812: Film Reviews and Other Musings

A one-stop shop for my work and me

I have long resisted creating a Substack. Mostly because I hate promising what I cannot deliver. Would it be possible to keep up the obligation of writing monthly posts? – is a question I’ve often asked myself. I’ve also wondered aloud if whatever Substack I created needed to possess a unique frame or angle. I write so much. Why would I create another outlet requiring even more writing? That’s when I realized, I write so much, I probably need a Substack to hold all of my writing.

See, a great many people have asked me if there’s a place where they can find all of my work, such as a newsletter. I’ve often given fumbled responses that ultimately culminated in me sighing: “just follow me on twitter” (shrug). But I now see that I should create a central space where my writing, podcast/radio appearances, and other work can be found.

Considering, Substacks typically have a paid component, I’ve further long resisted creating one because I didn’t want to make a space where people paid for information that was free and available on my Twitter feed. I wanted to include an add-on that would make a paid feature worth it, or in my mind, I would feel hollow. Then I noticed how much I don’t write about: My new-to-me Criterion and repertory watches; the albums and songs I consume, and the books and poems I read—and how a Substack would allow me a space to pull these portions of myself together under one roof, so to speak. So now, here I am. Ready to make a Substack.

Like my former website, which is still active, and will remain so until the internet ceases to exist, this Substack is named 812: Film Reviews and Other Musings. Let me also set the record straight: Because people have often asked where “812” comes from. It doesn’t come from an area code or a place on the map. It’s a reference to my favorite film: Federico Fellini’s 8 ½. I chose that name because it reminded me of how that film awakened my mind to movies, music and literature in a life altering way. That name now feels even more fitting for this newest iteration.

On 812: Film Reviews and Other Musings I’ll be delivering a FREE monthly newsletter of everything I’ve published and appeared on, and a few weekly paid posts with thoughts on music, books, movies, film festivals, and more. I hope you come with me on this new journey that’s already filled me with a nervous excitement I’ve not felt for some time, but I’m glad to feel again.