POLL; Setting up the 2021 Poll schedule (Correct edition)

[Lonewolf2003]

Through this poll we will try to fill the remaining 8 free spots to fill in the 2021 poll schedule. Four are taken up already by annual and decade polls (70s and 80s). So please vote on which one you would to see done next year.

This poll is meant to chose the options who will go into battle in the final poll. The exact amount that will go the next round will determined on basis of the results, but probably between 16 to 20. Unless when we end up with 8 clear winners already in this poll, than there will be no need for a final poll.

If you already voted in the two closed polls, please revote here

This poll will be open for two weeks.

To make a (more) informed decision here is an overview with our previous Polls: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3919

For those who want an overlap with the challenges:

2021 Challenge Schedule

2021 Challenge Schedule

Month	Country Challenge	Theme Challenge	Theme Challenge
January	Latin America - excl. Ar, Br, Uy & Mx	Sci-Fi/Fantasy	1000<400
February	Benelux	Experimental/Avant-Garde	Run the Director
March	UK/Ireland	Directed by Women	Waves from Around World
April	Middle East - excl. Iran	Doubling the Canon Nominees	Animation
May	Japan	Western	Mystery & Thriller
June	Italy	One Film From Each Year	LGBTIQ+
July	Iran & Central Asia	Travel the World	Run the Actor
August	Korean Peninsula	<400 Checks	Action & Adventure
September	Eastern Europe - excl. Russia & Balkans	Silent Era	Low IMDb Rating
October	France	Horror	One Film From Each iCM List
November	Argentina/Brazil/Uruguay	Film Noir	War movies
December	Oceania	Documentary	Unofficial

If you're unsure what an option exactly means, feel free to ask here.

[Ivan0716]

Do we need an under 50 checks poll?

What's next? Under 10?

[AdamH]

Do we need an under 50 checks poll?

What's next? Under 10?

Would quite like a 0 checks poll. Favourite films no-one has seen yet.

I actually voted for <50 poll. Think it would be very interesting.

[Lonewolf2003]

Do we need an under 50 checks poll?

What's next? Under 10?

If you don't think it's needed and don't want it, don't vote for it. If most people agree with you, it won't get enough votes to get in. If many do vote for it, they apparently think we do need it.

[beavis]

If I would comment on or highlight only one thing at this stage, then it is that I hope the Central Asia & Caucasus entry is going to get some more love. I know a lot of people might feel like they haven't got much to say on this region, but it is a very rich one and we shOUld be able to say something on it as a forum. Talking about most neglected area of movie making.... don't let this one slide people!

[mjf314]

Would quite like a 0 checks poll. Favourite films no-one has seen yet.

Huh? People are favoriting movies they haven't actually seen?!?!?

[Onderhond]

Or they're liking/disliking films but not using the checks?

[joachimt]

So far <50 gets the most checks.

[Lonewolf2003]

One extra note I want to give to take into consideration when voting; up next month is a new edition of the Silent poll..

[beasterne]

Definitely a lot of interesting options here. Even 16 votes didn't feel like quite enough, but regardless of what's ultimately chosen I think we'll have a strong selection for polls next year.

[Gorro]

Do we really want <50 to take up a poll slot next year?

Such a list can be derived from the <400 poll with relative ease. Just use the script that is used to filter out >400 movies from the current ballots to filter out >50 movies instead and compile a list from that. Or would people really submit a different (ordered) list for a <50 poll?

[St. Gloede]

Do we really want <50 to take up a poll slot next year?

Such a list can be derived from the <400 poll with relative ease. Just use the script that is used to filter out >400 movies from the current ballots to filter out >50 movies instead and compile a list from that. Or would people really submit a different (ordered) list for a <50 poll?

Perhaps not, but I think it is the novelty of the event - I.e. making and seeing lists, and giving films under 50 check a closer look/focus.

[albajos]

also it will lead people to see more movies below 50 before the poll, instead of focusing on 51-399

[Gorro]

I would still combine it with the <400 poll. If it would be announced in advance we will also publish a <50 list from the ballots, anyone can choose to put additional focus on the <50 movies in their lists / movie watching routine.

I'm interested in the results of such an undertaking, but to me it feels like a waste to give up a poll slot for that next year.

[Onderhond]

It might make a difference for people who use cut-offs for their own list. It might also push people to add lesser rated films (which would be a downside).

[sol]

What I like the most about an Under 50 checks poll is that it will be nigh on impossible to predict the winner. For most our other polls, the countdown is kind of anticlimactic because other than the few occasional low-ranked surprises here and there, mostly just the expected stuff gets in and there's rarely a surprise among the top 10 of any poll (even if the actual order is often hard to predict).

[Teproc]

What I like the most about an Under 50 checks poll is that it will be nigh on impossible to predict the winner. For most our other polls, the countdown is kind of anticlimactic because other than the few occasional low-ranked surprises here and there, mostly just the expected stuff gets in and there's rarely a surprise among the top 10 of any poll (even if the actual order is often hard to predict).

Wouldn't it be pretty easy actually? Just look at the films on 500<400 that are eligible?

[sol]

What I like the most about an Under 50 checks poll is that it will be nigh on impossible to predict the winner. For most our other polls, the countdown is kind of anticlimactic because other than the few occasional low-ranked surprises here and there, mostly just the expected stuff gets in and there's rarely a surprise among the top 10 of any poll (even if the actual order is often hard to predict).

Wouldn't it be pretty easy actually? Just look at the films on 500<400 that are eligible?

That could be an interesting comparison to draw afterwards but I doubt the results would be the same. Not everybody places every single film with below 400 checks that they like on their ballot. And in any case, looking at the eligible films and getting them in the right order isn't something easily done with one click. It's a bit different to running a 1960s poll when it is well-known that 2001: A Space Odyssey, Psycho and Le Trou are widely loved across the board and nobody needs to look up anything to know that.

[Onderhond]

Currently there are only 7 (on the 500>400 list)
The more I think about it though, the more I feel people will just stuff their list with lesser ranked films rather than real favorites. That would take the fun out of it.

[beavis]

I don't need stuffing to get a substantial <50 list going...

[Onderhond]

Me neither, 362 eligible films it seems

[St. Gloede]

Going with favourites only I have 92 (out of 1197, so about 7.5%), but plenty of other great films under that mark as well.

I definitely think the results will be quite different from the 7 existing entries on the list (as now people will only vote for films with 50 checks or less, evening out potential top spot advantages).

[Teproc]

I thought there would be a lot more than 7 on the 500<400 list, I don't think the similarity between the two should be a problem then.

[OldAle1]

Looks like there are 119 films on my current 500<400 with under 50 checks - and I've seen 14 films just this past month that would qualify and deserve a place. And I've deliberately tried to keep my list to no more than the results number (ok off by 2 but I tried), so I know there are many more films that I love that I could add. I'm guessing for myself it wouldn't be hard to come up with 200-250, perhaps more, by the time we'd do such a poll.

sol's point that it would be unpredictable is a good one and definitely a plus when considering it - at the same time though, these really obscure films say much more about us as individuals than they are going to as a group. How many other people are actually going to watch (and love) a lot of Onderhond's obscure recent Chinese and Japanese genre films, especially if they're hard to access for some? How many people are going to watch (and love) the obscure noirs and Filipino, Mexican and Iranian films that will populate my list? The Hungarian films and 2nd-tier French New Wave that Gloede will promote? I just get the feeling that the end result is going to be interesting, maybe, but a list of films that most of us, even dedicated viewers of less obvious films, will see and say, uh, ok, haven't heard of it, um, doesn't look like a priority. At least from my perspective - I already look for plenty of total obscurities in the areas that really interest me, not sure what would get me to prioritize some Kazakh film with 7 checks or a pre-code musical that I've never heard of or a Chinese action film that nobody but outside of China except Onderhond cares about. I also think it will end up a list with a pretty high percentage of shorts, documentaries and experimental stuff, which is a point in it's favor IMO.

So...I guess I'd predict the final list to be an interesting novelty, but I'm not sure much more than that. Waffling on voting for it.

[Lonewolf2003]

Looks like there are 119 films on my current 500<400 with under 50 checks - and I've seen 14 films just this past month that would qualify and deserve a place. And I've deliberately tried to keep my list to no more than the results number (ok off by 2 but I tried), so I know there are many more films that I love that I could add. I'm guessing for myself it wouldn't be hard to come up with 200-250, perhaps more, by the time we'd do such a poll.

sol's point that it would be unpredictable is a good one and definitely a plus when considering it - at the same time though, these really obscure films say much more about us as individuals than they are going to as a group. How many other people are actually going to watch (and love) a lot of Onderhond's obscure recent Chinese and Japanese genre films, especially if they're hard to access for some? How many people are going to watch (and love) the obscure noirs and Filipino, Mexican and Iranian films that will populate my list? The Hungarian films and 2nd-tier French New Wave that Gloede will promote? I just get the feeling that the end result is going to be interesting, maybe, but a list of films that most of us, even dedicated viewers of less obvious films, will see and say, uh, ok, haven't heard of it, um, doesn't look like a priority. At least from my perspective - I already look for plenty of total obscurities in the areas that really interest me, not sure what would get me to prioritize some Kazakh film with 7 checks or a pre-code musical that I've never heard of or a Chinese action film that nobody but outside of China except Onderhond cares about. I also think it will end up a list with a pretty high percentage of shorts, documentaries and experimental stuff, which is a point in it's favor IMO.

So...I guess I'd predict the final list to be an interesting novelty, but I'm not sure much more than that. Waffling on voting for it.

Well said. To me it sounds mostly like another exercise to find other users that loves a hidden gem as much as the voter. Which might indeed mostly likely will turn out to be futile. I’m just waiting for the underrated movies with <100 checks on no official lists poll.

[72aicm]

I don't need stuffing to get a substantial <50 list going...

This. It’s going to be the biggest «mafia» list ever though. If one thinks the <400 list is bad...

[OldAle1]

I don't need stuffing to get a substantial <50 list going...

This. It’s going to be the biggest «mafia» list ever though. If one thinks the <400 list is bad...

I foresee a good chunk of the list being composed of films that PdA and Carmel both put in their top 20-30....

The more I think about this idea, the less useful I find it.

[Onderhond]

A list full of anime series and music videos

[St. Gloede]

My assumption is that the list will be something akin to "Ain't Nobodies Blues But Our Own", where the lower spots, in particular, will be films highly placed on 2-3 lists. Which is still intriguing, as it shows obscure films that have been loved by not just one person, but one other. Blues with backup certification.

As for exploring the various lists, I most likely will. I think plenty of people are excited about Iranian, Philippino, New Maximalist Japanese films, etc.

[OldAle1]

My assumption is that the list will be something akin to "Ain't Nobodies Blues But Our Own", where the lower spots, in particular, will be films highly placed on 2-3 lists. Which is still intriguing, as it shows obscure films that have been loved by not just one person, but one other. Blues with backup certification.

As for exploring the various lists, I most likely will. I think plenty of people are excited about Iranian, Philippino, New Maximalist Japanese films, etc.

Yes but I think the TOP slots won't be on many more than 2-3 lists - 50 checks is a pretty tiny number, how many films are there really that a) have been seen by more than 3 people and b) are loved by more than 3 people, with under 50 checks? I'm guessing the number is darn small. And keep in mind that very few features on official lists that are actually accessible would have under 50 checks, and even those of us who roam outside of official check-dom are unlikely to be roaming in the same areas.

And I think you overrate peoples' explorative interests - or rather, you don't take into account here that we can't all explore everything (unless we're watching 44 features in one day or something like that ) - only a very few people will take very deep dives into any one area, and even then the chance that their tastes will coincide with 3,4,5 or more others who watched the same things... pretty slim I'd say. I mean, how many people watched more than a couple of the Hungarian films you watched when you had that personal challenge going on? And how many of them loved the same films you did? How many of those films have ended up on DTC or 500<400?

Not trying to throw cold water on you or anybody else who thinks this is a good idea, just trying to be a realist. I could well be wrong and it could end up a fairly vital and valuable poll, but the more I think about it the less likely it seems, to me. I don't think the unofficial-check poll or the underrated poll were all that exciting, frankly - I enjoy looking at them, taking part in them, watching the countdown but at the end of the day they really highlight "usual suspects" in one way or another, just as pretty much all the polls here do.

[AdamH]

In answer to the question, do we really want a <50 poll, i guess the answer is that people voted for one do and people didn't vote for it don't.

[Onderhond]

I'm assuming there might be a second poll? Because while I voted for <50, it's really low on my prio-list.

[OldAle1]

I'm assuming there might be a second poll? Because while I voted for <50, it's really low on my prio-list.

Well, it's ahead right now with a fair number of votes cast, so whether there's a second poll or not it looks likely to make it. I think people like these numbers-focused / obscurity polls in general; I guess I think we've got enough of them really and I don't think another one is likely to tell us much that's new or different.

[Lonewolf2003]

I'm assuming there might be a second poll? Because while I voted for <50, it's really low on my prio-list.

Well, it's ahead right now with a fair number of votes cast, so whether there's a second poll or not it looks likely to make it. I think people like these numbers-focused / obscurity polls in general; I guess I think we've got enough of them really and I don't think another one is likely to tell us much that's new or different.

Totally agree again. I'm also with you on thinking the votes will be way to scattered to make a meaningful, interesting list.

[Lonewolf2003]

I'm assuming there might be a second poll? Because while I voted for <50, it's really low on my prio-list.

Yes there will be a second poll with less contenders. Unless there are 8 clear winners with the number 8 having a sizeable more votes than the number 9 (and lower)

[Torgo]

The few votes for depressing movies are certainly depressing.

[Torgo]

I found "Directorial feature debuts" to be an interesting concept actually but already see it stir many discussions, like with TV movies, very limitedly released/unavailable debut films, a string of documentaries before a true feature debut and so on; but we'll see.

Cool to see Coming of Age so popular.

[St. Gloede]

Last bid for essays.

Come on, you know you want to.

[Lammetje]

If I were to submit a list for a x<50 poll, it'd be 8 titles long.

[Torgo]

If I were to submit a list for a x<50 poll, it'd be 8 titles long.

I'm surprised to see that I'd have almost 200 titles eligible. And what wonderful movies there are! To name some:

Spoiler

The Killer Tongue
Dracula in Pakistan
Holocaust 2000
Carnosaur 3
Turkish Superman
Fat Slags
Beastmaster 3
Rudy, the Racing Pig
Pocket Ninjas
Metal Tornado
Guts of a Virgin 2
Eat the Schoolgirl
Lolita Vibrator Torture
She Devils of the SS
The Tangerine Bear: Home in Time for Christmas!
Megalodon - Hai-Alarm auf Mallorca
Zombie vs. Ninja
Kartoffelsalat
Collision Earth
Air Collision
Captain Berlin versus Hitler
The Golden Nazi Vampire of Absam: Part II
Raptor Island
Robosaurus

Mh, yeah. I don't think I'm going to hand in nominations in order to save the last bit of reputation I might have.