Announcing the Distraction Blogathon!

Posted on by rebeccadeniston

MacGuffins. Red herrings. Dangling carrots. Bait-and-switch. Whatever. We all know how movies mess with our heads.

And these distractions come in all shapes and sizes. We think Dorothy’s ticket home is meeting the Wizard in the Emerald City until Professor Marvel accidentally leaves her behind. We might watch the Pink Panther movies thinking that somewhere in all that intrigue and sight gag wonderfulness is an actual pink feline. We might get wildly curious about Citizen Kane‘s “Rosebud” until the nameless reporter starts asking questions. Or we might binge on the Lord of the Rings movies just to see Frodo dangle the One Ring over the lava pit in Mount Doom (Well, that and the movies are just so danged cool, anyway).

Distractions are everywhere.

So yeah, I thought it would be fun to celebrate those wiley stories that entice us in and then take us for all kinds of rides. Here are…

The Rules

  1. Pick a movie or a list of movies that have distractions in them, whether it’s a MacGuffin, red herring, dangling carrot, or any other kind of hook. Reviews don’t have to explicitly state what a film’s distraction angle is; if doing so is too big of a spoiler, this can be hinted at or skipped.
  2. If anyone is stuck for an idea, examples can be found here, here, and here.
  3. The blogathon will take place from November twelfth through November fourteenth. Posts can be sent to Taking Up Room on or around those days via the comment section, my Contact page, my e-mail address (rebeccadeniston@gmail.com), or my Twitter account (@TakingUpRoom).
  4. New material only, please, and no more than three entries per blogger.
  5. Duplicates are allowed, but more people can look at the same film if it’s approached from a different angle, such as a straight review as opposed to a listicle.
  6. Grab a banner and advertise the blogathon!

The Roster

Taking Up Room: Psycho (1960)

Realweegiemidget Reviews: Burn After Reading (2008)

MovieMovie BlogBlog II: 9 to 5 (1980)

Cinema Catharsis: Strangers On A Train (1951)

Caftan Woman: Sherlock Holmes In Washington (1943)

Journeys In Classic Film: Strangers On A Train (1951)

Hamlette’s Soliloquy: Charade (1963)

Wolffian Classic Movie Digest: The Maltese Falcon (1941)

Silver Screenings: Murder By Television (1935)

In the Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood: Another Man’s Poison (1951), Crossroads (2002)

Dubsism: Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

Whimsically Classic: Casablanca (1942)

Poppity Talks Classic Movies: TBD

Crítica Retrô: Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

The Old Hollywood Garden: Kiss Me Deadly (1955)

The Classic Movie Muse: Stage Fright (1950)

Films From Beyond the Time Barrier: Creature From the Haunted Sea (1961)

18 Cinema Lane: Emil and the Detectives (1964)

Dell On Movies: Oldboy (2003)

The Banners

67 thoughts on “Announcing the Distraction Blogathon!”

  6. Heya! Another very exciting blogathon! Since it’s going to take place in November, which to us film nerds is Noirvember, could I do something film noir-related? I don’t know what yet, maybe a top favorite red herrings or underrated MacGuffins or something, but I’d like to add my name just in case. If that’s too vague, I’ll get in touch with you guys when I’ve figured it out lol.

    Carol The Old Hollywood garden

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      1. Heya! Could I do the MacGuffin/Great Whatsit in Kiss me Deadly? Seems obvious, but I’ve never reviewed it on my blog so I’d like to talk about it, if that’s cool!

        Carol, The Old Hollywood Garden

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Hi Rebecca. I should have more time in November to participate in blogathons. I’m thinking of covering a Bette Davis film for this event, but I honestly can’t think of any magguffins in her movies. Can you think of any in her films that will hopefully give me an idea?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      1. Now that you’ve mentioned it, “Hush…Hush, Sweet Charlotte” would definitely be worthy. However, I’ve already written about it on my blog a few years ago. I’m trying to think of other Bette films with magguffins. Can you think of anymore? Many of her films probably feature magguffins, but I just can’t think of them.

        Liked by 1 person

  10. Yes it’s Bette’s film debut. I’ve seen The Bad Sister a dozen times. I’m considering it. How about “. How about “The Catered Affair” ( 1956 ) or “Dark Victory” ( 1939′?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. What is the macguffin in Dark Victory? Also, have you seen Bette’s film Deception? There very well could be a macguffin in that, but I don’t know what it would be either.

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  13. It’s a tough choice. To be honest I’m not at all versed in “Macguffins”. Apart from the obvious ‘Macguffin movies, I can’t think of any other film that features a “macguffin” that isn’t mentioned on any site. However, there is one movie that does come to mind, and I definitely think its a “macguffin” is Britney Spears film “Crossroads” from 2002. Actually, If I’m right, there is about two macguffins in “Crossroads”.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  16. Hi there, Rebecca! Long time, no write. 😉

    I’d love to participate in this blogathon but I don’t yet have a clear idea of which film I would like to choose. I’ll get back to you asap with my title.
    Hope you are well!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
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