It is always this time of year when it occurs to me how many people there are in the world who make my life better, make the world better, and extend themselves beyond their daily routine to do something nice for someone else, or to stand up for something they believe in. Mostly I just feel lucky to be able to do what I do.
Thanksgiving is a holiday not to prepare for Black Friday, or to eat so much we have to then diet for the entire year afterwards, but a moment to step back and say thank you, as sappy as it is to do so, and as uncomfortable as it might be. So in giving thanks today I’d like to give back to you readers with a Thanksgiving giveaway. You can be in America or not. This is our way of thanking you for being such loyal readers over the years. We may be sometimes slow to send our prizes (send us an email if we forget) but these will be available in time to give as Christmas presents, sell on Ebay or else enjoy for yourself.
There will be three winners. Each will have a choice of the following – The Lord of the Rings trilogy, extended edition. The Harry Potter Complete full set, and the Star Wars Complete Saga. On Blu-ray.
And finally, in celebration of the master himself, A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese Through American movies.
As for my list, I’d like to first thank Ryan Adams for his daily contributions to making this site so much better than it was before. His intelligence, compassion and wit have really made a difference. On top of that, he’s a great friend. Also I should thank the writers and contributors to the site – Craig Kennedy – my friend and constant screening-going companion, Stephen Holt, Nancy Kriparos, Brian Whisenant and Patrick Mullen. You guys rule. David Poland for having me in Gurus of Gold, Tom O’Neil for having me on Gold Derby, Jeff Wells — my dear dear friend for dragging me along to Telluride, finding me shelter, and doing Oscar Poker with me every week — Kris Tapley, Scott Feinberg, Anne Thompson, Steven Pond, Pete Hammond, Ed Douglas for chit-chatting the Oscars with me too. So many people. There are way too many people to thank on Twitter and Facebook and on other blogs and websites. It would be impossible to start listing them. But I am always appreciative for the links, the jokes, the inspiration and the debate.
I also need to thank, although she doesn’t read this site, my 13 year-old who has been alive almost as long as I’ve been blogging about the Oscars. When I forget how long it’s been I look at her. She’s almost fully grown. And taller than I am.
Anyway, to enter this contest simply write who or what you’re thankful for or grateful for. I’m going to give Ryan the job of choosing the winners. He will choose them at random. Please enjoy Thanksgiving if you’re here in America and if not, enjoy what is an ordinary day, perhaps, everywhere else.
Nic V, Dan C, Ben G and Kevin T – today, a few days after Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for your comments. Sending love and good wishes your way…
Nic V, Dan C, Ben G and Kevin T – today, a few days after Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for your comments. Sending love and good wishes your way…
This year, I’m especially thankful that my father is still here, sitting next to me at the dinner table. I hope I can be thankful for the same thing next year, too.
This year, I’m especially thankful that my father is still here, sitting next to me at the dinner table. I hope I can be thankful for the same thing next year, too.
I’m thankful for my friends and family and for all those people who never stop believing that the world can be a better place.
I’m thankful for my friends and family and for all those people who never stop believing that the world can be a better place.
I’m thankful that my brother is alive. He got married June 4th of this year. He went on his honeymoon with his new wife, Crystal Rodriguez, to the Bahama’s. On the last day of their honeymoon, they were involved in a parasailing accident. She died but he survived. They were married twelve days. So…I don’t know how that sounds to anyone here, but I’m thankful at least one of them came home.
I’m thankful that my brother is alive. He got married June 4th of this year. He went on his honeymoon with his new wife, Crystal Rodriguez, to the Bahama’s. On the last day of their honeymoon, they were involved in a parasailing accident. She died but he survived. They were married twelve days. So…I don’t know how that sounds to anyone here, but I’m thankful at least one of them came home.
In September 2011, I was hospitalized and placed in isolation after contracting a deadly strain of a virus called Ecoli. My parents were warned by the doctors that I was not responding to my medication as they hoped and to possibly prepare for the worst. Knowing how much film means to me, how it inspires and moves me, they snuck in a portable DVD player and sat with me watching some of my favourite movies – Nick & Nora’s Infinite Playlist, Jane Eyre, Network, Wall-E, Sense & Sensibility, The Dark Knight, Fargo, The People Vs Larry Flynt. We watched 15 films over 4 days, discussing the stories, the artistry, the political and social contexts and just what we loved or hated. Much to the doctors surprise, they began to see an improvement in my condition. My parents continued to sit with me, watch film, and I made a full recovery within 2 weeks and have since been released. Following my release, I realized just how important film is to my life and, with the support of my parents, I am trying to make my dream of working in film marketing a reality.
So, I would like to thank the wonderful filmmakers, actors and everyone down to the 3rd assistant makeup artist’s assistant for creating works of art that inspired me to fight for my life. More importantly, I am grateful to my parents for breaking the hospital rules and, just like in the movies, creating a happy ending and new opportunities by doing so.
In September 2011, I was hospitalized and placed in isolation after contracting a deadly strain of a virus called Ecoli. My parents were warned by the doctors that I was not responding to my medication as they hoped and to possibly prepare for the worst. Knowing how much film means to me, how it inspires and moves me, they snuck in a portable DVD player and sat with me watching some of my favourite movies – Nick & Nora’s Infinite Playlist, Jane Eyre, Network, Wall-E, Sense & Sensibility, The Dark Knight, Fargo, The People Vs Larry Flynt. We watched 15 films over 4 days, discussing the stories, the artistry, the political and social contexts and just what we loved or hated. Much to the doctors surprise, they began to see an improvement in my condition. My parents continued to sit with me, watch film, and I made a full recovery within 2 weeks and have since been released. Following my release, I realized just how important film is to my life and, with the support of my parents, I am trying to make my dream of working in film marketing a reality.
So, I would like to thank the wonderful filmmakers, actors and everyone down to the 3rd assistant makeup artist’s assistant for creating works of art that inspired me to fight for my life. More importantly, I am grateful to my parents for breaking the hospital rules and, just like in the movies, creating a happy ending and new opportunities by doing so.
I’m thankful the American cinema is still alive and surviving if not always thriving. Our lives have been enriched by this unique art form.
I’m thankful the American cinema is still alive and surviving if not always thriving. Our lives have been enriched by this unique art form.
This year, I’m so thankful to have a job… and one that I love at that. I’m thankful for my friends, my family, and my God because their unconditional love reminds me that I am blessed with a life so much better than anything a goof like me could ever deserve. There is a lot of sadness in the world, but there are still pockets of joy like the one I’m fortunate enough to wake up in every day. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
This year, I’m so thankful to have a job… and one that I love at that. I’m thankful for my friends, my family, and my God because their unconditional love reminds me that I am blessed with a life so much better than anything a goof like me could ever deserve. There is a lot of sadness in the world, but there are still pockets of joy like the one I’m fortunate enough to wake up in every day. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
I’m thankful for Terrence Malick for giving me the pleasure of seeing the beauty of Tree of Life. It lets me ponder about my relationship with my Dad, how we’ve grown apart over the years and how I’ve longed for us to be together again. This Thanksgiving I met my Dad for the first time in 10 years. It was great to catch up and revisit the good old times and celebrate our reunion. Cheers.
I’m thankful for Terrence Malick for giving me the pleasure of seeing the beauty of Tree of Life. It lets me ponder about my relationship with my Dad, how we’ve grown apart over the years and how I’ve longed for us to be together again. This Thanksgiving I met my Dad for the first time in 10 years. It was great to catch up and revisit the good old times and celebrate our reunion. Cheers.
I am grateful for my family, especially my brother, who has been a great companion for watching movies. And also thank all the people who contribute (or try to contribute) to a better world, with respect, joy, responsibility and awareness.
I am grateful for my family, especially my brother, who has been a great companion for watching movies. And also thank all the people who contribute (or try to contribute) to a better world, with respect, joy, responsibility and awareness.
I am truly thankful for the friends who love me no matter what and the family who have been will always be there no matter what.
I am truly thankful for the friends who love me no matter what and the family who have been will always be there no matter what.
I want to thank my children, Sara Kate and Henry Thomas. The two of them have taught me more about the goodness of God than I have learned through all my life experiences or my three theological degrees. They have also revealed to me a depth of love which I did not know existed, but helps me understand my heavenly Father’s love with a new clarity every day. Sara Kate and Henry, I love you more than I can ever tell you with my words. And thanks for watching and loving movies almost as much as your dad does!!
I want to thank my children, Sara Kate and Henry Thomas. The two of them have taught me more about the goodness of God than I have learned through all my life experiences or my three theological degrees. They have also revealed to me a depth of love which I did not know existed, but helps me understand my heavenly Father’s love with a new clarity every day. Sara Kate and Henry, I love you more than I can ever tell you with my words. And thanks for watching and loving movies almost as much as your dad does!!
I always look forward to Thanksgiving coz this day kicks off the Oscar season for me. Previously it was the NBR awards that I eagerly anticipated in the last days of November, now it would have to be the NYFCC awards.
I just wanna thank God for giving me life.
And I really would like to become immortal. Seriously. Alive forever.
I always look forward to Thanksgiving coz this day kicks off the Oscar season for me. Previously it was the NBR awards that I eagerly anticipated in the last days of November, now it would have to be the NYFCC awards.
I just wanna thank God for giving me life.
And I really would like to become immortal. Seriously. Alive forever.
Am I too late? I hope not..
I am thankful for discovering Awards Daily roughly about 2 years ago/ It’s now one of the sites I constantly visit each time I go online.
I am thankful for the wonderful world of cinema and films. For without it, this existence would be a dreary one.
I am thankful for novels/books, for their transportive power. It’s the only other thing I am passionate about.
And lastly I am thankful for finally having the courage to accept who I am. It was a difficult decision given my extremely conservative background. And I am thankful for my family that despite our vast differences in viewpoints, we still love each other deeply.
Am I too late? I hope not..
I am thankful for discovering Awards Daily roughly about 2 years ago/ It’s now one of the sites I constantly visit each time I go online.
I am thankful for the wonderful world of cinema and films. For without it, this existence would be a dreary one.
I am thankful for novels/books, for their transportive power. It’s the only other thing I am passionate about.
And lastly I am thankful for finally having the courage to accept who I am. It was a difficult decision given my extremely conservative background. And I am thankful for my family that despite our vast differences in viewpoints, we still love each other deeply.
I am thankful for my wonderful friends and family an for my fiancé and that my future inlaws are awesome
I am thankful for my wonderful friends and family an for my fiancé and that my future inlaws are awesome
I am thankful that Paris Hilton does not appear in films anymore.
I am thankful that Paris Hilton does not appear in films anymore.
I’m thankful for my friends, family, and peanut butter.
I’m thankful for my friends, family, and peanut butter.
I am thankful for my family.
I am thankful for my family.
We in the Pacific Northwest got hit with hurricane-force winds yesterday and last night, knocking the daylights out of this area (as well as the power), so, firstly, I’m thankful to still be here. Nip and tuck, for awhile.
I’m also thankful for everyone who posts here – I love our shared passion for movies, especially when we don’t agree – and for Sasha and Ryan for providing an exciting and intelligent arena for sharing our opinions.
Belated Happy Thanksgiving to those of you south of the border.
We in the Pacific Northwest got hit with hurricane-force winds yesterday and last night, knocking the daylights out of this area (as well as the power), so, firstly, I’m thankful to still be here. Nip and tuck, for awhile.
I’m also thankful for everyone who posts here – I love our shared passion for movies, especially when we don’t agree – and for Sasha and Ryan for providing an exciting and intelligent arena for sharing our opinions.
Belated Happy Thanksgiving to those of you south of the border.
Greetings from Germany!
First of all: Happy Thanksgiving to all of you in the U.S.
I’m thankful for the movies (and therefore, of course, for sites like this one) that have enriched my life and made my days so many times; for movies that made me laugh (“When Harry met Sally …”) and cry (“Philadelphia”), gave me food for thaught (“Inception”) or thrilled me (“Speed”).
And last but not least: I’m thankful for my family and friends.
Greetings from Germany!
First of all: Happy Thanksgiving to all of you in the U.S.
I’m thankful for the movies (and therefore, of course, for sites like this one) that have enriched my life and made my days so many times; for movies that made me laugh (“When Harry met Sally …”) and cry (“Philadelphia”), gave me food for thaught (“Inception”) or thrilled me (“Speed”).
And last but not least: I’m thankful for my family and friends.
Being not from here, and not having any family in this country, I am so grateful for having such wonderful friends, who invite me into their home for the holidays and make me feel loved. I am very blessed to have all the friends I have in my life.
I am thankful for having my health, having a clear mind, being able to walk and see everything in the world and enjoy all the pleasures this world offers (a little too much eating over Thanksgiving, but what are you gonna do..)
I am thankful for all the great films that came out this year, and for being able to go and see them in the theaters, my absolute favorite thing to do. I am thankful for the great writing, directing, acting, editing, music scoring, cinematography, set & costume design, and all the other great craft that has gone into these films and makes my life so much more enjoyable.
I am thankful for AwardsDaily for allowing me to indulge in my pleasure of analyzing Oscar potential, because heaven knows I can’t do it with any of my friends, not to this degree. I am thankful for being able to log in here and discuss it with all the like-minded Oscar freaks 🙂
Being not from here, and not having any family in this country, I am so grateful for having such wonderful friends, who invite me into their home for the holidays and make me feel loved. I am very blessed to have all the friends I have in my life.
I am thankful for having my health, having a clear mind, being able to walk and see everything in the world and enjoy all the pleasures this world offers (a little too much eating over Thanksgiving, but what are you gonna do..)
I am thankful for all the great films that came out this year, and for being able to go and see them in the theaters, my absolute favorite thing to do. I am thankful for the great writing, directing, acting, editing, music scoring, cinematography, set & costume design, and all the other great craft that has gone into these films and makes my life so much more enjoyable.
I am thankful for AwardsDaily for allowing me to indulge in my pleasure of analyzing Oscar potential, because heaven knows I can’t do it with any of my friends, not to this degree. I am thankful for being able to log in here and discuss it with all the like-minded Oscar freaks 🙂
Thankful for Pedro Almodóvar and Spanish cinema!
Thankful for Pedro Almodóvar and Spanish cinema!
I am thankful for the fact that although I am not american, I still have the opportunity to celebrate this great.
I am thankful for the fact that although I am not american, I still have the opportunity to celebrate this great.
I am thankful for family and friends, of course. I am thankful that my only problems in life would be considered #whitegirlproblems. I am also thankful for the masters of cinema: Scorsese, Allen, Nolan, both Andersons, Spielberg, Bergman, etc. Too many to list. I’m thankful for Studio Ghibli and Pixar for keeping the cinema a magical experience for me. Also, I’m thankful for Michael Chabon and other contemporary authors who inspire me with wonderful prose.
I am thankful for family and friends, of course. I am thankful that my only problems in life would be considered #whitegirlproblems. I am also thankful for the masters of cinema: Scorsese, Allen, Nolan, both Andersons, Spielberg, Bergman, etc. Too many to list. I’m thankful for Studio Ghibli and Pixar for keeping the cinema a magical experience for me. Also, I’m thankful for Michael Chabon and other contemporary authors who inspire me with wonderful prose.
I am thankful for the new Atlas Sound- album, which is quite fantastic! 😉
I am thankful for the new Atlas Sound- album, which is quite fantastic! 😉
I’m thankful for the 2 hours in the dark where I can be transported to anywhere to do anything and impact my world when I emerge into the light.
I’m thankful for the 2 hours in the dark where I can be transported to anywhere to do anything and impact my world when I emerge into the light.
I am thankful for the support of my Mom and her amazing family. Being in the arts, it is near impossible to make a living, but no one in my Mom’s family has ever been anything, but supportive and loving. I’m so lucky to have people like that all over the country. THANKS CONWAY CLAN!
I am thankful for the support of my Mom and her amazing family. Being in the arts, it is near impossible to make a living, but no one in my Mom’s family has ever been anything, but supportive and loving. I’m so lucky to have people like that all over the country. THANKS CONWAY CLAN!
I’m thankful for being alive and able to testify such amazing works-of-art being made
I’m thankful for being alive and able to testify such amazing works-of-art being made
Thankful for family, friends, and food. And Scorsese, of course.
Thankful for family, friends, and food. And Scorsese, of course.
Thankful for family, friends, and food. And Scorsese.
Thankful for family, friends, and food. And Scorsese.
I would like to thank Sasha and Ryan for making the movie world more interesting than it probably is at times and for helping me drudge through all of the shit in order to see the really good movies. I am also thankful for Kate Winslet and Ryan Gosling, but for very different reasons.
I would like to thank Sasha and Ryan for making the movie world more interesting than it probably is at times and for helping me drudge through all of the shit in order to see the really good movies. I am also thankful for Kate Winslet and Ryan Gosling, but for very different reasons.
I am thankful for one year with my beautiful wife!
I am thankful for one year with my beautiful wife!
I’m thankful for friends and family most of all, but since this is a movie blog, I’ll add that I’m thankful that my recent move to New York City allows me to see more Oscar movies and to see them sooner than I used to be able to in my previous home. Every cinephile should be so lucky.
I’m thankful for friends and family most of all, but since this is a movie blog, I’ll add that I’m thankful that my recent move to New York City allows me to see more Oscar movies and to see them sooner than I used to be able to in my previous home. Every cinephile should be so lucky.
I am thankful for my family, my girlfriend, my friends, running and science.
I am thankful for my family, my girlfriend, my friends, running and science.
I am thankful for Martin Scorsese, Paul Thomas Anderson, Alexander Payne and Clint Eastwood.
I am thankful for Martin Scorsese, Paul Thomas Anderson, Alexander Payne and Clint Eastwood.
Of course I’m thankful for my parents, my friends, my family, etc., but I’ll always be thankful for the one night at a film camp where I saw The Departed. At 13, I witnessed characters as flawed and human as myself and was liberated, fully understanding not only the power of movies, but their transcendence and importance. My family has always provided me with love and opportunities, but I am totally confident that this one screening filled a void within me that nothing but film could fill.
Of course I’m thankful for my parents, my friends, my family, etc., but I’ll always be thankful for the one night at a film camp where I saw The Departed. At 13, I witnessed characters as flawed and human as myself and was liberated, fully understanding not only the power of movies, but their transcendence and importance. My family has always provided me with love and opportunities, but I am totally confident that this one screening filled a void within me that nothing but film could fill.