The Filtered Excellence: October 9, 2014
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:
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Kill The Messenger starring Jeremy Renner. In 1996, Gary Webb, a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist for the San Jose Mercury News published a series of explosive articles under the title Dark Alliance. Among some of the most explosive charges uncovered were that the C.I.A. allowed Nicaraguan drug cartels with ties to the Contras (whom the C.I.A back in that country’s civil war) to smuggle large amounts of cocaine in major U.S. cities throughout the 1980s. Webb claimed that it played a huge role in the crack epidemic that hit U.S. streets during that time. Webb also charged that The Reagan Adminstration shielded major U.S. drug dealers from federal prosecution because the money that was being made from those sales were helping to fund the Contras after Congress passed several amendments limited direct government funding to the Contras. While Webb’s findings added a new dimension to America’s ‘War On Drugs’ – and was the beginning of the end for Oliver North – it took a serious toll on Webb’s professional and personal life, which ended he was found dead in 2004 of an apparent suicide. Webb’s story is the basis for Kill The Messenger, a new film starring Jeremy Renner, who also co-produced. He’s fantastic as Webb, as he relentlessly goes from L.A., D.C. and Nicaragua to uncover the conspiracy. With help from an outstanding supporting cast (Ray Liotta, Barry Pepper, Michael K. Williams, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Oliver Platt, Andy Garcia, Rosemarie DeWitt and Paz Vega) and great direction by Michael Cuesta (Six Feet Under, Homeland), Kill The Messenger is a well-paced thriller that ranks among the best political dramas. The film opens in select theaters this Friday.
Whiplash. Striving to be the best – and the cost that comes with it – is at the heart of this new film from writer-director Damien Chazelle. Miles Teller plays Andrew, a New York City native with dreams of making it big as a jazz drummer. His skills land him into one of the best conservatories in the country and he’s handpicked by Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), the school’s best instructor to anchor his award winning jazz ensembles. Andrew’s elevation disappears quickly when Fletcher uses physical and mental abuse to get the best out of him and his group. Andrew’s drive – and eagerness to met Fletcher’s increasing challenges – threatens his relationship with his father (Paul Reiser), his girlfriend (Melissa Benoist) and even his physical and mental health. Chazelle’s script wonderfully captures the joy and the madness that comes with finding your true life calling and the fragile balance that comes with it. Teller captures that magnificently walking the thin line between confidence and insecurity. Simmons, who first made impact as the brutal neo-Nazi Vernon Schillinger on the HBO series Oz, is perfectly cast as Fletcher. His presence consumes the room and the rehearsal scenes in which he motivates and torments at the same time, redefine tension. Reiser, in a rare dramatic turn, is exceptional as Andrew’s faithfully supporting father as is Benoist as Andrew’s love interest, Nicole. Another potential sleeper candidate for the fall movie season. Whiplash opens this Friday.
How We Got To Now with Steve Johnson. This new PBS 6 part mini-series is all about ideas and how far humanity can run with a good one. Science author Steve Johnson looks at where the ideas for some of the world’s advancements came from and their aftereffects. Each episode in the series starts with a basic question. For example, “How do we make something cold?”. From there, Steve Johnson shows how a heating problem at a New York City business led to the invention of air conditioning. He doesn’t stop there. He follows the invention as it helps expedite a huge migration in America which then leads to different parts of the country being transformed politically. How We Got To Now with Steve Johnson premieres its first episode on Wednesday, October 15th on PBS at 9 pm et. Check your local PBS listings for exact times in your area.
I Am Ali. It’s a new look at the greatest boxer of all time, Muhammad Ali. Producers promise this to be the most intimate look at the former champ that’s been documented, as “told from the inside”. What makes this Ali doc different is the access given by family members and the use of Muhammad Ali’s own audio recordings and home movies. Candid footage is used to tell the story of the man who floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee. “I Am Ali” also includes interviews from boxing greats Iron Mike Tyson and George Foreman giving their reflections on Ali. “I Am Ali” is in select theaters and available On Demand on Friday, October 10th from Focus Features.
St. Vincent starring Bill Murray. In Bill Murray’s first lead role since 2012’s “Hyde Park on Hudson”, he stars a drunken gambler turned babysitter for a 12 year old boy. Vincent is in debt with bills and bookies both. He turns to his new neighbor played Melissa McCarthy who is equally desperate for someone to watch her son, Oliver, after school. What happens next is Oliver’s apprenticeship in the debauchery that is Vincent’s life. Oliver somehow breaks through the hard exterior of Vincent that very few have been able to penetrate. In addition to Murray and McCarthy, who takes a more dramatic turn in this role, the cast includes Naomi Watts, Chris O’Dowd, Kimberly Quinn, Terrence Howard and Jaeden Lieberher as Oliver. St. Vincent opens in select theaters on Friday, October 10th.
Saturday Night Live with host Bill Hader. The co-star of “The Skeleton Twins”, (currently in theaters), Bill Hader returns home to Saturday Night to host the 3rd show of season 40. The 8 year SNL vet will be hosting with musical guest Hozier. Hader will be joining the newly revamped cast for the new season. It’s a fairly safe bet that Hader’s best known character, club kid Stefon will be making an appearance, but will his on-screen husband Seth Meyers return from Late Night to make an appearance? Find out Saturday night, October 11th at 11:30 pm et on NBC.
MLB League Championship Series. Underdogs dominate this year’s League Championship Series. The Kansas City Royals have been the biggest story: After not making a playoff appearance in 29 years, the Royals are baseball’s hottest team, making a furious run just to get into the postseason, stunned the A’s in the one-game playoff, then sweeping the league’s best team, the L.A. Angels in three straight. They now play the Baltimore Orioles, who stunned experts by easily winning the talent heavy American League East, then surprisingly swept the heavily favored Detroit Tigers. In the National League, the San Francisco Giants also made a furious run in September to earn a playoff beth. After soundly beating the Pirates in a one game playoff, they pulled off the other big post-season upset by beating the league’s best team, the Washington Nationals in four games. They’ll take on the St. Louis Cardinals, who are looking to win their 4th pennant in 6 years, and make back to back World Series appearances since the 2008-2009 Philadelphia Phillies. The League Championship Series kicks off on Friday night at 8pm on TBS.
READ THIS:
Still Moving by Danny Clinch. As one of the most accomplished photographers and directors working today, Danny Clinch has captured some of the most arresting images of some of the top names in music over the last 20 years: Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Tom Waits, Patti Smith, John Mayer Dave Matthews, Bjork, and Bruce Springsteen are just some of the artists that he has worked with for magazine features, album covers and videos. Springsteen writes the forward to ‘Still Moving’, a new book featuring 200 of his best images. Whether its backstage at the Grammys, Bonnaroo or intimate moments at home or on the go, Clinch’s photographs capture the true essence of each of his subjects. A must have for music and photography fans. Still Moving is available now at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and all major book retailers.
LISTEN TO THIS:
You’re Dead! by Flying Lotus. Steven Ellison, better known as Flying Lotus, has been steadily making a name for himself for nearly a decade. In addition to releasing a series of critically acclaimed albums, FlyLo, as his fans call him, has also composed bumper music for The Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim programming block and collaborated with other artists (including Radiohead and Erykah Badu) on remixes and songs. For his 5th album, Fling Lotus has put together his most ambitious work to date. Working with a diverse range of artists: Herbie Hancock, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Angel Deradoorian, Thundercat and Niki Randa, FlyLo has crafted an astonishing song cycle dealing with the journey into the infinite afterlife. Part jazzy, ambient, and psychedelic, Flying Lotus, like his great aunt and uncle, Alice and John Coltrane, has crafted a soundscape that is at times, absolutely mind blowing. One of the year’s best albums. You’re Dead is available now through Amazon, Itunes and all major music outlets.
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PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA: Fleetwood Mac: On With The Show. They’re putting the band back together. Fleetwood Mac is on the road and are being joined by Christine McVie who hasn’t toured with the band in 16 years. She joins Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks back on stage. Christine rejoined the group on tour after a special performance in London last year when she joined the band on stage for a performance of “Don’t Stop”. After that, she decided to join the tour full time. Fleetwood Mac is reunited and playing their hits in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, October 14th. The show will be at the Consol Energy Center at 8 pm.
DALLAS, TEXAS: Art Garfunkel. Singer and poet Art Garfunkel will be performing at the Majestic Theater in Dallas on Saturday, October 11th. Art will be doing songs from his early Simon and Garfunkel days including “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and other songs from his album, “The Singer” which includes some of his favorite songs and a couple of new performances. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer whose career has covered 5 decades will be at the Majestic Theater this Saturday at 8 pm. Tickets are still available.
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: Silencio: Performing The Sounds Of David Lynch. In a show that’s described as “eerie”, “sexy” and “haunting”, the band Silencio will be doing a musical tribute to the movies of David Lynch. Silencio hopes to bring the feel of a Lynch film to a live venue. The band does songs and musical pieces from all of Lynch’s films from “Eraserhead” to “Inland Empire”. The 5 piece band performs doo wop, jazz and every other style that David Lynch employed in his directing to give his films another quality all their own. Silencio: Performing The Sounds of David Lynch happens at the Knitting Factory in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York on Sunday, October 12th at 8 pm.
NEW YORK CITY: CBGB Music & Film Festival through October 12. New York’s premier music festival returns this year with another star studded lineup. Billy Idol is this year’s keynote speaker and once again, there will be live performances around the clock throughout the city. Some of the notable shows include Macy Gray at City Winery, Talib Kweli at Brooklyn Bowl and NYC hardcore legends Murphy’s Law at Bowery Electric. The film festival portion will feature the premiere screenings of the new concert film Hardcore Devo Live (which will include Q&As with founding members Gerard V. Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh and the new documentary, I Need A Dodge: Joe Strummer On The Run among many others. Closing out the festival: a day long free concert in the heart of Times Square headlined by Jane’s Addiction, Robert Delong and Devo. Guaranteed to keep New York City buzzing with great music and flicks all weekend long. The CBGB Music & Film Festival runs through Sunday, October 12th.
Want more excellence? Read last week’s The Filtered Excellence and visit The Interrobang Recommmends
