The Madness: Attack of the Automatons Rules

To Start here's a video my friend Kweeny Todd has made:

HALLOWEEN HORROR MOVIE MARATHON MADNESS: ATTACK of the AUTOMATONS - THE RULES!!!!!
IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN!! Fall is my favorite season. Every year, for the month of October, as do many of you, I watch all genre, horror and Halloween related films. I watch as many as I can and made it into a game. It has been a tradition of mine for quite some time. So I am asking folks to join me in this fun family institution. You can play the game below with me, or not, as long as you enjoy yourself. If you want to actively participate let me know and place a comment below.  

This is a game of “Quantity” game not “Quality”. This “contest” gives a format to others so they add films of interest to their own “to watch” lists. I also have the extra pleasure of blowing up my husband’s mind once a year. I LOVE bad films and he is NOT a horror fan.

THE GAME! Starting SATURDAY OCTOBER 4^st and ending SUNRISE SATURDAY NOVEMBER 1st, MANIACS will watch nothing but horror, certain Accepted genres or Halloween related films, as many as (in)humanly possible. Now, it is pretty liberal on what can be considered.  See the list of accepted sub-genres below. Also accepted are other films not directly related to Horror/Halloween but maybe associated. For Example, SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARVES can be Accepted because a Witch is a main character.

THE RULES!!! 1. First Week Starts on SATURDAY OCTOBER 4^th at 12:01 AM ALL TIME ZONES.

2. Last Week ends SUNRISE SATURDAY NOVEMBER 1^st ALL TIME ZONES.

3. You must post your WEEKLY SUMMARY ONCE A WEEK on your FB NOTES or BLOG (Tag Me AND your Judge in FB on the MADNESS page please!!).
4. Your Blog/Notes should be titled THE MADNESS: Automatons Week XXXX!
5. You must post by EVERY SUNDAY for the films for that week to count. You can post early but not late. If you post early however your MADNESS for the week is over.(SPECIAL NOTE: Halloween is on a FRIDAY this year, there will be a ONE DAY GRACE PERIOD with FINAL SUMMARIES due SUNDAY NOVMEBER 2^nd for the final week.)
6. BLOGGERS: If you have written a review for a horror film that was posted in the week on a BLOG or WEBSITE, you can use it as long as you count it in your Sunday post.
7. Your Blog/Notes should have the FILM TITLES watched for the week, TV SEASON & EPISODE,  RUN TIME & some kind of RATING, (Stars, grades, thumbs up, like/dislike etc) and the justification for Bonus Points and/or Wild Cards. ONLY A COUPLE SENTENCES ARE NEEDED.
8. A film week is SUNDAY to SATURDAY.

9. I will announce a weekly “winner”, but the “grand winner' will go to the cumulative winner for the whole month. Slow and steady viewers get a better chance to “win” that way.
10. Points are counted by the hours watched. For Example: Most Feature films (Over 1 Hour) are worth 2 Base Points unless it is over two hours, then you get more by ROUNDING to the closest half hour. (EXAMPLE: A Two hour and 15 minute film would be worth 2.0 points. BUT a 2 hour and 16 minute film would be worth 2.5 points!). Hour Slotted TV shows are 1 Base Point, ½ hour TV Slotted Shows are worth .5 Base Point.
11. Films do not have to be first watched, but can be only counted once.
ELIGIBLE EXAMPLESFilm genres that are eligible BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
Anime Horror Foreign Horror Ghost Stories B-Movie Horror Horror-Comedy Cult Horror Frankenstein Horror Classics
(post) Apocalyptic Stories
Creature Features & Monsters Movies Satanic Stories (ANY film where the Devil is a character, is Accepted.)Slashers, Serial Killers & Giallo Mutants & CannibalsSupernatural ThrillersOutbreak/Plague/Pestilence  Teen Horror Vampires Werewolves Zombies Dark Fantasy Sci-Fi HorrorTraditional Science Fiction – THIS YEAR ONLY!High Fantasy Grade A to Z – THIS YEAR ONLY! Children’s Horror
Nazisploitation TortureWitches, Pagan and Wiccan films (Any film that has a Witch is Accepted)Anything that has screened at FANTASIA, FANTASTIC FEST, SLASH Film Festival
or TIFF’s Midnight MADNESS Line-Up.
Examples ANY TV Horror Anthology:
Fear Itself
Masters of Horror
Twilight Zone
Outer Limits
Night Gallery
Tales from the Crypt
The Hitchhiker
Freddy's Nightmares
Tales from the Darkside
Fear Itself Masters of Horror Twilight Zone
Outer Limits Night Gallery Tales from the Crypt
The Hitchhiker Freddy's Nightmares Tales from the DarksideRobot ChickenOTHER (surprise me)
Examples ANY Horror Television Series:
Face OffFringeTrue Blood Eerie IndianaCharmedPushing DaisiesBeing Human (both versions)Vampire Diaries Sleepy Hollow
SupernaturalMonster HighReaper Buffy and Angel Friday the 13th the series Dark Shadows (Both versions)
Dexter The Ghost Whisperer (and variants)
X-Files The MunstersThe Addams FamilyThe Walking DeadThe Secret CircleAmerican Horror StoryExtantHannibalBates Motel
Under the DomeUgly Americans R.L. Steins’ Goosebumps & The Haunting HourThe Grim Adventures of Billy & MandyAdventure TimeScooby-Doo GrimOnce Upon a Time and spin-offsLost Girl
Any Halloween special episodeAny film or show on Full Moon Streaming, Chiller TV or the Monster ChannelAny Monster Movie, Ghost show or Horror TV, Sci-Fi or Fantasy shown on SyFy OTHER
FILMS OR TV YOU MAY HAVE TO JUSTIFYExamples of other types of film that MAY be eligible. CONTACT your Judge and MAKE A CASE FOR films like:


Film Noir (ONLY if there is a freakish murderer. Think FREAKS or M over DOUBLE INDEMNITY/MALTESE FALCON)
Disney (a lot of Disney qualifies)
Comic Book films (Some I will accept, others I will not)
Examples Films with Gothic/Noir art direction:
Repo! The Genetic OperaRocky Horror Picture ShowTim Burton’s BatmanSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet StreetThe Third Man Seven Dark City Highlander
WILD CARDS!!!!A WILD CARD is a PERSON Associated DIRECTLY with our THEME. If a name is on the WILD CARD LIST then you can watch ANYTHING they have created, acted, directed, written, distributed, produced, starred or featured in NO MATTER THE GENRE!

Wild Card List
Wild Card ListBruce Campbell (The only Permanent Wild Card)Charles Band (& Full Moon Features) Chuck RussellStuart GordonMichael CrichtonJennifer TillyTelly SuvalisMaureen O’SullivanLionel BarrymoreDan Curtis (TV Director/Producer)Karen BlackChris SarandonCatherine HicksKelly MaroneyTobin BellBrad DourifAnthony HopkinsAngela Lansbury Ally SheedyArnold SchwarzeneggerMichael Biehn
ADMENDMENTS 2014AMENDMENT A – If a Documentary Film or Reality Television show fits into the overall theme, I will accept it.  DOCUS are NOT eligible for BONUS POINTS.
AMENDMENT B: I cannot give individual points to Horror Shorts, Trailer Reels or Serials, under a half hour, ala carte. But if you watch a collection of them, they will count at the whole running time of them together. NOT Accepted for BONUS POINTS.
AMENDMENT C: WILD CARDS are allowed to get ONE BONUS POINT ONLY. However if that BONUS POINT hits the AUTOMATIC TRIPLE BONUS, I will give you FULL POINTS for that particular title!! So look for the 6 POINT WILD CARDS!

AMENDMENT D – If you attend an OUTSIDE Halloween/Seasonal event like at an amusement park or a seasonal walkthrough, I will accept it for 2 POINTS. This DOES NOT include House Parties. (Accepted List on Score sheet)
AMENDMENT E – HOWEVER!! A SPECIAL BONUS POINTS GIVEN FOR CERTAIN DARK & WALKTHROUGHS this year. (SEE DARK RIDE AUTOMATON BONUS POINTS)
AMENDMENT F – The Head Hauntress also gives PERSONAL CHALLENGES & OVERALL THEMED WORK HANDICAPS for our busier MANIACS. Just ask!
AMENDMENT  G – While Science Horror and Dark Fantasy are always welcome during the MADNESS, Due to the nature of this year’s theme, I am Accepting ALL Science Fiction and Fantasy films for FULL POINTS!

AMENDMENT H: The Man-Made “EVERY DAY” OBJECTS must exist in the film equivalent to our REAL WORLD for BONUS ELEMENT NUMBER 4. AUTOMATONS NOT ACCEPTED for this ELEMENT. However this ELEMENT has SPECIAL BONUS POINT SCORING. If the Object goes on a Killing Rampage +2 BONUS POINTS. If it’s a MECHANIZED Object on a Murderous Rampage = AUTOMATIC TRIPLE BONUS!

AMENDMENT I – THE MST3K CLAUSE: I am giving a SPECIAL BONUS for ALL EPISODES of MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000. They will be worth at least the TWO BASE POINTS + 1 BONUS POINT for the ROBOTS (3 POINTS TOTAL). Plus you get to also count ANY ELIGIBLE BONUS ELEMENTS THE FILMS HAS (UP TO THREE). HIGHEST POSSIBLE VALUE = 9 POINTS!
AMENDMENT H: The Man-Made “EVERY DAY” OBJECTS must exist in the film equivalent to our REAL WORLD for BONUS ELEMENT NUMBER 4. AUTOMATONS NOT ACCEPTED for this ELEMENT. However this ELEMENT has SPECIAL BONUS POINT SCORING. If the Object goes on a Killing Rampage +2 BONUS POINTS. If it’s a MECHANIZED Object on a Murderous Rampage = AUTOMATIC TRIPLE BONUS!
AMENDMENT I – THE MST3K CLAUSE: I am giving a SPECIAL BONUS for ALL EPISODES of MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000. They will be worth at least the TWO BASE POINTS + 1 BONUS POINT for the ROBOTS (3 POINTS TOTAL). Plus you get to also count ANY ELIGIBLE BONUS ELEMENTS THE FILMS HAS (UP TO THREE). HIGHEST POSSIBLE VALUE = 9 POINTS!
ATTACK OF THE AUTOMATONS BONUS POINTS!!!!!!AUTOMATON definition – (noun) A mechanical figure or contrivance constructed to act as if by its own motive power; robot OR something capable of acting automatically or without an external motive force.
This year’s THEME is filled with Killer Dolls, Toys, Robots, Evil Computers and Killer Mechanized Objects!!!

BONUS POINTS ELEMENTS!!!!!!You get up to THREE BONUS POINTS (+3) for ANY ACCEPTED FILM OR TV SHOW, OR you get ONE POINT (+1) for a WILD CARD with at least one of the following elements. An AUTOMATIC TRIPLE BONUS (ATB) is worth TIMES THREE (X3)
Bonus Elements1. If a LIVING Doll, Mannequin, Toy, Puppet, Golem or Statue is a character or a major plot point in what you’re watching.  (ALSO will ACCEPT DOLLS Connected to a GHOST or Spirit)
2. If a Doll, Toy or Mannequin plays a major part in a murder’s nefarious plots or ritual. (Doll, Toy or Mannequin IS THE ATTACKER = AUTOMATIC TRIPLE BONUS)
3. If a Robot, Mechanized Automaton, or Sentient Computer is a character or a major plot point in what you’re watching.  (Robot or Sentient Computer turns on its masters, goes berserk,  And/or tries to control/eradicate humanity = AUTOMATIC TRIPLE BONUS!)
4. If a Man-Made “Every day” Object takes on a Life-force of its own aka Substitutiary Locomotion. (SEE ADMENDMENT H. THIS OBJECT must exist in the film equivalent to our REAL WORLD to count) (SPECIAL BONUS: Object goes on a Killing Rampage +2 BONUS POINTS) (MECHANIZED Object on a Murderous Rampage = AUTOMATIC TRIPLE BONUS!)


5. If a person is FORCIBLY turned into a Doll, Puppet, Mannequin, Cyborg or Android OR shrunk down to the size of a doll.
6. If a Sentient Computer or Robot attempts to Mate SEXUALLY with a HUMAN. (Successfully IMPREGNATES a Human = AUTOMATIC TRIPLE BONUS)

7. If Stop Animation, Dynamation or Practical Puppetry is used for Creature FX.

8. Pod People, Evil Twins, Changelings or Doppelgangers,
9. Mecha-Suits, Robo-Hitler or Toy Soldier/Robot Armies, A Cymbal Playing Monkey Toy
10. A Toy/Doll Factory, A Warehouse filled with Mannequins, A Secret Underground Base/Lair A Deep Space Mining Ship, A Wax Museum, 1:12 Practical Scale Sets or Larger.
SECRET AUTOMATON BONUS!!!!!!!THE FIRST PERSON TO WATCH ONE OF THESE FILMS WILL GET EXTRA POINTS!
This Year we are going to try something different. Instead of a trivia clues, I am just going to list the year and the type of Automatons featured. You will have to figure it out from there. 

5 POINTSDOLLS (1936)ANDROID (1973)DOLL (1978)DOPPELGANGERS/EVIL TWINS (1981)COMPUTER (1981)MECHANIZED OBJECT (1983)ROBOTS (1984)COMPUTER & ROBOTS (1984)STATUES (1988)DOLL (2007)
10 POINTSMECHANIZED OBJECTS (1986)
20 POINTS (NON HORROR. HINT IN THE WILD CARDS)SUBSTITUTIARY LOCOMATION (1971)
After these films are found, if anyone else watches them, they will be score by the “normal” point system.


PUPPET MASTER/CHILD’S PLAY CHALLENGE!!!Watch ALL TEN PUPPET MASTER films PLUS ALL SIX CHILD’S PLAY films, in the SAME WEEK; you will get a special FLAT RATE OF 110 POINTS!!! Make sure to include it in your WEEKLY SUMMARY. (Total Runtime = 1303 minutes)

DARK RIDE AUTOMATON BONUS POINTS!!!!
I am giving a special 5 POINT BONUS for riding a Dark Ride during this year’s MADNESS. The Dark Ride MUST be AUTOMATED and a VEHICLE must take you through the attraction to count.
I am giving a special 5 POINT BONUS for riding a Dark Ride during this year’s MADNESS. The Dark Ride MUST be AUTOMATED and a VEHICLE must take you through the attraction to count.

I will ACCEPT a Seasonal Walkthrough for this Bonus ONLY if it DIRECTLY relates to our Theme. EXAMPLE: Dollhouse of the Damned at Universal Horror Nights.  Make sure to include it in your WEEKLY SUMMARY
FINAL THOUGHTS:
YOU MUST TELL, in your post, WHY you should get the BONUS POINTS or if something is a WILD CARD. We may not know the film so you must tell your Judges so we can give you the correct amount of points.  
Remember DO NOT GET TO HUNG UP on the rules. Have a question; talk to your Judge, Team Captain or PM the Head Hauntress. But Remember, this not really contest but a way to highlight cinema that you want to watch and share with others.  This is all about the conversation of movies.

If you can watch MANY Horror Films, you can WIN THE MADNESS.
If you win, you may not get a prize BUT you get Admin Rights to the Group, the annual Poster courtesy of 8-Bit Frank Browning and of course Bragging Rights for the whole year!


Good Film Hunting and Happy Halloween!!LADIES AND GENTLEMEN START YOUR QUEUES!!!

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So I think I can do okay this year with a theme that is more... well not as heavy. I need to start on my queue between netflix and amazon since those are the ones that have the most movies I can stomach.