The Filtered Excellence: April 5, 2012

Bob Geldof once asked us, “Where is the filtered excellence!?” Its 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

Jiro Dreams of Sushi. There’s a reason Jiro Dreams of Sushi has a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Its a beautiful story, and a beautiful film. 85 year-old Jiro Ono, may be the world’s greatest sushi chef, and his domain is a humble 10-seat restaurant tucked in a Tokyo subway station. Not the type of place you’d expect to see with a 3 star Michelin review, but it is. People travel from around the world to snatch a seat at his restaurant. If just hearing that doesn’t make you want to see this film, it’s also a father/son story about what it’s like to grow up in the shadow of such a revered artist. Most of us can only dream about what it must be like to sit down at Sukiyabashi Jiro, but at least you can see this film. Even the trailer is a work of art.

Footnote. When was the last time someone recommended an Israeli foreign film to you? It probably doesn’t happen often. But Footnote grabs you at the trailer, and holds you all the way through. You quickly forget you’re watching a foreign film, and just get entangled in this father/son story. The father, Eliezer, is a purist professor who has never been recognized for his work. His son, Uriel, is an up and comer in the field, who seeks constant recognition. The father soon learns that he is to be awarded the country’s most valuable honor and his joy exposes his true need for validation. His son soon learns that an error was made, and the award is actually being awarded to him, not his father, and he must choose how to let his father know. A brilliant look at truth, family, and respect.

Magic City. This absolutely beautifully filmed new series starts this Friday April 6 on Starz and you don’t want to miss it. If you were a fan of the Sopranos, you’ll love it. If you watched Boardwalk Empire, you’ll love it. If you liked Mad Men you’ll love it. If you didn’t like Mad Men, you’ll still love it. Imagine if you took all the action of shows like the Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire and put it into the beautiful and exciting setting of Miami Beach in the 50’s. The sets are incredible, the characters are fascinating. Watch Episode 1 Friday at 10pm.

I Melt With You. Now on Netflix Instant. This isn’t the first time we’re telling you to watch I Melt With You, but hey, not everyone has On Demand or Indie Film theaters nearby. If you missed it last time, here’s your chance. Described as an existential horror story, the film follows a group of college buddies that get together every year. But this one isn’t your typical buddy reunion film. To tell you anything more, would be to tell you too much. Starring Jeremy Piven, Rob Lowe, and Thomas Lane.

Miral. Now on Netflix Instant. If you missed Julian Schnabel’s complex but important story of three generations of Palestinian women, you’re in luck because this controversial and highly emotional work of art is now available on Netflix. It’s not an easy film but it’s an important one that will make you re-examine what your beliefs. It’s also shot beautifully.

MTV Art Breaks. MTV is bringing back and old classic, and we’re excited. For those of you old enough to remember, way back in 1985 MTV debuted “Art Breaks” a series of quick spots created by little known downtown artists. Some of those featured artists– Keith Haring, Doug Aitken, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Kenny Scharf and Richard Prince. Only time will tell if the new collection live up to Art Breaks 1, but we’re definitely looking forward to finding out. The breaks debuted April 2 and air in between commercials and programming. Thanks to the New York Times for the heads up on this one.

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LISTEN TO THIS

Locked Down by Dr. John. The Night Tripper has a new album out and it’s absolutely excellent. Locked Down, Dr. John’s newly released album was produced by Dan Auerbach (of The Black Keys), who succeeds here in fitting the New Orleans luminary’s dynamic voodoo charisma and energy into into the a vintage yet all-new package. The album is just exactly what you’d want to hear from Dr. John at his best and it’s also just brand spankin’ new and current. So well-produced. And the songs: difficult to find one that does NOT stand out. This latest effort is a perfect example of what has made him legendary. Songs are a wonderful ruckus blending swampy funk, blues, brass, and Afrobeat with delta rock dopeness, and of course the doctor’s iconic piano. There’s just so much boogie in this blues, not to mention driving percussion, killer guitar licks and howls of, “Can I get a witness!?” We’re ready to yell, “Modern classic.” Dr John is also doing a residency at the Brooklyn Academy Of Music throughout the month that will cover every facet of his near six decade career.

My Head is an Animal, by Of Monsters and Men. Hard to believe that My Head is an Animal just debuted this week (April 3rd). Of Monsters and Men’s single Little Talks has been playing everywhere for months. Likening them to “Icelandic Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros,” or “Icelandic Arcade Fire with a touch of Icelandic Belle & Sebastian,” and that sort of thing is understandable. Still, what they have evoked here truly is its own animal. Tracks burst with exuberant brass, jangle with folkiness and can be, at times, as strangely haunting as infectiously upbeat. A great album to listen to, start to finish; complete and stunning. No wonder Of Monsters and Men won 2010 Musiktilraunir. That’s Icelandic Battle of the Bands.

Live at Rockwood Music Hall by Trixie Whitley. It’s no secret how much we love Trixie Whitley. The daughter of the late and sadly missed Chris Whitley has been making quite a name for herself as a solo artist and as the featured vocalist for Daniel Lanois’ supergroup Black Dub. She’s now back at work on her first full length solo album, which will be out this fall. In the meantime, you can check out Live At Rockwood Music Hall, a 6-song EP that spotlights her beautifully smoky vocal style. You can also check out the breathtaking new video for ‘A Thousand Thieves’ right here on the ibang.

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READ THIS

A Natural Woman, Carole King. The legendary singer and songwriter Carole King has a memoir coming out next week. We haven’t read it yet, but we can’t wait to get a copy on April 10th. King, in addition to writing more than 100 top-selling songs has recorded 25 solo albums.

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DO THIS

Audition for a Bret Easton Ellis/Paul Schrader Film. We can’t say enough good things about author Bret Easton Ellis and director Paul Schrader, and now they have teamed up. Even better, they’re using Facebook and the website LetItCast to find rising stars to play the major roles in their upcoming film Canyonlands. If you think you can play one of these roles, try your luck and audition. Deadline is June 8.

Kurt Cobain Photography Exhibition by Jesse Frohman. It’s hard to believe that it’s been 18 years since Kurt Cobain took his own life. To coincide with one of the saddest days in rock n roll history, The Morrison Hotel Gallery in Soho will be presenting an exhibition of photos of Cobain taken shortly before his death. Jesse Frohman, a former protege of the late Irving Penn, took the photos which capture Cobain being playful, surreal, wasted and yes, sad. The Morrison Hotel Gallery is located at 124 Prince Street in Manhattan and the exhibition runs April 6th-22nd.

Get all the details at The Morrison Hotel

Kings of Rock. Photographic Exhibition. To coincide with The Beastie Boys induction into The Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame, The Rush Arts Gallery in New York will present ‘Kings Of Rock’, a show featuring iconic photos of The Beasties alongside images of hip hop’s earliest stars including Kurtis Blow and Run-DMC. The exhibition will run from April 12th through the 14th. There will also be a opening reception on the 12th from 5-7pm which will include a book-signing of ‘Def Jam: The First 25 Years of the Last Great Record Label’ featuring Bill Adler and Dan Charnas. Here’s an excellent chance to get a glimpse to see The Beastie Boys (and hip hop as a whole) during their formative years.