OT: The Cutting Room Floor - Off Topic Posts Go Here

[Michael Coffin]

Do you feel like chatting about something with isn't exactly film related, but you want to post it anyhow? Please post it here in this "Off Topic" forum! This is a "General Purpose" forum where you can post whatever you want, while keeping the subject matter of the rest of the forums "On Topic".

Some examples of subject you may want to chat about, that aren't film related might include:


eMail Problems and SPAM
Bogus eMails Pretending To Be From eBay, PayPal or Anybody Else
Who Killed JFK?
Purple Is My Favorite Color - What's Yours
eBay Sucks
eBay Doesn't Suck
PayPal Sucks
PayPal Doesn't Suck
Etc, etc, etc.


-Mike

[Bob Furmanek]

Great idea Mike!

Here's something I just read which is quite surprising:

http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/entertainment/110942004.htm

Chaplins Granddaughter Forced Out Of US
November 22, 2005, 7:27:32

CHAPLIN'S GRANDDAUGHTER FORCED TO LEAVE AMERICA

CHARLIE CHAPLIN's granddaughter KEIRA has slammed America's immigration
authorities for refusing to extend her US work visa, insisting her Chaplin pedigree should entitle her to stay.

The Belfast-born 23-year-old moved to the US to set up a film production
company five years ago (00), but is now required to leave the country when
her visa runs out next month (DEC05).

In the meantime, the model-turned-actress will have to wait four months
for a Green Card, which will give her permanent residency. Chaplin insists her situation mirrors the time her legendary grandfather was blocked from re-entering America after a trip to the UK to promote his 1952 film LIMELIGHT.

She says, "I'm stuck in a bureaucratic quagmire. My grandfather was in
the US for more than 40 years and was one of the richest men in America.
"Then, suddenly, because of the blacklist (Senator JOE McCARTHY's
Communist 'witch-hunt'), they started to question him and investigate and then basically wouldn't let him back into the country. "Now it's like the same thing is happening all over again. I have invested a lot of money in America. Things haven't changed."

[Tom Wills]

Mike, thanks for finding a way to address this.

I have been battling with a desire to just quit checking this forum since most of what I read these days has nothing to do with film. The other forum doesn't seem to have this problem. If those posts go to this thread, then I won't be suckered into clicking on it. I guess the main problem is that threads that start out as a film question get hijacked by an off topic game of verbal tag. I am sure no one means any harm, but it is frustrating.

I tried the ignore list feature, but posts by anyone on my ignore list still get highlighted in the film collector's forum as new posts, even though I can't read them. If there is a way to optimize the ignore feature to actually ignore new posts rather than just mute them I would appreciate knowing how to do that. I don't want to ignore anyone if I don't have to, and I would not use it permanently (just until things calm down).

Tom

[Michael Coffin]

I have been battling with a desire to just quit checking this forum since most of what I read these days has nothing to do with film. The other forum doesn't seem to have this problem. If those posts go to this thread, then I won't be suckered into clicking on it. I guess the main problem is that threads that start out as a film question get hijacked by an off topic game of verbal tag. I am sure no one means any harm, but it is frustrating.

I tried the ignore list feature, but posts by anyone on my ignore list still get highlighted in the film collector's forum as new posts, even though I can't read them. If there is a way to optimize the ignore feature to actually ignore new posts rather than just mute them I would appreciate knowing how to do that. I don't want to ignore anyone if I don't have to, and I would not use it permanently (just until things calm down).

Tom

Hi Tom,

Yes - I know exactly what you mean as I have been feeling the same way. Others have privately expressed similar opinions.

While nobody wants to be "heavy-handed", there needs to be a REASONABLE "signal to noise" ratio in terms of posted matter content - and lately it's been "all noise".

In the future we will probably be more diligent in pointing out when a thread is going TOO far off topic (or being "hijacked") and direct the poster to start a new thread or post their off-topic content here, on the Cutting Room Floor. :)

-Mike

[Michael Coffin]

Great idea Mike!

Here's something I just read which is quite surprising:

http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/entertainment/110942004.htm

Chaplins Granddaughter Forced Out Of US
November 22, 2005, 7:27:32

CHAPLIN'S GRANDDAUGHTER FORCED TO LEAVE AMERICA

CHARLIE CHAPLIN's granddaughter KEIRA has slammed America's immigration
authorities for refusing to extend her US work visa, insisting her Chaplin pedigree should entitle her to stay.

The Belfast-born 23-year-old moved to the US to set up a film production
company five years ago (00), but is now required to leave the country when
her visa runs out next month (DEC05).

In the meantime, the model-turned-actress will have to wait four months
for a Green Card, which will give her permanent residency. Chaplin insists her situation mirrors the time her legendary grandfather was blocked from re-entering America after a trip to the UK to promote his 1952 film LIMELIGHT.

She says, "I'm stuck in a bureaucratic quagmire. My grandfather was in
the US for more than 40 years and was one of the richest men in America.
"Then, suddenly, because of the blacklist (Senator JOE McCARTHY's
Communist 'witch-hunt'), they started to question him and investigate and then basically wouldn't let him back into the country. "Now it's like the same thing is happening all over again. I have invested a lot of money in America. Things haven't changed."

Hi Bob,

Interesting story. I met Keira a couple of years ago at a screening of The Great Dictator at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts. A very nice lady, who went out of her way to talk to my young God-Daughter (a big Chaplin fan) about her grandfather.

Having said that, rules are rules - she probably should have addressed her work visa status some time ago and made necessary arrangements for continuation beyond it's expiration date. Relying on the "Chaplin pedigree" isn't exactly a "smart" thing to do, particularly given Charlie's antagonistic relationship over the years with INS.

-Mike

[Michael Coffin]

When do you open in “The King And I”?

IS a puzzlement! :)

-Mike

[Jeff Sumberg]

Well, I want to apologize for being "noise" then. I didn't think a little comedy and levity would be objected to.

[Linda Haluska]

Thanks for this "off topic thread" Michael and I am sorry I was too "colorful" and strayed off topic.

I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!:)

May you all enjoy watching the parade and your favorite Thanksgiving films, as well!

[Michael Coffin]

Well, I want to apologize for being "noise" then. I didn't think a little comedy and levity would be objected to.

Hi Jeff,

There's nothing wrong with a LITTLE noise. But take a look at the Salute To Film Preservation thread as an example:

http://www.efilmforum.com/showthread.php?t=6809

It's "mostly noise", so much so that the noise has overwhelmed the subject - wouldn't you agree?

Please don't take offense, none was intended. :)

Many of us just don't care to open a thread titled "Salute To Film Preservation" and have to wade through a bunch of posts that have nothing to do with that subject. It's just simple "net-etiquette" to stay on-topic or start a new thread on a subject matter of your own choosing.

-Mike

[Peter Apruzzese]

"I *corrected* them."

-- Delbert Grady

[Jeff Sumberg]

Hi Jeff,
But take a look at the Salute To Film Preservation thread as an example:

It's "mostly noise", so much so that the noise has overwhelmed the subject - wouldn't you agree?
Ah yes, but it was a HELLUVA LOT OF FUN!

Please don't take offense, none was intended.
I didn't.
"I *corrected* them."
Pete! You've changed!

[Linda Haluska]

And yes, PURPLE is my favorite color (if you all have not figured that out by now).:p

I had alot of fun with a few of you as well but now I am in the dumps as my birthday plans have been cancelled!:(

[Jeff Sumberg]

And just to stay firmly off topic, eBay DOES suck (even though I did just sell off three films).

Who did kill JFK?

[Linda Haluska]

My mom was pregnant with me and due any day when JFK got shot (see I can stay on topic);).

I love ebay - in fact, I am addicted to ebay!:D

[Jack Theakston]

Linda, you then MUST go see Harry Potter at Lafayette and then have dinner with us! I'll even treat if you're sure to wear your leopard-skin outfit!

[Linda Haluska]

Hugs and Kisses to you, Jack!:)
What a delightful invitation! You would be a hoot to celebrate my BD with! :D
However, I just made plans with my Dad and sister, after my other plans fell thru (no way will I be all alone on my BD!)
I thank you for your thoughfulness, Jack!

I don't have a leopard outfit to wear so I shall look on ebay!!:D

[Mitchell Dvoskin]

Who did kill JFK?

I did. I was the other man on grassy knoll. True, I was only 8 years old, but even then I knew a tax and spend Democrat when I saw one!

[Steven Sigel]

I did. I was the other man on grassy knoll. True, I was only 8 years old, but even then I knew a tax and spend Democrat when I saw one!

Is that different from a cut taxes for rich people and spend anyway Republican?

[Mitchell Dvoskin]

Is that different from a cut taxes for rich people and spend anyway Republican?

Same thing, only the party has been changed to protect the guilty... ;)

[Dave Harris]

Mike's excellent suggestion for this off topic thread has been enhanced as a forum of its own.

Feel free to post as per Michael's introductory post.