Probably the biggest and most personal project I’ve been working on for the past year is my book on Elaine May’s 1976 film Mikey and Nicky. Part deep film dissection, part behind-the-scenes chronicle, part memoir, part neo-mythological exploration of friendship and deceit, the book has been an exorcism of sorts. Since I first saw the film (roughly 10 years ago), I haven’t been able to get it out of my head. it’s taken on this role in my life–something like a lens that I use to examine the relationships I’ve had with male friends over the years. The good ones and bad.

During my research for the book, I spoke with producer Michael Hausman, actress Joyce Van Patten, distributor Julian Schlossberg, and a couple others about the making of the film and its legacy. Hausman was wicked generous and provided me with loads of never before seen photos, as well as a copy of his script.

This was not the easiest film to write about. The film is dark (very funny at times, but dark) and I had to live in that dark space for a long time. It’s a relief to be near the finish line.

Currently the book is in the editing stage over at BearManor Media. Barring any issues, they’ll be publishing the book maybe at the end of this year, maybe early next year.

Wicked excited to say I have a short story in this anthology, The Feral Boy Who Lives in Griffith Park, put together by my pal Tim Kirk. I wrote this short “Carousel” about three years ago and it’s great to see it amongst such good company.

The book comes out July 6, 2019. Here’s the press release from Pelekinesis Press:

Tim Kirk writes and edits a collection of stories set in a world where “The Feral Boy who lives in Griffith Park” exists. The largest urban park in the nation, dwarfing New York’s Central Park by five to one, is the fertile ground where new myths and legends grow. A murderous Western Swing guitarist, a golf caddie turned tabloid writer, a pair of tweakers at their first parent support group, a suicidal father taking his last hike, and other stories span decades of life in Los Angeles.

Featuring stories by David Carpenter, Patrick Cooper, Rob Zabrecky, Steve Newman, Tim Davis, and Josh Lawson.

MORE INFO and preorder here.

 

The strange little film I co-wrote with my partner Tim Kirk is hitting Blu-ray on May 7, from Kino Lorber. You can preorder it on Amazon now, though I have no clue why it says “2008” in the title. It’s also available on the Kino website.

Tim and I recorded a commentary track for it, so you can listen to me mumble-mouth my way through an explanation of the project. There’s a bunch of other cool features, including a seance conducted by Rob Zabrecky, which all blu-rays should include, in my opinion.

This was a wild project to work on and I hope you all dig it.