The Filtered Excellence: June 14, 2012

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 Wrecking Crew.  Documentaries tend to point out what’s wrong in a the world but this doc will make you feel really great. Directed by Denny Tedesco, this doc look at an extraordinary group of studio musicians who were a huge part of the music business in the 60s.   You didn’t know their names but you knew most, if not all of their work.  They played with the Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra, Sonny and Cher, Jan & Dean, The Monkees, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, Mamas and Papas, Tijuana Brass, Ricky Nelson, Johnny Rivers and were Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound but they were a lot more than just great musicians.  Take a look inside a side of the music business you might not know much about.

• Get information on screenings and about the film on the website.
• Watch the trailer.

Safety Not Guaranteed. If you’re looking for a summer movie with substance that’s not too heavy, here’s the movie you want to see. It’s quirky, it’s sweet and has a bunch of unexpected moments. Everything you want in a lighthearted independent film, with terrific performances from Aubrey Plaza, Mark Duplass, Jake Johnson and Karan Soni.

• Watch the trailer.
• Get information on the movie on the official site.

Meatballs on Blu Ray and DVD.  It’s hard to believe that this 1979 comedy classic – which was Bill Murray’s first starring role and Ivan Reitman’s directorial debut – is finally available on Blu Ray and DVD. Murray plays Tripper, a loveable screw up who just happens to be head counselor at Camp North Star – which also loaded with kids and counselors who are not far behind Murray in the screw up department. Murray’s in fine form, displaying the great comic timing that he would bring to later Reitman-directed films Stripes and Ghostbusters. For bonus features, there’s extended ‘making of’ footage including Reitman discussing at length how he got Murray to commit to the movie, why they used actual campers instead of extras and how Murray’s role went from being a supporting character to a leading role.

• Order the DVD
• Order it on Blu Ray

The Dream Team. The 1992 Olympic ” Dream Team ” was the greatest Basketball team ever assembled. Magic Johnson , Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Micheal Jordan, Patrick Ewing and David Robinson and the finest NBA players of the day (except Isiah Thomas, Jordan wouldn’t play with him.) The NBA channel takes you behind the scenes and on the court with this documentary that takes a nostalgic look back on the 20th anniversary of the famed 1992 U.S. Olympic gold medal-winning basketball team.  Narrated by Ed Burns.  It debuted yesterday and will re-air on Friday June 15 at 10:30pm ET and throughout the weekend.

• Get more information and all air times.
• Watch a trailer.

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LISTEN TO THIS:

The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do by Fiona Apple. Looking to avoid the drama that surrounded her last release, (2005’s Extraordinary Machine featured internet leaks, label/producer squabbles, recording delays), Fiona Apple closed ranks. Sessions for Apple’s first album in seven years were so tight lipped that her label didn’t know she was recording. Working almost exclusively with multi-instrumentalist/producer Charley Drayton, The Idler Wheel combines the emotional intensity of Tidal and the sonic experimentation of Extraordinary Machine to an astounding effect. It marks a new chapter in what has already been an incredible career. The Idler Wheel will be available on June 19th. Fiona Apple kicks off a U.S. tour June 19th.

• Get a complete rundown of tour dates.
• You can stream The Idle Wheel on NPR first listen here.
• You can also view the video for ‘Every Single Night’ thanks to the Sundance Channel website.  
• Order the deluxe edition here.
• Order it on Vinyl

Class Clown Spots a UFO by Guided by Voices.  (Just released 6/12/12) Double the luck for Guided By Voices fans.  The second of at least three promised albums for 2012 by the Robert-Pollard-led indie band, is out everywhere. And it’s more of just what you want a GBV album to be. It’s great. The celebrated reunion of the Ohio band resulted in one album already: Let’s Go Eat the Factory (which we recommended back in late Dec). This second album, Class Clown Spots a UFO, was recorded by the classic line-up during the same studio session. With twenty one tracks full rock and melodic lo-fi fuzziness, and those always peculiar titles for the uniquely written lyrics, it’s more GBV goodness to dig.

• Order it on Amazon
• Visit Their Website

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READ THIS:

An American Story by photographer Ethan Russell.  One of the most respected and prominent photographers/video directors in the music industry, Ethan Russell’s resume includes some serious rock royalty. He shot the album covers for Let It Be, Get Your Ya Ya’s Out, Whos Next and Quadrophenia. Russell’s photographs of the aforementioned bands have been shown in galleries worldwide and are considered the definitive shots of these bands. Russell has also directed videos for Paul Simon, Emmylou Harris, Rosanne Cash, Rickie Lee Jones and Hank Williams, Jr, among others. BONUS FOR THOSE IN NEW YORK CITY:  Ethan will be appearing at The Morrison Hotel Gallery on June 16-17 to sign show cards of his latest book, An American Story from 1-4pm. Conceived exclusively as an e-book, An American Story features a dedicated blog and audio, video and social interaction. This is a great chance to meet one of our finest photographer and get a peek into the next stage of how we read books. An American Story will be available June 16th on Amazon, Itunes, and Barnes and Noble.com.

• You can go to www.ethanrussell.com for additional information
• Order it on Amazon
• Get information on the ebook release at The Morrison Hotel Gallery

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DO THIS:

NEW YORK CITY: The HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival. Each Monday night from June 18th through August 20th, there will be free screenings of classic films in New York’s Bryant Park. The 20th Anniversary edition of this festival kicks off this Monday with Psycho and will conclude with Raiders Of The Lost Ark. All of the other films in between aren’t too shabby either (On The Waterfront, The Wizard Of Oz, Rebel Without A Cause, just to name a few). In recent years, the festival has added a wrinkle to the presentation (pre-film live performances, guest/celebrity introductions and of course, cartoons!), so with this, being the 20th Anniversary, expect some surprises. A great way to spend a summer evening.

• Get the full schedule here. 

SENECA, NEW YORK: The Cardboard Boat Regatta on Seneca Lake.  Saturday June 16.  Singles and teams compete in this regatta comprised of boats built entirely out of cardboard, duct tape, and glue. Some are elaborate, some are just boxes that sink immediately. Very few make it to the finish line, and it’s a fun time with lots of greasy fair food for spectators.  There’s an after party at a place called the  TikiBar down the lake. If you are the first to paddle your boat to the TikiBar (most are dead by the end of the race) you get rewarded with free drinks.

• Get all the details and schedule here!

BALTIMORE, MD: Star-Spangled Sailabration, June 13-19 in Baltimore.  If you’re in the area, don’t miss this international parade of more than 40 tall ships and naval vessels. These ships sail into Baltimore for the national launch of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the writing of the Star-Spangled Banner. Free tours of the ships,  an airshow featuring the Blue Angels, and the world-premiere of “Overture for 2012,” composed by Philip Glass.

• Here’s everything you need to know.

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

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Want more Filtered Excellence?  Check out Last Week’s Recommendations!