HDC Presents: 100 Years of Horror

[metternich1815]

In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with backing or negative voting films you have not seen. If there is good reason to do so. This is especially true with neg voting. For example, if you know that a certain film does not fall into the category of horror (at least your definition of it). Of course, I have generally avoided doing so because I believe it is best to have seen a film, in order for you to form an opinion; however, I do not agree that there are no instances that blind voting or negative voting would be okay.

[Sculpt]

Originally Posted by metternich1815

In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with backing or negative voting films you have not seen. If there is good reason to do so. This is especially true with neg voting. For example, if you know that a certain film does not fall into the category of horror (at least your definition of it). Of course, I have avoided doing so because I believe it is best to have seen a film, in order for you to form an opinion; however, I do not agree that there are no instances that blind voting or negative voting would be okay.

Interesting thought. But I should note, as you offered a possible reason for one giving a Neg vote on a film that one haven't seen, you also rightfully also indicate why you personally wouldn't do it. I really don't think anyone can give a good reason to do it.

That's really my point: if you respect your fellow members' opinions, you don't display your disrespect for them by negating their opinion with your assumption. If your fellow HDC member has decidedly determined a film is a Horror film by viewing it for definitive Horror elements, why the hell would anyone negate that without even seeing the film in question. That would be illogical and best, and at worst, I shouldn't write what I'm thinking.

[Straker]

If YOU are uncomfortable in voting for a film YOU haven't seen, then don't vote for it, but I think its a little much to start deciding for other people how they should cast their votes and what logic they should apply. Some people are prepared to take into consideration the arguments laid out by others and use their votes to support those movies, please don't presume to apply your standards to their decisions....

[Kandarian Demon]

Originally Posted by Straker

Who has told you that there is only one right opinion?

Well, I base that on the disrespect for any other opinion...

Originally Posted by Straker

I feel like you are trying to rebel against an authority that doesn't exist.

Nah, I'm not trying to rebel against anything. Like I said - I stated an opinion, just like everybody else has. Others have questioned whether or not some of us care about horror or a "real fans" because of what we backed or voted for. So why is my post such a big deal?

Originally Posted by Straker

Some of the comments that have been made by people in this thread go beyond simply watching a movie and forming an opinion that stops at 'good or bad'. Context is important and it is something you cant define by simply watching a movie. We are lucky at HDC to have members with a little more in depth knowledge on the genre or perhaps some of our older members who are able to put movies into a historical context. Do you really think you can get a feel for the importance of a movie simply by watching it? If I can talk to a guy who made the movie or maybe went and watched it at its first showing on release, then I am going to take that into consideration. If someone can present an argument and explain to me why a specific movie is a landmark in the genre and its something I hadn't previously considered, then its something I want to take into consideration when making my decisions.

So would I. Taking these things into consideration is not that same as forming an opinion on that alone, though.

What I DON'T agree with is that you can judge a movie you haven't seen at all. Yes, you can have an idea about what it might be like, and maybe it'll give you a good reason to see for yourself - but you can't judge it before you have actually seen it. I'm sorry if that opinion offends you.

[The Villain]

Originally Posted by Sculpt

Straker, I have immense respect for YOUR assessment of films YOU'VE seen. I really mean that.

I also have to strongly agree with Kan. Everyone, to take your responsibility seriously in selecting these films, PLEASE, never back or Neg a film you haven't seen!

You can best show your respect for opinions of any of your fellow HDC members by keeping our lists accurate and valid -- which is done by not assuming and/or copying others' opinions, and instead by only voting on films you've seen yourself.

Honestly, I thought this was an unspoken obvious rule. In fact, I feel so strongly about it, I think we should vote on it being a rule.

I have to agree with Straker. I have a few times on here backed a film purely on the opinions and reviews given by people on this forum whose film knowledge and expertise i admire including Neverending and Straker. Despite not having seen those movies, i respect and trust in their backings and know that they do not lightly give such praise and merit to films without a reason to do so.

I have not yet watched a film that the two of them have suggested that i didnt like. I think in cases like that or even in ones where people have convinced people to watch those movies, back them or just convinced them of their prowess as a film it is completely acceptable to blind back a film. You have to also consider that not everyone on here has seen all the same films, without going on the opinions of others, a lot of people wouldn't be voting for movies that deserve to be on this list and it wouldn't be much of a list.

[Sculpt]

Look at like this... it's 2013, you can see any 90min film on the internet 24/7. If you feel strongly enough about a film, or someone's opinion, then just post, "Hey guys, give me 24hrs to review movie such-&-such." If it's important to you, you can find 90 mins in 24 hours to see the film and give an informed decision. Let's just do that.

[Straker]

Originally Posted by The Villain

I have to agree with Straker. I have a few times on here backed a film purely on the opinions and reviews given by people on this forum whose film knowledge and expertise i admire including Neverending and Straker. Despite not having seen those movies, i respect and trust in their backings and know that they do not lightly give such praise and merit to films without a reason to do so.

I have not yet watched a film that the two of them have suggested that i didnt like. I think in cases like that or even in ones where people have convinced people to watch those movies, back them or just convinced them of their prowess as a film it is completely acceptable to blind back a film. You have to also consider that not everyone on here has seen all the same films, without going on the opinions of others, a lot of people wouldn't be voting for movies that deserve to be on this list and it wouldn't be much of a list.

I appreciated the backing and I knew it wasn't a decision that was taken lightly or without thought. And that for me is what is relevant here, everytime there has been a 'blind' vote cast it has been done with careful consideration, if anything I'd be willing to bet that the blind votes have actually been harder for people to bring themselves to do than voting normally.

I'd totally understand if we just had a bunch of people blind voting for every movie their friends like, but we are literally talking about less than 1% of the votes received.

[The Villain]

Originally Posted by Sculpt

Look at like this... it's 2013, you can see any 90min film on the internet 24/7. If you feel strongly enough about a film, or someone's opinion, then just post, "Hey guys, give me 24hrs to review movie such-&-such." If it's important to you, you can find 90 mins in 24 hours to see the film and give an informed decision. Let's just do that.

I don't know about you but i don't always have time to watch a movie whenever i want to and honestly i don't feel like i need to quickly watch a movie so that i can give an informed decision about it. The fact that they speak so strongly about it and are fighting for it is enough for me to back the film. I trust their opinions as i would anyone who had such strong conviction for the movies that they are fighting for and honestly if i want to back their decisions, i have the right to do that so don't tell me that i can't or shouldn't and that i should take the time to watch the movie myself.

You can do things your way, i'll do things mine.

[The Villain]

Originally Posted by Straker

I appreciated the backing and I knew it wasn't a decision that was taken lightly or without thought. And that for me is what is relevant here, everytime there has been a 'blind' vote cast it has been done with careful consideration, if anything I'd be willing to bet that the blind votes have actually been harder for people to bring themselves to do than voting normally.

I'd totally understand if we just had a bunch of people blind voting for every movie their friends like, but we are literally talking about less than 1% of the votes received.

You're right it was a lot harder for me to blind back a film as opposed to just backing one that i've seen and like. The reason i did so was because of the passionate compelling arguments that you and Neverending made towards those films. Any movie that can elicit that kind of response to make you fight so hard for it, has to be good and like i said i trust your opinion. I wish others could see and understand that. I kinda thought that was part of this whole thing, to give compelling reasons why certain movies should be included. You're also right about the 1%. I don't understand why they have such a problem with it.

[Giganticface]

Originally Posted by neverending

...These lists we create are not just amusing passtimes for us to fool around with and forget. People read them. They take them into account in their formation of opinions.

Just a few weeks ago a small press that specializes in horror fiction posted a link to our Sub-Genres of Horror list on their facebook page as a good example of horror genres. So, we have a responsibility to try and reflect some kind of reality. That's why I argue so hard in some cases. These lists are going to be around for a long time.

That sorta sums up what I've always considered this thread to be. It's not just a list of what we individually like, and it's also not necessarily a list of the obvious, standard, award-winning films. It's what we, the experts, in this community consider to be the "best" "horror." Not necessarily our favorites, but the "best," and not necessarily what scares us the most, but what might be classified as "horror" by some reasonable understanding of the the genre. Inevitably (and hopefully), the list will be influenced by our personal tastes, but it will also be limited to what makes sense to be on this particular list.