The Filtered Excellence: January 25, 2012

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Bob Geldof once asked us, “Where is the filtered excellence!?” Its 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

Coriolanus.   This ambitious film marks the feature film directorial debut of actor Ralph Fiennes and he has created a masterpiece.  In fact, despite its lack of showing at the awards this year we are calling Coriolanus the film of the year for 2011.  Ralph Fiennes also stars as the films namesake and he and Vanessa Redgrave give brilliant performances.  You will forget that you are listening to old english dialogue very quickly and become absorbed in the compelling story of this lesser known Shakespearean piece .

The SAG Awards.  The Screen Actors Guilds presents thirteen awards (called “The Actor”  for performances in film and television, voted on by members of the guild.   Bonus– George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Sir Ben Kingsley, Zoe Saldana, Owen Wilson, Kathy Bates, Jessica Chastain, Kenneth Branagh, Kyle Chandler, Tina Fey, Matt Czuchry, Jean Dujardin, Armie Hammer, Ed Helms, Regina King, John Krasinski, Julianna Margulies, Natalie Portman, Maya Rudolph, Kyra Sedgwick, Octavia Spencer, Michelle Williams, Dick Van Dyke, and Meryl Streep are all on the presenters list (according to ew.com). It airs this Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 8pm EST on TNT and TBS.

Luck Debuts on HBO.  Why should you watch the new HBO series Luck?  Well with a cast including Dustin Hoffman, Dennis Farina, John Ortiz, Richard Kind, Ian Hart, Kevin Dunn, Ritchie Coster, Jason Gedrick, Jill Hennessy, Tom Payne, Kerry Condon, Gary Stevens and Nick Nolte, it doesn’t seem like you would need any other reason.  But if you do, the pilot is directed by Michael Mann and written by David Milch.  If names don’t mean much to you, watch it for the content. Horse racing, gambling, jockeys,  ex-cons, the mob and a whole lot of money.  The series premiers Sunday January 29th at 9pm.

True Grit Comes to Netflix Instant.  Whether you love westerns or love the Coen Brothers, True Grit is a must see.  Like all Coen films, the scenery is breathtaking, and the performances by  Jeff Bridges, Hailee Steinfeld, Matt Damon and Josh Brolin are unforgettable.  It was nominated for ten academy awards. If you missed it in the theaters, and were too lazy to go buy the DVD, here’s your chance to press a button and stream it on Netflix.  Throw in the original, also on Netflix, and you’ve got yourself a great days entertainment.

 

LISTEN TO THIS

Old Ideas by Leonard Cohen. He’s beloved by his peers and the press. His shows sell out worldwide and he currently has a huge billboard in Times Square promoting his new album. If you had guessed Justin Bieber or Jay Z, you would be wrong. This is all for Leonard Cohen, who is about to release his 12th studio album, Old Ideas.  Cohen, in his late 70’s, is as razor-sharp and deeply feeling as ever. He’s also whisper-singing words that will stop you short; all stocked with emotion.   Each track has a meditative, almost hymn like quality to it. In short, it’s more late inning magic from one of our greatest songwriters.  It’s his first album in seven years and his best and most consistent work in over two decades.

Free Again: the 1970 Sessions, by Alex Chilton.  In 1970, after leaving The Box Tops but before forming Big Star, Alex Chilton recorded a number of tracks in the studio. After being the stuff of legend for many years, and then being out of print, they are now once again available, with added bonus tracks. They are particularly illuminating to fans of Chilton, perfectly bridging the gap between the soul pop of The Box Tops to the power pop of Big Star. It’s amazing to hear the beginnings of Chilton’s amazing songwriting that served him so well in Big Star. It’s no surprise that the music sounds like both of Chilton’s groups, but there are also hints of country-tinge folk and few unexpected cover songs.

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Big Freedia.  Big Freedia  is about to destroy America.   He appeared at SXSW  last year and destroyed. New Orleans bounce music is going to finally hit the mainstream. Freedia is an incredible advocate in the gay scene and has done amazing work in New Orleans setting up events where both gay and straight hip hop crowds show up to fucking party. This performance is nothing compared to her shows, but will give you a glimpse of what’s to come.

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DO THIS

Lock Yourself in Weekend:  Billy Wilder.  Featured right here on The Interrobang, a do-it yourself film festival of the great works of Billy Wilder.  Lock the doors, get out your sweats, and order in something amazing to watch these eight must-see films from the tremendously influential filmmaker.

Bye Bye CBGB.  The New York counterculture scene suffered what many considered its fatal blow, when the legendary club CBGB closed for good in 2006. Bruno Hadjadj, a French born artist who has lived in New York since the 80s, documented the club’s last 48 hours through photos, videos, and sketches. The results are part of a new exhibit, ‘Bye Bye CBGB’ which opens Monday January 30 and runs through February 28th at the Clic Gallery in New York City.

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BROWSE THIS

The Everywhereist Blog. Check out this travel blog: really honest, strange, funny, and detailed in every way… It’s about everything from the best places to see, where to eat, where to avoid, wherever you’re going…All the little things that you may have forgotten about too.  It’s well written, clever, silly at times, and lots of fun. Time Magazine named it one of their top 25 Blogs of the year in 2011.  Check it out.

NPR’s First Listen. Why is it that every time we talk about a great new album, NPR has been there first and has a nice sneak peek to check out?  The recent Tom Waits, GBV, The Roots, and the Leonard Cohen albums…and so many more…all featured on NPR’s First Listen.  Not that we’re saying you should end run our recommendations, but you definitely should add them to your stops on the internet if you love music.

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TRY THIS

Tate’s Cookies.  It seems like only a few months ago that I first discovered Tate’s cookies and thought I had found something really special– a find that nobody else knew about.  Well now they are in every supermarket, everywhere you turn, and I’m not complaining because they’re the best supermarket bought cookie on the shelves today.  I won’t eat a Chips Ahoy (or any of its neighbors) and Girl Scout cookies only come once a year, which means if I want cookies I usually have to make them myself.  Tate’s may not be homemade but they’re a very nice holdover when you don’t feel like baking.  Thin, crispy and oh so buttery.   Check out chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, and chipless wonder for you weirdos who don’t like chocolate in your cookie.

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Interrobang Staff

Interrobang Staff