For those of you just dropping in, we’re the oldest film publication in the United States. The National Board of Review of Motion Pictures was formed in 1909 as a reaction against censorship in the new visual medium, and to a lesser or greater extent we’ve always stood for that. The Board’s magazine has taken many forms, and even several names, over the decades. Films in Review has been its moniker for the last fifty.

A few years back the magazine faltered due to rising printing costs, and its parent company – The NBR – a non-for-profit organization, wasn’t in the financial position to keep it alive. Cut to yours truly, a contributor to FIR for thirty years, who had just made some bucks off a screenplay called The Substitute, and decided, recklessly, to buy the mag without taking the time to do a careful business plan. Together with partner Joe Anderson, under the corporate name Then and There Media LLC, and with the help of a few neighboring angels, we rescued Films In Review… temporarily.

Two years later, though revenue was growing, and the losses dwindling, we found we couldn’t keep throwing money into the well. And so, while we work on bringing the beloved publication back into print, here it dwells, in cyberspace, hopefully bringing many of the qualities of old to our internet readers.

A new feature, which I’m certain you’ll all love, is the FIR Archive. Going back forty, fifty and sixty years into the publication’s past, there are many incredible surprises waiting to be uncovered. Each month we’ll be putting up another issue from bygone eras, featuring articles by famous filmmakers who were eager to share their thoughts with us. After all, we were the only serious film magazine out there back then.

In the Columns section you’ll find the regular features Camp David from renowned journalist, columnist, film historian and radio and television commentator David del Valle, and Indie Corner from Independent Movie maker, screenwriter, author and national magazine columnist Glenn Andreiev.

Also of course there’s our Filmusic column and reviews of recent films, DVDs, books, festivals, award shows and anything and all about those involved, from some of the best people in the business.

The FIR Webzine will be updated often, so stay tuned.