The Filtered Excellence: February 4, 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:
Michael Jackson’s Journey From Motown To Off The Wall. The latest documentary from Spike Lee traces the making, the release and the cultural impact of Michael Jackson’s 1979 album, Off The Wall. Lee looks at the numerous difficulties Jackson faced in the years leading up to the release: A dramatic vocal change, leaving Motown, adjusting to shifting musical tastes and finding his voice outside of the Jacksons. Featuring a ton of archival footage, studio recordings and remembrances from MJ collaborators, contemporaries and fans, Lee captures Jackson in the process of a creative rebirth. It also makes a strong case that Off The Wall marked the beginning of Jackson’s transformation into The King Of Pop. A must see for all MJ fans. Michael Jackson’s Journey From Motown To Off The Wall premieres this Friday at 9pm on Showtime. You can also go to www.sho.com for more run times and additional information.
Hail, Caesar! The latest comedy from The Coen Brothers is an all-star salute to Hollywood’s Golden Age – with a twist of course. Josh Brolin plays Eddie Mannix, a studio ‘fixer’ who is called in to secure the release of its biggest star, Baird Whitlock (George Clooney) after he’s kidnapped by an outfit known as ‘The Future’. As Mannix attempts to save the studio from losing its most bankable asset, he also encounters DeeAnna Moran (Scarlett Johansson), an Esther Williams-like star who can’t fit into her mermaid costume because she’s pregnant (not married); and singing cowboy Hobie Doyle (Alden Ehrenreich), whose struggles with the dialogue on his latest movie is testing the patience of his demanding director, Laurence Laurentz (Ralph Fiennes). Mannix also has to deal with nosy gossip columnists, Communists and his own guilty conscience as he tries to salvage Capitol Pictures biggest picture of the year. Loaded with sly references, sharp, biting, dialogue and a couple of great production numbers (including one with Channing Tatum showing off some fancy footwork), The Coens have crafted a loose, fun look at the waning days of a Hollywood that has long passed. Hail, Caesar! opens nationwide this Friday. You can also go to www.hailcaesarmovie.com for more information.
Super Bowl 50. Unless you’ve been in a coma the last two weeks, Super Bowl 50 happens this week in Santa Clara. The Denver Broncos – making their 2nd appearance in 3 years – take on the Carolina Panthers, who are making their second ever appearance in The Big Game. For Denver, it’s a chance for Peyton Manning to cap a Hall Of Fame career on top. But it’s been the Bronco defense – led by Von Miller and Demarcus Ware – that has got the team back on the big stage. The Carolina Panthers come into the matchup brimming with confidence. They were a league best 15-1, have a stingy, punishing defense, and are led on offense by potential league MVP Cam Newton. Lady Gaga will sing the National Anthem and Coldplay – with some very special guests – will perform the halftime show. Will Peyton Manning add another Super Bowl win to his storied legacy or will Cam Newton put the final stamp on a his historic season? Tune in to CBS at 6:30 Eastern.
LISTEN TO THIS
EP by Lewis Del Mar. Based out of Rockaway Beach, the experimental folk-popsters Lewis Del Mar (singer/guitarist Danny Miller and drummer/producer Max Harwood) caused a viral sensation with their single ‘Loud(y)’. Immediately after its release, they found them being courted by every label under the sun, eventually signing with the Columbia Records’ imprint Startime International. Their new four song EP (which includes ‘Loud(y)’) showcases their unique blend of wry, often blunt acoustic driven narratives augmented by an assortment of samples and rounded out by Latin American-inspired drums and rhythms. Imagine a grittier, New York-centric version of Beck’s Odelay with a strong dose of attitude. A fantastic debut. EP by Lewis Del Mar is available now through Amazon, ITunes and all major music retailers.
Dusk Will Burn The Palms by Evan Patrick. For his 2nd EP, this Brooklyn-based musician/producer found his inspiration from a trip to Vegas. Patrick found the natural landscapes clashing with the lights, sounds and hints of menace as the perfect backdrop for what he calls ‘contemporary neon noir’. By adding bits of prog-rock, synth-pop, metal guitars and haunting, mysterious vocals, Patrick skillfully creates a mini soundtrack that recalls the work of early Prince, Tears For Fears, Cocteau Twins and Tangerine Dream. Great to put on for your ride home after a night out. Dusk Will Burn The Palms is available exclusively at his Bandcamp page: http://evanpatrick.bandcamp.com/album/dusk-will-burn-the-palms
DO THIS
New York City: A One Man Show. Grace Jones’ A One Man Show captures the singer-model-actress at the height of her creative powers and cultural impact. Filmed by her long time collaborator and former lover Jean-Paul Goude, it set a new standard in the still-developing field of long form music videos, receiving a Grammy nod for the newly created category of Best Video Album. It was originally released on VHS, but legal issues has delayed a Blu-Ray DVD release in its original form. With Grace Jones’ best selling memoir still making noise, A One Man Show will screen for one night only at The Kitchen. A great chance to see Jones perform live and see vintage clips. A One Man Show will screen February 8th. Go to www.thekitchen.org for tickets and more information.
New York City: Warhol by the Book. Before turning the art and pop culture world on its head, Andy Warhol was a graphic artist working in advertising. 130 of the works that he did in the 1950s – along with a several self published pieces – will be on display at New York’s Morgan Library and Museum. A great chance to capture an iconic artist during his formative years. Warhol by the Book will be at The Morgan Library and Museum from February 5th through May 15th. You can go to www.themorgan.org for tickets and additional info.
New York City: Apollo Open House. As part of its Black History Month celebration, the legendary Apollo Theater will open its doors for an afternoon of events. It will kick off with a tribute to some of the iconic acts to grace the Apollo stage as performed by the stars of tomorrow. It concludes with a screening of the critically acclaimed documentary, Black Panthers: Vanguard Of A Revolution. There will also be a post-screening panel featuring former Panther members to discuss the film and their days working within the organization. A great afternoon of music, film and history – all free. The Apollo Open House happens this Saturday from 2-5pm. Go to www.apolllotheater.org for more information.
Want more excellence? Read last week’s The Filtered Excellence and visit The Interrobang Recommmends
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