Weekly movies meetup in Toronto.

August 1, 2004 9:00 PM

As per this ask.me thread, I'm considering starting a weekly movie screening at my (Toronto) house. A few people posted in the thread that I should email them if it goes ahead. I'm getting closer to actually doing it so thought I'd post officially and say that if this interests you, please post here or send an email to me at metafilter @ victoryshag DOT com and I'll send you an invite with details. {more}
posted by dobbs to MetaFilter Gatherings at 9:00 PM (19 comments total)

In case it affects your decision:

a. I'm just south of St. Clair around Bathurst/Spadina and (a three second walk from St. Clair West subway station).
b. I have a sorta smelly dog (you know, in case you're allergic).
c. my TV is 27" but I will probably be buying a front screen projector in the next month or so. (advice appreciated!)
d. my apartment is smoke free but you can of course always step outside.
e. I would do my best to screen (art/foreign/docu/out of print/classic) non-Hollywood films (I've nothing against them but why drag you here to watch stuff you can get at Blockbuster?)
f. I'm open to suggestions on how to do this (should I do double bills or just one movie; pot luck dinners or fuck the food element; screen films in random order and choose the night of or make a schedule a month in advance; etc.)

If you do email me, please let me know if there is a regular night that's good for you and I'll see if there's a common night that's good for the majority of folks. Also, for easy sorting, please make the subject of the email MEFI SCREENING or I LOVE YOU, DOBBS.
posted by dobbs at 9:01 PM on August 1, 2004

You aware of the new rage, re: projection digital video and DVDs? You set up in a public space, project a movie on a building. Fun for all!
posted by five fresh fish at 9:19 PM on August 1, 2004

Talk about the new rage...

Dobbs, once I flee to Canada, I am so down. Toronto, eh?
posted by scarabic at 9:49 PM on August 1, 2004

You aware of the new rage, re: projection digital video and DVDs? You set up in a public space, project a movie on a building. Fun for all!

I saw a screening of the documentary Dark Days in Hamilton on the roof of Jackson Square last week. It was a gorgeous night and a lot of fun.
posted by The God Complex at 10:06 PM on August 1, 2004

Dobbs, once I flee to Canada, I am so down. Toronto, eh?

The west coast is much more relaxed and the vistas are gorgeous (I live there year round, save this summer) ;)
posted by The God Complex at 10:07 PM on August 1, 2004

Dobbs, once I flee to Canada, I am so down. Toronto, eh?

Heh. Thanks for the link there. Hadn't seen that comment. ;)

And yes, Toronto. Though if you say "eh" here you'll immediately stand out as a foreigner and promptly get beaten down.

FFF, yeah, I'd heard about that phenom but I've never really cottoned to watching movies outdoors.

And, since two of the emails so far are asking about titles, y'all can get a fix of my tastes by reading my verbose posts in this ask.me thread from December. I'm also on a good track to having most of the Criterion Collection. That's pretty much the type-a thing I'd be showing.
posted by dobbs at 10:49 PM on August 1, 2004

you realize i'm in texas? how you taunt me.
posted by bob sarabia at 10:50 PM on August 1, 2004

The "eh" was ironic. I typed it without thinking, looked twice, decided to let it be. You guys don't promptly beat down all foreigners, I hope? And here I had my hopes pinned on oral sex! ;)

Vancouver, TGC?
posted by scarabic at 11:34 PM on August 1, 2004

Oh, and btw - I've done "screenings" a few times at my house, and while people are sometimes willing to sit through 3 episodes of a TV show, they generally can't handle 2 movies. You can, of course, keep a second one on hand for the night owls who will be crashing on your couch, but be gracious about letting people leave after the first movie (and make sure the second one doesn't have subtitles - you'll all be too drunk and horizontal for that).
posted by scarabic at 11:36 PM on August 1, 2004

Dobbs, you must have moved recently. I seem to remember you commenting in some thread that you lived about a block from me.

I second scarabic's advice about the double headers. I can never sit through more than one movie at a time, no matter how good they are.

I recommend you make up monthly schedules of what you'll be showing when. Then people can plan ahead and save the dates.

The potluck dinner is a nice idea, but maybe just at first you'll want to keep it simpler, and just tell people to bring whatever movie munchies and beverages they want.

Finally, this is such a fantastic idea. Thanks for doing it!
posted by orange swan at 7:11 AM on August 2, 2004

You guys don't promptly beat down all foreigners, I hope?

No, we beat down locals who say "eh" as well.

You guys are right about the double headers. I did do weekly movie screenings from Jan to May this year and two was too many for the wimps people. I stopped that screening series because people didn't want to be indoors for the summer. Now of course they're whining because it's too hot to go out.

Orange Swan, nope, haven't moved. I just seem to exagerate distances to trick myself that I'm not really taking the dog for such a lengthy walk. If I remember correctly, you're around Dav/Dupont, no? It's more than a block but still pretty close.
posted by dobbs at 8:43 AM on August 2, 2004

This is groovy, dobbs. I second the schedule approach.

I will have a tight tight schedule starting next month. Mark me down as interested, but I would be an infrequent/rare attendee.
posted by philfromhavelock at 10:11 AM on August 2, 2004

And yes, Toronto. Though if you say "eh" here you'll immediately stand out as a foreigner and promptly get beaten down.

funnily enough, I visited Toronto last summer (during the blackout, by the way) and nobody beat me down. and I say "eh" all the time.

btw, lovely city. nice restaurants, very beautiful young men and women all over the place, too. and if I visit again, I hope to be invited at the Dobbs Film Center

posted by matteo at 10:29 AM on August 2, 2004

I say eh all the time without really thinking about it. Probably because i moved in from farther up north. yuppies
posted by Evstar at 10:39 AM on August 2, 2004

If I remember correctly, you're around Dav/Dupont, no? It's more than a block but still pretty close.

No, I live at Black Creek and Trethewey, 35 minutes on the TTC from you. Too bad we're not really neighbours, because then I could have walked to movie night. But then I wouldn't wish this 'hood on you or anyone:-)
posted by orange swan at 12:26 PM on August 2, 2004

I'm with philfromhavelock. Well, not physically, but count me in as generally interested but unable to attend regularly for the first coupla months.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 1:00 PM on August 3, 2004

Thanks for all who replied/emailed. A number of lurkers have emailed and asked if they could attend. I have no problem with this but of course you'll not be permitted to comment on anything throughout the night unless you pass it through me. (That's a joke just in case anyone gets offended).

I will email all who expressed interest in the next few days. If you're a latecomer to the thread, please email me rather than post here as it's about to disappear off the front page for me.

Thanks!

(And OS, that's bizarre. I can't imagine how I thought you were just down the street when you really live in the absolute middle of nowhere. Weird.)
posted by dobbs at 1:09 PM on August 3, 2004

I've been watching projected movies outdoors for two summers now in Ottawa. It's a fine way to watch a movie.
posted by srboisvert at 5:52 AM on August 4, 2004

Ooh, Centretown Movies...I can't believe I forgot all about it and now the summer is half over!
posted by KathyK at 1:53 PM on August 4, 2004