The Filtered Excellence: September 20, 2018
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
Love, Glida. The life and legacy of Glida Radner, one of SNL’s most beloved cast members, is the subject of this new documentary by Lisa Dapolito. Using diaries, audio, home movies and videotapes, D’Apolito allows Glida to tell her own story on how the daughter from an affluent Detroit family became one of our most revered stars of TV, film and Broadway. Lorne Michaels, Chevy Chase, Martin Short, Alan Zweibel, Anne Beatts and Paul Shaffer are on hand to discuss what it was like to work with Glida and the impact she left – and continues to make – on their lives. One of the many moving scenes in the film is when next wave SNL stars Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Bill Hader and actress/comedian Melissa McCarthy read portions of her diaries, channeling Radner’s infectious, optimistic spirit. The film also showcases her life off stage with her husband Gene Wilder, and her courageous fight against eating disorders and cancer. Told with warmth, humor and love, Dapolito has put together a fitting tribute to an artist who left us way too soon. Love, Gilda will be in theaters this weekend. You can also go to www.loveglida.com for more information.
Jane Fonda In Five Acts. During her six decade career, Jane Fonda has undergone a number of public personas: Girl next door, sex symbol, a top flight dramatic actress, fitness queen and activist. But in this new documentary from award winning director/producer Susan Lacy (American Masters, Spielberg), Fonda’s latest incarnation just might her best to date. Drawing from 21 hours of interviews specifically for this project, Fonda tells in frank and candid terms about her mother’s suicide, the political positions that she took, along with its ramifications; her three marriages and stories behind some of her greatest film roles. The film also features interviews with former husbands, Tom Hayden and Ted Turner; Robert Redford, Lily Tomlin, producer Paula Weinstein and a trove of film clips, photos, home movies and much more. It’s a compelling and comprehensive look at a Hollywood legend. Jane Fonda In Five Acts premieres September 24th at 8pm on HBO. You can also go to www.hbo.com for more information.
Garry Winogrand: All Things Are Photographable. While he was alive, the photographs of Garry Winogrand were slammed by critics as cheap sensationalism. Now he’s mentioned in the same class as Henri Cartier-Bresson and Robert Frank. Director Sasha Waters Freyer has put together the first all-encompassing look back at his work, which includes selections from the thousands of rolls of film that Winogrand had yet to develop before his unexpected death in 1984. The film shows how Winogrand’s ‘snapshot aesthetic’ of everyday people, the Mad Men era of New York, the formative years of the Women’s Movement, and the post-Golden Age Hollywood became the blueprint for contemporary image making. Tod Papageorge and Matthew Weiner are also aboard to discuss Winogrand’s tremendous influence on culture is documented and how ‘a city hick from The Bronx’, became a legend in the world of photography. Garry Winogrand: All Things Are Photographable is screening now in New York and Los Angeles. You can also go to www.winograndthefilm.com for more information.
LISTEN TO THIS
A Piano And A Microphone 1983 by Prince. One of the most circulated Prince bootlegs was a cassette tape of Prince, alone on the piano, working on the songs that would make him an icon. With the full cooperation of his estate, its finally getting a formal release. Recorded at his home one year before Purple Rain would launch him into superstardom, we get to hear stripped down versions of ‘International Lover’ (which was on his album 1999), ‘Strange Relationship’ (which wouldn’t make it onto an official release until 1987’s Sign O’ The Times); a work in progress take on ‘Purple Rain’; covers of Joni Mitchell’s ‘A Case Of You’ and the spiritual ‘Mary Don’t You Weep’; the rarely heard tracks Cold Coffee & Cocaine and Why The Butterflies’. It’s a raw and intimate look into the creative process of a musical iconoclast. A Piano And A Microphone 1983 by Prince will be available this weekend on Amazon, Itunes and all major streaming services.
Joe Strummer 001 by Joe Strummer. The period following the break up of The Clash was described by Joe Strummer as ‘the wilderness years’. Though he had contributed songs for a number of soundtracks, released a solo album, produced other bands and did a brief stint in The Pouges, Strummer was still looking to find the same musical footing that he had with The Clash. It wasn’t until 1999, when he – along with a top flight group of musicians called The Mescarleros – was able to bridge his punk past and eclectic tastes in music. This new collection culls together all of Strummer’s outside of The Clash, including his first band The 101ers, his contributions to the soundtracks to Sid & Nancy and Walker; choice cuts from his stint fronting The Mescarleros and much more. It captures Strummer’s global outlook, with songs ranging from early rock n roll, reggae, world music and all points in between. It’s a fitting coda to a dynamic musician and songwriter who left us too soon. Joe Strummer 001 by Joe Strummer is available now through Amazon, Itunes and all major digital streaming services.
Kumi by Blak Emoji. After releasing the critically acclaimed Intro EP last year, Blak Emoji is back with a full length album. Led by Kelsey Warren, it’s a conceptual piece that divided into two sections: The first half covers a night out, hitting the club (‘Another Club Night’) with the promise of good times (‘Velvet Ropes And Dive Bars’) lust (‘Lust Love Above’) and love in the air. The second half covers its fallout: the thought complexiites of coming home after a night of carnality (‘Walk Of Shame’); the emotional and physical distance that’s felt being away from that special someone (‘Alone’, ‘Naked’ ‘The Perfect Catch’) and ultimately, a sense of resolve and closure (‘Poison To Medicine’). Warren finds a great balance between electro infused pop with moody introspection with a sound that recalls the best work of Nine Inch Nails, Prince in his ‘Dirty Mind’ incarnation, and the albums that Bowie recorded in Berlin. The perfect soundtrack for your night out and its wind down. Kumi by Blak Emoji is available exclusively through Bandcamp (www.blakemoji1.bandcamp.com/album/kumi).
DO THIS
New York City. Tribeca TV Festival. Back for its 2nd year, The Tribeca TV Festival celebrates shows that have broken new ground for episodic TV storytelling with sneak peaks of returning shows, panels discussions and much more. Highlights include the 20th Anniversary season premiere of Law & Order: SVU with cast members Mariska Hargitay, Ice-T and creator Dick Wolf; Meryl Streep interviewing Tracy Ullman screening and discussing the new season of her Emmy-nominated show, Tracy Ullman’s Show; Liev Schreiber previewing and discussing the Showtime series Ray Donovan; Madame Secretary star Tea Leoni and much more. Viewers will also get to see the Season 12 premiere of Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, along with an extended cut of the final episode that he finished before he passed away earlier this year. Though its only in its sophmore year, this festival has quickly become the must see event for all those who love television. The Tribeca TV Festival runs through September 23rd. You can also go to www.tribecafilm.com/TVfestival for more informaton.
Want more excellence? Read last week’s the filtered excellence.
Latest posts by Earl Douglas (see all)
- Earl’s World: The Filtered Excellence: September 7, 2021 - September 7, 2021
- Remembering Fez Whatley - August 15, 2021
- Earl’s World: The Filtered Excellence: July 23, 2021 - July 25, 2021
