Difference between revisions of "Theater Discussion Night"

Revision as of 15:31, 9 April 2018

File:Tdn theater.jpg

RULES

Mini-Schedule for Upcoming TDN Events

Movies with a strikethrough ("Movie") means it's been shown.

Movie titles are linked with their respective IMDb page.

Any event slot with Open means no movie has been planned for that day. Suggestions are welcome for that event.

Theater Discussion Night

Next Movie

300px

The Suggested Movie List

Movies to be suggested should be primarily from the 80's science-fiction genre but can also range to other eras and genres as well, depending on the content of the movie.

All movies are to be fictional. This means no factual historical movies or documentaries.

Just because a movie is in the list doesn't mean it will be selected to be shown. This list is just to give options to pull from.

Current movies in the suggested list being considered are in not of any particular meaningful order or priority.

Movies in the list are just ideas and inspiration for possible movies to be shown.

Not all movies in the list are in Lloyd's personal collection. Some may need to be purchased ahead of time before an event.

Movies may be donated to Lloyd but are to be permanent donations, not loans.

"Unrated" and "Unknown" movies will be considered "Rated R" unless other information can be provided indicating what it should be rated as or equivalent to.

About the list table:

• Movie titles are linked to their IMDb pages.
• Movies are listed alphanumerically (by alphabetical or numerical order) for ease of searching and that's it, there are no other reasons for their order.
• The additional information listed is for those who wish to look for certain ratings, genres, or time length.
• Movie titles that are grayed out and with a 'strike through' are movies which have been shown. They remain on the list for reference purposes to track what movies have been previously displayed.

The Suggested List:

("The Suggested List" table is maintained carefully by Lloyd. Please do not edit it without permission.)

Much of the information about the movies is retrieved from IMDb.

Some inaccurate information is possible and has been discovered.

So, please report any inaccuracies to Lloyd so that they may be corrected.

You may reach him via Slack, @lloyd.black or in the #theater_discussion Slack channel.

"Note #1" Information:

"Note #2" Information:

Star Wars Night

"Star Wars Night" was merged into Theater Discussion Night and therefore the Star Wars series will be shown occasionally during TDN events.

These movies are listed in chronological order based on the story of the series:

"The Last Jedi" will be listed here when it's released on DVD.

The animated series shown on TV are a TV show and therefore will not be shown during TDN events.

Suggesting A Movie

Movies can be suggested but the movie needs to be previewed by one of the organizers to know the nature of the movies before its selected to be shown.

The movies shown are for the enjoyment of everyone therefor they will be previewed to prevent unexpected objectionable material.

However, some movies will be shown regardless. The event will not be controlled by outside parties. If people don't like certain movies, just don't attend that movie.

If you have a movie you'd like to be considered, you may suggest it via the below methods:

1. Post it in the Slack channel #theater_discussion and post it as "Movie Suggestion: (movie title)"
2. Send a Slack DM (direct message) to @lloyd.black with the message "TDN-Movie Suggestion: (movie title)"
3. Email Lloyd at lloyd.black999@gmail.com.
4. Or manually email lloyd.black999@gmail.com, with the subject "FamiLAB - TDN" and in the body of the message: "Movie Suggestion: (movie title)" and if possible give a brief description.

There's no promise it will be selected for watching, it's just to be suggested.

Lloyd Black organizes which movies are to be selected and the suggestions in general. You may reach him on Slack at @lloyd.black .

Please send suggestions to him and discuss suggestions with him.

Some restrictions when it comes to suggestions:

• The MPAA movie rating would be beneficial when suggesting a movie so it may be properly listed. However, it's accepted that some movies, such as "direct to video" types, may be "Unrated".
• Historical or "Based on true events" movies are likely to be rejected as this event is for fictional movies only.
• TV shows will NOT be accepted into the suggested movie list. This event is for movies only. However, Dustin and Lloyd may override this for special situations.
• Very short 'made for TV' series (TV movies) are allowed, like 2-6 episode for the entire series, like many 'Stephen King' TV movies. "Rose Red" is a good example as it's split into two segments.
• Additionally, segmented movies will include an intermission between segments for the comfort of attendees to the event.
• Romantic and romantic comedies are extremely unlikely to be accepted as they are outside of the original scope of the purpose of the event.
• Overly positive and 'feel good' movies are also extremely unlikely to be accepted.

Keep in mind, this event was originally supposed to be for fun 80's era Sci-Fi B-movies.

It has been expanded extensively but was never intended to be for uplifting movies.

Serious restrictions - (Movies that will NEVER be considered):

1. Actual porn, hardcore or softcore. Porn is totally unacceptable for our events, no exceptions are made for this. This includes hentai style anime, it will NOT be shown at all.
2. Any movies that are literal or approximate reenactments of real past events. Again, this event is for fictional movies only.
3. Any movies that are religious or have strong political themes. Example: "The Passion of the Christ" will never be shown. This will be enforced.

The avoidance of these topics are to avoid arguments during discussions. Even if it's agreed that arguments wouldn't be initiated, religion and politics are usually avoided anyway.

Please understand this is event is for peaceful discussions about fictional movies and not for anyone's strong views on topics whether they're related to the movies or not.

Discussion

Basic Discussion Rules:

• Please use some common sense when discussing the movie.
• Please keep discussions peaceful, no arguments are to start. The whole experience is to be educational and enjoyed by everyone.
• If the discussion is political due to the politics in the movie, please keep it reasonable.
• Do not bring current day real politics into the discussion unless they're relevant to the movie.

This is NOT a platform for anyone's opinion of our current political state.

If an argument does start you will be required to leave immediately.

• Do not bring your ego into the discussion. Nobody is right or wrong in discussing fictional movies.
• Keep in mind that most everything discussed during a fictional movie is theory, so please do not take opposing theories as fact or personal.

Possible general discussions could include the following:

• Compare the ethics that existed in the fictional reality of the movie to ours.
• Compare the fictional reality to our actual reality we're dealing with currently, is it better or worse.
• How would the movie reality would evolve in it's future.
• Compare the technology they have to ours. Is it better, worse, totally fictional, a joke, etc..
• (Optional:) Compare the types of people. Are they even comparable in intelligence, etc..
• Are the main characters likeable? Do you identify with the antagonist or the protagonist?

Apocalyptic Movies:

• In an apocalypse movie, what could've changed to prevent the apocalypse that occurred.
• What will happen to that world after the apocalypse. (Providing the world still exists in some capacity.)
• Could one person have been instrumental in changing the course of events.

AI (Artificial Intelligence):

Example Movies: "2001: A Space Odyssey", "2010", "Colossus: The Forbin Project"

• What type of AI was featured in the movie.
• What did the AI have in mind for the humans and could it have been changed.
• What kind of OS could it have been running on or was it totally fictional.
• Was the AI actually sentient and at what point did it become sentient.
• Did it have assistance from a human to become sentient.
• How did the AI evolve over the course of the movie and how long did it take.

Androids (also related to AI):

Example Movies: "Android", "Automata", "Bicentennial Man", "Ex Machina"

• If androids looked similar to real people would you accept them as other people or just machines?
• For men: If there were female looking androids that could pass for human (and anatomically correct) would you date them or avoid any romantic involvement?
• For women: If there were male looking androids that could pass for human (and anatomically correct) would you date them or avoid any romantic involvement?
• Do you believe androids can achieve sentient status or do you believe they can't obtain that status because they're not organic?
• Could androids obtain sentient status by being sufficiently complex to obtain a soul?
• Have you considered the implications of AI in androids becoming equal to or better than humans in intelligence?

Aliens (if applicable):

• Are they even realistic? Too human? Too alien?
• Would you accept them into our society if they were real?

False reality situations:

Example Movies: "The Matrix", "The Truman Show", "Dark City"

• If you were to find out that your perceived reality was fake how would you feel about it?
• If the situation was favorable to you, would you leave it anyway or stay?
• Would you try to find out who made the environment you live in or stay away from them?

Additional discussion questions for this list are welcome. Please submit them to Lloyd Black on Slack @lloyd.black

Slack Channel for Theater Discussion Night

The Slack channel for Theater Discussion Night, #theater_discussion, is for general discussion of the event and movies in general.

The #theater_discussion channel is also one of the best ways to contact Lloyd regarding the events.

It's also good for discussing the movies shown or to be shown, and talking about movies in general whether they're on the list or not.

Please do not monopolize the channel for discussing certain movies or a sequence of movies like Star Wars, Star Trek or any other movies that follow a specific theme or story line.

Movie Rating System Information:

Basic Movie Rating Information:

Rated G: General Audiences. All ages admitted. Nothing that would offend parents for viewing by children.

Rated PG: Parental Guidance Suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

Rated PG-13: Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Rated R: Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

Rated NC-17: Adults Only. No One 17 and Under Admitted. Clearly adult. Children are not admitted.

Not-Rated or Unrated: This means the movie has not been rated by the MPAA or is the "Unrated" version. Viewer discretion is advised.

For "Theater Discussion Night":

Unknown: No rating information was able to be found about the movie after many searches were conducted. Viewer discretion is advised.

Movie Selection and Presentation Process

If people are curious about how movies are selected, here is the process.

For reference, a copy of the movie is usually shown so it may play off of an external HDD and the original may be safely kept from damage and wear. All movies are shown from Lloyd's own equipment. They are not shown from another member's equipment as to keep things simple in legal situations regarding ownership and copyright situations. Lloyd retains legal copies of all movies shown. No copies (made from other sources) are to be shown of movies.

Ideas for Special Future Events

• Lloyd is considering ideas for special TDN events.

1. The first is to watch a set of movies related to each other by topic (but not connected by story) in one long event rather than watch the selected movies over a sequence of weeks or months.

The first such event would be about AI (Artificial Intelligence). There are enough interesting movies with this topic in common to bring together movies to last several hours.

Such a set of themes for perhaps a double feature night could be: AI, paranormal events, apocalypse, controlled worlds/environments etc..

'Controlled environment' movies would be: Logan's Run, The Truman Show, Dark City, The Matrix, etc..

AI movies would be: Bicentennial Man, 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Terminator (anthology), Ex Machina, The Matrix (trilogy) and more.

I considered zombie themed movies but personally, the whole zombie thing is being beaten to death and it's no longer something I want to put together.

Discussions would take place before and after each movie and then have a conclusion or summary discussion at the very end.

This special event would include breaks to eat, drink and do any other necessary actions to sustain it's attendees and retain interest in the event.

Providing food for the attendees is also being considered. Pot luck buffet is a welcome idea if people are interested in contributing.

2. The second idea is to compile a set of short films that by themselves aren't long enough for an event individually.

The short films would have a theme in common in order to make them interesting to watch together.

A discussion would follow each short film and then a summary discussion would conclude the event.

Many short films last anywhere from 10 to 15 mins each. So, 6-12 short films may be watched that would equal a 90 or up to a 120 minute movie.

3. Another idea would be to watch a marathon of a sequence of movies that are part of the same story.

Examples include: The Matrix trilogy, Star Wars anthology (part of it anyway), Alien anthology (close enough connection to be included), Star Trek anthology (parts of it)

Again, this event would need to be planned so that it would start earlier in the day and end late at night.

4. Yet another idea would be to watch a special selected TV series such as "Firefly". A series of special events could let us watch the entire series.

If any series was worth watching like this and then discussing, it's "Firefly".

Yes, it's stated that TV shows won't be shown during this event, it also states that Lloyd can override this. Guess who's coming up with these ideas.

The Fine Print (Disclaimer)

• Lloyd reserves the right to ask people to leave in the event that people refuse to obey the stated rules.
• All movies being shown are for educational purposes as these events also include a mandatory discussion.
• Anyone objecting to the content of the movies are welcome to leave the event. (If you don't like the movie, don't watch it.)
• In no way will this event ever be for sharing movies.
• For all events, the movie being shown will be coming only from Lloyd's laptop computer. (The only exception being if his laptop isn't functioning.)
• Movies that are unable to be shown from Lloyd's laptop will be played from a player that will be owned by Lloyd.
• All movies being shown are will be legally owned by Lloyd and will only come from his own DVD, HD DVD and Blu-ray collection.
• The contents of this page are subject to change frequently without notice.
• Last but not least, Lloyd reserves the right to override anything stated on this page.
• All movies shown are from the original media purchased legally from legit retail sources such as Amazon.com. They are backed up in order to retain the original source's integrity and kept safe. They are not copies from illegally obtained sources.

• Also, being the event uses the classroom projector, Lloyd keeps extra bulbs on hand to replace the bulbs quickly and efficiently. So, please don't order bulbs unless told to do so, there's extra bulbs already available. Ask Lloyd for them before attempting to do it yourself. You may contact Lloyd by Slack @lloyd.black or by phone/text at 321-220-4013. He lives very close to the lab so response and replacement time should be fairly short.

Acquiring movies for TDN events

Usually, all movies being purchased for TDN events are done through Amazon.com where the quality can be better anticipated and a new movie media is usually ensured. All of these transactions are for ownership of movies. There are no loaning of movies for events. Currently, there's only been two donations so far in the form of DVD movies. Other situations are described below.

Movie Donations

Movie donations may be made directly to Lloyd in the form of original media of the movie.

These donations are to be made to Lloyd so he may claim legal ownership.

These donations may be used versions of the movie but must be the original media, not a copy on previously blank media.

Please contact Lloyd if you wish to make a donation. Donations may be done before, or anytime you meet him or on an event night.

It's important to give the donation directly to Lloyd.

If you wish to personally buy a movie for TDN events, that's acceptable if you contact Lloyd beforehand to make sure the movie is likely to be shown.

Or... to get suggestions from Lloyd for movies he's looking to possibly purchase specifically for TDN events.

Used Movie Purchases

If you wish to sell a movie to Lloyd, please be advised that he doesn't maintain a budget for buying movies specifically for TDN events.

Movie purchases may be offered but there's no promise he will make the purchase and will be dependent on the cost.

Expensive movies will most likely be turned down. So, if you wish to offer a movie to be purchased keep the cost low.

Low cost is highly subjective, is also dependent on the type of movie and it's likelihood of being worth buying for an event.

In other words, don't try to talk Lloyd into buying your 'multi-disc collector's edition' for any possible movie for $100 or so, he won't buy it under any condition.

Money Donations

1. For Buying Movies

Donating money for movie purchases is something we're trying to avoid.

When it comes to this type of donation, gift cards are preferred.

Lloyd would prefer to use gift cards so that transactions may be tracked to show the donation was used for the purchase of a movie for TDN events.

The most appreciated gift card would be for Amazon.com since they have a great selection of movies.

Additionally, Amazon.com gift cards it can also be used towards Amazon Smile which also benefits FamiLAB which Lloyd uses when purchasing anything through Amazon.com.

Please be aware that donations towards TDN events are not tax deductible and are not associated with FamiLAB.

-

Lloyd runs the TDN event personally and doesn't use any FamiLAB funds for any aspect of the event.

Lloyd's laptop, the Bluetooth speakers, and all movies used are his personal property.

2. If you wish to donate in the form of buying food for the event.

Please communicate with Lloyd directly for this situation.

Bringing food to an event to be shared with everyone is acceptable as long as it's previously discussed before an event.

Lloyd does NOT maintain a budget for TDN events and will not reimburse people for things purchased for events without previous discussion.

Some Informational Links Regarding Movies

IMDb (Internet Movie Database) - Popular Searchable Additional Movie information

MPAA Film Ratings Guide

FilmRatings.com (Searchable Movie Ratings)