Despite the cranky, elitist, or curmudgeonly tone I sometimes take (and which is necessary when addressing films like Fred Claus), I am basically a happy, contented person. And since this is Thanksgiving week, I thought I'd take the opportunity to share with you some of the things I'm most grateful for.

Well, the film-related things I'm most grateful for, anyway. This is Film.com, after all. If you want to know how thankful I am for my family, friends, and good health, read my column at FamilyFriendsAndGoodHealth.com.

I AM THANKFUL FOR...

1.) Turner Classic Movies
This station is the unsung hero of cable, offering round-the-clock movies presented uncut, unedited, in widescreen format (if that's how they were filmed), and without commercials. The focus is generally on "older" films, but you'll see things from as recently as the '90s, too. Once a year they do "31 Days of Oscar," featuring a month of Academy Award nominated films and giving me a chance to fill up my TiVo with classics I've never seen or that I want to see again.

2.) My movie critic friends
I'm not going to lie to you. The life of a film critic is not difficult. It doesn't involve exercising or (usually) sweating. Nonetheless, when you're spending a few hours a day in a theater, it's nice to be sitting next to people you like, pals you can chat with before and after (and whisper witty comments to during, if the situation warrants it). I've heard of cities where the local critics don't get along, and that's as sad as working in an office where no one is friendly. In Portland (where I work now) and Salt Lake City (where I used to work), there's abundant camaraderie and good-natured conversation among the reviewers.

3.) Visually interesting directors
Plenty of good movies, particularly comedies, are dialogue-oriented and don't rely much on innovative camera work. And that's fine. But when you see something by the Coen Brothers, or Steven Spielberg, or David Fincher, or Brian De Palma, it's an invigorating reminder that film can be a treat for the eyes in a way that no other medium can. If nothing else, I smile in appreciation for the extra effort involved in setting up difficult or unusual shots, knowing that for some filmmakers "good enough" isn't good enough.

4.) Non-chain movie theaters that know what they're doing
With all due respect to the Regals and Cinemarks and AMCs of the world, I'd much rather watch something at an independent theater. I know that if there's a problem with the projection, I'll be able to find an employee who a.) knows how to fix it and b.) cares. I know I can count on offbeat programming and fun special events like midnight movies and revivals of old films. Maybe most of all, I like the idea of theaters that are run on sheer enthusiasm.

5.) Great movies
This is the thing I'm most thankful for, of course. 2007 has been a fine year so far, with several potentially great films still waiting to hit theaters. Look at what we've seen already: Ratatouille, Waitress, 3:10 to Yuma, Hairspray, Across the Universe, Knocked Up, Before the Devil Knows You're Dead, No Country for Old Men, In the Valley of Elah, Michael Clayton, 300, Eastern Promises, Superbad, Hot Fuzz. In that list are comedies, dramas, musicals, thrillers, Westerns, and combinations thereof. Such a wide variety of genres, so many different ways of approaching the material, and so many excellent results. It's enough to make a movie lover feel stuffed even as he goes back for seconds.

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Eric D. Snider (website) is also thankful for pie.

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