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It’s been exactly one year since The Take Three kicked things off, and oh how much has changed in that time. Back then we lived in Chicago, but we’ve since moved this operation to Washington, DC. Our love of movies has always remained strong though, and despite having been terrible, horrible, no good, very bad bloggers these past few months, our one-year anniversary is helping put us back on track. When we started The Take Three, we pledged to be your source for movie reviews, online resources and communities, release dates and anything free and fun, with a special flair for local coverage. With another summer movie season upon us, we’re prepared to be your go-to site once again. Thanks for being such loyal readers– we love you!

According to the site, the idea started as a spoof of National Novel Writing Month, an initiative encouraging people to write a 175-page (or 50,000-word) novel by midnight on November 30. After several years of NaBloPoMo though, bloggers began hitting their stride and wanted to continue through December and beyond. Now, NaBloPoMo is a regular initiative, and bloggers like you and me can drop in any old month we want– although November still remains the biggest on participation.

NaBloPoMo encourages bloggers to visit their site for the “moral support, inspiration and the camaraderie that only marathon blogging can provide,” and November also remains the only month that members can donate prizes for bloggers who do in fact participate every day of the month. And you can get your blog on NaBloPoMo’s blogroll, and bloggers everywhere may soon be reading what you have to say.

So here at The Take Three, we’ve been inspired by National Blog Posting Month, and we intend to provide you new content every day this November. Sure, we plan to look to NaBloPoMo for that ever-needed inspiration and moral support, but we also want to bring you improved and varied information about movies and the film industry. After all, we love movies, and we’ve always just wanted to share the love. Happy blogging, friends.

Good news for everyone living in the nation’s capital though (and MD and VA too, of course), as The Take Three will be bringing you local movie happenings as we settle into our new digs. If you have any suggestions of local items you’d like to see covered, send them our way. We look forward to this great new city, and lots more movies as we transition to fall.

• Comment Threads. Sometimes the best part of a movie blog is what the readers have to say– that’s also a great place for you to start connecting with other movie lovers. Check out some recent comment threads from FilmFodder.com as well as the forum on DvdVerdict.com. Jump right in and get involved in the conversations yourself!
• Facebook Groups. When it comes to the mighty Facebook, finding like-minded movie lovers can be overwhelming if you don’t get specific. Joining a group simply called “movies” isn’t going to cater to your personality or your film likes, so get creative in your searching. Some of our favorite groups include Quentin Tarantino fans, Walt Disney lovers and 80′s Movies. Where is your inner Facebook group hiding?
• Movie Fans. Although they’re not affiliated with the company, they call themselves A Netflix Community, and they’re worth a look.
• Yahoo! Groups. Interested in filmmaking? Perhaps The Aaron Sorkin Chronicles is for you. Are indy films your things? You might be interested in Movies That Make You Think. Always wanted to do a cross-country trip riding the festival circuit? Get the inside scoop with Film Festival Directors. Whatever you movie interests are, there’s a Yahoo! Movie Group out there for you. 

Critics

• Cut Print Review: Movie reviews and commentary.
• Only the Cinema: A self-proclaimed movie diary.
• The Small Town Critic: Covering mainstream releases and grindhouse. 

Online Resources

• Fandango and MovieTickets.com: Sites that sells advance movie tickets, and also offers reviews and showtimes. Fandango’s got Regal, United Artists and Hoyts, and MovieTickets includes AMC and Clearview. 
• The Internet Movie Database: The most extensive online database of movies, actors, quotes and box office info.
• Yahoo Movies: An online guide to movies, including local showtimes, trailers, box office details and reviews.  

Publications

• Entertainment Weekly: News from across the entertainment industry.
• The Hollywood Reporter: Variety competitor industry pub. 
• Variety: A weekly newspaper and industry must.

• Movies in the Park: All summer long and at all different parks, Chicago offers free movies to the public. All you have to do is show up with your picnic basket and blanket, and let the movie watching begin. About.com has its own info about this festival, and the Spudart blog even has fun tips to make your night in the park more enjoyable. Follow The Take Three this summer for some fun picnicking and free movies– recipes, weather updates and prime places to lay your blanket all included at no extra charge. 
• Summer Blockbusters: When the weather is hot, big budget films are definitely in season. MTV Movies offers their take on this season’s finest, while Variety provides you with some photos to ogle. The Take Three will be following the summer’s big hits and filling you in on all the cheers and jeers. 
• Online DVD Subscriptions: The debate continues: Netflix, Blockbuster or Redbox? We’ll offer you the pros and cons of each all summer long– with some reviews sprinkled in now and then– and you can judge for yourself. Get the most movie enjoyment for your valuable dollar!