More proof that fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree, even when that tree is second generation.

John Updike’s fifth grandchild, Kai Daniels Freyleue (Miranda Updike’s son), is making a film this summer aimed at putting “a different perspective on the anti-bullying movement,” the 19 year old writes. “It’s less about the horrible effects bullying has on the psychology of teens and more about self-defense and building strength, despite bullying.”

The film, Night Shadow, is “about a vigilante named Night Shadow who, much like other masked vigilantes, enacts justice upon people who do wrong. In this case, the target is bullies. Night Shadow defends his weaker peers and is feared by all who pick on others, but do his tactics go too far? Or is he truly a hero?

“The film features Christina Kirkman, a young actress who was voted the Funniest Kid in America back in 2003 and starred in the cast of Nickelodeon’s All That for two years afterwards.” Kai’s band, Out of Focus, will be featured on the soundtrack.

For the curious, you can read more about the project at Indiegogo, a site where indie filmmakers try to raise cash for projects . . . and contributors get something in return, like a signed script ($49+) or their name in the credits ($199+).

You can see the latest works of Miranda Updike, who studied with George Nick and Jo Sandman at Massachusetts College of Art, at the John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse now through June 27, 2013.

The one-person show is titled “Crowds,” and viewing hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. It’s a federal courthouse, so be sure to bring a picture I.D. to gain admittance to the building at 1 Courthouse Way, Fan Pier, Boston, MA 02210. The number there is (617) 261-2440.

An opening reception will be held Friday, April 26, from 12-2 at the Harbor Park Gallery Space, 1st floor.

A.O. Scott writes in his description of new film “The Color of the Chameleon” by Bulgarian director Emil Christov, “As a storyteller and a maker of images, Mr. Christov demonstrates a remarkable, exuberant sense of strangeness. And also a very specific appreciation for the early work of John Updike.”

The occasion for the remarks was an article announcing the 42nd New Directors / New Films annual showcase for new filmmakers at Lincoln Center and MoMA, sponsored by the Film Society of Lincoln Center and the Museum of Modern Art. The event took place this past March.

“The Color of the Chameleon” is described as “a dark comedy that takes place in the world of the secret police in Bulgaria around the fall of Communism,” and the photo is from the film.

Here’s the link to the Critics’ Notebook article from The New York Times.

It was David Foster Wallace who famously wondered if John Updike ever had an unpublished thought, and The American Reader has some fun with that notion and Updike’s reputation for producing a book a year.

In an unsigned “In Conversation” article titled “Excerpt: ‘The Collected Blurbs of John Updike,’” the Staff comes up with a gentle parody, cover and all, along with some legitimate blurbs.

No one from The American Reader responded when asked about the nature and genesis of the playful article, so we can only guess that as with all things parodic it’s part tribute and part criticism.

Here’s the link.

Who says authors don’t read reviews and notices of their work? Salman Rushdie responded to a December 15 letter to The Guardian books section which attacked him and caught John Updike in the crossfire by firing off one of his own the next day.

“Satanic view that equates democracies and dictatorships” notes that the letter-writer “misreads John Updike’s ‘blue mailboxes’ speech at the Pen congress of 1986. Updike was not talking selfishly about sending away his writing and receiving cheques in return. He was using the mailboxes as a metaphor of the easy, free exchange of ideas and information in an open society.”

Rushdie also goes on to talk about how the letter-writer misrepresents him as well. Here’s the link to Rushdie’s letter, which has a link to the original. Thanks to member Larry Randen for calling it to our attention.