I Bought a "Movie Lot" (120 Mystery Films)

[McConnaughay]

TLDR: I bought a movie lot. I will post 20 films of the 120 everyday I can and together, we will assess how much I got ripped off.​

When I first moved out on my own, I had an excess of DVDs in my collection that I wanted to purge. I have never been one who will go to a flea market or eBay and try to sell off movies (it isn't worth the hassle to me), and so, what I did was - I kept all the movies I valued, and I "rid" myself of anything I didn't want.

It was a bold and, perhaps, hasty decision on my part.

Basically, I bought a large binder, stored all the DVDs and pitched the cases (I did keep all the box-art for each, however).

Lately, I have found myself regretting the decision.

Back then, I didn't know what type of space I would be dealing with. I moved into a two bedroom trailer, and assumed I would one day move into a small apartment. Instead, my wife and I bought a house!

Now, I have three bedrooms, a garage and a basement, and not a whole, whole lot to put in it ("Look at all this space for activities!").

Due to that, I had a change of heart, and now, the investment of one day having a basement filled with movies is an appealing (but stupid) investment.

Someday soon, I hope to create a definitive list of my entire collection (I had a thread way back, but that isn't accurate anymore).

I decided to head to eBay and buy a Movie lot or Mystery lot, or whatever you want to call it (basically, I bought 120 movies for $90).​

This is something I have wanted to do for ages, but something I have always been too chicken shit to actually commit to.

Since my review website has generated around $100 in income, I am letting myself justify a somewhat goofy purchase by calling it an investment.

I am not expecting much, to be honest. This is entirely out of my own curiosity - that little excitement to receive from buying a set of Pokemon or Baseball cards as a kid (a gateway to gambling!).

I have bought cheaper collections prior, and have been "burned", so to speak. I am expecting a lot of black-and-white Westerns and episodes of Bob Ross.

Best case scenario, I am hoping to find a couple films I haven't heard of, a couple action movies I can log for review, and maybe a handful of horror movies too. If I can find twenty films out of the 160 movies that I eagerly want to review, I would call that a win.

In-order for this investment to pay off, each film has to be worth approximately $0.75 in total.

For fun, I thought I would share the results with you. My current plan is to look at 20 films a day until I run out. Starting tomorrow.

For now, have you ever bought a movie lot?

 

[popyura]

I’ve bought book lots, mostly SciFi and Men’s Adventure… a few times I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the haul! Hope you get a few good ones… looking forward to your first list of 20.

 

[DrLeftover]

If we're out to some sort of sale and I see a first edition book, or an antique book of any description, at a reasonable price, I'll buy it.

But it doesn't happen often.

 

[Nebulous]

120 movies for $90 is a good deal, thats 0.75 cents each. Not bad

For now, have you ever bought a movie lot?

Someone gave me one. It was every movie release by 20th century fox up until 2010.

 

[McConnaughay]

Alright, so I opened the box and looked at the first twenty films and, ...

Early on, I felt like a balloon having the air let out of it.

1.) The Suspect (2006 crime thriller with Eminem's friend Future from 8 Mile)
2.) Something to Sing About (TV film with Eddie from Family Matters)
3.) Miracle on 34th Street
4.) Red Sky
5.) Message in a Bottle (boring looking romantic comedy with Kevin Costner)

Although I am curious if any of you have seen them, for me, I wasn't at all interested. These are [Duds] in my opinion (again, if you've seen them, tell me I'm wrong).

I was starting to fear that the whole collection would be a bust.

6.) The Core (a science-fiction film I am mildly interested in) *
7.) Daredevil (a mediocre superhero film that I do intend to one day watch again and review) *
8.) The Lion in Winter (an older Peter O'Toole and Katharine Hepburn film I may watch as a way to diversify my portfolio of reviews) *
9.) Casino Royale (I have been meaning to watch the James Bond movies, I call it a small win) *
10.) 50 First Dates (classic, albeit average Adam Sandler film) *
11.) Mississippi Masala (older Denzel Washington film. Reviews are good. I'm not too interested though. *
12.) Project Almanac (average-looking time travel film) *
13.) Million Dollar Baby (I have been looking to review Clint Eastwood's filmography, so I actually call this a good win). **
14.) Transformers (a small win, I liked the first 2007 Transformers film) *
15.) American Wedding (actually completes my American Pie collection, and my wife hadn't seen American Wedding. Small win. *
16.) Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Small win. I already had it, but not as a single film) *
17.) Independence Day (Small win. Never seen the film. This is a digitally remastered version.) *
18.) A Bread Factory: Part One and Part Two (no idea about this film. Have any of you seen it?) *
19.) The Brothers Bloom (not familiar with this film, but I'm familiar with the actors. Somewhat interested. *

20.) The Dead Center (I had never heard of this film, but it definitely has my attention. This is the first major win from the collection. I look forward to seeing this film.) ****

In summation, I would say the first 20 films have made out pretty well for me. (I believe I have made $19 in value for the first 20 films, not bad.)

 

[popyura]

My take…

Message in a Bottle - Trite melodrama, Paul Newman, Robin Wright criminally misused.

The Core - Overall mediocre, Tucci and Lindo put in some good work though. Solid Saturday afternoon, just back in from doing yard work, beer in hand, brain in need of a power down, entertainment.

The Lion in Winter - Palace intrigue! I quite like this film.

Casino Royale - Great flick and a most welcome addition to the Bond canon.

Million Dollar Baby - A film you can only watch once. Classic Eastwood style filmmaking.

Transformers - Shia-era Transformers is acceptable. I’ll allow it.

Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - This is basically an Enya video playing on loop for nearly three hours. Hard pass.

Independence Day - Big Budget action cheese perfectly executed for what would become the core Marvel movie audience. Turn off your brain, smile at the explosions, and don’t think too much about it’s plot holes.

Brothers Bloom - I’m all in on Brody. He’s like a bootleg Nicholas Cage to me… incredible actor who seemingly answers the call for any paycheck dangled in front of him

The Dead Center - Never heard of it… will be looking forward to your take on it.

 

[McConnaughay]

21.) White Christmas (No.)
22.) Victoria & Albert (No.)
23.) The Identical (box-office bomb with a 6% on Rotten Tomatoes, starring Seth Green)
24.) Maid in Manhattan (No.)
25.) Think Like a Man (No.)
26.) The Accidental Husband (this film also has a 6% on Rotten Tomatoes
27.) Betsy's Wedding (No.)

28.) In Her Shoes (This isn't the type of film I would usually watch, but, you know what? I'm willing to watch it. The reviews are alright, I like Cameron Diaz and Toni Collette, maybe it will be alright) *
29.) Sweet Home Alabama (Another that I wouldn't normally watch, but am willing to keep an open mind about. Reese Witherspoon is likable enough.) *
30.) Saint (This film might be enjoyable. It looks like a stupid dumb-fun action film with Val Kilmer in it. I've wanted to watch his new documentary for awhile, and this might be an enjoyable film to watch.) *
31.) Finding Forrester (Looks like Good Will Hunting with Sean Connery - I like Sean Connery. Oh, ... and it's directed by the guy who did Good Will Hunting.) *
32.) A Love Song for Bobby Long (Not super interested, but I may watch it.) *
33.) The Marksman (Stupid fun looking movie with Liam Neeson. I'm down.) *
34.) Anger Management (Classic Adam Sandler flick. Will watch it with my wife who hasn't seen it. Small win.) **
35.) The Boondock Saints (never seen the film, but I'm actually modestly interested) **
36.) Funny People (Love this film. Sadly, I already own it.) **
37.) Dude, Where's my Car (Classic film I've never seen. Will check it out.) *
38.) The Mummy Returns (not into The Mummy movies, but my wife is.) *
39.) Don't Mess with the Zohan (Another Adam Sandler movie. Not really into it, but my wife wants to watch it.) *
40.) The Wackness (fun-looking 2000s comedy / drama with Josh Peck) *

I didn't make out as well with this batch. I would say I made about $15 worth of value from the batch (and I'm being fairly generous with it). That's $34 so far with 40 films.

 

[McConnaughay]

So, when I bought the collection, it was actually buying two (60 movie) lots and so, this is it for the final movies in the first lot. I believe this is the best yet. To the eBayer's credit, he actually included an additional nine films!

41.) Bend It Like Beckham (I don't have an interest in this film. My wife said it was a lesbian trap movie and I am not sure I know what that means.

)
42.) The Brothers (It's a romantic-comedy film and I don't recognize anyone from it. Reviews are alright, but it looks like it won't interest me very much.)
43.) Finn's Girl (It looks like a drama about abortion. I am not super interested in it, but I may check it out.)
44.) WiseGirls (It appears to be a crime film with Mariah Carey. Not particularly interested.)
45.) Lone Wolf McQuade (Chuck Norris Western film. Not super interested in Chuck Norris movies.)
46.) The Riot Act (period-drama, not super interested.)

47.) Twilight: Breaking Dawn - Pt. 2 (I may one day watch the Twilight films, but I will never seek them out. So, this works out.) *
48.) Abandon (negatively reviewed crime-thriller, may watch it.) *
49.) Clash of the Titans (not super interested, but not a bad get.)
50.) Just Married

51.) Pride and Glory (mixed reviews, but it has Colin Farrel and Edward Norton so I'm at least somewhat interested.) *
52.) Are We There Yet? (not super interested)
53.) The Missing (Western with Tommy Lee Jones and Cate Blanchett. I'm interested.) *
54.) Man of the House (goofy-looking comedy with Tommy Lee Jones. Not super-interested.) *
55.) Hitch (classic comedy with Will Smith. It's fine.) *
56.) After the Sunset (Brett Ratner movie, ew.)
57.) Dragonfly (somewhat interested.) *
58.) The Death of Kinghoffer (It's an ... Opera?)

59.) Date Night (comedy with Tina Fey and Steve Carrell. Sure, why not?) **
60.) A History of Violence (Cronenberg film, I feel that.) ***
61.) American History X (I've been needing to watch this.) ***
62.) Avatar (timely) **
63.) Horrible Bosses 2 (a lot didn't like this film. I enjoyed it.) **
64.) Ready Player One (I could have realistically seen myself buying this in the five dollar bin at Wal-Mart.) ***
65.) The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (this means I now have the first and second separately from this purchase. Sweet.) **
66.) End of Watch (I like this film. Cool get.) ***
67.) X2 (I already had this film, but still a cool get.) **
68.) Seraphim Fails (Western with Liam Neeson. I'm for it.) **
69.) 21 Grams (like the director, looking forward to this.) ***

In total, this next section really brought things together for me. I would say it brought $34 in-value (exactly what the previous 40 brought in) to the purchase for me personally. Feeling a lot better about it now.

So, I'd say I have made $68 worth of my $90 investment back and I'm only halfway through!

 

[popyura]

A History of Violence & End of Watch are both rock solid.

 

[McConnaughay]

A History of Violence & End of Watch are both rock solid.

End of Watch *is* very good. I have had A History of Violence in my queue for ages as well (in-general, I have wanted to watch all of Cronenberg's filmography).

 

[Nebulous]

Miracle on 34th Street

Classic christmas movie

Daredevil

That one is okay.

Casino Royale

Great movie!

50 First Dates

Cheesy love-story movie.

Million Dollar Baby

Loved it!

Transformers

Decent

Independence Day

One of my fav's.

In summation, I would say the first 20 films have made out pretty well for me. (I believe I have made $19 in value for the first 20 films, not bad.)

I didn't make out as well with this batch. I would say I made about $15 worth of value from the batch (and I'm being fairly generous with it). That's $34 so far with 40 films.

So, I'd say I have made $68 worth of my $90 investment back and I'm only halfway through!

Never seen someone spending so much time trying to justify spending $90, its not that much money.

 

[McConnaughay]

Never seen someone spending so much time trying to justify spending $90, its not that much money.

It is when you're trying to justify doing it several more times. There is a 500 movie lot for $160 I'm interested in. Then, you have to remember, with the purchase of the movies comes the purchase of the shelves.

Truthfully, it was more preemptive too. When I started calculated the cost, I was really, really expecting things to go south. I had bought a movie-pack like this before and it was also broken, beaten-up Bob Ross episodes and direct-to-TV romantic dramas, so I was prepared to really have to make myself feel better about it.

 

[Nebulous]

It is when you're trying to justify doing it several more times. There is a 500 movie lot for $160 I'm interested in. Then, you have to remember, with the purchase of the movies comes the purchase of the shelves.

Truthfully, it was more preemptive too. When I started calculated the cost, I was really, really expecting things to go south. I had bought a movie-pack like this before and it was also broken, beaten-up Bob Ross episodes and direct-to-TV romantic dramas, so I was prepared to really have to make myself feel better about it.

I'd say its worth it! Often times the internet/cable goes out and theres nothing else to do (besides clean the house or play video games). If you have DVD's and blu-rays you're set.

I have a huge shelf of hundreds of DVD's and blu-rays in my living room and they come in handy for just that reason. Sometimes the internet can go down for a whole 24 hours straight or longer. Since we just use streaming services, that means no TV either. DVD's to the rescue.

 

[Daltonio]

I've seen a solid few of these but I just have notes on a few:

- I'll forever defend Daredevil although admittedly the R-rated Director's Cut is much better. That extra 30 minutes really helps.
- Casino Royale purely based on quality might be the best Bond movie, good place to start.
- American History X is a masterpiece.
- Chuck Norris will forever be my favorite action star and Lone Wolf McQuade is one of his best.
- The Wackness is decent though a bit forgettable
- The Boondock Saints is a solid film, a fun time and def worth a watch.

 

[Nebulous]

- American History X is a masterpiece.

Love that movie! I should watch it again.