Los Angeles’ premier punk band, X, are surprise-releasing Alphabetland, their first new album in 27 years, today via Bandcamp.
Although the group issued their last LP, Hey Zeus!, in 1993, the recording marks the first new music by the ensemble’s original members since 1985’s Ain’t Love Grand!
“When your heart is broken, you think every song is about that,” vocalist-bassist John Doe said in a statement. “These songs were written in the last 18 months and it blows my mind how timely they are. We all want our family, friends and...
Although the group issued their last LP, Hey Zeus!, in 1993, the recording marks the first new music by the ensemble’s original members since 1985’s Ain’t Love Grand!
“When your heart is broken, you think every song is about that,” vocalist-bassist John Doe said in a statement. “These songs were written in the last 18 months and it blows my mind how timely they are. We all want our family, friends and...
- 4/22/2020
- by Kory Grow
- Rollingstone.com
In his two very fine previous documentaries, Neil Berkeley has focused on cult artists (painter Wayne White, TV creator Dan Harmon) who typically work behind the scenes. With Gilbert, a portrait of polarizing comedian Gilbert Gottfried, he looks at the surprisingly tender real human behind the grating personality America has known for over three decades. A laugh-packed and unexpectedly moving picture, it is now moving from a warmly received fest run to art houses; it should do even better once it hits video.
The doc's big revelation comes early, as the audience realizes just how quiet and loving this professionally...
The doc's big revelation comes early, as the audience realizes just how quiet and loving this professionally...
- 11/2/2017
- by John DeFore
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Al Yankovic can be described in a lot of ways besides "Weird." Most people know that he's a chart-topping singer-songwriter, a director-producer, a top-notch parodist, an author and a die-hard polka enthusiast. Even those who have followed his career closely, however, may have forgotten he was, for a brief moment, the host of a short-lived children's television show.
The Weird Al Show debuted on CBS on September 13, 1997 as part of their Saturday morning lineup. Each episode began with the all important "today's lesson" before viewers were invited into Yankovic's underground...
The Weird Al Show debuted on CBS on September 13, 1997 as part of their Saturday morning lineup. Each episode began with the all important "today's lesson" before viewers were invited into Yankovic's underground...
- 9/13/2017
- Rollingstone.com
It's back and better than ever -- the makers of Pee-Wee's Playhouse capped their Saturday morning show with a Christmas Special to end all Christmas Specials. All the show's regular characters, special treats and creative extravagances are enhanced with a tall stack of celebrity guests, performers and walk-ons -- it's a 1988 time capsule. Pee-Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special Blu-ray Shout! Factory 1988 / Color / 1:33 flat / 49 min. / Christmas at Pee-Wee's Playhouse / Street Date October 6, 2015 / 19.97 Starring Paul Reubens, Annette Funicello, Frankie Avalon, Grace Jones, k.d. lang, Dinah Shore, Little Richard, Cher, Del Rubio Triplets, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, Joan Rivers, Charo, Laurence Fishburne, Kevin Carlson, Ric Heitzman, Suzanne Kent, William Marshall, George Mcgrath, S. Epatha Merkerson, Alison Mork, John Paragon, Lynne Marie Stewart, Vic Trevino. Cinematography David Lewis Film Editor Billy Fox Original Music Van Dyke Parks Written by John Paragon, Paul Reubens Produced by Steve Binder Directed by Wayne Orr,...
- 12/8/2015
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
There are few filmmakers working in documentary cinema quite like Joshua Oppenheimer.
After a career in short documentaries, he became one of the most interesting voices in the medium with his debut, the groundbreaking and boundary pushing The Act Of Killing. A haunting and deeply profound look at the mass executions that took place in Indonesia in 1965-66, the film is, and very much was at the time it debuted in 2012, one of the most formally groundbreaking pieces of non-fiction cinema you’ll ever see. Toying with ideas like perception, violence and the human relationship with both of those things, Oppenheimer’s follow-up has been anxiously anticipated ever since. And it’s finally here.
A companion piece to that masterful feature, The Look Of Silence is much more tone poem than its predecessor, and yet despite the vast differences in the two films, it is just as powerful, if not more so.
After a career in short documentaries, he became one of the most interesting voices in the medium with his debut, the groundbreaking and boundary pushing The Act Of Killing. A haunting and deeply profound look at the mass executions that took place in Indonesia in 1965-66, the film is, and very much was at the time it debuted in 2012, one of the most formally groundbreaking pieces of non-fiction cinema you’ll ever see. Toying with ideas like perception, violence and the human relationship with both of those things, Oppenheimer’s follow-up has been anxiously anticipated ever since. And it’s finally here.
A companion piece to that masterful feature, The Look Of Silence is much more tone poem than its predecessor, and yet despite the vast differences in the two films, it is just as powerful, if not more so.
- 7/17/2015
- by Joshua Brunsting
- CriterionCast
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
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
"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
Some documentary filmmakers have all the luck in the world. Not everyone can find a wildly entertaining subject like Wayne White, but Neil Berkeley certainly did; more importantly, though, Berkeley sculpts a very interesting documentary from White's personal narrative. Primarily using first person interview footage with White, Berkeley captures the life of a successful-yet-struggling visual artist. The Tennessee native got his first taste of the high life (and I'm not talking about Miller beer either) while working as a production designer and puppeteer (among other roles) on Pee Wee's Playhouse -- a gig that earned him not one, but two Daytime Emmy's. Unfortunately, when a visual artist wins two major awards so early in his career, things can only go down from there; and down things went, as White slaved away on a lot of failed and mediocre television and video projects (his work on the Smashing Pumpkins' video for "Tonight,...
- 2/19/2013
- by Don Simpson
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
Welcome back to The Stack! This installment has me checking out and ruminating on the horror film Citadel, the touching and thoughtful doc about artist Wayne White Beauty is Embarrassing, Miike Takashi's newest Samurai foray Hara-Kiri, the surprisingly bland animated spooker Hotel Transylvania, Disney's new Blu-ray release of Peter Pan, the surprisingly effective Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning, the whimsical martial arts film Tai-Chi Zero and digibooks of Cabaret and A Star is Born. I don't dance in this one....
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 2/19/2013
- Screen Anarchy
Here’s recommended reading: Zoetrope: All-Story.
The quarterly periodical, founded by industry mammoth Francis Ford Coppola, publishes a handful of short stories and plays each issue, including a reprint of a piece that eventually made it to the silver screen.
Above all, the editors select great writing. And the magazine isn’t subject to any genre restrictions beyond narratives with driving literary elements. A more conventional, dramatic piece could be sandwiched in between a science fiction tale or a bittersweet love story.
There’s the artwork, too. Each issue features a guest artist who designs the whole magazine with new creations or original content. My recent favorite has been Wayne White — you’ll know him by the stylized set designs from Pee-wee’s Playhouse. Sprinkled between the magazine’s pages, White ran photos of his work with oversized, sarcastic text superimposed on top of stock living room paintings.
But no matter how hip Zoetrope is,...
The quarterly periodical, founded by industry mammoth Francis Ford Coppola, publishes a handful of short stories and plays each issue, including a reprint of a piece that eventually made it to the silver screen.
Above all, the editors select great writing. And the magazine isn’t subject to any genre restrictions beyond narratives with driving literary elements. A more conventional, dramatic piece could be sandwiched in between a science fiction tale or a bittersweet love story.
There’s the artwork, too. Each issue features a guest artist who designs the whole magazine with new creations or original content. My recent favorite has been Wayne White — you’ll know him by the stylized set designs from Pee-wee’s Playhouse. Sprinkled between the magazine’s pages, White ran photos of his work with oversized, sarcastic text superimposed on top of stock living room paintings.
But no matter how hip Zoetrope is,...
- 1/21/2013
- by Michael Janney
- SoundOnSight
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
Chicago – Hollywood Chicago staff writer Matt Fagerholm’s independent film blog, Indie Outlook, published an exclusive review of Neil Berkeley’s charming documentary, “Beauty is Embarrassing,” which opened Friday, December 14th, at the Gene Siskel Film Center. The film explores the life and career of eccentric artist Wayne White, best known for his Emmy-winning set design on “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse.”
Also featured on the Indie Outlook site is a podcast focusing on the work of Woody Allen. Fagerholm is joined by his fellow Hollywood Chicago colleague and Allen super-fan Pat McDonald for an in-depth discussion on the prolific auteur’s weakest work to date. Both critics rank their respective lists of Allen’s Top 5 Worst Films, while still managing to savor their momentary flashes of brilliance. The next podcast scheduled for publication is a lively interview with Windy City Times critic Richard Knight, Jr., who recently co-directed “Scrooge & Marley,” a...
Also featured on the Indie Outlook site is a podcast focusing on the work of Woody Allen. Fagerholm is joined by his fellow Hollywood Chicago colleague and Allen super-fan Pat McDonald for an in-depth discussion on the prolific auteur’s weakest work to date. Both critics rank their respective lists of Allen’s Top 5 Worst Films, while still managing to savor their momentary flashes of brilliance. The next podcast scheduled for publication is a lively interview with Windy City Times critic Richard Knight, Jr., who recently co-directed “Scrooge & Marley,” a...
- 12/14/2012
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Decisions, decisions this week -- attend the Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival (rebranded "Polari" this year), or see Tim Burton's outstanding new animated film, Frankenweenie? Watch a comedy about butter sculpting -- there's much more to the movie than you'd think -- or check out the Cinema Touching Disability Film Festival? See what you will; you'll find me at aGLIFF Polari, where I'm looking forward to former Austinite Kyle Henry's new film, Fourplay (pictured above), on Friday night.
Now in its ninth season, the Cinema Touching Disability Film Festival is recognized as the top film celebration of disability in the arts in Texas, and presents animated, international and documentary short films. The festival -- at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar on Friday and Saturday nights -- also features interviews with the filmmakers, actors and writers who create the films.
If you haven't seen David and Nathan Zellner's latest feature,...
Now in its ninth season, the Cinema Touching Disability Film Festival is recognized as the top film celebration of disability in the arts in Texas, and presents animated, international and documentary short films. The festival -- at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar on Friday and Saturday nights -- also features interviews with the filmmakers, actors and writers who create the films.
If you haven't seen David and Nathan Zellner's latest feature,...
- 10/5/2012
- by Don Clinchy
- Slackerwood
Here is another documentary I’ve only recently managed to see, somewhat late in the game. Fortunately, Beauty is Embarrassing is still playing in theaters and touring the film festival circuit, so adding my kudos to the praise it’s already received isn’t simply academic. Wayne White may not be a household name, but anyone in a certain age group will respond to the fact that he won three Emmy Awards for designing Pee Wee’s Playhouse in the 1980s. As we learn in this intimate profile, that revolutionary TV show marked a turning point in White’s life and career, and a unique opportunity to let his imagination run free for the benefit of an unusually wide audience....
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- 10/5/2012
- by Leonard Maltin
- Leonard Maltin's Movie Crazy
Neil Berkeley‘s new documentary, Beauty is Embarrassing, invites us into the blissful insanity of Wayne White – the artist behind Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, several iconic music videos and a ton of incredible prints. Both men join me to discuss the nature of art, why it could possibly be embarrassing, and then I try to get them to say the word of the day. Download Episode #149 On This Week’s Anthology Show: Handsomeness [The Beginning - The End]: Wayne White and Neil Berkeley on Beauty is Embarrassing. Please go rate us on iTunes. Last Time on the Show: 4 Things Movies Can Learn From the Video Game Industry Get In Touch With Us: Call Reject Radio: (512) 212-1301 Email Reject Radio: radio@filmschoolrejects.com Reject Radio on Twitter: twitter.com/RejectRadio Subscribe to Reject Radio:...
- 9/13/2012
- by Cole Abaius
- 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
Wayne White is a fascinating figure whose work has permeated popular culture in multiple meaningful ways, without his name ever becoming well-known. Starting out as an underground comic book artist, White progressed to being a designer, puppeteer and performer on Pee-wee’s Playhouse, then to directing music videos for such acts as Peter Gabriel and the Smashing Pumpkins, while he’s also a talented an prolific painter, sculptor and musician. Graphic designer and commercial director Neil Berkeley, who first met White in the early 2000s, determined to make a film about this underappreciated figure and has created Beauty is Embarrassing, a unique and creative portrait of a unique and creative artist. The film had its world premiere at SXSW earlier this year, and plays at IFC Center from this Friday.
Filmmaker: When did you first meet Wayne White? And when did you realize you wanted to make a film about him?...
Filmmaker: When did you first meet Wayne White? And when did you realize you wanted to make a film about him?...
- 9/6/2012
- by Nick Dawson
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
“Beauty is Embarrassing” is such a warm, laugh-out-loud charmer of a documentary, thanks entirely to its subject, the wild and wonderful Wayne White, that it leaves you wondering, just where has this delightful man been all this time? And that’s the question “Beauty is Embarrassing” posits too -- serving as an opportunity to bring attention to this artist who has been more influential than we, or even he, knows. The film opens with White preparing to go onstage for his one-man show at the Largo Theater in Los Angeles. It’s essentially a slideshow with White displaying some of his most well-known work, telling stories, playing banjo and wackily dancing around. What you soon realize is: this guy is funny, and so are his paintings, thrift store landscapes bearing colorful turns of phrase, many of them bearing the F-bomb, which might just be White’s favorite word. This one-man...
- 9/6/2012
- by Katie Walsh
- The Playlist
Breaking out as the designer and puppeteer on the groundbreaking TV show “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” the career of artist Wayne White has been anything but predictable. But it's his unique spirit coupled with an aritistic oeuvre distinctly his own that has made him not only a success, but the subject of the documentary "Beauty Is Embarrassing." But even if the name isn't familiar to you, or you were too young to know his work on 'Pee-wee,' there is one other place you've likely witnessed his talents. White was the man behind the art design work on Smashing Pumpkins' seminal video for "Tonight Tonight" directed by "Little Miss Sunshine" and "Ruby Sparks" helmers Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris. And in this exclusive clip from the documentary, we get to see White hilariously give his raw and unfiltered opinion of what he really thinks about the MTV Music Video Awards,...
- 9/5/2012
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
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
You’re probably a fan of Wayne White’s artwork even if you don’t know it. In fact, that’s a bet Mark Mothersbaugh would be willing to make. The iconic musician is one of many to appear as a talking head for the new doc Beauty is Embarrassing, but he’s not the biggest one. The biggest talking head is, of course, one of White’s creations. This new trailer for the film, which is out on September 7th, celebrates some incredible art and a bizarrely beautiful mind. Check it out for yourself: Read our review here. Source: Apple...
- 8/6/2012
- by Cole Abaius
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
The documentary "Beauty is Embarrassing," which profiles designer, painter, puppeteer, sculptor and musician Wayne White, will open this fall in select markets. The film, from first-time director Neil Berkeley, had its premiere at SXSW in March and has since gone on to play at a number of festivals, including Full Frame, Hot Docs, Silverdocs and L.A. Berkeley retraces White's steps from childhood to present day, covering a prolific career that included a stint as a puppeteer and voice-over actor on "Pee-Wee's Playhouse," for which he won three Emmys. In addition to featuring White, Berkeley interviews Matt Groening, Mark Mothersbaugh, Todd Oldham, Mimi Pond and Paul Reubens for the documentary. The film will open September 7 in New York at the IFC Center, in Los Angeles at the Sundance Cinemas Sunset (formerly the Sunset 5), and in Seattle at the Northwest Film Forum. It will expand to other key cities throughout the fall.
- 8/1/2012
- by Nigel M Smith
- Indiewire
“Beauty is Embarrassing” is such a warm, laugh out loud charmer of a documentary, thanks entirely to its subject, the wild and wonderful Wayne White, that it leaves you wondering, just where has this delightful man been all this time? And that’s the question “Beauty is Embarrassing” posits too -- serving as an opportunity to bring attention to this artist who has been more influential than we, or even he, knows.
The film opens with White preparing to go onstage for his one man show at the Largo Theater in Los Angeles. It’s essentially a slideshow, with White displaying some of his most well-known work, telling stories, playing banjo and wackily dancing around. What you soon realize is: this guy is funny, and so are his paintings, thrift store landscapes bearing colorful turns of phrase, many of them bearing the F-bomb, which might just be White’s favorite word.
The film opens with White preparing to go onstage for his one man show at the Largo Theater in Los Angeles. It’s essentially a slideshow, with White displaying some of his most well-known work, telling stories, playing banjo and wackily dancing around. What you soon realize is: this guy is funny, and so are his paintings, thrift store landscapes bearing colorful turns of phrase, many of them bearing the F-bomb, which might just be White’s favorite word.
- 6/28/2012
- by Katie Walsh
- The Playlist
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
There are many film projects seeking funds via crowdfunding platforms these days, which offers the unique opportunity for an audience to interact and connect with a film, sometimes before the first shot is captured. This bi-weekly column will highlight projects that demonstrate potential, and deserve a closer look (and possibly a donation).
The Last Good Country
The Gist: A narrative short film, focusing on a transformative period in Ernest Hemingway’s life. Based on historic findings, the film will depict time Hemingway spent in the Michigan wilderness, and how this experience shaped his identity.
Why It Should Be Kickstarted: Perhaps the most alluring line of their pitch video is when actor Nic Collins states, “In this film, we see Hemingway become the man he writes about.” That’s a tall order to fill, but an exciting one as well. Hemingway himself was an enigmatic figure, the strong personality behind all of his characters.
The Last Good Country
The Gist: A narrative short film, focusing on a transformative period in Ernest Hemingway’s life. Based on historic findings, the film will depict time Hemingway spent in the Michigan wilderness, and how this experience shaped his identity.
Why It Should Be Kickstarted: Perhaps the most alluring line of their pitch video is when actor Nic Collins states, “In this film, we see Hemingway become the man he writes about.” That’s a tall order to fill, but an exciting one as well. Hemingway himself was an enigmatic figure, the strong personality behind all of his characters.
- 6/20/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
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.
"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
Beauty is Embarrassing
Directed by Neil Berkeley
USA, 2012
Chances are, you haven’t heard of Wayne White. Quiet and unassuming, White could go for a walk in downtown Los Angeles and be completely inconspicuous to the artistic layman, but chances are, you’ve seen his work. Whether it be on Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, or a Smashing Pumpkins music video, White’s various contributions to influential projects from the 80’s onward have solidified his status as an accomplished art director, painter, cartoonist, and illustrator. So it’s a shame, really, when Neil Berkeley’s documentary, Beauty is Embarrassing, doesn’t do him much justice.
Through Berkeley, we examine the life and career of White, from his childhood in Tennessee, to his rise to prominence and love in New York, and, finally, to his eventual disillusionment with art in Hollywood. From these examinations, we come to the realization that White is really just a simple man,...
Directed by Neil Berkeley
USA, 2012
Chances are, you haven’t heard of Wayne White. Quiet and unassuming, White could go for a walk in downtown Los Angeles and be completely inconspicuous to the artistic layman, but chances are, you’ve seen his work. Whether it be on Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, or a Smashing Pumpkins music video, White’s various contributions to influential projects from the 80’s onward have solidified his status as an accomplished art director, painter, cartoonist, and illustrator. So it’s a shame, really, when Neil Berkeley’s documentary, Beauty is Embarrassing, doesn’t do him much justice.
Through Berkeley, we examine the life and career of White, from his childhood in Tennessee, to his rise to prominence and love in New York, and, finally, to his eventual disillusionment with art in Hollywood. From these examinations, we come to the realization that White is really just a simple man,...
- 4/11/2012
- by Justin Li
- SoundOnSight
South by Southwest combines all the arts with a film, music and interactive festival. Wayne White added the gallery art world to the mix. A film about White’s art, Beauty is Embarrassing, played in competition at the festival. This overlapped with an exhibition of White’s art at Domy Books. While in Austin with the film, White held a book signing of his compilation Maybe Now I’ll Get the Respect I So Richly Deserve. The gallery runs until April 19. So who is this Wayne White who’s so prolific? Well, you’d know his work from creating the puppets of Pee Wee’s Playhouse, and animation for Peter Gabriel’s “Big Time” video and Smashing Pumpkins’ “Tonight, Tonight.” White also paints landscapes filled with giant...
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- 3/24/2012
- by Fred Topel
- Movies.com
This year’s SXSW may be over, but it’s certainly not forgotten. Another week of barbeque, buddies, beer, and – oh yeah – movies down, and we’re still recovering, both in terms of remembering everything we saw and attempting to pry ourselves out of our stretchiest of pants. As with any film festival, the stunning depth of films available to watch has resulted in a solid handful of serious favorites. This time around, our twelve favorite films of the festival include big studio comedy, intimate documentary, the best action film in years, true independent features, and even a picture made entirely on cell phones. Take a look at our twelve favorites from this year’s SXSW after the break. 21 Jump Street Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s spin on the classic (sure? okay?) television series is, as Jack told us, the comedy to beat this year. Clever, amusing, self-reflexive, timely, giddy...
- 3/23/2012
- by FSR Staff
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
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
Would you have ever expected that a completely eccentric, beautifully talented artist, and sometime puppeteer was behind the some of the puppets and set design on Pee-Wee’s Playhouse? Actually you might, because those were some of the strangest puppets ever to hit television. But there’s an equally strange personality behind them. Wayne White, a Tennessee-born surreal pop art artist and puppeteer, is the subject of the incredibly impressive Beauty is Embarrassing documentary that was one of the most entertaining films I saw during SXSW this year. The film, which documents White’s beginnings as an artist (paying a lot of attention to the time he spent working on Pee-Wee up to the present day) opens with White and his one-man art retrospective show, which is presented more like a stand-up act than an art show: White plays the banjo, tells jokes, shows slides along with his artwork, and sings. It...
- 3/19/2012
- by Kevin Kelly
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
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
Though you may not know his name there is a fighting chance that you have seen the work of artist Wayne White. In fact, if you've ever seen Pee-Wee's Playhouse that's a certainty. A multi-talented artist White is the subject of upcoming documentary Beauty Is Embarrassing. Announced as a world premiere in the first block of titles at SXSW the already released trailer makes it very clear that a whole lot more people will know who White is by the time the festival is done as this looks very likely to be one of the 2012 edition's breakout hits.Beauty Is Embarrassing is a funny, irreverent, joyful and inspiring documentary featuring the life and current times of one of America's most important artists, Wayne White.Raised...
- 2/1/2012
- Screen Anarchy
Although the holiday season means time off work for most other industries in the U.S., it means it's awards season for the film business, which in turn necessitates plenty of tributes and accolades to be presented on the East and West Coasts at your local repertory theater in advance of the Oscars where movie stars can be seen and Q & As are conducted. Yet in New York and Los Angeles, there will be a wealth of other options as neighborhood theaters flood their screens with contemporary cinema from other parts of the world, classic movies in their full bigscreen glory, and certain-to-be-fun nods to the holidays, whether it's Halloween or Christmas. If you live in one of these areas or see fit to travel, these are the events worth the trouble over the next few months.
by Stephen Saito
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- 10/21/2010
- by Stephen Saito
- ifc.com
He is totally weird. I think he is tapped into something weird and magical.
—Wayne White, a designer for Pee-wee’s Playhouse, on Pee-wee Herman
He’s dumb.
Is that good or bad?
That’s good. He’s an asshole, too.
Is being an asshole good or bad?
It’s good.
—Shane, aged six, being interviewed about Pee-wee Herman
I don’t have much to say about what it is that I do. I feel that it, by and large, speaks for itself — or I hope it does.
—Pee-wee Herman
This season,...
—Wayne White, a designer for Pee-wee’s Playhouse, on Pee-wee Herman
He’s dumb.
Is that good or bad?
That’s good. He’s an asshole, too.
Is being an asshole good or bad?
It’s good.
—Shane, aged six, being interviewed about Pee-wee Herman
I don’t have much to say about what it is that I do. I feel that it, by and large, speaks for itself — or I hope it does.
—Pee-wee Herman
This season,...
- 2/12/1987
- by T. Gertler
- Rollingstone.com
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