The Filtered Excellence: October 27, 2011
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
Game 7 of the World Series: We may have had our doubts as this series opened but after the performances we’ve seen over the last few nights and particularly today’s nailbiter, tomorrow night’s game is a must watch as the Cardinals and the Rangers have one more night to win the series.
Beavis and Butthead Return: sure, you’re probably thinking, ‘I like Beavis and Butthead but is it excellence?’ Maybe not but Beavis and Butthead giving ‘commentary’ on the cast of the Jersey Shore is worth tuning in for. In fact, we can’t wait to hear what our two old friends think of a lot of today’s culture. Check out the first episode airing tonight, Thursday October 27 repeating throughout the week on MTV. Check your local listings.
Melancholia: This new Lars von Trier film is available both On-Demand and in theaters. Can you pack depression, beauty, fear, and etherialness into one film? Yes you can, and you can do it exceptionally well if you’re Lars von Trier. This movie has stunning visuals, an epic score (Wagner), and a terrific cast. And its full of those ‘hold your breath’ moments too. Please see it in the best theater you can. Big screen, great popcorn, blow you out of your seat speakers. You need the full experience. Available on demand or in theaters.
Magic Trip: You’ve heard about the merry pranksters who drove across country in a psychedelic bus. You’ve also heard about the Electric Kool Aid Acid test. But you’ve never seen it, you’ve only read about it– until now. Oscar-winning director Alex Gibney brought together the actual footage of this historic trip so you can actually watch the history you’ve read so much about. You may love or hate the pranksters, but you’ll love the film.
Attack the Block: One of the summer’s best movies. It’s both sci-fi and action adventure, and a bit of comedy. Or at least iromedy. Aliens land in a London Housing ‘block’. Trainspotting meets Shawn of the Dead? Well not exactly. But it’s smart and its fast and it’s a perfect choice for Halloween weekend thrills.
READ THIS
November Issue of GQ Magazine: Check out this issue for its new profiles of some of the great rock survivors such as Keith Richards, Nick Lowe, Iggy Pop, Lou Reed and Debbie Harry alongside recent acts such as The Black Keys, My Morning Jacket, TV On The Radio, Brendan Flowers and more. Renown photographer Mark Seliger supplies the amazing visuals. The issue is on newsstands now.
500 Things to Eat Before It’s Too Late: Click on the picture of this book on the bottom of this screen and order it right now. You will never find a better guide to where to eat the best local foods. Jane and Michael Stern choose places that are unique, local, delicious and a part of the history of each state, city, and neighborhood. There’s nothing else to say but buy this book, then follow this book. It should seriously become your bible. Stay up to date on their companion website. www.roadfood.com.
LISTEN TO THIS
LuLu: When news broke that Lou Reed & Metallica were working on a joint album together, you can hear a collective groan from the Purist Police. Once again, they’re wrong. Using songs that Reed wrote for a Robert Wilson play, ‘Lulu’ is the perfect marriage of strengths: Reed’s brutally honest, uncompromised half-sung half-spoken lyrics coupled with the thundering guitars of James Hetfield & Kirk Hammett, Robert Trujilllo holding it down on bass and Lars Ulrich’s relentless drumming. With most of Lulu cut live in the studio, you can feel the urgency and pure energy that’s missing on most records these days. To hell with the haters, take the leap and check out Lulu!
‘Leonard Cohen: The Complete Studio Albums Collection’: If you really want to get into the brilliance that is Leonard Cohen and don’t want to get locked into a Greatest Hits Or Essential CD, here’s the mother lode. The collection contains all 17 studio albums and live albums from 1967 to 2009, remixed and remastered for your listening discovery/pleasure. It’s more than a primer, it’s the complete Cohen course. A perfect way to get you caught up in time for his new studio album, ‘Old Ideas’, which will be out next year.
FREE download Like a Hurricane: Bryan Ferry is offering a free download of ‘Like a Hurricane’: The recording is from his recent US Tour, and is an excellent cover of Neil Young’s song by the gorgeously fluttery voice of Mr. Bryan Ferry.
DO THIS
The Village Halloween Party in NYC: It’s artistic, it’s exciting, it’s THE boisterous way to celebrate Halloween. Think Gay Pride Parade + awesome Halloween costumes. Since 1973, The Village Halloween Parade has been a highly anticipated annual event. If you are anywhere near NYC this Halloween, make sure you go to check out amazingly creative costumes and highly entertaining people. There will be music and dancing in the streets, gigantic puppets will be marching too- all kinds of fun and it’s free! Monday, October 31st from 7:00pm to 11:00pm, straight up 6th Avenue, from Spring Street to 16th Street. Better yet, Participate: Show up in costume at the parade entrance on 6th Avenue between Spring and Broome Streets. Make sure to arrive well before 6:30pm.
TRY THIS
Ambrosia Shaving Cream: If you’re a male, walking into (or even by) a Lush store can be kind of emasculating. Nevertheless their Ambrosia shaving cream may be about the best we’ve ever tried.
Tend Skin: This product will change your life. If you are a man with a rough beard, and get red bumps and irritation razor burn or ingrown hairs when you shave; or if you are a woman with shaving discomfort (we won’t specify here) you need to stock up. It’s a little pricey but one bottle will last you for a very long time. Did I mention it will change your life?
BROWSE THIS
Jay Mohr’s Mohr Stories: We love Jay Mohr’s podcast, aptly named, “Mohr Stories” and we especially love this week’s episode featuring the amazingly talented Patrice O’Neal, recorded recently in New York City. Mohr Stories #17: I Thought You Were Dirty! And make sure you stick with it for the full hour. The conversations get even better after the halfway mark.
How Did That Get Made podcast: For each episode of this very entertaining podcast, comedians Paul Scheer, Jason Mantzoukas, and June Diane Raphael and special guests analyze an awful movie for plot holes, questonable casting and WTF moments. Past episodes have skewered Green Lantern, The Love Guru, Fast Five, Battlefield Earth and many others. Check it out.
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GET IT HERE: Want some of these things? You can get them by clicking on the images below:
