The Filtered Excellence: September 11, 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:
WATCH THIS:
The Skeleton Twins. (Editors Pick of the Week) This film is a more dramatic turn for Saturday Night Live alumni Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader. They play twins who have been estranged for the better part of a decade. They’ve both been scarred by the death of their father when they were still young. More tragic events have brought them back together years later. Bill Hader plays Milo, a struggling actor who has returned home to stay with his sister Maggie, played by Wiig. The two have secrets they haven’t shared with anyone yet. The situation isn’t helped when their mother comes back into their lives. Now they’re back together and their bond of family and being twins is strained even more. Joining Wiig and Hader in the cast are Luke Wilson, Ty Burrell and Joanna Gleason. The Skeleton Twins opens nationwide this Friday, September 12th.
Take Me The River. First time director Martin Shore looks at the power and mystery behind the Memphis sound in a film that works as both documentary and making of an album. The first half traces the history of the Memphis sound, as it evolved as the cradle of the blues to the epicenter of the soul music that exploded into the American consciousness in the 60s and 70s. The second half captures the bridging of generation gaps as several of the surviving members of that scene reunite to record new material with the current crop of hip hop and R&B stars. Its great to see industry vets such as Mavis Staples, Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland (in his last on-screen appearance), William Bell, Otis Clay, Bobby Rush, Charlie Musselwhite and Charles ‘Skip’ Pitts (who played the epic wah-wah guitar intro on ‘Shaft’) get a much deserved victory lap. It’s also great to see Snoop Dogg, Terence Howard (who also narrates the film), Frasyer Boy (who co-wrote the Academy Award wining song ‘It’s Hard Out Here For A Pimp’), The North Mississippi All-Stars and other new jacks not only give props but are still eager students looking to gain new insight and wisdom from their musical elders. With a killer soundtrack, Take Me The River is a joyous salute to the Memphis sound. The film opens this Friday in select theaters and nationwide on September 12th.
The Drop. The latest from acclaimed novelist turned screenwriter Dennis Lehane (Mystic River, Shutter Island, Gone Baby Gone) stars Tom Hardy as Bob Saginowski, a quiet man who lives alone and works as a bartender at his cousin’s Marv’s (James Gandolfini) bar in Brooklyn. Marv used to the neighborhood loan shark but got his power usurped by Russian mobsters that moved in – and took over – the area. The bar is now used for ‘the drop’ of their money and when it’s robbed by two men, Russian crime boss Chovka (Michael Aronov) expects Marv and Bob to find those responsible and more importantly, get the money back. Will the world weary Marv be forced to a world that he was forced to leave behind? Will Bob – who is already holding onto a secret from his past – have to do something that will compromise his already fractured psyche? That is at the heart of this tense, taunt thriller from director Michael R. Roskam (Bullhead). Hardy is fantastic as the haunted Bob. With his drawn out eyes and careful body movements, you can practically feel him using every fiber of his being to hold all of his secrets together. Aronov is all confidence and swagger as Chovka. He’s a great counter to the bruised spirits of Bob and Marv. Gandolfini, in his final feature film appearance, once again shows why he was one of our most beloved character actors. Its an understated, yet powerful performance that should not be forgotten come awards season. The same can be said about Lehane’s script – he’s quickly becoming the most dynamic screenwriter of his generation. The Drop opens this Friday.
No No: A Dockumentary. Brash, outspoken and opinionated, Dock Ellis was one of the most colorful and controversial players in baseball history. In this exciting new documentary, director Jeremy Radice takes a colorful look back at ‘The Muhammad Ali Of Baseball’ who was half of the 1st two Black pitchers to start an All-Star Game, wore hair curlers on the field, openly threw at batters and threw a no-hitter while on LSD. The film also looks at Ellis’ upfront views on civil rights, and in later years, helping recovering addicts remain sober. Featuring interviews with former teammates, opponents, reporters, family, friends and Ellis himself (he passed away in 2008), No No: A Dockumentary is a fascinating look at one of the game’s most unique personalities.
is available on Amazon.com and in theaters, or on Netflix or iTunes.You can go to www.nonoadockumentary.com for more information.
I Am Eleven. This new documentary asks “Do you remember when you were 11?”. It’s that young childhood spirit that director Genevieve Bailey is trying to capture. She spent 6 years traveling the world to talk to 11 year olds across the globe. She asks them their opinions on topics covering love, war, global warming, music, terrorism, culture, family, happiness, religion and how they feel about their own future. Bailey talks to kids in 15 different countries including Thailand, Australia and a visit to an orphanage in India. It’s honest conversations with people who are at an amazing age where they’re no longer little children, but aren’t teenagers yet either. I Am Eleven opens in New York City on Friday, September 12th and rolls out nationwide after that.
The Roosevelts: An Intimate History. PBS’ favorite documentary series director Ken Burns is back with another week long look at the history of the country. Burns’ subject in this special PBS presentation is the Roosevelt family. He covers 100 years of American history in “The Roosevelts”, beginning with the birth of President Theodore Roosevelt in 1858 and his rise to power and taking the audience through the FDR years and up until the death of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt in 1962. It’s the story of a remarkably achieving family and the power they held in America, plus the changes they made in history that are still felt today. The story is told in Ken Burns unique style through photographs, archive footage and commentary from Doris Kearns Goodwin and George Will. The series is narrated by Peter Coyote. The voice of Eleanor Roosevelt is recreated by Meryl Streep. The Roosevelts: An Intimate History begins Sunday, September 14th at 8pm et and runs through September 20th. Make sure to check your local PBS listing for times in your area.
LISTEN TO THIS:
Songs Of Innocence by U2. U2 dropped the bombshell of the year when they released their new album – their first in 5 years – for free on Itunes during Apple’s announcement of their latest iPhone and Apple Watch. Is it a major risk? Of course it is. But then again, U2 have been taking risks their entire career. Working with the noted producer Danger Mouse, U2 have crafted their most personal album to date. With tracks dealing with the loss of Bono’s mother at a young age (‘Iris’, ‘Volcano’), how bands like The Ramones and The Clash the transformative power of music (‘The Miracle of Joey Ramone’, ‘This Is Where You Can Reach Me’), falling in love for first time (‘Song For Someone’) and maintaining a relationship (‘Every Breaking Wave’); growing up in Northern Ireland (‘Cederwood Road’ and ‘Raised By Wolves’); experiencing the West Coast for the first time (‘California) and finally acceptance of how these experiences shaped them (‘The Problems’), U2 has crafted an album manages to look back lyrically and press forward on a sonic and musical level. Another winner for the boys from Dublin.
You can also go to www.u2.com for more information.
Sankofa by California King. California King is a rock trio based out of Brooklyn with two critically acclaimed albums (The Adoration Of The Boogie Bear and La Belle Epoque) under their belts. On their new album, they expand their already eclectic sound to incorporate elements of funk, electronica, and hints of Caribbean music into the mix. Singer-songwriter Michael Mills adds new depths to his songwriting canon, addressing issues that are both personal, political and global. If you want to hear solid, well-crafted, yet soulful rock n roll, check out the latest from California King.
DO THIS:
NEW YORK CITY: The Feast of San Gennaro. Underway now and through Sunday, September 21st, it’s the 88th Annual Feast of San Gennaro. This is the yearly celebration of the history of the immigrants that settled in what became known at Little Italy in lower Manhattan. The feast also honors the Patron Saint of Naples, Italy. Over 1 million visitors are expected to travel to the feast from around the world. The festival is filled with parades, free music and unbelievable food. The highlight is September 19th when a celebratory Mass is held in Most Precious Blood Church, followed by the traditional procession where the Statue of San Gennaro is carried from the church through the streets of Little Italy.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Fireworks Finale: The Simpsons Take The Bowl. Fresh off of their 500 plus episode marathon on FXX, The Simpsons are coming to the Hollywood Bowl. An orchestra will be in place to accompany famous scenes from The Simpsons that play on a giant screen. The event is co-hosted by Simpsons cast members Hank Azaria, Nancy Cartwright and Yeardley Smith. The night also includes plenty of special guests. Also appearing are Beverly D’Angelo, Jon Lovitz, “Weird Al” Yankovic, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles, Conan O’Brien, Vaud and the Villains, Kipp Lennon and Simpsons creator Matt Groening. The evening ends with a big fireworks display. Fireworks Finale: The Simpsons Take The Bowl happens Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 12th through the 14th at 8 pm.
NEW YORK CITY: The 92Y Annual Street Festival. The 92nd Street Y in New York is known for its educational, informative and entertaining programs all year long. This is the time during the year when 92Y takes it out on the street. The annual festival this year features performances by Broadway casts doing numbers from their shows including Pippin and Cinderella. There’s also kid-only performances from Broadway child actors with scenes from Once, Evita and Les Misérables. The festival will also include an entire New York city block dedicated to education about international cultures. There’s free pottery demonstrations and kosher BBQ will be available. The 92Y Annual Street Festival happens Sunday, September 14th starting at 12 pm at the corner of 92nd Street and Lexington Avenue.
TAMPA, FLORIDA: Monty Python and the Holy Grape. This weekend, the historic Tampa Theatre is combining the city’s Wine Fest with a classic Monty Python film. The theater will have special tickets for screenings of “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” that include a wine tasting event. Passes are available for a two-tiered wine tasting with the wine being supplied by favorite local Tampa restaurants. The wine tasting is followed by the 1975 comedy classic film starring the Pythons, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin. The movie was directed by Gilliam and Jones. Screenings and tastings happen Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 12th through the 14th.
Want more excellence? Read last week’s The Filtered Excellence and visit The Interrobang Recommmends
