Last November I was asked to give a list of my favorite movies of 2009 with a one-sentence summary, to be included in a year-end review issue of a local magazine.

I was flattered to be asked but as the Chair for the Hampton Roads Chapter of the Virginia Production Alliance and director myself, it did make sense to include me in an article about all that was noteworthy and creative in movieland.

When I sat down to write my comments I realized I had only seen TWO movies all year! TWO! And it took me a while to remember which ones and under what circumstances.

Since I waited until the last minute, of course, the quotes were needed the next day. I had to ask a few friends to give me a quote about their favorite movies of 2009. I sent “my” selections off to the magazine, trying to give each person credit for his individual quote but that was lost on the editor. He gave me all the credit and I felt like a heel.

But more so I felt like a fraud. What kind of director does not go to the movies? I used to say, “I’m too busy making movies to go see them…yuck yuck.” This got the desired laugh because we all know there are not many movies being made in Virginia and when there are, they usually have a director attached to them already…no need for my services.

Well this little experience set me to thinking…I will not let that happen to me in 2010! Right then and there I made a New Year’s resolution to see every movie released in 2010. I would not be caught ticket-stubless again. I was going to know what’s happening in my chosen field. I was going to be able to have intellectual discussions and give high-browed critiques throughout the year and be able to give a wrap-up at year’s end.

I declared my New Year’s resolution to some friends and received astonished responses.

“EVERY movie?!” I heard again and again. “Yes, every movie,” I defiantly declared (which incidentally Defiance was one of the movies I saw last year…not a fan…). “I’m not sure that’s even physically possible” seemed to be the general consensus. Losing confidence, I assured them all that “Sure, it is.”

As I slinked away from the dubious looks I was receiving, I became a little concerned. Just exactly how many movies are released in any given year? The information on the Internet varies greatly from 400 to 1043 releases worldwide in 2008. I decided to use data I found on the Motion Picture Association of America’s website. There I found that 610 movies were released domestically in 2008 (the most current stats on the site). Based on this statistic and “adjusting for inflation,” if you will, I think I’d have to see about 2.5 movies a day at a cost of approximately $10,950 to achieve my goal of seeing every movie in 2010.

I went back to my dubious group of friends, reported my findings and said, “So who’s with me?”

Photo | Jesse Scaccia

Here is some of their feedback:

“Adjust to weekly and or monthly goals… this way it is doable. Or put a bed in the NARO.” –John Forte, Senior Producer /Director, Coastal Training Technologies

“To save money, get an unlimited subscription to Netflix (mailing DVD’s and watching on your computer), then delay your movie watching ’til Spring ‘10, and just watch them all thru Netflix.” –Neil Grochmal, Director of Photography

“Go early for matinee prices, then knock out 2 or 3 more that day. You may need to piece together some movies by catching the beginning or ending in between other movies. Paying for one movie each trip you’d come in around $2,030. You’d have to factor in movie theater food prices as you wouldn’t really be able to leave the actual theater and some extra money to be spent on wigs and fake mustaches so you aren’t caught. All this should still bring you in well under $10,950. Extra money could be saved for bail or pending lawsuits.” –Mike Moran, Producer, Coastal Training Technologies

“I say get to know the theatre managers and sleep your way to your goal. I bet you’d get free popcorn thrown in too. Although, now we’re talking a bigger time commitment…” –Cindy Foy, Producer/Director

OK. So my New Year’s resolution may be a lofty goal that might need some modification…let’s just say I am going to see more than two movies this year. With that said, I leave you with this thought… As you enter 2010, may your worries last only as long as your New Year’s resolutions.

The State of the Industry event takes place this Wednesday, February 3, in Virginia Beach. Check here for more details: http://www.filmva.com/