The Filtered Excellence: September 18, 2014

LEONARD COHEN

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:

20,000 Days On Earth. Nick Cave has been, and continues to be, one of the more fascinating people in pop culture. With 20,000 Days On Earth, directors Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard spend time with Nick Cave, his family, friends and musical collaborators and even pair him with a psychoanalyst to truly get a heart at Nick Cave the artist and more importantly, the person. The film is remarkably warm and intimate without feeling intrusive, and thanks to Erik Wilson’s stunning cinematography, it looks fantastic. Of course, there’s performance footage of Cave and the Bad Seeds tearing it up at a local club at the end of the film that is a testament to the band’s staying power. A fascinating look at one of music’s most well-respected artists. 20,000 Days On Earth opens in New York on Friday, with a national rollout starting September 26th.

The Zero Theorem. The latest from acclaimed director Terry Gilliam – said to be the third in a trilogy of dark satirical films set in the not-so-distant future (Brazil and 12 Monkeys being the other two) might be his wildest production to date. Christoph Waltz plays Qohen Leth, an eccentric computer genius who works for the mega-corporation Mancom. Wishing to withdraw from society, Leth requests to continue his work from home. Leth gets his wish but with it comes with a price: His big boss, who is simply called Management (Matt Damon), assigns him to a secret project designed at finding the meaning of – if any – life. As if this task wasn’t hard enough, several people come into play that he doesn’t like or trust: His digital therapist Dr. Shrink-Rom (Tilda Swinton), his slimy supervisor Job (David Thewlis), Management’s bratty computer whiz-kid son (Lucas Hedges) and the flirtatious Bainsley (Melanie Thierry), who may hold the key to finding an ever elusive answer. This has all of the Gilliam trademarks: A dark story with whimsical overtones, plotlines that are both prophetic and political; and visuals that have to be seen to be believed. Another cinematic head trip rollercoaster from one of the last of the true maverick directors. The Zero Theorem opens this Friday. Terry Gilliam will be doing a Q&A at The IFC Center in New York after Friday’s 7:20 screening and intro the 9:45 screening.

American Masters: The Boomers List. In 2014, the last of the baby boomers turn 50 years old. The Boomers List on PBS’ American Masters series shows the effects and contributions of this generation of Americans. In the documentary, each year of the baby boom is represented by a different artist and celebrity. 19 different stories are being told through interviews with the performer or personality chosen for that specific year. Subjects include Deepak Chopra from the beginning of the baby boom representing 1947. Also there’s, Billy Joel born in 1949, fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger (1951), actor Kim Cattrall (1956), activist Erin Brockovich (1960) and artist David LaChapelle (1963). The baby boomer generation’s story is told through these people’s careers and achievements. The Boomers List covers every area of life and culture. American Masters: The Boomers List airs Tuesday, September 23rd on PBS at 9 pm et. Make sure to check your local PBS listings for times in your city.

Fashion Police: Celebrating Joan. This 90 minute special episode of Fashion Police on E! will honor the great Joan Rivers. The special will be the first appearance on television of Joan’s daughter Melissa Rivers talking about her legendary mother since she passed away. The tribute episode goes behind the scenes with special outtakes of Joan working on Fashion Police. It’s the comedian at her biting best and most hysterical. It also includes tributes from Joan’s Fashion Police co-stars. Fashion Police: Celebrating Joan airs this Friday, September 19th at 8 pm et on E! Leading up to the 90 minute special, E! will be running a marathon of Fashion Police episodes featuring the very best moments of Joan Rivers.


 

READ THIS:

Something Of The Night by Richard Neer. Long time New York radio personality Richard Neer – who wrote ‘FM: The Rise And Fall Of Rock Radio’ in 2001, now takes leaps into the mystery fiction with his first novel. Private investigator Riley King is asked by a pretty female literary agent to find her missing client, an author who had just finished the manuscript which engulf a small South Jersey Catholic school in irreparable scandal. His investigation is hampered by a local businessman with suspected mob ties – and the school’s chief benefactor. With the help of his friend (and radio talk show host) Rick Stone, King soon discovers that ramifications of his search can bring down the entire region. Neer has crafted a tight, tense thriller that has twists and turns at almost every page. An outstanding literary debut. Something Of The Night is available now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and all through all major book retailers.

Order Something Of The Night from Amazon.com.

Meat: Everything You Need To Know by Pat LaFrieda. The title says it all. Pat LaFrieda is America’s master butcher. He supplies meat to the best restaurants around the country. In his new book, LaFrieda covers meat in every aspect. He writes about different cuts of meat beyond the standards that you find in the super market. Through amazing photographs, he also takes the reader through step-by-step instructions on how to prepare these cuts the proper way. The book is filled with stories about the LaFrieda family and its 3 generations of meat purveyors. Plus, there’s LaFrieda’s family recipes along with others from famous New York City chefs that will make any carnivore’s mouth water. Included with the recipes, is Pat LaFrieda’s secret to making the perfect burger.

Order MEAT: Everything You Need to Know on amazon.com

Gratitude and Trust: Six Affirmations That Will Change Your Life by Paul Williams and Tracey Jackson. Oscar winner and multiple nominee Paul Williams is teaming up with screenwriter Tracey Jackson for powerful new book where they come from different directions to write about techniques to help people gain control over their personal and professional lives. Paul Williams has spent the past decades working recovery programs. While Tracey Jackson who has never had an addiction problem, has spent her life working with therapists to help achieve her goals and overcome obstacles. The result their six affirmations that are designed to help anybody whether they have traditional addictions or not. The book uses the principles of the recovery program and applies them to the anxieties and problems that people face in their everyday lives.


 

LISTEN TO THIS:

Popular Problems by Leonard Cohen. You’re about to turn 80, you just came off the biggest tours of your 40 plus year career. Do you slow down, take it easy and soak in all of the adulation? If you’re Leonard Cohen, you call up producer Patrick Leonard, put together a great group of musicians and cut your 13th studio album. With nine songs clocking in at 36 minutes, Cohen manages to wistful, philosophical, allegorical, spiritual, sensual and always with a sly sense of humor. Musically, there’s traces of the blues, country, Middle Eastern, gospel, and folk all wrapped around Cohen’s distinctive raspy, yet soulful vocals. This is another extraordinary entry into a canon that is beloved and revered by anyone who truly loves music. A triumph. Popular Problems will available on September 23rd through Amazon, Itunes, and all major music retailers.


 

DO THIS:

NEW YORK CITY: There Will Be Blood. Paul Thomas Anderson’s acclaimed 2007 film will be screened at The United Palace Theatre with some added bonuses. The Wordless Music Orchestra will be perform Jonny Greenwood, accompanied by The Wordless Music Orchestra, will perform his Oscar winning score live with Ryan Adams as guest conductor. This is a rare chance to see P.T. Anderson’s epic tale of an oil man’s (Daniel Day Lewis, in the role that won him the Best Actor Oscar) ruthless quest for power in the late 19th and early 20th Century on a big screen with a big, live sound driving the narrative. Get ready for an old school movie experience.

PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY: Meryl Streep reading from Philip Roth’s “Everyman”. This is a Princeton University concert event. Three time Academy Award winner Meryl Streep will be the guest narrator for the evening as she reads from Philip Roth’s novella, “Everyman”. The book is described as being about “a nameless, multi-divorced advertising man in New Jersey grappling with family estrangement, illness and death.” Meryl Streep will be accompanied by the Takács String Quartet for the reading with music interspersed by Franz Schubert and Arvo Pärt. The event is sold out, but you can always check with the Frist Campus Center Box Office by calling (609) 258-9220 to see if any tickets have become available or you can check online. Meryl Streep reading Philip Roth’s “Everyman” happens Friday, September 19th at at Princeton University’s Richardson Auditorium. The event starts at 7:30 pm.

 


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