The Filtered Excellence: September 12, 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:

Mother of George. Mother of George is an eloquent, emotional, beautifully shot modern-day immigrant story. Danai Gurira (Michonne from AMC’s The Walking Dead) is in the starring role as Adenike, who offers a powerful portrayal of a new bride in NYC. Married to Ayodele Balogun, the owner of a small Nigerian restaurant in Brooklyn, the story opens with their traditional Yoruba wedding celebration which rises to crescendo with a customary rite in which Adenike is named for her yet-to-be-conceived son, George. As the months draw on with no pregnancy, it is then that the story becomes one of in which Adenike becomes torn, wavering between the traditions and beliefs of her native land, and the possibilities of her new life in America. The sophmore film by director Andrew Dosunmu, Mother of Georgeis a colorful, poetic, and moving film which premiered to critical acclaim at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. (Friday September 13th, Limited)

Blue Caprice. The feature film debut of Alexander Moors chillingly recreates the October 2002 killing spree by John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo that left 10 people dead and 3 others wounded. The twist is that it tells it from the killers perspective. Isiah Washington and Tequan Richmond portray Muhammad and Malvo. Both are looking to fill voids: Muhammad is still reeling from a bitter divorce and Malvo, a native of Antiqua, is trying to find his place in the States after being abandoned by his mother. What follows is a cross-country trek in a tricked out 1990 Chevy Caprice that evolves from a father-son relationship to a pair bent on murder and chaos. Moors – in his feature film debut – uses of a straight forward, in your face narrative to make the killings that much more brutal. Washington gives a career-defining performance as Muhammad and Richmond is revelation as Malvo. If you’re looking for a change of pace from the standard CGI-driven films, check out Blue Caprice.

Hawking. The documentary about one of the world’s most famous and respected scientists opens Friday, September 13th at the IFC Center in New York City. First shown at SXSW, the film is now being released in the U.S. and next week in the U.K. It follows the story of Stephen Hawking from his childhood to becoming the foremost cosmologist and theoretical physicist in the science community. “Hawking” gives an inside look at the personal world of not only his genius, but his battle with ALS.

Raising McCain. Meghan McCain, columnist, author, blogger and outspoken daughter of Senator John McCain, begins a new doc-series on Pivot TV, this Saturday, September 14th at 10pm Eastern. In “Raising McCain”, Meghan travels the country not only to talk to people in America, but to ask questions as well. “Raising McCain” confronts issues like bullying, women’s rights, sex, romance and plenty more throughout the show’s travels.

Alabama versus Texas A&M. It’s the rematch from college football’s biggest upset last season. Last year, Johnny Football and the Texas A&M Aggies went into Tuscaloosa and knocked off the number one team in the nation, the Alabama Crimson Tide. It was the game that sealed the deal for Johnny Football’s Heisman Trophy win. This year, the game will be played at College Station, Texas with the National Champions from Alabama badly in need of some revenge. ‘Bama vs. A&M is Saturday, September 14th at 3:30pm Eastern on CBS. Currently, Alabama is favored by 8 points on the road.

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LISTEN TO THIS:

Wise Up Ghost by Elvis Costello & The Roots. During an appearance on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, Elvis Costello felt an immediate connection to the show’s house band, The Roots. Over the course of a year, they collaborated on a series of sessions that ultimately led to a full-blown album. Wise Up Ghost pulls off the difficult trick of sounded familiar yet new at the same time, and showcases the strengths of both artists. Costello has flirtations with soul music before, but with The Roots providing a more than capable anchor, the album’s biting lyrics and funky soundscapes that recall funk/R&B classics of the late 60s and 70s. It’s a late inning triumph all around. One of the must have albums of 2013.

Sincerely Sorry by The Bots. The Bots are a California punk based duo consisting of brothers Mikaiah (lead vocal/guitar/bass) and Anaiah Lei. They are barely out of their teens (Mikaiah is 20, Anaiah is 16), but they already veterans: They have 1 album, several EPs, multiple Warped Tours and several European tours under their belts. Fans include Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Social Distortion, Refused, Tenacious D, Bad Brains, and Damon Albarn. Sincerely Sorry is their latest EP, a blistering 4 song EP that puts their musical growth on full display. ‘5.17’ roars like a locomotive and has kick ass blues-based breakdown. With a headlining tour on the horizon, The Bots could be the much needed kick in the rear that the music scene needs right now.

The Band: Live At The Academy Of Music 1971. In the last week of December 1971, The Band performed at New York’s Academy of Music. They did 4 shows that week to ring in the New Year. Bob Dylan joined them for the New Year’s Eve encore performance. Now, all 4 of The Band’s recordings from that legendary week are available on “The Band: Live At The Academy of Music 1971” box set. The 4 CD, plus a DVD set will be released on Tuesday, September 17th along with a 48 page book. The book includes photos, a reproduction of Rolling Stone magazine’s review of “Rock of Ages” written by Paul J. Gleason and an essay written by Robbie Robertson.

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READ THIS

Everybody’s Brother by Cee-Lo Green with Big Gipp and David Wild. Cee-Lo Green has worn many hats throughout his career. He’s part of two groups (Goodie Mob, Gnarls Barkley), a solo artist, a TV star (as a coach/judge on the show ‘The Voice), and entrepreneur (he owns a piece in the alcohol brand TY KU). Now he can add author to that list with the release of his memoir Everybody’s Brother. Co-written with Rolling Stone contributing editor David Wild, Goodie Mob bandmate and ‘brother from another mother’ Big Gipp, Green recalls his struggles to find his voice and identity in a crowded music scene, his triumphs and the many struggles he had to endure, including the deaths of both parents before he turned 17. Green also tells how he channeled his battles with anger and depression into his music. Told with brutal honesty and insight, Everybody’s Brother is a must read for Cee-Lo fans and for those pursuing a career in the arts.

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DO THIS:

LITTLE ITALY, NEW YORK CITY: The Feast of San Gennaro. Going on now through Sunday, September 22nd, it’s the 87th Annual Feast of San Gennaro, happening in Little Italy, NYC. The feast is expected to attract over 1 million visitors over the course of its 11 day run – all headed to Mulberry Street to take part in fantastic Italian food, parades, free entertainment and religious processions for the faithful. The celebration for the Patron Saint of Naples is happening now.

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA: Rock / Fight: A Photographic Exhibition. The Morrison Hotel Gallery and Project Gallery come together for a unique photo exhibit. Rock / Fight juxtaposes iconic Roll and Roll images with the historic stars of boxing and wrestling. Rock photos from veteran photographers like Bob Gruen, Henry Diltz and Edward Colver are combined with the squared circle shots from ringside photographer Theo Ehret who began taking photos of events in the ’60s at the L.A. Grand Olympic Auditorium. The photos involve music and violence separately, but come together to display showmanship. The exhibit is happening now and goes through October 6th at Project Gallery in Hollywood.

ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY: The Atlantic City Seafood Festival. Saturday September 14th, and Sunday September 15th. The second annual Atlantic City Seafood Festival is happening this weekend. Expect a two day festival featuring food, fun, and entertainment dedicated to celebrating the wealth of seafood riches from the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the city by the sea itself.
The extravaganza is scheduled to take place rain or shine on September 14th & 15th on the peninsula of Bader Field, and it’s free to the public. Check out some of what the Atlantic City region has to offer from great wines and beers of New Jersey, cooking from over a hundred local restaurants, cooking demonstrations, a chowder cook off, live entertainment, amusements, and more.

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK:  Shop Vegan at the Vegan Shop Up. Saturday September 14. For the Vegans out there and for those who enjoy a good end of Summer food and craft fair, here’s something! This Saturday The Vegan Shop Up will pop up at the Pine Box Rock Shop in East Williamsburg. On site will be more than 30 local vegan vendors offering tasty plant-based bites, beauty products, clothing, and all kindsa good stuff. Pine Box Rock Shop, 12 Grattan St (between Bogart St & Morgan Ave) Brooklyn, NY 11206

 

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Interrobang Staff

Interrobang Staff