The Filtered Excellence: February 14, 2013

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Bob Geldof once asked us, “Where is the filtered excellence!?” It’s 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:

NO.  A film by Pablo Larrain. Academy Award nominee for Best Foreign Language Film, No is “The true story of a marketing campaign that sparked a revolution…” In 1988 Chile held a national vote to decide if the people wanted to keep Augusto Pinochet in power as their dictator. Pinochet had no opponent. He had ruled for over 15 years at this point, as dictator after a coup d’etat in 1973. As a result of building internal pressure, it was decided that a referendum was to be held in which the Chilean populace would vote, “Yes,” or “No,” in order to determine whether or not he should stay in office for another eight year term. Starring Gael Garcia Bernal, No is the factual account of how opposition leaders against Pinnochet convinced a his character, René Saavedra – a bold, young, and determined advertising executive- to take the helm of the “No,” campaign. It is the astonishing, and sometimes even funny, story of how the, “No,” campaign was able to concoct a resolutely daring plan to win the election and free their country of the dictator’s reign.

Burning Love, Season Two.  Ken Marino’s popular web series returns for season two.  The first two episodes are already online.  If you haven’t checked it out yet, lucky you– you can catch up with season one first.  If you love shows like The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, you might like Burning Love.  But if you hate shows like The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, you’ll be a Burning Love fan for life.  You can look forward to seeing favorites like like Michael Ian Black, Adam Scott, Michael Cera and more in the new season.

2013 NBA All Star Game Weekend.   The best of NBA meet in a weekend of events that culminates with the stars of the Eastern Conference versus the elite of Western Conference in the 62nd NBA All Star Game in Houston.  On Saturday, February 16, it’s the NBA All Star Saturday Night on TNT at 8:30pm Eastern.  Competitions include:  Shooting Stars,  Skills Challenge,  Three-Point Contest, and the headlining event, the  Slam Dunk competition.  Then on Sunday it’s the main event, an All Star game that people actually enjoy – The 2012 NBA All Star Game – 8pm on TNT

  • For more information and weekend events go to nba.com.

Saturday Night Live with host Christoph Waltz and Alabama Shakes.   Saturday, February 16 at 11:30pm Eastern, Academy Award winner, 2013 Academy Award nominee Christoph Waltz is hosting Saturday Night Live for the first time with special musical guest, three time Grammy nominee, Alabama Shakes.

Mr. Russell’s House.  Monday, February 18th on NBA TV at  9pm Eastern.  The Hall of Fame center for the Boston Celtics Bill Russell sits down to talk to Bill Simmons. The legend looks back at his career as an 11 time world champion and 5 time NBA most valuable player.<

History of the Eagles, Part One and Two on Showtime.  Directed by Alison Ellwood, this intimate, meticulously crafted patchwork of rare archival material, concert footage and never-before-seen home movies explores the evolution and enduring popularity of The Eagles. Part 1 investigates the band’s creation and rise to fame in the 1970s through its breakup in 1980. Part 2 picks up in the 80s and charts the popularity of their songs despite the band’s split.  Part One airs February 15, 2013, at 8:00 PM ET/PT on SHOWTIME and Part Two airs on February 16 at 8pm.

Watch Three Out of Five Oscar Nominated Documentaries on Netflix.  Netflix is currently streaming three of the five Academy Award Nominees for Best Documentary Feature.  “How To Survive A Plague” — David France and Howard Gertler, “5 Broken Cameras” — Emad Burnat and Guy Davidi, and “The Invisible War” — Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering.  All are more than worthy of the name Filtered Excellence, and of their nominations.

TCM’s Annual 31 Days of Oscar Continues.  You now have 31 days where it will be impossible to say ‘there’s nothing on tv.’  TCM’s expertly selected round the clock festival of Oscar nominated and Oscar winning movies continues this week.  It’s all excellence but some a few favorites running  this week include:   Rebecca, Spellbound, Mutiny on the Bounty, Ninotchka, The Champ (’32), On the Town, An American in Paris, Singing in the Rain, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Gigi, Ben Hur, North by Northwest, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Butterfield 8, Dr. Zhivago, The Time Machine, The Goodbye Girl, A Farewell to Arms, Stagecoach, Double Indemnity,

AMC Best Picture Showcase.   It’s that time of year where there’s not many new films worth going to see, but here’s the good news, AMC Theaters are showcasing this year’s Oscar nominees, so if you missed anything, here’s your chance to catch up.  Spend Saturday February 16th and Saturday February 23rd seeing all the nominees.  Or, if you really want a challenge, attend a twenty four hour marathon of all nine films on February 23rd for just $60 (from 10am to 10am).

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LISTEN TO THIS:

Ghost Writer by Garland Jeffreys. Garland Jeffreys’ critically acclaimed 1977 album – considered by many to be one of the best of the decade – finally gets released on all digital music outlets. It’s has something for everyone: street tinged rock n roll (‘Wild In The Streets’, ‘Rough & Ready’, a fusion of reggae, doo-wop and R&B (‘I May Not Be Your Kind’, ‘Why-O’, and the title track), straight up soul (the elegant ‘New York Skyline’), and a Latin epic set to music (the sweeping closer, ‘Spanish Town’). Long time fans can finally upgrade their faded vinyl copies. New fans can finally hear what all the fuss was about. A rock classic. Ghost Writer is available now on Itunes and all digital music outlets.

 

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DO THIS:

New York City New York: Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman at The Allen Room on Saturday, February 16 – 8:30pm. Tom Morello says “Troubled times call out for troubled songs”. Morello brings his socially conscious alter ego “The Nightwatchman” to the Allen Room on Saturday. The Allen Room is located at the Lincoln Center and has an amazing view overlooking Columbus Circle and Central Park. The Allen Room is located at 33 West 60th Street New York 10023.

New York City:  Eddie Izzard  “Works in Progress” at the Culture Project on Bleeker Street.  He’ll be there for the next three weeks. Most performances are sold out but there are still a few tickets left.  Jump on it!

New York City: The Vernon Reid Series @ The Stone 2/15 – 2/20. Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid will curate a series of shows at this Lower East Side performance space that exclusively spotlights the experimental and the avant garde. As one would expect, Reid selected a variety acts that range from the dynamic jazz-funk-rock power trio Harriet Tubman (led by monster bassist Melvin Gibbs) to jazz pianist Lafayette Gilchrist (performing a salute to go-go), Testament guitarist Alex Sholnick, pianist Henry Butler and much more more. If you’re looking to expand your musical palette, this series – in a very intimate, immediate setting – is for you.

  • Go to www.thestonenyc.com for complete show rundowns and ticket information.

Memphis, TN:  Sunday service at Bishop Al Green’s Full Gospel Tabernacle.  It is not a fancy church…it is not a showplace. It is a plain church that serves a congregation that is common people. Tourist come from all over the world to attend obviously…and the church embraces that. But it is very easy to spot the “visitors”. Even for nonreligious types, it is something everyone should experience.  Rev Green is there pretty much every week….he doesnt just show up to make appearances….this is his main life work.

Englewood, NJ:  Blues at the Crossroads.  See this tribute two great blues legends, Muddy Waters and Howlin Wolf performing on February 19th at BergenPac in Englewood, New Jersey. Featuring The Fabulous Thunderbirds, James Cotton, And More. Tickets still available.

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The Editor

The Editor