The Filtered Excellence: February 18, 2015
"The Graduate" Dustin Hoffman, director Mike Nichols 1967 United Artists
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:
Becoming Mike Nichols. Just a few months before his death, Mike Nichols sat down with long time friend Jack O’Brien to discuss his life and career leading up to his Oscar winning film, The Graduate. These conversations are the heart of this moving new documentary from Douglas McGrath. Filmed in two nights at The John Golden Theater, (the site of the legendary Broadway hit, ‘An Evening With Nichols and May’) – one with an audience, the other without – we see both sides of Nichols: Stories that were made to prompt a direct audience response and the more introverted, and introspected side of his creative process. Peppered with clips from his work with May and his directorial efforts on Broadway and on film, McGrath has put together a fitting coda to an entertainment icon. Becoming Mike Nichols airs Monday, February 22nd at 9pm Eastern on HBO. You can also go to www.hbo.com for more information.
We Are Twisted F***ing Sister! In 1984 Twisted Sister became international superstars with such hits as ‘We’re Not Gonna Take It’ and ‘I Wanna Rock’ and the album Stay Hungry sold over 3 million copies in the U.S. It vindicated the band, whose critics said that a cross dressing, in your face, hard rock/heavy metal band would never achieve mainstream success. In this new documentary, Andrew Horn speaks extensively with the band, mangers and die fans to tell the story of their 10 year journey from Long Island clubs to arena and stadium status. Told with remarkable detail and candor – a ton of archival footage – Horn leaves no stone un-turned in putting together one of rock n roll’s most unlikely rags to riches stories. We Are Twisted F****ing Sister opens in select theaters on Friday. You can also go to www.musicboxfilms.com for more information.
LISTEN TO THIS
EP by Ryal. Jacque Ryal steps away from Strip Darling to present a solo EP that a stark departure from the band’s sound. Working again with Aaron Nevezie, Ryal presents a six song disco-pop cycle about self-discovery, city life and love in the 21st Century. The EP’s closer, the sweeping ballad ‘Another Song’, beautifully marries with Strip Darling emotion with her current musical style. Loaded with slinky guitars and rich synths, the EP is destined to draw comparisons to early Prince, Human League and and later period Siouxsie & The Banshees, but with updated textures. It’s holds its own with anything that’s currently on the charts and on the radio. A fantastic new musical chapter. Ryal will be available on Friday through Itunes. You can also go to www.ryal.tv for more information.
Valley Low by Betty Black. Betty Black – the alter ego of musician-singer-songwriter- producer Sylvia Gordon – continues her brand of hypnotic, dark rock noir with her new album Valley Low. As with her previous efforts, this 11 song set shows how love can be dangerous as it is rewarding, with its the protagonists shifting between femme fatale and victim. With echo drenched guitars, thunderous bass and sultry vocals, this is the sound of when good intentions go to uncharted terrain. The third time is the charm for an exceptional musical talent. Valley Low by Betty Black is available now through Itunes.
DO THIS:
New York City: The Tibet House Benefit Concert. The 26th edition of this annual concert to benefit the people of Tibet returns to Carnegie Hall. As with previous versions, music director Phillip Glass has assembled a lineup covering a diverse group of musicians: Iggy Pop, Sharon Jones, FKA Twigs, Gogol Bordello, Basia Bulat, Dechen Shak-Dagsay, Lavinia Meijer and Musa Suso are scheduled to appear. What makes this concert special is the surprise guests, selections and musical pairings – all for a good cause. The Tibet House Benefit Concert will be at Carnegie Hall on Monday. You can go to www.carnegiehall.org for tickets and more information.
The Black Rock Coalition Photo Exhibit. To coincide with Black History Month, The Black Rock Coalition is teaming up with the New York Public Library for The Performing Arts to present a collection of photos featuring some of the top musicians of the genre. The works of photographers Al Periera, Petra Richterova and yours truly will be on display and features shots of P-Funk co-founder/alum Bernie Worrell, Fishbone, Living Colour, Jimmy Castor and much more. In addition, attendees will be able to listen to tracks from the BRC’s ‘Rock n Roll Reparations’ series, which includes the best and brightest artists, past, present, and future. A great way to make a trip to library a rocking experience. The Black Rock Coalition Photo Exhibit will be on display at the New York Public Library for The Performing Arts through March 31st. You can also go to http://www.nypl.org/locations/lpa for more information.
Chicago: The 70mm Film Festival. The release of Quentin Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight marked the return of the 70mm format. Initially reserved for film epics such as Lawrence Of Arabia and Cleopatra, the format fell out of favor due to its expense to produce and the rise of the multiplex. The Music Box in Chicago – one of the venues that re-installed a 70mm projector and screens for The Hateful Eight – decided to expand the concept and turn it into a full on film festival. Classic films such as Vertigo, The Wild Bunch, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and West Side Story will featured, along with recent fare such as The Hateful 8, Interstellar, The Master, and Inherent Vice. For a limited time, moviegoers can experience the way films were meant to be shown: On a large screen, rich in color, killer sound and extraordinary stories told by some of the masters of cinema. Beyond cool. The 70mm Film Festival will run from February 19th through March 10th. You can go to http://www.musicboxtheatre.com/festivals/70mm/ for tickets, a complete rundown of films and more information.
Want more excellence? Read last week’s The Filtered Excellence and visit The Interrobang Recommmends
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