Jonathan Riley's picture
Jonathan Riley from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland August 11, 2013 - 1:11am

Not sure if you all know this about me but I enjoy watching films. Several a week. Thought it might be cool if we discussed some. I’d love to learn how to write a movie review and I’ve never tried. Is anyone up for watching a movie a week and having an open discussion? Everyone can write a review on it or just tell what they liked or didn’t about it.

The easiest way would be to assign something on Netflix that many of us have access to. I’m open to doing new releases in Red Box or even a theatre flick every now and then. I think one member of the group should pick the movie each week. We could even delve into classics that are easy to access. Let's get a group together and then figure out the details. Who’s in?
 

Movies I’ve recently watched and would love to discuss: Boy Wonder, Lars and the Real Girl, Safety not Guaranteed, Jeff Who Lives at Home, Spring Breakers (believe it or not really interesting, love to talk about that one). All of these would be great to talk about and many more. Let me know if any of you are up for it. We can start next week.
 

Renfield's picture
Renfield from Hell is reading 20th Century Ghosts August 11, 2013 - 3:44am

I'm game.

big_old_dave's picture
big_old_dave from Watford, about 20 miles outside London, Uk August 11, 2013 - 4:54am

I think the US version of Netflix has more of a selection that the UK version but give us a shout.

jyh's picture
jyh from VA is reading whatever he feels like August 11, 2013 - 6:59am

I'm interested. Won't commit to every week, but I'd keep an eye on what films are on the docket.

R.Moon's picture
R.Moon from The City of Champions is reading The Last Thing He Wanted by Joan Didion; Story Structure Architect by Victoria Lynn Schimdt PH.D; Creating Characters by the editors of Writer's Digest August 11, 2013 - 9:07am

I'm in. 

Jonathan Riley's picture
Jonathan Riley from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland August 11, 2013 - 9:16am

Cool. Glad you guys are interested. This could be fun.

Maybe every week is too much. We can give it a shot or just try bi-weekly, I'm wondering if I should start a new thread for each new film or use the same one over and over and deleting one movie title to replace with the next. Any ideas on that.

R.Moon's picture
R.Moon from The City of Champions is reading The Last Thing He Wanted by Joan Didion; Story Structure Architect by Victoria Lynn Schimdt PH.D; Creating Characters by the editors of Writer's Digest August 11, 2013 - 9:23am

I say start a new thread each time. You can always delete the old one. I'm game with one a week. I'm gonna have a lot of free time on my hands for awhile. I also watch movies on YouTube. They're usually free. I've been watching old noir films lately on there. They all have been free. Are we doing any movie? New and old?

 

R.Moon's picture
R.Moon from The City of Champions is reading The Last Thing He Wanted by Joan Didion; Story Structure Architect by Victoria Lynn Schimdt PH.D; Creating Characters by the editors of Writer's Digest August 11, 2013 - 9:26am

Edit: double dip

 

Dino Parenti's picture
Dino Parenti from Los Angeles is reading Everything He Gets His Hands On August 11, 2013 - 12:27pm

I'm in whenever I'm able.

Jonathan Riley's picture
Jonathan Riley from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland August 11, 2013 - 12:51pm

@Moon. I was thinking kind of current like the past few years for the majority and then every now and then (maybe once a month) doing an older films. That could be anything before 2005.

Dave's picture
Dave from a city near you is reading constantly August 11, 2013 - 9:02pm

I'm in.  I've been wanting to see Lars &TRG for a while, this would be a great excuse. Because I like to think I need an excuse to watch a movie. 

voodoo_em's picture
voodoo_em from England is reading All the books by Ira Levin August 12, 2013 - 2:55am

I'm game, I love movies, me & the Mr watch tons.

(Although I may not be every week, depends on life and stuff)

I think a new thread for each film. Also I think that this doesn't necessarily have to be reviews, but just throwing thoughts and opinions around would be cool. A mix of old, new, classics, cult and foreign would be great too.

 

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters August 12, 2013 - 6:53am

If it's a movie I've already seen I'll talk about it! 

Richard's picture
Richard from St. Louis is reading various anthologies August 12, 2013 - 7:51am

hard for me to "plan" a movie, with so much going on, but yeah, if i can, i'll hop in, or like Avery said, talk about films i've seen. love movies. used to go to the Chicago International Film Festival for YEARS, but now that I'm in the suburbs, hard to make that festival. 

another thing we could do is try to see movies that are on the BIG SCREEN and discuss them. i'm going to try to see Elysium soon, my son and i have been seeing the Hobbit flicks, and the new 300 is coming out sometime soon, i think (2014). what else? American Hustle looks REALLY good:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1800241/

Christian Bale, Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams. 

Mess_Jess's picture
Mess_Jess from Sydney, Australia, living in Toronto, Canada is reading Perfect by Rachael Joyce August 12, 2013 - 8:34am

Like Jessica, if I've seen it, I'll gasbag about it too! Otherwise I only watch horror or sci-fi generally because I like switching off and relaxing when I'm watching movies (yeah, I'm a weirdo that horror relaxes me). That being said, I just watched Evil Dead on Renee and Gordon's recommendations and it was pretty awesome, if you're looking for something. I'm sure Sean and Jessica would be into that too!

Mess_Jess's picture
Mess_Jess from Sydney, Australia, living in Toronto, Canada is reading Perfect by Rachael Joyce August 12, 2013 - 8:34am

Oh, and I went with S to the movies last week and we saw Despicable Me 2. Hehe :D 

Renfield's picture
Renfield from Hell is reading 20th Century Ghosts August 12, 2013 - 11:37am

. A mix of old, new, classics, cult and foreign would be great too.

Maybe a rotation of those would work, first week of the month new, second is cult film etc. Easier to keep up with what you're really interested in and has enough variety for everyone. I go to the theatre once a week but usually don't watch movies at home but once a month or so, and then shotgun 4 movies in an evening. Seeing Elysium next week. Would be interested in watching/talking about Jeff Who Lives at Home and the mumblecore genre, because I have no clue what the genre is.

For some ideas here's some other stuff I've been meaning to watch myself:

Cosmopolis (Recent Drama/Don DeLillo/David Cronenberg/Netflix)

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (Recent Drama/Recommended here/Netflix)

Trees Lounge (Cult Drama/Steve Buscemi/Netflix)

Youth of the Beast (Classic Foreign/Crime/Criterion/Hulu)

John Dies at the End (Recent Cult/Netflix)

Mess_Jess's picture
Mess_Jess from Sydney, Australia, living in Toronto, Canada is reading Perfect by Rachael Joyce August 12, 2013 - 11:59am

@Ren -- I watched Cosmopolis recently. Interesting movie, I liked the concept. But I felt due to the limited setting and characters, it just went on a bit long. I needed something more to sustain my interest towards the end.

Richard's picture
Richard from St. Louis is reading various anthologies August 12, 2013 - 12:35pm

anybody up for watching the original OLDBOY vs/or the new OLDBOY coming out soon? i suppose one will spoil the other, but i have a hard time with subtitles (yes, i still haven't seen the original)

R.Moon's picture
R.Moon from The City of Champions is reading The Last Thing He Wanted by Joan Didion; Story Structure Architect by Victoria Lynn Schimdt PH.D; Creating Characters by the editors of Writer's Digest August 12, 2013 - 12:58pm

How about some really fucked up movies?

1. Shogun Sadism

2. The Lucifer Valentine films

3. A Serbian Film

4. August Underground Trilogy

5. Salo (120 Days of Sodom)

Shit like that. I have some of these, but haven't really had a reason to sit through them. Or try to anyway. I was thinking some Japanese horror flims, too. Maybe one of the Guinea Pig flicks. Again, if anyone can sit through them.

A lot of ideas going around here, thought I'd throw some of my own in. 

BTW, Jeff Who Lives At Home is okay. Not one of that guy's (can't remember his name) best.

voodoo_em's picture
voodoo_em from England is reading All the books by Ira Levin August 12, 2013 - 1:00pm

I've seen the original oldboy also his first american film called stoker - darkly hypnotic. The cinematography's quite beautiful.

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters August 12, 2013 - 1:02pm

"Evil Dead"

Sean and Jessica DID see that and have thoughts.  (I can't commit on if we will share them here)

"OLDBOY"

JUST saw that a little bit ago on Sean's recommendation.  Totally would do that one. 

Also The Conjuring.  I would love to talk about why people thought it wasn't good - because I loved it.

And Mama!!! 

and...

Sound's picture
Sound from Azusa, CA is reading Greener Pastures by Michael Wehunt August 12, 2013 - 2:00pm

I still need to see the Evil Dead. The Conjuring was pretty amazing, though. I haven't seen a horror movie that scared the bejeezus out of me like that in awhile.

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters August 12, 2013 - 2:30pm

Then you really must see Mama.  No joke.  I thought it was so damn good. 

And the Conjuring was really fun.  I don't know a better word for it.  It combined haunted houses with exorcisms and that's just really great.

Mess_Jess's picture
Mess_Jess from Sydney, Australia, living in Toronto, Canada is reading Perfect by Rachael Joyce August 12, 2013 - 5:19pm

I was off the idea of The Conjuring at first because it looked a little schlocky and, well, haunted houses and exorcisms have been done to death, but I've heard such good things about it since! Is it worth a trip to the cinema?

Jonathan Riley's picture
Jonathan Riley from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland November 1, 2013 - 3:52pm

I count twelve including me so far. I'm doing a random drawing to see which week and genre is your pick. Let me know if this works for you all. I specefied horror in any genre because I only think I can handle one a cycle so I'd prefer not to have horrors on Cult week or Foreign week...etc..., but if you drew a horror week feel free to do current/classic/cult/theatre/foregin.

Week 1: Theatre Movie-JYH-Fuitevaile Station-Discusion starts Monday August 19

Week 2: Newer Release DVD/Netflix(2010-present)-Renee-Django Unchained starts August 26

Week 3: Cult film- Ryan Moon-Killer Joe starts 9/2/13

Week 4: Foreign film-Dino Parenti-The Lives of Others starts 9/9/2013

Week 5: Horror (from any time or genre or previous mentioned category)-Averydoll-Mama starts 9/16/2013

Week 6: Classic (Call this anything before 1980)-Sound-One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest starts 9/23/2013

Week 7: Newer Release DVD/Netflix (2010-present)-Big Ol'Dave-The Hunter 9/30/2013

Week 8: Foreign flim-Dave-The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo (original) starts 10/7/2013

Week 9: Cult film-Jonathan -Donnie Darko 10/14/2013

Week 10: Classic (Anything before 1980)-VoodooEm-Taxi Driver 10/21/2013

Week 11: Horror (From any time or genre or previous mentioned category)-Renfeild-

Week 12: -Theatre Film Richard-TBA by Monday October 28

Now that I've drawn, feel free to make swaps with someone else in this thread if you drew a genre that you are not familiar with. I'm open to trade with anyone except horror because I don't know much about the genre. Also, please choose the movie for your week and post it in this thread whenever you know which it is, At least a week prior to your week.

Hope this all makes sense. If not we can find a better way to work this out. As it stands, JYH should pick a theatre film and we will officially start discussions next monday. As soon as I know what he picks. I'll start the thread! Any questions?

Also, I can edit this to put the names by the weeks if that will make it easier. Sorry just kind of figuring this out as I go along.

 

ReneeAPickup's picture
Class Facilitator
ReneeAPickup from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck Wendig August 12, 2013 - 8:56pm

I have a question! Can I join now? Or...?

Jonathan Riley's picture
Jonathan Riley from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland August 12, 2013 - 9:00pm

Absolutely Renee! You can pick week 13. But I'll probably wait a while before I figure out what genre that will be. Because I already put up my paper and my hat. Plus, we may collectively figure out a better way to do this.

ReneeAPickup's picture
Class Facilitator
ReneeAPickup from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck Wendig August 12, 2013 - 9:11pm

Hahaha

 

Sound's picture
Sound from Azusa, CA is reading Greener Pastures by Michael Wehunt August 12, 2013 - 9:26pm

Question to Jess: What is "Schlocky"?  :)

I need to put Mama on my list now. I was so disappointed with horror movies lately that I didn't give it a shot, despite how good it looked in the previews. 

Question to Jonathan: Now, I would pick a classic film for my week? Should it be a movie I haven't seen either, or something I've seen that I want others to see and discuss? 

Jonathan Riley's picture
Jonathan Riley from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland August 12, 2013 - 9:36pm

@Sound, Yes, you pick a classic film for week 6 (Unless you and someone else work out a trade)

As far as rather or not you've seen it is entirely up to you. If there is one you have seen that you really want others to see and discuss with you pick that one. Maybe you can watch it during the week so it's fresh with you during the discussion. Or you can pick one you've always wanted to see but never got arround to watching.

Dino Parenti's picture
Dino Parenti from Los Angeles is reading Everything He Gets His Hands On August 12, 2013 - 9:56pm

I move for a swap. Though there are horror movies I like and I think are well made, it's my least favorite genre, mostly because I find 90% to be crap. 

Or, if Renee wants it, I can surely wait for the next round?

jyh's picture
jyh from VA is reading whatever he feels like August 12, 2013 - 9:58pm

Wowzers.

Alright.

Fruitvale Station --- drama / 7.7* imdb / 85 metacritic

Andrea Guldin's picture
Andrea Guldin from Northern British Columbia, Canada is reading Blood, Bones & Butter August 12, 2013 - 10:04pm

Me I'm in i hate horror cause I get nightmares so I wont watch that week, but other than that I'm in.  If i were able to pick any movie it would probably be Love, Honor and Obey with Jonny Lee Miller at his creepy finest (oh that nose!) and Jude Law with his sexy giant hands... its a crime/british mafia drama with a sick twist and funny bits - awesome storylines and slew of kooky characters.  If not I'm a ok to just sit back and join in on the discussion.

Linda's picture
Linda from Sweden is reading Fearful Symmetries August 13, 2013 - 3:59am

Great idea, Jonathan. Looking forward to joining the discussion.

And for those of you who enjoyed Old Boy, I recommend Lady Vengeance. Easily my favorite of Chan-vook Park's films, and similar in style and tone to Old Boy.

voodoo_em's picture
voodoo_em from England is reading All the books by Ira Levin August 13, 2013 - 4:21am

@JR ~ Maybe you should just delegate the genre's to the weeks, but not the people, instead people can suggest a film for that week and then see which generates the most interest for a discussion. That way people can suggest films for their preferred categories ~ and (hopefully) we don't end up with some weeks where hardly anyone watches and other weeks when lots of people do.

Also this will fit around people hectic lives and schedules (as there will be weeks when people may be too busy) and allows for new people to join in half-way through without feeling left out... or whatever.

Anyway, just a thought.

 

 

Also: I've seen Mama and Evil Dead too.

big_old_dave's picture
big_old_dave from Watford, about 20 miles outside London, Uk August 13, 2013 - 4:50am

Pulled a week off so I'm catching up. Just about to see the alan partridge movie and at some point also only god forgives, man of steel, the house I live in,  pusher (the remake), holy motors (looks mental)  and a field in England. (looks really really mental)

@JR ~ week 7 sounds cool to me. I'm easy going so what ever fits.

Dino Parenti's picture
Dino Parenti from Los Angeles is reading Everything He Gets His Hands On August 13, 2013 - 5:18am

I second Voodoo Em's suggestion. Everyone can be involved in every aspect as much or as little as they can. 

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters August 13, 2013 - 5:49am

@Jess - give The Conjuring a try.  If you ever enjoyed 70's style haunted then you'll like it.  If you go to a movie for the tits and gore, you'll be disappointed. 

Not to mention if you are a Amityville Horror nerd you might get a small thrill out of seeing the Warrens. 

On Mama - I screamed out loud a few times during it.  TO BE FAIR: I allow myself to get scared as shit at horror movies.  I suspend all disbelief and really get into it (there are exceptions of course, but youget the idea).  So you might not scream.  But whatever.

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters August 13, 2013 - 5:54am

I only know foreign horror movies.  I might need to swap.  Haha. 

Richard's picture
Richard from St. Louis is reading various anthologies August 13, 2013 - 7:17am

very cool. so i get week nine theater movie! sweet. i think i can actually make that happen.

jyh's picture
jyh from VA is reading whatever he feels like August 13, 2013 - 7:34am

Mama was pretty good.

I stopped watching the new Evil Dead because it was boring.

I'm like MJ over The Conjuring: skeptical due to the glut of such movies, but intrigued by the almost universal acclaim.

-----------------------

Are people okay with Fruitvale Station? If no one wants to watch it, go ahead and say so. Better that than waste week one.

voodoo_em's picture
voodoo_em from England is reading All the books by Ira Levin August 13, 2013 - 8:11am

I'm probably not going to watch anything for week one, because that's how broke I am. Which is why I think film club will work well as a drop in & out kind of thing that fits around everyones lives.

Also I'm just going to throw some more ideas in here ~ how about discussions on a particular theme or trilogy or saga or director? This could be a month long thread on Zombie films or Indiana Jones or Aliens or Tarantino or Scorsese or hell even an actress/actor or writer (King films).

??

Jonathan Riley's picture
Jonathan Riley from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland August 13, 2013 - 8:25am

At JYH, I hadn't heard of Fruitvale Station, but after googling it I found it at a theatre kind of near me. I read the blurb and it seems interesting, It's getting great reviews on Rotton Tomatoes by both critiques and viewers and has a good rating on imdb, so I feel like if I catch a matinee it will be worth my money. I'm cool with that one.  

At Voodoo Em, you have a bunch of great ideas. I realy love the director and trilogy ideas.

Since several people liked their week/genre I'll mostly stick to that. For those who can't work with that schedule I'll have to improvise those weeks. I originally thought of just having everyone who is participating naming 1 film they want to discuss and just throwing those all in a hat to pick the order. And then we can do it again later. Wasn't sure if that would generate enough diversity. But keep throwing out suggestions and hopefully we can figure this all out.

Also, even if you can't participate in discussion the week that you are to pick the film you could still pick a film for the group. Weeks in advance. And the discussion thread will remain up so that you can read the disscussion at a later more convenient time and weigh in at that time too.

Jonathan Riley's picture
Jonathan Riley from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland August 13, 2013 - 8:23am

Avery and Dino both request a swap. Is cool if you two trade?

Dino picks week 4: Foreign Film

Avery picks week 5: Horror Film

Dino Parenti's picture
Dino Parenti from Los Angeles is reading Everything He Gets His Hands On August 13, 2013 - 11:29am

Question: Regardless of category, do these have to be movies in theaters now, or could they be older?

I'm cool with swapping with Avery if she is.

Jonathan Riley's picture
Jonathan Riley from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland August 13, 2013 - 11:37am

@ Dino, I was hoping (since money don't grow on trees) that we would only do movies in the theatres once a cycle, or possibly twice if someone wants to pick a current horror. So the weeks listed as theatre are for going to the cinima. The rest should be something easily accesible via netflix/youtube/redbox etc.

Strange Photon's picture
Strange Photon from Fort Wayne, IN is reading Laurie Anderson lyrics August 13, 2013 - 1:06pm

Ok... as is keeping with my lot in life of being the lame-ass poser who always shows up with the latest fads - from last week - when everyone else has been rocking it from the beginning: can I play too?

I've read through the whole thread, and am kicking myself for not checking it sooner. This is so up my alley it hurts.

Mess_Jess's picture
Mess_Jess from Sydney, Australia, living in Toronto, Canada is reading Perfect by Rachael Joyce August 13, 2013 - 1:36pm

JR - Can you take me out? I'm not committing to ANYTHING (quite literally) until November this year. If I can swing in and comment, I promise I will, but in a couple of weeks I'll be going between Canada, America, Australia, French Polynesia and back to Canada for 2-3 months. 

Jonathan Riley's picture
Jonathan Riley from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland August 13, 2013 - 2:50pm

I've made some edits to the schedule. I've removed Jess per her request.

@Jess you are still welcome to join into any discussion thread at your leisure. As is anyone who is interested.

Renee will now be picking the movie for the second week.

I switched Avery and Dino weeks 4-5. Hope you guys are okay with that. If not let me know and I'll figure something else out.

The TBA date by your name and genre will be the date by which you have to have the movie picked out for your week, which will be the following monday from that date.

Mess_Jess's picture
Mess_Jess from Sydney, Australia, living in Toronto, Canada is reading Perfect by Rachael Joyce August 13, 2013 - 4:44pm

Thanks dear!

Also, Sound -- schlocky just means a bit crappy/cheap/inferior. Heh.