UPDATE - July 2012

First and foremost, I hope everyone who took the time to read it, enjoyed my latest TOP 20 list. It was, of course, the 5th TOP 20 list and I can honestly say, looking over my selections, that I'm pleased with how it turned out. The last 100 was great batch of films and I can only hope the next 100 will be as good. Anyway, think of this as a, sort of, State of the Union Address, as it pertains to the goings on of my small blog. I wanted to swing in and, for the most part, let you guys officially know that I'm taking a hiatus and give you a more inside look at what reviews you'll be seeing when I get back. So....

HIATUS

Yes, I'm definitely taking a hiatus. Since my last hiatus, I've watched a grand total of ninety-two movies and have written ninety-two reviews to go with them, so I'm in dire need of a little break. However, don't expect it to be a long one. At this point in the game, I'm ready to start churning these reviews out and finish THE BOOK in record time. I really enjoy watching these movies, finding new favorites, whether they be favorite movies, favorite directors of favorite actors. Anyway, I'd give it about a month and a half - two months, tops and I'm sure I'll be back, clickity-clacking away at the keyboard.

KUBRICK WEEK

It's no secret that the kickoff to the next 100, the 100 that will end with 601 movies watched, will be "Kubrick Week". I'm not the biggest Stanley Kubrick fan in the world, but if you ask me, he's the most popular director, that I've yet to watch a "1001" movie from. I wanted this milestone (the watching of half the films in THE BOOK) to be marked with something special, so "Kubrick Week" was chosen as the special event to kick start the next season of movie watching. The Kubrick films I'll be watching are as follows:

Paths of Glory (1957)
Spartacus (1960)
Lolita (1962)
Dr. Strangelove, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Barry Lyndon (1975)
The Shining (1980)
Full Metal Jacket (1987)


THE 80s EXPERIMENT

Many of you will remember my effort to fill the last 100 with films from the 1940s and 2000s. During the next 100, I'll be cramming in a heaping helping of flicks from the 80s. Here are some of the 80s flicks you'll be seeing reviews for next 100: Brazil (1985), Glory (1989), Fatal Attraction (1987), Grave of the Fireflies (1988), Beverly Hills Cop (1984), Chariots of Fire (1981), Top Gun (1986), Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986), Say Anything (1989), Sherman's March (1986) and The Right Stuff (1983), just to name a few.

Please remember that I WILL NOT be watching EVERY film from the 1980s, just a large chunk of them.

RETURN OF THE HAT TRICK!

It's worth noting that there wasn't a single "hat trick" last 100. For newcomers to the blog, a hat trick here is when I watch three films from the same director, as a small homage to that person's work. Since there weren't any last 100, I've decided to sneak in three this 100. Yes, that's right, it's a hat trick of hat tricks! Who will they be for? Well, I'll keep that under my "hat" for right now.


LEVINSON, STONE, LEE and LECTER

In addition to "Kubrick Week" and the three hat tricks, I'll also be doing tributes to Barry Levinson and Oliver Stone. There are also currently two "double shots" scheduled, including one with Spike Lee ("She's Gotta' Have It" and "Do the Right Thing") and a third double shot, an unusual one, that will pay tribute to the character of Hannibal Lecter, with "Manhunter" and "The Silence of the Lambs".

Well there's your special, in-depth sneak peek at the next 100 films I'll be crossing paths with on my journey. It should also be noted that I've left approximately twenty-three open spots, so that, when I'm feeling restricted, I still have the freedom to slip in something as a spur of the moment choice. I've beefed up the next 100 to celebrate the milestone of crossing over the threshold of the halfway mark and I really have high hopes for the next batch of films. I really see a fantastic TOP 20 in my future. 601, here I come!

Remember, I'm no writer, nor have I ever claimed to be one. I'm just a 27-year-old (28-year-old in a few days), average joe, who really likes watching movies, discovering new favorites, rediscovering old favorites and sharing my opinions. Often times those opinions don't translate well to the written page, but I try my best folks. The few of you who take the time out of your schedule to read these reviews, I will forever be thankful to you. Also remember, that this blog and this journey was never meant to be an attention getter. It was always meant as a, sort of, personal diary for me. However, that's not to say that I don't enjoy the attention, the comments and the following.

I also want to take just a minute to, once again, thank Karen Burroughs Hannsberry, who, during this past 100, worked with me on "Seven Shadows Week". Karen is a talented lady, who really knows her stuff when it comes to film. I want everyone to know that Karen was as nice as could be, during our correspondence, not to mention cooperative, patient and understanding. I'm so glad that we got to present "Seven Shadows" to you guys and I was proud to work with such a talented woman. Thank you Karen.

Well guys, that about wraps 'er all up. Keep an eye out for me, as I'll be back before too long, writing my reviews and watching through the "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die" book. But, for now, I'll say goodbye, but don't you cry...I'll be back again someday!

July 10, 2012  11:27pm