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Movie Set Travel: I Am Legend

If you're not a fan of the holiday masses and the general rush of crowds around this time of year, head to the theater this weekend and take in I Am Legend, with Will Smith.

Smith plays Robert Neville, and finds himself the sole healthy survivor of a massive biological attack on New York. During the day he must search the city for the living, and at night hide from the mutants who lurk around trying to get him.

Ever wish, for one day, that New York could be yours for the taking? With not another soul in sight? It could be a welcome relief during this time of year. In that vein, we offer you some of the perfect places to check out to make that happen. (Even if, yeah, you might see one other person.)

Where To Sip A Quiet Cup of Tea: T Salon Located in the Chelsea Market, this super soothing tea spot is where the crowds don't gather and you can linger in a cozy place in peace. You don't even need to stress about doing the right thing here, as it's a completely environmentally sustainable tea bar and cafe; your tea's harvested carefully and responsibly.

Where To Sneak Off into the Sculpture: The Cloisters Head uptown, like way uptown, to the Cloisters in Fort Tyron Park, the branch of the Met dedicated to the art and architecture of medieval Europe. The crowds are nil and the light is stunning. Duck into a gallery or the grounds and disappear.

Where To Get Some Peace and Quiet: The NY Insight Meditation Center Head to this nonprofit center for the practice of mindful awareness (ie, meditation) and sit silently in a room alone. If you want to take lessons or a workshop they're available, but not forced on you. The best part? Cell phones, pagers and latecomers aren't welcome.

[Photo: *adrenalin!]

Tags: Will Smith / Movies / → All Tags

Happyness and Boredom in Germany

While we thought Will Smith's new movie The Pursuit of Happyness was kind of gooey sweet, if a fair stretch from reality, some German movie-goers had a much worse opinion.

They fell asleep this week at a Pursuit of Happyness screening because they were so bored--and ended up locked in the cinema in Cologne when the staff went home for the night. Luckily, passing firemen heard them banging on doors and called the police, who got them out of their Will Smith nightmare.

With both the big industry-insider European Film Market and the huge Berlin International Film Festival due to start in a week, those guys'd definitely be hoping there'll be some more interesting films there. With a record 702 films showing at EFM and some 370 at the Berlinale, something's got to appeal to their taste.

Related Stories:
· Will Snooze [Ananova]
· Movie Set Travel: The Pursuit of Happyness [Jaunted]
· EFM Screens Record 702 Films [Hollywood Reporter]

Tags: Movie Set Travel / Will Smith / → All Tags

Movie Set Travel: The Pursuit of Happyness

There's something about this week's pick, The Pursuit of Happyness, that gets us all emotional. Seeing Will Smith with implanted faux gray hair, a 'stache, and hugging his own kid while trying to make ends meet is sorta touching. Maybe because it's soooo far from real life?

Anyhoo, the film (which is based on a true story) focuses on a struggling salesman and his son. The boy's mother leaves the family early on, making caring for Christopher (the son) Will's main focus. They go through hard times when Chris (Will) takes a chance on taking a non-paying internship at a major financial institution in the hopes it will lead to advanced job opportunities and a better life. Oh, he also demonstrates a damn-near amazing ability to solve a Rubik's cube in one scene.

As most of the film was shot in San Francisco, we offer you some cool stuff to check out around town, and to be thankful for:

Where To Admire the Art:
Hotel des Arts
Nestled in the French Quarter, this charming boutique hotel features contemporary artwork in every room all created by local artists. You can stay for a week and never sleep in the same environment. Book the "Explorer Package" and actually stay for a week for $294! (You have to share a bathroom, but it's still a steal...)

Where To Splurge On Eats:
Aqua
Head to one of the city's crown jewels of dining. Aqua highlights amazing seafood, with the menu changing seasonally based on freshness and availability. You'll drop bank, but you won't forget a night out here amongst gorgeous interiors and with the beautiful people.

Where To Shop:
Westfield
Don't miss San Fran's latest shopping mecca. This one has the west coast's largest Bloomie's and tons more for you to choose from. Holiday shopping made simple in the latest upscale urban mega-mall.

[Photo: Rotten Tomatoes]