Those crazy kids over at Improv Everywhere! What will they come up with next?

Folks, we are in the middle of one hell of a heat wave in NYC. I can barely take two steps without having to wipe the pouring sweat off my brow. Which got me thinking about summertime, and how it always reminds me of running outside, barefoot on the scorching sidewalks, to chase down the Ice Cream Man. If he drove by my office today, I would surely run out and order everything he had. What's your favorite Popsicle® flavor? Mine is Cherry.

Thank God for Air-Conditioning. It's the only thing keeping me sane at this point. That, and Cut Copy's Ghost Colours, officially the album of the summer.

It's hot outside but it's cool at the movies. Here are five to see, and why:

Speed Racer: Fun, visually sumptuous and loud.

Iron Man: Robert Downey Jr. is inspired.

Reprise: Youthful, energetic, passionate and moving. (Pictured above)

The Visitor: Simple story. Simply told. Good.

Sex And The City: Overlong, well-acted, surprisingly dark.

The lesson we can gleam from this amusing bit of pop candy? Even Kermit the Frog can be sad, kids - and don't you forget it.

That's a clip from last night's Conan O'Brien of She & Him, my favorite group of the moment. They're seen here getting a little background help from friends Yo La Tengo.

Last night's She & Him show at Webster Hall, their first major performance, was amazing. Zooey Deschanel had lost her voice the previous night, so there was no between-song chitchat sadly, but it was made up in spades by her winning smile and her outward enthusiasm to be on stage in front of a packed house of very ardent admirers. I think I heard everyone around me comment on how cute she was.

2 more days till Europe! It was a great way to get me in the mood.

1. TELEVISION: Passport to Europe with Samantha Brown

For some reason the Travel Channel is missing in my cable package at home, but I'm getting my fix on this great show at the gym in my office during lunchtime. I run on the treadmill while I travel with plucky tour guide Samantha Brown to places like Lisbon, Rome and Seville. My own European Adventure is on the horizon, so I'm a tiny bit obsessed with learning as much as I can about European cities. What I love most about Samantha, who I wish was a friend, is her insatiable curiosity for the off-beaten path, for her sheer enthusiasm over something simple as a cup of coffee and for her humor (warm with just a dash of sarcasm). She makes my ridiculous case of wanderlust seem that much more reasonable - and for that, I'm grateful.

2. MUSIC: She & Him, Vol. One

"What can you do with a sentimental heart?" That's the question that indie-actress-turned-torch-singer Zooey Deschanel (pictured above) poses right from the start of her charming, wonderful new collaboration with indie troubadour M. Ward. And what do you do with one? You start the Spring season by listening to this album. It's a throw-back to a bygone era when vocals take the center stage and production fussiness is at a minimum. Fun Fact: As I learned from a recent interview with Ward in Rolling Stone, many of the songs on the album were recorded in just one take. How's that for natural talent? Don't expect perfection, though. The real quality of the record emerges when Deschanel makes no apologies for her unpolished, unforced delivery.

3. ONLINE FUN: The Jeannie Tate Show

Comedian Liz Cackowski's alter-ego Jeannie Tate, a hyper soccer mom, interviews celebrities in her mini-van while taking her kids to after-school activities. It's funny in the "Strangers with Candy" tradition, so expect sly, subtle humor that's slightly cracked-out with wide-eyed mania. Note to the casting office at SNL: Get this girl on-board! Start with this episode, where Jeannie picks up Rashida Jones from "The Office" and immediately nicknames her "Sheeda." For which reasons I can't explain, is the funniest part of the whole thing.

4. MUSIC VIDEO: Jens Lekman's "Sipping On Sweet Nectar"

I just saw Jens at Webster Hall last weekend and when his backing band (comprised almost entirely of beautiful women) started up "Sipping on Sweet Nectar," I immediately hoped he would bring some of the lovely whimsy he brought to his music video of the same name. I wasn't disappointed. Towards the end of the song, the band put down their instruments, flung out their arms and pretended to fly around the stage.

5. SHOES: Onitsuka Tiger by Asics Ultimate 81^TM shoes

Aren't these puppies beautiful? I want them on my feet while I walk up and down the street. As my boss says, "Every day is a Runway." Not exactly my motto, but damn if these shoes won't make me feel like a million bucks. Update: I still have not purchased them. Probably won't.

• Do you enjoy bowling? More specifically, do you enjoy bowling inside your apartment? Are you buying vast quantities of grapefruit and then hurling them on the ground to perhaps knock over stacks of incredibly heavy books? Because from this angle, directly below you, it sure sounds like you're having a hell of a time up there. I can even wager you've gotten all strikes since starting this small hobby of yours. Also, is Sunday morning the only time you've found to do this? Is that when you're the most lucky? If so, then who am I to say to stop while you're ahead?

• You're a musician. Awesome. Listen, I'm all about artistic freedom, and completely understand the importance of rehearsing to get that song just right. However, is it necessary to employ 10 of your closest friends (and all of their instruments) for impromptu jam sessions at, say, Saturday at 11 a.m.? I mean, really? If that's the best time, then I certainly don't want to disrupt your flow - but if I can tell you one thing, just between you and me? Every time the band strikes a chord, it feels as if my forehead has been tightened into a vice then shoved with force into the hollow belly of that lucky kick-drum of yours. It may be music to your ears, but buddy, it's agony for my still-forming young mind to handle. Especially when somebody (yours truly) has had a little too much to drink the night before and doesn't need to be reminded of this fact with such brutal force.

• You've been living in that very apartment for almost three years. So why am I not entirely convinced you've finished moving in your stuff? There hasn't been a day that's passed where I haven't experienced the grunt and gruel of that hellacious big move of yours. Heavy boxes drag their heels on the ground. Large tables seemingly come crashing down from the ceiling. Chairs are being rearranged every five seconds. And your movers - are you hiring people or doing this yourself? - they tend to be wearing snow boots. And the sound they make - you know the one I'm talking about - is eerily similar to a horse's hooves on gravel. That's quite a wake-up call on a Wednesday morning, I'd say. Actually, If I had to guess, you're a man in desperate need of an Interior Decorator. Maybe I can provide you a number of someone to call - a way to finally realize your compulsive addiction of re-arranging your living room furniture every day. Pick a scheme and go with it, buddy. Your couch (and my nerves) will undoubtedly be grateful.

That's all I've got. The next time you hear muffled screams or the sound of a wrench banging the side of a radiator pipe, that's me - sending my encouragement of your artistic endeavors and your ultimate demise.

Best,
3B

Yesterday, Stefanie texted me: "I just hung out with Elijah Wood," and "I just hung out with Kim from Matt and Kim, in line for the restroom."

The Envy I'm feeling has no bounds!

From Tito: "Going to see Of Montreal play a DUMPSTER on Sixth St.! God, I love SXSW!"

Is it too soon to buy my tickets for next year?

1. THERE WILL BE BLOOD

What an audacious, thrilling and strange film going experience this was! Writer/Director Paul Thomas Anderson has outdone himself here with a loose adaptation of Upton Sinclair's "Oil!” – a story about an ambitious oil prospector who moves into a small California town to drill. But its not until he meets a fervent evangelical preacher that all hell breaks loose. It's told with headlong energy, big ideas and jaw-dropping visuals – all scored with persistent, eerie music from Radiohead's Johnny Greenwood. But what's so great about "There Will Be Blood," and what ultimately sets it apart from all the other terrific films this year, is the groundbreaking performance by the great Daniel Day Lewis. What he does here is both maddening and masterful. With his deep voice, fiery temper and unbelievable greed, his take on Daniel Plainview will be remembered as one of the best screen performances of all time.

2. JUNO

“Juno” is the kind of movie that doesn’t come along very often. For one, it has wry, crackling and witty dialogue by first-time screenwriter Diablo Cody – and it’s about teenagers. That’s rare. Secondly, it centers on a lead female performance by Ellen Page that is so fresh, so funny and so quick, you just want to hug her and be friends for life. Those two reasons are enough reason to embrace “Juno,” but for me, there wasn’t a false scene in the whole film – it was the purest entertainment of the entire year.

3. NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

Here is flawless filmmaking. Joel and Ethan Coen, those brilliant brothers, have made a tour de force that surpasses, dare I say it, their great “Fargo.” At times a romp in the Wild West, at others a damn-near horror film, “No Country For Old Men” will take your breath away. Especially, in the film’s best scene, when Javier Bardem talks to an old gas station attendant. His deep, baritone voice and weird haircut still haunt me.

4. INTO THE WILD

What an unexpected emotional wallop this film had on me. Filmmaker Sean Penn, and his star Emile Hirsch, have brought Christopher McCandless’ story to the big screen with spirited enthusiasm and emotion. Although Hal Holbrook was recognized for his heartbreaking supporting performance, the film was unjustifiably snubbed at this year’s Academy Award nominations. Its cinematography, direction, writing and acting are all incredible. “Into the Wild” is a must-see for adventure-seekers and romantics alike; you’ll be surprised how it will sneak up on you.

5. ONCE

Here is a musical to see if you hate musicals. Told in an unadorned, straightforward way with near wall-to-wall music, “Once” is a simple joy to behold. You’ll walk out feeling better than when you walked in – and with a deeper understanding of the fragility and power of love two people can not only have for their music – but for each other.

6. AWAY FROM HER

Julie Christie radiates with intelligence and inner beauty in Sarah Polley’s “Away From Her,” which centers on a woman coming to grips with Alzheimer’s disease. This movie is upsetting yet essential viewing for anyone with loved ones who have suffered from it – and especially for those who haven’t. What Christie accomplishes in this film is fascinating, and rightly deserves an Oscar.

7. ZODIAC

David Fincher has never really made a film I could whole-heartedly support – don’t even get me started on “Fight Club.” We’ll be here all day. But with “Zodiac,” his meticulous craft of chronicling a serial killer is a spellbinder.

8. ATONEMENT

Let's call attention to one scene in particular. You'll know it when you see it. It's the endless tracking shot with no cuts on a beach. It's beautiful. What else is beautiful about this near-perfect movie? The performance by Keira Knightly, who looks stunning in a green gown. And the score, which won the Oscar, that infuses typewriter sounds into strings.

9. BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD

Sidney Lumet, now in his late 80s, has added yet another impressive film to his ever-growing roster of classics. The Philip Seymour Hoffman performance is a classic study of restraint. He owned this year - with this, alongside his turns in "The Savages" and "Charlie Wilson's War," he's solidifying his status as the go-to man for flawed characters. Here, he's burning on all cylinders.

10. 4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days

The best film I've seen about abortion. It looks with an unwavering gaze upon two women stuck in an impossible situation, and the strict societal pressures they're dealing with in Romania.

Runners Up:
- The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
- Knocked Up
- Michael Clayton
- Eastern Promises
- Ratatouille
- Superbad
- I’m Not There
- Grindhouse (Death Proof)
- The Year of the Dog
- Margot at the Wedding