Win a DVD of Inception or a Copy of The Book of Awesome!
On November 18, 2009, Anomalous Material officially became the movie blog that you are reading right now. In honor of our blog turning one-year old, I want to celebrate the many readers and contributors that have made this site so much fun to be part of. It truly has been a joy to share our love for films with the many readers, old and new, that have frequented this site over the past 12 months. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect Anomalous Material to ever be read by more than a handful of people but we are on pace to hit 100,000 visitors sometime in mid-November (Maybe on November 18? How fitting would that be?)
Some highlights of our first year
- 12,520 comments to date: Websites that make 10 or 100 times the traffic of AM have nothing on us in terms of comments. Thank you! Thank you to all of you who make this site so lively and fun! You are the ones who make AM go.
- Growing reach with so much untapped potential: We are on pace to hit 100,000 visitors in November for our first year anniversary and I feel like we haven’t even begun to reach our potential in terms of traffic.
Through 10/26/2010
- Heather was our top commenter with an incredible 620 comments since the start of this blog!!! Her awesome internet BFF Kaiderman is a smidge behind with 609!
- Welcoming my good friend Red as a valuable collaborator on the blog
- Getting to know so many people sharing the same love for movies!
- The Hollywood Fantasy Draft: Numerous participants have told me how addictive the draft was and how much they loved the concept. Truly, one of the highlight event during AM’s first year. Stay put for a second installment (with a twist) near the end of the year!
- The Top 125 Movies of The Aughties: A colossal task indeed but the first post that put our blog on the map!
- The Top 35 Acting Performances of the Decade (00′s): Our most viewed post to date. It badly needs an update ah!
- We discussed whether Hollywood stars are a dying breed, argued about whether they were overpaid, we looked at the true cost of making a Hollywood movie, and we wondered whether romantic comedies are a dead genre.
- The Greatest Comedy Tournament: Yes, we singlehandedly decided which movie is the best comedy of all-time.
Let’s see what the next year brings to us. Our focus will continue to be about fostering a community of movie lovers where one can come to have intelligent discussion about various movie topics and we hope to become better at that and make our blog a place that you can’t get enough of! Thanks to all of you, regular and irregular readers of Anomalous Material!
November Commenting Contests
To reward our readers, we are going to have another contest on the blog for the month of November. The person with the most comments for the month of November will win a DVD of Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster Inception (December 7th), shipped to you directly from Amazon. You can check the leaderboard near the bottom of the right sidebar.
A twist in this month’s contest is that each comment will count as an entry for a chance to win a paperback version of Neil’s Pasricha’s The Book of Awesome, a wonderful book that will give you new appreciation for the simple yet awesome things in life. The rules will be:
- The person with the most comments will win the DVD of Christopher Nolan’s Inception but will not be eligible to win Neil Pasricha’s The Book of Awesome.
- Everyone else will receive an entry for each comment left on the blog during the month of November. The more you comment, the more chances of winning.
- A winner will be picked randomly from the eligible entries and announced on December 1st, 2010. Prize will be shipped directly from Amazon.
77 Comments
Congratulations on a wonderful year. I loved the Fantasy Movie Draft. I am still hoping to get a call from either JJ Abrams or Hugh Jackman to buy the movie rights.
I look forward to your next installment.
Thanks Clara!
Yes a 2nd version would be a ton of fun!
The Fantasy Draft was kind of my favorite. Just because I get to pull any living actor out of my ass, whether they’re retired or in a coma or what.
And congratulations on the whole New World Order thing.
I would love to have a go at the Fantasy Draft next time around!
We would love to have you join us! Stay put for the next installment
Well, the leaderboard’s been changed! LOL Coz I remember being on that one last night xD and I want a piece (or I guess the whole disc) for Inception xD
Anyway, congratulations on all the community and commenting traffic!
Did Warner set up Harry Potter as a gift for AM? xD It’s like saying, we love the folks at AM, so we’re releasing Harry Potter the 17th! Alohamora! xD
Ahaha, too bad I haven’t even seen one Harry Potter movie yet
The leaderboard for the month is back! Remember, the contest doesn’t start until November 1st
I’m never gonna beat Joel. xD
Amy: Haven’t you seen me slowing down? I am working my *ss of 24/7 right now booking meetings for a Sales Agent for the upcoming AFM (American Film Market) its more or less calling all over the world by skype 24/7 so I haven’t been able to even read all that has published in here the last couple of weeks.
Haha, just realized the HP date matching up with AM’s birthday.
For me, that is definitely an awesome birthday gift. Gonna try and do a midnight screening for that one.
I heard they’re not doing press screenings (at least here), so I’m gonna have to find a show that won’t be packed… early bird shows =D
Have you done many advance screenings before? I keep asking when I go to the main theater in town, and whoever is selling the tickets just shrugs their shoulders and looks at me like a buffoon.
I’ll probably go to a midnight screening, and then an early bird show as well.
Well advance screenings are probably quite hard to come by in a city like Lincoln, Nebraska
I went to a few but really, I don’t think it’s worth the hassle. A website I used to check was (if you live in a major US city):
http://www.filmmetro.com/events
Well I tried emailing the guy who does reviews for the Lincoln paper, because obviously he is getting advance screenings. And I’m sure those screenings aren’t exactly full. But I never heard anything back.
For HP6 they did press screenings, but they made a hassle of it by saying that any member of the press caught with a camera (as if!) would get arrested — they pointed out there will be cuffing involved — so a lot of members of the press felt insulted.
This year they sent a message that they won’t be doing screenings because HP is so popular. LOL
*sighs* At least it’s not 3D conversion.
In sweden Paranormal activity 2 didn’t have any press screenings at all, it was planned like that on purpose becuse they were afraid of bad publicity. Swedish critiques seem to be on the pretentious side of things.
Gross! I get 100K views a month and you have 14 times the comments I have in half the time. Thats why you are my idol. I bow to thee.
We are really lucky to have a great community to pad our comment stats
Your site is an absolute feast for the eyes so we should be the ones doing the bowing sir!
“We’re not worthy! We’re not worthy! We’re scum! We suck!”
actually you are worthy.
It’s because the AM community (us) rocks! =D
Woot! Woot! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!! What a year it’s been and what an accomplishment in such a short time! Your blog is my daily go-to and you know I’ll keep on commenting whether there is a reward or not. Thanks for putting out the Hollywood Fantasy Draft, Castor, I didn’t realize how much fun—and consuming–that was but I enjoyed every minute of it. Aren’t you going to put some kind of poll or something as a closure to a highly successful event?
Congrats again and here’s to 100K more hits and a gazillion more comments!!
Oh yes, I keep forgetting about those Hollywood Fantasy draft polls even though I promised you and several others that we would do something. I will start working on it immediately!
Thanks for being such a loyal reader Ruth! You are the best
Is that when we gonna vote in the different categories? Most likely to be made, best cast etc.?
Yes sir!
Great can we nominate some categories then? I know we did when it was up.
Sure, I will consider all suggestions
Well the obvious ones:
The humpty dumpty award – for the production that most certainly will have biggest problems with cast and director working together.
Most likely to be picked up – is what it sounds like, the pitch that is most likely to be picked up by a studio.
All the presidents men award (change this for title of your choice) – for best cast
The Powers Boothe award – for the actor being most dis casted or mis jused (to small part etc.)
The Andreiy Rublev Award – Best story (kind of obvious I know duh)
The snakes on a plane award – also obvious, the best pitch on the entire event.
I nominate the David Lynch Award (weirdest pitch), the Quentin Tarantino Award (most/best relic-redemption actors), and the Vega Brothers Award (least likely to actually happen).
Looking forward to the polls Castor. Oh btw, is the Inception prize on dvd or blu-ray? I’d imagine that one would look spectacular on Blu-ray!
If its a blu ray I might be a strong contender for next months leaderboard!
DVD, it’s cheaper lol
Huahaha tricky contest…that will make Heather as the winner
The Hollywood Fantasy Draft is the one that drawn me into AM, thanks to Ruth who has twitted the idea.
keep it up and happy anniversary \(^^)/
I enjoy reading your post, Castor/Red
Aaha maybe not, Heather has been quite busy with real life as of late so everyone does have a chance
Thanks for dropping by Novroz!
Hearty Congratulations to Castor and AM. I proud to be a part of AM. Actually after we had a great session of 30DBB in AM is the key for everyone success in their own blog. I am very much exciting to be a Movie blogger. All the best for your future success. Keep rocks. Cheers
I agree I loved the thoroughness (spelling haha) of that task aswell.
A great kickstart lession in blogging.
Rightly said. Expecting alot from AM in future as well.
Congrats! My favourite posts beside the draft was the “Learn to be a better blog” posts. So much great knowledge and hands on tips in such a short time.
I also like that the general posts are so ambitious all the time!
Finally what did you do different in January this year to get such a traffic build up?
Thanks Joel! Back in January was the time I started to get involved with the LAMB community, commenting on a bunch of blogs and starting to foster some of the relationships that have lasted to this day
Also, I posted my top 125 movies of the decade on January 2nd which really spiked traffic at the time.
I joined.
Joking aside, our several lists for “Best of the Decade” were released in January, so that brought in plenty of traffic. Everybody and their mother were looking at those at the turn of the year.
Happy Birthday guys! Your site’s one of the best examples of how a little (although probably lot) of elbow grease and commitment can pay off, by making your site go stellar over 12 months.
You gents are definitely switched to ‘the community’ from just a self-serving blog these days, but you’ve filled a niche that’s why we all love it!
Great work guys!
Thanks Paul!
Looks like you’re definitely gearing up for a good one year anniversary celebration
. Inception on DVD will definitely bring in the comments I’m sure, let alone the addition of The Book of Awesome. You’ve done a great job in the community and really earned all your views and comments, hope you hit 100k right on mark 
IT MUST BE MINE!
Not that it matters or anything, but November’s my birthday, yo. Plan your adoration accordingly.
Mine to!!! 5th!!!
1st! Hazzah, early November!
Congrats on your soon-to-be one year anniversary! It feels like it’s been longer with all of the events happening here. BTW, rub it in with all the hits and the comments, why don’t ya? *pout* I kid, I kid. Congrats again.
ahaha thanks Anna
Happy Birthday for November! I’ll buy you a copy of Inception since you’re giving yours away.
lol that is not needed Richard but thank you for your generosity
I think my favorite part about AM is meeting Castor who has become a blogger buddy and friend of THE LIST! And, in turn, Red as well.
After all, your 2 most frequent commenters are the hosts!!!
I remember when you could subscribe to comments on this site and not have your e-mail bombarded by 1000 comment replies. I think I found you guys near the beginning of the year so I feel like I was there from the ground up in a way. It’s funny too cuz I thought you had been around much longer. THE LIST only kicked off in December and I thought you guys were light years ahead of me.
Anyways, CONGRATS on 1 year and making such a lively community to lounge around in boys!
PS. If I didn’t have to work so much the last few months, I would be in the 1000′s for comments so my BFF Heather can suck it!
PSS. You should celebrate by coming on MILFcast!
For Castor and Red to attend the Milf cast would be a great idea.
I promise you once I get a mic, I will show up on the MILFcast! I also owe one to Mad Hatter ahah
I left a comment a few days ago. Where do my comments go? Some Halloween gremlin must be eating them up! I waxed poetic about how much I love your site and how happy I was to have found AM. I think I mentioned being a little jealous at how much you guys have accomplished in one year (smile). I think we need ballons and cake. Maybe I’ll bake you a cake.
I read that comment! I think you left it in the open bar
Thanks for the kind words Colleen!
Ah, that must be it. I thought it I was crazy! Well I am crazy but…
Wait, no “it” just “I” and crazy again!
Can’t believe you’re only just turning 1. It feels like you’ve been around so much longer. My site turned 1 in October – it was nice to pass that one year mark and look back at the highlights. Those 12000+ comments is something special – a real achievement – it shows how well you’ve fostered the community here. Well done and all the best for Year 2.
Thank you Dan!
…after some detective work (ie. checking the archives), I officially launched Top10Films.co.uk on the 17th of November!
…so we’re celebrating our one year birthdays almost at the same time!
That’s awesome!!! So you had a fake birthday so you could get two birthdays this year uh?
…haha! Yeah. I’ve finally found the time this weekend to write a post about our first year. You and AM figure quite a bit in my thank yous!
Hopefully at some point i will have time to participate in a fantasy fantasy draft.
We would love to have you join us!
Damn it! I totally forgot to congratulate you! Happy birthday, Anomalous Material.
I’m gonna work hard to win that DVD xD
Again, major congratulations on all your success! I don’t stand a chance in a comment off… but that’s okay ’cause Warner’s sending me an Inception on blu-ray for screening purposes! Behold the power of the ‘Cynics!
But enough about me, this is about you and the incredible example you’ve set for the rest of this community. Always there with helpful advice, and staying the cutting edge of the movie blogosphere, even if it means the occasional wacky set of graphics in the background.
@ Steve, Ventilation Shaft: Thanks guys!
How am I doing? xD
Well you have some serious competition this month. It shows that their are some prizes in the loop because its been an open goal for me the last two months being on top of the board. I’m aiming for a hat trick this month eventhough I dont like Inception that much: http://www.joelburman.com/2010/08/inception-a-rough-sketch-of-a-masterpiece/
However, If I win the Inception DVD i promise to revisit it and give an updated opinion about it.
I can’t win! LOL You’ve got double my posts!!!! Hahahaha
Sure you can, you certainly haven’t thrown in the towel as far as I can se… =)
it’s like a final epic battle… when they announce the winner, AM better chronicle our fight to the Inception glory xD
I totally agree. I know you’ll be with me until the end… I’ll change my sleeping patterns if if it comes down to that. Haha
Congrats on a wonderful year, as it was a great year for movies too. Inception being one of the best!
Thanks Luis!
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