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What and why.

A man in a suit stares at his own shadow, outside of a movie theater, in an image by an unknown artist, as a book cover for Walker Percy's 'The Moviegoer'
A book cover - by an unknown artist - for Walker Percy's The Moviegoer.

Dear Moviegoers,

It could be this blog's modus operandi of sorts, but I think of film criticism not as gate-keeping or even as something to be written with "consumers" in mind. Personally, all art is worth the time to think about, and that includes movies, even and especially the assembly line types. Reviews, criticism, or however we prefer to call the writing, I think of them as parts of an ongoing conversation that curates and encourages all the same.

If films can be thought of as mirrors held up to the world (which is arguable), does it make watching and talking about them acts of vanity? Maybe, and that could be ok. How else are we to learn about ourselves, others, and the relationships between them? It's a dialogue that's spoken, written, acted out, and tangible to no end. It's "pieces of time" to engage with over and over again.

A still from the climax of Peter Bogdanovich's film 'Nickelodeon'. An older man in a hat looks toward the camera, in deep thought, and two men, at either side of him, look on listening.
A still from the "pieces of time" speech in Peter Bogdanovich's film Nickelodeon.

I've tossed and turned about my writing, blog after blog, for a long while now, and have reached the partial understanding that reviews are never finite, and that these conversation starters or continuations should be allowed to never conclude. There's comfort and fun in that.

Here at Moviegoing with Bill, readers and moviegoers alike will find my thoughts on movies as being like talking film with me, Bill Arceneaux, from before a screening to afterward, while hanging around the theater lobby or on the walk home. "An incredible simulation," maybe.

Previous publications that I've worked with.

It's always been a goal of mine to contribute, in some way, to moviegoing culture. To get people out of their bubbles and into a cinema, whether brick-and-mortar or home-based. To escape into something to be chewed on later. To talk with friends, family, and neighbors alike.

So, sign up to leave comments and receive emails (it's free), upgrade for bonus articles and to show support (it's appreciated), and don't hesitate to join the conversation (no pressure).

Contact: binxmoviegoer@duck.com - anytime.

Follow on Letterboxd - all the time.

Sincerely Yours in Moviegoing,

⚜️🍿