This is a truly fascinating and entertaining DVD documentary focusing on writer Harlan Ellison (originally produced/directed by Erik Nelson in 2008 a couple years after Harlan Ellison had won the 'Grand Master' Award from the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America). Ellison unfortunately recently passed a couple years ago (circa 2018.
There was a time in my life when I read so much science fiction. I approached it from a childish perspective.
Harlan Ellison is hands down one of the most fascinating personalities of literature, and this documentary does him justice by just letting him talk about god (or his/her nonexistence) and the world. A lot of these monologues are rants, but they are so fascinating to listen to (and wildly entertaining) that you will enjoy this documentary greatly.
I've only read a couple of Ellison's stories ("'Repent, Harlequin!' Said the Ticktockman", and "I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream", maybe one or two more that I don't remember).
If this little doc does nothing but make you curious enough about the work of Ellison to go out a read a few of his short stories, it will be worth your time. Imagine how curious you would be if Mark Twain were still alive and could be interviewed.
...after Harlan Ellison was born, simple as that, and the world will be a lesser place once he is gone.
You get a bit of everything here; looks at cranky Harlan, rants, and book excerpts. While it'd be nice to have some more in depth analysis of his work, his personality is just so big that it overpowers it all.
If you are, or ever have been, an avid reader of fiction, especially the SF/Fantasy genre, you can probably recall at least one author whose work was so vivid, potent and visceral, it changed the way you looked at everything - not just reading, or writing, but your entire world view - for the rest of your life. I recall that very moment well: I wasn't even into my teens yet, when I picked up a copy of DEATHBIRD STORIES and read "The Whimper Of Whipped Dogs.
Even if you only know Ellison as the guy who wrote CITY ON THE EDGE OF FOREVER on the original TREK (and he's in the middle of a lawsuit over it right now, 40+ years on!), this is a highly enjoyable documentary.
