The Filtered Excellence: June 13, 2013
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:
The Bling Ring. Written, Produced and Directed by Sophia Coppola. Based on a 2010 Vanity Fair article, The Bling Ring is about a group of teenagers who went on a year-plus spree robbing the largely unattended homes of Lindsey Lohan, Paris Hilton, Megan Fox and Orlando Bloom to the tune of nearly 3 million dollars in items. What made the story more amazing was that the kids were already from privileged backgrounds and were able to access Hilton’s home numerous times. Even more amazing was Hilton was completely unaware that items were missing, much less that her house was being robbed. All of this perfect fodder for Coppola and the young cast (led by Emily Watson) to take a pointed look at our fame-obsessed culture and the extents one will take to be famous. Another bold film from one of our most revered filmmakers. The Bling Ring opens in New York and L.A. Friday and nationwide on June 21st.
20 Feet From Stardom. Some of the greatest vocalists in pop music history started out as backup singers. How one graduates from backup singers to featured vocalist is the subject of a new documentary by Morgan Neville. The film traces its history, how they could play in a key role on wax and on stage, and what it takes to get to the main spotlight. Ripe with archival performance footage, photos and new interviews with famous graduates (Darlene Love, Merry Clayton), singers on the cusp of breaking through (Judith Hill, recently featured on the Michael Jackson doc This Is It & NBC’s The Voice) and the bosses who employ them (Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Mick Jagger, Sting, & Bette Midler), 20 Feet From Stardom is a unique look at an essential element in the music-making process. It opens Friday in NY and LA.
The Doctor. NBA TV has pulled off another great documentary in “The Doctor.” Before there was Michael Jordan there was Dr J. Before there was high flinging in the NBA there was Dr J. Before there were shoe deals, there was Dr J. The shots of Dr. J in Rucker Park alone make it better than most sports documentaries. It ends with a 63 year old man dunking a basketball. Who needs Superman? NBA TV will be airing “The Doctor”, Friday night, June 14th at 9pm Eastern.
Magic City: Season 2 Premiere. In this new season of creator Mitch Glazer’s “Magic City”, Ike Evans is willing to go to extremes to battle Ben Diamond over control of the Miramar Playa Hotel. Ike finds himself dealing with someone even more dangerous, Ben’s boss, Sy Berman played by legendary James Caan. “Magic City” starring Jefffey Dean Morgan, Danny Houston and Kelly Lynch kicks off season 2 this Friday on Starz at 9pm Eastern.
Far Out Isn’t Far Enough: The Tomi Ungerer Story (June 14th Limited). Known for his beloved children’s books as well as for his boundary-pushing artwork; this is a tale of an unique artistic life of achievement and much controversy. Far Out Isn’t Far Enough: The Tomi Ungerer Story details the fascinating work by the writer and illustrator who has published over 140 books ranging from his celebrated children’s books to his subversive adult erotic subject matter. The artist, who survived Nazi occupation of Alsace as a child, draws from both his own autobiographical experience as well as a fantastic imagination and has gained acclaim and reputation for his humor, cutting social satire, and dissidence. Combining documentary storytelling, interviews with the artist, interviews with such peers as Maurice Sendak, Jules Feiffer, Steven Heller, Michael Patrick Hearn, and Ungerer’s original animation from over 70 years, Far Out Isn’t Enough portrays one wild artistic life.
The American Film Institute 41st Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Mel Brooks. It’s called “America’s highest honor for a career in film” and the hilarious Mel Brooks will be recognized with the AFI Award for his work as a writer, producer, director and actor. Presenting the award to Mel, will be fellow AFI Life Achievement Award winner, Martin Scorsese. The gala airs Saturday, June 14th on TNT at 9pm Eastern.
Vice: Season Finale:The Hermit Kingdom. The HBO investigative series wraps up its season with Dennis Rodman’s trip to North Korea. The finale features the Worm’s unique relationship with Kim Jong Un and the Harlem Globetrotters taking on the North Korean national team in an exhibition game. The “Vice” season finale airs Friday at 11pm Eastern on HBO.
Rock n Roll Exposed: The Photography of Bob Gruen. Showtime. The Photography of Bob Gruen is just as important to rock n roll as any musician. From Dylan to the Stones, Kiss, Bowie and Greenday Gruen has taken some of the most iconic pictures in music history. You missed the premier but catch repeat airings on SHO2 on Saturday at 4pm ET, and Sunday June 16 on Showtime at 3:15.
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READ THIS:
The Outsider: A Memoir by Jimmy Connors. Jimmy Connors was tennis’ most unlikely star. He didn’t come from the right neighborhood, played an overtly aggressive game, and spoke his mind to officials, players and to the press. He brought a blue collar aesthetic to a tennis establishment and expanded the sport’s appeal beyond the country club. Connors’ highly publicized romances of models and most notably, with tennis’ (and America’s) sweetheart, Chris Evert made him a mainstay on the gossip pages. Connors wasn’t all hype though: In an era that featured Arthur Ashe, Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg, and John McEnroe, he won 8 Grand Slam singles titles and two Grand Slam doubles titles (with Illie Nastase). Connors spent 16 straight years in the Top 10 – 5 of them at Number 1. In his new book, Connors recalls his epic battles on the court, his friendships with Nastase and the late Vitas Gerulatis, and how his style of play helped turned tennis into an international phenomenon. Connors also reveals how OCD’s, dyslexia, and gambling nearly derailed his career and his marriage. Told in his usual straight forward, pull no punches style, The Outsider is an intimate look at one of tennis’ most revered players.
- The Outsider: A Memoir
is available now on Amazon and all major online book retailers.
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LISTEN TO THIS:
Gone to Texas by Mike Zito. “Gone To Texas,” released by Ruf Records is a reason to feel hopeful about America Blues. Mike Zito is a bad ass who has lived hard, rode fast, hit the wall and now is the wiser for it all. “Gone to Texas” is a personal album for Zito who said, “Texas was my last stand as well. I ended up there after running away from all of my problems and mostly myself. I left on the Greyhound bus and got off in Texas, leaving my family behind. My drug addiction is no secret and Texas is where I confronted my problems and made a change that has saved my life. I met a woman who lived in Texas years before and was spiritually drawn to her.” “Gone to Texas” is currently at #1 on the blues charts on iTunes, and with good reason.
- Order Gone to Texas
on Amazon.com now.
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DO THIS:
Chicago, Illinois: Daniel Lanois. Singer, songwriter, musician and influential record producer Daniel Lanois will be headlining Chicago’s Millennium Park free Monday night music series, “Downtown Sound” on Monday, June 17th. Lanois, who has worked with Peter Gabriel, U2, Willie Nelson, Neil Young and Bob Dylan, to name a few – will be performing his own signature music for an outdoor crowd. The show begins at 6:30pm.
- For more details, go to cityofchicago.org.
Chicago, Illinois: Bob Newhart. Here’s a chance to see a true living legend of comedy live. Bob Newhart will be performing at the Chicago Theatre as part of the TBS Just For Laughs Festival. The 83 year old comic icon takes the stage on Saturday, June 15th at 7pm. Tickets are still available.
New York City: The HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival. This New York tradition starts off a new season of free outdoor movie showings starting at sunset every Monday evening through the Summer. This year, the festival in the park begins with classic Sydney Pollack comedy, “Tootsie” starring Dustin Hoffman, Jessica Lange, Teri Garr and Bill Murray.
Red Bank, New Jersey: Randy Newman. The two time Oscar and six time Grammy winner headlines “flick”, a Gala Celebration of Film and NJ Filmmakers. Randy will be performing some of his best known songs and scores from films including “Toy Story 3”, “Monsters Inc”, “The Natural”, “Parenthood”, “Avalon” and “Pleasantville”. The event happens at the Count Basie Theatre on Friday, June 14th at 8pm. Tickets for the Gala include cocktails before the Randy Newman show and dinner and dancing after the concert.
New York City: The Zombies. Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone headline a free concert at Central Park’s “SummerStage” on Saturday, June 15th. The show begins at 6pm. The Zombies known for their classic hits “She’s Not There”, “Tell Her No” and “Time of the Season” will also be doing songs from their 2011 album “Breathe Out, Breathe In”. Rod and Colin will also be part of a discussion panel before the concert, discussing the British Invasion. The show is free and all ages.
New York City: Mavis Staples & Cody Chesnutt. Celebrate Brooklyn at Prospect Park. 6/14. The legendary voice of The Staple Singers will grace the Celebrate Brooklyn stage for what promises to be an epic night. Expect a healthy dose of her forthcoming album, One True Vine, (which was once again produced by Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy), material from her Grammy Award-winning album You Are Not Alone, her roof-shattering version of ‘The Weight’ and of course, Staple Singers classics. Opening will be Cody Chestnutt, whose decade in the making Landing On A Hundred fits right in with the gospel-fueled rock flow of the evening. It’s also one of the sleeper albums of 2012. This is going to be an outstanding evening of music. Showtime is 7:30 and though the show is free, a donation of $3 is suggested.
New York City: The Staten Island Yankees vs The Brooklyn Cyclones 6/17-18. Minor league baseball returns to New York City as the defending New York-Penn League champion Staten Island Yankees open with a home and home series against the Mets affiliate Brooklyn Cyclones. The seating at Richmond County Bank Park and MCU Park on Coney Island practically put you on the field and it’s a great chance to see young, up and coming talent. You can beat the price either: top ticket caps at $25.
- Go to ticketmaster.com or the team’s respective websites for tickets and additional information.
