Vancouverites are cordially invited to my list (in Lists section) Canada: a Collection of Contraband Curiosities- and suggestions welcome.
I’ve lived most of my adult life in Toronto and can state positively that the most beautiful city in Canada is ….. Vancouver!
However. The cultural opportunities here in T.O. outnumber those of Vancouver. I’m talking films of course including TIFF and indie screenings + live theatre in large & small venues, poetry readings from real poets & wannabees, big league sports (not hockey, unfortunately) music venues of every quality, major talents in the entertainment business, a waterfront with a park bursting with activity, street carnivals, etc etc.
We also have parking tickets, demonstrations, cops, politicians and others with attitude, a Walk of Fame, Hockey Hall of Fame and an offshore island maintained specifically for the breeding of and defecation by Canada Geese 12 months of the year.
Many new arrivals to this vibrant city also bring in a wide variety of talents. For example, many of them know how/where to get hand guns. I don’t.
Yup, Vancouver sure is attractive!
I’ve grown up in Vancouver and yes, it’s so beautiful it’s surreal.
The people, however… lot of people from out of town complain that Vancouverites are polite on the surface but are ultimately snobbish. Since I live here it’s hard for me to say objectively, but I think there’s at least a shred of truth there.
And Criterion DVDs… forget about the Vancouver library – it’s for suckers.
Go to the Burnaby Metrotown library – racks and racks of neglected Criterion dvds for loan. But don’t tell anyone – I don’t want word to spread.
I’ve basically lived off the the Burnaby Public Library for the past couple years, myself. They have a fabulous selection.
Why aren’t you guys attending our cinematheque excursions?
Cinephiles must unite.
Saturday sounds good to me Kurt. And yes others… please come join in on the cinematic fun.
Does my membership to the dissapointing Vancouver Library work at the Burnaby Metro?
Jia Zhang-ke at the cinematheque. What’s everybody doing for that? I’m most interested in “Unknown Pleasures”… thinking about maybe seeing it on Friday already. Who is seeing what? What day/time?
@Marko: For sure seeing Platform on Sunday. Should be going Friday & Sat also. Will update you.
@CJ: No idea… Neil would have the answer to this.
I’m so there for Platform on Sunday as well! Marko, I’ll try to go on Friday for Unknown Pleasures, but I’m not sure if I can.
I have to buy a new membership! I can’t believe it’s been almost a year already. The one I have now is from Adriana actually. I miss her. :(
I have to say I’m a bit disappointed that they’re not playing Xiao Wu… It’s actually the Jia film I’d most love to see on the big screen. :(
The Vancouver library card unfortunatly don’t work at the Burnaby branches.
The Burnaby libraries on the other hand….. : D : D
“I’ve basically lived off the the Burnaby Public Library for the past couple years, myself.”
The best, by far. I’ve almost exhausted that resource though. Do you know what’s awesome about that library? They didn’t have Melville’s Le doulos and Le deuxieme souffle and after talking with a librarian and inquiring about who decides what films they get, I mentioned they should have these two. She said to write a note and we’ll see what happens. I was the first person to get both copies about a month later.
I don’t think it’s a good idea to go in there with a big long list, but maybe going about it the same way I did might help if you’re looking for a couple movies and can’t find them. If they’re on Criterion I think the chances are even higher, something tells me they have some kind of deal with them, considering they have almost the entire collection.
CJ ROY: No, it won’t work but it’s not hard to get a membership there (usual IDs) and if you live outside of Burnaby just say you like their selection of films, if they even ask. Check out their website, you’ll see how amazing their selection is. I haven’t been there for a few of months (as I said, “exhausted that resource”), it’s all about KG these days. Now that place has everything…and some!
Oh yeah, “Vancouverites Unite”? Do so, all of British Columbia for that matter, and sign the petition to stop the HST, then make sure you all follow up and vote if it makes its way to a referendum.
I’ll be at the Cinematheque every night this weekend.
Fri: Unknown Pleasures
Sat: 24 City
Sun: Platform
I might be going to a couple of showing, my friend wants to see Platform and I want to see Still Life. Either way, pumped for House.
Just went and hit up the library by Metrotown and my only complaint is the 5 movie restriction, I had to drop The King of Comedy, Fitzcarraldo, Burden of Dreams, The Color of Money and Dora-Heita.
I did grab Rhapsody in August, Fires on the Plain, Wooden Crosses, General Idi Amin Dada, and Will Ferrell You’re Welcome America.
I guess it depends how far you have to travel, but as I live about a 15 minute walk from the Cameron branch I don’t mind the five DVD limit at all. A good way to go about it is to place reserves online, then they’ll give you a call or email when it’s in. Also, you can always go through the Criterion DVDs they have just by searching “Criterion” under “Series Keyword”.
Fires on the Plain is excellent, good call on that one, CJ. I would’ve stuck with Fitzcarraldo and Burden of Dreams, those two are great as well especially one after the other.
That’s what I plan to do now that I have an account and can reserve things. Really want to get my hands on Make Way for Tomorrow.
I decided to wait on Fitzcarraldo and Burden of Dreams as my roommate really wants to watch them as well but he is going to be filming these next couple of days. More convenient for him.
“Really want to get my hands on Make Way for Tomorrow.”
Two copies and nine holds, looking like about a month before you get it. I found it, haven’t watched it yet but the file is saved on my computer.
I’m not worried about the wait, I just hope I get my turn when I’m out of town next month.
I think I’m just going to bring one of my roommates from now on just to get the extra 5 movies, even if they get to choose ones they like haha
By the way CJ, there’s actually a signficantly closer branch to where you and Tyson live (McGill branch), which is the one that I frequent most. Different selection of Criterions, of course, but you are able to request items from the Metrotown branch and have them brought to the McGill branch for you to pick up within the span of a week upon their arrival at the specific branch. This is completely free of charge. Same with all of the other branches of the Burnaby Library.
Now you know how I’ve seen so many films.
Oh I know all about the McGill branch, but Metro isn’t that far away and it has more of the films I’m interested at the moment. Though I think it was McGill that had If…and Solaris.
Hey friends. I know there was talk about seeing “Hausu” this weekend at the cinematheque. After seeing the trailer… it would be awesome to see it on the big screen. However, I have a funeral to attend this weekend, and it’s also my dad’s birthday. It’s not likely that I’ll be able to make it, but let me know what night you guys decide to go.
I believe were going on Saturday.
God I wish I could have been the one to break that news. I almost died when I read that a few hours ago, my heart is still fluttering man.
Who will be joining me for Kiarostami’s “Close-Up” at the cinematheque (May 20-24)? Let’s pick a night and make it happen. I’ve never seen it… and I’m excited to do so.
Saturday the 22nd or Sunday the 23rd are the best days for me.
I would love to, alas, I am going to be out of town.
usually Sundays tend to work better for me… so maybe we should aim for the 23rd. But I’ll keep Saturday open as well, in case that works best for others.
Kurt Walker
Adam and I were planning on it! Saturday sound good?