Trevor

If you all have not watched the Madagascar Penguins in their short, Christmas Caper, you should really check it out. It is on youtube, and if you don't laugh out loud at least a few times, you must be dead.

I guarantee you'll love it, or your money back.

Trevor

Just bumping to say Merry Christmas everyone!

Bluelitespecial

Yeah I thought there would be more posts today, I reached my goal of 85 by today watching Gremlins, and some christmas episodes of that 70s show and friends. I think I am now done, but next year maybe I will hit 100.

Darth Maher

Since this is my first year, I didn't set a goal. I definitely watched more than I usually do, but I still feel that I should have watched more Christmas stuff.

I don't usually watch much New Years stuff, but we'll see what I do this year. I got a few things I'd like to watch. We'll probably watch "200 Cigarettes" on NYE and then end 2007 by watching Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. Then... we'll then the contest is over.

WallyOPD

I'm planning on watching two more things when I get home (3rd Rock From the Sun's "Happy New Dick" and I'm going to check out Titus' "Last Noelle" to see if it qualifies) but my participation in the challenge is mostly done. I managed to reach 65 and I had a blast doing it. I'm really looking forward to next year.

DVD Polizei

I reached my goal of opening a Christmas DVD.

Numes

A few questions about "It's a Wonderful Life"

1. I only have ever seen this movie on TV, I was wondering what they cut out? You would think they could fit the whole thing in 3 hours.
2. How are the DVD releases? The quality was pretty terrible on NBC. Did they get a cleaner print / any restoration for the DVD releases?

Trevor

That's sort of only two questions.

I'm not sure what they cut out on TV, as I have owned the DVD since the beginnings of DVD, and haven't watched it on the tube in years. The movie is just over two hours, 2h12m if I recall, so if it was 3 hours on TV, I bet it was everything.

I have heard nothing but good things about the video on all recent releases on DVD. The three reviews on this site are all positive on the video quality. I think my DVD is a beautiful picture.

DVD.guy

I didn't own "It's a Wonderful Life" previously but would try to catch it on tv every year. However, this year I took the plunge and got the 2-Disc Collector's Set (B/W & Color).

Needless to say, the picture was amazingly sharp, clear and full of detail. Much better than tv...this is definitely one to own. Can't comment on the color portion as I only watched the B&W.

Darth Maher

Does anybody know if this is the same transfer (the B&W version, obviously) as the 60th Anniversary Edition?

I was just watching the 60th Anniversary DVD last night noticing how great the picture was. I couldn't image it looking much better except in HD.

Numes

I must have had three questions in my mind when I started typing... I think the other question was going to be: "Was the OAR 1.33:1"? I looked it up on IMDB first, though (it's 1.37:1)

Prior to the broadcast, there's the disclaimer that the movie was modified to "fit in the time allotted," so I assume they cut something out.

I will most likely pick up one of the DVD releases then (I'll have to do a little research.) We used to watch this movie EVERY Christmas Eve before we opened presents. Eventually the family kind of got sick of it, but I haven't seen it for probably 10 years or so. What a great movie. I'm not sure it's an "every Christmas" movie like "Christmas Vacation" or "A Christmas Story," though. Maybe once every two years.

I also tried to catch "A Miracle on 34th Street," but I must have missed it if it aired on a non-premium channel. I should pick that up too for next year.

DVD.guy

From what I've read, the 60th Anniversary and 2-Disc Collector's edition are the same transfer.

Numes

Oh man... Strange Days is non-anamorphic! I was soo looking forward to watching this for a New Years movie since I started the challenge. Now to watch it or not? I don't know.... Grrr...

I bit the bullet on "A Nightmare Before Christmas", but that was a *little* easier because its OAR was 1.66:1. Strange Days is 2.35:1.

Trevor

Does anyone have a list of New Year's Movies?

Numes

Anyone have a problem with me counting "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" from last night (the 11:30 show)? It was a Christmas episode from last year. The monologue had some Christmas stuff, all of the skits were Christmas oriented, and the musical guest (Tony Bennett) sang Christmas songs.

Trevor

That definitely counts imo.

Trevor

Numes, those titles inside the Bernie Mac show are chapter titles.

Numes

Gotcha. I must have missed the beginning of the other act breaks. Sometimes I am multi-tasking while watching all of these shows. Thanks.

Numes

I think there were a few posts around pages 4-7 that list the New Years movies/shows, but no one consolidated them.

The only ones that I have access to are:
Trading Places
Strange Days (non-anamorphic, probably will not watch)
Oceans 11

And the shows I have on DVD:
Family Guy Episode 2.3 "Da Boom" (New Years)
Millennium Episode 2.10 "Midnight of the Century"

Bluelitespecial

How I met your mother "the Limo"

Trevor

Thanks Numes. Ocean's 11 definitely counts? That's the only one I own.

Numes

To be honest, I haven't seen this movie since I saw it in the theater. For some reason it's one of those few movies that completely escapes my mind shortly after I see it. I'm not sure why... That happens with certain action movies for me, for some reason. Bourne Identity/Supremacy are some other examples... Yet almost any other type of movie I can give you a quick synopsis on cue.

It was on someone elses list (Gobear - post #126), so I guess I'm taking their word for it.

Trevor

Actually, the more I recollect, the main ending sequence is set for New Years, so at least much of it happens during the holidays by default.

But I'm sure the timeline of the movie is several months of planning.

We need a ruling TM.

The Monkees

Just a reminder that the challenge ends tomorrow night at midnight. No more movies or TV shows will be counted after midnight tomorrow night. If you start a film at 11:30 or any time before midnight it WILL be counted, but nothing started after midnight.

Hope everyone had fun. The winners list will be posted soon after the challenge is finished.

Trevor

I've had loads of fun, thanks TM. I've completed the super geek addendum part of the checklist, and may marathon thru to hit 500, but I may be done. Thanks to all of you for the conversations, and for the interesting lists. Many of you definitely inspired much of my watching.

I'll go seek out medication for my OCD after the holiday.