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Underground > Film, TV & Theatre >

Cinema Barbelith

14:44 / 28.01.02

Given the success of Biblioteca Barbelith, I'd like to propose a complimentary film club. It would work the same way, but given that the time investment for watching a film is significantly shorter, a shorter time period between new films to watch should be the norm.

As for ground rules, I propose:
(a) one or two week period between selections. THis is not to preclude discussion of a film after the next discussion starts up, but just in recognition that we can see and discuss a lot more films this way. And we can do "Theme months" or something, with 4 selections in the same genre, same director, etc.

(b) Films chosen should be available on VHS (and preferably on DVD). No current releases.

(c) Films chosen should be widely available. Anything hard to get ahold of, either because of limited release or geographical location, should in general be avoided.

That's about it. I am willing to serve as major domo for this, if the moderators aren't up for it. Any takers?

I'll also take the liberty of suggesting Hitchcock's "Vertigo" for the first film.

The Return Of Rothkoid

14:59 / 28.01.02

I'll second the idea of Vertigo. Oh yes.

I think we should still make it maybe longer than a fortnight: films may take less time to watch, but finding them (or somewhere you can watch them) will still prove problematic for some.

Other than that, great stuff!

15:04 / 28.01.02

Having just finished a full Twin Peaks viewing, it's about time for Vertigo. I'm in.

15:21 / 28.01.02

What a great idea! And I happen to own a Vertigo DVD. (I also have The Birds and Groundhog's Day, in case you want the whole catalogue...)

15:37 / 28.01.02

Ok Vertigo.
I'll dig out my paper on Scopophilia regarding Vertigo

16:27 / 28.01.02

So whats all this then, everyone watches then give opinions I guess, do you have to watch the movie again, I mean I watched Vertigo over the holidays, would I have to get it again (which I wouldnt mind doing because I loved it)...

17:10 / 28.01.02

Yes! Ve have vays of making you vatch...

No, not really. If anyone has seen the film and wishes to comment on it without a fresh viewing, more power to them.

Well, it looks like we have a quorum for Vertigo. What about a time period? As opposed to Rothkoid, I think that in general two weeks is ample time to rent and view something. Anyone else have any opinions before we set up a date?

The Return Of Rothkoid

22:24 / 28.01.02

Yeah. I'd ask that nobody post any spoilers about the flicks involved until the day of the actual conversation. Y'know - for obvious reasons.

Also, I still think the two week thing is too short. Not because it's not enough time to rent it - 'cos it is, kinda - but because we're more likely to get snowed under more quickly. If we're watching a film every week or fortnight, the threads will quickly pile up - and I think that could be quite daunting, in some respects. The discussion of the films will, I think, be just as meaty as the book threads - so why not spread them out?

Fuck knows that I'm braindead most nights; keeping up with a two week gap may be difficult for me, and I was born with square eyes...

01:15 / 29.01.02

The book club goes off about every two months, doesn't it? So to me it makes sense to do one film per month. I don't want to hold anyone back... but I could see myself getting grumpy trying to keep up, or getting grumpy sitting out threads; and if we're going to do any type of series, I would especially not want to miss out.

05:47 / 29.01.02

I'd also like to post a vote certainly at some point in the future for The Conversation. Definitely.

Vertigo sounds good, I might like it this time around...

06:08 / 29.01.02

A month sounds reasonable.

06:19 / 29.01.02

'Aye, and my axe.'

The Return Of Rothkoid

07:44 / 29.01.02

quote:Originally posted by Paleface:
Vertigo sounds good, I might like it this time around...[cracks knuckles slooowly...]

11:11 / 29.01.02

Okay, so a month it is....

Survey says....Discussion date for Alfred Hitchcock's "Vertigo" will begin on Tuesday, February 26th. That's four weeks from now. So scamper off to the video store, my friends, and watch until your eyeballs fall out.

13:09 / 31.01.02

What if we choose say two or three connected films to watch at the same time then discuss over a month. That addresses the fact that films are much less time consuming than books and also stops the threads coming too thick and fast. Three interconnected/loosely connected films one thread.

The Return Of Rothkoid

13:52 / 31.01.02

I'd say stick to the one. Referencing other films in the thread should be fine, but it'll lose the focus if you broaden the topic out too much - and it becomes less of a study/discussion of one piece of work if you want to be inclusive of other stuff. Also, I think that the connectivity of film to film is extremely subjective: it'll be easier to just concentrate on one.

I think if we take it at the same speed as the book threads (ie: letting the thread pretty much run dry before announcing the next topic of examination) the problem of a wodge of threads building up shouldn't be a problem.

10:58 / 07.02.02

Bump up.

Just a reminder that the inaugural Barbelith Cinema Club discussion will begin on Feb. 26th and be about "Vertigo." All are welcome to participate, naturally.

The Knowledge +1

14:50 / 07.02.02

Ok.

gozer the destructor

11:05 / 13.02.02

What a great idea, im in too!

13:16 / 22.02.02

Bump Again!

Just a reminder that the inaugural Barbelith Cinema Club discussion will begin on Feb. 26th and be about "Vertigo." All are welcome to participate, naturally.

It might also be cool to start talking about what the 2nd film will be.