Happy Blog-day to Me!

It’s hard to believe it’s been three years since Cinematic Catharsis started.  Stemming from a lifelong passion for films, and a desire to keep writing after finishing my master’s degree, I set up this blog as an outlet.  By the same token, I didn’t want it to read like a series of writing exercises or a scholarly discourse on film (any insightful commentary is purely unintentional).  I’ve also avoided boxing myself into a corner by confining my blog to a single niche.  While I’m not allergic to discussing popular films, my primary mission has always been to uncover the little movies that slipped through the cracks, along with a disproportionate number of genre titles (classic and modern horror, sci-fi, and cult films that defy categorization).

Running this one-man show made me realize how difficult it can be, despite good intentions, to keep a steady flow of new posts.  My ambitions haven’t always synched with reality.  The end results are always a compromise between what I’d like to do, and what I can realistically accomplish within a finite amount of time.  Between my regular higher ed job, family obligations, and a fall teaching gig, there’s not enough hours in the day to accomplish everything.  While my recent output has suffered somewhat, I’m still committed to keeping a steady pace.*  This blog has been a welcome escape, my virtual home away from home, and will continue to be so, into the foreseeable future.

* Thanks to coffee, the magic elixir.

As I type this, I’m also working on my first review for Horror Month, one of my personal modern favorites.  This will likely be followed by something that’s probably no one’s favorite, but perhaps I’ve said too much already.  Between this month and next month I’ll also be taking part in four blogathons.  I’ll continue to test my comfort zones and push boundaries with more theme months and new features, along with the return of some old favorites (Japan-uary III). 

While my pageviews might be a drop in the bucket compared to some more established movie blogs, I have witnessed a huge surge compared to my first year.  It’s genuinely heartening to know that someone out there likes what I’m doing.  Thanks so much to those who have endured my cinematic ramblings these past three years, as well as anyone who’s recently discovered this blog.  I hope you’ll stay a while and peruse my reviews.  As always, your comments and suggestions are always welcome (unless you’re a troll).  Stay tuned…