Blog Update: Wrapping Up 2018, And Looking Ahead

Call it fatigue, call it a case of the post-Halloween blues, call it what you will, but as you may have noticed, there’s been a delay in this month’s output. Anyone who’s followed this blog for a while will know it’s been an unusually rough year for me, with life throwing some unfortunate curves. I originally intended to make it another Noir-vember, but reality didn’t quite synch up with my ambitions. So, what does this mean, while I clumsily perambulate around the bush? I’m so glad you asked (not really, but hey, it sounded like something to say). The remainder of November will be a hybrid month, with some noir reviews and snippets of other stuff I’ve delayed long enough. So, what else is in the pipeline?

2018 ain’t over yet. My usual blog stuff has been temporarily sidelined by a top-secret film noir-themed side project, but I dare not mention any more. Let’s just say I’m jazzed about it and can’t wait to share the good news with everyone in December. Also, thanks to a stellar suggestion by Kid Number II, I’ve got one more theme in store for the final month.

Which brings us to 2019… I’m almost done planning next year’s themes, and it’s a foregone conclusion that Japan-uary and Horror Month will return. After a short hiatus, Silent September, my month-long celebration of silent films, will also be back. Two theme months that have been continuously bumped from the schedule for the past three years will finally get their due. Last, but never least, I will be re-teaming with my blogging partner in crime, Gill Jacob of Realweegiemidget Reviews in June for another round of The Great Hammer-Amicus Blogathon. I can’t wait to get started, and hope many of my fellow bloggers will join us.

But wait, there’s more! That’s not all you get, dear reader, because there are sure to be more surprises. I’m still toying with some ideas about phase II of Cinematic Catharsis, which I plan to reveal next year. Prepare to be astounded, and rocked to your very core (Okay, you might want to dial your enthusiasm down a notch. Vintage trailer hyperbole may have gotten the best of me). As always, stay tuned.

Another Brief Blog Update

I don’t usually step outside my comfort zone, preferring to keep my personal, online and professional lives compartmentalized into neat little boxes. But life is rarely neat. It has a habit of sneaking up on you, whether you think you’re prepared or not. After a long bout of illness, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, dementia, and most recently, a broken hip, my father passed away Wednesday afternoon.

Right now, I’m still processing everything, grappling with the reality that someone I’ve known my entire life is now gone. I can find some solace with the knowledge that he’s no longer experiencing chronic physical and mental pain, but it does little to erase the reality of the situation, which seems oddly surreal. With little precedent, outside of some losses on my wife’s side, I’ve had few personal experiences with death, and exploring my feelings on the subject is frankly beyond the scope of this blog.

As of this writing, I have a couple of half-written blog posts, including the latest Quick Picks and Pans, which I hope to get back to soon, but the words aren’t gelling right now. Movies have always been a comfort for me in good times and bad, and provided a means of alternatively escaping and interpreting the world. Watching and writing about movies has been my joy and my therapy, and I can’t imagine I could ever be away for very long. For now, however, I’m taking a short break. Thanks to all the well-wishers on Twitter, and to those who visit this blog on a regular basis. Your comments and support mean more than you could ever know. I hope things will return to some semblance of normality as soon as possible, and look forward to happier times ahead.

Blogathons, Guest Posts and Theme Months, Oh My!

I’m not sure where the time went, but the Goldblumathon, a celebration of all things Jeff Goldblum, is less than a month away.  I just wanted to extend a big thanks to everyone who’s signed up, expressed interest in, harrumphed their disdain, or expressed support for my little blogathon.  It really means a lot (and the checks are in the mail).*  If you’d like to contribute a Godblum-related review or retrospective, it’s not too late to join in on the festivities.  Feel free to respond to this post, email me, or send a tweet.  You can find more details, including a current list of participants and FAQ here.

* Checks may take several decades to arrive.

Eagle-eyed (or bored) readers might have noticed my recent appearances outside of Cinematic Catharsis, spreading my Cthulu-like tentacles of movie lovin’ all over the web (Yes, I realize how creepy that sounds.  Don’t judge!)  Rupert PupkinSpeaks, the gold standard in movie blogs, invited me to contribute to their Underrated Detective/Mysteries series.  You’ll find my top five picks here.  Also, the fine folks at Movie Fanfare, the blog for Movies Unlimited, re-posted two of my previous posts, ‘80sMonster Movie Faves, and my Das Boot review.  And just in case you missed it, you can hear my caffeine-infused rant about Battle Beyond the Stars, as a guest on Forgotten Films’ Forgotten Filmcast.

Later this month, I’ll be taking part in the Accidentally Hilarious blogathon, hosted by silent film sage Fritzi of Movies Silently, with my review of the immortal Ed Wood classic Glen or Glenda.  In August, I’ll be reviewing Werner Herzog’s Where the Green Ants Dream for the 1984A-Thon, hosted by Todd of Forgotten Films.  Last, but not least, I’m planning a review of a title to be named later for the ongoing Troma Super Summer Spectacular Blogathon, hosted by the wise and powerful Vern of The Vern’s Video Vortex.

But wait, there’s more.  As if that’s not enough, Silent September and Horror Month will return,  along with a special theme month to be named later.  Whew! 

Thanks to everyone who stops by on a regular or semi-regular basis. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome and encouraged.  Stay tuned.

Announcing the Goldblumathon

I’ve enjoyed participating in numerous blogathons over the past few years, but as much as I’ve enjoyed taking part, I always felt something vital was missing.  Then it dawned on me – not enough Jeff Goldblum.  With that in mind, I’ve made the (foolhardy) decision to host my first blogathon, featuring one of my favorite character actors.  So, how do you get in on the sweet, sweet Goldblum action?  See the guidelines below…

Blogathon Q&A

Q: When does it take place?

A: August 1, 2 and 3.  No need to reserve a specific day.  Just be sure to post sometime within this timeframe.

Q: What do I write about?

A: Anything that strikes your fancy, as long as it’s Jeff Goldblum-related.  Reviews, retrospectives, gifs, dirty limericks, whatever – it’s all fair game.  If you need a refresher on Mr. Goldblum’s many roles, visit his IMDB page.

A: Are there any rules?

Q: I’m not much for rules, but please be sure to link back to this site in your post, so readers can enjoy the other posts.  Other than that, have fun.

Q: I really want to review The Fly, Jurassic Park, etc…

A: No need to “claim” a film title.  No first come, first served here, ‘cause that’s how I roll.  If there’s more than one review of the same flick, that’s fine, although I hope I’ll see reviews on many different Goldblum movies.

Q: How do I sign up?

A: If you’re interested in joining, let me know by commenting in this post, or contact me via Twitter at @barry_cinematic, or email at barry_cinematic@yahoo.com.  Remember to send me your preferred name, website, and subject (i.e., review of _____, bio, etc…)

Q: But I don’t know what I want to write about. What should I do?

A: That’s okay. Take your time.  Just let me know sometime before midnight, August 1^st, so I can update the blogathon roster.

Q: How do I let the world know about the Goldblumathon?

A: Use one of banners below (linking A: back to this blog), or feel free to make one of your own.  Invite your friends, acquaintances and enemies!

Participant List (Will be updated on a regular basis)

Todd, Forgotten Films, http://forgottenfilmcast.wordpress.com/  - Into the Night

Scotty, Drunk in a Graveyard, http://drunkinagraveyard.com/ - Transylvania 6-5000

Michaël Parent, LMdC, http://cinephiliaque.blogspot.com/ - Jeff Goldblum’s Top Performances

Miss V, Girls do Film, http://girlsdofilm.wordpress.com/ - The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

Ryan C., Trash Film Guru, http://trashfilmguru.wordpress.com/ - TBD

Vic De Leon, Vic’s Movie Den, http://vicsmovieden.wordpress.com/ - TBD

Dan Lashley, Wide Weird World of Cult Films, http://wideweirdworldofcult.blogspot.com/

- The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai – Across the Eighth Dimension

You’ve Got Red on You, http://www.youvegotredonyou.com/# - TBD

Kerry, Prowler Needs a Jump, http://prowlerneedsajump.wordpress.com/about/ - Jurassic Park

Kev D., Zombie Hall, http://www.zombiehall.com/ - TBD

Two Guys, One Quip, http://twoguysonequip.blogspot.com/  - The Town Where No One Got Off (from The Ray Bradbury Theatre)

Ivan G. Shreve, Jr, Thrilling Days of Yesteryear, http://thrillingdaysofyesteryear.blogspot.com/

- Between the Lines

Stacia, She Blogged by Night, http://shebloggedbynight.com/ - Earth Girls are Easy

James Patrick, Of (In) Human Bond Age, http://www.007hertzrumble.com/ - Tenspeed and Brownshoe

Jeffprime, Starbase Geek, http://starbasegeek.com/

- The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai – Across the Eighth Dimension

Erin, 90s Horror Movies, http://90shorror.com/ - Mr. Frost

Stabford Deathrage, Stabford Deathrage Shoots His Mouth Off, http://stabforddeathrage.blogspot.com/ - The Sentinel

The Vern, The Vern’s Video Vortex, http://videovortex.wordpress.com/ - The Fly

Matt Howell, That’s Cool, That’s Trash!, http://www.thatscoolthatstrash.com/ - Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Barry P., Cinematic Catharsis, http://cinematiccatharsis.blogspot.com/ - Earth Girls are Easy