Another year over, another few hundred movies sat through, and yet, still no definitive opinions from this blogger on which ones I’ll be most excited to see again. You might ask, what gives, Nick? Have you lost your desire to weigh in on what’s good and what sucks? Did you suddenly decide that year-end Top 10 lists are beneath you? Were you so overwhelmed by the warm and fuzzy glow of Slumdog Millionaire that all other movies ceased to have any meaning to you?

The answer to all those questions is no (and for the record, I thought Slumdog was entertaining but a little overrated). The simple reason I haven’t made a ten-best list yet is that I still haven’t been able to see a few films that I think have a good chance of making it – namely, Gran Torino, The Wrestler, and Revolutionary Road – and I’d hate to have to leave them out just so I could be on time with my list. And, trust me, folks, I certainly would have caught those movies already if not for the studios’ unfair and patently ridiculous awards-season “limited release” strategy explained in this New York Times story. But, rather than continue my complaining, I’m just going to look forward to seeing some new work from three of my favorite filmmakers as it finally makes its way to Connecticut theaters in the next few weeks.

And then, it’s time to make a list that few people want and nobody needs, but I’m going to have a freaking awesome time putting together. Looking forward to it already.