About Me
Hollywood Half-Time is run solely by myself, TallCurt, out of Ontario, Canada. The site began in 2019 with the purpose of having a database for long films. The idea came to me after reading Tim Grierson’s 2016 article entitled ‘A Tribute to the Two-Cassette VHS Film.’ Within the article, Grierson highlighted 10 long films, identifying the runtime of the film and its parts, how jarring the break in the film is, and which part of the film is better. With this inspiration, I decided to research other long films in an attempt to build upon Grierson’s list. During this time, the Avengers: Endgame film was released with a runtime of 181 minutes. Many film viewers wondered whether an intermission would be included within the film. Unfortunately, Avengers: Endgame did not include an intermission and as a result, many went to online forms asking when a good time would be to take a break (i.e., washroom break, stretch legs). From here Hollywood Half-Time was created. This database is for all those who appreciate the feelings felt from viewing long films and want to have a fulfilling, relaxing, and thought provoking experience.
Film Criteria
The Hollywood-Halftime database includes predominately Hollywood made films, in addition to critically acclaimed international films (i.e., well known and/or have had nomination(s) for an academy award).
In order to be included in the database, films must meet one of the following criteria points,
- Has an official intermission within the film.
- Has an official runtime greater than 150 minutes.*
- When the film was released it was split into two parts (e.x., two tape cassette, two sided DVD disk, two separate parts released theatrically).
- The film was released theatrically and/or marketed in roadshow format.
- The film is not made or released directly for television (i.e., mini-series, television film).
- The film is not a serial or a apart of one.
- Is not a musical concert, sporting event, or adult film.
- Foreign films included as long as the runtime is at least 151 minutes or greater is a registered film on IMDB with more than 1,000 ratings, and were either nominated for an Academy Award and/ or was apart of the main competition within one of the Big Three Film Festivals (Venice, Cannes, Berlin) and/ or is considered a cult classic.
- Bollywood films included as long as the runtime is at least 151 minutes or greater, is a registered film on IMDB with more than 1000 ratings, and were either nominated for an Academy Award and/ or was apart of the main competition within one of the Big Three Film Festivals (Venice, Cannes, Berlin) and/ or is considered a cult classic.
- Prequel and sequel films are included in the database as long as the subsequent film begins or ends with no time lapse between the two scenes.
*Films that have been released with a longer runtime than the original (i.e., extended cuts, director’s cuts) that exceeds 150 minutes will be included within the database.
Examples
The Godfather (1972), with a runtime of 177 minutes does not have an official intermission, but due to the length was released in a two tape cassette.
Dances With Wolves (1990), with an original runtime of 181 minutes and no official intermission on its theatrical release, was later released in a director’s cut of 237 minutes. Both versions meet the runtime requirement.
Gone With the Wind (1939), with a runtime of 238 minutes was released with an official intermission.
Dial M for Murder (1954), with a runtime of 105 minutes, does not meet the runtime length requirements, but due to the film being released in 3-D, it required an official intermission to reload the projectors.
Fanny and Alexander (1982), a foreign language film. was nominated for six Academy Awards in 1983. The film won four of them. Having been nominated for multiple Academy Awards and having a runtime of 188 minutes, this film has been added to the database.
The Wailing (2016), a foreign language film, has established a cult following years after its release in the horror genre. For this reason, in addition to the films runtime of 156 minutes, this film has been added to the database.
The Hunger Games: Mocking Jay (2014/2015) with a total runtime of 240 minutes was theatrically released in two separate parts. For this reason this film will be included in the Films Split Into Parts section of the database.
Mortal Kombat (1995) and its direct squeal Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997) can be considered as one feature film as the squeals opening scene begins directly following the final scene of the first film. For this reason this film will be included in the Consecutive Prequels and Sequels section of the database.
Acknowledgements
– Apart from viewing each film, much research goes into compiling this database. For this reason Hollywood Halftime would like to thank the following
- Internet Movie Data Base– For information pertaining to each film (i.e., cast, award nominations, theatrical posters) as well as its advanced search feature which helps narrow down films based on runtime.
- Cover City– For the identification of DVD covers.
- VHS Collector– For the identification of VHS covers.
- 3D Film Archive & Silver Scenes Blog– For information pertaining to 3-D films
- Film Score Monthly– Thank you to all those who participated in the forum entitled ‘DVDs containing overtures, entractes or exit music.’
- Home Theater Forum– Thank you to all those who participated in the forum entitled ‘Overtures, intermission, entr’acte, exit music on Blu-ray.’
- M4UHD.TV & Ridomovies.tv– For access to those ultra rare, almost impossible films to locate and view.
- TV Tropes– for information pertaining to immediate film sequels.
- To all Hollywood Halftime subscribers and viewers, this passion project would not have continued without your support. Thank you for sharing the website and your continual feedback.
- My wife, who continues to watch each film with me knowing full well each film is not an award winner.
Hollywood Half-Time 