The Filtered Excellence: November 6, 2014
Bob Geldof once asked us, “Where is the filtered excellence!?” It’s right here. Here are this weeks picks of the best things towatch, 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:
Interstellar starring Matthew McConaughey. After reinventing the comic book genre with his Batman triology, director Christopher Nolan now looks to the stars in his latest epic. Set in the not so distant future, the film stars Matthew McConaughey stars as Cooper, the leader of team of scientists and engineers who embark on a secret mission into space to find the next inhabitable planet for humans to live once the Earth, now dry, dusty and decaying, dies out. The film does echo other sci-fi classics – namely 2001 and Star Wars- but Nolan, who co-wrote the script with his brother Jonathan, manages to balance that out with themes about the importance of family and hammers home a strong environmental tone and the need to engage in science. Fans of strong visual effects will not be disappointed: Nolan captures both the power and mystery of space travel and paints a wonderful view of man’s next and greatest frontier. McConaughey leads a stellar cast, which includes Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain and the always reliable Michael Cain, bringing warmth and humanity to this spectacular sci-fi journey. Another winner from one of cinema’s best directors. Interstellar opens on Friday.
21 Years: Richard Linklater. This new documentary takes a look at the first 21 years of director Richard Linklater’s career as told by the people who have worked closest with him. From his early films like Scanner and Dazed and Confused, his “Before” series and his groundbreaking 2014 film “Boyhood”, Linklater has been a unique force in movies. The doc sits down with actors and other directors that he has directly influenced including Matthew McConaughey, Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Zac Efron, Jack Black, Billy Bob Thornton, Kevin Smith, Keanu Reeves, Jason Reitman and others. It’s the story of an independent filmmaker who after 21 years is just getting started. 21 Years: Richard Linklater opens Friday, November 7th in select cities.
ESPN 30 For 30: Rand University. Throughout his football career, Randy Moss has always been a controversial figure. Even before he made it to the NFL, Moss was known for his missed opportunities with Notre Dame and Florida State. In this latest ESPN 30 For 30 documentary, director Marquis Daisy goes to back to where everything started for Randy Moss in his hometown of Rand, West Virginia. The film shows how Moss was able to resurrect his college career at Marshall and follows him through NFL draft day when he was selected in the first round by the Minnesota Vikings and the triumphs and setbacks from there. It’s a look at where one the league’s premiere wide receivers got his start. ESPN’s 30 For 30: Rand University premieres Tuesday, November 11th on ESPN at 9 pm et.
Virunga. Executive producer Leonardo DiCaprio brings a new documentary to Netflix that focuses on one of the world’s most unique and fragile places, Virunga National Park in the Congo. It’s Africa’s oldest national park and the very last home to the endangered mountain gorilla. The film looks at the people who are literally risking their lives to protect one of the most diverse habitats on the globe. The park and its creatures are threatened by poachers, war and the oil companies. The national park and reserve have been named a UNESCO World Heritage site and it still in danger. Virunga is available for streaming on Friday, November 7th on Netflix.
The Comeback. Hello, hello hello!! Valerie Cherish is back. It’s been nearly a decade since we first met the former TV superstar desperate to make a comeback. Now Lisa Kudrow is bringing Valerie Cherish back to life in the return of the HBO series, The Comeback. The second series is as insightful, brilliant and ahead of its time as the original. This time we find Valerie working on a comeback when an opportunity arises from the most unexpected place. You will be cringing all season long as Valerie continues to make horrible decisions. Several of the best characters from the first series are back in all their uncomfortable glory. Lance Barber as Paulie D who has undergone a major life change, Robert Michael Morris as Valerie’s stylist, Mickey who hasn’t changed even slightly, and Laura Silverman returns as Jane, with an expanded role. This is TV at its finest. The Comeback returns on Sunday, November 9th at 10 pm et on HBO.
LISTEN TO THIS:
Storytone by Neil Young. Neil Young has taken his fair share of abrupt musical detours, Neil Young has taken his biggest left turn to date: A 10 song cycle that at times, features Young with a 92-piece orchestra, a suped-up big band and a choir – all with heavy emphasis on vocals instead of his trademark guitar playing. Its really more an extension of musical themes that Young first explored on such song as ‘A Man Needs A Maid’, and on the albums This Note’s For You and Harvest Moon. And it works. The orchestration doesn’t bury Young’s distinctive vocals, it highlights it. It also reaffirms that Neil Young is one of the finest songwriters of his, or any generation. Tender ballads, brassy blues and a song for Mother Earth herself (‘Who’s Gonna Stand Up?’), Storytone marks a new chapter in Young’s storied career. It’s available now through Amazon, Itunes and all major music retailers.
Order Storytone (Standard + Solo 2-CD Set)
on Amazon.com.
Sonic Highways by Foo Fighters. Working as an extension of Grohl’s film Sound City and their current HBO series, the 8th album from Foo Fighters finds them hitting the road: 8 songs recorded in 8 different cities featuring guest spots by artists associated with the city. The shifting locales clearly inspired the band, who manage to add distinctive city textures to the mix without compromising the Foo sound. ‘Something From Nothing’ is already a hit and the one-two extended tracks that close out the album ‘Subterranean’ and ‘I Am A River’ showcase the band’s extensive musical growth. With guest appearances by Joan Jett, Joe Walsh, Gary Clark, Jr., Rick Nelson of Cheap Trick, Zac Brown, Ben Gibbard and The Preservation Jazz Band, Foo Fighters have solidified its status as one of the most consistent bands of the last 25 years. Another creative and artistic triumph. Sonic Highways will be available on November 10th through Amazon, Itunes and all major music retailers.
on Amazon.com
DO THIS:
NEW YORK CITY: Mac Connor: A New York Life. He’s now being called one of the original Mad Men. Mac Connor was an illustrator who was heavily influenced by Norman Rockwell. He took that influence and made a name for himself and passed it on by influencing other artists. The Museum of the City of New York is running an exhibition of Mac Connor’s work. He came to NYC during the World War II to do work on Navy publications. After the war, his illustrated ads for magazines like Redbook and McCall’s help define the lifestyle of post-war America. He captured the culture of New York life in the 1950s. His work is now on display at the Museum of the City of New York from now until January 19th.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Jimmy Page in Conversation with Chris Cornell. Led Zeppelin guitarist is putting out his first memoir. In fact, it’s the first autobiography by any member of the legendary band Led Zeppelin. He’s going to sit down with former Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell to discuss his new book. The book is a photographic autobiography, so the evening with Page and Cornell will also be filled with photos from his days with Led Zeppelin along with other memorabilia that will be on display that night. Jimmy Page In Conversation With Chris Cornell happens Wednesday, November 12th at 7 pm at the Theatre at the Ace Hotel.
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: Exposed Songs For Andy Warhol Films. The films that artist Andy Warhol shot were as unique as he was. The Brooklyn Academy of Music will be featuring many unseen movies done by Warhol in a weekend exhibition and performance. Some of his films included Lou Reed drinking a Coke and his 8 hour shot of the Empire State Building. This weekend, 15 pieces of Warhol’s never-seen-before film work from the 1960s which has been digitally restored will be shown accompanied by live music performed by artists while the films play. The exhibition is this weekend only at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House. The performances will be Friday, November 7th and Saturday, November 8th at 7:30 pm.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: An Unpredictable Evening with Todd Rundgren. Musician, singer, songwriter and producer Todd Rundgren is bringing his show to Chicago’s Park West. The night will bring plenty of classic Todd Rundgren songs, storytelling and surprises that make it an “unpredictable evening”. Besides his hits like “Can We Still Be Friends,” “I Saw the Light” and “Hello It’s Me”, Rundgren has been known to go into some of the music that he produced for other bands like The Tubes and the New York Dolls. An Unpredictable Evening with Todd Rundgren is Thursday, November 13th at 8 pm at Park West. The show is already sold out, so look for tickets online.
Want more excellence? Read last week’s The Filtered Excellence and visit The Interrobang Recommmends
