Based on what is largely hailed by entertainment publications as “one of the worst films of all time,” The Disaster Artist (2017) ... More
Film by James Franco
Based on what is largely hailed by entertainment publications as “one of the worst films of all time,” The Disaster Artist (2017) is a biographical comedy-drama from director James Franco. Starring both James and Dave Franco and based on Tom Bissell’s non-fiction book of the same name, The Disaster Artist chronicles the making of Tommy Wiseau’s The Room (2003), a cult-status film known for its bizarre storyline and technical and narrative flaws. The supporting cast includes Alison Brie, Seth Rogen and Jacki Weaver. The Disaster Artist premiered at this year’s SXSW and won the top prize at the 2017 San Sebastián Film Festival.(A24)
Starring Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hamer, Call Me by Your Name (2017) is a romantic coming-of-age drama directed by Luca Guadagnino and ... More
Film by Luca Guadagnino
Starring Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hamer, Call Me by Your Name (2017) is a romantic coming-of-age drama directed by Luca Guadagnino and based on André Aciman’s novel of the same name. The last installment in Guadagnino’s star-studded “Desire” trilogy, which includes I Am Love (2009) and A Bigger Splash (2015), Call Me by Your Name follows the budding romance between an Italian-American 17-year-old and his father’s 24-year-old student. In a similar aesthetic vein as the other “Desire” films, Call Me by Your Name is rhapsodic, capturing the slow burn of first love, and many of the scenes are languorous, set against the lush summer backdrop of 1980s Italy. The film premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival to critical acclaim and has won several awards, including the Hollywood Breakout Performance Actor Award for Timothée Chalamet at this fall’s Hollywood Film Awards. (Sony Pictures Classics)
One of America’s most recognized cartoonists, R. Crumb uses the popular medium of the comic strip to address political disillusionment, sexual fantasies, ... More
Book by R. Crumb
One of America’s most recognized cartoonists, R. Crumb uses the popular medium of the comic strip to address political disillusionment, sexual fantasies, and the absurdity of social conventions. The artist behind iconic and heavily-referenced comic strips such as Fritz the Cat, Mr. Natural, and Keep On Truckin’, Crumb’s frank sexuality and stream of consciousness style helped to define alternative cartoon subcultures of the 1960’s and 1970’s, catapulting him to international celebration as a contemporary artist. Bible of Filth, a chronological collection of his subversive and satirical comic strips from throughout his career, was originally published in France in 1986, but was never released in the United States due to it’s graphic content and outrageous sexual references. The second edition of Bible of Filth, which is forthcoming from David Zwirner Books, is a revised and expanded version of the scandalizing first edition, containing all the pieces in the 1986 release as well as an additional 100 pages of material, including an entirely new selection of work created after 1986. Organized chronologically and audaciously printed with the look and feel of a traditional bible, Bible of Filth chronicles the fascinating evolution of a highly influential counterculture artist who spent the last four decades critiquing modern consumer culture and unapologetically examining the sexual and political underbelly of human consciousness.
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After winning TED Talk’s 2011 TED Prize, which awards three individuals $100,000 towards accomplishing their “wish to change the world,” French street ... More
Book by JR
After winning TED Talk’s 2011 TED Prize, which awards three individuals $100,000 towards accomplishing their “wish to change the world,” French street artist and activist JR, real identity unknown, set out on his Inside Out Project, in what would become an award-winning, global art campaign. JR: Inside Out showcases the most important works in this international project, which features enormous black-and-white portraits plastered on the sides of large city buildings, showcasing the diverse individuals who live there. Hailed by Shepard Fairey as “the most ambitious street artist working,” JR has visited cities from Paris to Palestine to the villages of Kenya and Brazil’s favelas Inside Out and has received approximately 200,000 portrait contributions. By nature, Inside Out advocates for equality and peace and encourages a spirit of idealism toward humanity. The project has also created an intended ripple effect, inspiring artists to launch campaigns in their own communities. JR: Inside Out provides an in-depth look at this revolutionary campaign as well as JR’s vision and model for activism art, featuring contributions from writers and artists such as Pharrell Williams. (Rizzoli)
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Written, directed and starring Noël Wells, Mr. Roosevelt is a dark comedy about a struggling Los Angeles comedian who returns to her ... More
Film by Noël Wells
Written, directed and starring Noël Wells, Mr. Roosevelt is a dark comedy about a struggling Los Angeles comedian who returns to her hometown of Austin, Texas to find that much has changed, including her ex-boyfriend and the city itself. The film also stars Nick Thune, Britt Lower, Daniella Pineda and Andre Hyland. Mr. Roosevelt won the Audience Award for Narrative Spotlight at this year’s SXSW. (Paladin)
›› ISSUE Feature: Interview with Noël Wells
This compelling passion project turned documentary from writer-director Steven Greenstein tells the extraordinary life story of his grandfather, famed Strongman Joseph Greenstein, ... More
Film by Steven Greenstein
This compelling passion project turned documentary from writer-director Steven Greenstein tells the extraordinary life story of his grandfather, famed Strongman Joseph Greenstein, also known as “The Mighty Atom.” Born with tuberculosis and expected not to live past his teens, he went on to become one of greatest and most unlikely Strongmen in history, overcoming insurmountable odds and harnessing the power of his body and mind to achieve the impossible. Available on iTunes, Amazon and Google Play on November 14th.(SDG Films)
Formed by musicians Max Kakecek (Smith Westerns) and Julien Ehrlich (Unknown Mortal Orchestra), Whitney is a Chicago-based indie rock band whose debut ... More
Album by Whitney
Formed by musicians Max Kakecek (Smith Westerns) and Julien Ehrlich (Unknown Mortal Orchestra), Whitney is a Chicago-based indie rock band whose debut album, Light Upon the Lake (2016), released to critical acclaim last year. Their newest release, Light Upon the Lake: Demo Recordings (2017), compiles the early incarnations of Whitney’s debut songs, including the previously unreleased track for “You and Me,” a tender love song showcasing Ehlrich’s falsetto and Kakecek’s signature guitar. Having formed in 2014, Whitney has toured with the likes of Tobias Jesso Jr. and recorded with producer Jonathan Rado before embarking on an international tour of their own. Light yet soulful, Light Upon the Lake: Demo Recordings captures the raw spirit of Whitney and the energy of two talented musicians blazing a new sonic trail. (Secretly Canadian)
Comedian, director and musician Tim Heidecker has been releasing songs about Donald Trump and American politics for several months now before compiling ... More
by Tim Heidecker
Comedian, director and musician Tim Heidecker has been releasing songs about Donald Trump and American politics for several months now before compiling his new LP, Too Dumb For Suicide (2017). “Most of these songs were written and recorded quickly, with the blood still boiling from whatever indignity or absurdity had popped up on my newsfeed that day,” says Heidecker. A year after the election, Too Dumb For Suicide comprises songs of protest and disgust, written and recorded by Heidecker, produced by Jonathan Rado and featuring musicians such as Kane Ritchotte (Portugal the Man), Jordan Katz (Common Rotation) and Father John Misty. Resplendent with artwork by artist and humorist Eric Yahnker, the album’s themes include Trump’s death, white nationalist Richard Spencer, Trump’s infamous Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and nuclear war, to name a few. (JagJaguwar / Rado Records)
Written by British-Irish director Martin McDonagh, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017) is a dark comedy film starring Frances McDormand (Fargo). The ... More
Film by Martin McDonagh
Written by British-Irish director Martin McDonagh, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017) is a dark comedy film starring Frances McDormand (Fargo). The film portrays a resolute mother who single-handedly challenges local authorities when they fail to solve her daughter’s horrific murder. The star-studded supporting cast includes Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, John Hawkes and Peter Dinklage. After premiering to critical acclaim at this year’s Venice Film Festival, Three Billboards went on to win the People’s Choice Award from the Toronto Film Festival and nominations for this year’s British Independent Film Awards. (Fox Searchlight)