The Filtered Excellence: March 17, 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 weeks 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:
We Like It Like That. For a brief moment, Latin Booglaoo, a mix of Afro-Cuban rhythms and R&B dominated the New York City club scene. Born of the the East Harlem, Brooklyn and the South Bronx neighborhoods, Booglaoo put Latin music back in the forefront and also gave a musical second wind to the careers of several Latin music veterans, who quickly incorporated boogaloo into their repertoire. But just as it was starting to gain traction nationally, internal forces, bad business decisions and shifting tastes all but wiped out the Boogaloo scene. But thanks to the pioneers of the sound and with artists such as Marc Anthony, Shakira, and Ricky Martin citing many of these artists as an influence, boogaloo is back and bigger than ever. In this exciting new documentary, writer-director Mathew Ramirez Warren looks back at this movement and speaks with such greats as Joe Bataan, Johnny Colon, Ricardo Ray and Pete Rodriguez who played a key role in making it happen. Rich in archival footage, photos, stories, new concert footage and, of course, amazing music, Warren gives Latin Boogaloo a much deserved victory lap. A wonderful documentary that will get you moving. We Like It Like That is available now on Itunes and Video On Demand. You can also go to www.latinboogaloo.com for more information.
The Program. The big screen adaptation of Lance Armstrong’s incredible rise and spectacular fall hits screens this weekend. Based on David Walsh’s best selling book and directed by Stephen Frears (Dangerous Liasons, High Fidelity, The Queen), The Program stars Ben Foster as the enigmatic cyclist Armstrong, who brought cycling to new heights with his historic seven wins at the Tour De France. Chris O’Dowd plays Walsh, The Sunday Times writer who overcame tremendous obstacles to bring the story of how Armstrong doped his way to light. Frears wonderfully captures how Armstrong and the US Postal Service team pulled it off and how Armstrong used his newfound celebrity status to keep the truth hidden. The film also doesn’t spare cycling officials from blame either, who were initially reluctant to go after the sport’s biggest cash cow. Foster and O’Dowd turn in solid performances as the enigmatic cyclist looking to find an added edge and the relentless reporter doggedly pursing the truth. Frears, working with a screenplay by John Hodge (Trainspotting), keeps the pace with a cat and mouse precision, with Walsh and Armstrong playing a winner take all version of truth chess. A great look at one of the biggest sports scandals of all time. The Program opens this Friday.
Pee Wee’s Big Holiday. Pee Wee Herman, everyone’s favorite man-child, is back in this new Netlifx special. This time out, Pee Wee is living a fairly ordinary life as a fry cook at the diner in the small tour Fairville. When a motorcycle riding stranger (Joe Mangaintello) comes through for a quick milkshake, he encourages Pee Wee to go outside of comfort zone and take a vacation. Of course, it turns into a full on adventure that includes encounters with, among others, the Amish, knife-wielding female bank robbers, and owners of a snake farm. Produced by Judd Apatow and directed by John Lee, it captures all of the wonder, whimsy and pure joy that made us fall in love with Pee Hee Herman in the first place. Welcome back Pee Wee. You were truly missed. Pee Wee’s Big Holiday premieres March 18th on Netflix.
LISTEN TO THIS
You & I by Jeff Buckley. In 1993, Jeff Buckley, who recently signed with Columbia Records, recorded 10 songs at Shelter Island Sound studios as a means to help shape his debut album, Grace. The tapes were thought to be lost until they were recently discovered in the Sony vaults. You & I features Buckley on guitar and vocals and is showcases his outstanding vocal and musical vocabulary. He covers songs running the gamut from blues, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, Sly & The Family Stone, Louis Jordan and The Smiths, Buckley shows a loving respect for the material but also manages to put his own stamp each song. We also get to hear stripped down takes of ‘Grace’ and ‘You & I’, a song which he recalls here, was inspired by a dream. This is Jeff Buckley at his most intimate and unfiltered, really tapping into a talent that left us way too soon. A fitting epitaph for an outstanding artist. You & I is available now through Amazon, Itunes and all major music retailers.
DO THIS
New York City: Punch Drunk Love Screening and Live Score. After a successful run at The Theater at The Ace Hotel, Paul Thomas Anderson’s Punch Drunk Love screening and live score will be at the Brooklyn Academy of Music this weekend. Jon Brion’s score will be performed live by the New York Wordless Music Orchestra and Brion will be on hand to make a rare East Coast appearance. If that wasn’t enough, Norah Jones will be there to sing Harry Nilsson’s ‘He Needs Me’. Come see what knocked out everyone in L.A and hear the awesomeness that is Jon Brion. The Punch Drunk Love Screening and Live Score will be at The Brooklyn Academy Of Music on Saturday, March 19th at 8pm. You can go to www.bam.org for tickets and more info.
Want more excellence? Read last week’s The Filtered Excellence and visit The Interrobang Recommmends
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