The Filtered Excellence: September 20, 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:

Trouble With the Curve.   Forget empty chairs, forget politics.  This is Clint Eastwood doing what he should be doing.  Eastwood stars in (but does not direct) this movie about an aging baseball scout for the Atlanta Braves.  From all accounts this looks to be a really enjoyable baseball movie with strong performances by Eastwood and co-star Amy Adams.  Opens Friday at select theaters.

Homeland Season 2.  It’s smart.  It’s exciting.  It’s full of tension and swerves.  And it may be the best drama on television.  The performances by the series three stars– Damien Lewis, Claire Danes and Mandy Patinkin are tremendous.  If you don’t have a DVR, you’d better step up because you don’t want to miss an episode of Homeland while you’re watching Sunday night football.  If you missed Season 1, catch up now, On Demand or on Amazon.  Sunday nights starting Sunday August 3oth on Showtime at 10pm eastern time.

Parks and Recreation Season 5.  Still one of the only smart comedies on network tv.  The only argument here is whether you’re a bigger fan of Amy Poehler, Nick Offerman, Rashida Jones, Aziz Ansari or any of the other regular cast members.  A true ensemble cast.  The first episode of the new season started tonight.  Catch it on demand and then start watching Thursdays at 9:30 in the east.

Dexter Season 7.  Dexter is still fun after 6 years and if you’ve been watching all along, you can’t possibly stop now, as Dexter’s world is crumbling around him and secrets are getting out.  The series creators have already revealed that Season 8 will be the last so we’re heading for some heavy changes.  The new season begins Sunday night September 30th.  (of course) at 9pm in the east  on Showtime.   This gives you one week to recap last season.  Hurry UP!

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READ THIS:

The Good Son:  The Life Of Ray ‘Boom Boom’ Mancini by Mark Kreigel. Ray ‘Boom Boom’ Mancini was a real life Rocky: Rising up from the streets of Youngstown, Ohio to become lightweight champion of the world. For Mancini, winning the title fulfilled the promise he made to his father, Lenny, who was contender for the lightweight title before injuries sustained in World War II cut short his career. Boom Boom Mancini was not only a champion, he was a symbol. He fought for those who were left behind when the steel mills shut down. Mancini was the pride of Italian-Americans. Sylvester Stallone produced a TV movie based on his life. Frank Sinatra was a fan. Warren Zevon wrote a song about him. But it all came to an abrupt halt that fateful fight against Duk Koo Kim in November 1982. The two fighters battered each other for 13 rounds before Mancini won by a crushing TKO in the 14th. Kim collapsed minutes after and slipped into a coma. He would pass away four days later. Mancini would blame himself for Kim’s death and, by all accounts, was never the same after Kim’s death. Mancini would lose his title in 1984 and would retire in 1992. Mark Kreigel – who wrote the New York Times best selling profile on the late, ‘Pistol’ Pete Maravich – captures all of Mancini’s highs, lows, eventual resolve and rebirth in this expertly written biography. This isn’t just another sports book: It’s a look at a country (and sport) in transition through the eyes of someone literally punching his way through it. The Good Son is in stores now.

Cyndi Lauper: A Memoir by Cyndi Lauper and Jancee Dunn.  Cyndi Lauper has never been at a loss for words and she has plenty to say in this thoroughly entertaining memoir. At the heart of all is a story of perseverance: Coming from a broken home; leaving at the age of 17 to pursue an art career; supporting herself with a string of odd jobs and singing in cover bands and damaging her vocal cords so badly that she was told that she would never sing again. Bucking the odds, she regained her voice and co-founded the band Blue Angel. The band would release one album before label and internal squabbles led the band to break up. A lawsuit by Blue Angel’s former manager forced Lauper into bankruptcy and later, working in a thrift store to pay bills. She would continue to sing in bars and clubs until she met future manager David Wolff. With Wolff’s help, she would get a deal with Epic Records and record She’s So Unusual. The rest, they say, is pop history. Lauper and Dunn deftly chart those formative years, the whirlwind success of She’s So Unusual, the struggles to match that success, label battles, marriage and motherhood; her forays into world music, dance music and the blues, plus her unwavering support for gay rights and HIV/AIDS awareness. It’s quite a rags-to-riches story as only she can tell it.

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LISTEN TO THIS:

3 Pears by Dwight Yoakem.   On 3 Pears, Dwight Yoakam’s first new album in seven years, he covers the Joe and Rose Lee Maphis’ song, “Dim Lights, Thick Smoke” in which the chorus rocks: “Dim Lights, thick smoke, and loud, loud music.” Yoakam’s new album viscerally brims with all that honky tonk ambiance. His tenor is clear and prominent, country-twangy at times, and replete with yelping hiccups. The album opens with the song, “Take Hold of My Hand,” and it’s all right there. The album has a classic country sound, but that’s not all. At times Yoakam rocks harder, wails reminscent of his ol cowpunk past, playing punk shows in late 80’s L.A. See one of the two Beck co-produced tracks, “A Heart Like Mine,” for another example. Of course there are also achy, yearning tunes that Yoakam does so well, too, and even tracks that relate a 60’s pop influence, and an occasional pervading bubbling of Motown bass lines. What Yoakam has produced here is a well-rounded, excellent album, and one of his best yet. (Released 9/18/12)

Live in New York City by Paul Simon.  This 3 disc package (2 CDs and 1 DVD) captures Simon and his amazing band at New York’s Webster Hall during his 2011 tour. It’s a very strong representation of his solo career, including material from his latest effort So Beautiful Or So What. It perfectly documents a highly productive period for one of our best singer-songwriters. Live In New York City is available now.

Shields by Grizzly Bear.  On their fourth full length album, acclaimed Brooklyn quartet Grizzly Bear have opted for a fuller sound. At times it even rocks (albeit in Radiohead rather than, say, Van Halen territory). Grizzly Bear’s signature harmonies remain intact and mesh well with the changes in instrumentation, The transformation from the band’s early minimalist, lo-fi work is a revelation, and has spawned what is arguably their best record to date. Standout tracks include Speak in Rounds and Sleeping Ute.

Tomorrowland by Ryan Bingham.  The Academy, Grammy and Golden Globe winner released a new album this week.  It’s a bit more rock and roll than his three albums.  It’s self produced, rougher around the edges, and a bit of a wake up call.  It’s rock and roll meets a country road and it’s a great listen.  The album has a lot to say too about the economics of our times we’re living in from the perspective of “an average joe kid” who happens to be a great songwriter.  For long time Bingham fans– it’s a different sound with a familiar message.  Highlights include the acoustic songs “Flower Bomb” and “Too Great to Fill.”

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DO THIS:

New York City: Regarding Warhol:  Sixty Artists, Fifty Years.  Imagine 45 pieces of Warhol’s art, including sculpture, paintings, and films curated along with work by other artists who reinterpret, respond, or react to his groundbreaking work.  Now through December 31st.   Lines will be long, get to this one early.

New York City:  Johnny Depp and Damien Echols Book Signing.  In what promises to be a truly epic event, Johnny Depp will make a rare appearance tomorrow night at New York’s Barnes & Noble in Union Square. Depp will be interviewing Damien Echols, one of the West Memphis Three member Damien Echols about his new book, Life After Death. Echols was one of the three falsely accused of murder and sentenced to death in 1991. The acclaimed ‘Paradise Lost’ documentaries shed new light on their case and musicians such as Metallica and Henry Rollins rallied to their defense. In 2011, all three were released under the Alford plea. Echols’ book is based on his prison journals. The event is free, so be sure to get there early.

New York City:  ATP Festival.  Curated by All Tomorrow’s Party and Afghan Whigs’ Greg Dulli, this New York music festival will take place on Pier 36 from September 21st until the 23rd. Featured performances include Frank Ocean, the Afghan Whigs, Godspeed! You Black Emperor, The Roots and many others.

Boston:  Boston Film Festival through September 24. You’ve missed the screening of “Butter” but there’s lots more to do and see over the next 3 days.  Located in the Stuart Street Playhouse at the Boston Revere Hotel.  Featuring “A Dark Truth” starring Andy Garica on Friday, “The Citizen” (Cary Elwes) on Saturday and “The Sessions” (Helen Hunt) on Sunday.  Also you can catch the world premier of “”Stranglehold: In the Shadow of the Boston Strangler” and so much more.

Los Angeles:  Masterworks of Expressionist Cinema, Caligari and Metropolis.   The installation includes projected sequences, vintage posters, and set stills from these two iconic films, as well as selected prints .  At the Los Angeles County Museum of Art September 22, 2012–March 10, 2013

San Francisco:  The Last Show at Legendary Club: The Purple Onion.  Jim Short and Friends, September 24, 2012.  Whether you’ve heard of the Purple Onion or not, trust us, it’s one of the iconic clubs that will go down in history and after this week you will never have the chance to say “you were there” again, as they close their doors forever after the September 24, 2012 show. Since 1952 this club has hosted many comic legends and was the venue for several comedy albums.  The last show should be epic and full of surprises with 25 comedians scheduled to perform.  Their website warns it will be a long show and that it will be taped for prosperity.  Doors open at 7pm / Show starts at 8pm.

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Want more Filtered Excellence?  Check Out Last Week’s Recommendations.