The Filtered Excellence: July 26, 2020
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
Fear City: New York Vs The Mafia. Throughout the 1960s and 70s, the Mafia had an unyielding influence on New York City unions, court system and various branches of government. Federal and local law enforcement were continuously hampered to bring down The Five Families, until It wasn’t until Cornell University Professor G. Robert Blakey authored what would later become The Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations law – better known as RICO – that served federal, state and local law enforcement was able to launch one of the most ambitious criminal investigations in U.S. history. Directed by Sam Hopkinson, this new docu-series and uses archival footage and new interviews with the attorneys, field agents and former mob foot soldiers to show how the case was carefully and meticulously crafted, ending the mob’s vice grip on the city. Crafted like a crime thriller, it’s a fascinating look back at a pivotal moment in New York City’s history. A must see viewing for those who love true crime stories. Fear City: New York vs The Mafia is available now on Netflix.
The Kid From Coney Island. Stephon ‘Starbury’ Marbury’s rise, fall and rebirth is the subject of this new Netflix documentary. Directed by Coodie and Chike, they tell the story of how Marbury rose out of the Coney Island projects to become one of the best high school players in the country, getting drafted into the NBA before he turned 21. It also covers his breakout success with the Minnesota Timberwolves; turbulent stints with the New Jersey Nets, Phoenix Suns and the New York Knicks; and his career resurrection in China, helping the Bejiing Ducks win three CBA Championships. The doc also a serves as a love letter from Marbury to his family and Brooklyn, both of which had a profound effect on the former NBA All-Star. From New York City to Bejing, Coodie and Chike have crafted a moving portrait to an NBA great. The Kid From Coney Island is available now on Netflix.
Michael Des Barres: Who Do You Want Me To Be? Michael Des Barres has led a nomadic, chameleon-like life, jumping between England, Los Angeles and New York to carve out a show business career that has spanned over 50 years. This new documentary from J. Elvis Weinstein tells the incredible story of how ‘the son of a junkie aristocrat and a schizophrenic showgirl’ was able to shape shift from acting (appearing in projects as varied as ‘To Sir With Love’ to MacGuyer) to music (touring extensively with some of the biggest bands in the world, and singing at Live Aid as a member of Power Station). Des Barres is joined by his former wives Wendy Wheeler and Pamela Des Barres, his son Nicholas, former manager Danny Goldberg, Steve Jones of The Sex Pistols, Duran Duran’s John Taylor, and actors Ed Begley, Jr, Gabriel Byrne, and Don Johnson to recount the tremendous highs and lows that he has encountered throughout his extraordinary journey. Told with candor, a nod, a wink and a smile, Weinstein has put together a documentary that’s a wild ride from start to finish. Michael Des Barres: Who Do You Want Me To Be is available now on Amazon Prime.
Jim Jeffries: Intolerant. For his latest Netflix special, Jim Jeffries takes on millennials, animal testing, fat shaming, movies he would like to see remade and cancel culture – all within the framework of his description of a date that takes a decidedly bad turn for the worst. Profane, unapologetic and uncompromising, it’s a another solid special for the Australian comic. Jim Jeffries: Intolerant is available now on Netflix.
LISTEN TO THIS
Blues & Friends by Dion. Dion enlists some of rock’s heaviest hitters for his latest exploration into the blues. The rock n roll icon co-wrote twelve of the 14 tracks with 6-string slingers Jeff Beck, Billy Gibbons, Joe Bonaamassa Samantha Fish and Brian Setzer coming aboard to add sizzle to songs that range from swamp rockers, rockabilly, Delta Blues and roadhouse rock. Dion also recruits Van Morrison, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Patti Scialfa and John Hammond to help bring it all home. There‘s also ‘Song To Sam Cooke (Here In America)’, which also addresses the prejudices that Dion saw when he toured with the soul great back in 1960s. Even with all of this star power, it’s Dion’s voice that shine through, rich and vibrant at 81 than it did back when he broke in the business over 60 years ago. Count this album as yet another highlight that has had many. Blues & Friends by Dion is available now through Amazon, Apple Music and all major streaming services.
Want more excellence? Read last week’s the filtered excellence.
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