Q&A: Cinematic Resolutions for 2012
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The New Year is upon us and this gives us the annual exercise of contemplating the year that was and making cinematic resolutions for 2012. The question of the week is: What are your cinematic resolutions for 2012? Please feel free to talk about your other resolutions as well!
As always, I will get started and you can chime in the comments below! Over the last couple of years, I think I’ve done a good job of expanding my cinematic horizons and trying to go into movies with as little preconceived notions as possible. That has often lead to some great surprises, such as Incendies and Animal Kingdom which are now my two favorite films of 2010. I would never have seen those movies just two years ago. But there is always room for improvement. One of my main cinematic resolution this year is to be more open-minded and watch more classics, indies and foreign films that I’m still a bit reluctant to check out.
In addition, I commit to writing more reviews. I know I haven’t been writing nearly as many of them this past year due to all the work around the site that has to be done on a daily basis. The thing is it easily takes me from 4 to 12 straight hours of work to churn out a film review. And if you go back to read a review a few hours or even days after it was published, you will likely notice that it’s been significantly tinkered with because I often edit my reviews for days after they are “done”. And yet, I could probably count on my fingers how many of those I’m satisfied with…
Another one of my new year’s resolution is to finally get on with the times and buy an HDTV and Blu-ray player. While my faithful 10-year old 28-inch TV is still serviceable, it’s about time for a major upgrade which will make home video a much more compelling entertainment option. And speaking of TV, I’m going to finally get down with two of the most highly acclaimed shows of all time, The Wire as well as Breaking Bad, I promise!
And now, it’s your turn! What are your cinematic resolutions for 2012? Let us know in the comments below.
35 Comments
I don’t have much to do except I plan to get through the DVDs that have been collecting dust on my shelf for some time now.
That’s a good start! Why buy DVDs if you don’t plan to watch them right?
I understand that ‘tinkering after it’s done’ mindset, Castor. Kudos to you, and best of luck, for your cinematic resolutions. I don’t have any… if you don’t count my usual bit of catching films I promise me and others to watch, or re-watching favorite ‘annuals’ that I have an overwhelming desire to see again, that is
. Best to you, my friend.
Thanks Michael! Best to you this new year as well.
Nice resolutions, Castor! I just recently got my first HDTV and Blu-ray player this year. I got the TV at a GREAT deal and the player on Black Friday. I can’t deal with regular prices on things.
I understand the whole “editing your reviews” as well. I’m very much the same in that I’m constantly rereading my posts after I’ve already published them, and then I find multiple errors or things I want to change. More often than not I have to edit and update posts. I think it’s a good practice to expect the best of yourself and commit to consistently improving your own writing and not settle for haphazard writing. And that’s just my take on the mechanics part of writing. Content is an entirely other deal for me.
So far, I have two cinematic resolutions: 1) Update and enhance my movie blog. Add more features, improve the look of it, post more often, and really research more as a whole. 2) Watch MORE movies, and similarly to you, be open-minded to movies I might not have originally considered watching. It’s interesting that Animal Kingdom is one of your favorite movies of 2010. I’ve picked it up twice, either from the library or renting, but never got around to watching it. I’m always trying to remind myself that similarly to books, you can’t judge a film by it’s cover or a simple summary. Thanks for the reminder, and good luck as you seek to fulfill your cinematic goals this year!
Glad we share the same views on editing content and putting out your best out there. I know some bloggers refuse to alter their reviews after they are published because they feel it captures their feelings at one time and those shouldn’t be changed.
Definitely give Animal Kingdom a watch, I certainly didn’t know what to expect from it and was blown away! Best to you in 2012 and good luck with your blog (I’ll be hanging out there as always)
My goal is 25 classic movies, seen at the theater. I’m off to a good start. I saw North by Northwest already this week.
Oh I should try that someday! Good on you
Those are nice resolutions Castor, like I mentioned on Scott’s site I’d be glad to give you some pointers on which HDTV and BD to buy.
I don’t really have any resolution, maybe I’ll try not to watch too many cheesy action films that are coming out this year. But I’m sure I’ll end up renting Haywire and the new Underworld film anyway.
Thanks Ted, I’m sure I will be in contact when the time comes! Haywire doesn’t look too bad though. Underworld though… lol
Yay! More Castor reviews! I wholly support that resolution, my friend.
I’ll try! I’m going to start with a review of Another Earth
I’m glad to read that we’ll get more Castor reviews this year! I have to commit to writing/posting more myself. I’ve been away from blogging for a bit. I too find it difficult to churn out reviews quickly. I want to hear all about the new TV and BluRay player. It’s going to be a couple more years before my budget has me updating my TV. I keep saying I will watch every episode of Mad Men, but I haven’t started yet!
I’m definitely hoping to see more blogging from you this year
Thanks for dropping by!
Expand my DVD collection and see everything that has been on my DVR.
Good luck with that Steven!
I love the resolutions. I gotta say, since I started blogging I’ve also become much more open-minded when it comes to movies. I’ll give damn near anything a shot now.
By the way, glad you’re gonna get around to watching The Wire and Breaking Bad, two of my favorite TV shows.
Yea I remember starting blogging a few years ago and I basically would watch only the big blockbusters. No doubt, I’ve come a long way but there is still ways to go.
And I started watching Breaking Bad with Season 4. Now I only have to go back and see the first three ahah
As for The Wire, well it seems to be the consensus best TV show of all-time so I must see that for myself.
I like your resolutions. I’d have to say that I, too, plan on seeing more films than I normally would…and films that I normally wouldn’t watch! ha!
If you need help with anything when it comes to picking your tv/blu-ray player and finally joining us that have, please don’t hesitate to email me. As a matter of fact, you should email me, I got some info along those lines now anyways!
Great list my friend
Will do Terrence! Thanks
I love your resolutions Castor. As you know I stated mine last week. I am with T, if you need any help choosing a Blu-ray or TV let me know… as I am a major GEEK in that area.
One of my more silent resolutions is to take FRC to be a quarter as prolific as AM
Thanks for being most excellent Castor
I appreciate it Scott. I’ve enjoyed reading your posts about HDTVs the past few months so you’ve definitely been of help already
I have resolved to watch all the DVDs people have lent me. The number is small but the time I’ve had them is long.
The best thing about your resolutions is that they dovetail so nicely. You can watch more classics and foreign films on your beautiful new home theater system and then write reviews of them!
Ahah indeed Helen. Best to you in 2012 and thanks for dropping by!
Hi Castor, I’m impressed you hung onto your old TV for so long. A purist I see. We were fortunate to have been given a fancy HD TV as a gift last year. The difference is monumental. No more having to get up half way through a program to adjust the aerial. I’ve been there my friend and I’m not going back… I hope. My resolutions include reading more, writing more, commenting more and world domination. So three out of four ain’t bad. Here’s to AM being bigger and better than ever in 2012. p.s. Hearing that you cram an incredible 4 to 12 hours! into every review really helps me to appreciate what I read on here on a daily basis. So thanks for putting so much into AM Castor because I for one get a lot out of it. Your anxiety is definitely paying dividends my friend.
Ahah it’s an old TV but thankfully, I still get digital signal through the satellite dish. I certainly wouldn’t be able to bear having to use an aerial antenna
Thanks for the kind words Ronan. Hope you have a prosperous and happy 2012!
My two main resolutions are: 1) to comment more on the blogs I frequently read, and 2) read more film related books (this could include books on filmmaking or novels being adapted into films). I also want to explore more classic and obscure films. This is something I was doing in 2011 but I really want to dive deeper this year. Lastly, I want to experience more short films besides the two or three I see at festivals. This may be the toughest one to achieve but I plan to give it a go nonetheless.
Oh yes, short films is certainly something I have totally overlooked so far. Good luck to you in 2012 CS!
I’ve never been very good at keeping resolutions. In fact, I’m so bad that I’ve pretty much given up on even making them! Still, I wish you luck with yours, and love that you’re expanding your horizons even more.
Thanks. I think it’s still nice to visualize what you would like to achieve so you can strive toward something
I REALLY want to see Animal Kingdom after seeing Edgerton in WARRIOR last nite. I have a feeling I’ll love that film too Castor.
As for resolutions, well I’m still trying to finish my GP marathon and hopefully get to more classic movies. My resolution is to get a more balance of indies and blockbuster films this year, and to write more reviews of what I had seen instead of waiting too long after seeing them. Oh and I also would love to catch up on at least one TV series, most likely it’ll be season one of Downtown Abbey.
Definitely check out Animal Kingdom, it’s great film. Edgerton only has a small supporting role but it’s highly memorable.
Good luck to you with your 2012 resolutions. Glad you are going to give indies more attention!
I’ll pretty much jump on the bandwagon and agree with 90% of the responses here and say my resolution is to see more films next year at the cinema. I only chalked up 67 this year and I’d like to try and make it 100 at the cinema next year.
That reminds me I should keep track of how many movies I see this year. I can only estimate but I think I saw about 100-120 movies last year.
Good luck with your cinematic resolutions! I’m hoping to actually watch several of the dvds/blu-rays I’ve bought over the last few years and still haven’t seen. Also, watch some more classics. Like Cold Hand Luke, Raging Bull, several Hithcock films I’ve got recorded. Get myself educated in them.
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