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Specialty Channels

Started by AndyC, March 21, 2002, 06:18:52 PM

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AndyC

Been giving this some thought. In recent years, there has been an explosion of specialty cable channels that broadcast non-stop horror, sci-fi, and other assorted classic cheese. This makes it very easy to see these movies, and introduces more people to them.

Does anyone else think this spoils the fun? Does it make things too easy.

Part of the fun, for me, is in discovery. I love to run across an obscure old flick I've never heard of, or only known by reputation. Whether actively tracking down movies in second-hand stores or on eBay, or simply stumbling across a new one, there is a sense of satisfaction.

It's kind of disappointing to then find out the same movie is shown on the Space channel about once a month, and people are getting tired of it. The treasure I've hunted is now thrown at people in abundance. Just doesn't seem right to me.

Chadzilla

Want some cheese with that whine?

Seriously I can't complain about it, I remember an era when there was no cable, no VCRs and all the cheesy b flicks played on snowy UHF stations at 3AM.  I tape recorded movies on an audio cassette player and listened to those while doing homework.  Personally I think it's kind of cool that these movies are getting larger audiences and stations of their.  Of course hip cult movie posers are going to need to find something else to latch onto that is difficult to find so they can go "Nyah, nyah" to all of us cable watching lead bottomed couch potatoes.

Can't please everybody, but as long as I'm happy that's all that matters to me.

AndyC

It's not that I'm really complaining. It's certainly better than letting the movies rot in a film vault somewhere.

I'm just curious to know if anyone else feels that the movie loses something when it becomes easy to find. It's not about exclusivity for me, but about challenge and discovery. It's a treat to find some new treasure, and a lot of fun to spring it on friends, seeing that look of "what the hell is this?" on their faces.

One part of me is glad that somebody values these movies enough to broadcast them and make them available. I'm actually disappointed that none of the mainstream channels show older movies the way they used to. Even good ones. Late-night TV is full of infomercials, when it should be full of old movies and old TV shows, the way nature intended.

Still, another part of me is a little bit disappointed, because when something is hard to get, it's more of a treat. In the case of specialty channels, it's not just easy to get, but there is a pile of it. Broadcasting a little of something once in a while is one thing. Broadcasting a lot of one thing over and over and over again is as likely to kill interest as stir it up.

Just wondering if anyone else has thought about this.

Mofo Rising

I can see what you're saying, I just don't really agree with it.  Better put, I see it as more of a "collector's mentality".  I've had a lot of experience with it.  I lived in a fairly isolated town, and the only time I could find the good weird stuff I was looking for was when I was on vacation.  I'd scour all sorts of weird stores for old comics, obscure movies, subversive literature. . . Basically all the stuff I couldn't get a hold of in my own town.

It was a lot of fun springing the cool stuff nobody else had on my friends, but given the choice I'd take the wider availability.  Kids today probably won't appreciate how hard it was to get a hold of this stuff before the internet and specialty cable, but they will get to enjoy it just the same.

Remember how annoying it was when you'd hear a cool song on the radio or TV, only to go to the record store and find out that not only did they have no copies, they'd never heard of it?  Now you can just order it on Amazon, no fuss.

So you may miss the hunt, but I think it's better to have it available.  Besides, if you really miss scouring for certain items, you can always make those items more obscure.

Stefan Robak

A good example of that for me was just recently when I saw the story of Ricky for the first time.  I did it to review on my site (the B-Hive, sorry for plugging) and though I was helped, it definately did feel good to do that.  A bad example was Escape from Hell, which I picked up on a whim.  That movie seriously hurt.
BTW, in Canada we a an uncensored channel called Drive-In  Classics.  Recent themes included a Russ Meyers fest and a celebration of Bruce Lee wannabes.

Chadzilla

There are still a lot of movies I'd like access to, here are a few...

Great White - Universal litigated this out of theaters in 1982 and it sank without a trace, now some would argue that that is a good thing.  Stars James Franciscus and Vic Morrow (aka The Last Shark or The Last Jaws).  Now a friend gave me a grainy ass bootleg, but, considering the blatant Jaws plagarism in the way too accessible Shark Attack 2 I think that its time this got released from purgatory.

It Came...Without Warning (aka Without Warning) An alien comes to earth and promptly starts flinging fanged hamburger patties around.  Jack Palance, Martin Landau, and Cameron Mitchell all get embarrassed.

El Topo?  Charles Band's Crash?  Mansion of the Doomed?

There are these killer crocodile flicks from Italy I wouldn't mind seeing.

Sadly my desires exceed the reach of my wallet.

AndyC

I suppose even if the movies are easier to find, it's still a rare breed that actually enjoys them. Meeting other B-movie fans is still a treat.

systemcr4sh

I want that channel so much. All I can get close to specialty channel is MOVIE PIX which shows some ok movies like gremlins and paperboy and suburban commando so Its alright. TBS shows some ok movies too, edited though..

-Dan