You’ve probably already heard the buzz about Spellbound, but just in case you think you’ve got better things to do with your time than watch a documentary about National Spelling Bee contestants… well, think again. Somehow, it manages to outdo Christopher Guest without being fictional, and you can’t help but pick a kid or two to root for. (Like many, I found I had a soft spot for the unfiltered, spastic Harry.)

Salon pans the film adaptation of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, which is a shame, because as a huge fan of the original comics, I’m going to have to see it anyway.

Grandaddy‘s newest effort Sumday is phenomenal, but put any razorblades far out of reach before you hit the track “Yeah Is What We Had.”

Next week, Coney Island hosts the Village Voice‘s free Siren Music Festival, with headliners Modest Mouse and Idlewild. I think I may try to make it up for the show.

The new Potter book is a little turgid, but also well done. I tease out some Arendt-inspired themes in the newest installment in my Reason piece “Eichmann in Hogwarts.”