Search - Gigantic (A Tale of Two Johns) on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Movie Release: 2002 DVD Release: 11/18/2003 Format: DVD Audio Tracks: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 42 mins Studio: Plexifilm Members Wishing: 6 Genres: Music, Concerts, Biography, Music History

John Flansburgh and John Linnell are a pair of musicians who met when they were fellow junior-high misfits in the town of Lincoln, MA. Sharing a fondness for off-center pop music and absurdist humor, the pair decided to form a band, and later moved to Brooklyn, NY, in search of their big break. Adopting a rather unusual two-man lineup (guitar and accordion accompanied by a drum machine), the duo began performing as They Might Be Giants, and their shows were part concert, part performance art, and part edgy comedy. Slowly but surely, They Might Be Giants became one of the biggest bands on the alternative rock scene, and while they never threatened to break into the upper reaches of the Billboard charts, they've managed to develop a loyal cult following, and after nearly 20 years together, are still recording and performing their one-of-a-kind songs on their own terms. Gigantic (A Tale of Two Johns) is a documentary which looks at the long and sometimes strange history of They Might Be Giants, featuring extensive interviews with Flansburgh and Linnell; thoughts from fellow musicians Frank Black and Syd Straw; endorsements from noted authors Dave Eggers, Gina Arnold, and Michael Azerrad; and readings of the group's lyrics from actors (and fans) Harry Shearer, Janeane Garofalo, Michael McKean, and Annette O'Toole. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

They Might Be Giants
Frank Black
Dave Eggers
Joe Franklin
Janeane Garofalo

The long, strange and singularly charming career of John Flansburgh and John Linnell -- better known as They Might Be Giants -- goes under the microscope in this documentary, which gets all the trimmings for its release on DVD. Gigantic (A Tale of Two Johns) has been transferred to disc in the full-frame aspect ratio of 1.33:1, and the audio has been mastered in Dolby Digital Stereo. The interviews and songs are in English with no multiple language options or subtitles included. Bonus materials include two deleted scenes (with optional commentary from director A.J. Schnack and Shirley Moyers), five classic music videos directed by Adam Bernstein (featuring new introductions from Bernstein, Flansburgh and Linnell) three additional videos, raw footage and outtakes, excerpts from a performance at the Polish National Home, a wide variety of television appearances and rare concert footage, and the movie's original trailer. The feature also includes an optional commentary track from Flansburgh, Linnell, Schnack, and producer Sarah Vowell. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide