“I just wanted to be in Tribeca so that I can legally refer to Robert De Niro as 'Bob,'” Gilbert Gottfried joked, sitting down with director Neil Berkeley (Harmontown, Beauty Is Embarrassing) at Deadline’s 2017 Tribeca Studio to discuss their documentary, Gilbert. A legendary stand-up comedian and actor with a voice recognizable to many who was propelled to fame in the 1980s, Gottfried was candid about his total reluctance to participate in the project, which peeks…...
- 4/22/2017
- Deadline
For months now, we've been waiting to find out what exactly it meant for comedian and host Chelsea Handler to leave "Chelsea Lately" and sign a deal with Netflix. But while the shape of her promised talk show has yet to be revealed, here's the documentary "Chelsea Does...," which features Handler taking on four specific topics — marriage, racism, technology and drugs — that interest her on different levels. Whether it's hating her iPhone or putting on a bright pink wedding dress, Handler gets real and personal for the four almost-feature-length installments, which happened to be guided by director Eddie Schmidt. Read More: Netflix Gets Topical With a Chelsea Handler Talk Show, But What Does That Mean? Last Friday, "Chelsea Does..." made its Sundance debut prior to its premiere on Netflix. While Eddie Schmidt ("This Film is Not Yet Rated," "Beauty is Embarrassing") is no stranger to the Sundance world -- he first brought a project.
- 1/26/2016
- by Liz Shannon Miller
- Indiewire
Chicago - Dan Harmon does not look very good in his documentary “Harmontown,” which is probably why he agreed to the project. The creator of NBC’s cult comedy “Community” is presented wantonly in this documentation of his tour across America to interact with his fans through live recordings of his podcast “Harmontown.”
Director Neil Berkeley (2012’s “Beauty is Embarrassing”) has created a different yet lacking type of tour film, as it whittles a revered showman to a representation of his polarizing elements; of the self-loathing narcissism that defines Harmon.
Rating: 2.0/5.0
The spectacle of Berkeley’s film is Harmon’s podcast, which aside from Harmon’s GoPro & mirror confessions, provides a physical representation of what being inside Harmon’s head is like. As Harmon comes to comedic life by sauntering onstage to be his unapologetic self for an enthused crowd, he interacts with co-host (and actor) Jeff B. Davis, who...
Director Neil Berkeley (2012’s “Beauty is Embarrassing”) has created a different yet lacking type of tour film, as it whittles a revered showman to a representation of his polarizing elements; of the self-loathing narcissism that defines Harmon.
Rating: 2.0/5.0
The spectacle of Berkeley’s film is Harmon’s podcast, which aside from Harmon’s GoPro & mirror confessions, provides a physical representation of what being inside Harmon’s head is like. As Harmon comes to comedic life by sauntering onstage to be his unapologetic self for an enthused crowd, he interacts with co-host (and actor) Jeff B. Davis, who...
- 10/31/2014
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Community creator Dan Harmon is a comedy heavyweight. He's also something of an actual heavyweight. (I write this as a man who could stand to lose a pound or 20 myself.) But did that stop the mercurial, mirth-creating madman attempting to crowd surf when he took his Harmontown podcast on the road in early 2013? It most certainly did not, as the exclusive clip below from the tour-documenting, and utterly fascinating, new film Harmontown very much makes clear. Directed by Neil Berkeley (Beauty is Embarrassing) Harmontown boasts talking-head contributions from Ben Stiller, Sarah Silverman, and John Oliver, among others, as well as...
- 10/2/2014
- by Clark Collis
- EW - Inside Movies
Dan Harmon wants to be the guy that makes people happy – so says the man himself in the first trailer for Neil Berkeley’s documentary Harmontown. It is sad to think that, despite having created one of the best comedy series in recent memory – Community – Harmon is probably best known for his spectacular firing from said show, following mounting conflict between him and cast member Chevy Chase. What does the man who wants to make people happy do to heal such a damaging wound? He takes his popular podcast on tour, of course – using the love of his dedicated fanbase as a revitalizing salve.
On the face of it, it sounds incredibly narcissistic, egotistical, and perhaps even desperate. In reality though, with this trailer, it is a beautiful thing to watch. Harmon is not only a refreshingly honest voice in relation to Hollywood as a whole, but also in relation to the human race,...
On the face of it, it sounds incredibly narcissistic, egotistical, and perhaps even desperate. In reality though, with this trailer, it is a beautiful thing to watch. Harmon is not only a refreshingly honest voice in relation to Hollywood as a whole, but also in relation to the human race,...
- 8/29/2014
- by Sarah Myles
- We Got This Covered
Vhx has made more than $3.4 million in revenue though its digital distribution platform, but the site's latest endeavor is giving several titles away for free. It has launched the 'Creativity Bundle', a collection of four critically-acclaimed films that are available at a "pay what you want" price. The four titles in the Creativity Bundle are all documentaries, and they all focus on a specific topic related to creativity or creative individual. Indie Game: The Movie follows the lives of independent video game developers, Helvetica dives into the world of fonts, Sign Painters hones in on its titular profession, and Beauty Is Embarrassing takes artist Wayne White as its subject. While viewers can pay whatever they want for this collection, Vhx has three suggested prices: $5, $10, and $15, with the top tier also providing access to bonus features. This model is a familiar one to fans of the Humble Bundle, which has spent...
- 7/17/2014
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
After he was booted from Community, show creator Dan Harmon hit the road taking his Harmontown podcast to fans across the country as filmmaker Neil Berkeley (Beauty Is Embarrassing) documented the tour. The resulting film, Harmontown, world-premiered at SXSW and has now been acquired by McN/distribution co. The Orchard, which is plotting a theatrical and digital release this fall in North America and the U.K. Film features Harmon buddies and former collaborators Jack Black, Ben Stiller, Sarah Silverman, Jason Sudeikis and Joel McHale among other comics and Community stars. Harmon, who returned to Community for Season 5, is an exec […]...
- 7/14/2014
- Deadline
Everything is coming up aces for Dan Harmon. The “Community” creator got his show back last year, just got a second life and sixth season at Greendale from Yahoo, and now, the documentary about his traveling podcast has been acquired by distributor The Orchard. Also read: ‘Community’ to Return for Season 6 on Yahoo Screen Directed by Neil Berkeley (“Beauty is Embarrassing”), the film traces Harmon's shows throughout the country, with guest appearances by “Community” stars and top comedians like Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Sarah Silverman, and Jason Sudeikis. See video: Joel McHale Wants Nc-17 Rated ‘Community’ Movie With ‘Swordplay’ “‘Harmontown...
- 7/14/2014
- by Jordan Zakarin
- The Wrap
Hailed as revolutionary back in 2007, “the Radiohead model” — pay-what-you-wish downloadable media pricing — never flourished in the years following. Even Radiohead abandoned it. Yet, as Bond/360 is setting out to prove, it may still have its place when it comes to independent film. Tonight at midnight they’re launching a four-film “Creativity Bundle” download through Vhx. Pay what you want to own — not rent — four movies. And, just as Radiohead’s In Rainbows was one of their best, these titles (or at least the two I’ve seen) are excellent: Indie Game, Helvetica, Sign Painters and Beauty is Embarrassing. […]...
- 7/13/2014
- by Scott Macaulay
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Hailed as revolutionary back in 2007, “the Radiohead model” — pay-what-you-wish downloadable media pricing — never flourished in the years following. Even Radiohead abandoned it. Yet, as Bond/360 is setting out to prove, it may still have its place when it comes to independent film. Tonight at midnight they’re launching a four-film “Creativity Bundle” download through Vhx. Pay what you want to own — not rent — four movies. And, just as Radiohead’s In Rainbows was one of their best, these titles (or at least the two I’ve seen) are excellent: Indie Game, Helvetica, Sign Painters and Beauty is Embarrassing. […]...
- 7/13/2014
- by Scott Macaulay
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Honesty has gotten Dan Harmon in trouble in the past -- whether you're a fan of his or not, you're likely well-aware of Harmon's much-publicized trials with "Community," his meta-sitcom, beloved by critics and a small-but-diehard fan base. The show was taken away from him in May 2012, but honesty also seemingly ended up being his salvation, and not just because NBC hired him back to run the show's fifth season in June 2013.
Somewhere along the way, the "Community" mantra-turned-meme of six seasons and a movie became 20 shows and a documentary. And much like another fan favourite ousted by NBC, Harmon decided to hit the road during the ensuing layoff, taking his nerd-friendly podcast Harmontown on a 20-city, 23-day cross-country tour with a documentary crew, his co-host Jeff Davis, fiancée Erin McGathy and personal D&D dungeon master Spencer Crittenden in tow. Bringing his brand of unfettered candour to the people...
Somewhere along the way, the "Community" mantra-turned-meme of six seasons and a movie became 20 shows and a documentary. And much like another fan favourite ousted by NBC, Harmon decided to hit the road during the ensuing layoff, taking his nerd-friendly podcast Harmontown on a 20-city, 23-day cross-country tour with a documentary crew, his co-host Jeff Davis, fiancée Erin McGathy and personal D&D dungeon master Spencer Crittenden in tow. Bringing his brand of unfettered candour to the people...
- 4/25/2014
- by Rick Mele
- Moviefone
Within seconds after sitting down to watch "Harmontown," you will notice that the doc is brought to you by "Starburns Industries." For those in the know, the production company is paying homage to one of the bit characters played by Dino Stamatopoulos on the TV show "Community." Those who watch the show will get a lot out of "Harmontown," and there may just be something for everyone else.
Dan Harmon is the comedic genius behind programs like "The Sarah Silverman Show," and the cult pilot one-off "Heat Vision and Jack," but his baby is "Community." The NBC art-sitcom experiment has been a massive underground hit, rewarding endless fanboys and girls with rapid-fire cultural references, endearing nerdy characters and non-stop punchy one-liners. The show is by no means a ratings-getter, and every new season is borne out of a turbulent gestation. Harmon's perfectionist work ethic towards the production and casting of...
Dan Harmon is the comedic genius behind programs like "The Sarah Silverman Show," and the cult pilot one-off "Heat Vision and Jack," but his baby is "Community." The NBC art-sitcom experiment has been a massive underground hit, rewarding endless fanboys and girls with rapid-fire cultural references, endearing nerdy characters and non-stop punchy one-liners. The show is by no means a ratings-getter, and every new season is borne out of a turbulent gestation. Harmon's perfectionist work ethic towards the production and casting of...
- 4/24/2014
- by Mark Wigmore
- Moviefone
The comedy gods really broke the mold when they made Dan Harmon, the controversial creator of "Community." When the showrunner and writer was canned from his own show, he took his live comedy show "Harmontown" on the road, broadcasting it as a podcast along with way.
Now you can watch the mishegoss unfold up close and personal-like in the documentary "Harmontown." Director Neil Berkeley went on the road with Harmon and fellow comedians Jeff Davis and Erin McGathy (who is also engaged to Harmon) to document their trip across the country, recording episodes of "Harmontown" along the way. Berkeley also talked to Harmon's colleagues and pals, like Jack Black, Sarah Silverman, Chris Hardwick, Joel McHale, and Alison Brie.
If you're at all familiar with comedians, road trips, people who drink a whole lot, and/or Dan Harmon's online persona, then you know things get pretty intense. "Harmontown," which premieres at SXSW,...
Now you can watch the mishegoss unfold up close and personal-like in the documentary "Harmontown." Director Neil Berkeley went on the road with Harmon and fellow comedians Jeff Davis and Erin McGathy (who is also engaged to Harmon) to document their trip across the country, recording episodes of "Harmontown" along the way. Berkeley also talked to Harmon's colleagues and pals, like Jack Black, Sarah Silverman, Chris Hardwick, Joel McHale, and Alison Brie.
If you're at all familiar with comedians, road trips, people who drink a whole lot, and/or Dan Harmon's online persona, then you know things get pretty intense. "Harmontown," which premieres at SXSW,...
- 3/4/2014
- by Jenni Miller
- Moviefone
X-Men franchise director Bryan Singer, whose first two features debuted at the Sundance Film Festival — including The Usual Suspects in 1995 — was one of the industry figures named to the Sundance juries that will judge this year’s films when the festival begins next week. Singer, who has X-Men: Days of Future Past due in May, will be one of five members of the U.S. Dramatic Jury. Other members of the juries include Tracy Chapman, Lone Scherfig, Leonard Maltin, and screenwriter Jon Spaihts (Prometheus). A complete list of the juries, courtesy of the Sundance Film Festival, can be viewed after the jump.
- 1/9/2014
- by Jeff Labrecque
- EW - Inside Movies
"Dads leave, you don’t have to be such a pussy about it." – Tony Stark, 'Iron Man Three'
Greetings from the apocalypse! Free Comics? An "Iron Man" sequel that doesn't suck? Genre festivals, eccentric painter docs and serial killer biopics? Have I been irradiated and gone to heaven? Nope, it's all happening man, it's all happening …
Friday, May 3
Pow! In Theaters
As a raving fan of Shane Black and Robert Downey Jr.'s first collab, the neo noir comedy "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang," I had hoped that this director/star combo would hit it out of the park with "Iron Man Three." Well, frankly, Shane hit it out of the park and into the stratosphere, mesosphere, ionosphere, etc. Pulpy, groovy, bang-up fun, this is the best cinematic iteration of ol' shellhead yet, and while Joss Whedon got the quipy part right in "Marvel's The Avengers," this one perfectly balances...
Greetings from the apocalypse! Free Comics? An "Iron Man" sequel that doesn't suck? Genre festivals, eccentric painter docs and serial killer biopics? Have I been irradiated and gone to heaven? Nope, it's all happening man, it's all happening …
Friday, May 3
Pow! In Theaters
As a raving fan of Shane Black and Robert Downey Jr.'s first collab, the neo noir comedy "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang," I had hoped that this director/star combo would hit it out of the park with "Iron Man Three." Well, frankly, Shane hit it out of the park and into the stratosphere, mesosphere, ionosphere, etc. Pulpy, groovy, bang-up fun, this is the best cinematic iteration of ol' shellhead yet, and while Joss Whedon got the quipy part right in "Marvel's The Avengers," this one perfectly balances...
- 5/3/2013
- by Max Evry
- NextMovie
Here's the latest Austin movie news.
Films such as Slacker and Grindhouse may have put the "third coast" on the map, but the Texas House and Senate have proposed to eliminate the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program budget, which provides financial incentives for movies, video games and advertising, according to Austin Movie Blog. The state legislative bodies budget proposals include $4.2 million for the Texas Film Commission and Texas Music Office, which would not include incentives, instead of the $39.2 million the Governor's office requested. If approved, the budget cuts could cause many productions to move out of Texas.The "third coast" isn't down yet. Austin Film Festival is kicking off the return of its Audience Series with a screening of the Austin-made horror-comedy Saturday Morning Massacre (Jette's review) on Monday, February 4 at Alamo Drafthouse Village. The film, which screened at Aff 2012, is about a group of down-on-their-luck paranormal investigators and their beloved pooch,...
Films such as Slacker and Grindhouse may have put the "third coast" on the map, but the Texas House and Senate have proposed to eliminate the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program budget, which provides financial incentives for movies, video games and advertising, according to Austin Movie Blog. The state legislative bodies budget proposals include $4.2 million for the Texas Film Commission and Texas Music Office, which would not include incentives, instead of the $39.2 million the Governor's office requested. If approved, the budget cuts could cause many productions to move out of Texas.The "third coast" isn't down yet. Austin Film Festival is kicking off the return of its Audience Series with a screening of the Austin-made horror-comedy Saturday Morning Massacre (Jette's review) on Monday, February 4 at Alamo Drafthouse Village. The film, which screened at Aff 2012, is about a group of down-on-their-luck paranormal investigators and their beloved pooch,...
- 1/21/2013
- by Jordan Gass-Poore'
- Slackerwood
Moviegoing is like attending church for many of us, and so I’d like to introduce a new regular feature titled “Movie Houses of Worship,” which spotlights our favorite temples of cinema around the world. I’m kicking things off with a theater I frequented often when I was still living in New York City. If you’d like to suggest or submit a place you regularly worship at the altar of cinema, please email me at christopher (at) filmschoolrejects (dot) com. Name: IFC Center Opened: June 2005 (renovated from the famous Waverly Theater/Twin, which existed from 1937-2001 in an actual former church, built in 1831) No. of screens: 5 (two of which were added in 2009, built out of a space once housing an attached bar) Current first run titles: Sleepwalk With Me; Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry; The Ambassador; Beauty is Embarrassing; Detropia; Girl Model; Versailles ’73: American Runway Revolution. Jonathan Demme’s I’m Carolyn Parker: The Good...
- 9/9/2012
- by Christopher Campbell
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
The late summer drought seems to be carrying on into September this week as there are just two new movies in wide release and neither look particularly appealing (which is probably just as well because most of Hollywood is in Toronto this weekend for Tiff). The Words stars Bradley Cooper as a famous writer who gets caught plagiarizing another author's work while The Cold Light of Day gives you a look at Henry Cavill in another action-oriented role before he plays Superman next summer. In select theatres we have the Bridesmaids-esque hard-r comedy Bachelorette, the high concept indie sci-fi flick Branded, and [Rec] 3: Genesis, which abandons the found footage style that the horror series has become known for. Also keep an eye out for the Wayne White documentary Beauty Is Embarrassing and the IMAX re-release of Raiders of the Lost Ark. What will you be watching this weekend? The Words...
- 9/7/2012
- by Sean
- FilmJunk
The new documentary Beauty Is Embarrassing profiles Wayne White, an artist who's got a whole lot of pop-culture landmarks under his belt, including the puppet and set design for Pee-wee's Playhouse. As you'll see in this exclusive clip, White and his colleagues had the (high) time of their lives working on the show, brainstorming indelibly weird creations like Conky, Randy, and Dirty Dog. (They were so obsessed that even Matt Groening couldn't coax them out of work at the end of the day.) Take a look at White explaining the experience below, and then peruse his sketches in this slideshow for maximum nostalgia overload.Beauty Is Embarrassing comes out September 7 in New York, Los Angeles, and Seattle, with more markets to follow.
- 8/28/2012
- by Kyle Buchanan
- Vulture
Photo: Sierra Affinity If you didn't think a lot of trailers were released each week, guess again as I deliver my second installment in my new "Overlooked Trailers" feature this week bringing you looks at a new Hayao Miyazaki-penned feature called From Up on Poppy Hill, the first trailer from Josh Radnor's Liberal Arts starring Elizabeth Olsen, an intense red band trailer for a film called The Loft that stars Karl Urban, Matthias Schoenaerts, James Marsden, Eric Stonestreet and Wentworth Miller, a trailer for 3, 2, 1... Frankie Go Boom featuring Ron Perlman in drag and even more. After last week's installment I actually ended up seeing two of the films only a few days after posting the trailers -- The Ambassador and Samsara -- who knows if I'll be seeing any of the films featured in today's edition any time soon. From Up On Poppy Hill March 2013 Written by Hayao Miyazaki...
- 8/10/2012
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Australia’s Revelation Perth International Film Festival will be holding it’s explosive 15th annual edition on July 5-15 with one of it’s most jam-packed lineups yet.
One of the most special events that Revelation will be holding is July 14‘s retrospective of the films of Jeff Keen, the pioneering British underground filmmaker who very sadly just passed away on June 21. Keen’s work has been having a major resurgence lately and Revelation is the latest organization to so boldly feature his breathtaking experimental film work, from classics like 1967′s Marvo Movie to modern films like Artwar (1993) and Joy Thru Film (2000). This is absolutely an event not to be missed.
Another staggering event this year is a very special live presentation of Crispin Hellion Glover‘s notorious underground films What Is It? and It Is Fine! Everything Is Fine. (Click film titles for Bad Lit reviews!) These very...
One of the most special events that Revelation will be holding is July 14‘s retrospective of the films of Jeff Keen, the pioneering British underground filmmaker who very sadly just passed away on June 21. Keen’s work has been having a major resurgence lately and Revelation is the latest organization to so boldly feature his breathtaking experimental film work, from classics like 1967′s Marvo Movie to modern films like Artwar (1993) and Joy Thru Film (2000). This is absolutely an event not to be missed.
Another staggering event this year is a very special live presentation of Crispin Hellion Glover‘s notorious underground films What Is It? and It Is Fine! Everything Is Fine. (Click film titles for Bad Lit reviews!) These very...
- 6/26/2012
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
For over 30 years, La-based artist Wayne White has made an indelible mark on the creative world. As a designer, painter, puppeteer, sculptor, and musician, White created images that are an integral part of the pop culture lexicon. Beauty Is Embarrassing tells the irreverent and inspiring story of this one-of-a-kind artist and raconteur. The movie features Matt Groening, Mark Mothersbaugh, Todd Oldham, Paul Reubens, Gary Panter, Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris and many more.
Beauty Is Embarrassing is a colorful, wonderous look into the life of Wayne White. In Neil Berkeley’s documentary, he pieces together White’s life, and splices it with pieces of a live performance where White explains some of his views, as well as his upbringing.
In the film, it traces White’s career from underground cartoonist. puppeteer and voice actor on Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, videographer, and all the way to visual artist. What is really fascinating is...
Beauty Is Embarrassing is a colorful, wonderous look into the life of Wayne White. In Neil Berkeley’s documentary, he pieces together White’s life, and splices it with pieces of a live performance where White explains some of his views, as well as his upbringing.
In the film, it traces White’s career from underground cartoonist. puppeteer and voice actor on Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, videographer, and all the way to visual artist. What is really fascinating is...
- 6/26/2012
- by Melissa Howland
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
A few days ago I was talking to Beauty Is Embarrassing's director Neil Berkeley on Twitter about setting up an interview. I saw the film a few days ago and it's unquestionably one of the best of the fest. Two days later, we bump into each other at a Laff cocktail party, and Neil asked me if I wanted to do the interview with him and Wayne White, the subject of his documentary, at Wayne's studio. I said yes, like any professional would, left the party, and nerded out like anyone who is even slightly familiar with Wayne's work would. This charismatic weirdo is responsible for those bizarre puppets you saw on Pee-wee's Big Playhouse when you were little, but that's just a tiny...
- 6/21/2012
- Screen Anarchy
From the characters on "Pee-wee's Playhouse" to the imagery in videos for Peter Gabriel and The Smashing Pumpkins, Wayne White may be the most-followed career that you didn't know you were following.
These days, his hilarious and subversive paintings have launched an entirely new side to his career. In Toronto to promote the documentary about his artwork and fascinating life -- "Beauty Is Embarrassing" -- Moviefone caught up with White to talk about his incredible past. Director Neil Berkeley was also on-hand to discuss why the world has finally caught on to his genius.
Wayne White wears a lot of hats -- cartoonist, painter, puppeteer -- so what part of his career did you choose to latch onto?
Neil Berkeley: The "Pee-wee" thing is really what kicked it off for me. I had seen every episode and grew up on that show ["Pee-wee's Playhouse"]. Everything he had done was directed at me and my friends.
These days, his hilarious and subversive paintings have launched an entirely new side to his career. In Toronto to promote the documentary about his artwork and fascinating life -- "Beauty Is Embarrassing" -- Moviefone caught up with White to talk about his incredible past. Director Neil Berkeley was also on-hand to discuss why the world has finally caught on to his genius.
Wayne White wears a lot of hats -- cartoonist, painter, puppeteer -- so what part of his career did you choose to latch onto?
Neil Berkeley: The "Pee-wee" thing is really what kicked it off for me. I had seen every episode and grew up on that show ["Pee-wee's Playhouse"]. Everything he had done was directed at me and my friends.
- 5/2/2012
- by Moviefone Canada
- Aol TV.
HollywoodNews.com: Today the Los Angeles Film Festival, in conjunction with Presenting Media Sponsor the Los Angeles Times and Host Partner L.A. Live, announced the Closing Night film and official Us and international selections for the 2012 Festival. Guest Director, Artists in Residence and Conversations with special guests will be announced later this month. The 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival will screen a diverse slate of nearly 200 feature films, short films, and music videos, representing more than 30 countries, along with signature programs such as the Filmmaker Retreat, Poolside Chats, Coffee Talks, music events and more. As previously announced, Woody Allen’s To Rome With Love will be Opening Night, sponsored by Virgin America, and Lorene Scafaria’s Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, Ava DuVernay’s Middle of Nowhere and Benh Zeitlin’s Beasts of the Southern Wild were selected for the Galas section.
Returning to downtown Los Angeles and headquartered at L.
Returning to downtown Los Angeles and headquartered at L.
- 5/1/2012
- by Josh Abraham
- Hollywoodnews.com
"Despite the Gods"
Aussie filmmaker Penny Vozniak's "Lost in La Mancha"-esque documentary “Despite The Gods," following director Jennifer Lynch and her experiences making her third film in India, is a low budget docu-delight. Lynch is the beating, empathic heart of the film, an endearing combination of raw emotional honesty and self-deprecating humor. After surviving a critical flogging at 19 for her first film "Boxing Helena," and enjoying the relative success of her second film "Surveillance," Lynch still had a lot to prove with her third film. However it is clear from day one this will not be the film she envisions it to be. The film in question is "Hisss," a Bollywood action tale of a snake that turns into a woman, and then back again. Though Vozniak's film is an interesting look behind the scenes at some the challenges of being an American director shooting in India (no...
Aussie filmmaker Penny Vozniak's "Lost in La Mancha"-esque documentary “Despite The Gods," following director Jennifer Lynch and her experiences making her third film in India, is a low budget docu-delight. Lynch is the beating, empathic heart of the film, an endearing combination of raw emotional honesty and self-deprecating humor. After surviving a critical flogging at 19 for her first film "Boxing Helena," and enjoying the relative success of her second film "Surveillance," Lynch still had a lot to prove with her third film. However it is clear from day one this will not be the film she envisions it to be. The film in question is "Hisss," a Bollywood action tale of a snake that turns into a woman, and then back again. Though Vozniak's film is an interesting look behind the scenes at some the challenges of being an American director shooting in India (no...
- 5/1/2012
- by Samantha Chater
- The Playlist
One more time: It's the movies you see on a whim at SXSW, unplanned, knowing very little, that often end up being favorites. I was unable to make it downtown during the day last Monday, knew that parking after 1 pm would be impossible, and decided to have a night at Alamo Drafthouse Village. What I knew about Beauty Is Embarrassing was a friend's description: "It's about the guy who did set designs for Pee-wee's Playhouse." Which turned out to be not only inaccurate but also wildly missing the mark in terms of the movie's scope.
Beauty Is Embarrassing may have been my favorite film of SXSW this year (I keep changing my mind, which is a great dilemma to have). The documentary is about artist Wayne White, who did create and voice puppets for Pee-wee's Playhouse but has created so many more fascinating things. The movie uses clips from White's...
Beauty Is Embarrassing may have been my favorite film of SXSW this year (I keep changing my mind, which is a great dilemma to have). The documentary is about artist Wayne White, who did create and voice puppets for Pee-wee's Playhouse but has created so many more fascinating things. The movie uses clips from White's...
- 3/22/2012
- by Jette Kernion
- Slackerwood
SXSW is barely 24 hours away from starting (catch up with part one and part two of our preview pieces here), and at this point, it's important to be reminded that one of the things that makes the festival unique is a particular focus on the crossover between music and film, something that's been a special interest of ours since the very earliest days of The Playlist. SXSW doesn't just have a whole sidebar dedicated to music documentaries (with this year's batch including films centered on LCD Soundsystem, Paul Simon and Big Star), and a music festival that runs alongside, but the films screened seem to attract a disproportionate number of scores by indie and rock musicians.
And with more and more names who broke out from the pop and rock world -- from veteran composers like Danny Elfman and Clint Mansell to newbies like Trent Reznor and The Chemical Brothers -- moving into composition,...
And with more and more names who broke out from the pop and rock world -- from veteran composers like Danny Elfman and Clint Mansell to newbies like Trent Reznor and The Chemical Brothers -- moving into composition,...
- 3/8/2012
- by Oliver Lyttelton
- The Playlist
Sound On Sight will once again be covering the SXSW Film Festival this year, making it our second time attending. 130 feature films will screen at the Austin, Texas fest taking place March 9-17, including 65 World Premieres, 17 North American Premieres and 10 U.S. Premieres. As previously announced, Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon’s The Cabin in the Woods will have the honours of opening the festival, and now they have released the full list of films – and it’s looking pretty amazing. Enjoy!
Narrative Feature Competition
This year’s 8 films were selected from 1,112 submissions. Each film is a World Premiere. Films screening in Narrative Feature Competition are:
Booster
Director/Screenwriter: Matt Ruskin
When Simon’s brother is arrested for armed robbery, he is asked to commit a string of similar crimes in an attempt to get his brother acquitted.
Cast: Nico Stone, Adam DuPaul, Seymour Cassel, Kristin Dougherty, Brian McGrail (World Premiere)
Eden
Director: Megan Griffiths,...
Narrative Feature Competition
This year’s 8 films were selected from 1,112 submissions. Each film is a World Premiere. Films screening in Narrative Feature Competition are:
Booster
Director/Screenwriter: Matt Ruskin
When Simon’s brother is arrested for armed robbery, he is asked to commit a string of similar crimes in an attempt to get his brother acquitted.
Cast: Nico Stone, Adam DuPaul, Seymour Cassel, Kristin Dougherty, Brian McGrail (World Premiere)
Eden
Director: Megan Griffiths,...
- 2/3/2012
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
Iggy Pop and Debbie Harry, shot by Bob Gruen in 1977
Rock 'N' Roll Exposed: The Photography of Bob Gruen
screens as part of 24 Beats per Second
SXSW Film has just announced its features lineup for the 2012 edition, running March 9 through 17. We already knew that the Opening Night Film would be Drew Goddard's The Cabin in the Woods. For its Closing Night Film, the festival will host the world premiere of of Emmett Malloy’s documentary Big Easy Express (more below). The lineup, with descriptions from the festival:
Narrative Feature Competition
Booster
Director/Screenwriter: Matt Ruskin. When Simon’s brother is arrested for armed robbery, he is asked to commit a string of similar crimes in an attempt to get his brother acquitted. Cast: Nico Stone, Adam DuPaul, Seymour Cassel, Kristin Dougherty, Brian McGrail. (World Premiere)
Eden
Director: Megan Griffiths, Screenwriters: Richard B. Phillips, Megan Griffiths, Story by: Richard B. Phillips & Chong Kim.
Rock 'N' Roll Exposed: The Photography of Bob Gruen
screens as part of 24 Beats per Second
SXSW Film has just announced its features lineup for the 2012 edition, running March 9 through 17. We already knew that the Opening Night Film would be Drew Goddard's The Cabin in the Woods. For its Closing Night Film, the festival will host the world premiere of of Emmett Malloy’s documentary Big Easy Express (more below). The lineup, with descriptions from the festival:
Narrative Feature Competition
Booster
Director/Screenwriter: Matt Ruskin. When Simon’s brother is arrested for armed robbery, he is asked to commit a string of similar crimes in an attempt to get his brother acquitted. Cast: Nico Stone, Adam DuPaul, Seymour Cassel, Kristin Dougherty, Brian McGrail. (World Premiere)
Eden
Director: Megan Griffiths, Screenwriters: Richard B. Phillips, Megan Griffiths, Story by: Richard B. Phillips & Chong Kim.
- 2/1/2012
- MUBI
With Sundance 2012 Film Festival over, the next big one on the horizon is South by Southwest, which we’ll be heavily covering. The biggest chunk of the line-up has been announced today, which has some great premieres including 21 Jump Street, Tiff and Sundance hit The Raid, Will Ferrell‘s Casa de mi Padre, the documentary Girl Model (which we liked at Tiff), as well as the next from Broken Lizard, The Babymakers. There are many other promising titles included and you can see them all below. Check back for our coverage for the fest, kicking off March 9th.
Narrative Feature Competition
This year’s 8 films were selected from 1,112 submissions. Each film is a World Premiere. Films screening in Narrative Feature Competition are:
Booster
Director/Screenwriter: Matt Ruskin
When Simon’s brother is arrested for armed robbery, he is asked to commit a string of similar crimes in an attempt to get his brother acquitted.
Narrative Feature Competition
This year’s 8 films were selected from 1,112 submissions. Each film is a World Premiere. Films screening in Narrative Feature Competition are:
Booster
Director/Screenwriter: Matt Ruskin
When Simon’s brother is arrested for armed robbery, he is asked to commit a string of similar crimes in an attempt to get his brother acquitted.
- 2/1/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Attendees of South by Southwest 2012 are in for a treat. 130 feature films will screen at the Austin, Texas festival taking place March 9-17. Among them are 65 World Premieres, 17 North American Premieres and 10 U.S. Premieres. The organization already announced [1] Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon's The Cabin in the Woods would open the festival (the movie is phenomenal [2]) and today the majority of the remaining line up has been revealed. One of the highlights is the unbelievably smart and hilarious 21 Jump Street, directed by Phil Lord & Christopher Miller. Both of those are World Premieres. Other highlights include The Hunter, Killer Joe, The Babymakers, frankie goes boom, God Bless America, The Imposter, The Raid, Bernie and Casa de mi Padre just to name a few. After the jump, read descriptions of all the films that have been announced so far. Before I copy and paste the rest of the list, a few minor notes.
- 2/1/2012
- by Germain Lussier
- Slash Film
SXSW Film 2012 will open on March 9 with the world premiere of screenwriter Drew Goddard's The Cabin in the Woods, produced and co-written by Joss Whedon. Featuring Kristen Connolly, Fran Kranz, Anna Hutchison, Chris Hemsworth, Jesse Williams, Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford, the film, promises the festival, "takes the horror genre, shakes it down, and smacks it upside the head."
The festival's also thrown six more titles into this first round, all of them world premieres. And they are, with descriptions from Team SXSW:
Kevin Macdonald's Marley. "The definitive documentary on the life, music, and legacy of Bob Marley."
Neil Berkeley's Beauty Is Embarrassing. "A funny, irreverent and insightful look into the life and times of one of America's most important artists, Wayne White."
Jonas Åkerlund's Small Apartments. "When Franklin Franklin accidentally kills his landlord, he must hide the body; but, the wisdom of his beloved brother...
The festival's also thrown six more titles into this first round, all of them world premieres. And they are, with descriptions from Team SXSW:
Kevin Macdonald's Marley. "The definitive documentary on the life, music, and legacy of Bob Marley."
Neil Berkeley's Beauty Is Embarrassing. "A funny, irreverent and insightful look into the life and times of one of America's most important artists, Wayne White."
Jonas Åkerlund's Small Apartments. "When Franklin Franklin accidentally kills his landlord, he must hide the body; but, the wisdom of his beloved brother...
- 1/12/2012
- MUBI
The 2012 South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Conference and Festival runs March 9–17, and they've just announced the world premiere of Lionsgate’s The Cabin in the Woods as the Opening Night Film. In addition to premiering the film, producer/co-writer Joss Whedon will participate in a key Conversation panel at the SXSW Film Conference on Saturday, March 10.
The Cabin in the Woods marks Emmy®-nominated writer Drew Goddard’s (Cloverfield, "Lost", "Alias") first foray into directing. This mind-blowing horror film starts, typically enough, as we join five young adults embarking on a weekend of debauchery at an abandoned cabin in the woods. But as layer after layer of the film’s truly kaleidoscopic world is revealed, everything we know about horror is deconstructed and everything we love is reconstructed before our eyes. The film stars Kristen Connolly, Fran Kranz, Anna Hutchison, Chris Hemsworth, Jesse Williams, Richard Jenkins, and Bradley Whitford and...
The Cabin in the Woods marks Emmy®-nominated writer Drew Goddard’s (Cloverfield, "Lost", "Alias") first foray into directing. This mind-blowing horror film starts, typically enough, as we join five young adults embarking on a weekend of debauchery at an abandoned cabin in the woods. But as layer after layer of the film’s truly kaleidoscopic world is revealed, everything we know about horror is deconstructed and everything we love is reconstructed before our eyes. The film stars Kristen Connolly, Fran Kranz, Anna Hutchison, Chris Hemsworth, Jesse Williams, Richard Jenkins, and Bradley Whitford and...
- 1/12/2012
- by The Woman In Black
- DreadCentral.com
Making plans to head down to Austin for South By Southwest (or as the kids call it, SXSW) this year? If you’re one of those Whedonites, you should be, because the Whedon-produced “The Cabin in the Woods” will be getting is long-delayed world premiere as the annual festival’s opening night film in March 9th (the film portion of SXSW will run from March 9th to March 17th). If you don’t make it down to Austin for SXSW, you’ll have to wait until April 13, 2012 to see the movie, which stars Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz, Jesse Williams, Richard Jenkins, Bradley Whitford, and Amy Acker. Along with “The Cabin in the Woods”, SXSW also announced six other titles that will have their premieres at the Texas shebang: Marley (North American Premiere) Director: Kevin Macdonald The definitive documentary on the life, music, and legacy of Bob Marley...
- 1/12/2012
- by Nix
- Beyond Hollywood
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