Long film challenge

3eyes · #1

Because long movies can be so very long, this ongoing challenge has a point system based on length which is meant to encourage people to watch those daunting movies and mini-series. I hope the following point system is easy to follow:

minimum length 3 hours (180 min)
One point for every FULL hour over 2 hours e.g.
3.0 (180m) = 1
4.0 (240m) = 2
5.0 (300m) = 3 -- etc.

Divide full running time by 60 and subtract 2; remainders ignored.
Die zweite Heimat = 1532 min /60 = 25 - 2 = 23 points.

Mini-series and serials count - anything self-contained. Anything FINISHED after challenge started (8/28/14) counts. Rewatches allowed. Feel free to join at any time.

Participants (tallies as of 9/7/17):

albajos - 71
brokenface - 37
connordenney - 29
Fergenaprido - 10
flavo5000 - 12
funkybusiness - 37
Gershwin - 7
globetrotter - 5
HVM - 50 "over and out"
Jay Mars -94
joachimt - 192
kingink - 33
Knaldskalle - 51
lilarcor -71
lisa- - 10
max-scl - 30
mettaller - 2
monty - 28
nimimerkillinen - 4
psychotronicbeatnik - 89
PUNQ - 60
tarr - 118
themagician - 6
Timec - 17
tommy_leazaq - 20
3eyes - 124
72allinncallme - 34

Unofficial lists:
https://www.icheckmovies.com/lists/long ... ger/3eyes/

https://www.icheckmovies.com/lists/long ... iusmarius/

https://www.icheckmovies.com/lists/amc+ ... yormovies/

globetrotter · #2

Good idea. I keep postponing these...

Jay Mars · #3

Yes, I keep postponing them as well. I'd be interested, though I'm not sure how many points I'll be able to rack up.

SkilledLunatic · #4

I would if I could but I'm too busy to watch these epics.

Timec · #5

I'm already hoping to watch Bondarchuk's War and Peace (since I just finished the book) and Shoah at some point in the near future, so I'd be in for this. It might give me some motivation to actually follow through...

metaller · #6

I have Heimat 2 lying around, and it is just daunting with its length (although I have no doubt that it will be awesome).
So this challenge might come in handy.

HVM · #7

I have 24 GB of prime real estate blocked by Ebolusyon and a couple of heavy weights ahead of me in my TSPDT quest. In.

brokenface · #8

yeah I'm in. I'm currently on a mission to clear entire backlog from computer/dvds & there's some humdingers amongst that, lengthwise. another nudge in their direction will help.

Phantom India, Chung Kuo China, Kaseki, Evolution of a Filipino Family, etc..

3eyes · #9

Splendid! I've simplified the point system (I hope) and declare this challenge open.

brokenface · #10

well I shall begin proceedings then.

1. Utvandrarna/The Emigrants (Troell, 1971) 183 mins, 1 point.

this was a bit of a slog to get through, tbh. I'm sure it's all quite accurate from historical perspective and it's certainly not a bad film but the whole pilgrims-to-the-New-World theme just isn't all that fascinating for me - dare I say, it tends to be more an American obsession (hence the Oscar nomination, I suppose).

Total points = 1

SeenShow

1. Utvandrarna/The Emigrants (Troell, 1971) 183 mins, 1 point.

3eyes · #11

brokenface on Aug 28 2014, 02:24:24 PM wrote:well I shall begin proceedings then.

1. Utvandrarna/The Emigrants (Troell, 1971) 183 mins, 2 points.

this was a bit of a slog to get through, tbh. I'm sure it's all quite accurate from historical perspective and it's certainly not a bad film but the whole pilgrims-to-the-New-World theme just isn't all that fascinating for me - dare I say, it tends to be more an American obsession (hence the Oscar nomination, I suppose).

Total points = 2

SeenShow
1. Utvandrarna/The Emigrants (Troell, 1971) 183 mins, 2 points.

I saw it in a theater when it first came out. Now that you mention it, why was it playing in Roscommon, Michigan (pop 600)? I guess because there are a lot of Swedes around there. The movie was OK but I was never inspired to watch the sequel.

brokenface · #12

yeah I'm not going to be rushing for the sequel, though I daresay I'll get to it one day.

iCheckMovies · #13

HVM on Aug 28 2014, 03:22:57 AM wrote:I have 24 GB of prime real estate blocked by Ebolusyon and a couple of heavy weights ahead of me in my TSPDT quest. In.

Me too. Along with Noli Me Tangere (both versions), As I Was Moving Ahead.... and West of the Tracks.

I'm in.

funkybusiness · #14

Oh man I've got west of the tracks and heimat as well...

How would the points be for a miniseries like heimat? still 1 point per half hour? Per episode? Or for the whole thing?

3eyes · #15

funkybusiness on Aug 28 2014, 07:11:18 PM wrote:Oh man I've got west of the tracks and heimat as well...

Edit: answer superseded a few posts down (or see beginning of thread)

3eyes · #16

Folks, I'm wondering if we should change the parameters to films over 3 hours, with points as follows:

3 hours - 1
4 hours -2
5 hours - 3

minutes div by 60 - 2

What do you think?

iCheckMovies · #17

Either way is fine by me.

3eyes · #18

OK, I did revise the guidelines (posted above, repeated here):

REVISED, EVEN MORE SIMPLIFIED POINT SYSTEM (I HOPE)

minimum length 3 hours (180 min)
One point for every FULL hour over 2 hours e.g.
3.0 (180m) = 1
4.0 (240m) = 2
5.0 (300m) = 3
etc.

Divide full running time by 60 and subtract 2; remainders ignored.
Die zweite Heimat = 1532 min /60 = 25 - 2 = 23 points.

Brokenface, you now have 1 point instead of 2.

I also posted my attempt at a list of long ICM checks. If anyone feels moved to make make it a personal list, please be my guest.

funkybusiness · #19

Heres' your list on imdb

http://www.imdb.com/list/ls075769857/

2 notes: You had The Civil War twice. It's at its first position. and I added the first Heimat to the list.

3eyes · #20

Thanks so much, fb! Can you download it to ICM? Or can I?
I think the ICM list should be called "Long Films: Official checks on ICM, 3+hours" or somthing like that.

funkybusiness · #21

3eyes on Aug 30 2014, 02:44:42 PM wrote:Thanks so much, fb! Can you download it to ICM? Or can I?
I think the ICM list should be called "Long Films: Official checks on ICM, 3+hours" or somthing like that.

yeah sure go ahead.

"add by imdb list url" looks like it's broken at the moment so here's some help for adding the whole list. Bit easier than title-by-title.

Spoiler: click to toggleShow

Hover lists near the top-> Click + add list

Then you really only need to type in the list name. then next (or save. whatever the button is near the bottom)

Then click the "add by imdb movie url(s)" tab and copy and paste all these links into the box (these are the imdb urls for the list in order)

Spoiler: click to toggleShow

and then click the save button. That should be it.

3eyes · #22

Done. Thanks so much for your help!

funkybusiness · #23

3eyes on Aug 30 2014, 05:35:19 PM wrote:Done. Thanks so much for your help!

no problem.

Fergenaprido · #24

Is this an ongoing challenge? If so, then I'm im.

iCheckMovies · #25

Fergenaprido on Aug 30 2014, 05:41:54 PM wrote:Is this an ongoing challenge? If so, then I'm im.

It's my understanding that it is (the OP says "I'll aim to total up points now and then, perhaps monthly.")

I'll edit the title of the thread to reflect that.

3eyes · #26

YEs, ongoing and of course unofficial. I'll add you to the list, then, Fergenaprido.

Thanks for fixing the heading, Knaldskalle (Crackpot, right?)

Fergenaprido · #27

Knaldskalle on Aug 30 2014, 08:39:54 PM wrote:
Fergenaprido on Aug 30 2014, 05:41:54 PM wrote:Is this an ongoing challenge? If so, then I'm im.
It's my understanding that it is (the OP says "I'll aim to total up points now and then, perhaps monthly.")

I'll edit the title of the thread to reflect that.

3eyes on Aug 30 2014, 10:21:27 PM wrote:YEs, ongoing and of course unofficial. I'll add you to the list, then, Fergenaprido.

Thanks for fixing the heading, Knaldskalle (Crackpot, right?)

Great, thanks Knaldskalle

After only two months on here joining challenges, I realized just how much my movie-watching has changed. Even though I'm grateful that I'm being exposed to so much more cinema, joining these challenges make film-watching feel like a chore, especially when there is a deadline (and I'm a competitive person to begin with, so that doesn't help). I think from now on I might follow the monthly challenges, but not focus on them so much; rather I'll use them as a guideline on what I should watch if I'm stuck. This way, I won't feel so guilty about watching something I want to watch even though it's not on an official list and/or it won't help me in any challenges.

I think it will be best if I focus on these longer unofficial challenges (especially this one as it will free up much space on my harddrive, even if I only make it through the 6 hours of The Best of Youth) and watching films in preparation for the different polls.

3eyes · #28

Fergenaprido on Aug 31 2014, 12:05:48 AM wrote: After only two months on here joining challenges, I realized just how much my movie-watching has changed. Even though I'm grateful that I'm being exposed to so much more cinema, joining these challenges make film-watching feel like a chore, especially when there is a deadline (and I'm a competitive person to begin with, so that doesn't help). I think from now on I might follow the monthly challenges, but not focus on them so much; rather I'll use them as a guideline on what I should watch if I'm stuck. This way, I won't feel so guilty about watching something I want to watch even though it's not on an official list and/or it won't help me in any challenges. I think it will be best if I focus on these longer unofficial challenges (especially this one as it will free up much space on my harddrive, even if I only make it through the 6 hours of The Best of Youth) and watching films in preparation for the different polls.

I hear you. It's easy to get sidetracked if one signs up for an official challenge. They begin to feel like an artifact given the way unofficial challenges have multiplied over the last couple of years. Anyone can start an unofficial challenge and usually someone else will play, at least for awhile.

Unofficial challenges include an Unofficial checks challenge, an Ultra-obscure challenge (films with less than 50 checks),a Shorts challenge, a Silents challenge, 4 challenges for working toward specific awards on lists (Glass half full (bronze), Sly silver fox, There's gold in them thar hills, and Finish 'em off), sundry challenges devoted to a single list, genre, decade, or country.... Trying to keep track of all the challenges one is doing can become quite an undertaking! But I like having somewhere to report a movie I just saw (there is also a "Last movie seen" thread), and the film lounge. Well, we have fun.

Da capo: It's easy to get sidetracked, period.

brokenface · #29

2. Kaseki (Kobayashi, 1975) 200 mins, 1 pt

easiest description would be to call it a slower, less sentimental Ikiru. the big disappointment here is that it was made for TV so the visuals just don't have anything on what you expect from Kobayashi having seen The Human Condition, Seppuku, etc. washed out colours and unremarkable photography all round. also it's rather bogged down in narration throughout. all in all, Bergman does this kind of wallowing in the topic of mortality much better.

Total points = 2

SeenShow

1. Utvandrarna/The Emigrants (Troell, 1971) 183 mins, 1 point
2. Kaseki (Kobayashi, 1975) 200 mins, 1 pt

kingink · #30

I have some films I would like to watch but was afraid to start because of their length. I'll join in now since this challenge made me finally eager to watch them.
Wouldn't it be more fair and easy just to add the length of every film rather than calculating points? I now I'm too late for the whole discussion about the points etc, so feel free to just ignore me

iCheckMovies · #31

3eyes on Aug 30 2014, 10:21:27 PM wrote:Knaldskalle (Crackpot, right?)

I usually translate it "Knucklehead" but Crackpot is just as good.

3eyes · #32

kingink on Aug 31 2014, 04:18:42 PM wrote:I have some films I would like to watch but was afraid to start because of their length. I'll join in now since this challenge made me finally eager to watch them.
Wouldn't it be more fair and easy just to add the length of every film rather than calculating points? I now I'm too late for the whole discussion about the points etc, so feel free to just ignore me

I've duly added you to the list and duly ignored your suggestion, which makes my calculator ache to think of it. Or maybe that's not what you meant.... Just list long movies watched and disregard points? Possible, but there's a diff between 3 hours and 25, so. Anyway, welcome.

kingink · #33

3eyes on Aug 31 2014, 04:30:39 PM wrote:
kingink on Aug 31 2014, 04:18:42 PM wrote:I have some films I would like to watch but was afraid to start because of their length. I'll join in now since this challenge made me finally eager to watch them.
Wouldn't it be more fair and easy just to add the length of every film rather than calculating points? I now I'm too late for the whole discussion about the points etc, so feel free to just ignore me
I've duly added you to the list and duly ignored your suggestion, which makes my calculator ache to think of it. Welcome.

3eyes · #34

kingink on Aug 31 2014, 04:33:18 PM wrote:
3eyes on Aug 31 2014, 04:30:39 PM wrote:
kingink on Aug 31 2014, 04:18:42 PM wrote:I have some films I would like to watch but was afraid to start because of their length. I'll join in now since this challenge made me finally eager to watch them.
Wouldn't it be more fair and easy just to add the length of every film rather than calculating points? I now I'm too late for the whole discussion about the points etc, so feel free to just ignore me
I've duly added you to the list and duly ignored your suggestion, which makes my calculator ache to think of it. Welcome.

I have to stop editing my posts. It's a terrible habit.

Jay Mars · #35

Lonesome Dove has been sitting in my Netflix queue for years so thanks 3eyes for starting this challenge and encouraging me to finally watch it. I didn't love it the way some people do, but I did appreciate that it doesn't adhere to phony plots.

Sp first entry in this challenge is:

1. Lonesome Dove (1989) 384 mins. (4 points)

3eyes · #36

1. Hitler, ein Film aus Deutschland (W Ger 1977) 7 hours - 5 points

comment in War challenge thread

Jay Mars · #37

Spoiler: click to toggleShow

1. Lonesome Dove (1989, 384 mins) 4 points

2. John Adams (2008, 501 mins) 6 points ---- 10 total
Another miniseries I've been putting off. Good biopic about one of the neglected Founding Fathers. Paul Giamatti is an odd choice to play Adams, but does a good job. Tom Wilkinson is fun as Benjamin Franklin too.

Gershwin · #38

I didn't notice this thread, but I really need it, so I'm in.

I finished Shoah on the 29th of August, so one day after this challenge was started. Not sure if it counts, but if it does, it will be 7 points (566 min.).

3eyes · #39

Gershwin on Sep 8 2014, 09:24:29 AM wrote:I didn't notice this thread, but I really need it, so I'm in.

I finished Shoah on the 29th of August, so one day after this challenge was started. Not sure if it counts, but if it does, it will be 7 points (566 min.).

Oh sure, I'll allow it. We're not competing, just acknowledging (and encouraging) the extra effort. Congrats for getting through what I'm sure was a heavy experience!

So addition to guidelines: Anything FINISHED after challenge started (Aug 28 2014) will be counted, whenever it was started.

flavo5000 · #40

I watched Fanny & Alexander (TV Version) this weekend: 3 points

Would True Detective be included in this? I watched it over the last week as well.