Yuletide links

This is it! The bell lap, the ninth inning, the final month of this grand experiment called The One Year Switch - and what happens? Computer problems! Don't ask me how, but a screw in my laptop came loose (yes, I know; I've had a screw loose for quite some time), which led to a crack in the outer frame. That might not have been so bad except for the fact that finding replacement parts wasn't easy or cheap because even though I've only had the laptop for seven years, it may as well be seventy. Nobody makes laptops like mine anymore.


The repairman cut me a slight deal on the price, but that doesn't change the fact that my plans for the final two months have capsized. I've been writing this and the past several posts on my cell phone, and yes, typing with one finger is as tedious as it sounds. Did I mention I also have a cold? I'm still hoping to get my 1000th post in this year, but if I don't, it's no big deal, I guess. Like I said before, once I get my laptop back, I'll go back to the previous posts and add links and pics.

I'll wrap up the Switch with a final post game show piece on January 6, 2016 before returning to the original format, meaning new and old movies concurrently. Sticking to the classics all year long (more or less) has indeed been a challenge, but I've learned a great deal about the movies, and about myself too, I think. It's certainly made me understand my classic film blogger friends a little better - but I'll save all that summing up stuff for next month. If you've stuck with me this far, I can't thank you enough.

So for this final month, I've got one last blogathon for the year; the final two profiles; my Citizen Kane post (hopefully); and my 1000th post (really hopefully). Also, I'll deliver my one and only full-length new release post, for Star Wars Episode VII, because there's no way I can avoid writing about that one, Switch or no Switch.

Links after the jump, plus something extra: I thought you might like to see all the banners from this year. They've been fun to make and I hope you liked them.

Ryan watches the first six Star Wars movies in a row.

Ruth takes part in a group interview with the makers of The Peanuts Movie.

Pam teaches you how to be a Bond girl.

The movies are too damn long!

The Leonard Nimoy anti-smoking documentary COPD: Highly Illogical has a preview.

What's up with all those old movies kept in the studios' vaults?

The December banner will feature John Wayne. I'll add it here when I make it.

Finally, I wanna send this out to our friends in the City of Lights in this difficult time...