The Filtered Excellence: October 4, 2012
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:
Sister (L’enfant d’en haut). Award-winning French-Swiss director Ursula Meier directs this story that focuses on twelve year old Simon who lives with his older sister. In the valley outskirts of an affluent Alpine ski resort, Simon spends most of his days up the mountain, stealing ski equipment from rich tourists to, in turn, sell back to the local kids living in and around his neighborhood housing complex. As his sister aimlessly meanders through job after job and hookup after hookup, young Simon’s pilfering seems to be the main way that the two can make ends meet. When Simon teams up his hustle with a shady British seasonal ski resort employee, however, circumstances become markedly more dangerous and his relationship with his sister strained. More than a comparative tale of the haves vs. the have-nots, Sister becomes tragically heart-wrenching portrait which divulges the binding nature of a relationship both very powerful, while extremely fragile. (Opens Friday October 5, 2012 Limited)
- Visit the official website Sister (L’enfant d’en haut)
- Watch the Trailer.
Shakespeare’s Globe on Screen. There’s many ways to see Shakespeare performed– there’s movies, local productions, sometimes even Broadway productions– but nothing could beat seeing Shakespeare performed at the original Globe Theater in England. But how many people have the means to get their in their lifetime? Now, Clearview theaters have teamed up with the Globe to bring you Shakespeare’s Globe on screen. It’s an incredible opportunity, if you have one of the participating theaters near you. The first in the series of events is All’s Well That Ends Well, on Thursday October 11 at 7pm.
LISTEN TO THIS
Born to Sing: No Plan B by Van Morrison. On his first album of original material in 4 years, Van The Man (backed by a crack five piece band) reflects on the current global financial crisis, materialism, income inequality, and greed. But the laidback, live in the studio feel runs a great counter to some of Van’s most politically charged lyrics to date. Think of it as a jazzier, traditional R&B version of Springsteen’s Wrecking Ball. Van’s voice has grown deeper and huskier with time, but it blends in perfectly with the horns, making for a warm, embracing balance. Listening to a Van Morrison record is like putting on a warm sweater or a really comfortable pairs of shoes. It just feels right. Born To Sing: No Plan B will be available in all digital outlets on Tuesday.
Glad All Over by The Wallflowers. After a 7 year hiatus, The Wallflowers are back with a new label (Columbia) and renewed sense of purpose. It’s evidenced by the lead single, the very Clash-sounding ‘Reboot The Mission’ (which features backing vocals, guitar & co-production by Mick Jones). The Clash influence runs throughout: ‘Hospital For Sinners’, ‘Misfits And Lovers’, and ‘Have Mercy On Him’ are all great homages to band circa London Calling era. Fans who miss the sound of the band’s breakthrough album Bringing Down The Horse will not be disappointed after hearing ‘Love Is A Country’, ‘It Won’t Be Long (‘Till We’re Not Wrong Anymore’) and the remarkable ‘Constellation Blues’. Glad All Over is a strong return to form for Jakob Dylan and the guys. It’ll be available in stores on October 9th.
Sing the Delta by Iris DeMent. Singer-songwriter Iris DeMent is true, bittersweet, Americana. Country gospel roots and candid storytelling shine in this, her first album of original songs in sixteen years. Iris’ writing conveys bare her life in the Arkansas Delta; questions of faith, loss, and especially family. She has a way of writing straight to the heart of the matter, in plain simplicity that rings with an honesty that is both bold and profoundly moving. ““The Night I Learned How Not to Pray,” reveals a time of painful loss and subsequent wrangling with beliefs. “The Kingdom has Already Come,” is rich with imagery and questions, too. “Before the Colors Fade,” brims with sentimentality and remembrance, while, “Livin’ on the Inside,” is a beautiful song about depression, with piano soaring horns. The title track, “Sing the Delta,” has family at the core, as the connections to a time and place gone by. These are the currents which run through this excellent album of pristine singing and keen insight… that may make a person wanna cry their guts out, in the best way. (Released October 2, 2012).
Traveling Alone by Tift Merritt. North Carolina’s Tift Merritt returns with her seventh studio album of country-folk goodness, Traveling Alone. Recorded live in the studio, the instrumentation is excellent, but it’s Merritt’s warm, sweet voice that takes center stage. Lyrically she’s in fine form as well, inviting comparisons to Lucinda Williams. Highlights include the title track and Drifted Away, her duet with Andrew Bird.
Mend by Strip Darling. Strip Darling is 5 piece New York City-based band led by keyboardist Jacque Ryal. Introspective, angry, and ultimately redemptive, Mend is a moody, atmospheric song cycle that is very much on par with artists such as Tori Amos, Portishead and Florence & The Machine. Big time props also have to go out to Aaron Nevezie for his crisp and concise production. It sounds like you right there in the room with the band. If you’re looking for an indie release that’s a notch above everything else, this is the album to get.
- You can go to www.stripdarling.com for info and tour dates.
- Mend is available now on Itunes and Bandcamp.
READ THIS:
One Last Strike by Tony La Russa. It’s fact intensive but if you’re a fan of the game and how it’s played, you will love One Last Strike. It’s the inside story behind the famous comeback and also explores the entire career of the one of the biggest winning managers in baseball history. It’s an intensive look into his management approach as well as a collection of great stories.
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DO THIS:
New York: 50 Years of James Bond @ MoMA 10/5 – 10/31 To coincide with the 50th Anniversary of the iconic spy series (and part of the ramp up leading to the new Bond film Skyfall), MoMa will screen all 22 films featuring Britain’s top spy saving the world time and time again. For hardcore fans, it’s a chance to see the series that made Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Bronson and Daniel Craig international superstars on the big screen again. For newbies, it gives you the opportunity to see what all of the fuzz is about.
New York: Gimme Some Truth: The Artwork of John Lennon. The show will feature 100 of Lennon’s drawings and sketches, which he created using sumi ink, an Oriental technique. The artwork spans 16 years of Lennon’s life, from 1964 to 1980. Marking the late Lennon’s 72nd birthday, the exhibit will be on display this Friday (October 5th) through October 9th at 130 Prince Street in SoHo, NYC. Although the event is free, a $2 donation is preferred as the proceeds will be sent to Citymeals-on-Wheels.
Nationwide: A State of the Union Conversation with Fran Lebowitz . Writer, public speaker, humorist and all around brilliant New Yorker Fran Lebowitz is touring with a series of speaking engagements. You can’t get more “filtered excellence” than attending one of Fran’s talks.
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