The Filtered Excellence: March 6, 2013

Bob Geldof once asked us, “Where is the filtered excellence!?” It’s right here. Here are 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:

The Grand Budapest Hotel. The latest from acclaimed director Wes Anderson is set at a famous European hotel between World War I and II, stars Ralph Fiennes as Gustave, the long time concierge and newcomer Tony Revolon as Zero Moustava, the lobby boy who becomes Gustave’s protege and most trusted friend. The story involves a priceless Reinaissance painting, Gustave being named the will of a wealthy patron, extended chases on motorcycles, trains, skies and sleds and Moustava’s coming of age amidst this and a changing Europe. F. Murray Abraham and Jude Law round out the cast that includes Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Harvey Keitel, Edward Norton, Jason Schwartzman, Tilda Swinton, Tom Wilkinson, Owen Wilson and, of course, Bill Murray. Everyone seems to be having a blast with the sharp script – especially Fiennes as the prim, proper yet elegantly blunt Gustave. Fans looking for all of the Anderson hallmarks won’t be disappointed – they are all there and then some. Oscar voters have been snubbing Anderson for well over a decade, but this might be the film that breaks his Oscar slump. An early contender for Best Film of 2014. The Grand Budapest Hotel opens nationwide on Friday.

Cheap Thrills. This new black comedy from Drafthouse Films takes a dark trip into accepting dares and self-degradation. Starring Pat Healy, Sara Paxton, Ethan Embry and the hysterically sinister David Koechner, the film follows a mechanic who finds himself out of work and almost out on the street and his high school buddy who find themselves in the odd situation of being able to make some quick cash based on the whims of a couple they just met. The night quickly escalates into some unexpected territory. Cheap Thrills is available now on Movies On Demand. It opens in select theaters and Digital VOD on Friday, March 21st.

Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey. Nearly 34 years after Carl Sagan introduced a generation to science and wonder with the series “Cosmos”, it’s back. And there could be no better person to pass the baton to than Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson. This is literally a case of the student becomes the teacher, Tyson met Sagan as a teenager in 1975 and his life’s course was set in motion. The new “Cosmos” will be a 13 part documentary series that airs on multiple channels including FOX, FX, FXX, FXM, Fox Sports 1, Nat Geo, Nat Geo Wild and Fox Life. In the first episode, Dr.Tyson looks at the “cosmic calendar” that dates back to the Big Bang. Cosmos: A Space Time Odyssey premieres Sunday, March 9th at 9pm Eastern on FOX. Check local listings for times on the other networks mentioned.

True Detective: Season Finale. The HBO drama wraps up its 8 episode season this Sunday. After 17 years of obsessing, detectives Rust Cohle and Marty Hart (Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson) may finally get some closure in their hunt for a Louisiana serial killer. In the finale, the detectives find a clue that takes them into one of the series’ darkest and creepiest places yet. Will the identity of the Yellow King finally be revealed? Watch Sunday, March 9th at 9pm on HBO.

From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series. Based on the film directed by Robert Rodriguez and written by Quentin Tarantino, Dusk Till Dawn: The Series follows the Gecko Brothers as they run from the law. The series advances the story line set in the original movie when the brothers take hostages and arrive at a Mexican strip club inhabited by vampires. From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series premieres Tuesday, March 11th at 9pm on Rodriguez’s brand new network, El Rey.

READ THIS:

Bright Nights: Photography Of Another New York by Tod Seelie. Before New York City morphed into one giant tourist trap, it was the hotbed for dirty parties, crazy art shows, impromptu raves, basement rock shows and everything that fell under the counterculture umbrella. Photographer Tod Seelie spent 15 years documenting the madness and it’s all in his latest book, Bright Nights: Photography Of Another New York. With shots ranging from ‘Oh my God’ to ‘How was that taken’, Seelie gives us a glimpse of a New York that the politicos have tried to bury and for hardcore city dwellers would like to have back.

Bright Nights is available now through Amazon, Barnes And Noble.com and all major book retailers.
You can also go to todseelie.com for additional information.

Please Be With Me: A Song For My Father, Duane Allman by Galadrielle Allman. Nearly 43 years after his death, the story of Southern Rock icon Duane Allman is being told from a unique perspective, his daughter’s. Galadrielle Allman was still a baby when her famous father was killed in a motorcycle accident. As she grew up, she became more and more curious about her father and became determined to find out about the man that friends and family members were reluctant to talk about since losing him. Galadrielle Allman discovers her father’s legacy and reveals what it means to her now.

Please Be With Me: A Song For My Father, Duane Allman is available in stores and on amazon.com

BUY THIS:

Bowers & Wilkins P3 Headphones. This British based company has been making a wide range of audio equipment since 1966, but they have really come into their own with their brand of high quality headphones and earphones. The P3 Headphones are stylish, light, yet extremely durable thanks their sleek metal design. The P3s are also foldable and includes a hard-shell carry case to protect them when not in use. The foam pads molds to the shape of your ears giving the listener maximum comfort on top of prime sound quality. The P3’s also comes with a easily adjustable cables that works with all smartphones, tablets and MP3 players and a custom remote/microphone cable for iPhone/iPad users. The P3’s are the perfect upgrade for those who can not or tired of brittle earbuds. You’ll look great while rocking out too.

The Bowers & Wilkins P3 Headphones are available through Amazon and all major retailers.
You can also go to www.bowers-wilkins.com for more information

DO THIS:

NEW YORK CITY: Jimmy Webb. The Iridium March 6th and 7th. The author of timeless classics as ‘By The Time I Get To Phoenix’, ‘Galveston’, ‘Up Up And Away, ‘MacArthur Park’, ‘All I Know’, ‘The Worst That Can Happen’ and many others comes to New York for a two night stand at New York’s Iridium. Expect all of the hits, new works, the stories behind them, and maybe even a couple of surprises. An amazing opportunity to hear a master songwriter up close and personal. Jimmy Webb will be at The Iridium March 6th and 7th with two shows each night.

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA. The Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy. This is a one night only performance at Toronto Sketchfest featuring all 5 members of the Kids in the Hall. Dave Foley, Kevin McDonald, Bruce McCulloch, Mark McKinney and Scott Thompson are reuniting for a special reading of their 1996 cult movie, Brain Candy. Following the live reading, there will be the debut screening of the original ending written for the film. The Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy happens Tuesday, March 11th at 8pm at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Billy Connolly: The Man Live Tour. Scottish great Billy Connolly is on the American leg of his Man Live Tour. The uniquely charming and always hysterical Billy Connolly is doing two shows only at the Ricardo Montalban Theatre in LA, one on Friday March 7th and one on Saturday, March 8th. Billy goes totally stream of consciousness during his shows and warns audiences ahead of time that many of his stories and jokes don’t have punchlines and with Billy Connolly it doesn’t matter. Audiences immediately fall in love with him and his humor. The Man Live shows this weekend start at 8pm.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Nick Kroll & Friends. The star of Kroll Show and The League, Nick Kroll will be bringing his characters and stand up to the stage at Largo at the Coronet. Nick’s line up of friends changes from time to time but always includes special guests. The show is Friday, March 7th at 8:30pm. Doors open at 7pm at Largo at the Coronet. The show is sold out, so look for tickets online or call in favors with friends that have connections in LA.