The Filtered Excellence: September 27, 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
Tracy Ullman’s Show. Everyone’s favorite comedic chameleon is back for Season 3 of her critically acclaimed sketch comedy series. Whether its Dame Judy Dench looking for new ways to reinvent herself, Angela Merkel trying to deal with Brexit and the current U.S. administration or Camilla Parker Bowles trying to babysit her new grandchild, Ullman effortlessly pulls it off with biting wit, candor, and, of course, humor. Always a welcomed return to one of the best in the game. Tracy Ullman’s Show premieres September 28th at midnight on HBO. You can also go to www.hbo.com for more information.
The Old Man & The Gun. In the weeks leading up to its release, Robert Redford implied that this was going to be his final film. He’s since backtracked on those comments, and for good reason: it’s another strong performance in a career that has spanned over six decades. Written and directed by David Lowery, Redford stars as Forrest Tucker, the leader of ‘The Over The Hill Gang’, who at the age of 76, pulled off nearly 80 robberies using nothing more than his charm, cool and subtly flashing a gun. Assisting him in the heists are Teddy (Danny Glover) and Waller (Tom Waits), and Jewel (Sissy Spacek), who falls for Tucker despite his chosen profession. Casey Affleck plays John Hunt, the police officer who is trying to bring Tucker in, but finds himself more amused at Tucker’s approach to crime – and life – than he is bringing him to justice. Lowery captures the loose, expansive vibe that was present throughout the late 60s and 1970s, capturing the landscape and giving Redford and the cast the room to really dive into what makes the characters tick. Redford and Spacek have great on screen chemistry while Glover and Waits are clearly having a blast as Tucker’s partners in crime. Whether or not this is Redford’s final film remains to be seen, but this isn’t a bad way to go out. The Old Man & The Gun is theaters this weekend.
Bad Reputation. She’s a feminist, activist, and a punk goddess. But above all things, Joan Jett is a rock n roll icon of the highest order. In this new Kevin Kerslake-directed documentary, Jett talks about how she broke through rock’s glass ceiling – first, as a member of the all-girl band The Runaways, and later fronting The Blackhearts – with such hits as ‘I Love Rock n Roll’, ‘Bad Reputation’ and ‘I Hate Myself For Loving You’. The film also goes into Jett’s forays into acting, activism and serving as a mentor to a number of lady rockers who formed The Riott Grrrl Movement of the 90s/early 2000s. Iggy Pop, Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong, Debbie Harry, Miley Cyrus. Kathleen Hanna, Michael J. Fox, Rodney Bingenheimer, and former Runaway Cherrie Currie are also on board to offer great insights on how Jett impacted their lives and careers. It’s a high volume tribute to a rock n roll iconoclast. Bad Reputation is in theaters and on ITunes on September 28th. You can also go to www.badreputationfilm.com for more information.
DO THIS
New York City. The New York Film Festival. Some of the year’s most anticipated films will take over Manhattan as the New York Film Festival returns for its 56th year. As its been in recent years, the NYFF has become the place to preview many of the projects that will become the talk of awards season. Some of the films slated to be screened include the North America premiere of The Coens Brothers ‘The Ballad Of Buster Scuggs’; the big screen adaptation of James Baldwin’s ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’, directed by Barry Jenkins (‘Moonlight’); Errol Morris’ ‘American Dharma’, which he talks extensively with Steve Bannon; the World Premiere of ‘The Times Of Bill Cunningham’; the North American premiere of Julian Schnabel’s ‘At Eternity’s Gate’ starring Willem Defoe as Vincent Van Gough; and a sneak preview of Orson Welles’ final film, ‘The Other Side Of The Wind’. There will also be post screen Q&As, exclusive talks and much more. Fall movie season is upon us and this is the place to get a full sense of where its headed. The New York Film Festival will run September 28th through October 14th. You can also go to www.filmlinc.org for tickets and additional information.
New York City. The New York Hot Jazz Festival. Step back in time to The Roaring 20s as the 5th Annual New York Hot Jazz Festival returns to Chelsea. The 12 hour marathon will feature The Hot Sardines, Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks, Evan Christopher, The Moonlighters, the Sugartone Brass Band, Tatiana Eva-Marie and the Avalon Jazz Band, Nicolle Rochelle, and The Charlie Halloran Band featuring Queen Esther, among others, saluting New Orleans Hot Jazz. The final two hours will be a speakeasy party featuring burlesque and an all-star jam session. Whether you are a festival veteran or coming to the party for the first time, be prepared to swing to your heart’s delight. The New York Hot Jazz Festival will be at the McKittrick Hotel on September 30th. You can also go to www.nyhotjazzfestival.com for more information (double check web addy).
New Jersey. Sea Hear Now Festival. Summer may officially over, but with this inaugural festival, the party is still going on down at The Shore. Spread out over 3 stages, it will include performances by Jack Johnson, Incubus, Blondie, Social Distortion, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Nicole Atkins, Jesse Marin, G Love & Special Sauce, Brandi Carlile, and much more. There will also be a gallery exhibit by Jersey Shore native, photographer, filmmaker and musician Danny Clinch, and pro surfing exhibitions by such greats as Sam Hammer, Balaram Stack, Rob Kelly, Mike Gleason, Quincy Davis, Andrew Gesler, Pat Schmidt, and many others. If you are looking for one last crack at fun down at the Shore before the weather completely flips, this is your ticket. Sea Hear Now Festival will take place September 29th and 30th. You can also go to www.seahearnowfestival.com for tickets, a complete show lineup, set times and more information.
Los Angeles. Celebrate LA! To celebrate its 100 season, The L.A. Philharmonic will team up with CicLAvia to turn an 8 mile stretch of Hollywood and downtown Los Angeles into a car-free music driven wonderland. Over 1800 artists – including Rivers Cuomo of Weezer, Jeff Goldblum and Ozomatli – will be performing at 6 pedestrian hubs . The day will end with a L.A. Philharmonic live at the Hollywood Bowl with performances by Herbie Hancock, Katy Perry, Kail Uchis, The Youth Orchestra of L.A and much more. With great weather, no cars and a ton of activities, it’s the perfect day out in the City Of Angels. Celebrate LA will take place on September 30th. You can also to www.laphil.com for tickets, a complete rundown of events and more information.
Los Angeles. Pop Up Magazine. Writers, artists, photographers, filmmakers and I other creatives will be on hand at The Theatre at The Ace Hotel this Pop Up Magazine will be bringing this one of a kind show to the West Coast. New projects – all of which are done specifically for this project – will be on stage to share and discuss with all of the artists in attendance. No recording devices will be permitted, giving attendees a once in a lifetime look at future classics. If you are into the arts or want to get a glimpse into the creative process, this is the place to be. Pop Up Magazine will take place this Saturday at the Theatre at The Ace Hotel. You can also go to www.popmagazine.com for more information.
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