Trailblazing director Penelope Spheeris has very few fucks left to give.
Spheeris first came on the scene with her Los Angeles punk rock documentary “Decline of Western Civilization,” followed by the disturbing punk drama “Suburbia” starring Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea. But after directing several more independent films, huge success with “Wayne’s World,” and then some lightweight studio comedies, she basically lost faith in Hollywood. A run-in with the Weinsteins was one of the main catalysts, coupled with the industry’s general lack of interest in women filmmakers at the time.
For now, filmmaking is on the back burner while she finishes working on building two houses in L.A. and taking care of her foster kids. While making “Decline Part III,” she developed a deep connection with the runaway teens portrayed in the documentary, and started fostering children. She’s also writing a book about her wild ride in the business,...
Spheeris first came on the scene with her Los Angeles punk rock documentary “Decline of Western Civilization,” followed by the disturbing punk drama “Suburbia” starring Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea. But after directing several more independent films, huge success with “Wayne’s World,” and then some lightweight studio comedies, she basically lost faith in Hollywood. A run-in with the Weinsteins was one of the main catalysts, coupled with the industry’s general lack of interest in women filmmakers at the time.
For now, filmmaking is on the back burner while she finishes working on building two houses in L.A. and taking care of her foster kids. While making “Decline Part III,” she developed a deep connection with the runaway teens portrayed in the documentary, and started fostering children. She’s also writing a book about her wild ride in the business,...
- 3/28/2021
- by Pat Saperstein
- Variety Film + TV
Podcasting is so hot right now. Top tier talent both in front of and behind the camera are rapidly moving into the medium, buoyed by the opportunities to tell different types of stories.
Deadline has been increasing its coverage of podcasting over the last 12 months, breaking stories about the likes of Demi Moore making QCode’s Dirty Diana and Elle Fanning narrating a non-fiction series about a deadly internet diet drug that cooks people alive. We’ve covered the likes of Shonda Rhimes, Jordan Peele and Will Ferrell moving into the medium as well as the plethora of TV and film projects that are now in development based on podcast IP.
This move has undoubtedly sped up since the pandemic hit – it’s easier to produce a podcast under lockdown than film or TV – and many of the major Hollywood studios are increasingly entering the arena with the likes of...
Deadline has been increasing its coverage of podcasting over the last 12 months, breaking stories about the likes of Demi Moore making QCode’s Dirty Diana and Elle Fanning narrating a non-fiction series about a deadly internet diet drug that cooks people alive. We’ve covered the likes of Shonda Rhimes, Jordan Peele and Will Ferrell moving into the medium as well as the plethora of TV and film projects that are now in development based on podcast IP.
This move has undoubtedly sped up since the pandemic hit – it’s easier to produce a podcast under lockdown than film or TV – and many of the major Hollywood studios are increasingly entering the arena with the likes of...
- 12/26/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
There are seven episodes in “Lost Notes: 1980,” the latest season of the Kcrw podcast series looking at the stories behind songs and artists that range from household names to less familiar figures and moments in the music world. All seven of these latest chapters, hosted by writer and poet Hanif Abdurraqib, were released at the same time.
Aside from giving the chance for listeners of the show to experience these stories from four decades past in full, Abdurraqib explains that dropping the whole season at once came from a desire for the season to have a rhythm and shape akin to an album.
“We kind of agonized over the order,” Abdurraqib told IndieWire. “I assume people will listen to the whatever one interests them first. But there are some that create bridges between each other. The Minnie Riperton one flows kind of seamlessly with the Grace Jones one — Disco Demolition...
Aside from giving the chance for listeners of the show to experience these stories from four decades past in full, Abdurraqib explains that dropping the whole season at once came from a desire for the season to have a rhythm and shape akin to an album.
“We kind of agonized over the order,” Abdurraqib told IndieWire. “I assume people will listen to the whatever one interests them first. But there are some that create bridges between each other. The Minnie Riperton one flows kind of seamlessly with the Grace Jones one — Disco Demolition...
- 9/25/2020
- by Steve Greene
- Indiewire
Farewell, President Selina Meyer.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ brilliantly monstrous Commander-in-Chief signed off last night in the excellent Veep series finale, going out the way she came in: making a nation gasp in horror. In one last hilarious power grab for the White House, she sells out every principle she ever pretended to have. With the FBI closing in on the illegal activities of her Meyer Fund, Selina decides to toss them a fall guy: her most devoted attendant, Tony Hale’s Gary. At the end, we see her funeral, years in the future.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ brilliantly monstrous Commander-in-Chief signed off last night in the excellent Veep series finale, going out the way she came in: making a nation gasp in horror. In one last hilarious power grab for the White House, she sells out every principle she ever pretended to have. With the FBI closing in on the illegal activities of her Meyer Fund, Selina decides to toss them a fall guy: her most devoted attendant, Tony Hale’s Gary. At the end, we see her funeral, years in the future.
- 5/13/2019
- by Rob Sheffield
- Rollingstone.com
Lorna Doom, bassist for the groundbreaking Los Angeles punk band the Germs, has died, drummer Don Bolles confirms. It’s unclear what the cause of death was.
“She left this mortal coil today around 1,” Bolles wrote in a comment via Facebook in a post where he wrote the word “Lorna.”
The Germs – whose classic lineup comprised Doom, Bolles, singer Darby Crash and Pat Smear, who later joined Nirvana and is currently in Foo Fighters – formed in 1976. The group released its influential album, (GI) in 1979. Produced by Joan Jett, the album...
“She left this mortal coil today around 1,” Bolles wrote in a comment via Facebook in a post where he wrote the word “Lorna.”
The Germs – whose classic lineup comprised Doom, Bolles, singer Darby Crash and Pat Smear, who later joined Nirvana and is currently in Foo Fighters – formed in 1976. The group released its influential album, (GI) in 1979. Produced by Joan Jett, the album...
- 1/17/2019
- by Althea Legaspi
- Rollingstone.com
Los Angeles' Bendix Building. Photo by Jordan Cronk.The bats have left the bell towerThe victims have been bled Red velvet lines the black boxBela Lugosi's dead —BauhausBela-Bonkers Brit Bloke Brazenly Boosts Bendix-Building Black Bandana!In the annals of Los Angeles crime, it was hardly an episode to titillate James Ellroy. Was it even really a crime? I was on the short stairwell that connects the 11th—the top—floor of the Bendix Building, a Garment District block on the corner of Maple St and 12th St, when I spotted the square of white-patterned black cotton. Into my pocket it rapidly went, compensation for the fact that my quest for rooftop access had been stymied. An orange plastic sign across the door up ahead, warning (bluffing?) of alarms that would ring out if opened, dissuaded further progress. I wasn't too disheartened—my unplanned visit to the Bendix Building had yielded sufficient delights.
- 6/22/2015
- by Neil Young
- MUBI
Not too long ago I asked the Sound On Sight staff to choose their ten favourite films of all time. The result led to mixed reactions (both by staff and readers), and some angry feedback. But how could any of us select only ten films from the thousands we’ve seen and walk away happy with the results. The fact is, of all the films which received a vote, it was those more widely available who made the cut. In other words, films such as The Godfather and Pulp Fiction stood a greater chance of receiving more ballots than say, obscure foreign gems.
My biggest disappointment with the picks, although only ten films were spotlighted, was the lack of votes for films directed by women. Could it be that none of us here at Sound On Sight valued great directors such as Claire Denis, Agnès Varda, Chantal Akerman or Lina Wertmüller?...
My biggest disappointment with the picks, although only ten films were spotlighted, was the lack of votes for films directed by women. Could it be that none of us here at Sound On Sight valued great directors such as Claire Denis, Agnès Varda, Chantal Akerman or Lina Wertmüller?...
- 9/26/2012
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
The Decline of Western Civilization
Directed by Penelope Spheeris
Screenplay by Penelope Spheeris
1981, USA
My friend George is The authority on music, in my opinion. He was the guy that turned me on to bands like King’s X and The New Amsterdams – whose album Worse for the Wear is my long drive anthem – and helped me navigate the waters of the noise genre. One day, he shows me a documentary on the L.A. punk rock scene of the late 70’s / early 80’s. I witness young people choosing to live in squalor and grown men shouting nonsense into a microphone.
And the energy of it all was infectious.
George had previously introduced me to heavy punk through another documentary by Todd Philips called Hated in the Nation, about the “great” Gg Allin. That movie was more about one man; this movie is about a movement. And the poster child of that movement?...
Directed by Penelope Spheeris
Screenplay by Penelope Spheeris
1981, USA
My friend George is The authority on music, in my opinion. He was the guy that turned me on to bands like King’s X and The New Amsterdams – whose album Worse for the Wear is my long drive anthem – and helped me navigate the waters of the noise genre. One day, he shows me a documentary on the L.A. punk rock scene of the late 70’s / early 80’s. I witness young people choosing to live in squalor and grown men shouting nonsense into a microphone.
And the energy of it all was infectious.
George had previously introduced me to heavy punk through another documentary by Todd Philips called Hated in the Nation, about the “great” Gg Allin. That movie was more about one man; this movie is about a movement. And the poster child of that movement?...
- 9/26/2012
- by Bill Arceneaux
- SoundOnSight
"Hit So Hard: The Life and Near Death Story of Patty Schemel," P. David Ebersole's documentary about the life of Patty Schemel, the drummer of Courtney Love's seminal rock band Hole, opens in New York today after playing at festivals worldwide, including SXSW and Sheffield Doc/Fest. The film expands to Los Angeles on April 20. To mark the occasion, Indiewire asked Ebersole and producing partner Todd Hughes to share with us their top ten music documentaries of all time. Check out their picks below: "The Decline of Western Civilization" (1981 Dir: Penelope Spheris) The ultimate Diy punk rock documentary. From the stark black-and-white interviews with teenage punkers against a bare light bulb to the gritty and hilarious “at home” interviews with superstars of the then exploding Los Angeles music scene (like Exene of X and Darby Crash of The Germs), Penelope Spheris’ effortless filmmaking wove together a vivid portrait.
- 4/13/2012
- by P. David Ebersole and Todd Hughes
- Indiewire
Since our first edition was so popular, AfterElton.com now brings you Part 2 of “Hot Men of Fall TV”, where we take a look at a whole new crop of sexy actors from the upcoming fall season. This bunch is particularly “gay-friendly”, featuring as it does several actors who in many cases made their names portraying gay characters.
It bears mentioning again, however, that the network’s upcoming programs are sadly lacking when it comes to representing actors of color. In a television climate that’s seeing such great strides in the depiction of Glbt characters, we can only hope network executives won’t lose sight of the fact that boosting the number of racial minorities on the small screen remains an important goal.
Michael Arden, The Good Wife (CBS)
Before turning to TV and movies, openly gay actor Michael Arden was a successful Broadway star with a string of well-received performances under his belt.
It bears mentioning again, however, that the network’s upcoming programs are sadly lacking when it comes to representing actors of color. In a television climate that’s seeing such great strides in the depiction of Glbt characters, we can only hope network executives won’t lose sight of the fact that boosting the number of racial minorities on the small screen remains an important goal.
Michael Arden, The Good Wife (CBS)
Before turning to TV and movies, openly gay actor Michael Arden was a successful Broadway star with a string of well-received performances under his belt.
- 9/1/2011
- by Chris Eggertsen
- The Backlot
Welcome to The Television Balcony, where I'll be bringing you the obscure or overlooked big-screen exploits of small-screen stars. We're opening the Balcony with a screening of What We Do Is Secret, an independent film starring Shane West (currently featured on The CW's Nikita) as the charismatic lead in the real-life story of a legendary punk rock band.
On paper, What We Do Is Secret (2007) is like my own special version of hell: a biopic about a genre of music I can't stand fronted by an actor whose work I hardly know. In reality, however, it's one of the best obscure films I've seen in a long while, centered around one of the best individual performances I've ever seen.
Given anyone that I've taken an interest in on the small screen, I'm more interested in the small movie they did years ago than the big blockbuster. This time, it's Shane West's fault.
On paper, What We Do Is Secret (2007) is like my own special version of hell: a biopic about a genre of music I can't stand fronted by an actor whose work I hardly know. In reality, however, it's one of the best obscure films I've seen in a long while, centered around one of the best individual performances I've ever seen.
Given anyone that I've taken an interest in on the small screen, I'm more interested in the small movie they did years ago than the big blockbuster. This time, it's Shane West's fault.
- 10/21/2010
- by Brittany Frederick
Welcome to The Television Balcony, where I'll be bringing you the obscure or overlooked big-screen exploits of small-screen stars. We're opening the Balcony with a screening of What We Do Is Secret, an independent film starring Shane West (currently featured on The CW's Nikita) as the charismatic lead in the real-life story of a legendary punk rock band.
On paper, What We Do Is Secret (2007) is like my own special version of hell: a biopic about a genre of music I can't stand fronted by an actor whose work I hardly know. In reality, however, it's one of the best obscure films I've seen in a long while, centered around one of the best individual performances I've ever seen.
Given anyone that I've taken an interest in on the small screen, I'm more interested in the small movie they did years ago than the big blockbuster. This time, it's Shane West's fault.
On paper, What We Do Is Secret (2007) is like my own special version of hell: a biopic about a genre of music I can't stand fronted by an actor whose work I hardly know. In reality, however, it's one of the best obscure films I've seen in a long while, centered around one of the best individual performances I've ever seen.
Given anyone that I've taken an interest in on the small screen, I'm more interested in the small movie they did years ago than the big blockbuster. This time, it's Shane West's fault.
- 10/21/2010
- by Brittany Frederick
- SpoilerTV
On paper, What We Do Is Secret (2007) is like my own special version of hell: a biopic about a genre of music I can’t stand fronted by an actor whose work I hardly know. In reality, however, it’s one of the best obscure films I’ve seen in a long while, centered around one of the best individual performances I’ve ever seen.
I love TV on DVD, but my secret passion is for the obscure films that my love of TV inevitably leads me to watching. The ones no one’s ever heard of that went direct to video or got lost in the shuffle. Given anyone that I’ve taken an interest in on the small screen, I’m more interested in the small movie they did years ago than the big blockbuster. This time, it’s Shane West’s fault. I’ve spent a month now watching him in Nikita,...
I love TV on DVD, but my secret passion is for the obscure films that my love of TV inevitably leads me to watching. The ones no one’s ever heard of that went direct to video or got lost in the shuffle. Given anyone that I’ve taken an interest in on the small screen, I’m more interested in the small movie they did years ago than the big blockbuster. This time, it’s Shane West’s fault. I’ve spent a month now watching him in Nikita,...
- 10/3/2010
- by Brittany Frederick
- TVovermind.com
In honor of the film's North American premiere, and its poster of course, the talented folks at Studio No.1 take a moment to discuss process, politics and posters. - It's unlikely I'd find someone who'd argue with me when I say that a memorable movie poster is a rare thing. With that in mind Ioncinema.com brings you the first in our new Poster Spotlight series; The Art of the Movie Poster. Each column will showcase a poster that made us pause, and an interview with its creator(s).Our first eye-catcher is the gritty and stylish North American poster for the seemingly gritty and stylish film, The Baader Meinhof Complex; courtesy of Studio No.1. An adaptation of Stefan Aust's book of the same name, the film focuses on the rising of the Raf (Red Army Faction), a violent terrorist group formed in the late 60's/early 70's in West Germany,...
- 11/30/2009
- by Ioncinema.com Staff
- IONCINEMA.com
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