The Filtered Excellence: April 30, 2015
Bob Geldof once asked us, “Where is the filtered excellence!?” It’s right here. Once a week we take a break from comedy to bring you 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:
Iris. One of Albert Maysles’ final projects was this fascinating profile of Iris Aptel, who at 93, has, and continues to have, a formidable presence and influence on the New York fashion scene. Maysles puts an almost gleeful gaze on Iris as she spends time with her long time husband Carl, shops (and haggles) for new accessories at places ranging from high end stores to flea markets, does photo shoots and interviews; and making the rounds at some of fashion’s biggest events. Told with wit, warmth and candor, Iris is a moving portrait of one of fashion’s most beloved luminaries. It also is a fitting final bow for Maysles, who will go down in history as one of, if not the best, documentary filmmakers of all times. Iris is in theaters now.
You can go to www.magpictures.com/iris for more information.
Welcome To Me. Will Farrell co-produced this dark and biting comedy about fame and our ever growing obsessions to attain it. Kristin Wiig stars as Alice Klieg, a Borderline Personality Disorder sufferer who wins 86 million dollars in the lottery. Inspired by Oprah, Alice buys her own talk show. She also goes off her meds and the show deals with everything aspect of her life, no matter how odd or revealing. Wiig, whose stock has rising considerable over the last few years, nails it as the quirky, unpredictable Alice. She anchored by a strong supporting cast which includes Tim Robbins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, James Marsden and the always scene stealing Joan Cusack. Its a cerebral and cringe-inducing comedy that has all of the makings of a classic. Welcome To Me opens in select theaters on Friday and nationwide on May 8th.
You can also go to www.welcometomemovie.com for additional information.
“The Fight of the Century” – Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao. Six years in the making, undefeated WBC and WBA welterweight champion Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather will go against WBO Welterweight Champion Manny ‘Pac Man’ Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Both fighters come with Hall Of Fame resumes. Mayweather has won 10 world titles and is the linear champ in four different weight classes. He’s not only money in the bank in the ring, but also outside of it. In 2012 and 2013, he topped both Forbes and Sports Illustrated’s lists for highest paid athletes and last year was named by Forbes as the highest paid athlete in the world. He’s beaten the top fighters of his generation except one: Manny Pacquiao.
Pacquiao’s career arc is just as impressive: 10 world titles, boxing’s only eight division world champ and the first fighter in history to be a lineal champion in four different weight classes. A national hero in The Philippines, Pacquiao also serves in the Philippine House of Representatives and holds the rank of Command Sergeant Major of the 15th Ready Reserve Division of the Philippine Army.
Believe the hype. This is the biggest fight the sport has had in over 15 years. The public believes it also. Tickets which started at $1500 and capped at $10,000 apiece, sold out in minutes. Both fighters are expected to earn at least 100 million and revenues are scheduled to tap at over 300 million – all record numbers.
It’s all on the line. The undisputed welterweight championship, the public title of best pound for pound fighter and 51% of a record purse. Can the pinpoint accuracy and top level defensive skills of Mayweather overcome the relentless attacks of Pacquiao? Tune in May 2nd on pay-per-view. Call your local cable provider for more details.
For more information, go to sho.com
READ THIS:
It’s A Long Story: My Life by Willie Nelson. It would be impossible to sum up the many lives of Willie Nelson, but in this new and arresting memoir, Willie shares some of the stories that has made him an American Icon. Nelson recalls his formative years in Texas, his days working as a DJ, vacuum cleaner and encyclopedia salesman, all before making it big as a one of the premier singer-songwriters of his (or any) generation. He also recalls the darker side of success: Divorces, bankruptcy, AND New York City.
Order It’s a Long Story: My Life
Anger Is An Energy: My Life Uncensored by John Lydon. Quite a lot has happened in the twenty-plus years since John Lydon’s brilliant first memoir- “Rotten: No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs” gave us a look at the world of punk as seen through the eyes of Johnny Rotten himself. Despite the title “Anger Is An Energy,” Mr. Lydon shares the less-aggressive side of his personality as he opens up with candor- stories detailing childhood trauma worthy of a Charles Dickens’ novel. Tales of poverty, crippling illness and violence. Thankfully Lydon’s biting wit makes us laugh along the way. From Pistols to PiL to television host and beyond, I look forward to what future decades bring us from the ever-evolving John Lydon.
Order Anger Is an Energy: My Life Uncensored
DO THIS:
NEW YORK CITY: Eric Clapton’s 70th Birthday Celebration. One of rock’s most celebrated guitarists will celebrate his 70th birthday with two shows at Madison Square Garden. The Garden holds a special place for Slowhand: Cream headlined the first rock concert at the ‘new’ Garden on West 34th in 1968 and was a featured performer at The Concert For Bangladesh in 1971. Clapton has performed at MSG more than any venue in his illustrious career and given the occasion, expect some surprise song selections and some surprise guests. A few tickets remain for both shows, so grab them fast.
Go to www.thegarden.com for more info.
NEW YORK CITY: Paramore at the Beacon Theater. Led by vocalist Hayley Williams , Paramore has been a steady presence on the Alternative Rock charts’ for close to a decade with such hits as ‘Decode’ ‘Emergency’ and ‘Brick By Boring Brick’. The band’s future was in doubt with founding members Zac and Josh Farro (who was also the group’s chief songwriter) abruptly left the band. Remaining as a three piece, Paramore rebounded with a hit self-titled album, anchored by the hit singles, ‘Now’, ‘Hate To See Your Heart Break’ and the Grammy-winning ‘Ain’t It Fun’. After a successful arena tour, Paramore announced a short theater tour as a way to thank their fans for their support through all of the changes. The tour will hit New York’s Beacon Theatre next week and judging from the reaction to the recent run of shows, this promises to be exceptional. Go to www.beacontheatre.com for tickets and additional info.
NEW YORK CITY: Slash. Slash’s post Guns n’ Roses output has included turns as a hired gun for everyone from Alice Cooper and Lenny Kravitz, to Carole King, Michael Jackson and Rihanna; being the featured guitarist in the super group Velvet Revolverl; and producing and scoring horror films. He’s also put together a strong solo career with his band Slash’s Snakepit and his recent collaboration with Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators. Slash will be on stage with the Conspirators at Terminal 5 on Tuesday. They will be performing tracks from their latest album World On Fire along with classic Guns tracks co-written by Slash. It’ll be a great night for those who love it loud.
NEW JERSEY: Peter Wolf at the Hoboken Spring Arts & Music Festival. Peter Wolf will headline Hoboken’s 21st annual Spring Arts & Music Festival this Sunday afternoon at 4:30 PM. While most know Wolf from his decades as frontman of The J. Geils Band, he has also released seven solo albums including 2002’s “Sleepless,” a record Rolling Stone magazine placed on their list of the 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time. Expect his set to include some solo material, his favorite J. Geils songs and possibly a surprise or two. The Hoboken festival is a fun-filled day outdoors for the entire family and even includes an entire stage dedicated to entertaining the young ones.
For the complete schedule of events visit hobokennj.org.
CHICAGO: Crosby, Stills & Nash. One of the most endearing and successful partnerships in rock history, Crosby, Stills & Nash will bring their last world tour to The Chicago Theatre for 2 nights. As always, the group has remained busy: They released a box set of their now legendary 1974 U.S. tour; Graham Nash released a best selling memoir; David Crosby released his first solo album in over 20 years and Steven Stills released an extensive career spanning retrospective. They will perform all of their timeless classics as well as solo sets by each member. As they have done with previous tour, $1 from each ticket sold will go to charity. Go to www.crosbystillnash.com for more tour dates and additional information. ttles with the IRS and multiple arrests for marijuana possession. Nelson has crafted an arresting, funny and moving memoir that has the same rich detail and precision as his songs. It’s A Long Story will be available May 5th through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and major book retailers. On Thursday, Nelson will be at Barnes & Noble in Union Square signing copies of his new book.
Go to www.barnesandnoble.com for more info.
Want more excellence? Read last week’s The Filtered Excellence and visit The Interrobang Recommmends
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