The Filtered Excellence: July 26, 2012

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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:

The Olympics.  Opening Day Ceremonies start on Friday July 27 at 7:30pm eastern time.  Do you need us to tell you why to watch?  Probably not. Stay tuned here at the Ibang for some highlights, what to watch, when to watch, and play along with our ESPN Challenge and try to win a basketball signed by Shaq.

Killer Joe.  Starring Matthew McConaughey and directed by William Friedkin. This beautiful twisted Texas crime noir set is as much of a reclamation piece as it is a film.  For one, it should re-establish Willima Friedkin (The French Connection, The Exorcist) as one of the finest directors this country has ever produced.  It will also serve notice that Matthew McConaughey (finally released from the chick flick prison he’s been in the last few years) is more than a pretty face.  He’s having a blast as the title character, a detective who works as a hitman on the side.  The supporting cast is almost a character actor’s Hall Of Fame circa the last decade: Thomas Hayden Church, Emile Hirsch, and Gina Gershon.  Juno Temple is also a revelation as the X factor in this Tracy Letts-penned tale of murder, drugs, double crosses and double dealings.  Big up to the studio for not toning down the story for a ‘R’ rating.  It’s rated NC-17 so the kids have to stay at home.  As was the case with the last major film to released with this rating, Killer Joe won’t get any TV or radio advertising, so it’s going to have to rely on good press and word of mouth.  It’s worth talking about and more importantly, worth seeing.  Killer Joe opens July 27th (Friday).

Fat Kid Rules the World. Directed by Matthew Lillard.  A really great independent film about freaks, and geeks.  Well written, full of really terrific performances, and with an amazing soundtrack by Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready.  The story is about …no surprise, a fat kid.  He’s about to end it all by jumping in front of a bus, when a charismatic punk rock superstar, tackles him to the ground and changes his life forever… It’s about family, being and outsider, and so much more.  This is exactly the kind of movie that Filtered Excellence is all about.  Seek it out.  It’s worth it.

Searching For Sugar Man.  In the late 60’s, Sussex Records, a label founded by industry legend Clarence Avant, signed Detroit factory worker Sixto Rodriguez, believing that he was the Chicano version of Bob Dylan, if not better. Rodriguez released two albums that in Avant’s words sold about ‘six copies’. Rodriguez all but disappeared amidst rumors of depression and even an on stage suicide. A bootleg copy of his album Cold Fact somehow made its way to South Africa and in the coming years served as the backdrop of the anti-apartheid movement. At one point, Rodriguez achieved a status there that was bigger than Elvis. Malik Bendjellol’s new documentary retraces Rodriguez’s rise, fall and rise again with new interviews with friends, associates and ultimately with the man himself, who is very much alive and well. It’s an interesting look at one of the most unique stories in rock history. Searching For Sugar Man opens on July 27th (Friday).

CSN 2012. Filmed during their 2012 tour, CSN 2012 includes many of the trio’s classic hits as well as new songs, “Radio,” “Almost Gone”, and “Girl From The North Country” (a cover of Bob Dylan’s 1963 release). The disc also includes interviews with David, Stephen, and Graham, plus their band and crew. A must-have for any CSN fan.

Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry.  Be on the lookout for this inspiring documentary, out tomorrow July 27th, in limited release. If you don’t know who Ai WeiWei is, you definitely should. The documentary film by Alison Klayman follows this renowned artist and political activist, depicting not only a revealing portrait of the artist, but also a scrutinizing look at China itself. Ai Weiwei’s artistic creativity and political activism are inseparably intertwined. He has been openly critical of the the Chinese government, cover-ups, and human rights violations; a dangerous way to be. His outspoken advocacy causes him very public confrontations with the Chinese government. “If we don’t push, there’s nothing happening.” This independent artist, is fearless in his art, and relentless in speaking the truth in the face of oppression, “I don’t want the next generation to fight the same fight as I did.” This documentary is the story of unwavering dedication, and a man whose life is his art and whose art is defiance.

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LISTEN TO THIS:

Tomorrow Never Knows, The Beatles. We know what you’re thinking: Here’s yet another Greatest Hits compilation.  But what set this collection apart is that it features The Fab Four are full throttle, kick ass rock n roll band – not a ballad to be found.  It has fuzz guitar blowouts ‘Revolution’, ‘Paperback Writer’), folk-rock romps (‘And Your Bird Can Sing’, ‘She Said She Said’), Brit infused R&B (‘You Can’t Do That’, ‘I’m Down’, ‘Back In The U.S.S.R’), late period deep cuts (‘I’ve Got A Feeling’, ‘Hey Bulldog’, ‘It’s All Too Much’) and full blown psychedelia (the collection’s title track).  Tomorrow Never Knows is the perfect collection to settle the argument once and for all as to whether or not The Beatles were a ‘rock band’.  It’s available exclusively on Itunes for only $7.99

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BROWSE THIS:

Move Me Brightly, A Concert Celebrating Jerry Garcia’s 70th Birthday. Taking place at Weir’s TRI Studios in San Rafael, California. August 3rd, 6:30 PST webcast. Jerry Garcia would have turned 70 on Aug. 1, and to mark the occasion, two days after his birthday members of the Grateful Dead family are throwing an online musical party that will be a live free webcast in HD from bandmate Bob Weir’s TRI Studios in San Rafael. Actor Luke Wilson signed on to emcee the show. Carlos Santana will honor his fellow guitar great via a video interview. David Crosby’s poetic tribute, “Cause I’m Missing Him Tonight,” written specifically for his old friend, will be read during the show. Garcia’s daughters, his brother, Tiff and ex-wife Carolyn “Mountain Girl” Garcia will be on hand, as will the world’s tallest Deadhead, Bill Walton. Weir heads a growing lineup of musicians who will perform, including Willie Nelson’s son Lukas Nelson, Joe Russo and Jeff Chimenti from Furthur, Mike Gordon of Phish, Paul Simon’s son Harper Simon, psychedelic folk musician Jonathan Wilson and Bay Area singer-songwriter Cass McCombs.

Tape Sculptures by Mark Jenkins. Art is ever changing and there is no end to the materials that can be used to create. Artist Mark Jenkins has recently created a series of public art scultpures made entirely out of packing tape. Jenkins work has appeared around the world and he’s used many different materials to create.

Trixie Whitley on Twitter, the powerhouse vocalist for Black Dub and as a solo artist, is now on Twitter!  Follow her @trixie_whitley to updates on shows and her forthcoming solo album due this fall!

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DO THIS:

Nationwide: Celebrate Jerry Garcia’s 70th Birthday with The Grateful Dead movie! This Grateful gathering will include a special commemoration of Jerry brought to you by notable director (and Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann’s son) Justin Kreutzmann and an exclusive interview with guitarist and Grateful Dead co-founder Bob Weir, who will take fans behind the scenes of his state-of-the-art studio, the Tamalpais Research Institute.

Austin, Texas:  Burning Love Marathon Live with Ken Marino at the Alamo Drafthouse. star/director/producer Ken Marino and writer/producer Erica Oyama live in person August 4th at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar! Yes, the most romantic, comedic web series that ever will be is jumping from the tiny laptop screen to the giant Alamo screen! The two people behind this achievement in modern internet comedy will be on hand to watch every episode back to back and are ONLY doing it at the Drafthouse!

 SUMMER FESTIVAL ROUND UP: MORE TO CHECK OUT ALL OVER THE COUNTRY THIS WEEK

  • Arkansas, World Championship Cardboard Boat Races (July 28th).  You know there is a world championship for every sport, event, or competition. Even the really unexpected ones- like cardboard boat racing. Make any kind of boat you please as long as it is made of Cardboard and can float you to the finish line quickly.
  • California, Gilroy Garlic Festival (July 27th- 29th).  Yes this is a festival to celebrate everyone’s favorite spice- garlic. There is a garlic cookoff, a gourmet alley with food and beverage. They also have children’s and teens areas with everything that could possibly keep them occupied including arts and crafts and ziplining.
  • Louisiana, Long Beach Crawfish Festival (July 28th- 29th).  Come Celebrate a New Orlean’s tradition- well in Southern California. The 19th Annual Crawfish Festival is a way to celebrate everything that everyone loves about New Orleans, and to celebrate the food they have become famous for- crawfish.
  • Indiana, Frankfort Hot Dog Festival (July 27th-28th).  What better place to celebrate everyone’s favorite summer barbecue staple then a town with the name Frankfort. And don’t think this festival is just to celebrate the Hot Dog- it celebrates America’s favorite house pet- the dog with many events including the Double Dog Dare Triathalon.
  • Indiana, Pierogi Fest (July 27th-29th).  People may like to make fun of the Polish people, but one thing is for sure- they can make a fantastic pierogi. And don’t think this 3 day festival stops at just eating this fantastic food- it also celebrates everything about the polish heritage with many activities including a polka dance off! and what summer festival could be complete without a parade!
  • Louisiana, Louisiana Watermelon Festival (July 26th- 28th). The Watermelon is America’s favorite summer fruit and Louisiana now has a festival to support the Watermelon industry and show pride in their harvest. The festival encourages everyone to eat lots of watermelon, and includes lots of food, watermelon eating and seed spitting contests, and a parade!
  • Minnesota, Waterama (July 24th-29th).  Water- most of the world is made of it, most of the human body is made of it, we need it to survive, and well it can be a lot of fun- but do we ever celebrate how truly amazing this substance is- now there is a festival for that. There are events every day including everything from sports to pageants, and something for everyone to have fun with!
  • Montana, Evel Knievel Days (July 26th-28th)   Every year, Evel Knievels hometown of Butte, Montana pays homage to the greatest Daredevil of all time. The town turns into a stuntman extravaganza with daredevils from across the country showing up to participate in one of the best extreme summer festivals in the country.
  • Pennsylvania, Rainy Day Festival (July 29th).  What started as a statement made in a drugstore that it always rained on his brithday- July 29th, turned into a crazy bet, which developed into a festival to celebrate rain instead of becoming sad about it. There have been 137 rain day festivals so far, and it has rained on 113 of them. Come by Waynesburg this year to see if it will be 114!

 

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Interrobang Staff

Interrobang Staff