My highschool pal Jeff Krulik, along with his friend John Feyn, produced one of the most talked-about guerilla documentaries of all time, Heavy Metal Parking Lot, in 1986. That means the 25th anniversary of the film is nearly upon us. The pair will be guests on Carson Daly tonight; please check it out if you see this in time. If not, watcg the video below for a brief compilation of some of the film’s press and homages through the year.
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Watch This: Jonathan Coulton’s ‘Shop Vac’
If you’re a typography/font geek and/or a lover of power pop, this video of Jonthan Coulton‘s song “Shop Vac” is for you! I first got into Coulton a few years ago on T61 (back when it used to be good). The video’s by Jarrett Heather, and I first found out about it via Boing Boing.
Two thumbs way, way up.
“The Boys” Now Available on DVD
If you’re a fan of popular music, or of Disney, or of superb storytelling – or you know someone who’s any or all of these things – your holiday shopping just got easier. The Boys: The Sherman Brothers’ Story
Longtime readers will remember that I first wrote about this film when it enjoyed a limited theatrical release last year. Made by my friends, the cousins Jeff and Gregg Sherman, it tells the story of their fathers, the famed and incredibly prolific songwriting team of Robert and Richard Sherman. It traces their individual and collective careers, and peeks behind the curtains at their songwriting process, their fruitful relationship with Walt Disney, and their families. It also, respectfully but with unflinching candor, examines the schism that developed between The Boys even as their careers continued to thrive.
At long last, Disney has now made it available on DVD, and it’s absolutely worth your time.
For 10-10-10: The Eames’ Powerful Short Film “Powers of 10″
In 1968, Charles and Ray Eames wrote and directed the short film “Powers of 10,” adapted from the book “Cosmic View” by Kees Boeke. In a few minutes, it takes the viewer through the minutiae and magnitude of physical life as we know and imagine it.
From a couple having a lakeside picnic to the edge of the universe, and back again to a proton of a carbon atom, the film “depicts the relative scale of the Universe in factors of 10.”
It’s a thought-provoking, powerful few minutes that will leave you marveling at the Eames’ creativity, appreciating the majesty of our world, and contemplating your own place within it. Give a watch.
‘Who Is Harry Nilsson?’ News
Very happy to share that Who is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin’ About Him)? will be out in theaters and on DVD this Fall. I’m coordinating producer of the film and very happy that it’s finally getting a proper release.
The doc features interviews with dozens of Harry’s friends, family and colleagues including Gerry Beckley, Ray Cooper, Mickey Dolenz, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Al Kooper, Randy Newman, Yoko Ono, May Pang, Van Dyke Parks, Richard Perry, The Smothers Brothers, Paul Williams, Robin Williams, Brian Wilson and more.
Whether you’re a fan of Harry or a fan of music in general, it’s a fascinating story about an immensely talented guy. While the film itself answers the question posed in its title, you do know who Harry Nilsson is. He sang “Everybody’s Talkin’” from Midnight Cowboy. He sang “Me And My Arrow” (from his film The Point). He sang “Without You.” He sang the theme song to “The Courtship of Eddie’s Father.” He composed and sang scores of other songs you know and love.
See the film. If you buy the DVD (currently available for pre-order from Amazon ), it’s got over 90 minutes of bonus material. 
You can check out the trailer and assorted other tidbits here.
Everyone’s got a favorite Harry song – and it seems like everyone’s got a favorite Harry story. What’s yours? Let me know in the comments.
