The Filtered Excellence: October 3, 2013
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:
Gravity Starring Sandra Bullock & George Clooney. Major buzz is surrounding the latest film from acclaimed director Alfonso Cuaron (Y Tu Mama Tambien, Children Of Men, Pan’s Labyrinth). Bullock and Clooney play space shuttle astronauts Ryan Stone and Matt Kowalski. Stone is on her first mission and its the final trip for Kowalski. When debris from another satellite all but destroys the shuttle, they must, with a limited amount of oxygen and no contact with Houston, make their way back to Earth. To say the film is breathtaking would be an understatement. Cuaron finds that difficult balance of making space look exceptional and terrifying at the same time. The recreations look so real that you find yourself asking just how Cuaron was able to pull it off. He also co-wrote an exceptional script with his son Jonas that brings out the humanity with touches of humor and yes, romance in this survival tale. If he doesn’t contend for Oscars for Best Direction and Best Screenplay, injustice won’t be the right word. All but pencil in an Oscar nod for Bullock also. She is perfect as Stone, the astronaut who has to deal with her past, present and future – in space – for a large portion of the film. Clooney is also in fine form as the been there, done that Kowalski yet still loves the wonders of space travel. He’s the perfect anchor for Bullock. Gravity is one of the year’s best films. It opens this Friday nationwide.
Aka Doc Pomus. He wrote some of the greatest songs in rock n roll history: ‘Save The Last Dance For Me’, ‘This Magic Moment’, ‘A Teenager In Love’, ‘Young Blood’, ‘Lonely Avenue’. He would collaborate with future greats Leiber & Stoller, Phil Spector, Bob Dylan, Lou Reed and Dr. John. He mentored up and coming songwriters and fiercely advocated for music pioneers who fell on hard times. But how did Brooklyn native Jerome Felder, a polio stricken white blues singer become Doc Pomus, one of the most celebrated songwriters of all-time? That is at the heart of the extraordinary new documentary directed by Peter Miller and Will Hecter. Using tons of archival footage, remembrances by family, friends, collaborators and influences, plus all of those terrific songs, AKA Doc Pomus is long overdue salute to one of the most beloved men in rock n roll history. It opens this Friday in NYC and nationwide October 6th.
Let The Fire Burn. First time director Jason Osder looks back at the clashes between Philadelphia police and the black liberation group MOVE that culminated with police bombing the MOVE headquarters in 1985. What was more astonishing was the decision by police to ‘let the fire burn’ even as the fires quickly spread. In the end, 11 people died – including 5 children – and over 60 homes were destroyed. Even more incredible was its aftermath: No criminal charges were filed against law enforcement officials or then-Mayor Wilson Goode, who signed off on the bombing. Using only archival news coverage and interviews, Osder reminds us of one of the most shocking – and sadly, largely forgotten – clashes between government and its citizens. Part time capsule, part documentary and a full on warning, Let The Fire Burn is one of the best documentaries to emerge in recent memory. It opens this week in New York and will roll out nationwide beginning October 9th.
Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight. This HBO film combines drama with archive footage of “the greatest” boxer of all time, Muhammad Ali. The movie stars Christopher Plummer, Danny Glover and Frank Langella as the Supreme Court justices as Ali faces his biggest battle against his own government. The Supreme Court considers Ali’s appeal after he’s been stripped of his title, had his boxing license taken away and is sentenced to prison for refusing to fight in the Vietnam War. “Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight” premieres Saturday, October 5th at 8pm on HBO.
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LISTEN TO THIS:
Event II by Deltron 3030. 13 years after flipping the hip hop world on its head with their self-titled debut album, Deltron 3030 – a hip hop supergroup featuring Del The Funkee Homosapien, Dan The Automator and Kid Koala – are back with the eagerly awaited sequel to their classic sci-fi hip hop concept album. Event 2 picks up 10 years later with the main character Deltron Zero returning to a ravaged planet to help humans (and artificial life) battle against corporations, corrupt politicians – and wack rappers. Del The Funkee Homosapien has never sounded better vocally or lyrically. This project should cement his status as one of the best MCs in hip hop. Dan The Automater’s sublime production and a slew of guest stars – ranging from musicians (Zack De La Rocha, Damon Albarn, Mike Patton, Aaron Bruno of Awolnation, Emily Wells, Jamie Cullum, Black Rob), actors/comedians (Joseph Gordon-Levitt, David Cross, Lonely Island, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Amber Tamblyn) to celebrity chefs (David Chang) help bring this sci-fi allegory to life with astonishing effects. Event 2 is the much needed kick in the ass hip hop has been needing for a long time.
Rattle My Cage by Patricia Vonne. Patricia Vonne is a singer-songwriter-actress based out of Austin, Texas. Her brother is acclaimed director Robert Rodriguez and she’s appeared in several of his films including Four Rooms, Desperado, Sin City and the upcoming Sin City 2 (as ‘Zorro Girl’). Patricia’s also had songs featured on the soundtracks to Once Upon A Time In Mexico and Hell Ride. Rattle My Cage is her fifth solo album and features songwriting collaborations with Austin legends Doyle Bramhall (RIP), Alejandro Escovedo, Rosie Flores and Johnny Reno, along with a guest appearance by Ian McLagan of The Small Faces/Faces. Anchored by her long time, rock solid band, Rattle My Cage features 50’s style rockers, smoky, after-hours ballads, gypsy jazz, Tex-Mex rave ups and a sweeping instrumental co-written with Rodriguez. If you’re looking for the real deal Southwestern roots music with a tough, feminine edge, this is as good as it gets.
Unvarnished by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts. Joan Jett’s first album of new material in 7 years (and 14th overall) is also her most personal to date. Songs deal with the death of her parents (‘Fragile’), the ongoing plight of Hurricane Sandy victims (‘Make It Back’), and the dealing with harsh realities of adulthood (‘Hard To Grow Up’). Relationships are also front and center with material dealing with the end of an affair (‘Soulmates To Strangers’) to the possibilities of a new one (‘Bad As We Can Be’). Jett also takes some shots at being a bit too revealing online (‘TMI’) and the lower of standards that has resulted from the glut of so-called reality TV shows (‘Reality Mentality’). She also has written a new outcast anthem (‘Different’). The tone may be dark, but the music isn’t. The guitars are loud and crisp anchored by a thunderous rhythm section. In short – classic Joan Jett. With guest appearances by Dave Grohl and Against Me’s Laura Jane Grace, Unvarnished is a much welcomed return to one of rock n roll’s greatest ambassadors.
- Order the Unvarnished LP Limited Edition now.
- You can also go to www.joanjett.com for more information.
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BROWSE THIS:
GoldBely.com. Goldbely.com offers some of the most famous and iconic foods associated with different parts of the country delivered door to door, no matter where you are. Try the famous Ben’s Chili Bowl, Jeni’s Ice Cream, Katz’s Deli, buffalo wings from the original Anchor Bar, Savannah Georgia’s Byrds Cookies, Mac Pie straight out of Hawaii, pie from Kerns Kitchen and much much more on this great site. You’ll pay a premium, but what do you expect? This isn’t delivery from the pizza joint next door. This is your chance to try something special from clear across the country. If you’re looking for a unique gift that will really make an impression, you will definitely find something you’ll like at goldbely.
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DO THIS:
NEW YORK CITY: Mobile Mondays. Bowery Electric. Located just a block away from the former site of CBGB, Bowery Electric presents a wide range of music ranging from punk, avant garde R&B, hip hop, and, of course, straight ahead rock n roll. Mobile Mondays features resident and guest DJs spinning classic funk, soul, rock, ska and reggae with a twist: They must only use 45s! Biz Markie, Spinderella (Salt N Pepa), Prince Paul, and Jellybean Benitez, are just some of the notables who have spun there and Q-Tip has become a regular. If you’re looking to do something fun and different on Monday night – and help snap New York City nightlife out of its funk, this is the place to be.
NEW YORK CITY: The CBGB Festival. With over 700 established and emerging acts scheduled to play over 150 venues across the five boroughs, The 2nd annual CBGB Festival promises to be one of the most exciting music festivals to happen this year. Guns N’Roses/Velvet Revolver bassist/author/businessman Duff McKagan will offer the keynote address and there will be panels dealing with how bands should handle the business end of their craft, record production, A&R, writing seminars and much more. The highlight of the festival will take place on October 12th when My Morning Jacket, The Wallflowers and Grizzly Bear will play a free concert in Times Square. It will certainly make up for no October baseball and the bad football from the local teams. The CBGB Festival runs from October 9th through the 13th.
NEW YORK CITY: Empire Drive-In. The New York Hall Of Science. At the height of the car culture was the drive-in theater, which essentially was the godfather of the home entertainment experience. Now, artists Todd Chandler and Jeff Stark has teamed up with The New York Hall Of Science to re-create the experience with a twist: The cars are already there but are essentially junkyard rescues and the 40 foot screen is made out of salvaged wood. Audio will be transmitted to each car using a low-powered radio. The project challenges our notions of nostalgia, car culture, communal gatherings, technology and creative ways to recycle. Plus, you get to see a movie they were meant to be seen: on a BIG screen. If you’re looking to find a new way to enjoy the film experience, Empire Drive-In is for you. It runs at The New York Hall Of Science from October 4th through the 20th.
NEW YORK CITY: Dazed and Confused: 20th Anniversary Screening. The Film Society Lincoln Center presents the 20th anniversary screening of “Dazed and Confused” the coming of age comedy featuring a cast of future stars and directed by Richard Linklater. The screening will be part of the 51st New York Film Festival. Linklater and cast members will be at the screening for a reunion of Lee High School alumni. The screening is Thursday, October 10th at 9pm at Alice Tully Hall.
For more information on the screening, go to filmlinc.com
SAN FRANCISCO: The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival 13. This free event is happening this Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Octobert 4th, 5th and 6th) at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. An amazing lineup is set for all weekend on 4 stages. The schedule includes Bonnie Raitt on Friday. Steve Earle and the Dukes, Boz Scaggs, Nick Lowe, Martha Wainwright and Louden Wainwright III on Saturday. And Ryan Bingham, Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers featuring Edie Brickell, and Emmylou Harris wrapping things up on Sunday.
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS: An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin. Two Tony Award winning legends are reuniting on stage to perform some of the stage’s greatest musical numbers including selections from “Evita” where they appeared together on Broadway. Proceeds from the evening go towards the Over The Rainbow Association which helps disabled citizens achieve independence. The show is Saturday, October 5th at 7:30pm at the Pick-Staiger Concert Hall at Northwestern University’s Evanston campus.
