Movie Thoughts - Is this the right time?

I've been struggling for the past year or so with trying to introduce some of the classic children films to my daughter (who is four and a half now). I tried A Christmas Story about six months back, but she lasted about half an hour before leaving. I am aware that her attention span is around the 30-45 minute mark in a theater (while watching any children's animation/film) and that is reduced even more at home because obviously there are a lot more distractions at home. In fact, a while back I tried to have a movie play date at home for some of her school friends, but they all lasted about 30 minutes into Toy Story before they were off playing with the kitchen set.

While my daughter is addicted to Peppa Pig, Dora and Chotta Bheem (Indian Cartoon), I have desperately been waiting her to watch movies like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, or Goonies, or even Mary Poppins, but alas I have been unsuccessful. The only full length animated feature she has managed to sit through, and does so repeatedly, is Tangled. So there seems to be some hope after all.

The reason why I bring up this discussion now is because this morning my daughter woke up and told me about a dream she had. According to her, she dreamt about being in space going to different planets where aliens live. So, the little light bulb on top of my head suddenly lightened up. Could this be the right time to maybe show her E.T.? She is all into aliens right about now and fascinated by their existence (or lack of), so could this be the moment I have been waiting for? As it happens I have wanted to buy some DVDs of movies that I watched as a kid and this might just be the moment I take that step and try showing them to my daughter.   

The truth remains that I can't wait for her to someday be as crazy about films as I am, but what the future holds I do not know. What do you think is the best time to introduce classic films to kids? Should I go ahead and show her E.T. and see what she thinks, or maybe wait a while? I mean the other day during #MTOS (Movie Talk On Sunday on Twitter) someone mentioned watching Rocky Horror Picture Show at 4, so E.T. should be okay?

Film Blog Thoughts - What's the difference between a Blog and a Website?

Once again a topic that covers pretty much all blog writers and again something that not necessarily have to do with just films. My thought for today is - What exactly is the difference between a Blog and a Website? Agreed, it really is not a big deal, and to be honest not many would care about it, but is there a fine line that a blogger eventually crosses that makes his blog turn into a website?

To start with take my blog(s). I feel I am a blogger. I don't post regularly. I have four blogs so I switch between them from time to time, each one covering different areas (Film, Travel, Photography, and Personal). My web addresses are all Blogspot addresses. My layouts are pretty basic from the ones available to everyone through the hosting site. My blogs are free.

On the other hand is my friend Scott's "website" Front Room Cinema. Now, I have literally seen it grow over the last year and in my view what was a blog a year back has developed beautifully into a full fledged website. Scott writes only about film. At present he has a team of writers working/volunteering for FRC. His web address is a ".com" address. He has a timeline that he adheres to and recurring features. Moreover, he has developed contacts in the Industry over the year as well. His website's layout is more "original" and not run-of-the-mill, and he has sponsors.

Now, comparing my blog (just the film) to that of Scott's, anyone can see the difference. There is a certain organizational difference. His website comes across as maybe more professional. But then, Scott hasn't changed much during the year. As far as I know he has had a regular listing process from the start. So maybe he has more regular writers, but I have guest writers from time to time. Maybe he has a ".com" address, but then I have seen many "blogs" with .com addresses. Still, I feel that now Front Room Cinema can be called a website rather than just a blog.

Also take into account introducing your webpage. Say, you were to meet or talk to someone from the film industry. Would it carry more weight-age if you refer to your page as a "website" or as a "blog"? I recently met with officials from Singapore Tourism during an event and introduced myself as a blog writer. I didn't see any difference in their tone and they were wonderful hosts, but once again what if I had said I run a "website"?

So, is it just the professional aspect that matters? Is it the traffic that you get? Or is it when you have a team and are no longer the solitary blogger that your blog becomes a website? Maybe, it is the content of your webpage?

I know, once again, it don't really matter what you call it, but do you think there is a difference, or are we in such a state that blog and website are just synonymous?   

Let me know...

Note: Thank you Scott for letting me use your website as part of Movie Thoughts. 

Movie Thoughts - Does your traffic dictate your blog & your movie watching experience?

Now, this question relates to pretty much all bloggers and not just film bloggers, but honestly speaking have you ever specially gone and seen a movie, or skipped one, because you thought that it would/not appeal to your blog readers?

Although I have never really done this, but often when I write about an Indian film or like right now I am planning to write about two books on Indian films that I have just read, I do wonder how many people will actually read it considering most of my readers are from the western world and not too much into Indian cinema. Moreover the books cater to people who have seen the movies, which I am pretty sure most of my readers have not (although I am always pleased to be proved wrong).

Now, I do go ahead with writing articles and reviews on Indian cinema because I have a personal goal of trying to make it more popular. I also did a recent post on when someone might have had to go watch a movie when they really did not want to, be it to impress a girl or even for their blog. This question is more specific in that knowing who your readers are, and where they are from, or what they like, are you thinking about what you write and maybe even how you write, when you do write?

So far I’ve tried to keep true to myself. I know I have a very basic writing style and I like to write as little or as much as I want to about a movie, but there is always a question in the back of my mind, checking to make sure, if the post will be "popular" amongst my readers.

Have you ever thought about your readers when you stood in the theater deciding on your next film, or has it always been what YOU want first and then the reader?

Let me know...