So, earlier this week I went to my local branch of the Queens Public Library System. I was reminded of the joy i feel when entering libraries (Books! Free Books!) I was also reminded that I think the Queens System is a pretty solid one. I decided to pick up some travel books, as I am embarking on a “Life Changing Trip Out West” in two weeks and wanted to plan. Because, that’s what I do. Plan.

I picked up this book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, because really, that’s a promising title.

However, apparently you need to see a bunch of fancy resorts before you die, because that is truly where all the wonders of the world are held. This book was terrible. I say boo! to it.

But, you know what was great? Picking up the first three of Michael Apted’s Seven Up! Series I loved them.

Also, if you’re interested in getting free postcards (free postcards?!!?) from this trip, then you should send me your address. it’ll be great!

Ingmar Bergman died today at age 89. This Swedish director scared the shit out of me with his movie, Fanny and Alexander. Which dealt with a brother and sister who are step-fathered by an evil, mean ol’ bishop, who tortures them and alas, haunts them after his death.

Mr. Bergman produced over 50 films in his lifetime. All of which are trippy and existentially expressionistic in their own right. I really enjoy his long z-axis shots

I really want to see this movie. I won’t lie to you. woo!

So, call me a sucker. I’m used to it. But, I have to say, the movie Paris, je t’aime looks pretty intriguing to me. I enjoy the following things:

1. Love Stories

2. Short films

3. Maggie Gyllenhaal

and honestly, when I watch a movie with Maggie Gyllenhaal in it…i feel nervous the entire time. Which is weird, because I’m watching a movie, not doing anything that requires nerves of steel.

Also, I know Gena Rowlands has been cast in a lot of bad films in recent years, but I can’t help but remember her performance in A Woman Under the Influence and think great things about her.

Here’s the trailer (Ooooooh! Romance!):

You know, I don’t think I’d ever seen a Clint Eastwood western until this weekend. But, I have to tell you, after seeing The Good, The Bad and the Ugly (which IMDB has attributed the keyword “legless person”), i might go on a binge. i would most definitely like to see this movie at the theatre, because my television (which is on the verge of breaking and keeps randomly muting and flashing the station number when I sit near it), really doesn’t do anyone’s cinematography justice. Really.

Because I absolutely hated Once Upon a Time in America, I kind of assumed i wouldn’t be a fan of Sergio Leone’s Westerns. That was stupid!! Obviously, I need to see these other films first, but I have a feeling that I’ll love them.

Also, Clint Eastwood was kind of super fine.

The next few weeks look amazing, in terms of super rad events that are fairly cheap and well worth your time.

Here are a few of these things:

1. Aperture’s Homage to Claude Cahun and Marcel Moore

Friday, May 11, 2007
Film Screening: 2:00 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5:00 p.m.
Panel Discussion & Performance: 6:30 p.m.

Free
Aperture Foundation
547 West 27th Street, 4th floor
New York, New York
(212) 505-5555

Learn More

2. Situational Drive: Public Art Conference

It’s happening all weekend, and looks pretty darn interesting.

3. Samuel Fuller Retrospective

This last one is about a month long, so you have no excuse missing some part of it. Mr. Fuller is famous for saying this: “Film is like a battleground. Love. Hate. Action. Violence. Death. In one word… emotion.”

I’m a fan of his films and if you haven’t seen any of them, you owe it to yourself to see at least one. In order to draw you in, I leave you the opening sequence to 1964’s The Naked Kiss