Breaking news from The House Next Door: Newsweek has just bought out 111 of its staff, including David Ansen.

Ansen is just the latest high-profile film critic to take a buyout package — or be dismissed without ceremony — this year. Other major names include Nathan Lee at the Village Voice, Terry Lawson at the Detroit Free Press, and Gene Seymour and Jan Stuart at Newsday.

You know, when NOW offered me the film-writer position, it felt a little weird; having been a freelancer for twenty years, it was kind of strange getting used to the idea of a salary and benefits and stuff.

Today, I just feel incredibly lucky. And I still get to work from home.