To anyone dropping in on my blog for the first time (ever, or in a long while) due to the fact that my efforts here have received substantial recognition from the Large Association of Movie Blogs (LAMB), I extend this warm and sincere welcome. And to my regular readers: Bear with me! :) It's not very often that I break out of my usual format of only posting reviews of Criterion Collection films, saving the banter and other off-topic content for my Facebook page or Twitter feed. Really, the only time I do so is at the end of each calendar year, when I assess where I'm at in this long-term project of blogging my way through Criterion's vast and impressive library of important classic and contemporary films. But today I'll make an exception, because of the unique circumstances.
First, let me say THANK YOU SO MUCH to the dozens or maybe even hundreds or thousands of you (I really have no idea!) who gave my blog your click of endorsement that led to the nomination. I'm truly gratified to place that banner atop the right hand column here - it's enough to refill my tank of enthusiasm for this project, just knowing that there's a significant group of people who read my stuff and want to see me continue. I do enjoy writing for its own sake, and my movie viewing definitely benefits from the extra measure of discipline instills to this task of expressing my thoughts about these films. So I'd gladly keep at it even if The LAMB and its members weren't paying as much attention as they obviously are! But I'm extra-motivated now, just based on this encouragement.
I know that as a movie blog, Criterion Reflections is about as specialized a niche as there is to be found anywhere in the online cinephile community, bordering on obsessive/compulsive territory as I maintain my singular focus, bypassing many other great films that I could write about, while I meticulously update my database with each month's announcement of new releases from that venerable authority. I also know that with my plain layout and somewhat infrequent posting schedule, I'm hardly the most innovative web designer (sorry, I just write, I don't do coding) or socially-engaged film writer in this scene (though I do invite anyone who's interested in delving further into my take on the movies to connect with me on Twitter, on Facebook and thru my contributions to CriterionCast.com.)
Having stuck with this project since January 2009 (after spending the latter half of 2008 getting my bearings and figuring out what I was trying to do here), I know how hard the slog can be at times, as real life has this habit of intruding on our happy-go-lucky blogging time. So I want to congratulate my fellow nominees, the "friendly competition" for this award:
BEST CLASSIC FILM BLOG
LAMB #299: Where Danger Lives
LAMB #683: Criterion Reflections
LAMB #742: 100 Years Of Movies
LAMB #1267: Journeys In Classic Film
LAMB #1390: Once Upon A Screen
...and in all the other categories, who've done their own share of toiling in anonymity and soul-searching to develop their distinctive voices. In that process, the other Classic Film bloggers in particular have summoned the courage to share their opinions on older films, some of the most challenging of all movies to write about. Finding new and original things to say about films that are either excessively familiar or obscure and seemingly irrelevant to today's audience can present a monumental challenge, and these folks make it look easier than it really is. I've enjoyed the time spent over the past few days exploring their blogs as well as others who've been nominated in this year's ballot. I wish them all the best and gladly submit myself to whatever verdict the voters come up with over the next few weeks. I'm genuinely thrilled and grateful just to see my link included on the list, and today, more than ever, I'm proud to be a LAMB! :)