CHUD.com Community › Forums › SPECIFIC FILMS › Films in Release or On Video › Doomed from the Start: The CHUD Film-of-the-Month Club
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Doomed from the Start: The CHUD Film-of-the-Month Club - Page 4

post #151 of 362
1/11/09 at 7:47pm
More people should watch Carnival of Souls, and I'd be up for any film that goes well with it.
Reply
post #152 of 362
1/11/09 at 7:49pm
Why don't we pick a little bit closer to the end of the month and let more people track down the first two films before thinking ahead? Or pick who's picking, but keep the picks secret until the 1st. If people have a whole month, they don't need to see the film BY the first. That being said, everyone should see Blast of Silence, because it's better than you and me put together.
Reply
post #153 of 362
1/21/09 at 8:17am
Can we get the February specs rolling now? Not necessarily the picks, if you guys don't want them yet (I would since Feb is going to be busy for me, but I can wait), but at least who's picking and how we're going about choosing?
Reply
post #154 of 362
1/21/09 at 10:31am
Thread Starter 
We decided earlier in the thread that the Decider for the month is selected by the previous month's Decider. I nominated myself to be the first Decider, and no one objected.

If there's another way people want to go with it--votes, consensus, what have you--I'm very flexible and open to any and all ideas. My only request would be that it be kept simple so that it's both accessible to people stumbling into the thread for the first time and consistent enough to make it a habit.
Reply
post #155 of 362
1/21/09 at 11:19am
I am deeply sorry I couldn't participate last time (even though I said I would). I was unable to get a hold of the movies and the only one I've seen more than once is Pelham. But I've kept up with your discussions and it's been great.

It may not be my place to say, but my suggestion is that you keep the element of a "theme" that connects both movies but it doesn't necessarily have to be the same theme. Last time it was NY or a "Subway Series" type of thing. That's fine. This time it can be something else. That is to say, it doesn't have to be "two movies set in the same city" every time, right?

Something like: "Paranoia - Original and Imitation" as a theme and the films selected are The Parallax View and Arlington Road. I'm not placing that as a suggestion, by the way, just as an example of what I'm getting at. Though I do like both those films.
Reply
post #156 of 362
1/21/09 at 12:39pm
I think we decided the decider would decide the theme decisively. Decide.
Reply
post #157 of 362
1/21/09 at 12:41pm
Yeah Bendrix, step up to the plate.
Select next films and next decider.
Reply
post #158 of 362
1/21/09 at 12:43pm
The timing didn't work out for me to participate in this one, but the discussion has been an interesting read. I hope to be able to participate in February's.
Reply
post #159 of 362
1/21/09 at 1:00pm
Thread Starter 
All right, all right, all right. Just wanted to make sure we were all on the same page.

To Live and Die in L.A. (1985)

Sunset Boulevard (1950)

I had already picked these before the geography debate. The next curator/decider has the option of continuing that theme or not.

Phil, I choose you.
Reply
post #160 of 362
1/21/09 at 1:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bendrix View Post
All right, all right, all right. Just wanted to make sure we were all on the same page.

To Live and Die in L.A. (1985)

Sunset Boulevard (1950)

I had already picked these before the geography debate. The next curator/decider has the option of continuing that theme or not.

Phil, I choose you.
I am a fan of this double feature, as I love Sunset Blvd, and I've wanted to see To Live and Die in L.A. for some time now.
Reply
post #161 of 362
1/21/09 at 1:07pm
Never seen neither of them. So i'm very down with them!
Reply
post #162 of 362
1/21/09 at 1:10pm
Wow, great movies. You're in for a treat, Tati, but don't read anything about TLaDiLA until you see it.
Reply
post #163 of 362
1/21/09 at 1:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Judas Booth View Post
Wow, great movies. You're in for a treat, Tati, but don't read anything about TLaDiLA until you see it.
Exactly. Great picks, bendrix.
Reply
post #164 of 362
1/21/09 at 1:18pm
Nice! Good picks. My picks will have a connection to films from the previous double features. Total coincidence.
Reply
post #165 of 362
1/21/09 at 1:42pm
Great calls. Any excuse to watch these movies again is a good excuse.
Reply
post #166 of 362
1/21/09 at 1:45pm
Those are great films. But other than the fact they are both set in LA, I don't see a clear connection. Hmmm. (Or is that it?) This will be an interesting double feature. If I can get a hold of both It will be a pleasure to participate this month.
Reply
post #167 of 362
1/21/09 at 1:48pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Erix View Post
Those are great films. But other than the fact they are both set in LA, I don't see a clear connection. Hmmm. (Or is that it?)
That's it. The fun comes from finding the connections between two apparently disparate movies.

Los Angeles has been as much a character of its own in film, just like NYC, and I wanted to see if that translated in two must-see movies from different eras I had yet to watch.

ETA: Of course, the constant subzero temperatures probably influenced my decision a little bit.
Reply
post #168 of 362
1/21/09 at 2:15pm
You're right Bendrix. It will be interesting... And challenging. The 50s and the 80s couldn't be more different. And the two movies couldn't be more different in tone.

At the very least, with Pelham and Warriors, you were dealing with NY Crime/Action films from the same era.

This time it's pretty much apples and oranges. I hope I can find both flicks because I welcome the challenge. Not to mention that it would do me good to see those films again anyway.
Reply
post #169 of 362
1/21/09 at 3:31pm
Love both those movies, but I would argue that Sunset is a Hollywood movie rather than a Los Angeles movie. There's a way that movies about Hollywood are done that seems to set them apart from movies set in straight-up L.A. It's a fine distinction, but I think it exists.
Reply
post #170 of 362
1/21/09 at 3:36pm
I agree with Rath.

IMHO, something like Repo Man might be a better fit.
Reply
post #171 of 362
1/21/09 at 4:00pm
Thread Starter 
While I can see your point, again, I think there's merit to the selection of disparate films, and Hollywood and L.A. need not be mutually exclusive. Take L.A. Confidential or Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang, for instance, where Hollywood celebrity and artifice get heavy play in what are definitively movies about Los Angeles. I was looking for two movies I hadn't seen, and I knew I wanted one of them to be To Live and Die in L.A. Cruising entered my mind as a possibility, but the same director felt too similar for a theme. I wanted to step outside the cop/action genre for a classic pick, and Sunset Boulevard came to mind.

Either way, it's something to bring to the discussion when it rolls around. And I'd already seen Repo Man.
Reply
post #172 of 362
1/21/09 at 6:15pm
Great picks. I can get my hands on both easily enough. Last time tracking down Pelham was a devil of a thing. Well worth it though.
Reply
post #173 of 362
1/21/09 at 10:07pm
Good pair. I've been meaning to watch Sunset Blvd for quite some time.
Reply
post #174 of 362
1/21/09 at 10:34pm
I have both those in my collection so that's cool with me.
Reply
post #175 of 362
1/22/09 at 2:50am
Nice choice, I've been meaning to see To Live and Die in L.A. for a while now.
Reply
post #176 of 362
1/22/09 at 3:17am
Haven't seen either, been meaning to watch To Live And Die for years.

Looking forward to this.
Reply
post #177 of 362
1/22/09 at 4:49am
Nice. It's been ages since I last saw To Live And Die. Definitely looking forward to the discussion for these.
Reply
post #178 of 362
1/26/09 at 6:46pm
A movie popped into my head today that might make a nice companion for To Live And Die In L.A.. I'll throw it out as a suggestion--Down And Out In Beverly Hills.

If every one's happy with the other choice, no problem.
Reply
post #179 of 362
2/1/09 at 4:17pm
Thread Starter 
I was about to post the thread for my picks, but then thought that if people are really chafed at the dissimilarity between the picks, I could change them to:

Sunset Boulevard

and

Day of the Locust

Post in this forum and let me know by tomorrow. I'll post the thread then.
Reply
post #180 of 362
2/1/09 at 4:34pm
I liked the original lineup.
Reply
post #181 of 362
2/1/09 at 4:34pm
Boo. Stick with Sunset Boulevard and To Live and Die in L.A. This whole thing will run more smoothly if one person and one person only picks each month. Those are your picks, stick by them. Besides, I've already got both from Netflix.

If Chewers hate the monthly choice then part of the discussion can be how much the chooser sucks.
Reply
post #182 of 362
2/1/09 at 4:36pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks. Last-minute jitters. I wanted everyone to be happy and caved a little.
Reply
post #183 of 362
2/1/09 at 5:13pm
I got To live and to die and Sunset already!
Reply
post #184 of 362
2/1/09 at 5:25pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tati View Post
I got To live and to die and Sunset already!
Cool. I'm done being a wishy-washy cocksucker.
Reply
post #185 of 362
2/1/09 at 10:25pm
I too have them both and will probably watch them as a double - Bendrix, what order do you suggest I watch them in?
Reply
post #186 of 362
2/2/09 at 12:05am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Rain Dog View Post
I too have them both and will probably watch them as a double - Bendrix, what order do you suggest I watch them in?
See, I intentionally picked two movies I had never seen. So others will have to weigh in on that question. My guess would be Live and Die first, Sunset Boulevard to come off the adrenaline high.
Reply
post #187 of 362
2/2/09 at 12:15am
That's what I did.
Reply
post #188 of 362
2/2/09 at 12:47am
I got To Live and Die in L.A. from Netflix a couple days ago (already owned Sunset Blvd), but I don't think I'll be able to actually sit down and watch the movies until this coming weekend. It's going to be a busy week, and I really don't know that I'll have time until Saturday or Sunday. I'll definitely be joining the discussion after that.
Reply
post #189 of 362
2/2/09 at 10:36am
Thread Starter 
New thread here. I'll join in once Netflix delivers.
Reply
post #190 of 362
2/20/09 at 5:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Phil View Post
Nice! Good picks. My picks will have a connection to films from the previous double features. Total coincidence.
Assuming two films from the 50s don't outright kill this project, I give you my choices. They're not pulpy fun or guilty pleasures, and I expect some "kids don't want their medicine"-type grumbling, but I think once you guys put your asses on the couch and hit play, you'll be really taken with both these films.

One has the same director as a recent pick, and one co-stars the lead from an earlier pick. They have a definite thematic connection to each other, but watch them and decide for yourself.

A Face In The Hole - no...

An Ace In The Crowded Hole - that's not right...

Billy Wilder's Ace In The Hole (1951) and Elia Kazan's A Face In The Crowd (1957).

I haven't seen Ace In The Hole in over 20 years, so I don't have much to say this second. A Face In The Crowd is my absolute favorite Kazan film, and I picked it based on the comments on here from folks who found Matthau a revelation in Pelham (previously knowing him solely from his comedic roles). Matthau is in this film as well, and he's great, but the actor I suspect will grab you by the balls and make you question all you believe is...Andy Griffith. Yes, Andy of Mayberry. Fucking Matlock. Wait til you see him in this film.
Reply
post #191 of 362
2/20/09 at 5:09pm
2 more i haven't seen yet. So great!

You have to say who'll pick April's too!
Reply
post #192 of 362
2/20/09 at 5:20pm
Okay, in the interest of inclusion and not turning this into a circle jerk/prom king contest/senior superlatives/whatever you called it in your high school, I did a quick scour of the previous discussions and tried to pick a new kid with a good attitude.

mr adam, you pick next month. Make 'em good.
Reply
post #193 of 362
2/20/09 at 5:26pm
Okay, I know I didn't contribute to the last discussion, but I just added Phil's picks to the ol' queue. I'll try to actually talk about them this time. Promise.
Reply
post #194 of 362
2/20/09 at 5:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Phil View Post
Assuming two films from the 50s don't outright kill this project, I give you my choices. They're not pulpy fun or guilty pleasures, and I expect some "kids don't want their medicine"-type grumbling, but I think once you guys put your asses on the couch and hit play, you'll be really taken with both these films.

One has the same director as a recent pick, and one co-stars the lead from an earlier pick. They have a definite thematic connection to each other, but watch them and decide for yourself.

A Face In The Hole - no...

An Ace In The Crowded Hole - that's not right...

Billy Wilder's Ace In The Hole (1951) and Elia Kazan's A Face In The Crowd (1957).

I haven't seen Ace In The Hole in over 20 years, so I don't have much to say this second. A Face In The Crowd is my absolute favorite Kazan film, and I picked it based on the comments on here from folks who found Matthau a revelation in Pelham (previously knowing him solely from his comedic roles). Matthau is in this film as well, and he's great, but the actor I suspect will grab you by the balls and make you question all you believe is...Andy Griffith. Yes, Andy of Mayberry. Fucking Matlock. Wait til you see him in this film.
Those are two amazing films, Phil. And yes, everyone who hasn't seen A Face in the Crowd will be floored by what Griffith does with the role. It took days to get his performance out of my head.
Reply
post #195 of 362
2/21/09 at 4:57am
This is great. I'm loving this exposure to older cinema. Now i need to find them.
Reply
post #196 of 362
2/21/09 at 5:08am
A Face In The Crowd got a solid DVD release from WB; Ace In The Hole is on Criterion's label.
Reply
post #197 of 362
2/23/09 at 4:56pm
Nice, a month where I have not seen either movies, except for small parts of A Face in the Crowd. I'm a big fan of everything I've seen from Wilder as well, so looking forward to it.
Reply
post #198 of 362
2/23/09 at 4:58pm
Ace is wonderful, and I've never seen Face In The Crowd but have been meaning to fix that. Good picks!
Reply
post #199 of 362
2/23/09 at 5:02pm
sweet, not seen these, will rent them and watch em tonight! Can whoever starts the new thread link it here?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Phil View Post
mr adam, you pick next month. Make 'em good.
Thanks Phil, I'll try to make them count. Just so I know, are we sticking with the city theme or is it a free choice?
Reply
post #200 of 362
2/23/09 at 5:47pm
I have finally settled some projects that have made this the hardest quarter ever, so I have some free time again. I'm most certainly in, this time around.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Films in Release or On Video
CHUD.com Community › Forums › SPECIFIC FILMS › Films in Release or On Video › Doomed from the Start: The CHUD Film-of-the-Month Club