The Filtered Excellence: September 27, 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:
Showtime Season Premiers! We posted these last week so you could get caught up but this Sunday are the season premiers of two great showtime shows, “Dexter” and “Homeland”. Last chance to catch up on Season One of “Homeland” comes this Saturday with an all day Marathon starting at noon in the east. If you have never seen Dexter, well um, you’re too late to catch up now. Just dive in. Sunday September 3oth on Showtime.
How to Survive a Plague. Where once, more than a generation ago now, the diagnosis meant inescapable illness and a certain death sentence, AIDS can now be seen as a serious but manageable condition. This film focuses on two of the groups who helped to make this once unimaginable reality so. How to Survive a Plague is the heart wrenching yet hopeful documentary by filmmaker David France which follows the activist groups, ACT UP and TAG. Through their steadfast and vigorous advocacy they helped to transform what it means to be afflicted with AIDS in our society. Utilizing never-before-seen footage from the peak of the AIDS crisis during the 1980’s and 90’s, the film places the viewer in the midst of the tumult. Revealed are the sad and frightening realities of the time, as well as the many of the bold, important, and sometimes questionable methods in which these defiant and forward-thinking champions of the cause fought in order to access the pharmaceutical industry and to establish new medications, forever changing the what it means to live with AIDS. This compelling documentary bears witness to the power of activism.
Looper. Nothing is more fun that sci-fi done right. Except maybe an action film done right. So if you take science fiction and combine it with action, it’s either a total disaster, or a heart pounding, thought-provoking and fun movie that you won’t stop talking about. “Looper” is looking to be one of the good ones. We haven’t seen it but the critics love it, and we’re optimistic that it’s at least worth a trip to the theater. It’s being described as thrilling, engaging, mind-bending, and visually stunning– everything you want in sci-fi. And we’re always rooting for a Bruce Willis action movie to be great. We’re definitely checking this one out.
Princess Bride on Blu Ray. If you are someone who buys blu-rays this is definitely one you’ll want to own. Does anything scream classic or collectible more than the genre-defying Princess Bride? Bonus if you’re in NYC, Director Rob Reiner, screenwriter William Goldman and cast members Billy Crystal, Cary Elwes, Carol Kane, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Wallace Shawn and Robin Wright will all be appearing at Alice Tulley Hall in Lincoln Center for a special 25th Anniversary Screening on Tuesday October 2nd for a post-screening Q&A.
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READ THIS:
Waging Heavy Peace by Neil Young. This eagerly awaited memoir created such a buzz that its release date was pushed up a week to meet the demand. Spread out over 500 pages, Neil recalls everything from growing up in Ontario, his contributions to Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and Crazy Horse, right down to his love for model trains, vintage cars and guitars. We also get to see the private side as Young tells stories about his father, siblings, wives (former and current), and his children (two of his sons have celebral palsy); health issues (including the brain aneurysm that nearly killed in 2005) and his passionate stance on ecological and environmental issues. Sprawling, non-linear and extensive, yet told in a clear, direct tome, it’s the exactly the kind of memoir you would expect from one of rock’s most prolific and endearing artists. “Waging Heavy Peace” is in stores now.
My Mother Was Nuts by Penny Marshall. She was featured on two iconic TV shows. She was married to Meathead and dated Art Garfunkel. She was the first female director to have a film gross over 100 million dollars. But who is the real Penny Marshall? In this stirring memoir, Marshall tells about her Bronx upbringing, becoming a teenage bride and mother while attending college. Later, Marshall recalls the unexpected and almost whirlwind success of Laverne & Shirley and how she used her new found clout to make a foray into directing hit films. The book is loaded with stories and adventures on and off set and of course, lots of partying along the way. A highly entertaining memoir by one of Hollywood’s most endearing and beloved personalities. “My Mother Was Nuts” is in stores now.
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LISTEN TO THIS:
The Devil You Know, by Rickie Lee Jones. Rickie Lee Jones’ fourth all-covers album is just as revealing and astonishing as the previous three. The Devil You Know finds The Duchess Of Coolsville interpreting – or rather re-inventing – some of the most revered songs in the classic rock canon. But producer Ben Harper wisely gives the material a new look by featuring just above-a-whisper instrumentation and Jones’ electric voice. Her dark blues version of ‘Sympathy For The Devil’ sounds more sinister and spookier than even the Stones ever imagined. Jones was tailor made for Neil Young’s ‘Only Love Can Break Your Heart’: She nails it. She also brings a weathered weary touch to The Band’s ‘The Weight’ and Van Morrison’s ‘Comfort Me’. There’s also solid versions of ‘Reason To Believe’, ‘Catch The Wind’ and ‘St James Infirmary’. There’s also one original, ‘Masterpiece’, written by Harper specifically for Jones. Naked, sparse, raw but remarkably human, The Devil You Know continues the strong resurgence of one of music’s best vocalists.
Thankful N’ Thoughtful by Bettye LaVette. Even though she’s been recording since 1962, toured the world several times over and did a five year run on Broadway, it took Bettye LaVette nearly 40 years to become an overnight sensation. Her astonishing take on The Who’s ‘Love Reign O’er Me’ at the 2008 Kennedy Center Honors and her breathtaking duet with Jon Bon Jovi on ‘A Change Is Gonna Come’ at the 2009 Inaugural Celebration for President were both magnificent. Her latest album, “Thankful N’ Thoughtful,” continues her hot streak. Expertly produced by Craig Street (who produced Norah Jones’ career defining Come Away With Me), the new album oozes with soul, funk, R&B and touches of American roots music. Gnarls Barkley’s ‘Crazy’ is done at a slow churning, world weary ballad; LaVette reinvents Neil Young’s ‘Everyone Knows This Is Nowhere’ into an wistful ode to homesickness and the folk tune ‘Dirty Old Town’ (made famous by The Pogues) into a look back at her Detroit roots. She takes The Black Keys’ ‘I’m Not The One’ and the Sly Stone-penned title track into the swamp and turns them into songs of celebration and survival. This is grown folk music that everyone needs to hear.
- You can visit her website for complete info as well as a full tour schedule.
- Order Thankful N’ Thoughtful
St Peter & 57th Street/50th Anniversary Collection by The Preservation Hall Jazz Band. To coincide with this lauded band’s 50th Anniversary, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band has released two extraordinary collections. St Peter & 57th Street was recorded this past January at Carnegie Hall and features appearances by Allen Touissaint, Steve Earle, Trombone Shorty, The Del McCoury Band, Yasiin Bey (aka Mos Def) and much more. The 50th Anniversary Collection is a 4-CD box set featuring all of the incredible Dixieland jazz and traditional New Orleans jazz that has become a permanent imprint on American popular music. Both collections are must have and are available now.
- You can go to www.preservationhall.com to find out more.
- Order the 50th Anniversary Collection
- Order St. Peter & 57th St.
Babel, Mumford & Sons. As a follow up to their breakthrough album, Sigh No More, Mumford & Son’s latest, Babel, doesn’t break any knew ground musically. That’s not a bad thing though. The folky instrumentation and catchy hooks are still a good listen, even if not as compelling as they were the first time around. Recommended tracks include “I Will Wait” and “Hopeless Wanderer.”
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DO THIS:
Nationwide: National Museum Day. Free entrance to over 1400 museums nationwide, thanks to Smithsonian Magazine. This Saturday September 29th.
New York City: The Dumbo Arts Festival. Celebrate Art, Music & Performance at the Dumbo Arts Festival in Brooklyn from September 28th to the 30th.
Nashville: Doctober at The Belcourt Theatre. Doctober begins in one week, so get your tickets now. Showcasing 13 great docs this year, including IBang favorites “Detropia”, “Searching for Sugarman”, “Samsara”, and “The Invisible War”, plus football concussion doc “Head Games” from Steve James, (director of Hoop Dreams and The Interrupters).
