Marshall and the Movies

This post is geared more towards my fellow bloggers, but this post will be of interest to any old reader as well!

The big-a$$ movie blog conglomerate that I am a part of, the Large Association of Movie Blogs (LAMB), is hosting awards for the best movie bloggers in multiple categories.  You know me; I love Hollywood’s awards season, so I’m very into the LAMMYs, as they are calling it.

The way it works is that any member of the association gets to nominate whoever they like in the categories.  But here’s my problem with that – we each have our own little sphere in blogger world.  There are over 500 members, but I maybe visit 20 or 30 of them with any sort of frequency.  We are each going to naturally choose among our sphere, and that’s no real way to choose the BEST.  It’s a popularity contest, where the blogs with the biggest readerships will most likely win out.

But I don’t write to win awards, just as filmmakers don’t make movies to win Oscars.  I write because I love movies and love connecting with people over them.  Awards are just a nice bonus (and think how interesting they might be to bring up in a college interview or essay).

This is my FYC ad; yes, I even made one of them.  Just call me Harvey Weinstein – except don’t.  Now let me run you through the categories where I would appreciate your consideration and lay out my case.

Best Movie Reviewer

I didn’t want to become predominantly a movie reviewer, but I see so many of them that it’s hard not to review them.  I review a vast quantity of movies, including every movie I see in theaters and recent releases on DVD.  In addition to both of those, I provide a weekly column designed to promote little-known movies for great moviegoing, the “F.I.L.M. of the Week” series.  I have begun a companion series as well, movies that no one deserves to watch; the series is called “Save Yourself!”

If my sheer amount of reviews or my range of content doesn’t impress you, check out some of what I consider to be my best reviews so far.

Read my review of “Clash of the Titans.”

Read my review of “Avatar.”

Read my review of “An Education.”

Read my review of “Paranormal Activity.”

Read my first review, about the movie “Julie & Julia.”

Best Awards Coverage

Like I said, I love Oscar season.  I still religiously read awards blogs even in dry April and May.  I draw on what I hear and what I know about what has happened in the past to write the periodical “Oscar Moment.”  This year, having the benefit of blogging from the very beginning of the season, I can do more comprehensive coverage.

But last year, I took the frontrunners, analyzed them, and made predictions.  Some of them were right, but the biggest success was that they sparked discussion.  Not to mention I live blogged the 2009 Oscars.  For all those who wonder what runs through my mind on the biggest night of the year, wonder no longer.

Here’s a sampling of some of my best Oscar Moments, both this year and last.

Read my Oscar Moment on “How to Train Your Dragon.”

Read my live blog from Oscar night.

Read my Oscar Moment on “Nine.”

Read my Oscar Moment on “Up in the Air.”

Read my first Oscar Moment, about the movie “Precious.”

Braniac Award

I mean, I figure that I might as well try to thrust myself into contention here.  I try to write smart, thought-provoking pieces when I have the time.  My smartest posts probably come in the “Features” category (although I think I draw on a lot of intellect in the Oscar Moments too).

Read “Adjusted vs. Unadjusted Box Office.”

Read “Define Best Picture.”

Funniest Writer

I’m no comedian, but I let a whole lot of humor seep through into my posts.  At least I think it’s funny – you may not feel the same way.

If I had to pick the most humorous section of my blog, I would have to say the random factoids.  I’m often a very trite person, making something out of nothing.  If my life were a TV show, it might be “Seinfeld.”

But anyways, I let my funny flag fly in the random factoids.  I don’t have time to go through all 280 and find the funniest, but here are some that I remember off the top of my head as being particularly funny.

Read about what could have been a heated verbal exchanged with a theater employee in Random Factoid #255.

Read about a particular Sandra Bullock monologue that sticks with me in Random Factoid #239.

Read my rant on cramped theaters in Random Factoid #143.

Read about a caper of mistaken age in Random Factoid #135.

Read my rant on my broken DVD player in Random Factoid #85.

Best Post

Because there are some posts that I really think are THAT good.  These are the posts that I put my heart and soul into, and they get an exceptional reaction because of it.  These are the posts that stand out among the others on my blog.

You may have your own favorites, and I invite you to share them with me.  But here are the posts which I, the author, think are the most exceptional.  My top pick would have to be the first.

My review of “Up in the Air.”

My reflections on “Avatar.”

My interview with Kevin Renick.

My pondering on the importance of the acceptance speech.

My opinion piece “Mindless Moviegoing.”

Best New LAMB / Best Blog

If any or all of this has impressed you, fellow bloggers, I encourage you to remember “Marshall and the Movies” when you are filling out your LAMMY ballot in all categories including Best New LAMB and Best Blog.  But again, my greatest accomplishment would come not from winning these awards.  It comes from knowing that my voice is heard in the moviegoing community and that people accept my insights as valid.