The Filtered Excellence: February 27, 2013
Bob Geldof once asked us, “Where is the filtered excellence!?” It’s right here. Here are 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:
The Oscars. The 86th Annual Academy Awards now know simply as The Oscars will be awarded this Sunday night. Will this be Matthew McConaughey’s big year or will Leonard DiCaprio finally be recognized with a Best Actor win? Meryl Streep is nominated once again, but does Cate Blanchett have a lock on Best Actress? And which film will win Best Picture? The nominees include American Hustle, Captain Phillips, Dallas Buyers Club, Gravity, Her, Nebraska, Philomena, 12 Years a Slave and The Wolf of Wall Street. This year’s Oscars are hosted by Ellen DeGeneres. Coverage of the Academy Awards starts at 7pm Eastern on Sunday, March 2 on ABC with the Red Carpet arrival leading into the ceremony.
Kids For Cash. This riveting new documentary from director Robert May tells the story of how Luzerne County Judge Mark Ciavarella sentenced over 3,000 minors for hard time in jail for even the most petty of crimes, only to have it revealed that he was receiving kickbacks from the prison industrial complex (Ciavarella, along with Judge Michael Conahan would be convicted on money laundering, fraud and racketeering charges). May talks with some of the kids, their parents, and even Ciavarella himself to paint a sad and disturbing look at innocence lost, how justice got corrupted in the name of big business and its aftermath. It’s one of those films that stays with you long after its over. An early favorite for next year’s Oscar for Best Documentary. Kids For Cash opens in select theaters on February 28th. Following the 7:15 screening at New York’s Village 7 Theater, actress Kathy Bates will moderate a special Q&A with Robert May.
The Film Independent Spirit Awards. It’s the one award show held each year under a big tent. The Spirit Awards happen the night before the Oscars. This year’s ceremony is hosted by Patton Oswalt. And nominees for best Independent feature for the 2014 awards show include 12 Years a Slave, All Is Lost, Frances Ha, Inside Llewyn Davis and Nebraska. See who takes home a Spirit Award on Saturday night, March 1st at 10pm Eastern on IFC.
Music Mavericks: The Beastie Boys. If you looking for something to watch before Sunday night is dominated by the Oscars, Ovation presents the latest in its Music Mavericks series. The Beastie Boys is part of the new season. This special follows the Beastie Boys as they evolved from a punk band and transitioned to hip hop during the eighties. It also shows the impact the group had on popular culture in America. Music Mavericks: The Beastie Boys airs Sunday, March 2nd at 6:30pm Eastern on Ovation.
LISTEN TO THIS:
Mark Lanegan: Has God Seen My Shadow? An Anthology 1989-2011. Most people know Mark Lanegan for his work with Screaming Trees and Queens Of The Stone Age, but for the last 25 years, Lanegan has built up a solid, steady career as a solo artist. Has God Seen My Shadow is a 2-CD set featuring the best of his solo work alongside 12 unreleased tracks. This collection works as both a primer and a summation to one of the most distinctive singer-songwriters in rock today.
now through Amazon.Bob Dylan: The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration. On October 16th, 1992, one of the greatest concerts in rock history took place at Madison Square Garden. Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, Lou Reed, The Clancy Brothers, Ritchie Havens, Johnny Winter, Roger McGuinn, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Stevie Wonder, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Neil Young, Eric Clapton, The Band, Ron Wood, Chrissie Hynde, John Mellencamp, The O’Jays, Eddie Vedder, Sinéad O’Connor, Tracy Chapman, George Harrison and more, (along with three members with members of Booker T. & The M.G.’s, G.E. Smith on guitar with Jim Keltner and Anton Fig on drums as the de facto house band) all performed songs written by Bob Dylan as part of the 30th Anniversary of his debut album. Dylan himself would close out what would become a show of epic proportions. This 2-CD/2-DVD set captures all of the show’s highlights – including 40 minutes that have never been released in any format – backstage footage and much more. A fitting salute to one of the greatest songwriters of all-time.
through Amazon.CLICK THIS:
Dick and Dave. This is the new web series featuring comedian Dave Hill and the legendary broadcaster and talk show host Dick Cavett. In these YouTube short videos, Dick and Dave discuss everything from creepy fans to prison nuptials to magic tricks with a quarter. The Dick and Dave webisodes can be seen on the ExplosiveIndustries YouTube page.
DO THIS:
PHOENIX, ARIZONA. Lewis Black. “Old Yeller” is bring his The Rant is Due tour to Phoenix. Lewis Black will be loudly sharing his disgust with the government, pop culture and just about everything else on his hysterical new tour. Phoenix audiences can expect to hear some Lewis Black’s unique opinions about their own state of Arizona. Lewis Black performs at the Orpheum Theater on Friday, February 28th at 8pm. Doors open at 7pm. Tickets are still available.
RANCHO MIRAGE, CALIFORNIA. Will Ferrell’s Desert Showdown. This is a two day event hosted by Will Ferrell to support his Cancer for College charity. It starts Monday, March 3rd with Will Ferrell’s celebrity golf tournament at the Bighorn Golf Club. On Tuesday, March 4th, the showdown continues with the 10th Annual Desert Smash where celebrity and pro tennis players face off against each other at the LaQuinta Resort and Club. Then the entire event wraps up with a concert at the Agua Caliente Casino, Resort and Spa hosted by Ferrell and featuring Nelly with special guests Boys II Men.
