That's a quote from one of my favorite movies, Cinema Paradiso, and I thought it fitting to be the title of the first post here at the Film Freaks Film Club blog! We're still hashing out details, seeing how I just came up with the idea today, but the gist is right up there under the blog title: We pick films. We watch films. We talk about films. We're that cool.
On a regular basis (I propose monthly?) one member will be the designated film chooser. The film is posted here (on the first of the month?) and we have a certain amount of time to watch it (again, perhaps a month?). Then we talk about the film here, in the comments, with the discussion being led by the designated film chooser.
Cool, huh?
Right now we're doing a sort of "open enrollment," so if you want to be a member let me know by posting a comment here, or by posting a comment on my other blog, Boiled Dinner.
I'm going to say that for the open enrollment, you have to either have participated in Movie Madness, or I have to know you.
If I don't know you, let's just say you have to participate in one round as a watcher/commentor before you're able to be a contributor. Sound fair? I'm just anticipating this becoming the most popular thing ever in blog history, so I want to be able to weed out the looneys. Oh, sorry Looney! I mean the crazies.
This is going to be too fun.
Oh, one more thing, I say that for the labels, we put the genre of the movie (unless it's a general post, then we can put, um, General).
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47 comments:
I think once a month is good. My suggestion would be to start the discussion and announce the next movie the same day/same week. That way there's a full month to fit in watching the new one, while we're talking about the old one.
I also propose that the movie must be out on DVD, so trips to the theater are not required for people who have childcare issues or other things (didn't Paula once say that the theater gives her a migraine?).
Oh, and for open enrollment, what if one of the other contributers knows the person? I'm not talking about me of course. I only know you guys.
I like the announcement/DVD suggestions! Besides the migraine/time things, what if you want to examine a scene a little more closely? Projector guys are notoriously unsympathetic.
So, who goes first?
DVDs absolutely. I go to the movies occasionally, but DVDs are way more convenient. I nom whoever wins Movie Madness to go first!
I agree with everything Jen said.
I agree with Joe's build on what Jen said.
I definitely agree with Paula's suggestions re: Movie Madness winner goes first. I was thinking the same thing, because, you know, GMTA!
Oh, and Jen, good point about if one of the other contributors knows someone. I say absolutely, if someone comes along on the recommendation of one of the Filminati (yup, that's us, the Filminati), than that person should be granted entry during open enrollment!
Here's another question: Do we have this be a public blog that anyone can read and comment on, or do we limit it to members only?
Personally I could do without the trolls going, "you suck," but that's just me. One vote for members only. If peeps are really interested, they can visit our blogs, get our email addresses, and beg. Then we'll see what kind of bribes they can come up with. :)
I vote for public and ignore the trolls. I can't see so many peeps who aren't us spending time here anyhow, but if someone kewl can't participate regularly and wants to comment on a particular film, I'd like them to have that option.
I think I'm with you, Paula. Maybe we keep it open for a while, just so our "regulars" can see what we're up to, then close it off after open enrollment?
I'm not awfully keen on closed comments, like Gawker does. Why can't people comment on what's being said? It would open things up to a wider view. Are trolls really a problem? I don't think I've really come across that issue. The problem with you-know-who and what's-her-face is not one of trolling.
I vote for allowing anyone to comment, and if someone is a good commenter, they could be asked to be a poster at some point.
I think I'm with you, Jen and SG.
SG suggested to me in a very personal email that I WILL NOT forward to anyone else that the first movie will be the winning film from Movie Madness, which I think is a swell idea. The winner who picked that film can be the one to start off the discussion. What say you, as my friend Bill O'Reilly would say?
Okay, you've convinced me, both on the commenting and the first movie/discussion starter. :)
Agreed with all the above. Let me presume to understand that there's no obligation for everyone to participate with every movie. Apparently I have commitment issues, as well as a pair of teenagers and et cetera et cetera et cetera, as one of my favorite movie monarchs would say.
You can't say "and et cetera" because "et" means "and" I mean DUH. If that's the kind of writting and grammer we're going to be getting, I say we scrap teh whole thing irregardless.
I thought it was eggsedra anyways.
Aw no way. That means if I win, we can't watch Tennenbaums, which you KNOW I'd pick otherwise.
i would love to get in on this once my new computer comes (unless you like no caps and no punctuation)
i would also prefer open comments
you can always delete or ignore the trolls and spam
I like the open comment idea, too, mostly because it will make for more fun...and kerfuffles!
Who can say no to the chance for kerfuffles ?
I'm for open comments, too. we can always close them if things somehow get ugly with trolls and such.
I pretty much agree with all the format stuff, but I also agree with Jen, that I would not necessarily pick On the Waterfront, should I win either. Winner's choice?
Much as I want to win, I wouldn't mind seeing Tennenbaums, since it's one of those "why haven't I seen that yet" movies anyway :-)
But I'm also open to watching the winner... again! :-) Oh, and I'm for keeping the blog public, I think, unless trolling really *does* become a problem.
I'm in and that's that.
Trolling's not likely anyway.
Am I to understand Mongket never said "and et cetera et cetera"? Well, my mea culpa, then.
*sigh*
Could we call them ORCS for a change???
I vote for open comments, since ORC comments can be deleted.
I vote that the winner gets to choose the movie, instead of having that pre-ordained.
I'd like to bring something else up, and that is the size of the Filminati. I don't wish to be exclusive, but if we're only going to do one movie a month, this will be a long time between turns. If the Filminati gets much larger, say up to 12 people, we may want to consider going bi-weekly.
Personally, I like having the Filminati be large because it means we'll be together forever, and unlike Don, I'm one for commitment. And speaking for myself, I just couldn't pull off every two weeks, what with the family and all. One thing about this blog is, I definitely see it as a place where we can talk about movies, any movie, any time. So if someone goes to see one and wants to post a review, do it, or whatever. The structured viewing and discussion would take place monthly, but in between, you know we'll get chatty 'bout films.
Regarding the first film, I put a poll over on the side bar! Let's vote.
"unlike Don, I'm one for commitment."
I'll remind you that you said that when we're having you committed. :-)
Alright I gotta get in on this -- two great film ideas in a row, might as well call yourself an institute.
I'll send an email presently, Jeff.
I also was wondering about the once a month thing. I could go for Joe's bi-weekly idea - maybe that could be done more informally than the official monthly movie. But he really should stop calling me a whale. It's supposed to be nice here.
don sez ..
Well, my mea culpa, then.
Either no one gets my stupid jokes, or they're really stupid. :)
Q: Do you have to join blogflux to show up on that nifty poll map thing?
The joke about my cat was good. In fact, I intend to use it and pretend I thought of it myself if I get the chance.
"Do you have to join blogflux to show up on that nifty poll map thing?"
I don't think so, but I don't know for sure. I just created the account today to be able to do the poll, so I don't know much about much with regards to much.
I just clicked the poll thingie and it worked. I have no account as far as I know. At least, there's no accounting for me.
Stupid map! Now everyone will know I voted for Casablanca instead of Jen's choice, but will they know how hard it was for me to choose and how I worried so about Jen's feelings on the matter? Fuckers. Are we allowed to say fuck here?
I got Don's joke, but no one got my whale one. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! Are we allowed to whine here?
Where's the cat?
I got your whale joke, Orca, I was just laughing too hard to post a reply.
You're only allowed to say "fuck" if it's said with love.
Except for Jen. She can say it about you because you didn't vote for her.
I don't care mind Paula votes for. I don't blame her. She'll hate Tennenbaums I about guarantee. But she'd hate Equilibrium worse, which I briefly considered because I think Christian Bale is a Master Actor.
The cat joke was on my blog, Pauls, in the post about neutering Miles. I didn't get his joke here. I got yours. Want it back? :-)
Phew, i finally made it. Last as usual. I prefer open comments rather than exclusive and I am torn between the fortnightly or monthly period so i will just go with the flow on that one, whatever the majority decide is fine.
Oh, erm, and I didn't mean to imply that I'd be all gung-ho pick a movie that I'm afraid Paula or anyone else wouldn't like. If I get to pick my own I assure you I'll put a lot of thought into my choice. :)
Schad & Nat:
Check your email for an invitation to join this site -- you're the only ones who haven't responded yet. Perhaps it went into junk mail? If you don't see it, lemme know and I'll have it resent (though I did send it twice already).
Okay, now you all know this club isn't very exclusive. I mean, I got an invite just by asking for one! Now your drinking water is contaminated.
Hmmm ... unless I am only here to serve drinks and clean the bathrooms.
Yah, that must be it.
Still, Groucho suddenly seems to be a very wise man.
Ook ook
I'll have a margarita.
Hey...I didn't respond, AND I didn't get an email.
sniff.
But I wanna play, too, even if I am a bit off again on again about trying to keep up.
Can I watch and decide later if I can commit? I can be your token bad-time-zone participant. Only two films there I haven't seen all of: Duck Soup and High Noon, not sure if I can get my hands on them here in Indonesia.
But I would like to watch how it goes and kindly be considered for inclusion in future. I am friend of Don (who thinks he's not so hip but is way cool in my book).
allowed to say "fuck"
I like it when chicks talk dirty.
But I didn't get the whale joke.
:-(
Swimmer, you most definitely can participate if/when you choose! You don't have to be a member of the Filminati to participate in the discussions, those are just the people who will be choosing films and posting. The discussions themselves will be in comments and are open to anyone. And as far as I'm concerned, Don's so hip he can't see over his pelvis.*
*I stole that quote from Douglas Adams.
Now that I've found this place I forgot how I got here, but no matter.
I was wondering if you guys had considered wordpress.com? It offers free wordpress blog hosting and has a lot better usability than blogger. Meaning that if you get yourself a troll you can actually ban them by IP/username/email (if the mood struck) and the themes are a lot more interesting. If someone signs up for a wordpress account then to comment on other wordpress blogs they don't have to keep signing their name. Also, wordpress allows you to make some posts private so that you can converse among yourselves without having to hear from the peanut gallery.
Anyway, it's just a thought. If you're curious, shoot me an email and I'll let you behind the scenes at my other spot.
may i suggest not using a blog as the format for delivery. i would think that a forum/news group would provide an easier/more readable disscusion.
i would suggest using google groups. every film of the month could have it's own thread and you could recieve the whole discussion via email as well as respond to the group via your email.
you could have a membership requirement if so desired and control who posts or not.
that's just my $.02 though.
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