The Filtered Excellence: October 22, 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:
I Smile Back. The effects that far reaching effects that depression has on a family are at the heart of Adam Salky’s adaptation of the Amy Koppleman novel. Sarah Silverman plays Laney, a suburban wife who seems to have it all: A loving, devoted husband (Josh Charles), two great kids and an amazing house. But lurking underneath all of this is her lifelong battle with depression, which quietly – and quickly – leads to destructive, compulsive and reckless behavior that threatens to leave irreparable damage for everyone involved. Silverman has done dramatic work before, but she’s firing on all cylinders as Laney. She perfectly channels quiet desperation as even the most subtle events triggers the worst aspects of her illness. Charles, last seen in his Emmy nominated turn in the CBS series The Good Wife, is in fine form as Laney’s husband, who’s trying to balance being a supportive husband while trying to shield his children from their mother’s problems. This is giant leap forward in Silverman’s acting career and should not be forgotten about come awards season. A strong, powerful film. I Smile Back opens in New York and L.A. on Friday, select theaters on October 30th and on demand on November 6th. You can also go to www.ismilebackmovie.com for more info.
Nasty Baby. Sebastian Silva wrote, stars and directs this new dark comedy that plays on the concept of the modern family. Silva plays Freddy, a Brooklyn performance artist who lives with his furniture designing boyfriend Mo (Tunde Adebimpe). They are trying to have a baby and they ask their best friend Polly (Kristen Wiig) to be the surrogate. Things take an odd turn when they find out that Freddy’s sperm count is low and Mo is asked to be the donor. While the trio have to work through their questions, insecurities and fears about bringing a new life into the world, they also have to deal with the increasing presence of a creepy local known in the neighborhood as ‘The Bishop’ (Reg E. Cathey). All of this takes them down a dark path – a path that makes this parental pursuit even more cloudy. Silva puts a fresh take on the new family dynamic channeling all of the joy, wonder, and outright terror that comes with this life changing event. Kristen Wiig, no stranger to dark comedy (watch her go there in Welcome To Me) puts in another strong performance as Polly, quietly morphing from a supporting contributor to a desperate, sometimes obnoxious partner. Adebimpe, taking a break from his day job as the lead singer of TV On The Radio, puts in another strong performance as Mo, desperately trying to see and grasp the big picture of the plan while trying to keep his relationships together. With a strong cast and script, Nasty Baby is an indie feature worth checking out. It opens this Friday and will be available on Itunes on October 30th.
READ THIS:
Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink by Elvis Costello. This eagerly awaited memoir is just as insightful and witty as any of his songs. Spread over 650 pages, we get in rich detail how Declan Patrick MacManus became Elvis Costello; his formative years in London and Liverpool; how his father, also a musician, consciously and sub-consciously formed his musical and personal path; and how The Attractions took the not always smooth path to transform the punk and New Wave movement. Along the way, Costello also tells amazing stories about his collaborations with Paul McCartney, Allen Touissaint, T-Bone Burnett, George Jones and The Roots as well as memorable encounters with Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell, Roy Orbison. Costello doesn’t spare himself when discussing the breakdowns of his first two marriages, his role in the end of the Attractions or the now legendary incident in which he made disparaging remarks about Ray Charles and James Brown during the Rock Against Racism tour. Richly detailed, funny, and loaded with fantastic stories, Elvis Costello has delivered one of the best rock-based memoirs ever. Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink is available now through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and all major book retailers. You can also go to www.elviscostello.com for more information.
I Don’t Want to Be Alone by Charlie Belle. A quick follow up to their critically acclaimed EP Get To Know finds the brother-sister duo of Jendayi and Gyasi Bonds still putting a millennial spin on 90s alt-pop with a dash of acoustic driven R&B and hip hop thrown in. Though she is still not old enough to vote, Jendayi Bonds continues to show extraordinary growth as a singer-songwriter. It will interesting to see what emotional and lyrical depths she’ll channel on a full length. Until then, enjoy another solid EP by one of rock’s most promising bands. I Don’t Want To Be Alone is available now through Amazon, Itunes and all major music retailers. You can also go to www.charliebellemusic.com for more information.
DO THIS:
New York City: Dia De Los Muertos at The New York Botanical Garden. The New York Botanical Garden will close out its outstanding Frida Kahlo exhibit with back to back weekends that celebrate the Mexican holiday Day Of The Dead. Check out some of Kahlo’s best work then check out a day of music, films, stilt walkers and watch artists carving out pumpkins. You’re also encourage to join in by creating your own mask and pay your respects at the Dia De Los Muertos altar before you leave. A great way to honor Kahlo’s legacy and to learn more about Mexican culture. Dia De Los Muertos will be at the New York Botanical Garden October 25th and October 31st. You can go to www.nybg.org for tickets and more information.
Los Angeles: Beach Goth. Tom Green will co-host the 4th Annual Beach Goth festival which features the best in alt rock, modern rock and hip hop. P-Funk, Eagles Of Death Metal, Julian Casablancas, Sir Mix-A-Lot, Del The Funkee Homosapien and the legendary Wanda Jackson are just some of the acts that are scheduled to appear. There will also be rap battle hosted by Riff Raff and Pauly Shore, a live presentation of Rocky Horror Picture Show, a lowrider rally, roller-skating and much more. A great way to spend a weekend in O.C. Beach Goth will take place at the Observatory October 24th and 25th. You can go to www.observatoryoc.com for tickets and more information.
Want more excellence? Read last week’s The Filtered Excellence and visit The Interrobang Recommmends
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