Presenting... The Muriel Awards.

If you've taken a look at my screening log lately, you may have noticed a downturn in the number of movies I've watched in the last week or so. While some of this may be chalked up to the weak caliber of January movies (when SMOKIN' ACES is the most intriguing-looking multiplex release, it's a fallow period indeed), I've also been busy with something else.

I've always enjoyed voting for movie awards. For years I've given out my own my own honors, which I would post on my now drastically-revamped site. I've also participated in numerous polls and online awards over the years, though I never resorted to voting for the People's Choice Awards, where my nomination of, say, KINGS AND QUEEN might not have gone over too well. So I suppose it was only a matter of time until I'd play a part in getting one of these things off the ground. Thanks to all who participated, in particular Steven Carlson who helped me immeasurably in gathering this year's voters:

Jason Alley
Kent M. Beeson
Andrew Bemis
Dennis Cozzalio
Greg Dunlap
James Frazier
Martin McClellan
Lucas McNelly
Mark Pfeiffer
Matt Riviera
Jenny Sekwa
R. Presley Stephens

While you're here, why not drop in on their sites as well?

I'm sure some of you are asking what's with the name of the awards (or not, if you're a regular reader over at Rickey)? Anyway, I decided that my guinea pig Muriel would be as good an inspiration/mascot as any, seeing as how, as I say on the Muriel Awards web site:

"[Muriel] is both temperamental and endlessly curious, two traits which are common to a lot of die-hard filmgoers. Of course, few of them are as cute..."

Plus the Muriel Awards has kind of a nice ring to it, in my opinion. Now all I need to do is name something else after my other guinea pig, Victoria, so she doesn't feel left out.

I'll be unveiling the award winners by category on this blog over the course of the next week or so, one per day, with the big prize- Best Feature Film- to be announced on President's Day, Monday, February 19. In addition, I'll be updating the Muriel Awards web site as I announce the awards, and when it's all said and done the page will also include ballots from the various voters, which should prove illuminating.

So watch this space, and enjoy!