'When You're Strange'
a film about The Doors
narrated by
Johnny Depp
Written & Directed
by Tom DiCillo
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/
http://www.whenyourestrangemovie.com/
http://www.mk2.com/filmscinema-5527-whenyourestrange.html (French distributor's website)

June
28, 2011 DiCillo in Munich
'When You're Strange' writer and director
Tom DiCillo has arrived in Munich, Germany for the retrospective of his films
being presented as part of Filmfest München,
the Munich Film Festival. According to this story, DiCillo did a Q&A
following the screening of that film on Sunday night. Read the full
schedule of DiCillo events at:
http://www.filmfest-muenchen.de/en/aktuelles/news/2011/6/tom-dicillo-termine.aspx
===========================================================
June
20, 2011 DiCillo film retrospective
The Munich Film Festival
begins in a few days,
on June 24 through July 2. 'When You're Strange' writer and director Tom
DiCillo is being honored with a retrospective of his films and will be there for
the event. Last month's press release about this event is at:
http://www.filmfest-muenchen.de/en/presse/pressemitteilungen/2011/5/retrospektive-tom-dicillo.aspx
===========================================================
June
3, 2011 Ray & WYS in Napa
Ray Manzarek will appear at a screening of
'When You're Strange' in Napa, CA next Wednesday, June 8, where he will
participate in a question & answer session following. Read all about it
at:
http://napavalleyregister.com/star/entertainment/events-calendar/article_06b85404-8e00-11e0-96b2-001cc4c03286.html
===========================================================
June 2, 2011
DiCillo in Munich
'When You're Strange' Writer & Director Tom DiCillo
will talk with the public and press on June 26 in 'Filmmakers Live' at the Black
Box when he attends the retrospective of his films at the Munich Film Festival
in Gasteig. Admission is free. To learn more about this, go to:
http://www.filmfest-muenchen.de/en/presse/pressemitteilungen/2011/5/retrospektive-tom-dicillo.aspx
Read a new interview with DiCillo about his body of work at:
http://www.filmfest-muenchen.de/en/aktuelles/news/2011/5/tom-dicillo.aspx
===========================================================
May 26, 2011
WYS in Munich
'When You're Strange' Writer &
Director Tom DiCillo will attend the Munich Film Festival in Germany in late
June where all seven of his films will be screened in a retrospective. His latest blog #92: IN(re)TROSPECTIVE at
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/?p=378 has a great photo of
DiCillo and Brad Pitt.
===========================================================
May 1, 2011
new DiCillo blog
Tom DiCillo has posted a new
blog, #90. Nectar. It is appropriately topped
off by a photo of his shiny new Grammy award. WOO HOO. There's also
other news of 'When You're Strange'. Check it out at:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/?p=370
===========================================================
March
31, 2011 WYS blogged
'When You're Strange' was a
recent blog topic by Sally Stevens. You may
recall a few months ago, I shared the links to her six-part blog about her time
at Elektra and experiences with Jim Morrison. If you missed that or want
to re-read, go to the
Prior News page and
scroll down to February 18 for the links. Anyway, this new blog is about
the screening of 'When You're Strange' that she attended on the afternoon of
June 24, 2009. I was also there. The film received two screenings as
part of the L.A. Film Festival. Read this blog at:
http://rockphiles.typepad.com/a_life_in_the_day/2011/03/when-youre-strange-the-empty-seat-review-from-2009.html
(thanks, Sally)
===========================================================
March
29, 2011 WYS in South Africa
'When You're Strange' still has
international legs. It is going to be screened for Marvelous Music Mondaze
on April 4 at a club called Unit 11 in the city of Durban, province of KwaZulu
Natal in South Africa. How about that! Need more info?
http://www.topclubs.co.za/events/Marvelous-Music-Mondaze-presents---When-You-re-Str.aspx
===========================================================
February 13, 2011 'WYS' won Grammy!!!! <> new DiCillo
blog
And the Grammy for Best Long Form
Video goes to ... 'When You're Strange' !!!
OMG
... It was the second award given in this afternoon's pre-televised
ceremony. Accepting were Producers John Beug and Jeff Jampol, and Robby
... also on stage were a gentleman from EagleVison and someone else not
identified. WOO HOO ... one down, one to go. Jeff Jampol made
a point of also thanking Tom DiCillo.
Tom DiCillo, writer and producer of 'When You're Strange', can now add "Grammy-winning" to that title. DiCillo has just added new blog #89: "Grammy". What a guy!!! Read it for yourself at: http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/?p=368. (thanks, Tom!!!!)
===========================================================
February 9, 2011 watch non-televised Grammy awards on-line
This Sunday, February 13 could be
a very exciting day in Doors-land. Will Robby
win for 'Singularity'??? Will 'When You're Strange' win for the Best
Long-Form Video (DVD)??? Those two award presentations will not be part of
the Sunday evening telecast from Staples Center; they occur in the afternoon.
The Pre-Telecast Ceremony which will announce the awards in the 98 categories
that don't get make the t.v. show can be watched on-line beginning 1:00 p.m. PST
at
http://www.grammy.com/live.
How thrilling it will be if either or both win ...
but what a thrill and honor to see both of them be nominated this year,
regardless of the outcome!
===========================================================
January
26, 2011 WYS in Japan
'When You're Strange' is still
catching some love in Japan. Today is the DVD
release there, available from Amazon.co.jp at:
http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/B004GXBB3M/mojosdoorspag-22. The film is still being
screened in small theaters, with three more theaters scheduled to show the film
through February 18. The last one begins on February 12 in Okinawa at
Sakurazaka Theater:
http://www.sakura-zaka.com/.
(thanks, George)
===========================================================
January 5, 2011
WYS re-runs on PBS
'When You're Strange' is showing up
on some PBS stations again this month. On SoCa PBS, it'll
be show on January 12. I know a New Hampshire PBS station has it
scheduled, as well. Search on 'American Masters' to find it. Here is
a not-so-fun fact: because WYS was shown on PBS three weeks after its theater
release, it was disqualified from Oscar consideration.
===========================================================
January 2, 2011
award for WYS
'When
You're Strange' received an
Award of Excellence from theindiefest.com, a website for indie film makers.
"Indie awards go to those filmmakers who produce fresh, standout entertainment,
.... and compelling documentaries. The Indie is a showcase for cinematic
gems and unique voices". Right on! Check out the full list at: http://www.theindiefest.com/Excell.aspx
===========================================================
December 31, 2010
WYS in Top Ten
Films
'When You're Strange' makes the
Huffington Post's list of the Top Ten Films of 2010.
How about that??? Here's what they say about it: "Tom DiCillo has
remarkably captured the formation, elevation and degradation of the seminal L.A.
rock group The Doors with rare footage and a sensitive narration by Johnny Depp.
Showing Jim Morrison's fiery brilliance and self-destructive alcoholism in equal
measure, the film's numerous film sources are captivating and never has the
trapped quality of life for band members John Densmore, Robby Krieger and Ray
Manzarek been more clearly or painfully etched." See their full list
of Top Ten Films at:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brad-schreiber/top-ten-films-of-2010_b_802964.html.
===========================================================
December 20, 2010
WYS review in
Australia
Now that 'When You're Strange'
is playing on screens in Australia, there are some fresh reviews
of the film surfacing. Here is one:
http://www.glamadelaide.com.au/main/when-you%E2%80%99re-strange-a-film-about-the-doors/
===========================================================
December 15, 2010 Spain's WYS results
'When You're Strange' recently
premiered in Spain: Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia.
A fan named Maria from there posted on Tom DiCillo's blog #86: 'Grammy
Nomination' about the results so far. The website boxoffice.es is quoted
as saying: "Special mention deserves the excellent debut of the music
documentary When You're Strange'... It has raised almost 15 in 4 theaters.
It's more than 3700 per theater. It's very positive for this film.
It has found its audience." Isn't it nice that this film continues to make
its way around the world and is still finding an audience? Read the
blog and the comments at:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/?p=351.
============================================================
December 13, 2010 WYS in Dubai
'When You're Strange'
will be screened at the seventh Dubai
International Film Festival, according to a story in the Dubai Chronicle.
Dubai!!! If you expect to find yourself in Dubai later this month
and want to see the film on a big screen again ... then ticketing info is at the
end of this story:
http://www.dubaichronicle.com/life/the_cultural_observer/following-overwhelming-response-to-screening-at-the-walk-diff-opens-%E2%80%98rhythm-reels%E2%80%99-screenings-for-free-to-the-public-38376.
============================================================
December 9, 2010
WYS opens in Spain
'When You're Strange' opens in
Spain tomorrow, Friday, December 10. The
distributor is
http://www.avalonproductions.es/strange/.
In conjunction with the film's release there, the Spanish public
radio and television (RTVE) has made a collection of radio and t.v. programs
about the band issued in Spain between 1979 and 2010. The link for that
is:
http://www.rtve.es/noticias/especial-thedoors/,
and includes a16-minute interview with Frank and Kathy
Lisciandro issued in 1989, in which they discuss Morrison and his poetry with
images of HWY:
http://www.rtve.es/mediateca/videos/20101122/fm-2-reportaje-sobre-the-doors-declaraciones-frank-lisciandro/937178.shtml.
(thanks, Elisa)
============================================================
December 2, 2010 Grammy
nominations for WYS & Robby
'When You're Strange' Writer &
Director Tom DiCillo has posted new blog #86: 'Grammy
Nomination' this morning in response to news of the film's nomination:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/?p=351.
As I wrote last night, WYS is nominated for Best Long-Form Video (DVD). If
you want to see the competition in that category, scroll down to category #109
nominees. Similarly, if you want to check out Robby's 'Singularity'
competition for Best Instrumental Pop Album, scroll to category #10. I
wonder how Robby feels about the 'Pop Album' category, since 'Singularity' is
most definitely jazz-y. Whatever! All categories and nominees can be found
at:
http://www.grammy.com/nominees.
The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards will take place in L.A. on February 13, 2011 at
Staples Center, and will air live on CBS. Many of the categories will be
awarded separately in the days leading up to the big ceremony.
============================================================
December 1, 2010 Grammy
nominations!!!!!
The Grammy nominations
were announced earlier tonight.
OMG! Robby Krieger was nominated for
Best Instrumental Pop Album for 'Singularity'. And 'When You're
Strange' was nominated for Best Long-Form Video (DVD). What stellar
news this is! Congratulations to one and all! To see the full
list, go to:
http://www.grammy.com/nominees.
============================================================
November 26,
2010
WYS Tokyo promotion
'When You're Strange' is still
playing in theaters in Tokyo since it opened there on
October 30. One of the theaters, Shinjuku Musashino-Kan, has a very cool
and unique plan to celebrate the birthdays of John and Jim and December 1 and
December 8: they are going to give out cut pieces of the WYS trailer film
to the audience, 5 frames per person, on those two dates. The theater
website for you bi-lingual Japanese fans is:
http://shinjuku.musashino-k.jp/.
(thanks, George)
============================================================
November 16, 2010 Classic Rock Mag awards
'When You're Strange'
did not win Classic Rock Magazine's
award for DVD/Film of the year in the U.K. magazine's awards last week.
That award went to 'Oil City Confidential'. See full list of winners at:
http://www.planetrock.com/Article.asp?id=2016972&spid=39084&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=NL1211.
============================================================
November 10, 2010 WYS promo in Tokyo
'When You're Strange'
gets a nice promotion from Theater N Shibuya in Tokyo,
Japan where the film has been running since October 30. They have
announced that they will also screen 'Classic Albums: The Doors' starting from
this weekend ... and, they will discount the admission from 1500yen to 1000yen
if you have a ticket stub for WYS! That is one cool theater.
(thanks, George)
============================================================
November 5, 2010 Morrison family interview
Jim Morrison's father and
sister were interviewed for a segment that was
included as an extra on the DVD for 'When You're Strange'. That 9-minute
clip was posted earlier this week on ClassicRockersNetwork at:
http://www.classicrockersnetwork.com/video/the-doors-rare-interview-with
============================================================
October 30, 2010 WYS in Japan
'When You're Strange' gets
released today in three theaters in Japan, and will
eventually screen at 24 theaters nationwide from Sapporo to Okinawa. In
one of the theaters in Tokyo, the lobby has already been decorated with lots of
Doors photos, including 7-inch picture sleeves, since last weekend. The
theater web site is:
http://shinjuku.musashino-k.jp/now.php#1279876047.
Check out a photo of a theater lobby at:
http://shinjuku.musashino-k.jp/photo/topics/top_1287733129.JPG.
A typhoon is forecast to be approaching Tokyo,
so here's hoping that all works out!!!
(thanks, George)
============================================================
October 29, 2010 WYS in Italy
Check out
the cover of
November 2010's Italian issue of Rolling Stone:
go here.
Watch the trailer for 'When You're Strange' from Italy's
Rolling Stone on-line:
http://www.rollingstonemagazine.it/video/the-doors-uarda-il-trailer-di-emwhen-youre-strangeem and
see the RS story (if you are bi-lingual Italian):
http://www.rollingstonemagazine.it/contests/a-firenze-lanteprima-del-nuovo-film-sui-doors.
'When You're Strange' screens in Italy starting November 13.
(thanks, Simone)
============================================================
October 28, 2010 WYS in Japan
'When You're Strange'
opened in Japan this month. Not sure exactly when, but
October! A film review and an interview with Writer & Director Tom DiCillo
both appear in The Japan Times Online:
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/ff20101029a1.html
and
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/ff20101029i1.html.
============================================================
October 22, 2010 WYS at Italian festival <>
WYS & Classic Rock nomination
'When You're Strange' has been
selected for opening night of the Italian film
festival called "Festival di Popoli-International Documentary Film Festival" in
Florence (Firenze), Italy on November 13. This happens at 9:00 p.m. at
Cinema Odeon in Place Strozzi. It will be screened in an original language
edition with Italian subtitles. The film will be introduced by Carlo
Antonelli, the director of the Italian edition of Rolling Stone magazine.
The DVD has not yet been released in Italy.
(thanks, Simone)
Classic Rock Magazine announced their nominations back in August for their annual 'The Classic Rock Roll of Honour. The ceremony happens at London's Roundhouse on Wednesday, November 10. Six of the categories will be decided by public vote. 'When You're Strange' is a nominee in the category for DVD/Film Of The Year. This should be a no-brainer! Unfortunately, it appears the voting survey is now 'closed' ... so let's hope enough fans already did the right thing and voted for 'When You're Strange'. See the competition and other categories at: http://www.planetrock.com/Article.asp?id=1914242&spid=35830.
============================================================
October 6,
2010 WYS DVD in France
'When You're Strange' DVD + book
and various options can be ordered from FNAC in France at: http://recherche.fnac.com/Search/SearchResult.aspx?SCat=0!1&SID=528af48e-afb7-46c9-b907-6438f182ea06&UID=0e5c11dad-6677-1c2e-ea4a-e735eadf24f3&Origin=FnacAff&TTL=071020101941&OrderInSession=0&Search=when+youre+strange&download_ebook=false&bl=HGACrera&sft=1&submitbtn=Ok
(thanks, Gilles)
============================================================
October
3, 2010 WYS DVD in France
'When You're Strange' will be
out in DVD in France by October 20, along with a more
expensive version that will include a book. This is at FNAC department store,
but probably everywhere. (thanks, Michelle)
============================================================
September
29, 2010 WYS in Australia
'When You're Strange'
will be screened twice Down
Under at the Canberra International Film Festival in Canberra, Australia.
The screenings will be on October 31 and November 7. For more info:
http://www.canberrafilmfestival.com.au/2010/09/when-youre-strange/
============================================================
September
17, 2010 WYS in Belgium <> WYS at Greece
'When You're Strange'
was released on DVD and Blu-Ray in
Belgium this week. An understandably horrified fan reports that there are
NO extras, i.e., the interviews with Jim's father and sister, on his Blu-Ray
disc. (thanks,
Kevin)
'When You're Strange' is being shown in Greece at the Athens Film Festival, according to a reader's post on Tom DiCillo's latest blog #83 Back Alley at: http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/. The film was already shown on September 16, and gets another showing on September 22. If you are Greek-fluent, then this site link will be helpful: http://www.aiff.gr/article.asp?catid=19904&subid=2&pubid=9738980.
============================================================
September
15, 2010 WYS DVD in Netherlands
'When You're Strange' was released
on DVD and Blu-Ray in The Netherlands yesterday.
(thanks, Ronald)
============================================================
September
4, 2010 WYS returns to LA
'When You're Strange' gets
screened twice next week on a double bill along
with 'Bukowski: Born Into This'. This happens at the New Beverly Cinema at
7165 Beverly Boulevard in LA on September 8 & 9 at 7:30 p.m. For
more info, go to:
http://www.newbevcinema.com/calendar.cfm
============================================================
August 27,
2010 no more WYS in USA
<> Robby & Ray
on Planet Rock & WYS contest
It's sad to check the WYS
official website at:
http://whenyourestrangemovie.com/?page_id=2332
and realize that apparently, this really IS the end of
U.S. theater screenings ... we knew this day would come! The WYS
merchandise is still for sale on the site store, including the really nice
coffee mug, tote bag, and hoodie sweatshirt at:
http://whenyourestrangemovie.com/store/
Win a copy of a signed 'When You're Strange' DVD/poster and CD bundle from UK's Planet Rock website at: http://www.planetrock.com/Article.asp?id=1932868&spid=35869. An interview with Robby and Ray will be broadcast on Saturday evening: http://www.planetrock.com/Article.asp?id=1931444&spid=35748.
============================================================
August 19,
2010 WYS adds a week
'When You're Strange' just
got a week of screenings added at Gateway Film Center in Columbus, Ohio between
August 20-26:
http://gatewayfilmcenter.com/coming-soon.
The only other place to see this film on a big screen is at the
Cleveland Institute of Art on Friday and Saturday of this week:
http://www.cia.edu/blogs/cinematheque/?p=855.
For many weeks, it looked like Cleveland was going to be the last city in the
U.S. to show it. Now it may be Columbus, Ohio instead. I guess we
can all keeping watching the official website at:
http://whenyourestrangemovie.com/?page_id=2332.
============================================================
August 13,
2010 WYS faux pas in Australia
'When You're Strange' is getting
a deceptive and inaccurate representation in
Australia. According to this radio station promo sent by a fan there, it
appears as if Johnny Depp is either portraying Morrison, and/or singing in the
film. See for yourself at:
http://www.novafm.com.au/nova969/article_johnny-depp-to-play-jim-morrison_97925
(thanks, John)
============================================================
August
11, 2010 DiCillo interview <> WYS in Japan
Tom DiCillo was interviewed
in Goldmine Magazine. Check that out at:
http://www.goldminemag.com/article/director-opens-new-doors-with-documentary.
(thanks, Simone)
'When You're Strange' tickets are on advance sale in Japan: http://www.thedoors.jp/theater.html, with an option to buy a ticket and a WYS t-shirt: see photo. The film's official site there announced that the first premiere of the movie in Japan would be at the Summer Sonic 2010 Festival, which started August 7th: http://www.thedoors.jp/news.html. See Japan's film poster here. (thanks, George)
============================================================
August
9, 2010 DiCillo interview
An interview with 'When You're Strange'
Writer & Director Tom DiCillo by Christine Bode ran on-line last
week. I recognize her name from posts she has made on DiCillo's blog.
Read it at:
http://www.pressplus1.com/film/interview-with-writerdirector-tom-dicillo-of-when-youre-strange-a-film-about-the-doors.html
============================================================
August
3, 2010 WYS review
'When You're Strange' reviews
and
stories may be thinning out, but here is a good one:
http://rockandrollreport.com/pigshit-a-film-about-the-doors%E2%80%A6finally/
============================================================
August 1, 2010 DiCillo on radio
Tom DiCillo
appears later today
on radio at:
http://www.rechargedradio.com/
which will feature Tom's music AND conversation about his films, with emphasis
on 'When You're Strange'. The program airs at 8:00 p.m. Tom has
added new blog #81 Rapture at:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/
and discusses his music which is part of the radio show.
============================================================
July 30,
2010 WYS loses SC
The 'When You're Strange' film
run planned for sometime in August in Columbia,
SC at HCC's Horowitz Center, has now disappeared from the upcoming listings on
the official film site for the second time:
http://whenyourestrangemovie.com/?page_id=2332.
This leaves only Cleveland, OH on August 20 & 21
for theater screenings in the USA:
http://www.cia.edu/academicResources/cinematheque/filmSchedule.php?action=upcoming#1187.
Sad.
============================================================
July 16,
2010 WYS in Australia
'When You're Strange' gets two
screenings in Melbourne, Australia in early August as
part of the 2010 Melbourne International Film Festival. Those dates are
August 4 and August 7. For more info, go to:
http://www.melbournefilmfestival.com.au/films/view?film_id=12607
July 14,
2010 new DiCillo blog
'Military Brat' is the title
of the newest blog (#80) from 'When You're
Strange' Writer & Director Tom DiCillo. DiCillo knows whereof he speaks,
which makes this read all the more insightful and thought-provoking. Check
it out at:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/.
============================================================
July 13,
2010 WYS news from Japan
An official website for 'When You're
Strange' opened yesterday in Japan, at:
http://www.thedoors.jp/.
The Japanese fan who keeps me informed on news from there,
says the film will be released in theaters in Japan in October. He
explains that the Japanese title for the movie is "Maboroshi no Sekai".
The word 'maboroshi' means an illusion or a phantom in Japanese, something you
can see but actually does not exist ... so then the movie title translates as
"World of Illusions". Strange, eh? He further explains that this
interpretation could be because it is difficult for Japanese to understand the
concept of "strange", as there is no Japanese word that appropriately translates
that adjective. "Maboroshi no Sekai" has been used as the Japanese title
for the album 'Strange Days' AND the song 'People Are Strange'.
Interesting stuff, eh? (thanks OODLES, George)
============================================================
July 11,
2010 WYS in Aspen <> WYS in NJ <>
Doors & WYS review in Classic Rock
'When You're
Strange' gets a free screening
on Monday, July 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the Belly Up Aspen (CO). I am guessing
this is not listed on the official website because it's free. This is a
good way for the venue to get bodies into the seats on a Monday night.
Great idea! For more info:
http://www.bellyupaspen.com/show/detail/29210
'When You're Strange' has been scheduled for a screening run in Lambertville, NJ (near my old 'hood) from July 22-July 25. When I zeroed in on details to encourage my friends there to go, I see that this is part of a 4-day Artist Visions Film Festival. 'When You're Strange' screens twice, at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. Lambertville is a beautiful little town filled with antique stores and nice restaurants, and is nestled literally along the banks of the Delaware River across from New Hope, PA. For more info: http://www.njstatelib.org/lfpl/friends/NN/artist/index.php
The Doors and 'When You're Strange' got press in several different places in the July 2010 issue of U.K.'s "Classic Rock" magazine (cover: Dave Grohl; outer bag cover: Scott Weiland). In the section titled 'The Hard Stuff - Buyers Guide' (page 100), the band gets a half-page photo in support of a 2-page story about Elektra Records and Jac Holzman. In a sub-section titled 'Essential Classics', Love's 'Forever Changes' and The Doors' 'Strange Days' get singled out: The Doors were the first US rock band. The Byrds established a template that bands continue to adopt to this day, but no one ever sounded like The Doors. Jim Morrison grabbed the headlines and was an indomitable presence, but all four members were essential in creating that sound and a staggering six studio albums in under five years. Four are undisputed classics: The Doors, Strange Days, Morrison Hotel and LA Woman. Strange Days, recorded in the afterglow of Light My Fire hitting No. 1, uncovers the flip-side of the Summer of Love, its darker edges explored in the disenfranchised lyrics of People Are Strange and When The Music's Over. Then, 'When You're Strange' gets a half-page review on page 105 with the sub-heading: 'Short on music but heavy on the lizard king and company, this is The Doors laid bare.' I have re-typed the write-up but it's too lengthy to include on the home page. To read that in full, go here.
============================================================
July
10, 2010 WYS re-cap
'When You're Strange' opened
today in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, if the info
I got awhile ago is still accurate. It is also playing Down Under this
weekend at the 2-day Revelation Perth International Film Festival:
http://www.revelationfilmfest.org/go/films/documentaries/when-you-re-strange.
The Columbia, SC screening which was postponed is still listed as Aug.-TBD, or,
to-be-determined, on the official site:
http://whenyourestrangemovie.com/?page_id=2332.
No new cities have been added for the last few weeks and
only four remain, all east coast.
============================================================
July 9, 2010
WYS contest in London
U.K.'s Planet Rock
is offering a contest to win tickets to see 'When You're Strange' at an
intimate and exclusive preview screening in London on Thursday, July 15.
Winners will also take part in a Q&A with Ray and Robby hosted by Planet Rock's
Darren Redick. Ray and Robby perform the following night with the Royal
Philharmonic Concert Orchestra at Shepherd's Bush Empire, so they'll be in town
and this sounds like a very cool and rare opportunity. For more info and
to enter to win, go to:
http://www.planetrock.co.uk//Article.asp?id=1869440&spid=35869.
Good luck!
============================================================
July 8,
2010 WYS made 'Best Of' list <> Ray &
Robby (+ WYS) in Prague <> WYS Emmy nomination <> new DiCillo blog
'When You're Strange'
made the list of film critic Marshall
Fine's "The Best of 2010: Part 1" on his 'Hollywood & Fine' blog. The link
was posted by a fan in the Comments section of Tom DiCillo's most recent blog
#78 titled 'Week One In France' at:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/
and states simply and directly:
Directed by
Tom DiCillo, this documentary about the Doors was a straight-forward telling of
one group’s meteoric rise and precipitous decline in the face of massive fame.
It featured lots of unseen, behind-the-scenes footage and told the story without
either mythologizing or demonizing an important and influential rock band.
Nice!
The direct link is at:
http://hollywoodandfine.com/fineblog/?p=592.
Manzarek-Krieger plays Prague in the Czech Republic next Tuesday, July 13. A Prague preview story includes comments by Ray. The photo used with the story is outdated. Read the story at: http://www.praguepost.com/night-and-day/stage/4937-reopening-the-doors.html. Another story about the next week's Manzarek-Krieger show also mentions that 'When You're Strange' will be shown in Prague cinemas beginning August 19. Read that one at: http://prague.tv/events/info/manzarek-krieger-jul-2010./
'When You're Strange' has been nominated for an Emmy in the category of "Outstanding Nonfiction Series" category. I may be wrong (and hope I am), but the nominee seems to be the American Masters series as presenter of the film, i.e.: American Masters • PBS • A Production of Wolf Films and Strange Pictures LLC in association with Rhino Entertainment and Thirteen's American Masters for WNET.org Susan Lacy, Executive Producer; Prudence Glass, Series Producer; Julie Sacks, Supervising Producer; John Beug, Producer; Jeffrey Jampol, Producer; Dick Wolf, Producer; Peter Jankowski, Produced By. Neither the actual name of the film, nor the name of the man who wrote and directed it, are mentioned in this nomination as it appears on the Emmys website. What's up with that??? What a wonderful honor for DiCillo, Jampol, et al. If you want to read it for yourself, go to: http://www.emmys.com/nominations, opt for the Word format and scroll to page 43 of 67.
Accordingly, 'When You're Strange' Writer & Director Tom DiCillo has uploaded new blog #79: "Emmy Nomination" at http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/. I don't pretend to know anything about the industries of film making or award nominations, and don't understand the nominee name as described above ... but this is still a terrific honor for Mr. DiCillo and his fabulous film! Congratulations to Tom and to all the film's producers and editors. Now we have something new to look forward to. The 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards will be broadcast on NBC on Sunday, August 29, although this category is possibly not one that will be presented live on air.
============================================================
July 6, 2010
WYS on DVD in U.K.
'When You're Strange' gets its
DVD and Blu-ray release in the United Kingdom on
August 30 and is available for pre-order from Amazon.co.uk.
============================================================
July 3,
2010 WYS in Sweden
'When You're Strange' opened in
Sweden on Friday ... and is getting great
reviews everywhere, according to a report from a fan there!
(thanks, Roger)
============================================================
July 1,
2010 WYS outside the USA
'When You're Strange' is now
showing in theaters in France, and this month opens in
the United Kingdom, Sweden, Czech Republic and Slovakia ... as far as I know.
It will also screen at a film festival in Australia. I appreciate the
theater details that fans have sent to me, but I have decided that I am not
going to try to keep track of and report on all the individual theaters in
countries outside of the U.S. If I learn of any more countries, I'll
certainly report on those ... but no more specific theaters except in America
for whatever remaining cities are reported on:
http://whenyourestrangemovie.com/?page_id=2332
============================================================
June 30,
2010 Robby interview
Robby Krieger's
interview about 'When You're Strange' with
Canada's Amherst Daily is at: http://www.amherstdaily.com/Canada---World/Arts/2010-06-30/article-1435614/Doors-guitarist-Krieger-says-new-documentary-shows-the-real-Jim-Morrison/1
Don't forget about Robby Krieger's 90-minute appearance this evening on Rockline. This will begin at 8:30 p.m. (west coast) and 11:30 east. Go to: http://rocklineradio.com/ for a list of affiliate stations that carry the show or to listen on-line. The number to call to (try to) get through to speak with Robby is 800-344-ROCK (800-344-7625). If you miss it tonight, the program will be archived for two weeks.
============================================================
June 29,
2010 today's releases
This is it!
No,
not the
dang Michael Jackson film ... This is the day
that 'When You're Strange' is finally released on DVD. Fans who did
not get to see the film in theaters or on PBS last month, can finally feast
their eyes on Tom DiCillo's documentary. And another 'This is it!' goes
out to today's release of "Singularity" form Robby Krieger, his first solo CD
since "Cinematix" in 2000. Hooray. Don't forget Robby will be on
Rockline tomorrow (Wednesday) night ... see calendar below for link to listen
live or find stations in your area.
============================================================
June 27,
2010 this week's stuff <> more U.K.
news
Exciting stuff is
coming this week for Doors fans.
On Tuesday, June 29 we get the release of 'When You're Strange' on DVD and Blu-Ray
disc with the extras of interviews with Jim's father and his sister Anne.
More news from the U.K.: today's 'Daily Star' national newspaper contains a write-up on WYS and its theatrical release there this Friday, July 2. And Tesco supermarkets are selling a Doors t-shirt for £10. (thanks, Dave)
============================================================
June
26, 2010 more cities for WYS <> WYS in
Athens, GA <> WYS UK coverage
'When You're Strange'
is apparently going to screen in a few
more cities after all. Cleveland, OH and Columbia, SC had been listed on
the official WYS 'find a theater' page at
http://whenyourestrangemovie.com/?page_id=2332 but
then disappeared without a trace last week. Now they are back in the
theater listing again. A new addition is a one-day screening on July 14 in
Pleasantville, NY.
That website indicates that WYS Writer & Director Tom DiCillo will be on hand
for a Q&A. The theaters and links have been added to the calendar below.
Always check that WYS page for the latest changes which I might miss.
'When You're Strange' is currently enjoying a 2-week run at Cine in Athens, GA. Fan Elaine drove two hours each way to see the film again on a big screen there. Elaine shares her WYS-Athens trip on her blog at: http://thewriterscanvas.blogspot.com/2010/06/theres-bit-of-france-in-georgia.html. The title of the blog, 'There's a bit of France in Georgia' is a direct reference to the fact that the Cine really did it up right, with posters and lots of promotion ... plus, it's in the middle of a film & music festival that's going on. There's really no comparison: the distribution of the film in the entire US was limited to a total of 10 prints, according to info posted on DiCillo's blog. By comparison, France ... an area smaller than the state of Texas, is screening the film with a distribution of 100 prints!
'When You're Strange' coverage in the UK is in full swing! A short interview with John Densmore ran on the Today programme Radio 4 at about 8:30 yesterday (June 25), and is available on BBC i player to listen to. There is an interview with Ray in Saturday's (June 26) Times in the magazine, with a picture on the cover. It also mentions the new exhibition. Last, there is an article in the June 26 Guardian in the Guide. (thanks, Adrian)
============================================================
June
23, 2010 WYS to Japan?
'When You're Strange' is
undergoing translation into Japanese for a (rumored)
theatrical release there in October. Stay tuned for more news on that as
it develops. (thanks, George)
============================================================
June 17,
2010 WYS viewing party <> remaining US
cities for WYS
Do you want to
host a viewing party for 'When You're
Strange' in your home? If you can get at least 10 people over to watch,
send an email to
jamartists@me.com
... tell them where you live, why you want to host, and how they
can reach you ... and they will consider you for a party! This was posted
by The Doors on Facebook. (thanks, Beverly)
The official website for 'When You're Strange' has cleaned up its 'find a theater' page, insofar as the completed theater runs have been removed. A few cities previously listed have disappeared without a word. Poof! The 2-day run added last Friday for June 21-22 in Cleveland is gone, as is the Columbia, SC date that had been pushed from June 11 to sometime in August. Katy, TX and Albany, NY screenings are one day only. At this point, it appears the final public screening of WYS in this country may be Lambertville, NJ ... about 15 miles from where I was born and raised! That's called karma. The 'find a theater' page for US theaters is: http://whenyourestrangemovie.com/?page_id=2332.
============================================================
June 16,
2010 new DiCillo blog
Tom DiCillo has added new blog
#78 titled WEEK ONE in FRANCE. It is terrific
news just received from MK2, the French distributor for 'When You're Strange.'
The difference in distribution, presentation, promotion and enthusiasm between
MK2 and the U.S. distributor is mind-boggling. Read the French success
story at:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/
============================================================
June 15,
2010
WYS France DVD
<> WYS 'press' in UK <> WYS in Edinburgh
'When You're Strange' will not be
released on DVD or shown on TV in France until a full year after its theatrical
release, per government regulation. I learned this tidbit from
continuing to follow Tom DiCillo's blog and his responses to posts, at:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/?p=312#comments.
That has to be disappointing to French fans eager to see the DVD extras of the
interviews with Jim's father and sister ... but on the other hand, they have had
the benefit of a major promotional campaign and wide distribution in their
country which was sorely lacking here.
The opening of 'When You're Strange' in the U.K. will not have the benefit of Tom DiCillo doing advance press, according to another post on his blog. I do not know if any band members will be there for either press or the film's opening. Ray and Robby start a European tour later that week, beginning July 9 in Austria.
'When You're Strange' will be shown at the Cameo Cinema in Edinburgh, Scotland on July 2, according to a fan's information. The film is not yet listed on the theater's website at: http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Cameo_Picturehouse/ but they have confirmed to the fan that it will be there. (thanks, Neil)
============================================================
June
14, 2010 WYS in Australia <> WYS in RS
'When You're Strange' will see
its Australian premiere when it screens two days next
month at Australia's Revelation Perth International Film Festival. For
more info, go to: http://www.revelationfilmfest.org/go/films/documentaries/when-you-re-strange
'When You're Strange' the DVD got a rating of 4 out of 5 stars (4 stars = excellent) in the June 24 issue of Rolling Stone, page 85 (cover: Jay-Z): This mesmerizing montage of archival concert, rehearsal and backstage clips - combined with footage from the Doors' experimental films and narration by Johnny Depp - manages to be both dreamlike and utterly real. What stands out is Jim Morrison's pure charisma and performance chops: When he looks at the Ed Sullivan Show camera like a lover and sings, "Girl, we couldn't get much higher" in defiance of network executives, he is rock & roll incarnate. (thanks, Doug)
============================================================
June
12, 2010 WYS write-up in Athens
'When You're Strange' got a nice
little write-up on the Cine website in Athens, GA. The film
is scheduled to screen there between June 18-24. Check it out at: http://athenscine.com/showing/details.php?id=553.
(thanks, Elaine)
============================================================
June
11, 2010 WYS in Cleveland <> WYS merch
'When You're Strange' has been
added for two days only at Cleveland at the Cleveland
Institute of Arts on August 20 & 21, according to the WYS page at:
http://whenyourestrangemovie.com/?page_id=2332
'When You're Strange' merchandise has been added to the WYS store at: http://whenyourestrangemovie.com/store/. The new additions such as the coffee mug, tote bag, beanie and sweatshirt were previously available only at the Grammy Museum, which is where I got my mug & tote & hoodie. The DVD is also available for pre-order on that site with several different ordering options.
============================================================
June
10, 2010 WYS on France24
'When You're Strange' and Jim
Morrison get discussed for about 8 minutes by
English-speaking TV journalist Lisa Nesselson on a TV show on France24 channel.
Check it out at:
http://www.france24.com/en/20100607-doors-rock-paris-morrison-pere-lachaise-dicillo-nesselson
(thanks, Gilles)
============================================================
June 9, 2010
new DiCillo blog <> French WYS reviews
Tom DiCillo has uploaded
his latest blog #77: Vive Les Doors at:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/
The blog is about his whirlwind trip to
Paris and the terrific promotion the film has received there, along with a pair
of terrific photos! It's worth a mention that DiCillo added a "this just
in" at the bottom of his blog that today, on the opening day for the film in
France, the distributor reported that WYS is the number two highest grossing
film in the country. Congratulations ... how about that?
There is a slew of reviews of 'When You're Strange' coming out of France. If you can read French, go for it at: http://news.google.fr/news/story?pz=1&cf=all&ncl=dXA754y4hI4GozMGCvq4ZBMehUYEM&topic=e Mon ami Gilles tells me that these are all positive!!! (thanks, Gilles)
============================================================
June
7, 2010 WYS review <> more WYS cities
Larry Kirwan of Black 47
blogged about 'When You're Strange' yesterday. For the most part, it seems
that everything that can be said about the film, has been ... so I've dialed
down on posting reviews unless there is a unique viewpoint. This blog
entry appreciates the band, the individual musicians, and the film itself, from
the perspective of another musician. It's a nice read at:
http://black47theband.blogspot.com/2010/06/when-youre-strange.html
'When You're Strange' theatrical screenings in Montpelier, VT on June 18 and Katy, TX on June 24 have now been added to the official WYS 'find a theater' page at: http://whenyourestrangemovie.com/?page_id=2332. The theater links have been added in the calendar below. The Katy, TX theater does not yet list the film on their website and the WYS site shows a Thursday date; so far, I am unsure if this is a week run or one-day only! Lastly, the Columbia, SC screening run previously listed to start this Friday, has now been moved back to sometime in August. Always check that WYS page for the latest updates which I might miss. (thanks, Elaine)
============================================================
June 4,
2010 WYS tapering off in US <> WYS
premiere videos <> MK2 magazine <> WYS still in Netherlands <> more
WYS cities
'When You're Strange' has not
added any U.S. theaters this week. Maybe a few
more screenings will straggle in, but this could be the end, my friend. On
the upside: eyes forward now to the DVD release on June 29 with the
"extras" of Morrison family interviews.
Two days ago I shared a YouTube video from the Paris premiere of WYS, which showed the entrance of John Densmore and Tom DiCillo, and DiCillo's remarks. Now I have another YouTube video which shows the entire pre-show remarks by both DiCillo and Densmore. Check it out at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iuD3aYdFuo. To see only John's portion shot from a closer and different angle, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZbZ8Ajspmw (thanks, Gilles)
MK2, the French distributor for 'When You're Strange', has issued a 'collector magazine' commemorating the film. To see a photo if it, go to: http://www.mk2.com/troiscouleurs/index.php. (thanks, Gilles)
'When You're Strange' is still playing in The Netherlands, a fan has pointed out to me! It can be seen in the cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Den Haag (The Hague), and Utrecht. (thanks, Jan)
'When You're Strange' has been added to theaters in Montpelier, VT and Katy, TX. I have it on the highest authority! However, those cities along with the theaters and dates have not yet been added to the official WYS page at: http://whenyourestrangemovie.com/?page_id=2332. I'll keep checking for those important details and report when I find them.
============================================================
June
2, 2010 pix of
John & DiCillo
at WYS premiere
<> WYS video <> WYS in Sheffield
<> WYS in Stockholm
To see a string of pix of
John Densmore and Tom DiCillo
posing for
photographers at the 'When You're Strange' premiere in Paris on Tuesday evening,
go to this WireImage website:
http://www1.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=gls=1=4==435497&nbc1=1.
It looks like the rumored Johnny Depp appearance fizzled; he was a no-show.
A five-minute YouTube video shot inside the theater shows the introduction of John Densmore and Tom DiCillo to the audience at the premiere of 'When You're Strange' last evening in Paris. There are remarks by DiCillo including appreciation for the promotion done by MK2. There will probably be another YT video surfacing with remarks by Densmore. Check this one out at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy3N9ENf_XI.
'When You're Strange' will be screened at the Sheffield Doc/Fest Summer Party in Sheffield, U.K. on Thursday, June 17. For more info or to enter contest to win tickets, go to: http://www.guardian.co.uk/extra/2010/jun/02/sheffield-docfest-summer-party-comp
'When You're Strange' hits Stockholm, Sweden on July 2 according to a fan's post on Tom DiCillo's Tom DiCillo's blog #76: Strange In Paris at: http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/. The poster goes on to add that the distributor is CCV Entertainment.
============================================================
June 1, 2010 John in Paris
<> John & DiCillo at premiere <> pix from premiere
John Densmore's appearance last night
at the WYS preview in Paris is discussed by several different
posters in the "comments" section of Tom DiCillo's blog #76: Strange In Paris
at:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/.
My understand is that DiCillo should also be in Paris by now, and tonight is the
'proper' premiere there which the film never got in the band's own hometown of
Los Angeles. Stay tuned for more tales of the Paris film event on the blog
as attendees share remarks and/or DiCillo blogs about it himself!
John Densmore and Tom DiCillo appearing this evening at the 'When You're Strange' premiere in Paris, are playing "footsie" in this photo: http://www.life.com/image/101477876. I'm sure there's a logical explanation! Here's another photo from the event: http://www.life.com/image/101500681
============================================================
May 29, 2010
new DiCillo blog
'When You're Strange' Writer &
Director Tom DiCillo has added new blog #76:
"Strange In Paris". DiCillo arrives in Paris on Tuesday morning and joins
John Densmore for the premiere that evening and a day of press. The blog
features a photo of the film's poster which is being seen all over Paris.
Check it out at:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/
============================================================
May
28, 2010 WYS in Duluth
'When You're Strange' begins today
for one week at a theater in Duluth, MN. Always
double-check
http://whenyourestrangemovie.com/?page_id=2332
for the latest. Dates get changed without notation and I
may not always catch those changes to report here. The theater link and dates have
been added to the calendar below.
============================================================
May 27, 2010
John at Paris WYS premiere
John Densmore
will attend the June 1 premiere of 'When You're Strange'
in Paris. WYS narrator and France resident Johnny Depp is rumored as a
possible attendee at this event, as well, according to John's webmaster's e-mail
blast.
============================================================
May
26, 2010 WYS in Athens, GA
'When You're Strange' is now
scheduled for Cine in Athens, GA from June 18-24.
There had been some confusion there, as the theater website showed June 18 and
the WYS 'find a theater' page showe June 11. The WYS page at:
http://whenyourestrangemovie.com/?page_id=2332
is now updated.
(thanks, Elaine)
============================================================
May
21, 2010 WYS theaters added <> WYS feature
in French mag
'When You're Strange'
has been added
at more theaters according to
http://whenyourestrangemovie.com/?page_id=2332!
Muskegon, MI at Harbor Theater on May 23; Denver, CO at Starz Filmcenter
on June 2; Columbia, SC at Columbia Film Society (Nickelodeon) on June 11;
Lambertville, NJ at Lambertville Library. None of these additions are yet
reflected on the theater websites, but all theaters, dates and links have been
added to calendar below. It goes without saying to double-check theater
websites due to
date changes, or possibility of limited rather than week-long runs.
'Rock and Folk' is a French rock magazine. The June 2010 issue devotes six pages to 'When You're Strange' including an interview with John Densmore and Tom DiCillo. Although The Doors get mentioned on the cover, they did not get cover photo honors. (thanks, Gilles)
============================================================
May
20, 2010 Athens, GA date change?
'When You're Strange'
is now listed at Cine in Athens, GA on June 11 on the
film's official website at:
http://whenyourestrangemovie.com/?page_id=2332.
I previously had it listed for June 18-24, so that change is important to
know -- EXCEPT that as of this evening, the theater website at:
http://athenscine.com/comingsoon.php
still lists the film as 'coming soon' June 18. When the date gets sorted,
I'll update here.
============================================================
May
19, 2010 new DiCillo blog
"Flown" is blog #75
from 'When You're Strange'
writer & director Tom DiCillo. This blog marks a transition: the
banner has been changed from the WYS graphic, and DiCillo reflects on the
wind-down of theatrical screenings in the U.S. While many fans
missed out on the chance to see this on a big screen, DiCillo reminds us that
many of us did have that opportunity, and appreciates the fact that it did not
end up as a straight-to-DVD product. DiCillo and John Densmore will fly
over the Big Pond in early June and again in early July to help promote the
openings in Paris and London, respectively. He sounds freshly enthused about those
promotional campaigns. DiCillo assures us he will still discuss WYS but
also reminds us that he does not have the info on DVD releases or foreign
releases which he often gets questions about. I shyly acknowledge and
thank DiCillo for the specific mention, as he recommends this website to readers
who want to stay abreast of news about the film. Maybe best of all is that
he will be focusing more on his latest film project. The lengthy
process of watching this Doors documentary come to fruition has made me a card-carrying Fan
Of DiCillo. I know I'm not alone in that sentiment, so we'll look forward
to his future projects. I have been paraphrasing his blog too much ...
read it for yourself at:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/?p=296
============================================================
May
18, 2010 WYS in Long Beach
"When You're Strange"
gets screened
this weekend in Long Beach, CA at midnight on Friday and Saturday nights at the
Art Theater. This time slot is usually reserved for Rocky Horror Picture
Show. The venue website is:
http://www.arttheatrelongbeach.com/
(thanks, Beverly)
============================================================
May
15, 2010 'WYS' release in Germany
"When You're Strange"
gets its release in Germany on July 1 through Kinowelt:
http://www.kinowelt.de/kino/ and
http://www.weltexpress.info/cms/index.php?id=6&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=26313&tx_ttnews[backPid]=385&cHash=661b187d96
(thanks, Marco)
============================================================
May 14,
2010 WYS feedback <> no new theaters
added?
I heard from many fans and friends
who watched 'When You're Strange' on PBS on Wednesday night. With very few
exceptions, the feedback was glowing and exceptional. Even my favorite
high school teacher, now in his 80's, watched it (yes, we remain friends and
stay in touch!) and acknowledged that he understood what the appeal was for
young gals like me. ;=) I hear that in many areas, there are
additional showings of the program so if you missed it, check your local
listings for another chance.
This is both disturbing and annoying. No new theaters have been added this week to screen 'When You're Strange' according to: http://whenyourestrangemovie.com/?page_id=2332. Let's hope someone has simply not gotten around to getting that done this week. Let's also hope that the PBS broadcast does not mark the end of the distributor's efforts to get it into theaters. It STILL needs to be experienced big-screen.
============================================================
May 12,
2010 'WYS' on PBS <> Robby radio interview
<> Morrison family interviews
"When You're Strange" on PBS tonight! 'Nuff
said. This was far from my first viewing ... and yet, I sat glued
to the screen, transfixed by the vintage footage. I will probably never
tire of watching this. With each viewing, I notice something for the first time
... so much to absorb! The end credits got the speed-scroll treatment at
the end, unlike the leisurely scroll in theaters. If you appreciate the
fact that you got to see this film on TV, why not make a thank-you donation to
your local PBS station? It is tax deductible.
The 9-1/2 minute interview clip with Jim's dad and his sister Anne which was on the American Masters website yesterday morning, has disappeared. My guess is that the powers-that-be had that shut down, since it is probably part of the DVD extras. If you didn't get to see it, I guess you will now have to wait for the DVD.
============================================================
May
11, 2010 WYS interview clip <> WYS PBS
reminder <> Jim on French R.S.
Interviews with
Admiral George S. Morrison
and Jim's sister Anne, can be seen in a 9-1/2 minute clip on the American
Masters website. I presume this footage will be included in the DVD
extras. Check it out at:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/when-youre-strange-a-film-about-the-doors/interview-with-jim-morrisons-father-and-sister/1593/
Tomorrow, May 12 is the date when 'When You're Strange' will be broadcast on PBS's American Masters series. This is supposed to be at 9:00 p.m. eastern, 6:00 west coast times ... but check local listings. For instance, my sister reports that it is on at 10:00 p.m. on her Philadelphia PBS station. If the film comes to a theater near you, please go see it on a big screen, as well. You'll be transported to, and totally enveloped in, the moment.! http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/when-youre-strange-a-film-about-the-doors/about-the-film/1543/
============================================================
May
10, 2010 WYS review <> Ray interview
"When You're Strange" was reviewed by a
journalist for The Atlantic. I like his observation about the
'pre-industrialized stadium rock show.' Check it out at:
http://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2010/05/when-youre-strange-the-doors-speak-for-themselves/39758/
Ray Manzarek was interviewed by rock journalist Harvey Kubernik for the Spring 2010 issue of THC Expose. Ray recalls and tells stories about each of the six studio albums, plus the recently released Live In New York box set. With permission, I have scanned the magazine pages to share on this website. To read the interview, go here.
============================================================
May 8,
2010 new DiCillo blog
"When You're Strange" Writer & Director Tom DiCillo
has added new blog #74: 'Include Me Out'. If you have wondered why the
film has not been screened in your town, or why it came and went so fast you did
not even know about it, read DiCillo's blog. He shares some interesting
insights on those topics and more:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/
============================================================
May 6,
2010 Jeff Jampol interview <> more WYS
cities
The Doors manager Jeff Jampol
appeared this week on an episode of Used Bin Radio on PureRockRadio.org and
discussed the latest Doors projects, upcoming releases, and of course, 'When
You're Strange'.
It's an interesting and lengthy conversation about the music business, about the
film, and lots more. Jeff shares info about future projects including some
live shows (no details); a box of all the Doors singles released; a serial
numbered, hard-bound book with pictures of the picture sleeves released around
the world along with essays from The Doors camp; and the Strange Kozmic
Experience exhibit at the Grammy Museum. Jeff also revealed that there will
be a serial numbered, limited box of 4 gold discs of the original 1967 Matrix
live masters because last year's Matrix set turned out to be a copy, NOT the
original as originally believed. Check out the source story (and listen to
the podcast) at:
http://purerockradio.org/podcast/?p=979.
'When You're Strange' has been booked into several more cities, according to a post this evening on The Doors' Facebook page. The new additions are: Milwaukee, WI at the Times Cinema starting May 14; San Francisco at the Red Vic Movie House on June 9 & 10; and Athens, GA at the Cine from June 18-24. This info has been added to the calendar below along with theater websites.
============================================================
May 4,
2010 John video interview <> WYS CD contest
<> one-day-only WYS in TX
John Densmore discussing 'When You're Strange'
for American Masters can be seen at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki12lABeH-w.
The PBS broadcast of the film is one week from tomorrow, on May 12 at 9:00 p.m.
(east) and 6:00 p.m. (west).
Win a copy of the 'When You're Strange' soundtrack CD from the Greg Kihn Show. Contest ends May 10. For details: http://www.freestufftimes.com/contests/03/the-greg-kihn-shows-the-doors-when-youre-strange-giveaway/
'When You're Strange' gets one-night-only screenings in Austin and San Antonio, TX, according to a post this evening on The Doors' Facebook page. Specifically: May 16 at San Antonio's Alamo Drafthouse (Westlakes) at 7:30 p.m.; May 19 at San Antonio's Alamo Drafthouse (Park North) at 7:30 p.m.; and May 24 at Austin's Alamo Drafthouse (Ritz) at 9:45 p.m. I can't bring up a listing at the Austin venue yet, but the two San Antonio theaters indicate these are FREE screenings. Website links are in the calendar below.
============================================================
May 3, 2010
WYS in SLC delayed
'When You're Strange' in Salt Lake City
has been postponed from this Friday, May 7 to Friday, June 4 according to a post
on The Doors' Facebook page this evening.
============================================================
May 1,
2010 WYS on American Masters <> WYS reviewed
'When You're Strange' is
reviewed in conjunction with its upcoming broadcast
on PBS's American Masters program on May 12. The broadcast time is 9 p.m.
eastern, 6 p.m. west coast times. Read it at:
http://www.hollywoodtoday.net/2010/05/01/when-you%E2%80%99re-strange-opening-the-doors/
'When You're Strange' was given a thoughtful review in Salon.com a few weeks ago: http://www.salon.com/entertainment/movies/andrew_ohehir/2010/04/08/when_youre_strange. (thanks, Elaine)
============================================================
April 29,
2010 WYS
DVD release <> new theaters for WYS <> WYS in Boulder
'When You're Strange'
will see its
North American release to DVD and Blu-Ray on June 29 through Eagle Rock,
according to a story from Examiner.com:
http://www.examiner.com/x-30199-Rock-Music-Examiner~y2010m4d29-Johnny-Depp-narrated-film-about-Jim-Morrison-and-The-Doors-to-be-released
'When You're Strange' is being added at the following theaters: Cinema Village in NY opens tomorrow, April 30. Madcap Theater in Tempe, AZ shows the film on May 7 & May 8. Zeitgeist Theater in New Orleans shows the film from May 21-May 30. Lastly, SoHo House in NY shows the film one night only, May 28 at 7pm and 9pm. This info was posted on The Doors' Facebook page. As of this writing, these theater additions are not yet reflected on the 'find a theater' link on the official WYS website at: http://whenyourestrangemovie.com/?page_id=2332 but I'm sure they will be updated momentarily. That page also reminds viewers that today is the last day the film can be seen at The Davis in Chicago and Capital Theater in Boston. These theater additions have been added to the calendar on the home page.
'When You're Strange' is listed as opening at the Boulder Theater in Boulder, CO on May 19. It looks like that date is the only date, one screening at 8:00 p.m. There are two other theaters in the calendar below that are one-day only showings, too. That would be a good thing to check on when the film comes to a city near you! http://www.bouldertheater.com/event_detail.php?id=1289
============================================================
April 27,
2010 WYS international theatrical releases <>
Robby PBS video <> John PBS video
'When You're Strange'
international theatrical release dates are starting to
surface, as posted on Facebook's The Doors page this evening. So far,
these are dates only (no theaters) ... but hey, it's progress! Announced
are: The Netherlands on May 20; France on June 9; United Kingdom on July
2; Czech Republic on July 10; Slovakia on July 10; Sweden on July 10.
These will also be added to the calendar below. The following territories
will have release dates announced soon: Argentina, Australia, Belgium,
Brazil, Central Europe, Denmark, Eastern Europe, Finland, Greece, Hong Kong,
Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal,
Southeast Asia, South Africa, Spain. Wow, if the film does see releases in
all of the countries listed, that would be amazing (and well deserved!).
A Robby Krieger 3-minute video on PBS discussing 'When You're Strange' and more can be seen at: http://video.pbs.org/video/1479100790/
A John Densmore 2-minute video on PBS discussing 'When You're Strange' and more can be seen at: http://video.pbs.org/video/1479089671
============================================================
April 25,
2010 WYS in Aspen
'When You're Strange' screens
for one night only on Tuesday, May 18 at Belly Up
Aspen in Aspen, CO:
http://www.bellyupaspen.com/show/detail/29210
============================================================
April 24,
2010 DiCillo print interview
A print interview with
Tom DiCillo appears in the May issue of Penthouse,
according to a comment posted on DiCillo's blog #73: US of A:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/
============================================================
April 23,
2010 cities added for WYS
'When
You're Strange' opens in a few
more cities, according to the "find a theater" listing at:
http://whenyourestrangemovie.com/?page_id=2332.
Norfolk, VA gets the film at Naro Expanded Cinema on May 21:
http://www.narocinema.com/.
Rochester, New York will get the film at The Little on June 11:
https://www.thelittle.org/moviePage.php?filmID=1054.
============================================================
April
22, 2010 WYS weekend openings <> new DiCillo blog
<> WYS review
'When
You're Strange' opens in four
new theaters tomorrow: Madison, WI; NYC (uptown); and two Los Angeles area
theaters in Los Feliz and Santa Monica. Theater websites are in the
calendar below. Keep the word-of-mouth going!
Tom DiCillo's newest blog #73: "US of A" ... is on-line. He relates the travel ordeal to return home to NYC from Paris after being stranded there for almost a week due to the volcanic ash. He and John Densmore had traveled there the week before to do a few days of advance promotion for 'When You're Strange'. Read it at: http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/
When the film 'When You're Strange' opens tomorrow in the college town of Madison, WI, the movie-goers should be looking forward to it based on this nice review: http://www.dailycardinal.com/arts/doors-documentary-doesn-t-disappoint-1.1390664.
============================================================
April 21,
2010
DiCillo back in
US
<> post your WYS reviews
Tom DiCillo has safely returned
to the US of A, according to a reply to a blog post this morning. He
briefly referred to an 18-hour journey!! I'm sure that a fascinating blog
will follow eventually to share the incredible story of being stranded in Paris
for almost an extra week, thanks to Eyjafjallajokull!
The Doors page on Facebook is urging fans to post their reviews of 'When You're Strange' on various sites: Rotten Tomatoes, Flixster, IMDB.com, or your favorite movie site.
============================================================
April 19,
2010 WYS theaters added <> Laemmle Sunset 5
'When You're Strange'
has been added
at a few more theaters, according to a post on Facebook's The Doors page this
evening: New York City at Big Cinemas Manhattan on April 23; San Francisco
at Roxie Theater on April 23; Salem, OR at Salem Cinema on April 30; and
Claremont, CA at Laemmle on April 30. Theater links are in the calendar
below.
'When You're Strange' may add a third week to its run at Laemmle Sunset 5 in Hollywood, according to an employee. I was there today to see it yet again with a good friend who has also seen it previously. I need both hands to count the number of times I have seen this film! Although the theater was expectedly pretty empty for the 1:00 matinee, the employee said it has still been doing very well at the evening and weekend showings, and he was sure it would be extended. Of course, this isn't official ... just chit-chat with the ticket cashier! Laemmle Sunset 5 marquee
============================================================
April 18,
2010 WYS in RS <> John & DiCillo interview
'When You're Strange' got a write-up
in the April 29 issue of Rolling Stone (cover: Black Eyed
Peas). To quote: DOORS FILM BOASTS
RARE FOOTAGE Director Tom DiCillo's new documentary about The Doors, 'When
You're Strange', is nothing like Oliver Stone's 1991 biopic. "That wasn't about
the Doors," says DiCillo. "It was about made-up characters. Ten seconds of
the real [Jim] Morrison blows that out of the water." DiCillo's Johnny
Depp-narrated film (playing now in major cities, opening elsewhere this spring)
is composed entirely of archival footage - including a rare clip from a movie
Morrison made in 1969. "We're such geezers - who wants to see us?" says
Doors drummer John Densmore. "This way you get more Jim - you see his
humor, his vulnerability."
A recent John Densmore and Tom DiCillo interview was posted on DiCillo's blog by Elaine. Check it out at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsI9Y-wkifE.
============================================================
April
16, 2010 WYS review <>
WYS in Miami <> new DiCillo blog <> Angelika Q&A news <>
more WYS theaters added!
'When You're Strange' garnered a
nice review from Chart Attack. Read it at:
http://www.chartattack.com/reviews/80998/when-youre-strange-a-film-about-the-doors-has-genuine-insight
'When You're Strange' screens in Miami, Florida on Tuesday, April 20 at The Vagabond Miami at 10:00 p.m. For more info: http://www.thevagabondmiami.com/happenings?eid=184
'When You're Strange' Director Tom DiCillo has posted new blog #72: 'Streets Are Uneven': http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/. He is stranded in Paris along with John Densmore and his girlfriend. Give it a read!
'When You're Strange' Director Tom DiCillo was planning to conduct a Q&A with the WYS audience on Saturday night following the 7:30 screening, and then he was going to introduce the 9:40 screening at NYC's Angelika Theater. However, DiCillo and John Densmore were in Paris this week doing advance press for the film. Due to the volcanic ash that is blanketing Europe at this time, all flights are cancelled and DiCillo will not be back on U.S. soil in time. Stay tuned for info regarding an opportunity to re-schedule once he gets home where he belongs!
'When You're Strange' continues to expand its theatrical reach in the U.S.! Nashville has confirmed the opening date of May 7: http://www.belcourt.org/. There are four new cities added, although Tucson gets it one day only, on May 5: http://www.loftcinema.com/node/1617. The other cities are Boulder, CO starting on May 19: http://www.bouldertheater.com/; Mobile, AL starting on May 21: http://www.crescenttheater.com/; and Palm Desert (Palm Springs), CA on June 4: http://www.thepalme.com/.
============================================================
April 15,
2010 DiCillo at Angelika <> Atlanta theater advice
<> WYS in Canada <> more WYS theaters added
Correction: Tom DiCillo
will be at NYC's Angelika theater on Saturday night,
not Friday night as I previously stated on Tuesday.
Theater-goers in Atlanta this weekend are advised to allow LOTS of extra time to get to the Cinefest theater where 'When You're Strange' is playing. There is a big art fest in Midtown and two big sports events near downtown. Plus, 'Freaknik', a sort of spring break street party for African-American college kids across the country, is also set for downtown and will likely add to big traffic challenges this weekend. Determined movie-goers can take public transit (MARTA) to the train station one block from Cinefest. The Atlanta fan sharing this info recommends driving to an outer-area station, then ride into the city on MARTA to GSU station on east-west line. Check www.itsmarta.com (thanks, Elaine)
For Canadian screenings of 'When You're Strange,' I think this is all I have so far: the film screens in Montreal this evening at the Scotia Bank and Colisée Kirkland cinemas. Starting May 7 it runs at Cinéma du Parc. Read the story and movie review at: http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/movie-guide/Review+When+Strange/2907903/story.html. In Toronto, the film screens on Saturday, April 17 at 1:00 at the Varsity, and April 16-22 at Canada Square. Read that one at: http://www.eyeweekly.com/blog/post/88283
'When You're Strange' theater runs have been added for several more cities: St. Louis, MO gets the film at Webster Grove from May 6-7, and 10-12, and Ann Arbor, MI at Michigan Theater from April 30-May 5.
============================================================
April
14, 2010 WYS theater changes, additions <> WYS merch <>
WYS in L.A. area <> WYS in Canada
This is progress!
It appears
'When You're Strange' has been moved to different (larger???)
theaters in several cities. This is in addition to the second week added
at many of the theaters. Specifically, the Encino, CA Laemmle run ends
Thursday but begins nearby on Friday in West Hills, CA at the Fallbrook 7.
Another one is Boston: the Somerville Theater run ends on Thursday and
starts on Friday at the Capitol Theatre there. I notice Berkeley, CA has
been added to the theater list, beginning Friday at the Rialto (Elmwood).
I am not confident I can keep my calendar below updated with these changes ...
please, ALWAYS keep checking the Rhino 'find a theater' link at:
http://whenyourestrangemovie.com/?page_id=2332.
The link is also at the top of this page in
hot pink lettering ... hard to miss and easy to
find!
'When You're Strange' merchandise is available through the film's website at: http://whenyourestrangemovie.com/. Click on the STORE link, or go directly to: http://www.jtwco.com/topspin/tan/. So far, the non-music WYS merch is limited to white t-shirt and poster. The Grammy Museum retail store also carries a tall ceramic mug, a canvas tote bag, and a hoodie. Here's hoping this site adds those items to the offerings. (hint hint).
The Laemmle theater chain in the L.A. area is really picking up steam with 'When You're Strange.' Yesterday I mentioned that at least two of the theaters added a second week. Now, the theater website has it featured on its home page as their 'Laemmle Spotlight': http://www.laemmle.com/. In addition to the Fallbrook 7 opening in West Hills, the film will also roll out in this area to Santa Monica and Claremont in successive weeks: http://www.laemmle.com/viewmovie.php?mid=5647. It's all good!
'When You're Strange' is reviewed in the following story. It contains info about screenings in Canada this week: Ontario theatres on Thursday and Friday of this week, plus Saturday only in some locations, followed by a week-long run at Canada Square Cinemas starting Friday. Read story at: http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/article/795501--when-you-re-strange-real-60s-feel-in-the-doors-doc
============================================================
April
13, 2010 John & DiCillo in
Paris <> DiCillo returns to Angelika <> WYS on PBS date change <>
new DiCillo blog <> Laemmle extends WYS
John Densmore
and Tom DiCillo are now in Paris for
two days of early promotion for 'When You're Strange', which opens there in
June. This info is contained in DiCillo's replies to comments on his blog
#70, 'For The Fans' which can be read at:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/?p=252#comments.
When Tom DiCillo, the Writer & Director of 'When You're Strange' returns later this week from doing press in Paris with John Densmore, he'll be making appearances again at the Angelika Theater in NYC. This info is according to a Facebook post by The Doors page. DiCillo will be on hand for a Q&A following the 7:30 p.m. showing on Friday, 4/16 ... and then he'll introduce the film at the 9:40 p.m. showing. For more info and show times, go to: http://www.angelikafilmcenter.com/angelika_film.asp?hID=1&ID=0m70166.o6724289v17p0989a.38
'When You're Strange' will be broadcast on PBS's American Masters on Wednesday, May 12 instead of May 26 at 6 p.m. (Eastern) and 9 p.m. (Pacific), according to the latest info on the PBS website at: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/when-youre-strange-a-film-about-the-doors/about-the-film/1543/ (thanks, Billie)
Tom DiCillo has somehow found the time and energy to add new blog #71 titled 'From Paris.' Check it out at: http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/
Great news! Laemmle theaters in Hollywood and Pasadena are going to be showing 'When You're Strange' for at least one more week. Tickets are available for the weekly film cycle that begins this Friday, April 16. The great turn-out and sold-out shows must have done some good! Hopefully the run has been extended in other cities, as well. I do not yet see any new cities added to the Rhino website at: http://whenyourestrangemovie.com/?page_id=2332
============================================================
April
12, 2010 new DiCillo blog
Tom DiCillo
added a new
blog entry yesterday, #70 titled 'For The Fans'. Read it
at:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/.
============================================================
April
11, 2010 John at Grammy Museum video <> WYS reviews <>
WYS results <> John's Laemmle intro <> Ray on-air interviews
John Densmore was interviewed at
the Grammy Museum last Wednesday evening prior to the When You're Strange
screening there. A two-minute clip can be seen at this link, but you need
to search on Hendrix Joplin Morrison to get to the exact clip:
http://cbs2.com/video/?cid=73
(thanks, Cheri)
There is a never-ending stream of When You're Strange film reviews right now. I promise I'm 'trying to quit' sharing them, because by now I think just about everything that can be said, has been ... but when I find especially nice ones, I'm still going to share them: http://www.ncnewspress.com/entertainment/x998214995/Movie-review-When-You-re-Strange-opens-up-The-Doors. And this one: http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Movies/04/08/movie.review.when.youre.strange.ew/?hpt=Mid
'When You're Strange' in its initial weekend was reported to have very respectable results for an indie film opening in limited release. Specifically, and I quote: "Perhaps more impressive was the relatively wide debut of DiCillo’s “When You’re Strange. The documentary about The Doors - DIY released through Abramorama - grossed $65,371 from eight venues, averaging a respectable $8,171." It's downright heartwarming! Read the full story at: http://www.indiewire.com/article/box_office_eelse_leads_god/ It's an awful big country, these United States. Here's hoping that distributor Abramorama seizes on the current excitement and rolls the film out to wider distribution. I don't know how long the film should be expected to play at each theater, but it looks like Hollywood's Laemmle Sunset 5 offers tix only through this Thursday. The time to hesitate is through!
John Densmore's intro to 'When You're Strange' at Hollywood's Laemmle Sunset 5 on Friday evening was videotaped by a fan who shared it with me via YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXbl7GA7xrg. He missed catching Jeff Jampol's first intro and apologizes for the dark video, but at least you get to hear John's story. (thanks, Doug)
Ray Manzarek did a phone interview with WYSP deejay Danny Bonaduce on Friday. Check it out at: http://94wysp.radio.com/2010/04/09/ray-manzarek-interview-04-09-10/. Ray also was interviewed on Boston's WZLX. Listen to that one at: http://wzlx.radio.com/2010/04/09/ray-manzarek-new-doors-footage/
============================================================
April
10, 2010 John at Hollywood screening <> new DiCillo blog
<> MOJO review
John Densmore
was introduced to the packed house at
Hollywood's Laemmle Sunset 5 7:30 p.m. screening last night by The Doors manager
(and one of the film's producers) Jeff Jampol. John told the story of when
he and Robby lived up on Lookout Drive in Laurel Canyon, and were visited by a
'down' Jim Morrison. They sent him off to walk further up the mountain and
when he returned, he had penned 'When You're Strange.' John also told that
story at the Grammy Museum screening on Wednesday night, which I forgot to
include in my write-up. John left the theater after his intro, but Jeff
Jampol stayed throughout ... I can't begin to guess how many times HE has seen
this film. This was my seventh viewing, and I can't wait for the next
time. There is so much to see and digest. Every viewing reveals
something missed before. While waiting in line outside to go in, someone
distributed the double-sided 'Light My Fire' 45 rpm promo to movie-goers that I
mentioned in my April 8 news. In line I ran into a friend, another huge
Doors fan, who is visiting from Pennsylvania! Other friends came from San
Diego, which turned into a 4-hour road trip due to hellish traffic. Many
of those same fans are heading to the Grammy Museum today, to take in Strange
Kozmic Experience. Sounds like a perfect weekend! As a Doors fan, it
was gratifying to sit in that theater and hear the laughter, cheers, and
applause at various scenes in the film. It made me think 'these are my
kind of people' ... LOL. After the film ended, seven of us adjourned a
mile away to Mexico Restaurante y Barra, in the former Doors office and
rehearsal space, where we enjoyed chips & salsa & good food and great
conversation.
Tom DiCillo (everyone knows by now, he wrote & directed 'When You're Strange', right?) added new blog #69 this morning, titled: "Friday night at the Angelika" about last night's NYC screening. I am not going to paraphrase. Read it for yourself at: http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/
MOJO carries a review of 'When You're Strange' that I really like. I mean, they "get it": http://www.mojo4music.com/blog/2010/02/new_doors_film_mojos_first_gli.html (thanks, Gilles)
============================================================
April
9, 2010 it's here!
FINALLY ...
it is Friday, April 9.
It seems like it has taken forever to get to this day,
when 'When You're Strange' opens in theaters. If you visit this website,
then you are a Doors fan. I hope everyone gets out of the house sometime
this weekend to see the film. If you think you have already seen
everything, you have not. If you feel you already know everything,
maybe you do ... but you have not seen it put together like this! A
successful opening weekend will go a long way toward expanding the film's
distribution to those cities that have not yet been 'selected'. If most of
your Doors insight comes courtesy of the Oliver Stone film, then you really owe
it to yourself to see 'When You're Strange'.
============================================================
April
8, 2010 WYS at Grammy Museum <> John on radio this
morning <> LA Times story <> John at Grammy Museum <> Ray interview <> WYS
merch <> Amazon.com <> Ray & Ben Fong-Torres <> Laemmle Sunset 5
<> WYS in Madison WI postponed <> DiCillo at Friday's NYC screening <> Robby interview <> John interview <> Ray interview <>
Ray on Dennis Miller
'When You're Strange'
screened to a packed house last night
at the Grammy Museum's Sound Stage theater. John Densmore introduced the
film and spoke for a few minutes. After the film ended, John returned to
the stage along with Grammy Foundation and MusiCares VP Scott Goldman for
discussion, which included taking questions from the audience. Attendees
not only left with a copy of the WYS soundtrack CD, but also an 11x17 poster and
a 45 rpm promo of Light My Fire: mono side at 2:52, stereo side at 6:52 long.
Both Jeff Jampol and Cory Lashever from The Doors management were in attendance,
along with engineer Bruce Botnick. Before the film attendees were admitted
up to the second floor where both the theater and the Strange Kozmic
Experience exhibit is, John was being filmed and interviewed for a TV news
station (I think, KCBS/KCAL) with the stunning wall of framed posters behind
him. Later on today I'll write about the WYS merchandise that is being
sold at the Grammy Museum.
John Densmore will be on The Bob Rivers Show at 6:40 a.m. on 102.5 KZOK today to talk about the film, according to the following story. Another option is to log on to www.bobrivers.com for the live streaming video: http://kzok.radio.com/2010/04/07/when-youre-strange-opens-the-doors-of-perception/
The media blitz continues! The LA Times ran this story: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-doorsmovie8-2010apr08,0,2960826.story?track=rss
John Densmore's appearance and Q&A remarks at last night's Grammy Museum screening of 'When You're Strange' are discussed in this story: http://www.read-news.info/tag/guitarist-robby-krieger/
A Ray Manzarek interview appears on movieline.com at: http://www.movieline.com/2010/04/moment-of-truth-doors-keyboardist-ray-manzarek-on-new-doc-and-oliver-stones-folly.php?page=all
There is some really nice WYS merchandise for sale at the Grammy Museum. I have it on the highest authority that these will be available for sale through the film's website momentarily. It's not there yet, but I'd guess it'll be on the 'store' link: http://whenyourestrangemovie.com/ Pictured here are a tall white coffee mug; a black fabric tote bag with The Doors When You're Strange printed on one side; and a black hoodie with the Doors logo stitched on the front and When You're Strange stitched on the back. Not pictured is a white WYS t-shirt, available in both ladies' and men's styles. The fish cat toy that snuck into the upper left of the photo is not part of the WYS merchandise.
In addition to the various WYS soundtrack deals on Amazon.com ... The Doors are their 'artist of the month' and offering special promotions on all Doors items. (thanks, Bruce)
Ray Manzarek and Doors biographer Ben Fong-Torres appeared at San Francisco's Sunshine Kabuki Theater on Tuesday evening and answered questions, following a screen in advance of tomorrow's film opening there. Read the story about that appearance at: http://www.examiner.com/x-27041-SF-Indie-Movie-Examiner~y2010m4d7-Ray-Manzarek-promotes-When-Youre-Strange-in-SF-lights-a-fire-under-Oliver-Stones-The-Doors
The 'When You're Strange' screening at the Sunset 5 Laemmle in Hollywood is 'sold out' for the 7:30 p.m. show. For those of us who bought our tickets right after they went on sale: phew! I'm sure The Doors' announcement a few days ago about "special guest(s)" at that particular screening contributed to the sell-out. I'm looking forward to seeing many old friends there.
'When You're Strange' has been postponed from April 9 to April 23 for fans planning to see it in Madison, Wisconsin at http://www.sundancecinemas.com/kabuki.html, according to a post on The Doors' Twitter page at: http://twitter.com/thedoors. At least it is not cancelled, just postponed.
'When You're Strange' Writer & Director Tom DiCillo will be on hand for Q&A following the 7:30 p.m. screening tomorrow night at NYC's Angelika Film Center, according to: http://calanander.blogspot.com/2010/04/new-york-when-youre-strange-director-q.html
A Robby Krieger interview that covers topics besides the film, can be read at: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-3767-Celebrity-QA-Examiner~y2010m4d8-Robby-Krieger-is-ready-to-reveal-his-story-about-the-Doors
A John Densmore interview that covers also covers topics besides the film, can be read at: http://www.examiner.com/x-3767-Celebrity-QA-Examiner~y2010m4d8-John-Densmore-speaks-out-on-the-legacy-of-the-Doors
Lastly, the same journalist who did the preceding Robby and John interviews, also scored one with Ray Manzarek. Great triple play! http://www.examiner.com/x-3767-Celebrity-QA-Examiner~y2010m4d8-Ray-Manzarek-reflects-on-his-life-with-the-Doors
Ray Manzarek is on the radio right now on the Dennis Miller Show. I can't find a link to listen live, but there is a link for audio archives: http://www.dennismillerradio.com/
============================================================
April
7, 2010 new DiCillo blog <> WYS interviews <> WYS
screening & merch <> BBC press
New Tom DiCillo
blog #68: Grass Roots!!
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/
shows that fans have taken this cause to heart, the labor of love to help spread
the word about this film. The effort started with DiCillo blog contributor
& Doors fan Elaine, who papered Atlanta with fliers about the film and posted
pix on her own blog of that. Now other fans in Seattle, San Francisco and
Chicago have done the same. Doors fans are the best and the most loyal
anywhere, and this is proof positive. If you'd like to get in on this, I
refer you to DiCillo's blog #67 with the flier artwork! And, thanks in
advance if you do!
The press interviews for 'When You're Strange' are everywhere! Here is one from AP that features 3 (or 4) answers to each question: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100407/ap_en_ot/us_q_a_film_the_doors
'When You're Strange' has an advance screening tonight at the Grammy Museum, site of the new Strange Kozmic Experience exhibit that opened on Monday. John Densmore will be on hand to introduce the film, which sold out during its pre-sale to Amex holders and museum members. I understand there is WYS merchandise that will be sold at the museum's retail store (and hopefully elsewhere) that I'll report on later tonight or tomorrow!
A 3-minute interview clip of press done with BBC News for 'When You're Strange' shows both Ray & Robby, and John and Tom DiCillo, discussing the 'bearded Jim' footage from HWY. You have to wait through the 15-second commercial, though! http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8608139.stm
============================================================
April
6, 2010 WYS soundtrack <> DiCillo interviews <>
Amazon offers
The 'When You're
Strange' film soundtrack is
released today!
An interview with Tom DiCillo, Writer & Director of 'When You're Strange', can be found at: http://hollywoodandfine.com/interviews/?p=685
Another interview with Tom DiCillo, this one from today's Village Voice, can be found at: http://www.villagevoice.com/2010-04-06/film/a-conversation-with-doors-doc-director-tom-dicillo
A Robby Krieger interview can be found at: http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/04/06/2093936/doors-guitarist-robby-krieger.html
Amazon.com is taking pre-orders for the 'When You're Strange' DVD and Blu-Ray. Amazon says the release date is May 18, but other information indicates the release date is 3 months after the film's release, which puts it in early July. Whatever ... if you pre-order from Amazon, the date will get corrected or updated: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=when+youre+strange+dvd&x=0&y=0 (thanks, Bruce)
Amazon.com is also offering the soundtrack in MP3 format as 'the deal of the day': http://www.amazon.com/Youre-Strange-Songs-Motion-Picture/dp/B003EM54IE/ref=amb_link_352830382_3?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=browse&pf_rd_r=0KA54APWFXCDEJSEMKE7&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1259794102&pf_rd_i=163856011 (thanks, Eric)
============================================================
April
5, 2010 WYS press <> new DiCillo blog & link <> John
interview <> two Ray interviews <> Canada screening info <> special
guests on Friday night
Members
of The Doors, along with
'When You're Strange' Writer & Director Tom DiCillo and the film producers did
several days of press last week, in advance of this Friday's limited theatrical
release of the film. Those stories are hitting the media now. Here
is one from USA Today:
http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2010-04-04-doors-survivors05_N.htm
'When You're Strange' Writer & Director Tom DiCillo has posted new blog #67 'Word of Mouf' at: http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/?p=237. This one focuses on DiCillo friend & Doors fan Elaine, who posts often on DiCillo's blogs. In brief, Elaine got a digital file from DiCillo, printed out copies with the Atlanta screening info, and spent five days in that city distributing them. DiCillo's blog links to Elaine's blog at: http://thewriterscanvas.blogspot.com/2010/04/5-days-journey-into-doors.html wherein she documents her flier distribution adventures. DiCillo's blog also contains a flier template that can be downloaded so that fans everywhere / anywhere can follow Elaine's lead, and help spread the word. It can't be said too often: word of mouth is going to be critical to compensate for sparse advertising. Join the 'When You're Strange' army!
John Densmore reminisces about Jim Morrison in an interview at: http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/densmore-locked-out-of-morrisons-world_1137912
Ray Manzarek's interview at: http://www.dailynewstribune.com/entertainment/movies/x998207177/The-Doors-Manzarek-When-Youre-Strange-documentary-gets-it-right shares the news that he and Robby will be touring the northeast in early June, Europe in July, and Australia and Japan in October!
Another Ray Manzarek interview appears on ThePhoenix.com at: http://thephoenix.com/Boston/movies/99519-interview-ray-manzarek-of-the-doors/
According to this story from Vancouver, 'When You're Strange' will be screened across Canada at selected Cineplex theaters on April 15, with an encore presentation at some theaters on April 17. The story also says the film will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on June 29: http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Johnny+Depp+joins+Doors/2766030/story.html
The 'When You're Strange' screening at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at Laemmle Sunset 5 (Sunset & Crescent Heights) will have 'special guests' according to a post today on The Doors' Facebook page. For ticket purchase info for that specific theater, go to: http://www.laemmle.com/viewtheatre.php?date=04092010&thid=2. For info on all theaters that screen the film beginning Friday, see calendar below for April 9 or go to: http://whenyourestrangemovie.com/?page_id=2332.
============================================================
April 3,
2010 Jampol in Variety <> WYS in RS
The road to making rock biopics
about famous music figures is fraught with challenges,
and is the subject of a story in Variety this week. The Doors manager Jeff
Jampol contributes to that story at: http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118017182.html?categoryid=16&cs=1
(thanks,
Dms)
'When You're Strange' made the Rollingstone.com 'First Look' column. Check it out at: http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2010/03/31/first-look-watch-a-clip-from-new-doors-doc-when-youre-strange/?utm_source=weekly-newsletter&utm_medium=email
============================================================
April 2,
2010 WYS advance tickets
'When You're Strange' opens in
about a dozen U.S. cities one week from today.
It looks like advance tickets are now on sale at those selected theaters.
If you want to buy advanced tickets, links to each theater can be found either
in the calendar below, or else on the official WYS website's 'Find A Theater'
link at:
http://whenyourestrangemovie.com/?page_id=2332
============================================================
April 1,
2010 WYS in Belfast <> WYS Berlin Q&A <> John
& DiCillo at Apple store
'When You're Strange'
gets screened at the Belfast Film Festival
on April 20 and April 26, according to a fan's post on
Tom DiCillo's Hey Y'All blog #66 at:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/?p=236#comments.
The festival website is:
http://www.belfastfilmfestival.org/2010/programme/films/458
John Densmore, Tom DiCillo and Dick Wolf did a post-screening Q&A session following the 'When You're Strange' showing at the Berlin Film Festival in February 2009. That Q&A can be seen on YouTube in two parts at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THa9C-gntok&feature=youtube_gdata and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joVvJTjuc2I&feature=related.
John Densmore and Tom DiCillo did a "Meet The Filmmaker" event today at the Apple Store in Santa Monica from 5 to 6 p.m. The event was moderated by legendary L.A. deejay (and Doors fan) Jim Ladd, whose voice can be heard in the movie several times. During the course of the interview, we learned that it was DiCillo's idea to use Ladd's distinctive voice in the scene which hopefully many of you will get to see a week from tomorrow, or soon thereafter! Elektra Records founder Jac Holzman was there, sitting directly in front of me, and Bruce Botnick. The discussions touched on how DiCillo got involved in the project; Johnny Depp's narration; DiCillo's decision to use only vintage footage instead of new interviews with the band; kudos for the amazing footage shot by Paul Ferrara which is the basis of the film; John's legal action to prevent the band's music from being used for commercials; the story about Morrison refusing to take the stage when they were introduced as Jim Morrison & The Doors and insisting on a re-introduction as The Doors; Robby's songwriting contributions; and more. At 5:30, Bruce Botnick was invited to join them on the stage, and he talked about his role on L.A. Woman after Paul Rothchild quit, and how he achieved the sound on 'Horse Latitudes' (tape hiss into an echo chamber, looped). This was not an audience Q&A event, and audience photography was not allowed, but the entire program was filmed for a podcast which should be available in about two weeks on iTunes under 'Meet The Filmmaker'. When I see that on-line, I'll share it here. Reminder: Tom DiCillo will be doing a similar event on Monday, April 5 at the NYC's Apple store in Soho: http://www.apple.com/retail/soho/
============================================================
March 31,
2010 DiCillo in NYC
'When You're Strange'
Writer & Director Tom DiCillo will discuss the film
and The Doors at the Apple Store in Soho, NYC on Monday, April 5 from 6 to 7
p.m. according to a post on The Doors' Facebook page this evening. It's
only an hour, so get there early!
============================================================
March 30,
2010 WYS website lists theaters <> WYS soundtrack stream
The official
website for the 'When You're
Strange' film now has a link that lists all the cities that the film is
scheduled to open in (so far), along with the theater, the date, and a link to
purchase tix for each. This is progress! I will try to keep the
calendar below updated as well as additions and changes occur, but if you are waiting for your geographical
area to be added to the list, this is the link to keep an eye on:
http://whenyourestrangemovie.com/?page_id=2332.
It looks like additions include Santa Cruz, CA; Salt Lake City; and Kansas City,
MO. Thanks to whoever authorized the addition of this information link to the film's website.
The complete 'When You're Strange' soundtrack can be heard in an exclusive stream now on AOL Spinner, according to a post this afternoon on The Doors' FaceBook page. Check it out at: http://www.spinner.com/new-releases#/1
============================================================
March
29, 2010 WYS press release <> John & DiCillo appearance
<> WYS delayed in Nashville <> win a soundtrack contest
A press release from Channel 13
about the upcoming 'When You're Strange' showing on
PBS's American Masters program on PBS in late May during 'sweeps week' can be
seen at: http://www.thirteen.org/pressroom/release.php?get=3485
John Densmore and 'When You're Strange' Writer & Director Tom DiCillo will appear this Thursday, April 1 at the Apple Store in Santa Monica at 1248 Third Street between 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. to discuss the film, according to a post this afternoon on The Doors' Facebook page. Well, this is way cool.
The 'When You're Strange' screening that was announced for Nashville's Belcourt Theater on April 9, has been postponed until sometime in May. This is according to Tom DiCillo in a post today in the comments of his Hey Y'All blog at: http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/?p=236#comments
Win a copy of the 'When You're Strange' film soundtrack by entering a contest at: http://popculturezoo.com/archives/5701. The contest ends at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 2 and is open to U.S. residents only.
============================================================
March
26, 2010 countdowns ...
Two weeks from today, a
bunch of lucky cities around the good old USA will
finally get to see 'When You're Strange' on big screens. Hopefully all the
theaters will have great sound systems! The excitement is palpable.
Check the calendar below for the cities and theaters that I am aware of.
The film's official website is at:
http://whenyourestrangemovie.com/.
I am not aware of any website where fans can
inquire about cities and theaters that are in the pipeline.
============================================================
March 24,
2010 WYS distributor contacts
'When You're Strange'
Writer & Director Tom DiCillo has provided the contact
info on his blog at:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/
for theaters who want to inquire about the film's
distribution. Theater inquiries about U.S. distribution should go to Brittany
Erlbaum at:
Brittany.Erlbaum@rhino.com. All international
theatre inquiries should go to Harry White from ContentFilm at:
harry.white@contentfilm.com
============================================================
March
22, 2010 WYS award winner at SXSW <> new DiCillo blog
'When You're Strange'
is the winner of the Audience Award in the '24 Beats
Per Second' category at last week's SXSW Film Conference and Festival.
How great is that? Read the full story at:
http://www.indiewire.com/article/mission_when_youre_strange_lead_additional_sxsw_audience_winners
'When You're Strange'
Writer & Director
Tom DiCillo has posted new blog #66 Hey Y'All today at: http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/.
Besides today's great news about the SXSW award, he also provides an updated
listing of dates and cities, and added a few more cities for April 16:
Albuquerque, Athens GA, and Santa Monica. It looks like Athens, GA is
moved back a week to April 16th. DiCillo and John Densmore will be traveling to
Europe a few times in coming months, too.
============================================================
March 21,
2010 Robby & Jeff at SXSW
The content of
Robby's and Jeff's
panel discussion at SXSW can be viewed at:
http://twitter.com/thedoors.
The highlights were that Robby's solo CD 'Singularity' will be released in early
June and will contain a lot of flamenco; the autobiography that Robby started
about a year ago should finish at the end of this year; there will be interview
footage on the 'WYS' DVD; it was Robby's idea to put Jim's poetry to music and
took about three months to write the music for 'An American Prayer'; and in 6 to
9 months, there will be an on-line store to download live shows and make your
own package. And lots more. Check out that link for all of it.
============================================================
March 19,
2010 WYS in Aspen, CO <> John to intro WYS
'When You're Strange'
gets a special screening on Sunday, March 21 at 7:30
p.m. at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen, Colorado. WYS producer John Beug
will be in attendance to introduce the film and will participate in a
post-screening Q&A session. The following linked story includes comments
from Beug as well as an interview with WYS Writer & Director Tom DiCillo.
Read the full story and interview at:
http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20100319/AE/100319781/1077&ParentProfile=1058
For ticket info, go to:
http://www.wheeleroperahouse.com/wheeler/eventsMovie.cfm?ID=2814
John Densmore will do the introduction when 'When You're Strange' screens at the Grammy Museum at L.A. Live on Wednesday, April 7. This is two days after the Strange Kozmic Experience exhibit honoring The Doors, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix opens there, and two days before the film opens in theaters. This info came from a KLOS radio promotion today. Legendary KLOS deejay Jim Ladd's voice has a small but significant part in the film.
============================================================
March 18, 2010
Strange Kozmic Experience exhibit
The Strange Kozmic Experience exhibit at the
Grammy Museum at L.A. Live that opens on April 5, was
officially announced in a press release today.
Read it here.
(thanks, Dms)
============================================================
March 17,
2010 WYS in Shreveport
The 'When You're Strange'
film opening in Louisiana on April 16
is not in New Orleans, as originally indicated. According to amended info
from Jeff Jampol that is posted by Elaine on Tom DiCillo's blog at:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/?p=235#comments,
the film opens on that date in Shreveport instead of
New Orleans. The Shreveport theater is Robinson Film Center:
http://www.robinsonfilmcenter.org/ and
they are working on getting it into New Orleans, as well.
(thanks, Elaine)
============================================================
March
16, 2010 Tweeting from SXSW
If you "tweet", then you are
in luck. You can follow Robby and Jeff Jampol during their 'When
You're Strange' panel discussion at SXSW in Austin, Texas via Twitter.
Follow The Doors on Twitter:
www.twitter.com/thedoors
starting at 12 noon PST / 2 pm CST / 3pm EST this Friday, March
19.
============================================================
March
15, 2010 more WYS cities and theaters ID'd
'When You're Strange' IS opening in more
than the original nine cities listed. According to info
posted by Doors manager & WYS producer Jeff Jampol, here is the latest roster
for April 9. There are two other cities that open slightly later.
New York City:
Angelika
http://angelikafilmcenter.com/
~ Los Angeles area (3 theaters):
Laemmle Sunset 5, Hollywood; Laemmle Playhouse 7, Pasadena; Laemmle Town
Center, Encino
http://www.laemmle.com/locations.php
~
Boston: Somerville Theater, Somerville
http://www.somervilletheatreonline.com/somerville/index.php
~ Philadelphia: PUFF
Theater w/outdoor screening at The Piazza at Schmidt's ~
New Jersey (greater Philly area): Ritz 16,
Voorhees, NJ
http://www.fandango.com/showcaseattheritzcenter_aadky/theaterpage
~ Atlanta: Cinefest Film
Theatre
http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwcft/
~
Athens, GA: Cine
http://www.athenscine.com/intro.php
~ Chicago: Davis Theater
http://www.davistheater.com/
~ Dallas: Angelika
http://angelikafilmcenter.com/
~ Seattle: Grand Illusion
Cinema
http://www.grandillusioncinema.org/
~ San Francisco: Kabuki
http://www.sundancecinemas.com/kabuki.html
~ Nashville: Belcourt
Theater http://www.belcourt.org/
~ Madison, WI: Sundance
http://www.sundancecinemas.com/kabuki.html.
I believe Houston is one of the opening cities, but do not have that theater
listing at this time. The film opens on April 16 in
Shreveport, LA at the Robinson Film Theater, and
in Albuquerque, NM in May at the Guild
http://www.guildcinema.com/.
I encourage Doors fans everywhere to get out to see the
film (at least once!) on opening weekend. Those first weekend
results are very important for determining wider distribution.
(thanks, DJ & EB)
============================================================
March
14, 2010 WYS website <> more WYS cities ?
The 'When You're Strange'
official website has been updated with a new look.
Check it out at:
http://whenyourestrangemovie.com/
(thanks, Elaine)
I have heard that more cities have been added to the April 9 theater release for 'When You're Strange', but I have not been able to confirm that yet. Stay tuned for details when that happens. (thanks, Elaine)
============================================================
March
13, 2010 Robby & Jeff in Austin <> SKE on Facebook
Robby Krieger and Doors manager
& WYS producer Jeff Jampol will be in Austin, TX at
SXSW next Friday, March 19. Following their book signing at 1:00 at the
SXSW Bookstore, their panel discussion from 2 to 3:00 will be in Room 19A at the
Austin Convention Center. If you are lucky enough to be going, then that
room info could come in handy! Then the film screens at 5:00 at the Paramount
Theater. Read more at: http://ow.ly/1jnef
The 'Strange Kozmic Experience' exhibit that opens at the Grammy Museum at L.A. Live on Monday, April 5, now has a Facebook page showing a very psychedelic poster for this exhibit: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=374198652312&ref=mf. Admission to the museum is $12.95 ... or become a member and get in free for a year: http://www.grammymuseum.org/interior.php?section=support&page=membership
============================================================
March
12, 2010 WYS in 4 weeks
'When You're Strange' gets
released to theaters in selected cities
four weeks from today. There is lots of buzz, lots of press, lots
of momentum. It's getting very exciting!!
============================================================
March 11,
2010 'WYS' soundtrack details <> Grammy
Museum to screen 'WYS' <> soundtrack release date correction <> Robby and
Jeff at UCLA
The 'When You're Strange' soundtrack
has been scheduled for release on March 30th, which we already knew
about. The following linked story provides a detailed track
listing for that CD. Very exciting. Check it
out at:
http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8645:when-youre-strange-johnny-depp-reading-of-jim-morrisons-poetry-and-soundtrack-announced&catid=41:news&Itemid=71
The Grammy Museum at L.A. Live is going to screen 'When You're Strange' in their intimate, 200-seat theater on Wednesday, April 7. The film will be introduced by John Densmore, and each guest will receive a copy of the film soundtrack. If you are already a Grammy Museum member or are an American Express cardholder, then you got an email today notifying you of a pre-sale that starts tomorrow (Friday) morning at 10:00 a.m. The pre-sale runs through March 31 at 10:00 p.m., but it'll be solidly sold out long before that ending date. If you want to become a member (and supporter) of the Grammy Museum so you can get in on this intimate screening, go to the Grammy Museum's membership page at: http://www.grammymuseum.org/interior.php?section=support&page=membership
The 'When You're Strange' soundtrack has a release date of April 6, according to the Rhino press release (which is the same story as the one linked above). I did not notice that date difference earlier. The Amazon website also lists April 6. The Doors website store still shows the release date as March 30, but I'm going to make an educated guess that the date was pushed back a week to coincide with the same week that the film opens in limited cities, which is Friday, April 9. To pre-order, go to http://thedoors.shop.musictoday.com/Dept.aspx?cp=1127_30734. Read the Rhino press release with the detailed track listing, at: http://www.sys-con.com/node/1317490.
Robby Krieger and Jeff Jampol, The Doors manager and one of the 'When You're Strange' producers, introduced the film at a screening on Tuesday night that was held for UCLA students. A 6-minute video of their introduction can be seen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm73Gj1wrsk (thanks, Becky)
============================================================
March 9,
2010 Robby in Austin
Robby Krieger will be signing
copies of 'The Doors By The Doors' at the SXSW
Bookstore during the SXSW convention in Austin, Texas on Friday, March 19
between 1:00-2:00. A
panel discussion about 'When You're Strange' will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the
Austin Convention Center. The film gets screened at 5:00 p.m. at the
Paramount Theater at 713 Congress Avenue.
============================================================
March
6, 2010 WYS to screen at UCLA
Robby Krieger and Doors manager
& film producer Jeff Jampol will be on hand to introduce a
screening of 'When You're Strange' on Tuesday, March 9 at 8 p.m. at the Ackerman
Grand Ballroom. For more info, go to:
http://students.asucla.ucla.edu/cec/.
The screening is for
UCLA students only.
(thanks,
Paolo and Billie)
============================================================
February
26, 2010 WYS in Mojo blog <> WYS in
Variety <> WYS on a list!
'When You're Strange' got a nice
review in UK's Mojo magazine on-line music blog at: http://www.mojo4music.com/blog/2010/02/new_doors_film_mojos_first_gli.html
'When You're Strange' is written up nicely today in Variety on-line at: http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118015723.html?categoryId=2520&cs=1
'When You're Strange' makes it onto a short list of forthcoming films considered 'stoner movies'. The others on the list are Alice In Wonderland, The Runaways, Leaves of Grass, and a new Cheech & Chong film. LOL. Read the full story at: http://www.celebstoner.com/201002263833/news/celebstoner-news/five-stoner-movies-coming-to-a-theater-near-you.html Smoke'em if you've got'em.
============================================================
February
25, 2010 WYS Dublin
'When You're Strange'
was screened on Monday evening at the 2010 Jameson Dublin
International Film Festival. A fan who attended wrote to report that the
theater was filled to capacity. Of course, he thoroughly enjoyed it.
He even followed up with the Festival Admin & Office Manager regarding the
surveys that movie-goers were asked to complete as they exited to rate the movie
on a scale of 1-5 (this is typical at film festivals); they replied that the
feedback was high, most of the audience rated it a 4, and everyone enjoyed it
very much. (thanks, Declan)
============================================================
February
22, 2010 'WYS' PBS Q&A
'When You're Strange' was feted
on January 13 at an interview session tied in to the
PBS 'American Masters' screening scheduled for May 26. I previously shared
a link to an interview at: http://www.locatetv.com/blog/doors-will-be-reopened-in-new-pbs-american-masters-film/
Another report on that Q&A session can be found at:
http://popculturezoo.com/archives/5411
============================================================
February 20,
2010 pre-order WYS soundtrack
Pre-order the 'When You're Strange'
soundtrack
at:
http://thedoors.shop.musictoday.com/Dept.aspx?cp=1127_30734.
If you missed out on reading the track listing yesterday,
here it is again.
============================================================
February 19,
2010 WYS
at SXSW <> WYS soundtrack listing
'When You're Strange' gets screened at
the SXSW Film Festival which begins in Austin, Texas next month.
The screening is scheduled for Friday, March 19 at 5:00 p.m. at Paramount
Theater:
http://my.sxsw.com/events/eid/9473
'When You're Strange' soundtrack's official tracklisting was posted earlier today on the forum on the official Doors website at: http://thedoors.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=20498. The track list includes Jim Morrison poetry read by Johnny Depp, as well as Isle of Wight and Danish TV cuts. Read the full list at either the link above, or go here. (thanks, Pixie)
============================================================
February
17, 2010 WYS in Toronto <> WYS
soundtrack <> new WYS poster
'When You're Strange' gets its
Canadian premiere next month in Toronto at the
Canadian Music Week's Film Festival. The film will be shown at 7:00 p.m.
on Saturday, March 13 at the Royal Cinema. Read the full story at: http://twitchfilm.net/news/2010/02/canadian-music-week-announces-titles-for-film-festival-program.php
Ticket info is at:
www.canadianmusicfest.com
And here is another story:
http://www.chartattack.com/news/79490/john-lennon-biopic-doors-documentary-getting-canadian-premieres-during-cmw-2010
The press release about 'WYS' news that appeared in Variety a few days ago, includes the info that the soundtrack will feature 13 songs chronicling The Doors' six albums with studio versions of classic tracks mixed with live cuts including The Ed Sullivan Show and The Isle of Wight Festival. The soundtrack will be released on March 30 from Rhino. Read the full story on a blog at: http://thisismyhappening.blogspot.com/2010/02/when-youre-strange-film-about-dorrs.html
'When You're Strange' has a new official poster. The names of the Director and the Narrator both appear prominently. Very nice! See it at the top of the home page or else here.
============================================================
February
17, 2010 WYS in Toronto <> WYS
soundtrack
'When You're Strange' gets its
Canadian premiere next month in Toronto at the
Canadian Music Week's Film Festival. The film will be shown at 7:00 p.m.
on Saturday, March 13 at the Royal Cinema. Read the full story at: http://twitchfilm.net/news/2010/02/canadian-music-week-announces-titles-for-film-festival-program.php
Ticket info is at:
www.canadianmusicfest.com
And here is another story:
http://www.chartattack.com/news/79490/john-lennon-biopic-doors-documentary-getting-canadian-premieres-during-cmw-2010
The press release about 'WYS' news that appeared in Variety a few days ago, includes the info that the soundtrack will feature 13 songs chronicling The Doors' six albums with studio versions of classic tracks mixed with live cuts including The Ed Sullivan Show and The Isle of Wight Festival. The soundtrack will be released on March 30 from Rhino. Read the full story on a blog at: http://thisismyhappening.blogspot.com/2010/02/when-youre-strange-film-about-dorrs.html
============================================================
February 16, 2010 new DiCillo
blog
'When You're Strange' Writer &
Director Tom DiCillo has added a new post today
regarding yesterday's story in Variety with the new details about release
cities, etc. DiCillo reminds us that TV and print advertising will be limited
due to a small release budget, which means that word-of-mouth will be critical:
hence, a call-to-action for Doors fans to help spread the word! We have all been waiting for this film
for many years ... maybe even since Oliver Stone's 1991 film. Read DiCillo's
latest blog #65 'The Release' at: http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/
============================================================
February
15, 2010 'WYS' story in Variety
'When You're Strange' got an
informative write-up in Variety today.
The story fills in some blanks that many of us have wondered about, such as the
cities that the film will open in on April 9: New York, Los Angeles,
Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Seattle and San Francisco. The DVD
will be released three months after that. The film's soundtrack is
scheduled for release on March 30. Read the full Variety article at:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118015269.html?categoryid=13&cs=1
or
here.
============================================================
February 12,
2010 WYS new release date <> WYS
reviews
'When You're Strange' is now
scheduled to be in theaters on Friday, April 9
according to the official film website at: http://www.whenyourestrangemovie.com/
This is a week later than previously reported. I do not
have any info on what selected cities are the lucky ones (besides LA and NYC)
... but as David Letterman likes to quip "I just pray that your city has
been selected." Now, if they would just correct the poster on that site, and
get Writer & Director Tom DiCillo's name restored to a prominent position,
things would be much better.
'When You're Strange' is currently at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Here is one reviewer's write-up from the UC Santa Barbara paper Daily Nexus: http://www.dailynexus.com/article.php?a=20220 Here is another one from the Santa Barbara/Carpinteria Noozhawk newsletter: http://www.noozhawk.com/arts/article/021110_mark_brickley_new_rockumentary_opens_doors_of_perception
============================================================
February
11, 2010 Santa Barbara screening news
'When You're Strange' had
its first of three screenings at the Santa Barbara
International Film Festival last Friday evening, as previously reported.
It deserves to be mentioned that last night's third
screening was added due to popular demand! The Friday night screening was
attended by John Densmore, Jeff Jampol, Dick Wolf, and Bruce Botnick (see
February 6 and 7 news stories) ... but also in attendance that night were Pablo
Manzarek and his wife Sharmin, and also Ronnie Haran ... the lady who got The
Doors signed on for The Whisky! I don't know if the others knew Ronnie was
there ... but if so, wouldn't it have been nice to have introduced (and thanked)
her! I've never met her myself ... but if I ever get the chance, I will
express my gratitude, that's for sure! I have not gotten any feedback
about attendees at the Sunday night screening.
============================================================
February
9, 2010 Santa Barbara screening
added
'When You're Strange' has had
a third screening added at the Santa Barbara
International Film Festival, currently underway. This one is Wednesday,
February 10 at Metro 4 at 10:15 p.m. For more info, go to: http://sbiff.org/main/
============================================================
February
7, 2010 Santa Barbara screening
feedback <> WYS Director credit
'When You're Strange' played to
a full or very near-full 680 capacity on Friday night
at the Lobero Theater in Santa Barbara, according to an attendee. John
Densmore was there, as already reported. John introduced Pam's mother and
the siblings, nieces and nephews of both Jim and Pam, as well as Bruce Botnick
and his wife. John told the story of when he and Robby were living up on
Wonderland Avenue when a depressed Jim dropped by; they told him to take a walk
to the top of the hill and he returned with the lyrics of 'People Are Strange',
which John recited. There was huge applause at the end and everyone stayed
and sat through the credits. (thanks, P & G)
I have noticed that 'When You're Strange' Writer & Director Tom DiCillo's name no longer appears prominently on the latest poster for the film, as shown on the official website at: http://www.whenyourestrangemovie.com/. Johnny Depp's name has been added as narrator and, of course, his star power should be included and touted on the poster. His narration is important, maybe even critical ... but DiCillo wrote the script that Depp narrates. Should the "Directed by Tom DiCillo" line be totally removed, fer crissakes? We would have nothing without DiCillo. Am I the only one who feels this needs a sanity check?
============================================================
February
6, 2010 John at Santa Barbara film
festival <> WYS film review
John Densmore, Doors manager Jeff Jampol
and Dick Wolf were all in attendance at last night's screening of
'When You're Strange' at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
According to the photos on the
http://www.apimages.com/Search.aspx?st=det&sort=date&id=25th%20Santa%20Barbara%20International%20Film%20Festival%20-%20%22When%20You%27re%20Strange%22%20Screening&showact=events&prds=10002&intv=3d&sh=10002&kwstyle=and&adte=1265496910&pagez=60&cfasstyle=AND&
'When You're Strange' gets screened once more at this
film festival on Sunday night. Details are in the calendar below.
'When You're Strange' got a real nice review from a writer who saw it in Santa Barbara. Read it at: http://www.independent.com/news/2010/feb/06/doors-documentary-emwhen-youre-strangeem/
============================================================
February 1,
2010 WYS screening in Dublin
The 'When You're Strange' screening
at the 2010 Jameson Dublin International Film
Festival will be on February 22 at 6:30 p.m. at Cineworld, according to this
ticket purchase link:
http://jdiff.ticketsolve.com/shows/23497702/events
(thanks, Mark)
============================================================
January 31,
2010 'WYS' in Dublin
'When You're Strange' will be
shown at the 2010 Jameson Dublin International Film
Festival, according to a story at:
http://www.meg.ie/?p=5719.
It looks like this festival runs from February 18 -
28. (thanks, Paolo)
============================================================
January 28,
2010 'WYS' in Santa Barbara
'When You're Strange' will be
shown twice at the Santa Barbara International Film
Festival next month. The screenings are on Friday, February 5 at the
Lobero Theater (7:00 pm), and Sunday, February 7 at Victoria Hall (9:30 pm.
I have been unable to find a link to buy single tickets, only 'packages', but
I'll keep trying. Meanwhile, the festival link is: http://sbiff.org/main/
============================================================
January 26,
2010 'WYS' in USA Today
'When You're Strange' and its
May 26th broadcast on PBS got a write-up in USA
Today a few weeks ago. Read it at: http://blogs.usatoday.com/livefrom/2010/01/the-doors-on-pbs.html
============================================================
January 22,
2010 'WYS' soundtrack release
The 'When You're Strange' soundtrack
is available for pre-order from
Amazon.com at: http://www.amazon.com/When-Youre-Strange-Doors/dp/B0033G9OFA/ref=sr_1_1
The website says the release is schedule for March 16.
(thanks, Simone)
============================================================
January 14,
2010 John at American Masters
program
John Densmore answered
questions at an interview session yesterday
(Wednesday) afternoon that was tied to 'When You're Strange' and its May 26th
broadcast on PBS during "sweeps week" as part of their American Masters series.
Read the full story at: http://www.locatetv.com/blog/doors-will-be-reopened-in-new-pbs-american-masters-film/
============================================================
January
13, 2010 new DiCillo blog
'When You're
Strange' Writer and Director Tom DiCillo
has added new blog #64 titled "From Mr. D" in which he
re-posts the Johnny Depp remarks about the film and adds more comments about the
forthcoming PBS broadcast, probable theater release, and DVD and soundtrack
releases. Read it in its entirety at:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/
============================================================
January
12, 2010 Depp on 'WYS'
6:00 p.m. revised: A Johnny Depp
statement
about 'When You're Strange' actually first came from Tom
DiCillo's blog at:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/?p=214#comments.
Since comments can be hard to find or can quickly get buried as
additional remarks are added, I
am posting it here: “DiCillo’s ‘When You’re Strange’ is a
meticulously crafted, exhilarating ode to one of music’s greatest, most exciting
ensembles, The Doors. Watching the hypnotic, hitherto, unreleased footage of
Jim, John, Ray and Robby, both on and off the stage, I felt like I was there,
with them, living and experiencing what they were experiencing, seeing it all
through their eyes. Ultimately, Jim has been resurrected here to remind us that
he is to this very day, one of the most significant frontmen/poets/shaman to
ever grace a stage and that the band behind him, kept the music alive every step
of the way, adding fuel to an already raging fire, all along their wild and
electrifying ride into history. The raw material entrances throughout. In terms
of a rock n’ roll documentary, or any kind of documentary for that matter, it
simply doesn’t get any better than this. What an honor to have been involved. I
am as proud of this as anything I have ever done.”
After WYS Writer & Director Tom DiCillo shared it on his blog on Sunday, it was
re-posted on Depp's forum yesterday at:
http://johnnydeppreads.com/index.php?showtopic=8627
============================================================
January
7, 2010 new WYS trailer
A new trailer for 'When You're Strange' was released recently which contains some of the Johnny Depp narration.
Check it out at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7KnnGmmN3o&feature=youtube_gdata
(thanks, Paolo)
============================================================
January
6, 2010 'WYS' on PBS in May
'When You're Strange' will get
aired on PBS during "sweeps week" in May, according to
a reply to a fan's question on Writer & Director Tom DiCillo's blog at:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/?p=214#comments
last evening. DiCillo says that PBS has secured the first TV rights and
that there will be a DVD release in the U.S. sometime after that. This
makes my heart sink a little, but he goes on to say that he is still
expecting news about a U.S. theatrical release within a few weeks. As
"sweeps week" approaches in May, I will be on this like white-on-rice to track
down and post all the scheduled TV screenings that I can find.
============================================================
December 17,
2009 WYS showing in London
'When You're Strange' may be getting
a screening in London on February 19, IF I am
understanding this website listing correctly:
http://www.curzoncinemas.com/whats_on/preview_when_youre_strange_plus_introduction#/events/doc_days/preview_when_youre_strange_plus_introduction
============================================================
December 14,
2009 WYS film review
'When You're Strange' got a nice
write-up after its recent appearance at the London
Film Festival on a film blog website. Check it out at:
http://laurasfilmblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/london-film-festival-review-when-youre.html
============================================================
November
20, 2009 WYS sold for Germany
theaters
'When You're Strange' has found
itself a deal for a theatrical release in Germany,
according to a new post on WYS Writer & Director Tom DiCillo's News page at: http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/?page_id=192.
DiCillo goes on to summarize the other major territories that
have bought the film, which include France, Britain, Australia, Canada and Japan
... and possibly a few others. He assures us that there is still progress
on a U.S. distribution deal, so let's keep the faith!
============================================================
November
9, 2009 more Amsterdam WYS screenings
'When You're Strange' has had two
more screenings added at the IDGA Film Festival in Amsterdam.
In addition to
November 26, it will also screen on Saturday, November 21 and Saturday, November
28. For more info, go to:
http://www.idfa.nl/nl/Festival/films-2009/film.aspx?id=020c890a-21ee-4185-8766-70847cffee64
(thanks,
Jan)
============================================================
November
4, 2009 WYS to screen in
Amsterdam
'When You're Strange' will be
screened at the IDGA Film Festival in Amsterdam on
November 26, according to the listing at this site: http://www.idfa.nl/nl/Festival/specialeselecties/rockumentaries-3doc12.aspx
The fan who sent me this info already has his ticket
for the screening, so it must be true! (thanks,
Jan)
============================================================
October 24,
2009 WYS review by TimesOnLine
'When You're Strange' was reviewed in the UK's Timesonline
following the recent BFI London Film Festival screenings. Check that out
at:
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/london_film_festival/article6884285.ece
============================================================
October
21, 2009 new
Tom DiCillo blog
Tom DiCillo has posted another
fascinating blog at:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/
Titled 'Spanish Caravan', this one takes us through his
experiences at the recent film festivals in San Sebastian, Spain and in
Woodstock, New York. The Writer & Director of 'When You're Strange' is for
sure, one entertaining storyteller!
============================================================
October
18, 2009 Tom DiCillo news
Tom DiCillo, the writer and
director of 'When You're Strange', has posted a new
entry on his news blog at: http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/?page_id=192
Tom mentions that The Works, the UK distributor, has been tracking the film
since Sundance. He also assures us that there is strong forward momentum
on sales to other countries AND the U.S.
============================================================
October
16, 2009 John not going to
London <> WYS picked up for UK distribution
John Densmore has had a change
of plans and will NOT be attending 'When You're
Strange' screenings at the BFI London Film Festival. However, expect a
probable appearance when the film premieres in theaters in Europe sometime in
the first half of 2010.
Speaking of 'When You're Strange', the UK film rights have been picked up by The Works UK Distribution and plan to release it next year, according to this story: http://www.screendaily.com/news/distribution/uk-ireland/the-works-picks-up-uk-rights-to-when-youre-strange/5006901.article And yet still, no US distributor for this film? That is just wrong, fer crissakes! >=(
============================================================
October 9,
2009 John at
London WYS screening
John Densmore will be attending
the October 18th screening of 'When You're Strange' at
the London Film Festival. That festival also screens the film on October
16th. The screening dates are now scheduled for the Viennale (Austria)
Film Festival: October 23 and 24. See calendar below for more
information and links.
============================================================
October 7,
2009 DiCillo interview
'When You're Strange' Writer and
Director Tom DiCillo recently attended the screenings
of the film at the Woodstock Film Festival. To see a brief YouTube clip of
him discussing it, go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2X770JSxGw
(thanks, Stuart)
============================================================
October 3,
2009 'When You're Strange' interview
'When You're Strange' Writer and
Director Tom DiCillo and John Densmore are featured
in a nice long (2 page) interview about the film at:
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/london_film_festival/article6852578.ece
============================================================
October 2,
2009 When You're Strange screenings
'When You're Strange' is currently
showing at the Woodstock Film Festival.
Tonight's screening is listed as 'sold out' but tickets are still available for
tomorrow night. For more info: http://www.woodstockfilmfestival.com/festival2009/details.php?id=20981
============================================================
September
17, 2009 WYS London screening dates
'When You're Strange' Writer & Director Tom DiCillo
has posted the London Film Festival screening dates on his
News Page at
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/?page_id=192.
Friday, October 16 and Sunday, October 18 are the
dates. The direct link for the info is:
http://www.bfi.org.uk/lff/node/532
============================================================
September
9, 2009 WYS at Deauville
'When You're
Strange' Writer & Director Tom DiCillo
has posted a new blog entry this morning. Simply titled 'Deauville',
it recounts the trip he has just returned from to Deauville, France for the film
screening in that city's film festival. I won't paraphrase or synopsize,
read it for yourself at:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/
Additionally, Tom's news page says the screening dates for the San Sebastian
Film Festival have been finalized: September 24, 25 and 26, all at 4:30
p.m.
============================================================
September 4,
2009 R&R not going to Woodstock screening
Ray and Robby
will NOT be at the Q&A following the
Woodstock screening of 'When You're
Strange', as reported yesterday according to an on-line story I shared. So
much for believing everything that you read on-line (but you already know that)!
============================================================
September
3, 2009 WYS Q&A at Woodstock with R&R
'When You're
Strange' will be screened at the
Woodstock Film Festival (among others), as reported yesterday with details in
the linked story. In a story about this festival's line-up, the
blurb about WYS says that after the screening there will be a Q&A with Writer &
Director Tom DiCillo and Ray and Robby! This info is contained in
the following story: Scroll down to the section headed
'Documentaries In Competition.'
http://www.vimooz.com/festivalticker/2009/09/the-woodstock-film-festival-10th-anniversary-line/
============================================================
September
2, 2009 WYS gets lots more film festivals
'When You're
Strange' has been entered into a
slew of film festivals, most of them outside the U.S. This news comes from
an on-line story at:
http://www.examiner.com/x-21763-The-Doors-Examiner~y2009m9d1-When-Youre-Strange-a-Doors-documentary
but I have also verified this info. As previously advised by Writer &
Director Tom DiCillo on his blog and news, a distributor deal has been secured
in France, but so far no US or North American distribution deal or DVD release
have been announced. All the available film festival info has been added
to the Calendar below.
============================================================
August 28,
2009 WYS distribution deal!
‘When You’re Strange’
Writer and Director
Tom DiCillo posted terrific news today on his “NEWS” page at:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/?page_id=192 : "When You're Strange" has just secured an official
theatrical distribution deal for France.
The company is MK2, a well-respected French distributor with experience
in both documentary and narrative features.
MK2 will be assisting at the premiere of the film at the upcoming
Deauville Film Festival September 6 in France.
============================================================
August 10,
2009 WYS update
'When You're Strange'
writer & director Tom DiCillo posted today on his NEWS
link at:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/?page_id=192 that
WYS has been selected for a series of special screenings at the San Sebastian
Film Festival in Spain in late September. DiCillo commented that this
inclusion indicates a strong vote of confidence. This is in addition to
his previous news that WYS has been accepted into the Deauville (France) Film
Festival's Documentary Section. He thinks a tentative screening date is
September 6th, subject to change.
============================================================
August 3,
2009 'When You're Strange' news
'When You're Strange'
Writer & Director Tom DiCillo has added Blog #61
"Dog Daze" at:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/
wherein he shares a little bit of WYS news.
DiCillo once again assures us that the developments are good but is unable to
provide details to fans at this time. However, he does say there is
serious interest from US distributors for a theatrical release, as well as
several offers from France for a theatrical release in that territory ... which
would pave the way for other international offers. The film has been
invited to the Deauville International Film Festival in France in early
September. DiCillo has been to this festival with four previous films, and
his 'Living In Oblivion' won Best Picture there in 1995.
============================================================
August 1,
2009 no WYS news
'When You're Strange'
Writer & Director Tom DiCillo has still not posted any
news about the film getting picked up by distributors. It is not necessary
to write to me and ask about it. When I learn of an announcement, I will
share it here. Until then, no news is no news.
============================================================
July 11, 2009 WYS:
still waiting
There is still no
announcement about distribution deals for 'When You're
Strange' on Writer & Director Tom DiCillo's blog. He does tease us with
the news that there is a very prestigious sale in the works for France, which
would spur the interest of other European territories. He says the
response to the NYC screening was strong and there should be some significant
news within a few weeks. When I get wind of something, I'll share it here.
============================================================
July 7, 2009 WYS
review
The recent screenings of
'When You're Strange' at the L.A. Film Festival were low profile, possibly
due in part to the late submission of the film. I don't believe there were
any press screenings, so reviews have been hard to find ... but I finally found
one. Read it at:
http://www.pronetworks.org/index.php/independent_films/post/my_review_of_when_youre_strange_at_2009_la_film_festival/
============================================================
June 26,
2009 Jac Holzman on 'WYS'
Elektra Records founder Jac
Holzman was at a private screening of 'When You're
Strange' last week, which was also attended by Johnny Depp and John Densmore,
among others. Writer & Director Tom DiCillo has posted Holzman's letter to
him on blog #60 Strange in LA at:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/?p=204
DiCillo's preface to sharing the letter should also
be read, but here is the content of Holzman's email:
Tom - I saw the screening over the weekend and was just knocked out. There have been many attempts at a Doors film AND so many abject failures that I had despaired of anyone getting it “right.” And by “right” I meant just letting the band and their music hit a contemporary audience full blast.
I have lived with The Doors for 43 years and understand that the sheer power and danger of the group had to come out through their music even more than in live performance footage. You got that just right. In the context of all the music that flowed into the mighty rock ‘n’ roll tributary, The Doors still excite, chill, inform and challenge the listener.
The canny addition of the HWY material as context-within-context, the intense editing without showiness, sound mixing, Johnny Depp’s subtle phrasing and solid narration all fuse into one of the great films about music and the crazy, driven people who have no choice but to create it. Pondering the movie later I realized what guts it took for Ray, Robbie and John even to get on a stage with Jim. Only the best and most committed musicians could have made that work.
When You’re Strange viscerally plugs into that tremulous period when The Doors represented the furthest edge to which one might aspire without actually getting arrested. I’ve alerted my associates at Warner Music Group about the June 30th screening in New York. I’ve told them this is a “must see” music movie. Jac
============================================================
June 25,
2009
Westwood! <> more on L.A.F.F.
A few words about Westwood: what a week it's
been for that town. The reinvigorated L.A.
Film Festival started last Thursday and continues through this Sunday. The
Federal Building was the site of large demonstrations and candlelight vigils for
the political drama unfolding in Iran last weekend. Ed McMahon passed away at
Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center on Tuesday morning. And this afternoon,
Michael Jackson was transported to that same hospital before the news of his
death was confirmed. I apologize in advance if this sounds crass or
callous,
but it's from the perspective of a movie-goer: it is a lucky break for
attendees of 'When You're Strange' screenings that none were planned for late this
afternoon or this evening! It probably would have been near impossible to
get into town, let alone find parking. 'Nuff said.
Speaking of the L.A. Film Festival and 'When You're Strange' again .... I have seen some pix on-line from the LAFF that indicate that Johnny Depp was there for the premiere of his newest film last week. Maybe he got to attend a private WYS screening before he took off on the promotional tour for 'Public Enemies.' I also heard that Jac Holzman saw it. I know I've been grousing about there being no Q&A sessions following the two screenings here this week; I should clarify that the absence of Writer & Director Tom DiCillo was not intentional on his part, but was due to his own schedule and the producers' decision to keep the film 'low profile' at this film festival. (But I still missed them!)
============================================================
June 24,
2009 'When You're Strange'
screening #2
'When You're Strange' had its
second and final screening at the L.A. Film Festival
this afternoon at The Regent in Westwood, just south of the UCLA campus. I
am pretty sure this show was sold out because before the screening began, the
theater people were scurrying around looking for empty seats and then directing
late arrivals to those. Ray & Dorothy Manzarek, along with Robby Krieger and his
son Waylon, entered the theater from a front side door to audience cheers and
applause. I also spotted Jim's oldest nephew, Dylan Graham (Anne's son).
Once again, a festival employee read a statement from Writer & Director Tom
DiCillo before the film rolled. The film was applauded and cheered as the
credits rolled by. As I mentioned in my Sunday night screening re-cap, it is
unfortunate that the WYS audiences at this film festival in particular
did not have the benefit of the Q&A segment with DiCillo, which he conducted
after every Sundance showing. What with the proximity to UCLA, and the
'hometown' nature of this locale, there may have been some interesting
and lively discussion points brought up by attendees! Next week there is a
buyer's screening in New York City. Here's hoping this film gets a
theatrical release very soon!
============================================================
June 23,
2009 'When You're Strange'
It should be noted that Tom
DiCillo is not only the Director of 'When You're Strange'
but he is also the Writer. I keep neglecting to credit him for the terrific
script that weaves together all the footage and tells the story in a new and
fresh manner. I've inserted that descriptive in yesterday's news story and
will try to remember to give him that credit going forward! That being
said ... in the News section of DiCillo's website today at
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/?page_id=192
he mentions that there will be a buyer's screening in NYC on June 30th.
Now, this is important! The film needs a buyer in order to
get it into distribution as a feature film so audiences everywhere can see it as
it is intended: in a theater on a large screen with a great sound system,
with that pristine HWY footage and outtakes! DiCillo has been really good
about communicating what is going on on his website, so we can look forward to
more blog updates. He goes on to say that Johnny Depp saw the film over
the weekend and was 'extremely complimentary.' It's all good!
By the way, if you scroll down to the bottom section of DiCillo's blog at
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/?p=181, you will
find some comments from others who were in the audience on Sunday night, and his
responses.
============================================================
June 22,
2009 'When You're Strange'
premiere
'When You're Strange' had its
L.A. Film Festival premiere last night at the Mann
Festival Theater in Westwood. It was the first screening at this festival,
located in the heart of Westwood near UCLA where Morrison and Manzarek and
Ferrara all fatefully came together. This was also the first public screening of
the film with the new Johnny Depp narration. I never had a problem with
the original narration by Writer & Director Tom DiCillo, but I certainly do like the Depp
contribution. The new and improved narration is leaner (less talking over
the footage) and Depp's nuanced inflections hit the right marks! This
version includes some newly added footage that was not in the earlier,
DiCillo-narrated version. The HWY footage edited in from the newly-surfaced
original negative is nothing short of stunning! I can't stress that
enough!! If you have ever seen a grainy, time-coded bootleg of HWY, you
may understand what I'm trying to impart. The music is rich sounding and many of
the songs get to play out in their entirety. Prior to the screening, one of the L.A.F.F. people read a statement from the absent DiCillo; that included
a well-deserved acknowledgement of cinematographer Paul Ferrara who was in the
audience with his wife Sandy. At the Sundance Festival screening I
attended in January, the audience benefitted from both a brief introduction from
Director DiCillo, as well as a Q&A with him following the film. In that
regard, this festival audience missed out on something! I did not see any
members of The Doors there, but that's not to say there were none just because I
didn't spot any. Celebrity sighting: we noticed actor Adrian Grenier (of
Entourage) walking past us to get into line. There is only one more chance
to see 'When You're Strange' at this film festival.
Tickets can still be purchased on-line for theWednesday afternoon (2:00) screening at
The Regent:
http://www.lafilmfest.com/tixSYS/2009/xslguide/eventnote.php?EventNumber=5305
============================================================
June 21,
2009 'When You're Strange'
premiere tonight + traffic warning
'When You're Strange' premieres
tonight at the L.A. Film Festival in its final form,
with the Johnny Depp narration track. The screening begins at 10 p.m., and
ticket holders MUST be in their seats 15 minutes before. At that time,
empty seats will be sold to people waiting to buy tickets which are available
only at the door for tonight's screening. It's important to note
that yesterday there were large demonstrations of Iranians at the corner of
Westwood and Wilshire Boulevards (at the Veterans building) that were still
going strong at 10 p.m. last night. News reports indicated the demonstrators
would return today in even larger numbers. Traffic and parking in Westwood will
surely be affected, so allow extra time if you are planning to attend.
Tickets can still be purchased on-line for the Wednesday afternoon screening at:
http://www.lafilmfest.com/tixSYS/2009/xslguide/eventnote.php?EventNumber=5305
============================================================
June 16,
2009 original HWY negative found
HWY news: this is big.
No, this news is HUGE. One
of the Holy Grails of Doors-dom, i.e., the original 35 mm negative of HWY, has
been located through HWY's editor, Frank Lisciandro. This show-stopping news was
posted today on WYS Director Tom DiCillo's "NEWS" blog on his website at:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/?page_id=192.
Director DiCillo goes on to say that the shots have been cut into the film and
they look breathtaking, as if they were shot yesterday. I guess this means
that what I already thought looked amazing at Sundance in January, will now be
beyond dazzling. I can't wait! DiCillo does go on to express
concerns that the skeptics who previously doubted that all the footage was
indeed Morrison, (and not a double or an actor) ... will now be even more
convinced of their delusions. DiCillo asks Doors fans and historians
everywhere to spread the word that 'When You're Strange' contains NO effen
re-enactments ... all the Morrison HWY footage used in 'When You're Strange' IS
the real deal, written and acted by Morrison in 1969. Like I said ... this is huge news!
============================================================
June 9,
2009 'When You're Strange' ticket link
Here is another link to
order tickets for the L.A. Film Festival screenings of
'When You're Strange' on June 21 and 24:
http://www.lafilmfest.com/tixSYS/2009/xslguide/eventnote.php?EventNumber=5305
============================================================
June 2,
2009 WYS at LA Film Festival <> WYS ordering
link
The listing for
'When You're Strange'
on the LA Film Festival's website is a real challenge to find.
Not quite sure why ... it took me awhile on Sunday evening to find the two
screenings, but I finally did. But I cannot locate them again. If
you are trying to order tickets and do not have the time or the patience to try
all the various search methods on their site, you can order them by phone at:
1.866.FilmFest
More info regarding the problems in locating the listings for 'When You're Strange' on the LA Film Fest's website: I wrote the website and got a reply that it has just been added, and should be available for ticketing on their website by Friday. The odd thing is that I did manage to order tickets myself, but then could not find the listings again later. It seems like the film IS there, but not linked on all the pages it should be. In the meantime, a fan found a page with the listings that does work for ticket ordering: http://www.lafilmfest.com/tixSYS/2009/filmguide/Country/USA/Page5 (thanks, David)
============================================================
May 31,
2009 'When You're Strange' is done & will be
screened in L.A.
'When You're Strange' ... the long awaited
and highly anticipated Tom DiCillo film about The
Doors, is finished! The Johnny Depp narration has been cut into the movie,
the film is locked, and it will get two screenings at the L.A. Film Festival in
Westwood. The June 21 showing is at 10:00 p.m. at the Mann Festival
Theatre,
and the June 24 showing is at 2:00 p.m. at The Regent. For more info and to
order tickets, go to:
http://www.lafilmfest.com/2009/
Don't be surprised if you have a hard time finding the film listed ... I
don't even know how I finally found the listings, just keep trying different
links and searches.
============================================================
May 20, 2009
'When You're Strange' narration is done!
FINALLY ... some great news
regarding 'When You're Strange'. According to
Director Tom DiCillo's "news" column on his blog page at
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/?page_id=192,
Johnny Depp has recorded his narration and they are in
the process of cutting it into the picture. DiCillo remarked that it
sounds fantastic and that Depp's work brings something very personal to the
film.
We can get the excited and enthusiastic anticipation about this film fired up
again! YEA!!! DiCillo's report also says that there is at least
a week's worth of work before it is all put together. I don't know what
follows next, but I'd guess that maybe some film festivals again and that the
film distributors who previously viewed it, would start sharpening their
pencils. This is SUCH good news!
============================================================
April 6,
2009 Sundance interview clips
The blog of
'When You're Strange'
director Tom DiCillo has offered up some more interview clips of
DiCillo and John Densmore from the Sundance Film Festival. Go to:
http://www.movingpicturesmagazine.com/videoaudio/mpminterviews/john-densmore-tom-dicillo-when-youre-strange.
============================================================
March 30,
2009 new DiCillo blog
'When You're Strange' Director Tom DiCillo
has posted another blog earlier today. #55 is
titled FRAGMENTal, subtitled Notes From Winter, and recounts Tom's jet-lagged
and sleep-deprived adventures and impressions in both Park City, Utah and
Berlin, Germany as the film was presented at those film festivals. Check
it out at:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/?p=148
============================================================
March 17, 2009 Admiral in 'WYS'
DVD extras
'When You're Strange' Director Tom DiCillo's
Blog #55 'Round Two' revealed in comments a few days ago that the interview that
was conducted with Jim's father a few years ago for this documentary, will be
used in the DVD extras. That's something to look forward to, I know a lot
of fans have inquired about that. Tom also said in another post that
Johnny Depp was planning to start the narration a week or so ago, but there are
no further updates on that.
============================================================
March 2,
2009 UCLA on 'When You're Strange'
The UCLA School of Theater, Film and
Television did a story on 'When You're Strange',
citing alumni Ray Manzarek, Jim Morrison and Paul Ferrara. Check it
out at:
http://www.tft.ucla.edu/news/announcement/583-ferrara_doors-documentary/
The bottom of that story links to the
Richard Blackburn drawing
'A Perfect Day at the Gypsy
Wagon' which includes depictions of Paul (#46),
Ray & Dorothy (#44), and Jim (#32). Paul wrote about the Gypsy Wagon and
this drawing in his recent autobiography
"Flash Of Eden."
By the way, Paul Ferrara has been selling photos from his private portfolio on
his website. There are a few left, which can be seen at:
http://paulferrara.net/ ... click on the
link for 'Original Photo Prints For Sale.'
============================================================
February 28,
2009 WYS out of SXSW
'When You're Strange' Director Tom DiCillo's
Blog #55 'Round Two' revealed in comments yesterday that the film is not going
to get a screening at SXSW in Austin, Texas in a few weeks after all. Tom
explained that Johnny Depp had a schedule conflict this week and will not be
able to record until some time next week. That makes it impossible to get
his voice cut in for the SXSW festival in two weeks. Tom said they are all
in agreement that the film should not screen again until Johnny's voice is in.
Tom's voice was always intended to be temporary; now that they have a real
narrator, it's better to wait for the film to be right before it gets shown
again. Tom's blog page is at:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/
============================================================
February
19, 2009 WYS official website
'When You're Strange'
now has
an official website at:
http://www.whenyourestrangemovie.com/
The site has the movie trailer, clips from the
Sundance premiere, interviews, and more. If you have not been keeping up
with Director Tom DiCillo's blog at
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/,
he recently posted that he hopes to have the Johnny Depp narration in place for
the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas next month.
============================================================
February
13, 2009 John & DiCillo in Berlin
John Densmore attended the Berlin
Film Festival along with 'When You're Strange' Director Tom
DiCillo last week. A brief clip of them discussing the film and answering
audience questions can be found at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuEbv3_cZOM
(thanks, Gilles)
============================================================
February
11, 2009 Berlin WYS blog
'When You're Strange' Director Tom DiCillo
is back from the Berlin Film Festival and sold-out screenings, and has posted a very
brief blog #55 called Round 2. His blog header says he has been awake for
39 hours, so the brevity is understandable and he's probably counting sheep by
now. He does share that there are already offers for theatrical releases
in England and France, with more to follow ... and that he hopes the have the
Johnny Depp narration in place by the time the film goes to the SXSW Film
Festival next month. The link to this latest blog is at:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/?p=154#comments and
from there, he links to a review (thank goodness, it's in English!). Check
them out.
============================================================
February
7, 2009 Johnny Depp: narrator <> film gets
a distributor
It is just about
6:00 p.m. in Berlin, Germany
right now, where the first European screening of 'When You're
Strange' is already underway. It is at this screening where Executive
Producer Dick Wolf and Director Tom DiCillo announce that actor Johnny Depp will do
the narration for 'When You're Strange.' Depp's voice will replace
that of Director DiCillo which was heard on the screening prints used at the
Sundance Film Festival. It has always been stated that there would be
another voice used for the theatrical release, and curiosity and speculation
have been building. Unfortunately, there have been 'leaks' about this
announcement for the last two days, but now it's official! Sounds terrific, what a
great "get" this is.
ContentFilm International has taken worldwide sales rights to 'When You're Strange' according to a story on ScreenDaily.com at: http://www.screendaily.com/ScreenDailyArticle.aspx?intStoryID=43136&Category=. In time, I'm sure we'll all learn what this means in terms of distribution and worldwide theatrical release, so this is more exciting news!
============================================================
February
4, 2009 DiCillo interview <> in-depth DiCillo &
DCM interview
'When You're Strange'
Director Tom DiCillo
can be seen talking about the film in an
8-minute interview at:
http://www.collider.com/entertainment/interviews/article.asp?aid=10768&tcid=1
'When You're Strange' Director Tom DiCillo did a lengthy and insightful interview last week with Kerry Humpherys of Doors Collectors Magazine (www.doors.com) and Salli Stevenson. The interview link is included in the latest issue of DCM's Strange Days Newsletter, and can be accessed directly at: http://www.doors.com/magazine/tomdicillo.html
============================================================
February
3, 2009 John's webmaster interviewed <> WYS
narration & website news
John Densmore's webmaster Jim Southwick
was interviewed last night on a northern California
radio station, KMUD at 91.1 FM. Jim attended a screening last month in
Salt Lake City of the 'When You're Strange' film, and he spoke extensively of
that as well as the website and fan forum he runs at
www.johndensmore.com.
The interview runs about 15 minutes and can be heard
at:
http://www.johndensmore.com/humboldt.mp3
'When You're Strange' Director Tom DiCillo mentioned in his blog yesterday at http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/ that the announcement about the film narrator will be made in Berlin. The first screening at the Berlin Film Festival is this Saturday which includes the press screening, so stay tuned for that news! He also informed that there will be no official website for the movie until it hits U.S. theaters, so fans can stop searching for that for the time being.
============================================================
February
2, 2009 WYS goes to SXSW
'When You're Strange'
will go to the
SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas which runs from March 13 to
March 21, according to Filmmaker Blog at Filmmaker Magazine.
The film is in a category called '24
Beats Per Second', a showcase for documentaries about music, musicians, or the
cultural ties that exist around them. Read the story at:
http://www.filmmakermagazine.com/blog/2009/02/sxsw-announces-line-up.php
and
http://www.indiewire.com/article/sxsw_unveils_09_line_up/
============================================================
February
1, 2009 WYS goes to Berlin
'When You're Strange'
makes its European
debut this coming Saturday, February 7 at
the Berlin Film Festival. For the screening schedule, see calendar below
or go to:
http://www.berlinale.de/en/presse/pressevorfuehrungen/datenblatt.php?film_id=20094596
============================================================
January 27,
2009 Kerry's WYS
review
Kerry Humpherys of Doors
Collectors Magazine has just sent out his latest
Strange Days Newsletter #188 with his own review of 'When You're Strange.'
If somehow you are not among his subscriber list of 24,000+ Doors fans, you can
go to his home page at
www.doors.com
and sign up (it's free!). In the meantime, read Kerry's
impressions of the film at:
http://doors.com/188/.
Kerry also has an in-depth interview with 'When You're Strange' Director
Tom DiCillo coming our way in the near future ... that's something exciting to
look forward to just before Director DiCillo heads east for the movie's European
premiere at the Berlin Film Festival which runs from February 5 to the 15th.
============================================================
January
26, 2009 Tom DiCillo's latest blog
'When You're Strange' Director Tom
DiCillo's latest blog #54 titled "Round One" is a
must-read for fans:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/?p=153
Well said, Tom!
============================================================
January
25, 2009 Sundance blogger interview
A Sundance blogger
who interviewed
'When You're
Strange' Director Tom DiCillo can be read at: http://www.sundancechannel.com/festival/blog/2009/01/dealing-with-the-doors/
(thanks, Joe)
============================================================
January
23, 2009 movie trailer <> Ray & Robby's mini-jam
The trailer for 'When You're
Strange' is contained in this link, according to the
story's writer:
http://www.collider.com/entertainment/news/article.asp/aid/10589/tcid/1
Park City's mayor Dana Williams played harmonica on Roadhouse Blues when Ray and Robby did a two-song mini-jam last weekend at the Gibson Lounge during the Sundance Festival. There is still no info on who the other musicians or the female vocalist were, but this story refers to them as the 'house band.' Read story at: http://www.parkrecord.com/city/ci_11539354 If you missed the story with the links to both videos the first time around, here it is again at: http://blogs.sltrib.com/sundance/2009/01/doors-at-sundance-video.html
============================================================
January
22, 2009 more thoughts on WYS <> more Sundance
interviews <> John interview
'When You're Strange'
... more thoughts! First and foremost, and
straight from the Director himself: this film has lots of positive stuff
happening for it, and it is still going to the Berlin Film Festival in early
February ... so that is all good! Let's not rush to read
too much into the fact that some critics were strangely vicious, even rude,
about this film and/or its narrative.
I suspect there is a breed of critics who feel empowered when they can
criticize the efforts of those with actual artistic talent. Many times I
have passed on a movie or TV series based on critical reviews, and then later
discovered that I had missed out on something great! There have been
remarks about the use of newsreel footage to help define what was going on
during the era; some felt it was unnecessary or too obvious. I was in my
early 20's when I experienced my Doors concerts, and know all too well what was
going on in the late 60's in the USA. However, this film will draw
audiences who were not born yet, or not raised in this country where those
events were front page news and became part of our personal experiences.
I feel it's important to remember that as it relates to the context the Director
was providing. Yes, there is familiar footage from HWY
and Feast of Friends and the official releases. It would have been
impossible to tell the story of this band that we love so much without using
some of that stuff which is so great, that it was previously released.
It is hard to describe, but the way this film has been edited gives the familiar
film footage new significance. Fans want to know exactly what is new, and
that is difficult to explain. There are hundreds, maybe thousands, of clips and images
... and you will see things that you realize you have never seen before.
Let's be positive, think good thoughts for this film and project an eagerness to
see its widespread release. You never know who might be lurking around the
forums looking for fan reactions. Lastly: I will not reply individually to everyone who
has written me in the last 24 hours with questions. It is simply too soon
to know what the distribution details will be, when it will be available in
theaters within or outside the USA, be shown on Sundance Channel, or when it will be available as a DVD
release. When that info is available, it will be shared! Please
don't take it personally if I don't write back ... I just answered most of your
questions in the last few sentences.
'When You're Strange' Director Tom DiCillo, along with Robby and Ray, can be seen discussing the film in a 4-minute interview during Sundance at this link: http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid5237562001?bclid=8598973001&bctid=8620345001
Another interview with 'When You're Strange' Director Tom DiCillo can be found at: http://blog.spout.com/2009/01/20/tom-dicillo-when-youre-strange-interview-sundance-2009/ (thanks, Bill)
My son got busy tracking down interviews and clips as well, and found a 2-1/2 minute AMC interview with DiCillo, Ray and Robby: http://www.amctv.com/videos/movie-news/?bcpid=1725961875&bclid=7065999001&bctid=8484268001 (thanks, David my son)
John Densmore was interviewed while he was at the Sundance Film Festival for the film's premiere: read this one at: http://www.vancouversun.com/Entertainment/Doors+documentary+recalls+strange+days+when+Morrison+ruled+stage/1198627/story.html (thanks, Bill)
============================================================
January 21,
2009 'When You're Strange' screening <> Sundance interview
Some hours ago I got home
from an overnight trip to Salt Lake City where I saw the Tuesday
night screening of 'When You're Strange' accompanied by some long-time Doors
friends: Jim Southwick, webmaster at
johndensmore.com
and his wife Leah, and Kerry Humpherys of
Doors Collectors Magazine.
And now the truth can be told: this was my second viewing of the film; I
saw it in November with cinematographer Paul Ferrara, whose film footage is used
extensively. Many of us have seen bootleg footage of HWY over the years
... if you have, let me assure you that you have never seen it like this
which is 'worth the price of admission' alone! Its quality is pristine
which translates to brilliant and breathtaking when viewed on a large theater
screen, and it is utilized cleverly and creatively throughout. As
publicized, there is indeed never-before-seen footage that will thrill even the
most jaded Doors fan. Director Tom DiCillo has found himself in the strange
position of needing to re-assure viewers that ALL the footage is of Jim, Ray,
Robby, and John, and that there are NO actors. Apparently at the media
screening someone stormed out because he felt that there was an actor being
used to portray Jim Morrison, when actually it was some of the vivid and
pristine HWY footage of a bearded Jim. Seriously! The editing which juxtaposes
concert footage and still photos breathes new life into that which is familiar.
Robby is given proper credit for all his songwriting contributions. Since the
film's premiere last Saturday, I have shared links to various reviews that have
been favorable overall. I disagree strongly with some other media reviews which
are surprisingly, even bizarrely, critical of the narration by Director DiCillo, and I exercise my prerogative to not share those here
because they largely ignore the film content itself, instead taking issue with the tone of DiCillo's voice (fer crissakes!). I have the
advantage of having seen this film twice. With two months to reflect
between my first and second viewings, I feel DiCillo's narration set just the
right tone. This film is about The Doors, all four of them!
DiCillo's narration appropriately does not overwhelm or detract from that
story. If you have not taken the time to read the two blogs (#52 and #53) that DiCillo wrote about this project's process, this would be a good time:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/.
But don't just stop reading there, because DiCillo actually took the time to respond to
each and every comment or question posed to him, which shed light on additional
aspects including the narration. Some of the critics complained because
there were no interviews, no 'talking heads', and DiCillo discusses that decision on one of the
blogs as well. One critic dared to call it 'Doors For Dummies' ... what an
insult and I'd say that critic IS the dummy. This production is
targeted for a theatrical release and therefore, it would indeed play to many
"Doors Dummies" who are familiar with only the most common or most lurid stories and facts
... so while this film covers a lot of territory that is already familiar to
readers of this website ... trust me, there is PLENTY to satisfy fans
like us! Let's hope that those unfavorable reviews do not impede
the future of this film. Jim Southwick posted some of his own impressions
about last night's screening on John's forum; to read that, go to:
http://forum.johndensmore.com/index.php?showtopic=2957&st=20
and scroll down to Page 2, Post #27 by KnowIdea.
A 9-minute video clip of Director Tom DiCillo, Ray and Robby being interviewed the day after Saturday's premiere can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v319aHuzt2Q (thanks, KDW)
============================================================
January
19, 2009 Sundance 'WYS' reviews <> more Sundance 'WYS' stories
Last evening was the screening
of 'When You're Strange' for press and industry, so
there are a bunch of reviews popping up. I'm not going to use every one
but will select the most comprehensive ones to share. I'm going to start
with these:
http://www.thestar.com/Entertainment/article/573260
and
http://www.screendaily.com/ScreenDailyArticle.aspx?intStoryID=42684
Just a few more stories and reviews about Sundance and 'When You're Strange': http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/sundance-monday-no-im-not-there/ and http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2009/01/sundance-jack-1.html
============================================================
January
17, 2009 The Doors at Sundance
Robby, Ray, and John are all in
Park City right now for the Sundance Film Festival.
'When You're Strange' had its premiere showing this evening. Earlier
today, Robby and Ray participated in a mini-jam at the Gibson Lounge and
performed 'Riders On The Storm' and 'Roadhouse Blues' (maybe more, I don't
know!. This can be seen on YouTube videos on this link: http://blogs.sltrib.com/sundance/2009/01/doors-at-sundance-video.html
Dorothy Manzarek can be seen sitting just behind Ray in both videos.
Incidentally, Ray and Dorothy just celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary on
December 21.
============================================================
January
14, 2009 DiCillo interview <> follow Sundance from home
Tom DiCillo, Director of 'When You're Strange',
has a brief interview in today's Salt Lake City Tribune wherein
he discusses his idea for the structure of the film. Read it at:
http://www.sltrib.com/entertainment/ci_11451942
The same publication, Salt Lake City Tribune, also has a story about following the film festival events from home via internet, Sundance Channel, etc. If that is of interest to you, check it out at: http://www.sltrib.com/sundance/ci_11399770
============================================================
January
12, 2009 When You're Strange
'When You're Strange' tops the
list of the "13 Films You Should Be Excited To See At
Sundance 2009" according to the featured article at:
http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/features/13-films-you-should-be-excited-to-see-at-sundance-2009.php
============================================================
January 9,
2009 DiCillo interview
Tom DiCillo,
Director of 'When You're Strange', can
be seen in a 3-minute video discussing the film. The video is on the
Sundance website at this link:
http://festival.sundance.org/2009/videos/
Click on "Meet The Artists" and scroll over to the second page ... DiCillo
is right in the middle square, and well worth the listen!
============================================================
January 8,
2009 Doors docu screening schedule <> Ray
interview
A Rhino Records press
release about 'When You're Strange' which includes the
screening schedule at Sundance can be found at:
http://www.rhino.com/rzine/pressrelease.lasso?PRID=603
Ray Manzarek did a 15-minute phone interview with a reporter from the Salt Lake Tribune in advance of next week's 'When You're Strange' premiere at Sundance in Park City. During the interview, Ray reveals that following Sundance the band will tour Mexico, then do about six U.S. west coast dates from Seattle to San Diego, then down to South America, and finally into the recording studio to record some new music with various singers. Ray also said they will be the Manzarek-Krieger Band, with the same musicians as Riders On The Storm. Listen to it at: http://blogs.sltrib.com/sundance/2009/01/hello-i-talk-to-you.html
============================================================
December
28,
2008 film director's blog
Tom DiCillo,
Director of 'When You're Strange',
posted another blog about this film that we are all breathlessly awaiting the
debut of. This entry #53, titled 'Mojo Risin', gives insight about how he
conceptualized the project, the meetings he had, the use of HWY outtakes, and
much more. Be sure to check it out at:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/
and if you haven't already, also read blog #52 titled 'The
Doors.'
============================================================
December
23,
2008 Sundance ad
Check out the Sundance Film Festival
page on 'When You're Strange' at:
http://festival.sundance.org/2009/film_events/films/when_youre_strange
============================================================
December
22,
2008 When You're Strange poster
Check out the poster for
the forthcoming film documentary, 'When You're
Strange'
go here
(thanks, Gilles)
============================================================
December 18,
2008 When You're Strange in Billboard
'When You're Strange'
got a nice write-up in today's Billboard.com.
Rhino will release a soundtrack to the film next summer. To read the
full text of the Billboard story,
go here
(thanks, George)
============================================================
December 3,
2008 Doors docu goes to Sundance
"When You're Strange",
the long-awaited
forthcoming documentary, is an Official Selection of The Sundance
Festival. It will be in the main documentary competition and will have its
world premiere there on January 17th! The overall Sundance line-up
presents 118 feature-length films which were chosen from 3,661 submissions!
There has also been an official invitation from the Berlin Film Festival in
February. The film's director, Tom DiCillo, discusses the film at length
in a blog posted today on his website. Check it out at:
http://www.tomdicillo.com/blog/
============================================================
December 2,
2008 Doors documentary titled
"When You're Strange"
is the title of the forthcoming Doors documentary. I
like this title because it's a song line that has not already been used
elsewhere!
============================================================
Robby news only
Ray news only
John news only
return to Ida's L.A. Woman Confidential home page
for more Doors news and reviews