If you have visited Let’s Go To The Movies recently, you might have noticed that things look a little different!
The blog has had quite a makeover, and I am so excited about it. When I started writing back in 2009, I certainly wasn’t thinking about how someone would find their way through years of reviews, lists, cinema trips and theatre visits. There is now rather a lot to explore!
I wanted the new look to make all of that easier to find, while keeping the blog personal. The reviews, opinions, enthusiasm and occasional emotional reaction to a romantic film are all still very much mine. Obviously.
A fresh look for the reviews
The film reviews now have a clearer layout, with a larger poster alongside the title, date and star rating. There is more space around the writing too, making longer reviews easier to settle into, whether you are reading on your phone or a bigger screen.
Here is a preview of the refreshed review layout:
My existing reviews are still here, with their original writing and comments. They have just been given a different presentation!
Find your favourite actors
One addition I am particularly excited about is Actors A–Z. You can search for an actor and explore the reviews of their films together, rather than having to find each title individually.
So, if you fancy a Michael Douglas evening, want to explore more Meryl Streep performances or find out which Brad Pitt films I have reviewed, there is now a place to start. Television reviews are kept separate, and an actor’s 7 Greatest Performances feature is highlighted where one is available.
More than film reviews
The Features section brings together the lists, 7 Things posts, Recreating the Movie, tributes and film projects. These have always been an important part of the blog, so I wanted them to have a proper home.
I am also building on 7 Greatest Performances, looking at the acting rather than simply choosing my favourite films. Julia Roberts and Christian Bale already have their features, with more actors to follow. Choosing just seven is going to be interesting!
Explore Features · 7 Greatest Performances
The films closest to my heart
My collection of 50 Favourite Films now has a permanent highlight on the homepage and within Features. It is a lovely introduction to my taste in films, especially if you are new here.
The 100 Romantic Films page has also been refreshed, with a searchable ranking and links to the original countdown articles. Meanwhile, the Best Picture Project has a progress tracker as I continue working through the nominees. Still plenty to keep me busy there!
My 50 Favourite Films · 100 Romantic Films · Best Picture Project
Beyond the cinema
Theatre, personal updates and other features still have a place here. The homepage’s Beyond the Cinema section gives those posts room alongside the film reviews, with a link to browse older stories.
You can also explore my cinema and theatre diaries, with the years organised so they are easier to browse.
Beyond the Cinema · Cinema · Theatre
A little piece of the original blog
The logo has had a light refresh too. I drew the original myself on an iPad with an Apple Pencil many years ago, so I wanted to keep that little piece of the blog’s identity. The filmstrip, reel and cinema screen are still there, with a touch of yellow added to fit the new look.
Thank you to everyone who has read, commented, shared a post or returned over the years. It means so much that this little corner of the internet is still somewhere we can talk about films and theatre together.
Have a look around and let me know what you think! Which section will you explore first — and who should be next in 7 Greatest Performances?