The Filtered Excellence: August 11, 2016
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:
Hell Or High Water. A strong and steady buzz has been surrounding the latest feature from David Mackenzie (Spread, Perfect Sense, Starred Up). It stars Chris Pine and Ben Foster as Toby and Tanner, two brothers who decide to rob local branches of the very bank that is threatening to foreclose on their family property. Hot on their trail are Texas Rangers Marcus Hamilton (Jeff Bridges) and his partner Alberto Parker (Gil Birmingham). For Hamilton, the case has a special meaning: It will be his last one before retiring. Everything works in the movie: the character contrasts (Toby, restrained, straight laced, single dad; Tanner, a hot headed, trigger happy ex-con; Hamilton, grizzled, cotton mouthed and Un-P.C., Parker, his pensive, reserved, but can dish it out as well as he takes it), On one side, Mackenzie’s use of the lush West Texas landscape gives it the feel of a Western. But he also touches upon issues such as the power of ‘too big too fail’ banks and states’ open carry laws to add some contemporary context. While there is a fair share of action, the film really takes hold during the quieter moments as the respective sides reflect on family, loyalty, and their place in the world. Anchored by solid performances by Bridges, Pine, Foster and Birmingham, don’t be surprised if this film makes the rounds during awards season. Hell Or High Water opens in select theaters August 12th and nationally August 19th. You can also go towww.Hellorhighwater.movie for more info.
Hard Knocks: Training Camp With The Los Angeles Rams. The new season of the Emmy Award winning series follows the Rams as they return to Los Angeles after a two decade plus absence. For the league and the team, the stakes are high: The region has seen two teams (including the Rams) leave the area in the past and the NFL thrived despite not having a team in the nation’s #2 market. But once league head Roger Goodell was open to having a team return to the City Of Angels, several teams began putting out feelers – and new stadium proposals – to the city’s movers and shakers. The Rams won the bid with owner Stan Kroenke putting together a massive redevelopment plan in Inglewood that would include an 80,000 seat stadium and an entertainment complex. They also emphasized that they intend to win now, trading away a significant number of 2016 and 2017 picks to secure #1 draft picks (and California native) Jared Goff as their quarterback. The pressure is now on coach Jeff Fisher, his staff and the players to put together a team that’s had only one winning season since 2003. How will it all play out? Tune into HBO every Tuesday night at 10pm Eastern through September 6th. You can also go to HBO NOW or HBO Go for additional air times and more information.
The Get Down. Netflix is going all in on this new original series from director Baz Luhrmann. The show – which takes places in 1977 New York with disco at its peak and hip hop on the horizon – is the network’s most expensive production to date at 7.5 million per episode. But Lurhrmann, along with a team of collaborators that includes Oscar winner Catherine Martin, legendary MCs Grandmaster Flash and Nas, Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Stephen Adly Guirgis; and hip-hop historian Nelson George, put so much attention to detail into the production, that you can practically feel the sweat off the dance floors and the smell of the spray paint. Anchored by a cast of great new talent (Shameik Moore, Justice Smith, and a breakout performance by Herizen Guardiola) and industry veterans (Jimmy Smits and Giancarlo Esposito), The Get Down wonderfully shows how a small group of kids from a city on the brink of collapse, forever changed the musical and cultural landscape. The Get Down premieres August 12th on Netflix. You can go to http://www.netflix.com/ for more information.
READ THIS
The Girl With The Lower Back Tattoo by Amy Schumer. She’s one of the elite stand up comics, has a successful TV show and co-wrote and starred in the hit film ‘Trainwreck’. Now Amy Schumer looks to add author to her outstanding resume with the release of her new collection of stories and insights. Whether discussing her teenage years, views on love, sex and marriage, or stories about her day to day experiences, Schumer tells it all with candor, wit, brutal honesty and, with loads of laughs. It’s another winner from one of the best in the game. The Girl With The Lower Back Tattoo is available on Tuesday through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and all major book retailers.
DO THIS
New York City: Summer Streets. For everyone who is tired of the noise and dirt that comes from cars, New York City is offering a daylong break for a couple of Saturdays this month. Now in its 9th year, the Summer Streets offers New Yorkers (and visitors) a chance to walk, run, rock-climb, bike, roller blade , dance, and even waterslide down the middle of some of the city’s busiest streets. There will also be public art installations, guided walking tours, DIY art projects, free food samples, fitness classes, craft workshops, basketball, soccer and much more. This Saturday from 11am to 4pm, 60 square blocks of Lower Manhattan – with the Brooklyn Bridge, 1 World Trade Center and Battery Park as a backdrop – will be wide open to those looking to explore and take part without worrying about getting hit by a car, cab or truck. It’s a wonderful and unique way to explore the Greatest City In The World. Go to http://www.nyc.gov/ for a complete list of activities, directions and more information.
Los Angeles: Electric Dusk Drive-In. Before home theaters, HDTVs and portable devices, the drive-in was the ultimate movie going experience. It reached its peak in the 50s and 60s as part of America’s car culture. The advent of the multiplex and cable TV all but put an end to the drive-in, but for one month, The Electric Dusk Drive-In turns back the clock to give movie goers another chance to relieve the experience. Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Pulp Fiction, Reality Bites, The Devil Wears Prada, 500 Days of Summer, and Sixteen Candles will be featured during the run with viewers having the option to watch in their cars or on the lawn. Great films and food will be on hand all under the clear California sky. A perfect way to wind down the summer. The Electric Dusk Drive-In runs August 13th through September 17th. You can go to http://www.electricduskdrivein.com/ for tickets, dates, run times and all information.
Want more excellence? Read last week’s The Filtered Excellence and visit The Interrobang Recommmends
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