Matt Zoller Seitz.

The biggest news so far in an already eventful week is most certainly the announcement from Matt Zoller Seitz, by way of a conversation with new House Next Door proprietor Keith Uhlich, that he is leaving print journalism to devote himself to filmmaking full-time.

You can read or listen to that conversation as well as the comments that follow, and you'll sense immediately that Matt's thought this through and is more than comfortable with his decision. To which I say, congrats - and respect! I'll miss reading you in the papers, Matt, but hope that, as you say, you'll still be dropping in at the House, where you've always made all of us readers feel right at home. More, though, I look forward to watching your work.

Updates, 4/30: "Consider this a very short clip reel." Jim Emerson presents some of his favorite passages from Matt's reviews at the House. Because it was there that "he became a habit with me." I agree. Some writers gather strength when pressing up against limitations of form (call it the James Merrill Effect), while others flourish when cut loose (the John Ashbery Effect).

Keith Uhlich gathers more appreciations and best wishes at the House.

Posted by dwhudson at April 29, 2008 4:18 PM