The Filtered Excellence: June 5, 2014
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:
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Willow Creek. (dir Bobcat Goldthwait) Bobcat Goldthwait has proven himself to be an excellent comedian, and then launched a complete second career as a brilliant director of dark comedy films that are somewhat off-genre (World’s Greatest Dad, God Bless America, Sleeping Dogs Lie). In his newest film, Willow Creek, he’s treading completely new ground and has yet again extended his range markers beyond what you already expected, venturing into the genre of smart-horror. Or is it close-horror? The film follows Jim and Kelly, a couple on a quest to Willow Creek California to investigate the Bigfoot myth. Yes, its a Bigfoot movie, yes it’s a found footage movie, but if you’re already up on Bobcat’s directing chops, then you already know that this film is going to be much more than that. Expect a spotlight on some stunning scenery upfront, along with a reminder of the peculiar charm of the small town tourism trade. And then after that, expect everything to change. This is one of those films you don’t really want to know too much about before you watch it, but we can tell you that the tension Goldthwait creates with a single camera, and the smallest set you can imagine, is unbearable. Add it to your list. It’s a worthy pick.
The Moment. In this tense psychological thriller, Jennifer Jason Leigh plays Lee, a war photojournalist whose intense relationship with her journalist lover John (Martin Henderson) ends with his disappearance. This, along with the after effects of being injured on assignment puts Lee in a mental hospital. She befriends a patient who looks remarkably like John and together they work to piece the truth behind John’s disappearance. But Lee’s sanity is threatened when the truth begins to reveal more than she’s ready to handle. Writer/director Jane Weinstock and Gloria Norris have written a great thriller that keeps you on point from start to finish. Leigh adds to her extensive resume of bringing out the humanity in emotionally damaged characters. She’s excellent as always as are Henderson as John, Alia Shakat as Lee’s estranged daughter Jessie and Meat Loaf as Sgt Goodman, the officer assigned to piece the case together. It’s one of those films that stays with you long after its over. The Moment opens this Friday in New York and Los Angeles on June 20th.
Trust Me. The set up of Trust Me is not that different from Jerry Maguire. Former super-agent Howard Holloway really cares about his work, but he’s fighting the Hollywood machine, largely personified by client stealing, (and scene stealing) super agent Aldo, played by the always dazzling Sam Rockwell. After that, similarities with Jerry Maguire come to an end– Trust Me is a much darker film, with some very odd twists. Clark Gregg, William H. Macy, Allison Janney, Molly Shannon, Amanda Peet all give great performances. And Saxon Sharbino who plays a young girl with a great future ahead of her, has a great future ahead of her. We have a few small issues with the film, but none of them take away from the whole. Go check out Trust Me, on demand or in theaters.
The NBA Finals on ABC. In a rematch from last year, The San Antonio Spurs take the two-time defending champion Miami Heat. For Miami, they are looking to become the first team since the 2000-02 Lakers to three-peat. For The Spurs, it would be a chance to avenge a bitter Finals loss where they were seconds away winning their 5th championship in franchise history. It’s the league’s two best teams playing for the sport’s biggest prize. The NBA Finals kicks off tonight at 9pm Eastern on ABC.
The Stanley Cup Finals on NBC. This year’s finals has something for everyone. The Los Angeles Kings are looking to win their 2nd title in 3 years and assert themselves as a league power. The New York Rangers weren’t picked to make the playoffs, much less win three grinding series against the Flyers, Peguins and the Canadians to play for their first Stanley Cup Championship in 20 years. This has all of the making of a classic. The Stanley Cup Finals will air on NBC and NBC Sports Network. Check your local listings for days and start times.
Remembering The Artist Robert De Niro Sr. The new HBO documentary focuses on the life and artwork of painter Robert De Niro Sr. His career began to skyrocket in the 1940s when it appeared he was on his way. But is subsequent decades, he struggled for recognition. The film tells his story from those that new him best including his son Robert De Niro who honors his dad with this film in hopes of finally getting that long sought recognition. His father’s life and career is told through home movie footage and interviews that include De Niro Sr. himself. The documentary also contains revelations from De Niro Jr. about his father that affected their home life. Remembering The Artist Robert De Niro Sr. premieres Monday, June 9th on HBO at 9 pm et.
The 146th Belmont Stakes. Here we go again. The nation will feel complete joy or utter disappointment in a matter of just a couple of minutes. It’s the running of the 146th annual Belmont Stakes and a chance to have the first Triple Crown winner in horse racing since Affirmed pulled it off in 1978. California Chrome is the horse to beat his year having won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. Going into Saturday’s race on Long Island, Chrome is a 3 to 5 favorite and will be starting from the number 2 post position. With a possible Triple Crown winner on the line, NBC has extended its coverage of the Belmont to 16 hours. The coverage starts Friday, June 6th at 5 pm et on NBCSN and on Saturday, NBC will be live from Elmont, NY starting at 4:30 pm et.
Orange Is The New Black New Season on Netflix. The brand new season of the compelling Comedy-Drama “Orange is the New Black” is coming this week to Netflix. The new season picks up a few weeks after the vicious prison attack seen in the finale of season one. However this season promises to be even darker than the previous one and will focus more on the stories of the other lady inmates rather than Piper Chapman and her stay in the correctional institute. The brand new season will be available on Netflix starting Friday, June 6th. All 13 episodes of the new season will be available, so get ready to binge watch.
LISTEN TO THIS:
Stockholm by Chrissie Hynde. After decades of being the guiding force behind The Pretenders, Chrissie Hynde has released her first solo album. “Stockholm” is named after the city in Sweden where Chrissie recorded her first single effort. She collaborated on the 11 track album with Björn Yttling, best known for his work in the Swedish rock trio Peter Bjorn and John. Ever run into an old pal and find out they are looking good, feeling good and doing just fine? That’s what Stockholm feels like to a Pretenders fan. Chrissie Hyndne looks stunning, sounds great and is still a terrific songwriter. For the first time in her career she has dropped the Pretenders name but Chrissie said this album is as much a collaboration as she’s ever made. She’s joined by Neil Young and tennis great John McEnroe as well as Swedish producer Bjorn Yttling. Great album Chrissie, let’s not wait too long before we hook up again.
Superunknown by Soundgarden (The 20th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition) Released in March 1994, Superunknown cemented Soundgarden as one of the premier rock n roll bands of their generation. Bolstered by the hit singles ‘Black Hole Sun’, ‘Spoonman’ and ‘Fell On Black Days, the album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 album chart, sold 5 million copies in the U.S. and 9 million worldwide. To mark its 20th Anniversary, the deluxe edition now includes a remastered version of the original album, an entire discs of B-sides, demos, and tour rehearsals; new liner notes by Rolling Stone Senior Editor David Fricke, new artwork and much more. It’s a comprehensive look at a band at its creative peak.
Led Zeppelin I, Led Zeppelin II, Led Zeppelin III (The Deluxe Edition). Jimmy Page personally oversaw what will be the most extensive look into the legendary Led Zeppelin archive. The first wave covers the first three albums which made them one of the most revered bands in rock history. Hard to believe that its taken this long for the Zep catalog to get a sonic upgrade, but Page makes up for the lost time with entire discs of live material, unreleased tracks and alternate tracks that gives us a peak inside their creative process. The best of the unreleased comes on the bonus disc of Led Zeppelin I: A crushing live set at Paris’ L’Olympia Theater recorded in the fall of 1969. Page’s hard work in restoring the band’s catalog will please both long time and new fans.
You can also go to www.ledzeppelin.com for additional info.
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NEW YORK CITY: They Thought I Were, But I Aren’t Anymore by Larry Clark. Before Larry Clark was became a critically acclaimed (and controversial) filmmaker, he was critically acclaimed – and even more controversial – photographer. This new retrospective covers his entire career including his first portrait, collages, classic shots, never before seen photos and his recent transition into painting. Stark, provocative, profane, yet brutally honest, this exhibition is the most comprehensive look inside the mind of one of the country’s most talked about artists. They Thought I Were, But I Aren’t Anymore will be at Luhring Augustine June 7th through August 1st.
NEW YORK CITY: Creative Time Presents A Subtlety Or The Marvelous Sugar Mama at The Domino Sugar Factory. To mark the impending demolition of Brooklyn’s Domino Sugar Factory, Creative Time commissioned graphic artist Kara Walker to what she describes as a ‘homage to the unpaid and overworked Artisans who refined our sweet tastes from the cane fields to the kitchens of the New World.’ Called ‘A Subtlety’, or ‘The Marvelous Sugar Baby’, it features sculptures of children at work in the fields through the massive space. The centerpiece is a massive sphinx-like woman that is a hybrid of two Black female stereotypes: the overly sexualized and the ‘mammy’ best personified by Hattie McDaniel in Gone With The Wind. All of the works have been confected, if you will, with sugar, which really hits the point home. It’s a visually stunning work that challenges perceptions and stays with you long after you leave. It has to be seen to believed and puts Kara Walker in the upper pantheon of graphic artists. A Subtlety will be at the Domino Sugar Factory through July 6th.
NEW YORK CITY: Early American Guitars: The Instruments of C. F. Martin. Guitar lovers will want to check out this amazing collection. Long before Les Paul, there was C.F. Martin who came to America in 1833. He had learned guitar making from a master in his native Vienna. After he arrived in the states, Martin began to craft his own instruments using what he learned in Vienna and combing that with the Spanish style guitars he found in America. This exhibition includes approximately thirty-five instruments from the Martin Museum in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and several private collections. Early American Guitars: The Instruments of C.F. Martin went on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York this week and runs through December 7, 2014.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Comedy is Dead at Hollywood Forever. This morbid, but hysterical show returns to the Hollywood Forever cemetery and funeral home. It’s comedy in a graveyard. Hollywood Forever boasts about being the final resting place for the most celebrities out of any of L.A.’s cemeteries. Comedy is Dead this year features comedians Matt Besser, Steve Agee, Johnny Pemberton, Andy Kindler, Solomon Georgio, Karen Kilgariff and Eliza Skinner. The show takes place at the Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever on Friday, June 6th at 8 pm. The show is 18 and over and tickets are still available.
Want more excellence? Read last week’s The Filtered Excellence and visit The Interrobang Recommmends