----------------------------- 12/23/2005 -----------------------------
The Watch-A-Thon's run its course, so I'm no longer seeking per-movie pledges, but DO go ahead and DONATE to the Brattle Film Foundation through this page! All you need is a credit card (altho I'm afraid the site doesn't process AmEx), and an appreciation of moviegoing.

Well, technically, the credit card is enough, but the moviegoing thing wouldn't hurt none.

=)

----------------------------- 11/8/2005 -----------------------------
Headzup: I've started a blog where I'll post (hopefully) regular updates on my movie watching progress, and reviews whenever I can cobble them together. Check it out at:

http://wuzzon.blogspot.com/

----------------------------- 11/1/2005 -----------------------------
In October, the Brattle Film Foundation, the non-profit organization that programs and operates the Brattle Theatre (I might have mentioned it to you...y'know...in passing, maybe once or twice...?), announced the most important fundraising effort in its 52-year history. The Preserve The Brattle Legacy campaign is a critical fundraiser that is necessary to continue repertory film programming at the Brattle.

In order to help them reach this goal, I am participating in their Movie Watch-A-Thon and ask that you sponsor me as part of this fundraising event. If they do not meet their fundraising goal, the BFF will be forced TO CEASE OPERATIONS AT THE BRATTLE THEATRE, effectively ending the 52 year legacy of repertory film programming at the Brattle. I don't want to see that happen and I ask that you help me make sure it doesn't. I mean, where would that leave me on my weekends and nights?

I'll tell you where - anywhere! I could be ANYWHERE!

Scary thought, no? So, by helping the Brattle, you'll be helping everyone by keeping me off the streets! ; )

Email me if you'd like to sponsor my Watch-A-Thon, and let me know how much you wish to pledge per movie. Or if you like, make a one-time (not per-movie) flat donation now through this webpage by credit card. And of course, going to see a movie at the theater itself wouldn't hurt any. =)

I know there's a lot of $hit goin on in the world that needs attention, but, well, if you're looking for a bit of a break from just that sort of thing, and even considering going to sit in the dark and soak in some celluloid escapism, I urge you to make your venue of choice the Brattle. It's a modest little theater located in Harvard Square. No THX, no stadium seats, but behind the counter there's popping popcorn, real melted butter, and Toscanini's ice cream. You take the stairs up from the lobby to get into the theater itself. I like to take a seat in the top row of the mezzanine - a commanding view of the room. True, you could say it reduces the big screen-ness to more of a television view, but I do like the space, as well as almost never having to bob and weave to catch subtitles between heads the way you might from the floor.

It's where the world tilted on its axis just a little bit when I first saw Chow Yun Fat step-and-slide his way down that tea-house stairway railing, two guns a-blazin', partnered with Tony Leung in John Woo's HARD-BOILED -damn!- over a decade ago! The darkened theater where I first experienced movies like CITIZEN KANE, DONNIE DARKO, FALLEN ANGELS, BOB LE FLAMBEUR, RIFIFI, CASABLANCA, TOUCH OF EVIL, TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE, THE SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS, METROPOLIS, JU-ON, YOJIMBO, AMERICAN ASTRONAUT, BUBBA HO-TEP, GOODBYE, DRAGON INN... Where I can go to see "What's Opera, Doc?" ("Kill the wab-bit!") on the big screen, catch Monday night Noir flicks, and EVIL DEAD 2 and FREAKS on Halloween... and where I consistently go to see the best of film's past (BICYCLE THIEF), present (NAPOLEON DYNAMITE), and future (ONG-BAK).

Thank you for any little something you can give to keep the Brattle's screen lit up, either as a donation or a pledge for my Watch-A-Thon. Help the Brattle keep on keepin on~ =)