Writers Bloc and Book Soup Present Rob Reiner and Griffin Dunne

Rob Reiner comes to Writers Bloc to discuss his new book, A FINE LINE BETWEEN STUPID AND CLEVER: The Story of Spinal Tap.

Courtesy of Gallery Books:

A FINE LINE BETWEEN STUPID AND CLEVER: The Story of Spinal Tap

For the first time, director Rob Reiner provides the full behind-the-scenes story of This Is Spinal Tap, the rock ‘n’ roll comedy classic, and its sequel, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.

Since its release in 1984, This Is Spinal Tap has evolved from a beloved cult film into a cinematic landmark that has taken its place in the Library of Congress’s National Film Registry. It pioneered its entire genre, the mockumentary, and is one of the most quoted movies, from “These go to eleven” to “Hello, Cleveland!” Now you will learn of tales of this famous collaboration: how the fictitious band Spinal Tap came to be and how this low-budget indie film took on an unexpected, celebrated life of its own.

SMELL THE BOOK:

The majesty of rock, the mystery of roll, the humblest beginnings in Squatney, the improbably triumphs in Carnegie Hall, Glastonbury, Wembley Stadium, and the Royal Albert Hall…

Nigel Tufnel, David St. Hubbins, and Derek Smalls hold nothing back in this revealing oral history of Spinal Tap, the world’s loudest and most punctual band. Conducted by their longtime interlocutor and frenemy, director Marty DiBergi, Smell the Book is packed with insights into Tap’s shallow existence. How much more packed can it be? The answer is none—none more packed.

ROB REINER, a two-time Emmy Award–winning actor for his role in the landmark television series All in the Family, is also the acclaimed director of Stand by Me, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, Misery, A Few Good Men, The American President, Ghosts of Mississippi, and The Bucket List. He recently directed the Emmy-nominated documentary Albert Brooks: Defending My Life, and The End Continues, the sequel to This Is Spinal Tap. As a dedicated political activist, he spearheaded a tobacco tax initiative in California to fund early childhood development programs and chaired the state commission to oversee its implementation. In 2008, he cofounded the American Foundation for Equal Rights, which paved the way for marriage equality nationwide.

In conversation with Griffin Dunne. We acknowledge that Griffin Dunne's acclaimed documentary, Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold, faces stiff competition with Rob's acclaimed documentaries, including Spinal Tap. Author/actor/writer/director Griffin Dunne springs from America's literary royal family: his father was novelist and journalist Dominick Dunne, his uncle, great novelist and essayist, John Gregory Dunne. As then there was his aunt, Joan Didion. Upon publication of his book, The Friday Afternoon Club, a memoir about this larger than life family, Dunne joins the family business-- with brilliance and abundant good humor. The Friday Afternoon Club is so winningly captivating, shocking, and entirely entertaining. He's appeared in countless films, including the cult favorite After Hours, and is in upcoming films Gore and Caught Stealing.

Rob Reiner Photo © Romy Reiner

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No refunds or exchanges on tickets or books. Books must be picked up on the night of the program.