The Filtered Excellence: August 18, 2016
Bob Geldof once asked us, “Where is the filtered excellence!?” It’s right here. Once a week we take a break from comedy to bring you this week’s picks of the best things to watch, the most interesting things to do, great things to try, the best picks to read, our favorite things to listen to and more.
WATCH THIS:
Lo And Behold: Reveries Of The Connected World. The latest from legendary filmmaker Werner Herzog looks at how the Internet’s constant evolution will have a dramatic effect on how we educate, conduct business, travel here on Earth and in space, provide health care and how we conduct ourselves within personal relationships. Working with cyberspace leader NETSCOUT, Herzog speaks with net pioneers and prophets to give an exclusive glimpse into how we got to this point and where the net could ultimately take us. If you are a tech geek or want to expand your palette, prepare to get your mind totally blown open. An extraordinary doc. Lo And Behold: Reveries Of The Connected World opens in theaters, on demand, Amazon Video and Itunes on Friday. You can also go www.loadnbeholdfilm.com for more information.
Morris From America. Writer-director Chad Hartigan’s cool, unique spin on the coming of age movie stars Markees Christmas as Morris Gentry, a 13 year old aspiring rapper who relocateswith his father, Curtis (Craig Robinson) to Heidelberg, after his mother passes away and Curtis lands a job teaching soccer. The culture clash hit them hard: For Curtis, his attempts to date again (with Germaare met with icy stares and deep discouragement from his co-workers. The job isn’t any better as Curtis quickly finds out that team he’s been tasked to coach is not very good. For Morris, trying to learn a new language and fit in at a new school becomes a daily exercise of frustration, not to mention dealing with schoolmates who insist on reducing him to stereotypes. His dream of becoming the next Biggie Smalls are hampered when Morris discovers that the local music scene is more EDM than hip hop. Morris’ life becomes more complicated when he falls for his older, rebellious classmate Katrin (Lina Keller). Somehow, Curtis and Morris must learn to rely on each other in order to make their mark in their new environment. Haritgan’s script adds some new twists to the fish out of water store as well as showing a rare, positive father-son dynamic from a Black perspective. Robinson and Christmas are excellent delivering breakout performances in their starring roles. It makes you wonder why Robinson hasn’t been offered more chances to carry a film. This is primed to be one of sleeper films of the summer. Morris From America opens nationally on Friday.
Spaceman. The colorful life of Bill ‘Spaceman’ Lee is the subject of this new film from Brett Rapkin. Josh Duhamel plays the outspoken Lee, who was both a folk hero and an enemy for bringing the introduced the counterculture lifestyle to the big leagues. The film picks up with Lee getting unceremoniously released by the Montreal Expos in 1982, and, rather than call it a career, managed to pitch an array of semi-pro teams and in the minors well into his 60s. It also shows how Lee’s early advocating of yoga and meditation eventually became part of the pro sports dynamic. Duhamel delivers a great performance as the eccentric, loose, yet always passionate Lee, capturing his looks and mannerisms to an eerie effect. It’s a fitting look at one of the game’s most unique characters. Spaceman opens nationwide this Friday.
LISTEN TO THIS
Deanthoven by Deantoni Parks. After breaking new ground with the albums Technoself and its Prince-inspired follow-up Wally, drummer/composer Deantoni Parks tackles the work of Beethoven on this new EP. Armed with just a drum kit and a sequencer, Parks marries Ludwig Van with big beats with surgeon like precision (all cut live) to an astonishing effect. It’s a blizzard of sound that has to be heard to be believed. It’s also an excellent primer for Parks’ next big project: The score to the Paul Schrader-Nicholas Cage film, Dog Eat Dog. Another winner from one of the best in the game. Deanthoven is available now through Amazon, Itunes and all major music retailers. You can also go to http://www.stonesthrow.com/ for more information.
The Parlour by Revel In Dimes. This four piece New York City-based band marries Delta Blues with old school soul to deliver a sound that has to be felt as much as it needs to be heard. Eva Warren’s wise beyond her years vocals perfectly compliments Eric Simons’ swamp thick guitar riffs and the rock solid rhythm section of Washington Duke (drums) and Chris ‘Premo’ Waller (bass). If this 5 song EP is any indication, Revel In Dimes is poised to be the next great band to come out of New York City. The Parlour is available now through Amazon and Itunes. You can also go tohttp://www.revelindimes.com/ for more information.
DO THIS
New York City: A Cool Breeze. With summer winding down, The Howard Greenberg Gallery is running an exhibit that shows how people keep cool alongside images of those doing the things that make them cool. Some of the all time great photographers – Henri Cartier-Bresson, Bruce Davidson, Saul Leiter, Robert Frank, and Dennis Stock, among others – are featured along with special appearances by Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holliday, Lionel Hampton and other jazz greats captured on stage. But the focus is also on every day people at the beach, in the park, and in one instance, on the slopes. It’s a fantastic display of photos from some of the best to go behind the lens. A Cool Breeze will be at The Howard Greenberg Gallery through September 2nd. You can also go to http://www.howardgreenberg.com/ for more information.
Want more excellence? Read last week’s The Filtered Excellence and visit The Interrobang Recommmends
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