The Filtered Excellence: June 26, 2014

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Bob Geldof once asked us, “Where is the filtered excellence!?” It’s right here. Here are this weeks 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:

They Came Together.  Director David Wain.  David Wain and Michael Showalter co-wrote this fun, silly, but entertaining parody/spoof of rom com and date movies.  This smart parody (smarody?) stars Amy Poehler and Paul Rudd and an incredible supporting cast that includes Bill Hader and Ellie Kemper, Jason Mantzoukas, Ed Helms, Michael Ian Black, Keenan Thompson, Jack McBrayer, Ken Marino, and Cobie Smulders.  It’s a perfect summer movie.  Light but smart, and packed with laughs, and at times, purposefully corny.   What you won’t find are explosions,  shocking plot twists, or long drawn out car chases. But you didn’t want any of that anyway.

Snowpiercer. The other movie about an age of extinction out this week, Joon-Ho Bong (Mother, The Host, Memories of Murder) makes his English language debut with this sci-fi/fantasy allegory about political oppression and humanity in a time of survival. A new ice-age has occurred, leaving the only humans in 2031 circling the planet on a massive train called the Snowpiercer (able to cut through blocks of ice as it passes). The wealthy live in lavish compartments in first class, while the poor have survived for years in crowded bunks, filthy conditions, and eating nothing but protein bricks. Finally, a rebellion breaks outs with participants attempting to get from the back of the train to the front, to seize control of the engine. Bong has a huge fanbase as a master of genre filmmaking (think Korea’s Tarantino) and brings that skill to his most ambitious and epic film to date. The production design will remind audiences of Terry Gilliam and Stanley Kubrick. And while the action sequences are reminiscent of The Raid, there is thoughtful political-social commentary and interesting characters written by Bong and Kelly Masterson (Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead). Being a global train-arc, the movie understandably is a true international production; produced in Korea, filmed in Prague, based on a French graphic novel, and starring a large ensemble cast. The cast includes Korean stars Kang-ho Song & Ah-sung Ko, along with Ed Harris, Tilda Swinton, and Allison Pill as the upper-class figureheads, with Chris Evans, Jamie Bell, Octavia Spencer, Luke Pasqualino, Ewan Bremner, and John Hurt as the desperate lower-class fighting their way to the front. Despite being advertised as a non-stop action movie, it’s closest comparison would probably be Children of Men. Snowpiercer opens in select theaters on Friday, June 27th.

Whitey: United States Of America v. James J. Bulger. For over 25 years, James ‘Whitey’ Bulger ruled the Boston underworld. Responsible for at least two dozen murders and linked to countless others, Bulger eventually became No. 2 on America’s Most Wanted List after Osama Bin Laden. At the height of his reign of terror, Bulger all but disappeared for nearly 16 years before being captured in Santa Monica with his longtime girlfriend. But his subsquent trial and conviction of multiple counts of murder and racketeering charges was only part of the story. Acclaimed director Joe Berlinger (The Paradise Lost Trilogy) talks with former Bulger associates, law enforcement officials and the families of Bulger’s many victims to paint the portrait of one of the most ruthless gangsters in American history. The film also uncovers a more unsetting truth: Bulger’s role as an FBI informant – not to mention ties to local and state law enforcement officials – gave him carte blanche to basically do whatever he wanted. Berlinger puts an entirely new spin on the crime documentary, showing the growing shades of gray that are attached to the criminal justice system.  Whitey: United States Of America v. James J. Bulger opens in theaters, on demand and on Itunes on June 27th.

The Leftovers. HBO is looking for another breakout series to capture Sunday night audiences. The latest is “The Leftovers”. In this new drama, 2% of the world’s population has suddenly vanished. The rest of the world is left grieving for those that were taken and wondering why they weren’t chosen. The series focuses on the small town of Mapleton where its residents have been strongly effected by this so-called rapture. “The Leftovers” stars Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman, Carrie Coon, Christopher Eccleston, Ann Dowd, Amanda Warren and Liv Tyler as the townspeople dealing with not only this crisis, but also a mysterious cult like group that has appeared in their town, all dressed in white and chain smoking. Expect plenty of weirdness, creepy cult like behavior, and more unexplained phenomena and behavior than you can shake a stick at. Fans of Lost, The 4400, The Event and other mystery/sci-fi shows will be happy to have a new creepy supernatural series to follow, and we can all hope that HBO won’t pull the rug out from under us the way network tv does.  And if all else fails, at least you can read the buck.  Watch  the premiere of “The Leftovers”  Sunday night, June 29th at 10 pm et on HBO.

ESPN 30 For 30: White, Blue and White. A perfect companion for your World Cup watching, this is the new 30 For 30 doc from ESPN films. “White, Blue and White” is a look at the incredible career of Argentina soccer star Ossie Ardiles. After capturing the 1978 World Cup for his country, Ardiles along with teammate Ricky Villa made the jump to Tottenham Hotspur in the English League, a move that was unheard of at the time. They led the team to winning the 1981 FA Cup and became heroes in England as well. Their popularity was short-lived however after war broke out between their native Argentina and their adopted country of England in the Falkland Islands. White, Blue and White follows the triumph and controversy in Ardiles’ career. 30 For 30: White, Blue and White premieres Tuesday, July 1st at 8 pm et on ESPN.

Chris Rock Hosts The 2014 BET Awards. Former Oscar host, the hilarious Chris Rock is back to emceeing for the 2014 BET Awards. This year, the awards show celebrates special Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Lionel Richie as his music is honored. There will also be a special tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights movement in America. Along with host Chris Rock, performers include Pharrell Williams, Robin Thicke, John Legend, Usher. Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj. The 2014 BET Awards airs Sunday night, June 29th at 8 pm et on BET.


 

LISTEN TO THIS:

Man Dance/Barbeque Dog by Ronald Shannon Jackson & The Decoding Society. When drummer and composer Ronald Shannon Jackson passed away this past October, a major voice in the free jazz/avant garde world was silenced. Jackson was the only musician to play with the premier pioneers of the genre (Ornette Coleman, Cecil Taylor and Albert Ayler) and his band The Decoding Society, served as a launchpad for musicians Vernon Reid (Living Colour), Melvin Gibbs (Rollins Band), James ‘Blood’ Ulmer, Bill Frisell, among many others. Two seminal Decoding Society albums from the 80s, Man Dance and Barbeque Dog have been reissued digitally though Verve. Both collections are blistering execurisons of funk, free-form jazz, and rock, with bits of New Orleans and Texas swing thrown in for good measure. You won’t believe that this was recorded in the 80s – it’s still ahead of the curve. Dive in and hear the early works of a free funk pioneer.

Man Dance and Barbeque Dog are available now on Amazon, Itunes, and all major digital music outlets.

 

BROWSE THIS:

The Central Park Five on PBS.org. On June 19th, The City Of New York announced that they have reached a 40 million dollar settlement in a civil suit brought about by The Central Park Five. The five men – Raymond Santana, Yusef Salaam, Antron McCray, Kharey Wise and Kevin Richardson – spent between seven and 13 years in prison for the brutal 1989 rape and assault of investment banker Trisha Meili in Central Park. The five – who were all teenagers at the time – always maintained their innocence, stating that they were coerced by the NYPD into making the confessions. There was also no DNA evidence that linked them to the crime. In 2002, Matias Reyes, a convicted rapist and murderer serves a life sentence, confessed to attacking Meili and that he did so alone. DNA evidence and Reyes’ detailed account of the attack confirmed it. All of the convictions against the five were overturned and vacated ending one of the most turbulent cases in New York City history. In light of the recent settlement, PBS is re-airing Ken and Sarah Burns’ searing documentary on the case that brought its crime and racial problems to a head.


 

DOWNLOAD THIS:

Avedon. The App.  One of the most celebrated photograpers of all time, the late Richard Avedon created images that have become permanently ingrained in pop culture consciousness. Now The Richard Avedon Foundation as created an app that will provide access to 1000 of his greatest works, an insight into his creative process and much more. It’s also FREE and images from his vast archive will be uploaded regularly. Its a great introduction and celebration of a true original.


 

BUY THIS:

Keyport.  Everything gets an upgrade – and now your keys can too.  You don’t have to look like a janitor fumbling around to find the right key on some big key ring.  With this cool little gadget you will never have to jingle keys, or stab yourself in the leg ever again.   The KeyPort holds up to six keys or accessories in this smooth compact little box.  It’s sturdy and sleek with a beautiful modern design. You can fit not only all your keys, but a flash drive; a flashlight; even a bottle opener in a space smaller than a box of tic tacs.  It costs less than a high-end keychain, and is far cooler and more fun to use.  Just get one already.  The cool kids all have one.  


DO THIS:

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: Reggie Watts at the Rooftop Films premiere of Thanksgiving. Rooftop Films will be giving the world a first look at Adam Newport-Berra’s solo directorial debut, “Thanksgiving”. World-famous comedian/musician/extraterrestrial Reggie Watts, who has a role in the film, will also be performing live at the event. Attendees will not only be treated to the world-premier screening of Newport-Berra’s film and Watts’ performance, but also a Q&A session with Adam himself and an after party sponsored by New Amsterdam Vodka & Gin. The movie Thanksgiving in itself is a tale of Alex and Amy, a young couple entrenched in the idyllic New York lifestyle who are presented with a mess of problems when Amy’s brother Will shows up without notice during a Thanksgiving celebration amongst their chic bohemian friends with the question of what they’re all really “thankful” for. Doors will open on the roof and courtyard of Industry City at 8:00 Thursday on the evening of July 3rd, and Watts’ performance is scheduled for 8:30. At 9:00 the film will begin and at 10:30 a Q&A with Adam Newport-Berra will take place.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Queen + Adam Lambert. In what was expected to be a one time only appearance, the legendary rock band Queen performed with American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert last year at the IHeartRadio Music Fest. That one show and the amazing reviews it received has led to a full on tour. Brian May and Roger Taylor are now out on the road with Adam Lambert fronting the band. Lambert and Queen are very clear that Adam isn’t replacing or imitating their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame lead singer, the late Freddie Mercury. He’s performing the classic Queen songs in his own style. Queen + Adam Lambert is coming the Forum in Los Angeles on Thursday, July 3rd at 7:30 pm. Tickets are still available along with special VIP packages.

QUEENS, NEW YORK: The Rockaway Public Arts Fest Featuring Patti Smith and James Franco. Rockaway! Opening Day is not only the kick off of the Rockaway Public Arts Fest, but also a celebration of the reopening of the Fort Tilden’s Gateway National Recreation Area which has been closed since Hurricane Sandy hit in 2012. The fest includes arts and crafts, film screenings, kayaking, baseball games, and more, but the highlight of the opening day will be a free concert from singer-songwriter, poet and Rockaway resident, Patti Smith. Special guest James Franco will be doing a spoken word performance. The event happens Saturday, June 29th with Patti Smith scheduled to perform at 7 pm. The park closes at 8 pm. That’s when the party continues at the Rockaway Beach Surf Club.


 

Want more excellence?  Read last week’s The Filtered Excellence and visit The Interrobang Recommmends