The Filtered Excellence: July 18, 2013
Bob Geldof once asked us, “Where is the filtered excellence!?” It’s 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:
*****************
WATCH THIS:
Iceberg Slim: Portrait Of A Pimp. Robert Beck, better known as Iceberg Slim, lived multiple lives. For nearly 25 years, he was a pimp of legendary status. But after serving some time in jail, he felt he could make more money written about his experiences than going back to the pimping ife. He moved to California and published his autobiographical novel, Pimp: The Story Of My Life in 1967. He would publish six more novels before passing away in 1992. At the time of death, he was one of the most successful Black authors of all-time selling over 6 million copies and published in several languages. Slim’s influence also beyond the literary world: His vivid portrayals of the urban underbelly laid the groundwork for blaxploitation films and were a profound influence on the hip hop world – particularly on the West Coast. Ice T (who took his stage name as a tribute to Iceberg Slim), co-produced this new documentary that has family, friends and those influenced by his work to paint an unapologetic portrait of one of the most unique writers in American literature. Loaded with stories, photos and, of course, a killer soundtrack, Portrait Of A Pimp is a great change of pace from your standard documentaries. It’s available now on Itunes and will be in select theaters on July 19th.
- You can go to www.icebergslimmovie.com for more information.
The Act of Killing. When the government of Indonesia was overthrown by a military coup in 1965, over one million ethnic Chinese, communists, and intellectuals were murdered in only one year. It is in this shocking and affecting documentary directed by Joshua Oppenheimer that we, “Meet the killers.” The Act of Killing introduces Anwar Congo and his friends who took part in the atrocities. As if the story itself wasn’t all disturbing enough, these men are acclaimed and revered in their society. They are celebrated as heroes. They brag about it. In the documentary the men are challenged to act out their memories of the murders, which they do in bizarre fashion. This is a film about killers. It is not a nice film. It is not an easy film. It is a unique, powerful, frightening, terribly disturbing and in places stunningly beautiful look into the minds of mass murderers. Murderers who “celebrate moral disaster with the ease and grace of a soft shoe dance number.” Directed by Joshua Oppenheimer, presented by Werner Herzog and Errol Morris.
Gold Cup Quarterfinal. USA versus El Salvador. Team USA continues it’s march to the Gold Cup. Next up, a quarterfinal match against El Salvador on Sunday, July 21st with coverage starting at 3:30pm Eastern. The game is live from Baltimore, Maryland and will be televised on FOX.
===============================================================
LISTEN TO THIS:
The Big Dream by David Lynch. The critically acclaimed director-screenwriter-author-painter can officially add ‘musician’ to the list. Teaming again with musician-producer Dean Hurley (who worked on Lynch’s debut album Crazy Clown Time), the songs are tighter (only 2 songs clock in over four minutes), but still remain hypnotic and downright spooky. Lynch is also more confident as a vocalist. He channels a lost spirit returning from the grave on Bob Dylan’s murder ballad ‘The Ballad Of Hollis Brown’ and a man aching for a lost love on ‘I Want You’. Lynch and Hurley have created a sonic landscape that would not be out of place in a Lynch film.
- Order The Big Dream
now on Amazon and all digital music outlets.
Lickety Split, by Robert Randolph & The Family Band. Robert Randolph & The Family Band just wanted to have fun and there’s plenty of it on their fourth studio album, Lickety Split. The hardcore fans will love ‘Amped Up’, ‘Born Again’ ‘Get Ready’ and the title track – all of which capture the explosiveness of their live shows. Trombone Shorty comes aboard to help take the band on a New Orleans-themed jam (‘Take The Party’) and Carlos Santana adds his trademark lead guitar lines to the Latin-tinged ‘Brand New Wayo’. Randolph and the band also pump new life into two classics: The Rascals ‘Good Lovin’ and they honor the memory of the late Ohio Players lead singer Leroy ‘Sugarfoot’ Bonner with a great cover of ‘Love Rollercoaster’. With Lickety Split, Robert Randolph & The Family Band have crafted an album that was made for the summer.
- Order Lickety Split
on Amazon and all digital music outlets.
- Read Ron Bennington’s Interview with Robert about the new album.
===============================================================
READ THIS:
Zoetrope: All-Story. Francis Ford Coppola co-founded this quarterly magazine back in 1997 to showcase promising new short fiction writers. Its also been a vehicle for established writers such as Salman Rushdie, David Mamet, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez to write new original pieces. In addition, a guest designer comes in to give an entirely unique look to each issue. Past guest designers have included David Bowie, Tom Waits, Dennis Hopper, Gus Van Sant and Helmet Newton, just to name a few. If all of that wasn’t enough, each issue has a ‘Classic Reprint’ of a short story or a drama that later became the basis for a film. These have included the original stories for the films The Illusionist, Away From Her, and Wes Anderson’s screenplay for his 2007 short film Hotel Chevalier. The current issue is guest designed by Michael Stipe and is on newsstands now.
- You can also go to www.all-story.com for back issues and more info.
===============================================================
DO THIS:
Boston, Mass: Outside The Box. Enjoy the remaining weekend of Boston’s first annual free performing arts and music festival. This 9 day event culminates this weekend with live music acts Alejandro Escovedo, Los Lonely Boys, AcousticaElectronica performance art, At Ease a documentary theatre production about the US military experience and much more.
- For more information see their website http://outsidetheboxboston.org/ .
Baltimore, Maryland: Artscape. This weekend, you can visit the biggest free art festival in the country, if you’re in the Baltimore area. 150+ fine artists, fashion designers and craftspeople; visual art exhibits on and off-site, including exhibitions, outdoor sculpture, art cars, photography and the Janet & Walter Sondheim Prize; incredible live concerts on outdoor stages; a full schedule of performing arts including dance, opera, theater, film, experimental music and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and more.
Columbus, Ohio: Jazz and Ribs Fest. Music plus barbeque all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the arena district.
Atlantic City, New Jersey: Brian Wilson. The Golden Nugget Resort Casino hosts the legendary singer, songwriter, producer Brian Wilson. Brian will be joined by fellow Beach Boys, Al Jardine and David Marks for a one night only show. The show filled with classic Beach Boys songs will be Saturday, July 20th at 9pm in The Grand.
Los Angeles, California. Cinespia Presents “Taxi Driver”. There’s no better way to enjoy the Summer than watching a classic film underneath the open night sky in a cemetery. The Hollywood Forever Cemetery hosts the Cinespia Summer series. This Saturday, it’s Martin Scorsese’s “Taxi Driver” starring Robert De Niro. Spread blankets on Fairbanks Lawn inside the cemetery and enjoy the movie. Beer and wine are permitted. The screening starts on Saturday, July 20th at 9pm. Gates open at 7:30pm.
- For more information and tickets, go to cinespia.org.
Knoxville Tennessee. Boz Scaggs Live. See a legend perform at an historic theater. Tickets are still available, so there’s no excuse for missing it if you’re in the area. Monday night, July 22 at the Tennessee Theater.
- For more information and tickets go to the official Tennessee Theater website.
- Read our interview with Boz Scaggs here.
* * *
