⚫ music docs & polka dots ⚫
Low heat and a high boil.
The other night I saw Todd Haynes' Velvet Underground documentary (in a theater!) and I still haven't showered in hopes of keeping it in my pores. I simmered in this rock 'n' roll collage and can't imagine anyone outdoing Haynes, who has become a master of the music movie.
Hear Jim DeRogatis' interview with Haynes on SOUND OPINIONS. Hear VU covers by Michael Stipe, Kurt Vile, Sharon Van Etten and others on the new tribute I'LL BE YOUR MIRROR. Watch Warhol's CHELSEA GIRLS online and get inspired and/or frustrated. Watch Haynes' SUPERSTAR: THE KAREN CARPENTER STORY and go do some weird stuff with dolls.
5 music docs I love:
DONT LOOK BACK (1967) - Dylan at his best with memorable appearances by Joan Baez, Donovan and a frustrated Time magazine reporter.
THE DECLINE OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION PART II: THE METAL YEARS (1988) - Hilarious, sad, unforgettable portrait of the hair-metal era.
YOU'RE GONNA MISS ME (2005) - Made me a Roky Erikson fan for life.
ATHENS, GA: INSIDE/OUT (1987) - Glimpse of a college town at a killer time, featuring R.E.M., Pylon and the B-52's.
KURT COBAIN: ABOUT A SON (2007) - Not tabloid-y, just Kurt in his own words and footage of the places he knew, loved and tried to escape.
More words and pictures:
- I enjoyed Wes Anderson's THE FRENCH DISPATCH, which tells several stories under the banner of a New Yorker-style publication. Frances McDormand and Benicio del Toro are standouts, as if that even needs to be said.
- You won't think HALLOWEEN KILLS would be my thing, but I do dig David Gordon Green's take on the franchise. Stream it via Peacock.
- Last night I caught a standup set from Hannah Einbinder, who rocks on HACKS and had a sold-out crowd wanting more.
- FIGHT GIRLS is a comic-book series where interplanetary women compete for a crown and battle a bunch of dinosaurs. Relatable!
- Brian Jordan Alvarez and Stephanie Koenig release their funny SPY MOVIE next month. I'm down for MORBIUS with Jared Leto. The new Adrienne Shelly documentary will probably make me cry.
The new Warhol photo exhibit at Fotografiska has a few images I couldn't remember seeing before, like this pic of Dolly Parton with Keith Haring and a portrait of Muhammad Ali's shoe. The show runs through Jan. 23.
Read my diary comics.
Thanks to everyone for supporting my work on Patreon, and a special thanks to new patron Carlo D. in Amsterdam! I'll post more diary comics soon. In the meantime, did you read the short Halloween story I posted on Instagram?
What a busy week! Share wild tales with me at whitmath@gmail.com. See ya in the ether and in the rug section of IKEA.
Like sugar kisses,
The Remarkable Mrs. Pennypacker
"I don't know anyone actually who does care what a critic says."
- Lou Reed
Read my new kids' book, REALLY WEIRD MYSTERIES: UNICORNS! It's available on Epic, which is free through schools and libraries. (You can also subscribe.)
My book WE MAKE COMICS is on Epic and in print, packaged with ANIMAL RESCUE FRIENDS: VOL. 1.
Reach out! Find me on Twitter, Instagram and at whitmath@gmail.com.