The Filtered Excellence: April 23, 2015
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 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:
24 Days: The True Story Of The Ilan Halimi Affair. Alexandre Arcady directed this gripping film about based on the kidnapping of Ilan Halimi by The Gang Of Barbarians in 2006. It tells the story from the viewpoint of his mother Ruth Halimi (Zabou Breitman), who had to endure over 700 phones, insults and threats after the abduction, which was motivated by antisemitism and by money. Harrowing and unnerving to watch at times, Arcady plays it out like a dark suspense thriller as Ruth has to deal with the kidnappers and French police (who never took antisemitism into consideration as a motive) as she clings onto hope that a son will be returned alive. It’s a powerful and moving film that stays with you long after you have left the theater.
24 Days will be in theaters and available on Itunes on April 24th.
You can also go to www.menemshafilms.com for more information.
The Water Diviner. Russell Crowe stars and makes his directorial debut in this epic story of loss and renewal in the aftermath of war. Crowe plays Australian farmer Joshua Connor, who, after the suicide of his wife, travels to Istanbul to recover the remains of his three songs, all of whom were killed in World War I. There he connects with others who suffered losses including a widowed single mother played by Plga Kurylenko. As he discovers evidence that one of his sons may still be alive, Connor must travel along a war torn Turkish landscape to find the truth and, hopefully, his own sense of peace. The film has already won the Australian Academy Award for Best Picture, and its easy to see why: Crowe’s passion for the project is all over the screen and being a father, finds commonality with Connor’s paternal needs to bring his father back together. It also serves to remind us that he’s one of cinema’s finest actors. Before the avalanche of popcorn movies hits the screens, check out a good old fashioned epic film that’s rich with great acting and a powerful story. The Water Diviner opens this nationwide this Friday.
You can go to www.thewaterdiviner.com for more information.
Happyish. This biting dark comedy finally makes its debut this weekend on Showtime. The series was originally set to feature Philip Seymour Hoffman in the lead role, but it was put on hold after his shocking death from a drug overdose. They were able to land Steve Coogan as Thom Payne, an ad executive who seems to have it all: Good job, a loving wife (Kathryn Hahn) and a young son. But as he celebrates his 44th birthday, he begins to question the life he has built and if he’s truly happy. Not helping matters his new 20-something boss who is looking to re-brand the company – and Thom. Created and directed by Shalom Auslander, the show takes questions everything from how we view aging, how consumerism affects our everyday lives, how millennials – for better or worse – are making their mark on pop culture. Coogan is perfectly cast as Thom, raging against the machine even as he’s deeply embedded in it. Anchored by a strong supporting cast that includes Hahn and Ellen Barkin, Happyish is a twisted, satirical and a proudly profane comedy that will only get better as the season moves on. It premieres this Sunday night at 9:30 on Showtime.
You can go to www.sho.com to view the first episode, behind the scenes features and much more.
Wladmir Kitschko vs Bryant Jennings. Heavyweight champion Wladmir Kitschko returns to boxing’s grandest stage – Madison Square Garden – to take on the undefeated Bryan Jennings at Madison Square Garden. While he doesn’t fight in the States often (this is his first fight on U.S. soil since 2008), Kitschko is quietly closing in history: he’s only five wins away from tying Joe Louis for most heavyweight title defenses (23). For Jennings, this is the chance of a lifetime: If he defeats the seemingly unstoppable Kitschko, he will pull off one of the greatest upsets in boxing history. Jennings is promising a straight up brawl proclaiming that either he or the champ will be knockout. Nothing beats a heavyweight championship fight at Madison Square Garden, so this one is going to be memorable. Wladmir Kitschko takes on Bryant Jennings Saturday night at 10pm Eastern on HBO.
You can go to www.hbo.com or www.thegarden.com for more information.
LISTEN TO THIS:
Live! 8-24-1979 by the B52s. For their second official live release, The B52s mined the archives and struck gold: A blistering show recorded in Boston 6 weeks after the release of their debut album and a full year before they released their follow-up, Wild Planet. Once you look past the beehive hair and the kitschy lyrics, you can see why the B52s were able to break out of the New Wave pack: They were a kick ass live act. It’ also serves as a great salute to guitarist Ricky Wilson, who passed away in 1985. A straight ahead fun rock n roll album.
Live! 8-24-79 is available now exclusively through iTunes.
You can also go to www.theb52s.com for more information.
DO THIS:
NEW YORK CITY: Hurray For The Riff Raff. The highly acclaimed Americana/roots band will play at two area shows at the Bowery Ballroom and The Music Hall Of Williamsburg. It will represent a homecoming for singer/producer Alynda Lee Segarra, who grew up in The Bronx before making her way across the country and eventually in her adopted hometown of New Orleans. They’ve been touring extensively behind their major label debut, Small Town Heroes as well as road testing new songs for a follow up. Segarra is one of the best singer-songwriters to emerge in the last few years and the live shows always turn into communal celebrations. Come out and hear one of music’s most promising young bands.
Go to www.hurrayfortheriffraff.com for more information.
NEW YORK CITY: Lyle Lovett & John Hiatt. Two of the most respected and revered songwriters of the past 40 years will be performing at the legendary Capitol Theatre. John Hiatt is considered the songwriter’s songwriter having written hits for Eric Clapton, Three Dog Night, Bonnie Raitt, The Jeff Healey Band, and artists ranging from Bob Dylan to Iggy Pop covering his material. Raitt’s version of ‘Thing Called Love’ has become her signature tune and was the centerpiece of her Grammy Award winning album Nick Of Time. Lyle Lovett is a one man history of Texas music, covering everything from Texas swing, country, soul, blues, jazz and gospel. Add to it a dry wit, insightful storytelling, and a take no prisoners live band (The Large Band), Lovett has been a mainstay on the scene for close to 30 years. This show will have the two of them on stage, sharing stories and playing material alone and together from their rich catalogs. Come watch two master singer-songwriters at work.
Go to www.thecapitoltheatre.com for tickets and more info.
LOS ANGELES: Saul Williams at The Roxy. Poet, actor, singer, songwriter and overall provocateur Saul Williams will performing at the legendary Roxy Theatre. Williams will be previewing material from his upcoming album MartyrLoserKing, which judging from the single ‘These Mtherfukers’, was ripped right from today’s headliners. Engaging, confrontational and always informative, a Saul Williams show is always a transforming and enlightening.
Go to www.theroxy.com for tickets and more information.
LOS ANGELES: Mastodon & Clutch. Two of the most admired and revered hard rock bands will bring their ‘Missing Link’ tour to The Hollywood Palladium. Mastodon’s brand of progressive metal has won fans over in and out of the metal community: Since 2004, their albums have consistently cracked the Billboard Album charts including their recent effort, Once More ‘Round The Sun. Clutch has been killing audiences worldwide with their blend of metal, funk, blues and hardcore for close to 25 years. They’ll be performing all of their classic material along with songs from their forthcoming album due later this year. Both bands are fans of each other, so expect some surprise collaborations as well.
Go to www.thehollywoodpalladium.com for tickets and more information.
Want more excellence? Read last week’s The Filtered Excellence and visit The Interrobang Recommmends
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