. CTHD is a very good movie, and I’m looking forward to seeing it on the big screen.
I’m so in for this. And starting with foreign films would be a great idea. I used to work in a (ugh) Hollywood video, and that exposed me to a lot of foreign stuff I’d never heard of before because of all the people I was working with. So, as a first recommendation, foreign, Cinema Paradiso. It’ll-make -you-laugh-it’ll-make-you-cry type movie. Really worth it.
Oh I back you all the way on this one. This is one of my favorite films. It’s absolutely wonderful (regarding writing, art direction, acting, etc.) and is worth renting by any film fan.
FWIW, the mention of good foreign films prompted me to add this one:
Raise the Red Lantern
Count me in. I’m also a good resource for suggesting high-quality but largely forgotten films that we’d all benefit from viewing.
My first suggestion? Rififi. Look it up…
After looking up your profile, I understand where you are coming from. However, As I am a theatre and film professor I have to disagree with you. Everyone is a film critic. If they ever see a film and tell their friends about it, they have become a critic. In my Intro courses (FOr non-majors) I try to teach my students to be better critics. To understand why they felt a certain way about a particular film or play. To be able to communicate what aspects of a film that were or were not well made and understand the significance to the audience. Including Directing, Acting, Writng, Cinematography, etc, etc.
This “Club” is based on that premise. To improve the knowledge of the group through thoughtful discussion of film.
<End Highjack>
One other point for everyone. We should promise not to get angry when others disagree with us. As in all artforms, not everyone will be moved by a film in the same way. THere are no films that everyone will like (or dislike). Other films may be liked (or disliked) by many for different reasons. There are films I love that I know others can’t stand. I appreciate their feelings and beliefs, and try to understand the things that they see.
[Hijack]
Actually, it doesn’t sound like we disagree much at all. Yes, in the most liberal sense of the word, everybody is/can be a “critic.” But that doesn’t necessarily make them a good one (“What was up with that Picasso? People don’t look like that?”; “Mozart? What’s the big fuss?”; etc.)
You say yourself that:
“I try to teach my students to be better critics. To understand why they felt a certain way about a particular film or play. To be able to communicate what aspects of a film that were or were not well made and understand the significance to the audience.”
Amen to that (who knows? maybe I was your university TA?); this is what I meant by having some opinions be more “informed” than others. I am the first to agree that the more discourse the better. I just think that people confuse “criticsm” for “natural emotional response”. I think it’s as big a mistake for people to overintellectualize their opinion of a film as it is not to apply any effort to understand the conventions and mechanics of the medium in the first place; however, I think your average person does a lot more of the latter than the former (which was, in essence, Evilbeth’s original complaint to which I responded)
In re-examining my post, allow me to rephrase: I think the problem is that our society has engendered the concept that being a film critic is effortless. An Arts editor would never consider hiring a critic for their visual arts/dance/classical music beat without some sort of formal (not necessarily academic) training or even peripheral experience. But you see it all the time in film (“After all, it’s only a movie!”), which IMHO only serves to lower everyone’s standards as to what to expect from a medium with a rich and powerful tradition.
If I didn’t make myself clear in that my support of the “Club” was also to further this purpose, I apologize.
[/Hijack]
So bring on the Film Club! (though might I also recommend that whoever sets up the OPs makes it clear in the thread heading that it is a FC entry)