On Jan. 24, I’ll have another surgery, which I hope will solve some problems I’ve still been living with.

I’ll be in hospital for awhile (nothing like last time, I trust!). I have written a lot of advance reviews, Great Movies and even Answer Man columns for use during my absence.

I plan to return full-time as soon as possible. In my absence, my website editor Jim Emerson, himself a distinguished film critic and leading blogger, will review movies I was unable to preview.

Other experienced and trusted Sun-Times critics, including my TV colleague Richard Roeper and our treasured Movies editor Laura Emerick, will pitch in.

The theory is that movie coverage will carry on much as usual, and we will continue to reward your readership with fresh material.