I’ve gotten a lot of dates.
It might be interesting, if Beneezy doesn’t mind, if we also state how long we have been on the site – for curiosity’s sake. I have been on fairly constantly (some would say too long) for close to seven months (!) Although most of my experience has been positive, and I have read a lot of great posts from many fascinating perspectives and film enthusiasts, lately I have gotten sick and tired of the trolling, spamming, and user name duplication – including someone using mine. It looks like steps are now well underway to end this problem, so that we can keep those out who just want to play havoc with the site. We’ll see if this weekend is any better than the last two – hope so.
Generally, most people here are great and supportive, but I really don’t like to see personal attacks, which can happen. Good debates, and threads that go completely off tangent, but still stay interesting are fun to see. I sometimes post too long myself, but enjoy others long posts or detailed discussion. I have learned to have a greater admiration of film and think the site is over-all very productive, supportive, and a fun way to wile away the cyber hours.
I joined a little after Bob, and remember when I first joined that almost all of the threads were tremendous, and now I haven’t seen any real debate on the site for months. Look at the only really interesting thread started all month the “Can Colored Folks Get Some Love at Criterion too?” The only real debate going on is over the name (other than one poster claiming 99% of films are made in the U.S. and Western Europe which is the most ignorant thing I’ve ever heard on this forum), and even that is taken completely out of context. It’s extremely tiring. Any time you start a topic on anything people just start these inane debates over nothing. Intelligent conversation is becoming a rarity in the forums (still held together by Bob, DDD, Neh, Vicari, Blue Kim and a few others), but their are a ton of great people here that are amazing to talk personally.
@Bob Stutsman – well said. My thoughts exactly. I’ve only been on the site for a few weeks – maybe a month, I forget. I’m having a great time polishing up my writing and learning new things each and every day. Aside from the occasional nutjob with their crazy agendas I find most people are smart, thoughtful and sometimes very witty. I leave the forums on all day and check in regularly as much as I can and I try to contribute my opinions if I think it will be of interest to anyone. I’ve always been fascinated by peoples’ opinions so this site is just perfect for me. EDIT – I must admit to veering towards lists but that’s because there’s been so much already discussed and I don’t want to re-tread old ground. Also I’m always looking for recommendations for new films to watch and I find it’s the quickest way to achieve that.
Better than the IMDB forums and less snobbish than the criterionforum so not bad.
I keep hearing this word: snob. What does that even mean? That I take film seriously and I don’t want to talk all this bullshit that’s been popping up recently? It’s a false definition. The site is supposed to be for people who want to talk about film as art, as entertainment, whatever, but to do it in a serious manner, and whenever someone tries now they’re called an elitist, or an intellectual (like that’s a bad thing), or a snob. It’s ridiculous, and I’m getting really tired of it. If being a snob means I don’t want to hear how Tarantino revived the careers of every person he’s ever worked with, and which director I want murdered then sign me up, I’m as snobbish as they come.
As on all boards, no shortage of opinions. There are some fine, knowledgeable people here.
There are others that think only their opinion is valid, their way is the only way to see it. Par for the course.
@BOB
I agree and I don’t mind at all. I’ve been here for about two months now and everytime I log in and out, I learn something that’s for my own good. Sometimes people get a little nuts and will do something crazy on the forum page but other than that, like BOB said, The Auteurs is getting much better. Kudos to everyone who made changes on THE AUTEURS!
anonymity you’re not a snob, you’re just an asshole. If you want to know what a snob means dust off your dictionary you can find it under “S”
I’m glad to see after so long that we just got moderators. I came here with a bit of film history knowledge, I still find it fascinating to read all these posts. This forum also makes me read more, instead of just watch watch watch.
I joined about 6 months ago, stopped using the site for a while, then came back about 1 month ago.
The dictionary definition is not how it’s being used. Normally I see people using snob as a cop-out. As a way to not have to defend their opinion. Calling a person on here a snob is normally akin to someone calling a film pretentious. In real terms it’s meaningless, and they just don’t want to have to back-up what they’re talking about. (Opinion of a diehard asshole)
I’ve been here relatively consistently for seven months and it’s been a rollercoaster. I’ve started threads that prompted some really great discussion and I’ve started ones that died out before they got to the second page. I find people are less willing to search for discussion now that so much of the forum is given over to bullshit, myself included. Moderators is a step in the right direction, but I can’t wait until we get some categories and subsections and are able to easily navigate throughout.
Better than armageddon, worse than chocolate pudding
Yea, I search many different keywords before thinking about starting a new topic. Chances are, it already exists.
I’m still upset my “Last Film You Saw” thread got taken from me. Shakes fist at non-searchers
I’m relatively new…maybe two months. I like seeing what others are into/watching. And I was lucky to join around the time the Fake Covers thread started!!! It’s been a blast.
Sure, the occasional crank weighs in (or as last weekend showed, someone crazy logs in), but I guess everything has a price…
I’m not sure yet.
I joined about two or three weeks ago, and I must say that I’m a bit disappointed. In the beginning I saw more of the positivestuff (for me). There are some knowledgable and enthusiastic peple here, but a lot seems like ImdB when I log in each day. I’ve been on dozens of Forums over the last 10 years (ran one myself with a bunch of great guys, until some problems started to come to the forefront), and this one definitely seems to be one of the more interesting ones.
I just REALLY REALLY hope, that with moderators, sub-forums and better navigation, serious film discussion will come to the forefront again in the coming months (like some posters here suggested, this has apparently been normal at the beginning of the site).
I’ll hang on and hopefully survive the newbies, fanboys, and trolls.
I have found I like reading topics more than I like to post in them, because usually someone ends up starting a violent argument with me or will insult me completely. But, on occasion I will post something and have a great discussion.
I’ve been on the auteurs for about four months, but only posting regularly for about two.
Like almost anything else in this world, it’s been a mixed bag. There are some really cool people on the site. It’s been a healthy place for me to talk about movies with other people. It keep the gears going for me a bit. I’ve had at least three or four really good mini-debates about specific movies, and good discussions about the nature of cinema and it’s sociological impact.
The trolling and spamming was a bit absurd, but it seems to be under control now. Otherwise, there are probably too many threads about lists. But I’m willing to let that go because list-making is one of the cornerstones of cinephelia. The only thing I really wish is that people would be a bit more willing to discuss the films they praise or slander here. I’d also find it pleasing if some participants would stop just writing people off because they do or don’t like some specific film. See the “Do you only watch the art house” thread to see just how pretentious things can get.
At the end of the day, the auteurs is a really good site. I keep coming back anyway.
I’ve been on here a month or so and I tend to agree that it’s a mixed bag. But the stuff that you don’t like, you just try to ignore it. All the anger and silliness seems pointless and counterintuitive for logging on to a website. If you want to be stupid and silly, get yourself a hooker and some silly string and have at it. No reason turning on your computer and taking up bandwidth.
A lot of informative discussions I’ve read include films I’d written off which have made me go back and revisit with a new perspective. I’ve also learned of filmmakers I’d never heard of (Bela Tarr) and films I’d never seen. Lots of great recommendations here as well as good debates on films and the such.
Overall, I agree with Nathan that some people have a hard time stepping back and having some perspective. Liking a particular film or not liking a particular film is not a requirement for being an intelligent film afficionado and I actually think it’s really interesting seeing the variety of opinions that are found here. The “Do You Only Watch the Art House” is a good example of when a discussion can get out of hand and go down the drain.
My one caveat is that I wish there were more thoughtful threads that started more interesting discussion/debate. I’m all for lists and talking about your favorite films but sometimes it seems the more serious threads get either ignored or never get made. I try to do my best but my small little brain can only come up with so many topics (and whether they’re actually interesting is something else entirely).
Chopin : “I have found I like reading topics more than I like to post in them, because usually someone ends up starting a violent argument with me or will insult me completely.”
Yup. That’s because you have an opinion, which doesn’t jibe with theirs. Some will limit you to their own unimaginative mentality, while in fact, their life (and film) experiences might be a fraction of yours. Keep rockin’
Yeah, Chopin kinda got hosed on that “Do You Only Watch the Art House” thread. But don’t fret…tis the way of the world, I suppose.
I think it must have been about two months since I joined after reading about it in Sight and Sound. I like the forum, sometimes, and although some of the posts have become a bit tangential, I think that the extreme spamming that began has now filtered out a lot of the previous aggressive criticism that was deemed suitable by some before.
It seems the more threads like this that pop up, the more people actually want to get back to discussing cinema so although I went through a period of being annoyed at the incredible number of “The State of the Auteurs now”-type threads, I’m glad it’s allowed people to reassess what should be brought to the fore. Long may it continue.
I’ve been here around six months, and I love it. I have learned so much since I joined, and have seen so many films I wouldn’t have seen.
I joined a few months ago and i’m afraid all the recent horrible trolling had quite a bad effect on me, this on top of quite a lot of personal insulting that was going on, and way beneath the standard of so many nice and knowledgeable people here- who made me really take to the site. I’m glad the moderators have now made a difference but for the moment i feel like i’ve lost some pleasure and enthusiasm, and been a bit grumpier. I hadn’t noticed it mentioned in Sight and Sound!
I’ve been here for 7 or 8 months. I can not recall exactly. I suppose I could join a straight-razor enthusiasts forum…but where is the debate in that? Folded steel? It does not exist. I only wish I could stay on task and actually be somewhat of a benefit for the rest of you…
keep up the good work, the rest of you.
thank you.
keep making interesting threads people!!!
Tom – I’m sure there are literally tens of people that would love to debate the properties of folded steel with you.
Wow, I can’t believe I’ve only been here for several months! I read posts way more than I contribute to them due mostly to a lack of background in film history or cinematography and even then I’m sure that I post more often than any of you would prefer. I’m just an obsessive film buff who enjoys a really cold glass of milk once in a while. I have learned quite a bit, especially early on, and have been exposed to films that I never would have otherwise. For that, this site has been invaluable. I’ve noticed a lot of very intelligent folks coming on board recently but unfortunately due to the unpleasantness of the past few weeks/months they have not really seen the Auteurs as it once was or at least as I had seen it when I first joined. I’ve noticed a lot of regular posters have stopped posting completely and that is a damn shame. I still log on to read certain posts and to dig for recommendations but the enthusiasm has been lacking. Ah, maybe it’s just as well, I’ve been training for the National Yo-Yo Championships (division 1A-freestyle) coming up in October in Chico, CA.
Beneezy
I LOVE THE AUTEURS! THATS ALL I HAVE TO SAY, well even though i had some problems with some people, I STILL LOVE IT.——word