Let’s Get Kreativ

After a painfully long layoff – largely due to a painfully overloaded work schedule – I’m pleased to report that The Cooler will spring back to action here in the near future. I have reviews to write, rants to share, an event to announce and various other posts that need to find their way out of my brain and onto the page, er, screen. Before we return to business as usual, however, I wanted to give thanks to three bloggers who acknowledged The Cooler with a Kreativ Award. Oh, sure, it’s a meme, but I’m flattered just the same and, even more, I’m eager to share some love with my fellow bloggers because, wow, I can't express how much fun it is to be a movie fan thanks to the blogosphere.

So, here goes …

First, to recognize those who recognized me. Thanks to Tony Dayoub, who writes with notable clarity and honesty at Cinema Viewfinder. Thanks to Edward Copeland, whose blog, Edward Copeland on Film, is back to life after health complications forced a layoff. (Can you write horizontally? I don’t think I could. Way to go, Ed!) And thanks to Jake, a talented (and young) writer whose Not Just Movies was the best blog I discovered in 2009. Keep it up, fellas.

Second, for reasons that don’t make a whole lot of sense to me, I’m supposed to now tell you some things about myself that you might find interesting. OK. I’m game. Here goes …

1. I’ve never seen It’s a Wonderful Life. Sure, the list of movies I haven’t seen is long. Why point out this one? Because when I tell people I’ve never seen this movie they tend to look at me with horror-struck faces as if I’ve admitted I like burning the American flag while hosting dog-fighting parties in my backyard.

2. I’ve lived in five states plus the District of Columbia. For someone who isn’t from a military family or in the witness relocation program, that’s quite a few.

3. I’m still a little confused about who John Conner’s original father was, assuming that his latter father was someone he sent from the future and that they couldn't be the same guy – or am I remembering The Terminator incorrectly? The Terminator, by the way, was the first R-rated movie I was allowed to see. (And is it me, or has Linda Hamilton not had a memorable role since she played the clueless, supportive wife on Titanic’s big Oscar night all those years ago?)

4. After my utter disappointment with the majority of the films I saw in 2009, I fear I’m becoming a curmudgeon. By the time Invictus and Nine rolled around, I didn’t have the energy to write another disgruntled review. (I still might write something about The Lovely Bones, though.)

5. I grew up playing sports. In the past, I’ve made a living writing about sports and I’ve worked in sports public relations at two major universities. Currently, I play in two very casual fantasy football leagues and one very competitive National League-only fantasy baseball league (which I won last year, by the way). And yet I couldn’t tell you when ESPN’s SportsCenter airs and never watch it.

6. I do a fairly decent Andy Rooney impersonation.

7. I always get asked for directions, including when I’m visiting from out of town. Two weeks ago, I gave my easiest directions ever. Wandering through D.C. after seeing a movie, a tourist came up to me at a traffic light and asked for directions to the National Portrait Gallery. I turned 45 degrees and pointed to the large freestone building directly next to us. “That way?” he asked. “No,” I replied. “That’s it.”

Finally, I now get to spread the love to seven more bloggers. Many of them have already been honored, but I’m including them anyway. In no specific order …

Craig of The Man From Porlock

Kevin J. Olson of Hugo Stiglitz Makes Movies

Troy Olson of Elusive as Robert Denby

Jermaine Olson of ... wait, never mind.

Fox of Tractor Facts (don’t stay away altogether, buddy)

FilmDr of The Film Doctor

Hokahey of Little Worlds

Steven Santos of The Fine Cut

Thanks for all the great blog reading!