The biographical documentary is a genre that lends itself to a reliable storytelling formula. First, we look back on the origins of the subject; we are introduced to some of the key figures that helped them along the way; we are shown the beginning of their career all the way to the end, and are then left to contemplate their legacy.
Due to the predictability of this format, these documentaries can often come off as by-the-numbers, taking us on a telegraphed emotional journey intended as a crowdpleaser. But every once in a while, there’s a subject who is so unique that their story elevates the formula. Allee Willis is one such subject, with a life story that’s energetic, colorful and invigorating to witness. Director Alexis Manya Spraic crafts a documentary that strives to be just as fascinating as its subject.
The World According to Allee Willis, which premiered at SXSW earlier this month,...
Due to the predictability of this format, these documentaries can often come off as by-the-numbers, taking us on a telegraphed emotional journey intended as a crowdpleaser. But every once in a while, there’s a subject who is so unique that their story elevates the formula. Allee Willis is one such subject, with a life story that’s energetic, colorful and invigorating to witness. Director Alexis Manya Spraic crafts a documentary that strives to be just as fascinating as its subject.
The World According to Allee Willis, which premiered at SXSW earlier this month,...
- 3/25/2024
- by Jourdain Searles
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Allee Willis, the prolific pop songwriter behind hits like Earth, Wind and Fire’s “September” and the Friends theme “I’ll Be There for You” died Tuesday at the age of 72.
Willis’ publicist confirmed the songwriter’s death to Rolling Stone, adding that Willis died of cardiac arrest at a Los Angeles-area hospital. Willis’ “partner and soulmate” Prudence Fenton is “in total shock” over the sudden death.
Following the failure of her lone studio album Childstar in 1974, Willis soon turned her talents toward songwriting, first collaborating with Bonnie Raitt — a...
Willis’ publicist confirmed the songwriter’s death to Rolling Stone, adding that Willis died of cardiac arrest at a Los Angeles-area hospital. Willis’ “partner and soulmate” Prudence Fenton is “in total shock” over the sudden death.
Following the failure of her lone studio album Childstar in 1974, Willis soon turned her talents toward songwriting, first collaborating with Bonnie Raitt — a...
- 12/26/2019
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Allee Willis, the songwriter perhaps best known for writing the theme song to the long-running sitcom “Friends,” died on Tuesday at age 72, according to her official Instagram page.
She died of cardiac arrest, according to Variety.
A 1985 Grammy winner and 2018 inductee into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Willis produced an extensive body of hits that included multiple songs for Earth, Wind & Fire, including “September” and “Boogie Wonderland.”
Also Read: Ed Aschoff, ESPN College Football Reporter, Dies on His 34th Birthday
Her other hits included the Pointer Sisters’ “Neutron Dance,” Dusty Springfield’s “What Have I Done to Deserve This?,” Patti Labelle’s “Lead Me On,” and the theme from “The Karate Kid,” “You’re the Best.” She earned a Grammy in 1985 for her contributions to the “Beverly Hills Cop” soundtrack album.
In 2006, Willis earned a Tony nomination for co-writing the original score to the Broadway musical adaptation of “The Color Purple,...
She died of cardiac arrest, according to Variety.
A 1985 Grammy winner and 2018 inductee into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Willis produced an extensive body of hits that included multiple songs for Earth, Wind & Fire, including “September” and “Boogie Wonderland.”
Also Read: Ed Aschoff, ESPN College Football Reporter, Dies on His 34th Birthday
Her other hits included the Pointer Sisters’ “Neutron Dance,” Dusty Springfield’s “What Have I Done to Deserve This?,” Patti Labelle’s “Lead Me On,” and the theme from “The Karate Kid,” “You’re the Best.” She earned a Grammy in 1985 for her contributions to the “Beverly Hills Cop” soundtrack album.
In 2006, Willis earned a Tony nomination for co-writing the original score to the Broadway musical adaptation of “The Color Purple,...
- 12/25/2019
- by Thom Geier
- The Wrap
Emmy-nominated and Grammy-winning songwriter Allee Willis died Dec. 24, Christmas Eve. She was 72. Willis’ long-term partner Prudence Fenton announced her death on Instagram. “Rest In Boogie Wonderland Nov 10,1947-December 24, 2019,” Fenton wrote next to a photo of Willis, referring to one of the Earth, Wind & Fire hits Willis had co-written.
Willis also composed “I’ll Be There for You” by The Rembrandts, which was used as a theme song for NBC’s hugely popular comedy series Friends and became one of the biggest TV theme song hits ever. “I’ll Be There for You” earned Willis an Emmy nomination.
Willis also co-wrote the Broadway musical The Color Purple and the Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack, winning Grammy awards for both.
In addition to “Boogie Wonderland”, Willis’ collaboration with Earth,...
Willis also composed “I’ll Be There for You” by The Rembrandts, which was used as a theme song for NBC’s hugely popular comedy series Friends and became one of the biggest TV theme song hits ever. “I’ll Be There for You” earned Willis an Emmy nomination.
Willis also co-wrote the Broadway musical The Color Purple and the Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack, winning Grammy awards for both.
In addition to “Boogie Wonderland”, Willis’ collaboration with Earth,...
- 12/25/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Songwriter Allee Willis, famous for her work with Earth, Wind & Fire as well as the “Friends” theme and the “The Color Purple” Broadway song score, died Tuesday in Los Angeles. She was 72. The cause of death was cardiac arrest.
Prudence Fenton, the animator and producer who is described by a family friend as Willis’ “partner and soulmate,” was said to be “in total shock” over her best friend’s sudden death, which occurred just after 6 p.m.
Willis was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2018 for a catalog that included hits like Ewf’s “September” and “Boogie Wonderland,” the Pointer Sisters’ “Neutron Dance,” the Pet Shop Boys’ and Dusty Springfield’s “What Have I Done to Deserve This?,” Maxine Nightingale’s “Lead Me On,” Patti Labelle’s “Stir It Up” and the theme from “The Karate Kid,” “You’re the Best.”
“I, very thankfully, have a few songs that will not go away,...
Prudence Fenton, the animator and producer who is described by a family friend as Willis’ “partner and soulmate,” was said to be “in total shock” over her best friend’s sudden death, which occurred just after 6 p.m.
Willis was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2018 for a catalog that included hits like Ewf’s “September” and “Boogie Wonderland,” the Pointer Sisters’ “Neutron Dance,” the Pet Shop Boys’ and Dusty Springfield’s “What Have I Done to Deserve This?,” Maxine Nightingale’s “Lead Me On,” Patti Labelle’s “Stir It Up” and the theme from “The Karate Kid,” “You’re the Best.”
“I, very thankfully, have a few songs that will not go away,...
- 12/25/2019
- by Chris Willman
- Variety Film + TV
It's back and better than ever -- the makers of Pee-Wee's Playhouse capped their Saturday morning show with a Christmas Special to end all Christmas Specials. All the show's regular characters, special treats and creative extravagances are enhanced with a tall stack of celebrity guests, performers and walk-ons -- it's a 1988 time capsule. Pee-Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special Blu-ray Shout! Factory 1988 / Color / 1:33 flat / 49 min. / Christmas at Pee-Wee's Playhouse / Street Date October 6, 2015 / 19.97 Starring Paul Reubens, Annette Funicello, Frankie Avalon, Grace Jones, k.d. lang, Dinah Shore, Little Richard, Cher, Del Rubio Triplets, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, Joan Rivers, Charo, Laurence Fishburne, Kevin Carlson, Ric Heitzman, Suzanne Kent, William Marshall, George Mcgrath, S. Epatha Merkerson, Alison Mork, John Paragon, Lynne Marie Stewart, Vic Trevino. Cinematography David Lewis Film Editor Billy Fox Original Music Van Dyke Parks Written by John Paragon, Paul Reubens Produced by Steve Binder Directed by Wayne Orr,...
- 12/8/2015
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Smosh, the banner by which BFFs Ian Hecox and Anthony Padilla have been entertaining online video audiences and Pokemon enthusiasts since YouTube’s inception, has amassed over 1.3 billion views and over 4.5 million subscribers on the world’s largest video sharing site in the past six years. That’s one heck of a fan base. Hecox, Padilla, Smosh-owner Alloy Digital, Smosh President and Alloy Digital Evp Barry Blumberg, and the world’s largest video sharing site believe that fan base wants to watch cartoons in addition to the familiar erratic comedy and user-driven reality stylings of two talented young twentysomethings. Shut Up! Cartoons is Smosh’s soon-to-debut animated YouTube channel, which is one of the 96-or-so that make up the first round of the YouTube Originals Initiative. It was conceived of by Blumberg, who, before joining the Smosh team back in 2006, was responsible for the development and production of notable...
- 4/16/2012
- by Joshua Cohen
- Tubefilter.com
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.