Live From Tokyo is coming out on DVD on Cood Charamel Records. The release will include a digital download of the soundtrack. It all hits the streets August 23. Yeah, so this is music but since it is a movie? I consider it appropriate for the movie section.

The Tokyo underground scene is noted for pushing the envelope and for being, by subjective standards, weird. There is no specific genre involved. There are many. Lewis Rapkin directed this documentary that also looks at Japanese society in addition to the eccentric musical culture represented. Bands include; Nisennenmondai, Tenniscoats, DMBQ, PARA , Shugo Tokumaru, Sexy-Synthesizer, Sajjanu, KIRIHITO, d.v.d, Optrum, Uhnellys, Samm Bennett, W. David Marx, Tokyo Pinsalocks and others.  

For more information head to www.GoodCharamel.com.  

Filmmaker Kenneth Hughes has several projects “in the can” (that is film person talk for “done). One of them is the vampire musical, The Bloody Indulgent. I have not seen it. But I keep thinking I really should. I have no information on when it will be in a festival or theater near you but should I find such information I shall endeavor to pass it on.

Kenneth Hughes is an actor, director, producer and dancer. He is also a desert topping and a floor wax (I am trying to communicate using only old Saturday Night Live quotes) He has worked with; Eric Stolz, Michael Bay, Christopher Columbus, the Coen brothers, Matthew Ralston, Tracy Ullman, Martin Landau and ISO Dance. His films have been featured at Canne, Sundance and he has been a teacher at CalArts.

For more info on Hughes head to www.kennethhughes.com.

Educational & Industrial films are often entertaining—although often for reasons that would seem a complete mystery to the people who made the films. They were not supposed to be entertaining or funny but they are.

Lew Ojeda, a Facets Personal Video Consultant, Copywriter and VP of the Underground Multiplex, presents a primer on these films and a screening. Edupalooza; The Educational/Industrial Film Fest and the Chicago Connection takes place at 11:30, July 16 at Facets, 1517 West Fullerton in Chicago. Cost is $5. Films that will be shown will include; Lunchroom Manners, Grill Skill and The Flintstones Sell Busch Beer. I am sure Fred fires up a Marlborough during that last one.

This is part of Facets Multimedia’s “Night School” presentations.

Writer, Rob Elder, and Director, John Waters, are presenting The Wizard of Oz at the Music Box Theater at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday June 11.

This is the first in a series based on Elder’s book, The Film That Changed my Life. Waters is introducing the film and Elder will interview him on the film after the screening.

Tickets are available and they are disappearing fast. Go HERE for more tickets. And keep an eye on Elder’s website for info on upcoming screenings.