Classic Film : The End

Well, I can't say I'm surprised. But this is the only place I've been talking film - where to now? Suggestions that are actually MODERATED welcomefor us all, I'd imagine.


Here's to the fools who dream

It looks like this includes the individual film boards, as I'm seeing the message there as well. I think that's a mistake, they're one of IMDb's best features.

I don't understand the rationale, I would think that this site's forums actually generate a lot of traffic and dollars for Amazon, and given that they apparently spend next to zero to moderate it?

I'm sure we'll all find a forum or two to migrate to, and while the transition will be annoying and cumbersome most people that actually want to talk movies will be able to find a place to do so; what I worry about is whether they will end up wiping out user data, ratings, etc. Wipe out the whole site in effect. I like having my ratings here and being able to search and make lists - if those functions disappear I'm going to be more than a little annoyed.


Here's to the fools who dream

I don't think they'll delete all accounts so ratings will still be the same after all you need an account to add trivia etc.

Oddly enough, I was just thinking last night how an open, unmoderated forum such as this was - y'know - probably part of the problem (You know which problem).

Bezos is firmly on record as being not a fan of the problem, isn't he?

So you have a choice: you either fund it to salvage it - not Amazon's style - or you shut it down.








-There is no noun that cannot be verbed.

Col Needham has said before that they were a relatively expensive part of the site to run and didn't bring in much revenue. Message boards in general are a bit hard to monetise, but IMDb doesn't seem to have made much effort there. But they do make the site a lot more sticky, I'm not sure what it would be without them, just another information site. They're probably right that it will be more cost effective in the short term, but it may presage the decline of the site in the longer term, since Wikipedia and others do similar things. I expect lists, ratings and stuff like that will stay and it will be a fancy version of icheckmovies or something like that.

Even if it cost them literally zero working capital to keep the message boards running, IT wise and in terms of moderation, I think they would have still been coming to the decision to shut this place down.

The troll epidemics just got completely out of hand and are a cause of reputational damage to the website. I've seen this website often dismissed by a lot of older more considered movie fans, and I think that mostly stems from the message boards. It's not just the brand damage, but IMDb could find themselves facing legal liability for bullying and criminal behaviour on this site. People routinely post libellous and criminal material here.

I guess the trolls are now the victims of their own success in that most of us will now be moving to moderated sites.

Yeah that all makes sense; it is too bad that, unlike some other large sites that still run message boards (ESPN from my understanding has a less-trollish large forum) they never even made any real effort to have a system that was usable for everybody and a hassle to troll. And you're right about the legal damage - as I've mentioned before (perhaps in this thread, I don't feel like checking) Amazon has gotten into legal trouble in the past over really stupid things that were essentially the product of their "anything goes" mentalits - we'll sell anything, even if it's potentially illegal, because $$$! We'll allow any kinds of reviews or forum posts, because $$$! There was a very prolific Amazon reviewer years ago - a onetime Top 50 reviewer - whose EVERY review was full of racist diatribes against black people. He kept going for years and years and they did nothing despite thousands of angry comments, emails, etc. And he was reviewing books, sometimes academic books, so you'd go to some new book on slavery and see this guy's well-written but vitriolic writing suggesting that slavery was too good for black people. Why should Amazon care? MONEY!!!

But eventually it bites them and I suppose that's a part of what has happened here.


Here's to the fools who dream

Why Hollywood as We Know it is Already Over.

posted originally by FilioScotia
» 5 days ago

http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/01/why-hollywood-as-we-know-it-is-already-over


Having this fresh in my mind lead me to think that it is really a studio decision. Seems like they are barely hanging on. And too many young kids here that get off on trying to give films bad word of mouth. They are simply taking their power away for financial reasons.

Lots of "death of cinema" articles over the last couple of years. Of course there were similar articles and polemic when video and cable started to make an impact - when tv made and impact - and I suppose when talkies showed up.

But I think things really are changing now - I'm not *quite* as gloomy as the author of that article (and some of the facts there are incorrect - 2016 did not have the lowest admissions in 19 years for example, though the peak in the modern era was over a decade ago and we're well down from that) but it's clear that our whole culture is moving inward and constricting in many ways, with fewer and fewer people over 30 willing to or interested in going outside of their houses, for movies or theater or concerts or shopping. Everything online, everything on your phone and/or TV at home.

I went to see a movie yesterday - Paterson, an absolute masterpiece - and while there were few people in attendance at that film, there were loads of people at the multiplex (Sundance in Madison, WI) in general. But most of these people were older; it was a Saturday, the majority of people don't have work or school, but most people there were older than me (51). Younger people haven't completely abandoned the cinema yet of course but films that are aimed mostly at mature adults, like the film I saw and everything else playing there (all Oscar Best Picture nominees as it happens) seem to me to be losing their 30-50 demographic rapidly. And what will that result in 5, 10, 15 years from now?

I don't know, but I already have to drive an hour each way to see anything that's not aimed at kids most of the year, and it wasn't quite so much this way 20 years ago.


Here's to the fools who dream

I do think those theater shootings had a lot to do with it. I've always felt like a sitting duck in a movie theater. It's a shame that our simple joys of life are disappearing but one thing you can always count on is change. The movie industry will simply change and morph into something new.

However having to drive two hours to see a film is a sorry state of affairs, but I'm glad the film itself was worth it. You are a real film lover, and hope you have many years of happiness from the sheer joy of film.

The only reason I log on to this site is the message board.
In fact, IMDb has been my home page for the past month or so.

I can understand IMDb wanting to "clean house", but I think that closing down the message board entirely is going to extremes.

You were worried about a housecleaning, snsurone. Well, it seems you were right worse than you imagined!

The forums are the only reason I come here too. Now?

Yes, that would seem to be the rationale, except THEY NEVER EVEN TRIED TO MODERATE THE FORUMS OR DEAL WITH TROLLS. If you spend years doing absolutely nothing, what do you expect? Gardens don't fertilize themselves and pull out their own weeds.

Here's to the fools who dream

They did moderate at one point but the implementation of the ignore button gave them reason after a while to offer that as the cure-all since they kept expanding the boards to the point where anyone who ever served a sandwich to John Goodman now has his own board.

But the upside is that even though the trolls won, they also lost. They have to move on also and most forums do not tolerate such anti-social behavior.



It ain't easy being green, or anything else, other than to be me

Well, isn't this a kick in the ass ? !

Yes it is and it looks as if I won't be giving up my Amazon boycott anytime soon.

It ain't easy being green, or anything else, other than to be me

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Yes it is and it looks as if I won't be giving up my Amazon boycott anytime soon.

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I've NEVER done business with Amazon and this just about seals the deal.

This comes on the heel of the recent announcement that Amazon has quadrupled its profits over the last year.

Guess they don't need us anymore!

Amazon now sells everything from baby diapers to food to art supplies to gishing gear.
Many years have passed since they were primarily book/movie sellers

The problem with the ignore option for me always was the fact that while you didn't see the posts of the member you were ignoring, they continued to see yours. It really defeated the purpose; the perfect illustration of "Half measures availed us nothing."

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Gardens don't fertilize themselves and pull out their own weeds.

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Nice analogy!


Don't mess with me, man! I know karate, judo, ju-jitsu and several other Japanese words.

as they always do.

I am surprised and sure don't like it any.


CC:https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/28/b3/81/28b3814d7598e079965170c781cf7dc8.jpg

Is there anything we can do to stop this?
Could someone draft an on-line petition to prevent the cancellation of the message boards?

Recommended message board: http://www.icmforum.com/index/

Predictably many of the users are a bit list obsessed but it doesn't get in the way of film discussion. It's a fairly active forum with a nice film loving community interested in all types of films from all countries and eras, although in-depth talk about individual films admittedly is more the exception than the rule. (It's moderated but there is no troll problem there that would require much intervention from them.)

Another forum that may be more to the liking of users who primarily are interested in talk about history, actors, Old Hollywood and that type of that most associate with this board:
http://www.criterionforum.org/forum/

- just another film blog -
http://perception-de-ambiguity.tumblr.com

I'm going to miss you a lot, Perception. You're one of the good guys.

Thanks for all the fascinating contributions. I am glad that I found your monthly best-of lists. I came to really enjoy reading through posts and coming up with my own favourites. Just one of the many things that I am going to miss greatly. Very sad, to quote the new American President.

All the very best,
Roger


That's all, folks!

http://watchthispodcast.boardhost.com/index.php


There's not much traffic, but maybe that'll change soon if enough good users migrate there from IMDb.

I was fairly active last June when it first started but drifted away. I'll definitely give it a fair shot again now.


My movie blog: http://www.GuyWithAMovieBlog.blogspot.com

Moderated message boards are nothing but managed cliques. I don't like them. IMDb was the freest, most fun site, because it wasn't moderated. Yes, the trolls could be annoying, but the depth of discussion was also the best.

I agree that there seems to be no logical explanation for why they are disabling these boards, since the discussion boards were a big part of why many of us come to this site in the first place. Now that the discussion boards of being disabled, you can bet that I won't be coming here nearly as much some of us probably not at all. Next thing you know, they will be taking away our individual movie lists and profile pages. It's that exact personal touch that made me visit this place. Without that, I'm just not interested in the site.

Bad move, IMDb! Very bad move!!

Before we know it, IMDb won't even exist anymore because we have Wikipedia far movie information, what do we need with this site? Unless they reimplement the message boards or cancel this decision, their decline is imminent, I'm almost certain.

Please excuse typos/funny wording; I use speech-recognition that doesn't always recognize!

No more, no less than when TVGuide bought Jump the Shark. First the message boards disappeared, then the site itself disappeared.

Pretty much my feelings as well. Imdb will feel pretty pointless to me without the boards. Even before I started using the general boards, I loved reading movies' specific boards. Not being able to check out discussions about a movie I just watched will create a void.

And the troll problem is overrated. Even though I personally have no sympathy for it, the ignore function at least gives everyone the freedom to handle the problem the way they wish.

I loved watching obscure movies on TCM, then going to their board to leave a comment. I'm not crazy about the way the TCM boards are set up.

Those comments on this site was often the deciding factor whether or not I'd watch a film. Wonder if IMDb's demise will cause further decline to TCM.. It's almost expected, at this point, with Robert Osburne's absence as well.

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Moderated message boards are nothing but managed cliques.

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Totally agree with this. I frequent another very popular message board, and if one of the moderators dislikes you on a personal level, he'll allow other posters to flagrantly disregard the posted forum rules and say the very worst things possible about you, no matter how untrue. The rules are enforced selectively based on who the moderator likes or doesn't like. And of course if you call attention to that, they just delete your post. It's as though they have no self-respect and just revel in their power rather than being honorable and abiding by their own posted rules. It's sad to have those kind of people in charge of forums.

As for IMDb, the loss of these message boards is the worst thing I've ever seen happen to the Internet. I'm not sure where I'll go now to ask questions about films. Won't be able to gain info/insights on specific films anymore. Maybe people will post URL's of other such sites before 2/20, and we can copy those threads to have all the URL's.

Will the old threads and posts still be visible even though they can't be added to??

Well, my friends, it's almost time to say goodbye. I am counting the poll this Sunday. Kind of glad it's the last time for that, but it all will be missed. Next week's will be the final What Classics Did You See Next Week thread. I took it over in, what, like 2007 or so and have been doing it for almost a decade, not a missed week.

You know who else was just following orders? HITLER!

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Well, my friends, it's almost time to say goodbye. I am counting the poll this Sunday. Kind of glad it's the last time for that, but it all will be missed. Next week's will be the final What Classics Did You See Next Week thread. I took it over in, what, like 2007 or so and have been doing it for almost a decade, not a missed week.

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I don't think I've ever participated in the thread but I have checked out the reviews every week and you've done a superb job of keeping it all together!!

Be proud of the great job that you've done!!

Anyone else find it interesting that, given the amount of anti-Trump messaging here, the boards are being pulled down just now?

Just sayin'.

50 Is The New Cutoff Age.

That was my first thought.

I seriously doubt The Orange One personally gave an executive order to kill the forums (though I think he's certainly petty enough to be capable of that), but I can see Amazon being quick to jump aboard the bandwagon of corporate butt-kissing, and that's a bloody shame.

50 Is The New Cutoff Age.

No, I don't think Trump personally was involved. Everything is so touchy these days.

Edit: It could have a lot to do with actors/actresses and their objections to the date of their births being published here. The thinking is they aren't getting as many jobs due to their ages.

Some boards there is no data regarding their birth. Of course the more popular actors' ages are easy to find but the more obscure ones are less available.

I know the Tom Hanks board used to have every negative thing about him deleted asap. Some actors must hate reading negative things about themselves so it does make sense.

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I know the Tom Hanks board used to have every negative thing about him deleted asap. Some actors must hate reading negative things about themselves so it does make sense.

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You don't really think that actors, other than Christopher Riordan, actually read their IMDb message boards, do you?

(I assume your post was tongue-in-cheek.)

No, but no small number of them have paid personnel (or their managers provide same) to do exactly that.

50 Is The New Cutoff Age.

Cyndi Lauper checks her board monthly, or at least she used to. A friend is her PA so I would know if this is true or not. I'd never heard of this site before I was told this.

Actors and singers do a lot of traveling. They spend a lot of time sitting in their trailers waiting for the set to be ready. And they are narcissists. Nothing they like better than Googling themselves. lol

BB, IMDb has been threatened with having its forums disabled in several European countries that have stringent hate-speech laws, Germany being one of the most recent. Given the combination of inflammatory rhetoric that's escalated on the site in the past few years, combined with the volatile political climate under a manchild president who can't keep his ego out of anything, it doesn't surprise me that corporate types such as Bezos are scurrying to keep their noses clean under the new regime. I expect to see a lot more takedowns of this nature on the internet in the coming months, not less.

50 Is The New Cutoff Age.

An extremely insightful theory, amyghost. I wouldn't be at all surprised if FB, that hotbed of personal opinion, also suffers a similar transformation in the near future.

It's probably my diehard lefty paranoia breaking the surface, but to my mind things don't look good.

50 Is The New Cutoff Age.

I think it's time for me to order TRUMBO. Looks like history is repeating itself.

As, alas, it always does. I just hope that tRump doesn't propel us into the end of history.

50 Is The New Cutoff Age.

Amy, I dislike Trump as much as you do, but I don't think he had anything to do with the board shutting down.
You do know that Trump hates Bezos guts,and Bezos, to his credit is not backing down and had been open in his criticism of Trump?
I think the problems with Hate Speech laws in Europe might have played a role in the "It is not worth the headache anymore" reasons for shutting down the site.
I think you do have a "Bezos is a coporate guy therefore Bezos is scum" attitude.