The Filtered Excellence: January 19, 2012
Bob Geldof once asked us, “Where is the filtered excellence!?” Its right here. Here are this weeks picks of what to WATCH, what to DO what to TRY what to READ what to LISTEN TO and more:
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WATCH THIS
The NFL Conference Playoffs. With last weekend’s exciting divisional playoffs behind us, this weekend the final cut is made. Watch to see which teams will play on February 5 in the big game. Will the NFC be sending the Baltimore Ravens or New England Patriots to Indianapolis? And will they be up against the New York Giants or the San Francisco 49ers? Two games, back to back Sunday starting at 3:00 on CBS with the Ravens taking on the Patriots. Then switch over to FOX at 6:30 to see if the Giants can defeat the 49ers. Check in at The IB Playoff Wire to leave your comments and various trash talk during the games all day Sunday.
The Ides of March. The cast of this film should tell you everything you need to know. George Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Marisa Tomei, and Jeffrey Wright are the main players in this political thriller about a campaign manager who learns more than he’d like to about the true nature of politics on the campaign trail. Outstanding performances by an ensemble cast. If you missed it in the theater, here’s your chance to see it. Available now on DVD, 
50/50. Not in the mood for a political thriller? 50/50 comes from a genuinely funny-yet-poignant point of view. It seems like you couldn’t possibly make a comedy about terminal cancer, but writer Will Reiser pulled this off with perfect grace and a balance of humor and sentimentality. A must see, and one of this years best films. Don’t just take our word for it, top ten lists all around the internet feature this lovely film, and it was nominated for two Golden Globes including Best Picture. Available on DVD and Blu-Ray January 24. Order it on Blu-Ray here
Lock Yourself In Weekend: Tim Burton. As will be featured right here on The Interrobang on Friday January 20th, immerse yourself in some hardcore, old school Tim Burton with our list of seven of his best, and Tim Burton-est films.
LISTEN TO THIS:
Clear Heart Full Eyes by Craig Finn. Hold Steady frontman Craig Finn has taken a step back from the life affirming bombast normally associated with his band and examines his more introspective side with his first solo album. Finn’s trademark narrative lyrics remain intact and work just as well in the quieter setting. Catch a free first look, streaming on npr.org. Or you can purchase the CD here
Mirel Wagner. Singer-songwriter Mirel Wagner was born in Ethopia, raised in Finland and fed a steady diet of blues and folk. Not the blues and folk of the 50s and 60s, but the dark, sparse, haunting variety that was recorded by Harry Smith in the 30s and 40s. Wagner has an almost child-like delivery, but don’t be fooled: This is grown folks music and it’s spooky as hell. But that’s what makes it so arresting and captivating. Her debut album is out now through Itunes France and Germany and is worth seeking out. Catch the video for the song ‘No Death’ here.
Tago Mago (40th Anniversary Edition). Most will say that they’ve heard of the band “Can,” but can they really? Well, if you’ve been frontin all this time, now’s your chance to really know some thangs. Can’s Tago Mago has been re-released. It has been argued by some that Tago Mago is one of the most influential rock albums ever recorded, as artists from David Bowie, The Flaming Lips, Radiohead, and many more have claimed to have been inspired by the band, and the album. There are elements of a German Velvet Underground and an early industrial sound represented. Can’s impact is far-reaching. You won’t believe that this album was recorded in 1971. If you’re hearing the album for the first time, it’ll be a revelation. Free on Spotify… or Download it here
READ THIS
Raylan, by Elmore Leonard. Whether you’re a long time Elmore Leonard fan, a crime fiction fan or a fan of Raylan Givens and the tv series Justified, you need to run out and grab the newest release from our greatest living crime writer. Elmore Leonard may be 86 years old, but the legendary author is as strong as ever. In case you don’t already know, the popular f/x series Justified is based on two of Leonard’s previous novels, Pronto, and Riding the Rap (as well as a short story, Fire in the Hole). If you’re not already a fan, good news! Now you’ve got four books to read, two full seasons of Justified to watch and a brand new season airing now. Order it here
DO THIS
Movies About Movies Film Festival. This weekend, Lowe’s Jersey Theatre in Jersey City is running a ‘Movies About Movie Theaters’ film series. It will include Best Foreign Film Oscar winner Cinema Paradiso on Friday, Woody Allen’s The Purple Rose Of Cairo on Saturday and a Buster Keaton double feature (‘Sherlock Jr‘ & ‘The Play House‘) with live organ accompaniment on Sunday. Next weekend promises to be even cooler: Viewings of The Hustler and Carrie that will include pre-show meet & greet and post-screening interviews with 3 time Academy Award nominee, Emmy & Golden Globe winner Piper Laurie! It’s an old school movie experience too – the films are shown in 35mm on a 50 foot wide screen! Go to www.loewsjersey.org for more information.
The Smithereens on Tour. The Smithereens’ unique combination of British Invasion-based pop and American garage rock made them a mainstay on the rock charts throughout the 80s and 90s. Now touring behind their terrific new album, 2011, The Smithereens will be doing an explosive (and extended) set at B.B. King’s Blues Club on Saturday. Really great guys on and off stage too! Go to www.bbkingblues.com or www.officialsmithereens.com for more information.
BROWSE THIS
Pushing Ahead of the Dame. Every entry in this blog is dedicated to examining a David Bowie song, mostly chronological order. Bowie’s songs are fully analyzed, be it their words, the music, those people or places or times which may have inspired the song…It’s the history behind it all… The site is written by Chris O’Leary and it’s a must check for Bowie fans! Brilliant and THOROUGH…despite the fact that I don’t think that he’s even out of the 70’s yet after a couple of years of blogging. That just makes the site all the more exciting…that you know there’s so much more to come!
Breakfast of Champions. WMBR, The MIT radio station in Cambridge, MA, has a weekday morning show from 8-10 that is an amazing mix of current outsider rock, classic 80s/90s, 70s punk, 60s garage. It’s an incredible collection that rarely runs any repeats, and the DJs are not only knowledgeable, but they actually talk about the bands– something that is a bit of a rarity nowadays. Consider them a trusted guide through a bunch of cool shit you’ve never heard before– which is what’s missing from pandora, lasfm, mog, etc.. Of course, you’re probably busy listening to other things on weekday mornings from 8-10, but no worries! You can check out playlists and listen to past shows here.
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