The Filtered Excellence: April 4, 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:

Upstream Color. Directed by Shane Carruth.  Nine years ago, Shane directed Primer, which became known for its smart but complex plot that was so provocative and unique that people drew charts to navigate its twists and turns.  This week, Shane’s new film, Upstream Color, premiers in select cities and it’s a completely one of a kind viewing experience.  It’s not for everyone but for those who are comfortable with unconventional narratives, its an amazing visual experience, with a beautiful score, and will leave you with plenty to talk about after the film ends.  If that appeals to you, try to see Upstream Color without knowing anything more than that.  Wait until after you’ve seen it to look around at the theories and commentary.  Opens April 5, 2013 in select cities.

Free Angela And All Political Prisoners.  J. Edgar Hoover put her on the FBI’s Most Wanted List. Then-Governor Ronald Reagan spearheaded an effort to have her barred from teaching at any of California’s universities. President Nixon labeled her a terrorist. The Rolling Stones dedicated a song to her on the landmark album Exile On Main Street. John Lennon wrote a song about her. For a significant part of the 1970’s, Angela Davis was THE face and voice in the fight for civil and human rights. It was her political activities – and her ties to The Communist Party and The Black Panthers – that led to her being implicated (and on trial) in a botched kidnapping attempt that left four people dead. Weaving in archival footage along with new interviews with Davis, director Shola Lynch skillfully relieves one of the turbulent periods in American history through the eyes of someone who was at the center of the political storm. It’s a documentary that re-asserts Angela Davis’ place as one of the important figures in the American civil rights movement. Free Angela And All Political Prisoners opens this Friday at select AMC Theaters.

Bert Stern: Original Mad Man.  At the height of The Golden Age Of Advertising, Bert Stern was its biggest star. His photos of Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Bridget Bardot, Twiggy, and, of course, Marilyn Monroe, have become so iconic, that they have been re-created time and time again by contemporary stars in the fields of film, music and fashion. Stern left a significant imprint on the film world, shooting the photo that became the poster for the 1962 classic Lolita (directed by his good friend Stanley Kubrick), and co-directing Jazz On A Summer Day, widely considered one of the greatest music films ever. Now for the first time, Stern is in front of the camera to tell the story of his quick rise, his turbulent marriage to actress/dancer Allegra Kent, his fall from grace, and his equally remarkable career resurgence. Director Shannah Laumeister peels away all of Stern’s many layers to give us an intimate portrait of one of the photography world’s most gifted artists. Bert Stern: Original Mad Men opens this Friday at select theaters.

Showtime Series Season Finales. Showtime is calling it “One Night, Three Finales”. “Shameless” starring William H. Macy and Emmy Rossum wraps up it’s 3rd season at 9pm Eastern. Lip graduates and Frank collapses. What else is going to happen with the Gallagher family? At 10pm Eastern, it’s the season finale of “House of Lies” starring Don Cheadle. With the company’s merger going ahead, what will become of Marty and the pod? Then at 10:30pm Eastern, Californication starring David Duchovny finishes it’s 6th season. It looks like Hank may be proposing, but to who? Karen or Faith? Find out everything Sunday night on Showtime. Showtime – Sunday, Starting at 9m Eastern.

Vice. Series Premier tomorrow night, Friday April 5th at 11 pm on HBO. We don’t know if it’s excellent yet. It’s been described as punch-in-the-face journalism, hipster-tournalism, and even Jackass Journalism.  It promises to be different from anything you’ve ever watched before. The show will be hosted by VICE founder Shane Smith, along with a selection of correspondants from VICE magazine. VICE says they plan to deliver “a variety of mind-melting stories from around the globe and immersive detours into the scariest, most absurd, and flat-out unbelievable cultures and situations around the globe.” Stories like a portrait of child Taliban suicide bombers, visiting underground voodoo heroin clinics in New York, and riding along with Somalian pirates are just a few examples of what you might be seeing.

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READ THIS:

Detroit: An American Autopsy by Charlie LeDuff. Pulitzer Prize winner Charlie LeDuff goes back to his hometown of Detroit to examine how the city that was once an epicenter of commerce and culture, is now leading the nation in unemployment, debt, illiteracy, dropouts and foreclosures. LeDuff goes into the streets that are littered with abandoned factories, homes, and where wildlife has reclaimed its rightful place. It’s also personal: LeDuff bluntly tells how his mother’s business was firebombed during ‘Devil’s Night’, his brother’s fall from grace as a real estate dealer and how his sister got caught up and lost in Detroit’s brutal West Side. But there’s also stories of hope: LeDuff speaks with community leaders, law enforcement officials and everyday citizens still fighting the good fighting to make this once great city, great again. LeDuff combines old school reporting with cold frankness that uses a crumbling city as a backdrop for American decline and a blueprint for American renewal. Detroit: An American Autopsy is available now through Amazon, Barnes and Noble and all major book retailers.

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LISTEN TO THIS:

Victim of Love by Charles Bradley. Charles Bradley wails grittily and it’s fantastic and it sounds just classic. The 65 year old Bradly, whose first album No Time For Dreaming was released in 2011 garnered a lot of attention then for his late-bloomer backstory and remarkable soul sound. Victim of Love, Bradley’s sophmore album features the excellent funk soul arrangements of the Menahan Street Band and a tracklist full of both love songs and raw heartache. Check out the title track for the latter and the single, “Strictly Reserved for You,” for the former. Victim of Love is a highly impressive old-school-style gorgeous retro-R&B soul album. It’s a listen that feels genuine through and through, and it has a whole lot to do with that voice. Charles Bradley’s AKA is,”The Screaming Eagle of Soul,”after all.

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DO THIS:

West Hollywood, California: Dave Stewart and Friends. Dave Stewart is back at the Troubadour after his sold out show there last September. Dave will be doing songs from his solo work, the Eurythmics and his new album “Lucky Numbers” which will be released later this year. He’ll also be joined by special guests throughout the show. Thursday, April 11th at 8pm – The Troubadour in West Hollywood. The Troubadour is located at 9081 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069

Boston, Mass:  Carolina Chocolate Drops. Meticulously delivering old-time revival jug, fiddle and bango based music CCD reawaken early 20th century string and blues band songs.  In modestly extending the tradition to include elements of R&B and beatbox they have gone beyond re-imagining into evolving it for the 21st century.  They will be playing Saturday April 6, 2013 at the House of Blues Boston, MA.”

  • Listen to one of their songs if you’re not familiar with them:  West End Blues

New York City: Fleetwood Mac on tour. In their first tour in 3 years, Fleetwood Mac is back together and playing the “World’s Most Famous Arena” on Monday, April 8th. The tour coincides with the 35th anniversary of the band’s classic “Rumours” album. Monday, April 8th at 8pm – Madison Square Garden. Madison Square Garden is located at 4 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10001.

New York City:  The Last Detail.  This under-seen Jack Nicholson classic will be screening at the Film Forum from April 5th to April 11th.  Amazing performances by Jack and a young Randy Quaid in this Hal Ashby directed classic.

Seattle, Washington:  Jeff Bridges and the Abiders.  This one seems like a good show to check out just for the experience.  Friday April 5th at The Moore Theater, Seattle Washington.  He’s touring his album, which he calls “a natural extension of the love of music I’ve had all my life.”

San Francisco, California: Chinatown and Roman Polanski.  Catch a screening of one of the all time great films– Chinatown– on the big screen at the Roxie Theater, followed by live conversation with Award-winning film director Roman Polanski via live skype hookup from Paris, where he is currently editing his latest film. This is a rare opportunity to hear the director speak live.  He will be talking with producer Thom Mount who will be live in the Roxie Theater.  Roxie Theater Saturday April 6, 2013.

 

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The Editor

The Editor