The Filtered Excellence: March 3, 2016

punch drunk love

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 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:

Knight Of Cups. The latest film from legendary (and notoriously reclusive) writer-director Terence Malik stars Christian Bale as an successful screenwriter looking for deeper meaning in his life.  This search takes him on a sometimes surreal trip through L.A. as he confronts his family, friends and a variety of women that have ties to his past and to his future.  Cate Blanchett and Natalie Portman co star in this man’s meditative, often dream like  journey to reclaim his soul.  As he done with his most recent films, Malik plays fast and loose with narrative and relies heavily on imaginary that goes from atmospheric to the unbelievable.   Another provocative and challenging film from one of the best in cinema.  Knight Of Cups opens nationwide this Friday.  You can also go to www.knightofcups.com for more information.
Hap & Leonard. Based on the Joe R. Lansdale novels, this 6 episode series stars James Purefoy (The Following) and Michael K. Williams (Boardwalk Empire, The Wire) as Hap and Leonard, two best friends just trying to get by in East Texas in the late 1980s.  Both have baggage:  Hap did time for refusing induction into the Army during the Vietnam War, while Leonard is a war vet with some serious anger issues.  Things take a dramatic turn when Hap’s ex-wife Trudy (Christina Hendricks) returns with an offer that can make them all rich.  They agree, but the plan also gets the attention of would be revolutionaries, a pair of psycho killers and, of course, the cops. Purefoy and Williams are great as the two best friends and Hendricks excels as the world weary femme fatale.  It’s a wild, darkly comic ride through the mud and the swamps of the Southwest in the pursuit of a hidden treasure.  Hap & Leonard airs Wednesday nights at 10pm Eastern on Sundance.  You can also go to www.sundance.tv for more information.
They Will Have To Kill Us First. In 2012, Islamic extremists took control of northern Mal, and immediately banned all forms of music.  As military forces destroyed instruments and radio stations, Mali musicians – many of whom were revered at home and aboard – were faced with torture, exile and even death.  As they went into hiding, these artists decided to use their talents to fight back against this injustice and reclaim their cultural identity.  Director Joanna Schwartz and her crew go into the war torn region to tell the story of the brave women and men who use music as their weapon to bring unity and healing to Mali.  Heartbreaking, yet ultimately uplifting, this doc reaffirms the belief that music is still a powerful weapon in the path to peace and justice.  They Will Have To Kill Us First open in select theaters this Friday.  You can also go towww.theywillhavetokillusfirst.com for more information.

LISTEN TO THIS

George Fest: A Night To Celebrate The Music Of George Harrison by Various Artists.  In 2014, Dhani Harrison, son of the late George Harrison, put together an all star lineup to pay tribute to the ‘quiet Beatle’.  Harrison may have spoke softly, but as evidenced by this 27 song set, his songwriting carried a huge stick – an catalog that draws together some of the best in the worlds of indie rock, jazz, and comedy.    When things kick off with Conan O’Brien doing a pretty kickass version of ‘Old Brown Shoe’, expect the unexpected.  Ann Wilson, Norah Jones, The Flaming Lips, Ben Harper, Brandon Flowers, Weird Al Yankovic and the one and only Brian Wilson are just some of the tremendous talents who pay tribute.  Done with love, appreciation and a touch of whimsy, its a touching and moving salute to one of rock’s most beloved musicians.  George Fest: A Night To Celebrate The Music Of George Harrison is available now on Amazon, Itunes and all music retailers.

DO THIS

New York: Tiro: Millennial Soldier by Akwetey Orraca-Tetteh. In addition to being the singer-guitarist for the critically acclaimed band Dragons of Zynth, Akwetey Orraca-Tettah is also an accomplished and skilled graphic artist.   For this new exhibition, Tiro: Millennial Solider is ‘a techno-visual quest–to explore the inception of one’s own personal mythology, the emergence of self as 21st century superhero.’  Combing painting, 3D technology, and computer engineering, Orraca-Tetteh takes Afro-futuristic art to the next phase, with images that run from awe inspiring to empowering.  This exhibit isn’t a stand alone work either:  It’s going to serve as launch point for the forthcoming Dragons Of Zynth album, which is scheduled to come out later this year.  Tiro: Millennial Soldier will be at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge  through June 15th.  You can also go to www.lpr.com for more information.
Patti Smith: Eighteen Stations. As a musician, poet and most recently, a best selling author, Patti Smith has traveled the world many times over.  One of her constant companions on these trips has been her vintage Polaroid camera.  Several images that were featured in her best selling book M Train and others are a part of a new exhibit happening at The Robert Miller Gallery in Chelsea.  It was great chance to see another phase in the ongoing creative process of one of the most beloved figures in rock and poetry.  Patti Smith: Eighteen Stations will be display at the Robert Miller Gallery through April 16th.  You can also go to www.robertmillergallery.com for more info.
Los Angeles: Bob Dylan: Photographs by Daniel Kramer. To coincide with the 50th Anniversary of the beginning of Dylan’s ‘going electric’, The Grammy Museum will be displaying 50 photographs by Daniel Kramer that captured his transformation from folk hero to full blown rock icon. Kramer had full access and the shots capture both intimacy and playfulness that would later be found in such classic albums as Bringing It All Back Home, Highway 61 Revisited and Blonde On Blonde.  A must see exhibit or any Dylan fan.  Bob Dylan: Photographs by Daniel Kramer will be at The Grammy Museum March 3rd through May 15th.  You can also go to www.grammymusuem.org for more information.
Punch Drunk Love Screening and Live Score. Though it received strong reviews, Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2002 romantic comedy did match the success of his previous works, Boogie Nights and Magnolia.  But with time, it has become to be recognized as a work that stands alongside any of Anderson’s best work.  This weekend, The Theater at The Ace Hotel will be screening Punch Drunk Love with some added punch:  Jon Brion’s incredible score will be performed live by 50 members of the New York Wordless Music Orchestra and L.A.’s wild Up ensemble with Ryan McAdams conducting.  As an added bonus, Brion will be on hand to make a special appearance.  If you haven’t seen the film, this is a great introduction.  If you have seen it, you’ll fall in love with it all over again.  The Punch Drunk Love Screening and Live Score will be at The Theater @ The Ace Hotel on March 5th.  You can also go to www.acehotel.com for tickets and more information.

Want more excellence? Read last week’s The Filtered Excellence and visit The Interrobang Recommmends

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Earl Douglas is a writer/photographer based in New York City. A frequent contributor to The Interrobang, Earl is also Executive Director for the New York chapter of The Black Rock Coalition. Earl worked in radio for nearly two decades at WNEW-FM and XM Satellite Radio, which included being the on-air producer for Carol Miller, Scott Muni and Ron & Fez, and a contributor to Opie & Anthony. Earl has also independently published a number of books including Black Rock Volume 1, Urban Abyss, Mobile Uploads, and For Shimmy. His latest project is the photojournalism magazine PRAXIS, which is available exclusively through Blurb.com.
Earl Douglas
Earl Douglas
Earl Douglas is a writer/photographer based in New York City. A frequent contributor to The Interrobang, Earl is also Executive Director for the New York chapter of The Black Rock Coalition. Earl worked in radio for nearly two decades at WNEW-FM and XM Satellite Radio, which included being the on-air producer for Carol Miller, Scott Muni and Ron & Fez, and a contributor to Opie & Anthony. Earl has also independently published a number of books including Black Rock Volume 1, Urban Abyss, Mobile Uploads, and For Shimmy. His latest project is the photojournalism magazine PRAXIS, which is available exclusively through Blurb.com.