After writers (the Cahiers du Cinéma crowd) retrieved genre filmmakers (Hawks, Ford, Hitchcock, etc) from the dust heap of cinema, how fitting that movies should reciprocate by rescuing genre writers from literature’s recycling bin. With Philip K. Dick now firmly canonized (thanks in no small part to Blade Runner), long-time Werner Herzog-collaborator Nelson turns our attentions to the somewhat-obscure yet searing bright Harlan Ellison. An incredibly intelligent, opinionated, and funny graying man with a scrappy work ethic, Ellison (and longtime friend Robin Williams) electrifies this otherwise utilitarian documentary – bizarre green screen-backed excerpt-readings notwithstanding. Intentionally or not, you’re likely to leave with an intense desire to read a collection of Ellison’s short stories, but only vague recollections of the movie that sparked your interest.
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