A Thank You to the Movie Chewers

You've helped expose me to some seriously great movies in 2008 (LTROI, DEAR ZACHARY, erm... WATER POWER) so your work's appreciated.

No problem Dev. If there's one thing I cannot stand it's other posters essentially engaging in a pissing/baiting contest. It's why I stay the hell out of such threads.

And that piece on snuff flms. Unbelievable.

Let The Right One In and Star Trek. Intending to check out Slumdog when I can.

People listen.

You probably can't stand me, but if it weren't for you, i'd probably wouldn't have checked out The Fountain, Children of Men and Once. Those are 3 of my favorite movies ever.

This year alone i saw The Whackness, In Brugess based on your recommendations, and i'm waiting (dying ) to see Slumdog Millionaire and Let The Right One In.

So yeah, your work here is much appreciated.

I've seen Let The Right One In, Slumdog Millionaire and The Wrestler because of this site and its writers. You're making the world a better place for lovers of film everywhere.

Yeah, I'm awesome.

I used to comment a lot about main page stuff at the start of my time here and then started drifting away from that. I hope to move back into commenting more in 2009 because as many people have already listed if it wasn't for this site I wouldn't see a lot of great movies and you guys deserve more credit for that.

Devin, your recommendations are always welcome and never misplaced.
I've kind of run into money problems lately, and haven;t been able to keep up with the main news as much as I'd like, but this site's pointed me to a hell of a lot of good cinema.

No, thank YOU Devin. I may not always agree with you, and I may not post that often or I may usually only pop in with an occasional "Hey, that sounds awesome...I'd like to see that," but your work is always appreciated. Because of you and this site, I've seen more great movies than I ever would have on my own. You (and by you, I mean Devin and the other CHUD main page guys) have helped me broaden my tastes beyond just genre stuff, and I'm better movie nerd for it. So thanks again.

I wouldn´t neccesarrily consider myself a Movie Chewer from your percieved standards but I blame that on some lacking language skills and the fact that many movies are released here months after the discussion died already. But hey, so be it. I am doing what I can to come up with stuff I want to contribute and try to do my best to stay out of this MB exhibitionism.

Anyway, this site has been very inspirational to dig up new movies. Your writing is tight and humorous and never fails to keep the last synapses of mine going for an extra round. But the same can be said for the whole crew over here.

So here is to you and the staff: Keep on doing what you do best! Cheers for another great year on this site.

CHUD is the only film site I go out of my way to check every day multiple times. There are dozens of sites run by guys who like films, but I think you guys (Nick, Devin, Russ, Andre, Alex) are some of the few who actually LOVE and UNDERSTAND the art of filmmaking. Even if I disagree with an article on the main page or a post here on the boards, said article or post is always insightful as fuck and I'm sure I learn something new from it.

I don't post much, but I find the real film discussions informative and valuable. As for the main site, I've always loved it but right now the Star Trek stuff is blowing me away. I never thought I'd like that show, yet here I am watching two or three of them a day.

Your articles (and the discussions associated with them) have pointed me towards obscure movies that I should make every effort to see theatrically. I will make an effort to direct more of my energy to those threads than the non-movie threads.

I had a tough time keeping up with the sheer amount of content y'all have been pumping out of late. By the time I had a chance to read the stories from the main page, I'll have to pull up the news archives and go through them one by one just to stay on top of what's been going down. By the time I have a chance to post, most of the discussion has moved onto other topics.

Not sure what you think of me, Devin, but I've always appreciated your willingness to speak your piece and you've only become more prolific and appreciated by the readership for your work on the main page as your duties for the site increased. Plus, the content has gotten even more enjoyable since you moved to LA and had access to more screenings and opportunities to travel to film sets near and far. I am incredibly envious of you for that stuff alone.

I hope that I'll have the opportunity to take part in CHUD a little more again in 2009.

This is so true. Films here tend to get released several months after the US, if released at all (small films are never released, sometimes not even on video). It's sometimes hard to engage in some discussions. I try to avoid post release threads of movies i'm really looking forward to and when i finally can comment, there's little to nothing i can add.

Except WB blockbusters, they are amazing at worldwide releases!

Same here. And sometimes the movie just vanishes from theaters. I use to read the entire threads if it's a good one. But I don't want to come as a bump whore :P. Last week, I saw Ratatouille and I didn't post on the post-release thread.

Devin, there's some interesting TV (and comics) discussion and recommendations over here and since that issue is covered by THUD is all about the main site anyway.
Here I found some amazing music recommendations too.

ETA: Tati beat me. And yes WB is the only one.

I don't post on movies nearly enough, mainly because with a young kid I don't get out to them as much as I used to, but I do try to comment on as many main stories (whenever I have anything of relevance to actually say). For 08, if it weren't CHUD in 08 I wouldn't have known about Slumdog Millionaire, or to rent Once on DVD. The many years before would fill up too many pages for me type on in regards to movies I've been turned on to because of this site.

Even if I don't always comment on frontpage content and most of my contributions last year were in the Politics forum due to the election, I'm making a goal this year to go see more movies and partake in more discussion.

And I'm absolutely throwing in the towel with the gang that appreciates all the legwork that the staff does as far as promoting films that deserve attention as opposed to giving a handjob of a review to whichever studio comes along with a plant review or enough money to warrant some relentless ass-kissing. You guys and gals stick to your guns, and that's what keeps me coming back here.

I shudder to think what my taste would be like if CHUD hadn't served as a barometer from way back in my lurking years to now. Everything that you folks have cranked out has helped to sort of cement my perception of what's good and what's garbage and what's pretty fun garbage, and I wouldn't trade that for anything.

If it wasn't clear before, after reading that John August speech (linked to in the recent Shazam article), it's crystal why CHUD stands head & shoulders above other movie sites in the professionalism department. As long as there's content, I'll be here.

Always appreciate the work you put into the site and the forums. It's what brought me to the site to begin with and now it's really my only online gateway to movie news.

We've gone round and round, but what you do on the main site makes it impossible to stay mad at you.

So hey, you can see a film at the same time as all the lazy Americans who wait for DVD!

The championing of films that need and deserve to be championed is a huge part of why we come to CHUD. I mean, I drove almost 3 hours in November to go see Let the Right One In. 3 hours, to see a movie, alone. No other site could even come close to having that effect, and it's because after reading not just the reviews and big editorials, but the day-to-day bullshit news items, written with clarity and humor, after reading all that for years, we know that CHUD knows what the shot is.

This is far and away the best film site/community on the web, and no amount of crankiness can sully that. Keep up the sterling work all of youse.

Group Hug everybody.

I haven't had the time to comment as much outside the video game forums for a little while (work sucks), but believe me, I continue to read, and love the main page. Thanks to that coverage, I've got a fucking laundry list of movies I need to see in the new few weeks.

And though I vehemently disagree on your standpoint, the discussion about The Foot Fist Way with Dev and Andre in the DVD thread was probably the most rewarding thing about doing the review.

I'm reminded every damn day why I come here as opposed to, say, AICN. If the occasional bitchfest among Chewers is the price, I'll pay it, and dance a happy-ass jig while I do so.

I said it in my fawning appreciation thread a few years back but I wouldn't be nearly as cinema literate if it wasn't for you. You highlighted films that I would never have given a chance and you made me dig deeper into classic cinema, outside of Asia, to try and enable me to understand the history of the craft. In short you made me want to better myself and that's incredible, so thank you for all your hard work.

Chud has put me onto more fucking awesome films than any other thing in the history of my life. No person, institute or resource has ever enriched my love of movies and more importantly people who also dig them then this site and the incredible work done on the main page. Endless kudo's.
For me talking about films is a kind of personal thing and it's often difficult to express feelings and reactions to the things I really love and connect with, but I'm slowly learning. Australians are kinda slow and shit.

Phil gets a lot of well deserved praise and "MVP" votes. However, a quick shout out to Dragon Ma, whose been quietly and steadily (for years) doing his part keeping the flame of film discussion alive. Peruse through the archives, you'll see a lot of film specific threads he started and made interesting points in. Even if discussion ends up lacking or goes nowhere, he's usually made a point or two worth pondering.

Movies are a passion for most of us. The treat in coming to message boards like this is having your own takes on film challenged and/or confirmed; risk getting it wrong. Hear new viewpoints presented and debated.

For me, it's infectious witnessing and being around intelligent folks pontificating on new treasures and classic (sometimes hidden) gems--to be part of a geek community that for the most part "gets it"; that has a fair amount of writers and members with both knowledge and taste.
Also appreciate the fact that there's a legacy and standard here set by people come and gone before.( I'd hate to see us disappoint the veterans of the epic LOTR & Star Wars battles by talking only about fast food, video games, and Kate Winslet's ass / Selma Hayek's rack)

In conclusion, i love yous guys!

I'm definitely a lurker here on the boards and don't chime in too often. But your reviews/news/editorials as well as everyone else's on the site are something I look forward to daily.

I should be fired for how much I look at Chud at work, all of your work is much appreciated.

I'll also post a thank you, Dev. Since I've become a regular here I have greatly increased both the quantity and quality of films that I watch.

Yeah, we talk about a lot of different topics, but we are still a community built around a common love of movies.

That common ground has grown into something more, but the foundation is still there and you are a big part of that.

Are we all done hugging now?

gay

ha ha

awesome site, great writing.

Cranky or not Faraci, you know your shit and I follow the smell.

Tell me about it man, you end up getting kind of left behind a lot of the time. You're amping to get chewing about a film you've just seen but everyone else is onto the next things, or even the next next things, not to mention the spoiler minefields.

Of course, there are worse things to suffer in this world. Still matters though.

Oh boo-hoo Kimbell. I drove 5.5 hours to go see it only to find out it was sold out. I about lost it.

Luckily, I have seen it now and am in a much better place.

And that second part you said about the site is right and all though. I read Ebert, the AV Club, and AICN, but CHUD's got the heart - this site just has such a better personality (and the better dick jokes, frankly). I love you Kimbell. And you too Devin. I'm about to break down and cry like a little bitch just like in Milk all over again, goddammit.

Lookin' forward to another year of CHUD goodness.

The movie discussion is what brought me here, and it's still what keeps me here. So thanks to Nick, Dev, Russ, Alex, and the rest of the kickass staff for consistently bringing your A game!

You're a good writer and you know your shit about both film and the film industry, so I'm gonna keep reading your work as long as you keep writing it.

For whomever said it I don't think "Cranky" is a valid way to describe Devin, especially if you've ever watched video interviews or Attack of The Show. Maybe a persons tone shifts for you once you've seen them articulate in person.

Haven't posted much of late what with getting married and all but I still lurk and I have always loved reading your stuff.

You keep writing and I'll keep reading.

Aw shucks...

You must be joking when you talk about "lacking language skills". No offense to those who have English as their first language, but you and Stelios are equal to anyone here in the language department. I'm fucking impressed by you guys and wish I spoke as fluently.

No, thank you, Devin. If it wasn't for your hyping them up I would have missed on watching both Once and The Wackness. Two of my favorite movies of the past years.

Is this when were supposed to sit in a circle and sing Kum Ba Ya?

I have seen many movies over the 5+ years I've been reading this site based on reviews and word of mouth. Many of those from you, Devin. But this seems like an odd thread for you. You didn't post drunk did you?

I have to admit, ever since I first registered on the CHUD forums I've been guilty of contributing to non-movie threads, as well as contributing lame jokes to unnecessary threads. But for the past couple of months, I've really taken some of the things Devin and Nick (and others) have said to heart.

I don't always get to see all of the great movies that CHUD recommends or stands behind, but I do get to see some of them (and eventually most).

I find that when it comes to movie discussion in threads, I read most of them thoroughly, but don't comment very often because I feel like what I have to say has already been said, or what I say might come across as sounding naive and stupid, or because I'm still not quite sure what to say or how to say it.

On thing is certain, and that is that my time reading CHUD and reading the posts all of you make have been helping me considerably - helping me improve my ability to analyze a film better instead of just watching it. Or maybe not even analyze, but just think about a film I've watched more thoroughly and in a deeper manner than just "That was a good movie."

I really have CHUD to thank for all that. I've been reading this site since 2001, but in the years since I have grown out of my original shell of just liking certain movies or genres of film to being a full-on film lover. I still have a ways to go, but I feel like I'm improving with every article I read on this site.

And Devin? You helped me realize that I can be a nerd or geek without going full-fanboy. I sincerely appreciate that.

So, to make a long story short (too late), I am going to do my best this year to participate in more movie discussions, even if something I say comes off sounding stupid and incurs the verbal wrath of Devin. I mean hey - I'm sure being called a moron at least once by Devin is good character-building material. Right?


So anyway, thanks.

I've been lurking here for a long-ass time, only occasionally contributing. I think there are a lot of folks like me following the site who don't have time to post because we do a lot of reading in between tasks at work. There are definitely times when, like Miyazaki, I should be fired for how much time I spend here. And like a lot of you, my movie world has been expanded a thousandfold by Chud and the various contributors, on both the main site and the forums.

But I want to take issue with Devin about the non-movie posters. I get a lot out of some of the other threads here, and greatly enjoy the ramblings and interactions of some of the people lambasted by Devin in the Fabfunk thread. The quality of snark and sass on the Chud boards is so much greater than that of RT or AICN that I always die a little on the inside when it gets derided. Sure there are threads that get insane or become bitch-fests, but for the most part...in my opinion, they stay pretty much on an even keel.

I moved to Columbia, SC from Atlanta eight years ago. In those years CHUD has been turning me into a "movie snob". I have only recently found out that we have an indie theatre here in town that shows movies such as Synechdoche, LTROI, The Wackness, et al.

I plan on seeing the former two this month alone. I hope that this year brings me the chances to see these "championed" films much sooner and be a part of the discussion.

Devin, you are a fantastic writer. Your opinion guides much of what I choose to watch or forgo. You know my issues with your politics but I don't let that get in the way of the films I want to see.

Thanks for a great site.

I love this site. I've seen so many great films over the last few years cause of CHUD Pelham, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, The Fountain and Dear Zachary immediatly come to mind. But I've also come to love the community and the way the same discussion can permeate from the movie threads to the TV threads as well.

I also look forward to the Devin's Advocate articles. Devin's not afraid to challenge general thinking. I can think of no better ecent example than the Wall-E pieces. I hadn't read them until after I saw the film last week. It took from this high the movie left me with to making me think about it in a different way. I know you sometimes get killed for them but I think that's what's so great.

Also, this pretty much sums up my lack of participation in movie threads...aside from general laziness. I read the movie posts all the time, and while I may not feel like I have a lot to contribute, they're very near and dear to my heart.