The Filtered Excellence: October 17, 2013

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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:

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WATCH THIS:

12 Years A Slave.  Starring Chiwetel Ejofor, Michael Fassbender and Brad Pitt. Director Steve McQueen (Hunger, Shame), takes on slavery from the viewpoint of the enslaved as the basis for his 3rd film. Based on the 1853 autobiography, 12 Years A Slave tells the story of Solomon Northup, a free, educated black man from the North, who was kidnapped and sold into slavery. Ejofor plays Northup, fighting to retain his dignity and a window to freedom despite the harsh conditions on a Louisiana plantation. Fassbender plays plantation owner Edwin Epps, whose sadism and cruelty masks his insecurities and jealousy. Pitt portrays Canadian carpenter who plays a key role in Northup’s escape. Ejofor, an outstanding character actor for over a decade, is outstanding as Northup. Sometimes just through facial expressions and gestures, we can feel his shock, disappointment and ultimately, his will to survive through his horrific ordeal. Working on a McQueen film for the 3rd time, Michael Fassbender redefines on screen evil as the sadistic slave owner. He is poised to be, if he isn’t already, one of the best actors in film. McQueen has also cemented himself one of cinema’s premier directors. As he did with Shame, McQueen’s straight ahead, matter of fact direction points out the minute by minute, day to day, physical and mental torture slaves had to endure in a manner that avoids being expliotive or over the top. Also, look out for Lupita Nyong’o who makes her American debut as Patsey, a specific target of Epps brutality. Her performance will crush you. 12 Years A Slave is poised to be the definitive film on the ugliest chapters in American history. One of the year’s best. 12 Years A Slave opens this Friday nationwide.

  • Watch the trailer for 12 Years a Slave
  • Visit the website for 12 Years a Slave

The 2013 World Series. Four teams are still going back and forth in their race to win the pennant. While it looks like the league championship series may go the distance in the AL and NL, the World Series will start Wednesday, October 23rd. Either the Boston Red Sox or the Detroit Tigers will host game one in the Fall Classic. They will face the winner of the National League, either the Cardinals or the Dodgers, as that series heads back to St. Louis on Friday night.

PBS Independent Lens: The Waiting Room. At a time when the country is debating health care, “The Waiting Room” takes viewers in a hospital ER in Oakland, California where patients are finding themselves outside the system. The documentary was shot over several months and shows how the emergency room doctors and nurses are being stretched to the limit. “The Waiting Room” airs Monday, October 21st at 10pm Eastern. Be sure to check your local PBS listings.

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LISTEN TO THIS:

Ooey Gooey Chewy Ka-Blooey by The Dirtbombs. In the annals of down and dirty underground music, Mick Collins is a legend. He co-founded The Gories, whose sound heavily influenced bands such as The White Stripes and The Black Keys. When Collins started The Dirtbombs in 1995, it was originally going to be a side project with a heavy emphasis on releasing quick, 7 inch singles. Since then, this Detroit-based band has released four albums, has had songs featured in films (The Diving Bell And The Butterfly) and commercials. The Dirtbombs has also toured extensively with bands ranging from Blondie, The White Stripes and Yeah Yeah Yeahs, to TV On The Radio and Spiritualized. Their latest album, Ooey Gooey Chewy Ka-Blooey, is a salute to the bubblegum pop that dominated AM radio in the 60s and 70s. In the hands of another artist, it would come off like a bad parody. But Collins and his crew give the genre its proper respect showing throughout the 10 song set how it eventually transformed into power pop and psychedelia. An outstanding set by one of the America’s most underrated bands. Ooey Gooey Chewy Ka-Blooey is available now through Itunes and Amazon.

 

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READ THIS:

Becoming Mr. October by Reggie Jackson. When Reggie Jackson signed with The New York Yankees in the winter of 1976, he arrived with big expectations. A cornerstone of the A’s dynasty, Reggie was considered to the missing piece to bring the Yankees their first world championship in 15 years. What followed was one of the most turbulent years in New York sports history. Fans didn’t like his outspoken personality. Teammates and opponents resented his contract, which was, at the time, the biggest in the sport. The press had a field day with him, often pitting him against manager Billy Martin, who was not shy to say he didn’t want him on the team. Nevertheless, Reggie rose to the occasion culminating with one of the greatest performances in World Series history: a three home run game in Game 6 of The World Series. In this new memoir, Reggie recalls that roller coaster season – along with the equally insanity that marked the 1978 season – as only he can. Candid, pointed and brutally honest, Reggie tells what life was like in ‘The Bronx Zoo’, his dealings with George Steinbrenner, Billy Martin, the press and fans. He also recalls his championship campaigns with the A’s and the Angels and how he channeled all of the anger and pressures into being one of the greatest post-season players of all-time. Becoming Mr. October is available now at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and all major book retailers.

League Of Denial by Mark Fainaru-Wada and Steve Fainaru. When the NFL settled a class action lawsuit with over 18,000 retired over concussion-related injuries they sustatined during and after their careers, it should have been a coda on what have been a dark cloud over the sport. But it was only the tip of the iceberg – especially since one of the condiditions included that the settlement ‘cannot be considered an admission by the NFL of liability, or an admission that plaintiffs’ injuries were caused by football.’ The PBS news show Frontline used this explosive new book by ESPN investigative reporters Mark Fainaru-Wada and Steve Fainaru as the basis of their story on how the NFL has, and, in many ways, continues to deny, that growing scientific and medical data that proves that repeated blows to the head during a game, can lead to extensive – and permanent – brain damage, madness and early death. Bouncing from the NFL trenches to boardrooms and research labs, League Of Denial shows how the NFL flexed its muscles to downplay indepedent scientific findings and its own research that confirmed these findings. It also tells the stories of players from college to NFL Hall Of Famers (including Junior Seau and Mike Webster) who abruptly descended into depression, violent mood swings and suicide. Loaded with exclusive interviews and recently revealed documents and emails, League Of Denial is a book that could shake the nation’s favorite sport to its very core. It’s available now through Amazon, Barnes and Noble and all major book retailers.

Daniel: My French Cuisine by Daniel Boulud. Renown French Chef Daniel Boulud has put out beautiful new book of his favorite and signature recipes. Even if you don’t cook, the book is stunning to look at. Boulud has restaurants all over the world and has been named Outstanding Chef of the Year by the James Beard Foundation. The book also includes essays written by Daniel Boulud on the meal essentials like bread and cheese.

 

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DO THIS:

NEW YORK CITY: Ice Skating is back!   New York City is headed towards the holidays and with the first cool days of the Fall, the city’s ice skating rinks are reopened for business. The world famous rink at Rockefeller Center is open now through March, 2014. And Central Park’s Wollman Rink is now open for skating in the park.

LOS ANGELES: Tenacious D’s Festival Supreme. The greatest band on Earth is presenting its first ever Festival Supreme at the Santa Monica Pier. Jack Black and Kyle Gass headline the one day only festival filled with some of the best names in comedy. There will 3 stages with performances including Zach Galifianakis, Adam Sandler, Sarah Silverman, Reggie Watts, Patton Oswalt and The Mr. Show Experience. The festival of awesomeness is Saturday, October 19th with shows starting at 2:30pm.

CHICAGO:   Buzz Aldrin. Chicago Ideas Week features a special talk called “Witness: I Changed History”. This is a presentation from people who were there when history was made. The event’s key speaker is Buzz Aldrin, the second man on the moon. Buzz will discuss this amazing time and place in history from the perspective that only a few people have ever experience. Buzz Aldrin will be speaking Sunday, October 20th. The presentation will be held at the Edlis Neeson Theater at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, beginning at 4pm.

Get more filtered excellence at FILTEREDEXCELLENCE.COM

 

Interrobang Staff
Interrobang Staff