Screening Time: Friday, May 2, 8:00 PM, Charles Theatre 5

Director: Bob Odenkirk
Writer: Michael Blieden

Cast: Michael Blieden, Stephanie Courtney, Matt Price, Annabelle Gurwitch, Maura Tierney

Country: U.S.
Year: 2002
Running Time: 84 minutes
Format: Beta SP

Feature directorial debut from comedian, Bob Odenkirk (HBO’s Mr. Show), based on Michael Blieden’s critically acclaimed play, Phyro-Giants. Blieden plays Melvin, a lonely man who lives in his office, despite the objections of his boss/sister. What she doesn’t know is that Melvin spends his time at the office smoking pot, watching porn, and having sex with a girlfriend his family doesn’t approve of. When a speed-dial mishap lands Melvin at a dinner date with three almost-strangers, he spends an enlightening evening discussing marital infidelity, religion, a guy in heaven wearing a Wizard’s jersey, anal fetishes, cigarettes, schizophrenia, ghosts, stewardesses, masturbation, and the depths of kink, depravity, and universal loneliness. With hysterical cameos from David Cross, Bob Odenkirk, and an actor known as El Diablo The Uncredited (who bears a strong resemblance to Jack Black). Variety says Melvin Goes To Dinner is “an intelligent, seriocomic film that, at its best, reminds of what Woody Allen used to deliver”.

--Skizz Cyzyk

Presented By: Michael Blieden

Michael Blieden began writing and performing in New York’s alternative comedy venues. In 1996 he began a three-year stint hosting the weekly Blieden’s Video Review on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show. In 1999, he relocated to Los Angeles to develop shows for Fox and NBC, while appearing as an actor in ER, The King of Queens, The Ellen Show, and The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn. In 2001, his second play, Phyro-Giants appeared at the HBO/Warner Bros. Workspace, and went on to run for five months with separate productions mounted in Chicago and Boston, all receiving critical praise.