Lou Reed Archives - The Playlist

‘The Velvet Underground’ Trailer: Todd Haynes Chronicles The Outsiders Who Disrupted Rock ‘N Roll

Edward Davis — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 15:30:00 +0000

Filmmaker Todd Haynes‘ career is arguably one long marriage of art school tendencies and an obsession with formative rock n’ roll from the ’60s and ’70s. His career began with the experimental short, “Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story,” he then tracked the rise of glam rock in “Velvet Goldmine” and Bob Dylan‘s chameleonic shape-changing ways in “I’m Not There.” Now, Haynes turns his gaze to The Velvet Underground, the seminal 1960s art-rock group that arguably launched all forms of punk, art-rock, indie rock, and alternative music and made its primary singer/songwriter Lou Reed famous.

Continue reading ‘The Velvet Underground’ Trailer: Todd Haynes Chronicles The Outsiders Who Disrupted Rock ‘N Roll at The Playlist.

‘The Velvet Underground’: Todd Haynes Captures The Chaotic, Brutal Beauty Of Rock’s Most Important Underground Band [Cannes Review]

Rodrigo Perez — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 22:15:00 +0000

The always artful filmmaker Todd Haynes totally ignores the one clichéd anecdote about the iconoclastic rock group The Velvet Underground in his superb, eponymic doc “The Velvet Underground,” a film that should always be experienced at top volume. Attributed to the similarly groundbreaking musician/ producer Brian Eno, the oft-repeated phrase claims the debut VU record only sold 10,000 copies, but everyone who bought it formed a band.

Continue reading ‘The Velvet Underground’: Todd Haynes Captures The Chaotic, Brutal Beauty Of Rock’s Most Important Underground Band [Cannes Review] at The Playlist.

‘The Velvet Underground’ First Look Clip: Todd Haynes’ Documentary On The Legendary Band Premieres At Cannes

Ned Booth — Mon, 05 Jul 2021 15:33:56 +0000

Director Todd Haynes is no stranger to musically-inclined films. He took on the glam rock genre with 1998’s “Velvet Goldmine” and made a truly singular biopic about Bob Dylan with 2007’s “I’m Not There.” Now, for his documentary feature debut, Haynes tackles a legendary rock group in “The Velvet Underground.”

READ MORE: Cannes Film Festival: Gaspar Noe, Bill Murray, Ari Folman Titles Added To Line Up

The documentary has its world premiere out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival this week.

Continue reading ‘The Velvet Underground’ First Look Clip: Todd Haynes’ Documentary On The Legendary Band Premieres At Cannes at The Playlist.

Martin Scorsese Says He & De Niro Tried To Make A Movie Based On A Short Story By Lou Reed’s Mentor

Charles Barfield — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 14:41:31 +0000

Without a doubt, Lou Reed is one of the most influential musicians and poets to perform in the last 50 years. His work with Velvet Underground and, obviously, as a solo artist is beloved by fans all over the world. Apparently, before his death, one of Reed’s biggest fans was none other than Martin Scorsese. And according to the filmmaker, there were multiple times that the two men flirted with the idea of working with each other over the course of decades, to no avail.

Continue reading Martin Scorsese Says He & De Niro Tried To Make A Movie Based On A Short Story By Lou Reed’s Mentor at The Playlist.

David Lynch’s ‘Lost Highway’ Soundtrack Returning To Vinyl With New Reissue

Elizabeth MacLeod — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 20:22:39 +0000

It’s safe to say that Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor has successfully made a name for himself in the world of film scoring, having won an Oscar for his score in David Fincher’s “The Social Network” and written the scores for “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” and “Gone Girl.” However, now Reznor is on track to accumulate some cult film cred through his work with David Lynch.

Continue reading David Lynch’s ‘Lost Highway’ Soundtrack Returning To Vinyl With New Reissue at The Playlist.

R.I.P. Lou Reed (1942-2013): The Music & Movie Moments That Defined An Icon

The Playlist Staff — Sun, 27 Oct 2013 20:41:10 +0000

R.I.P. Lou Reed (1942-2013): The Music & Movie Moments That Defined An Icon

Continue reading R.I.P. Lou Reed (1942-2013): The Music & Movie Moments That Defined An Icon at The Playlist.

Watch: Darren Aronofsky Directed Video For Metallica & Lou Reed’s “The View”

The Playlist Staff — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 21:57:04 +0000

Watch: Darren Aronofsky Directed Video For Metallica & Lou Reed's "The View"

Continue reading Watch: Darren Aronofsky Directed Video For Metallica & Lou Reed’s “The View” at The Playlist.

Trailer For Lou Reed’s Directorial Debut ‘Red Shirley,’ Premieres At Vision Du Reel

Kevin Jagernauth — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 18:06:00 +0000

Eternally cool rock legend Lou Reed will be unspooling his directorial debut “Red Shirley” at the upcoming Visions De Reel film festival in Switzerland.

The documentary film isn’t about music, but rather focuses on Reed’s 100-year-old cousin and is an “affectionate portrait covers Shirley’s turbulent personal history, from surviving two world wars to become a dressmaker and crusader for workers’ rights.”

Here’s the full synopsis from the festival website:

Lou Reed, the embodiment of New York rock, will be coming to present his first film – “Red Shirley” – at its world premiere at Visions du Réel.

Continue reading Trailer For Lou Reed’s Directorial Debut ‘Red Shirley,’ Premieres At Vision Du Reel at The Playlist.

Iggy Pop, Henry Rollins, Moby & Alex Lifeson Star In Canadian Vampire Comedy ‘Suck’

Kevin Jagernauth — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:06:00 +0000

Earlier today, we quoted Jay Baruchel singing the praises of the Canadian government’s arts funding system, which he hoped to use to bring his gestating slasher pic “Pig” to life. While this writer, who lives north of border, generally agrees with Baruchel’s sentiments, the fact of the matter is most Canadian feature films are frankly not very good. Whether it’s aiming way too obviously for mainstream audiences or falling down a rabbit hole of their own esoteric concepts, the worst of Canadian films often feature the same rotating cast of actors in projects that would never get past the assistant’s assistant’s desk in Hollywood.

Continue reading Iggy Pop, Henry Rollins, Moby & Alex Lifeson Star In Canadian Vampire Comedy ‘Suck’ at The Playlist.

Wim Wenders’ ‘Palermo Shooting’ Soundtrack Features Portishead, Grinderman, Beirut & Iron & Wine

Rodrigo Perez — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:25:00 +0000

Wim Wenders latest film, “Palermo Shooting,” debuted at Cannes in 2008, and then….pretty much disappeared.

The film follows a high fashion photographer as he journeys to the titular city, chatting with Death (um, played by Dennis Hopper) while Milla Jovovich (playing herself) and Lou Reed drop by for cameo appearances (the picture’s possible minor saving grace is that is also stars (the rather attractive) Giovanna Mezzogiorno, the excellent lead of the strong Cannes 2009 offering, “Vincere”).

Continue reading Wim Wenders’ ‘Palermo Shooting’ Soundtrack Features Portishead, Grinderman, Beirut & Iron & Wine at The Playlist.

San Francisco Film Society Hosting ’13 Most Beautiful…Songs For Andy Warhol’s Screen Test’

Rodrigo Perez — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:12:00 +0000

On February 3rd, the San Fransisco Film Society will be hosting the “13 Most Beautiful…Songs For Andy Warhol’s Screen Test.” The show features 13 selected screen test from the hundreds that Warhol filmed with a stationary 16-mm black and white camera in his New York studio.

The films, distinctive for their key lit portraits of socialites, movie stars, poets and musicians captured in 2 minute soundless increments, are rarely seen despite their cult-fame status.

Continue reading San Francisco Film Society Hosting ’13 Most Beautiful…Songs For Andy Warhol’s Screen Test’ at The Playlist.

Long Overdue: The Scott Walker Documentary ’30 Century Man’ In NYC Theaters This Weekend For One Week Only; DVD Hits Spring 2009

Rodrigo Perez — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:33:00 +0000

Damn, Stephen Kijak’s “Scott Walker: 30 Century Man,” is kind of getting the shaft. It originally premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2007 and we loved it. We complain about covering the average music documentary because most of them are rote and paint-by-numbers, but ’30 Century Man’ is a fascinating portrait of one of rock’s most enigmatic musicians who essentially walked away from success at the heights of his powers (the great Scott Walker, if this isn’t completely obvious).

Continue reading Long Overdue: The Scott Walker Documentary ’30 Century Man’ In NYC Theaters This Weekend For One Week Only; DVD Hits Spring 2009 at The Playlist.

Lou Reed And Antony – “Caroline Says” From ‘Lou Reed’s Berlin’

Rodrigo Perez — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:44:00 +0000

Remember “Lou Reed’s Berlin” the Julian Schnabel-directed documentary about Reed’s first tour for his maligned 1973 album Berlin that was so roasted critically at the time that he never toured it until 2006? The so-so documentary wasn’t riveting, but you’ll recall our favorite moments were those where Reed played Velvet Underground songs and was joined by Antony Of Antony And The Johnsons. So below, a clip from the film Reed, band and Antony playing, “Caroline Says PT II” from Berlin – a record once so underrated, it’s now unfortunately been overrated.

Continue reading Lou Reed And Antony – “Caroline Says” From ‘Lou Reed’s Berlin’ at The Playlist.

‘Lou Reed’s Berlin’ Soundtrack Due September 30

Rodrigo Perez — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 17:51:00 +0000

Matador Records will release the soundtrack to “Lou Reed’s Berlin” digitally on September 30 and physically on CD October 7. The disc will also contain the encore songs performed in the movie that aren’t on the original Berlin record, “Rock Minuet” and two Velvet Underground songs, “Candy Says” and “Sweet Jane.” You’ll recall in our original review, we said, “Candy Says,” sung by Antony of Antony & The Johnson’s in the film is probably the most powerful moment in the Julian Schnabel-directed concert doc.

Continue reading ‘Lou Reed’s Berlin’ Soundtrack Due September 30 at The Playlist.

Will Oldham, Grinderman And Lou Reed Featured In Wim Wenders’ ‘Palermo Shooting’

Rodrigo Perez — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:04:00 +0000

Does anyone care about Wim Wenders anymore?

Yes, he’s made some exqusite films like “Paris, Texas,” “Wings of Desire” and the “Buena Vista Social Club,” and many classics in the ’70s and ’80s (“The American Friend” is an semi-unappreciated masterwork), but it’s been a while since he’s had a memorable film.

His latest, “The Palermo Shooting,” which features Milla Jovovich, Dennis Hopper and Giovanna Mezzogiorno, played at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year to – if we recall correctly – rather tepid reviews (which is probably why it’s not at TIFF, NYFF or Venice; here’s just one bad review).

Continue reading Will Oldham, Grinderman And Lou Reed Featured In Wim Wenders’ ‘Palermo Shooting’ at The Playlist.

‘RocknRolla’ Soundtrack Features The Sonics, Lou Reed, The Clash, The Hives, The Subways; Due Sept 1 In The U.K.

Rodrigo Perez — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 23:37:00 +0000

You’ve gotta love when a movie comes out in the U.K. early because it gives us the info before it hits American shores. The soundtrack to Guy Ritchie’s movie “Rock N Rolla” comes out in the U.K. soon. Their street date of September 1 is way early and will surely be different stateside (the movie doesn’t come until October 30 here), but presumably the tracklist will be the same given that it’s coming out on the Universal Music group label.

Continue reading ‘RocknRolla’ Soundtrack Features The Sonics, Lou Reed, The Clash, The Hives, The Subways; Due Sept 1 In The U.K. at The Playlist.

This Band Will Probably Not Change Your Life: ‘Lou Reed’s Berlin’ Is No Rock Opus

Rodrigo Perez — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:39:00 +0000

“Lou Reed’s Berlin,” the concert documentary directed by Julian Schnabel comes out this weekend in New York in limited release. We saw the film back during the Tribeca Film Festival and figured we’d give our review a bit more play for those that had missed it or were planning to check it out this weekend. Opinions on movies are fluid and should grow and change with time if neccesary (rush to judgement reviews aren’t ideal), but in this case we feel essentially like we did back in early May.

Continue reading This Band Will Probably Not Change Your Life: ‘Lou Reed’s Berlin’ Is No Rock Opus at The Playlist.

Guy Maddin’s ‘Brand Upon The Brain’ & ‘Salo’ Coming (Back) To Criterion

Rodrigo Perez — Tue, 20 May 2008 17:26:00 +0000

Criterion has unveiled its August release schedule on its website and two of the highlights for us are Guy Maddin’s family psychodrama “Brand Upon The Brain,” – which toured as a live event with celebrity narrators (Lou Reed, Crispin Glover), an 10-piece orchestra and sound effects/foley artists and Pier Paolo Pasolini’s notorious perverse sadomasochistic classic, “Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom,” which actually was out on Criterion years ago, but went out of print (copies have been on Ebay for outrageous prices over the years).

Continue reading Guy Maddin’s ‘Brand Upon The Brain’ & ‘Salo’ Coming (Back) To Criterion at The Playlist.

Tribeca Review: ‘Lou Reed’s Berlin’ – Not Quite The Greatest Concert Film You’ll See In Your Lifetime

Rodrigo Perez — Mon, 05 May 2008 21:48:00 +0000

So after much anticipation we finally saw “Lou Reed’s Berlin” at the Tribeca Film Festival this weekend. Yes, we mostly dogged the festival this year (cause it was kinda meh), but we did catch a few things, first of which was the aforementioned concert film by insufferable and lovable artiste, Julian Schnabel.

Some things to keep in mind about ‘Berlin’ the movie are this (sacrilegious sacred cow alert!): If you don’t love Berlin the album (like know it front to back), this movie might not be for you, unless you’re a huge Lou Reed fan (we basically qualify here).

Continue reading Tribeca Review: ‘Lou Reed’s Berlin’ – Not Quite The Greatest Concert Film You’ll See In Your Lifetime at The Playlist.

Lou Reed’s ‘Berlin’ Finally Hits Theaters Proper On July 18

Rodrigo Perez — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:33:00 +0000

“Lou Reed records the album Berlin in 1973. It was a commercial failure. Over the next 33 years, he never performed the album live. For five nights in December 2006 at St. Ann’s Warehouse Brooklyn, Lou Reed performed his masterwork about love’s dark sisters: jealousy, rage and loss.” – Julian Schnabel

It’s played at the Toronto Film Festival and Venice Film Festival last year. It’s played at the SXSW Film Festival and now the Tribeca Film Festival and there’s not even a proper trailer out for it yet!

Continue reading Lou Reed’s ‘Berlin’ Finally Hits Theaters Proper On July 18 at The Playlist.

Win Tickets To ‘Nanking’ Documentary That Inspired Lou Reed – NYC-entric

Rodrigo Perez — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 14:21:00 +0000

Remember the film “Nanking” we told you about that so moved ex-Velvet Underground asshole and current tai-chi enthusiast Lou Reed that he was compelled to write songs about it?

Well, we’ve got a pair of tickets to give away if you live in New York at the presitgious repetory theater Film Forum on opening night, December 12.

A documentary about the Japanese invasion of Nanking, China, in the early days of World War II.

Continue reading Win Tickets To ‘Nanking’ Documentary That Inspired Lou Reed – NYC-entric at The Playlist.

Soundtrastic: Lou Reed, John Mayer, Jonny Greenwood, Dan Zanes, Wild Style

Rodrigo Perez — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:08:00 +0000

After 40 years of being rock’s biggest asshole Velvet Underground leader, current tai-chi and mediation-music enthusiast Lou Reed is finally starting to soften. Reed has composed two songs – “Gravity” and Safety Zone” – for the upcoming film “Nanking“–a documentary about the Japanese invasion of Nanking, China, in the early days of World War II. The press release calls it “an emotional reminder of the heartbreaking toll that war takes on the innocent.” We hope the songs are as good as his new-age-y yoga album, Hudson River Wind Meditations.

Continue reading Soundtrastic: Lou Reed, John Mayer, Jonny Greenwood, Dan Zanes, Wild Style at The Playlist.

Short Cuts: Jay-Z, Control, Michel Gondry, Lou Reed, Simon Pegg; More

Rodrigo Perez — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 14:14:00 +0000

– Another track from Jay-Z’s American Gangster album has leaked. It’s called, “Roc Boys,” it was produced by P.Diddy’s hitmaker stable (though Diddy likes to take all the credit), and sounds like early J with lots of punctuated horns, and ’70s soul inflections and black Jewish toasting. Hov has also regretted announcing his retirement. “I was watching “Fade to Black” on VH1, and I was cringing, because I kept saying, ‘It may be the last album’ — I’ve made two albums already!” [Mixtape Maestro] The video for “Blue Magic” is out too (see below)

– ‘The last I heard, the lead singer was dead but I’ll give them a ring and see if anything has changed’,” Some ignoramus jackass film distributor asked Peter Hook if Joy Division would play the New York premiere of “Control.”[Spinner]

– Michel Gondry is going to co-direct an animated film with his 16-year-old son Paul.

Continue reading Short Cuts: Jay-Z, Control, Michel Gondry, Lou Reed, Simon Pegg; More at The Playlist.

Soundtrack Wrap: Pink Floyd DVD, Eddie Vedder Deets, Antony Revelation, Todd Haynes & Dylan Shocka

Rodrigo Perez — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 18:44:00 +0000

The 2003 Pink Floyd/Syd Barrett documentary – conveniently titled, “The Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett Story” – is getting a deluxe edition DVD release. Extras on the DVD release will include an extended sixty minute interview of Roger Waters on Syd Barrett, David Gilmour on “Wish You Were Here,” a Syd Barrett biography, Graham Coxon performing “Love You,” and Robyn Hitchcock performing “Dominoes” and “It Is Obvious.” The film is screening again in New York, SF, Houston and Philadelphia.

Continue reading Soundtrack Wrap: Pink Floyd DVD, Eddie Vedder Deets, Antony Revelation, Todd Haynes & Dylan Shocka at The Playlist.

Lou Reed Never Felt More Awkward Than That Time He Took Stage With Pavarotti

Rodrigo Perez — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 14:38:00 +0000

Remember that Pavarotti N’ Friends rock thing? Lou and Pav did “Perfect Day.” We forgot all about this, man it’s odd, frightening and amazing. RIP Luciano. Hope they have big-ass meatballs where ever you end up [ed. dude, totally offensive].

Continue reading Lou Reed Never Felt More Awkward Than That Time He Took Stage With Pavarotti at The Playlist.