The Filtered Excellence: March 1, 2021

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 week’s 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

Brian Regan: On The Rocks.  The comic’s comic is back and better than ever with his latest Netflix special.  Recorded last fall, Regan tackles such subjects as dealing with an increasing number of doctor visits, awkward conversations heard at dinner parties, his love of outer space, his hate for mushrooms, why he would suck at rescuing animals, his reasons why backpacks on planes should be a crime and much more.  Regan briefly touches on COVID, but he does devote time having an OCD that is both vulnerable and hilarious.  Regan could’ve easily set the funny on cruise control, but instead relentlessly hits us with jokes with pinpoint precision.  It’s no reason why comics and fans of comedy consider him one of the best in the game.  Brian Regan:  On The Rocks is available now on Netflix.

Pele.  It’s hard to imagine soccer’s global standing without Pele.  As a member of Santos, the Brazilian national team and with The New York Cosmos, Pele scored 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, and is the only player to win the FIFA World Cup three times.  This new documentary from directors David Tryhorn and Ben Nicholas shows Pele’s meteoric rise to international superstar status amidst the backdrop of the events happening in his native Brazil and around the world during the 1960s.  The centerpiece of the doc is the 1970 World Cup, when as Pele – after Brazil’s shocking early exit in 1966 – is attempts to bring the title back to Brazil and become the only player to win the Cup three times.  With interviews with Pele, former teammates, journalists, coaches and a wealth of archival footage, Tryhorn and Nicholas have put together a stunning portrait of a sports icon.  Pele is available now on Netflix.

Nomadland.  Frances McDormand’s stunning performance anchors Chloe Zhao’s adaptation of Jessica Bruder’s critically acclaimed book.  She plays Fern, a recently widowed woman, who, after losing her job at The U.S Gypsum plant in Empire, Nevada, sells most of her belongings, buys a van and travels around the Southwest looking for work.  After tapping into a community of fellow nomads, (lead real life nomad leader Bob Wells) Fern learns basic survival and self-sufficiency skills, taking various jobs that pay enough to maintain life in the van.  McDormand’s performance is riveting, capturing Fern’s resolve to put the life she lead behind her and establishing one that leaves little to no room for new emotional attachments. David Strathairn also delivers a great performance as David, another nomad wears his feelings for Fern on his sleeve, but wrestles with returning to a traditional home setting.  Zhao and cinematographer Joshua James Richards offset Fern’s hand to mouth existence with images of the American landscape that run from mesmerizing to breathtaking. By incorporating real life nomads such as Wells, Linda May and Swankie, it makes it feel more like a documentary rather a feature film. Nomadland has been the talk of the pre-awards buzz for a reason:  It’s one of the year’s best films.  Nomadland is available now exclusively on Hulu.

LISTEN TO THIS

1/f by Laura Mvula.  As a primer for her next full length album due later this year, singer-songwriter Laura Mvula has released a new EP revisiting older material with new arrangements.  Sing To The Moon and Show Me Love swaps out orchestral pop and ethereal balladry for icy electronics and big beats, while Green Garden’s bristling pop is now a declarative stop and start dance jam. Mvula closes it out with cover of Diana Ross’ I’m Still Waiting with an arrangement that hints that the new album will reconnect with the sound that made Sing To The Moon a global smash.  A solid EP from start to finish. 1/f by Laura Mvula is available now on Amazon, Apple Music and all major streaming services.

DO THIS

Love Letters For Harlem.  Black History Month may be over, but Harlem never stops celebrating the contributions that it’s residents have given to popular culture. The Claire Oliver Gallery is presenting an exhibition features snapshots by Harlemites John Pinderhughes, Ruben Natal SanMiguel, Jeffrey Henson Scales and Shawn Walker that capture the day to day vibrancy of the area.  A portion of the proceeds will The Harlem Community Relief Fund, which helps feeds area residents who are struggling during the pandemic.  It’s a great opportunity to see some of Harlem’s best photographers show some neighborhood love while helping those less fortunate.  Love Letters For Harlem is available through March 27th.  You can also go to www.claireoliver.com for more information.

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Earl Douglas

Earl Douglas is a writer/photographer based in New York City. A frequent contributor to The Interrobang, Earl is also Executive Director for the New York chapter of The Black Rock Coalition. Earl worked in radio for nearly two decades at WNEW-FM and XM Satellite Radio, which included being the on-air producer for Carol Miller, Scott Muni and Ron & Fez, and a contributor to Opie & Anthony. Earl has also independently published a number of books including Black Rock Volume 1, Urban Abyss, Mobile Uploads, and For Shimmy. His latest project is the photojournalism magazine PRAXIS, which is available exclusively through Blurb.com.

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