Better Than Friday - 252

Good evening friends, how's your Summer?

Sounded like shellfire here last night. Hope it was quieter in your neck of the woods.

Have a nice weekend and thanks very much for your continued support.

1. Book I'd like to Read: The Adventures of Gil Blas de Santillane
Gil Blas is an adventure story about a Spanish man born into poverty who works his way up in the Royal Court.

It can count among its readers figures as diverse as Schopenhauer, Twain, Faulkner, Balzac and Napoleon.

Edgar Allan Poe thought it was one of "the finest narratives in the world".

I'm shocked I haven't heard about it more...

2. Luis Buñuel's Advice to Filmmakers

Which can apply to any writer, or artist in any medium.

Speaking of Buñuel...

3. Un Chien Andalou*

The one and only infamous short film directed by Luis Buñuel, written by him and Salvador Dalí.

Buñuel had rocks in his pockets to hurl at hecklers during its premiere.

Still packs a punch after nearly 100 years. Marvelous.

*Graphic, if you've never seen that Eye Slice.

4. Ingmar Bergman’s Persona

One of the most complex cinematic experiences available.

A masterpiece.

The intro reminded me of the above.

5. I must summon the Butcher Bird aka the Loggerhead Shrike (Graphic)

The enormous invasive poisonous lubber grasshoppers are destroying our plants and terrorizing my wife.

They must die.

I call upon Shrike the Impaler.

Red Light from the Coming Storm