Here are a few facts you may not have known.

1. I have seen nearly every film made by the Coen brothers.
The ones I’ve seen:

• Blood Simple
• Raising Arizona
• Miller’s Crossing
• Barton Fink
• The Hudsucker Proxy
• Fargo
• The Big Lebowski
• O Brother, Where Art Thou?
• The Man Who Wasn’t There
• Intolerable Cruelty
• No Country for Old Men
• Burn After Reading
• True Grit

The ones I haven’t seen:

• The Ladykillers
• A Serious Man

2. Ethan Coen, one half of the duo responsible for these films, recently released a book of poems.
The Day the World Ends went on sale April 3, 2012. According to the publisher, who really ought to know, this collection of poems “offers humor and provides insight into an artist who has always pushed the boundaries of his craft. The Day the World Ends is a remarkable range of poems that are as funny, ribald, provocative, raw, and often touching as the brilliant films that have made the Coen brothers cult legends.”

3. April is National Poetry Month.
From the Academy of American Poets, who also ought to know: “Inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month is now held every April, when publishers, booksellers, literary organizations, libraries, schools and poets around the country band together to celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture. Thousands of businesses and non-profit organizations participate through readings, festivals, book displays, workshops, and other events.”

4. I’m giving away one copy of Coen’s book in honor of National Poetry Month.
Just leave a comment on this entry and you’ll be entered to win! Sorry, this is for readers in the United States and Canada only. You have until midnight on May 20 to enter. (Why that day? Because I like even numbers–another fun fact–and I’ll be back from a vacation by then.)

5. I really need to go watch those final two movies now.
Otherwise, what will my claim to fame be? No one cares when you’re familiar with 13/15ths of a filmmaker’s oeuvre.