Rainn the Rocker

Rainn Wilson is a very funny man. Deliberately quirky and thoroughly original he is best known for his role as Dwight in NBC’s The Office. Others will remember him as Frances Conroy’s hapless housemate and off kilter love interest on HBO’s finest hour, Six Feet Under. He recently wrote a thoroughly entertaining blog for Rolling Stone magazine about his experience at the Washington’s 2008 Sasquatch Fest. I particularly enjoyed this astute festival observation:

"There is a specific breed of northwest rocker and rock fan. Unlike the pale, skinny, black jeans and ’80s stud-belt-wearing junkie look of the East Coast set, the northwesterners are a scruffy, cordoroy-wearing, unkempt thrift store crowd of music nerds. Henceforth they shall be known as “nwerds.” Pale, yes. But not junkie pale. TV-watching, basement, rainy Seattle pale. There’s a difference. And they’re a fleshy lot too. I fit right in."

The man is clearly a perceptive type whose eye for detail is a big part of his comedic stylings. His new movie, The Rocker currently due for August release will surely be no exception. I have a feeling we’re going to love this one.

“The Rocker tells the story of a failed drummer who is given a second chance at fame. Robert "Fish" Fishman (Rainn Wilson) is the extremely dedicated and astoundingly passionate drummer for the eighties hair band Vesuvius, who is living the rock n' roll dream until he is unceremoniously kicked out of the band. Twenty years after his rock star fantasies are destroyed, just when Fish has finally given up all hope, he hears that his nephew's high school rock band A.D.D. is looking for a new drummer. They reluctantly make him the newest member of the band, giving him a chance to reclaim the rock God throne he's always thought he deserved, and taking the young band along for the ride of their lives.”

Peter Cattaneo of The Full Monty fame is directing from a script by Maya Forbes and Wallace Wolodarsky. In addition to Wilson, Demetri Martin (The Daily Show) adds some comedic and musical talent to an impressive supporting cast that includes Christina Applegate and the 'hi-larious' Jane Lynch (Walk Hard and Best in Show).

Toronto’s NXNE Music Festival Organizers have secured Rainn Wilson to host an exclusive screening of the Rocker at 9:15 p.m. on Saturday, June 14 at the Royal Theatre, located at 608 College Street in downtown T.O. An NXNE festival pass will gain you free admittance. As well 'Nwerds' are encouraged to attend.