OK, I just mainlined the whole forth season of “Arrested Development” on Netflix and while the reaction has been mixed, I personally loved it! This needs to be approached, not as a TV show, but as a seven and a half hour movie.So I plead to those who aren't thrilled by the first few episodes, DON'T TURN IT OFF!!! That would be like turning off a movie if you are only a quarter of the way through it.
Trust me, it just has to set up the stories.Once they’re set up, the fun is watching how all the stories interweave.The narrative is so complex and ambitious that it's almost as entertaining as the comedy itself.
However, I am disappointed in one thing:I was expecting everything to culminate to something much bigger and grandiose…instead it just kinda ends.Sure, it does end with a bit of a cliff hanger, but still.
Finally, I will say that if there does end up being another season on Netflix, I really hope they decide to go back to the original format, with Michael being the anchor for the show, with the craziness and lunacy of the characters swirling around him.That’s what works the best for the show.
Focusing on specific characters was an intriguing and creative way to be reintroduced into the Bluth family, but I want to see the Bluths all together again, interacting with each other.
My wish is that this all leads up to a movie (After all, they should be able to make a movie on the cheap).
Either way, I am glad they decided to bring “Arrested Development” back…and unlike what others are saying, I don’t think they made a huge mistake.
Because of Senator Ron Johnson’s abhorrent “NO” vote to a simple background check bill for those purchasing guns at a gun show or from private residents, Johnson once again proved to be one of the most radical and predictable senators in the history of Wisconsin.
The law as it stands now, requires all Americans to pass a background check through the National Instant Background Check (NICS) to prevent felons and those with severe mental illness to own a firearm. However, currently there are loopholes for gun shows and private sales. The last known data shows that 40 percent of the guns purchased in this country are done in these ways.
According to a Marquette poll in March, 81 percent of Wisconsinites supported “background checks for people who buy guns at gun shows or from private residents in Wisconsin.” Also, 54 percent of Wisconsinites favor banning assault-style weapons.
Knowing this, Senator Ron Johnson heartlessly decided to ignore this data, to ignore his constituents, and worse, to ignore Wisconsin families that lost loved ones due to gun violence, like Wisconsin’s own Amardeep Kaleka, whose father, Satwant, was murdered in the mass shooting in Oak Creek on August 5, 2012, in the Sikh temple he helped found.
Amardeep and Pardeep Kaleka’s videos demanding for a plan.
Disgusted by Senator Ron Johnson’s vote, I was determined to join a protest scheduled at his Milwaukee office on Saturday.
At the event, I had a chance to talk to one of the organizers, Paul Geenen from Organizing for Action.
While discussing Obama’s press conference right after the measure was struck down, Geenan stated, “Yes, he was very upset. We’re all upset. That’s why we are here today, because we want to tell Senator Ron Johnson ‘shame on you’ for voting against the universal background checks that over 90 percent of Americans support”.
Geenen stated that he believes Ron Johnson voted this way because of the “incredible power of the NRA”.
“We’re here to prove that we’re not going away and that we too have power.” Geenen stated. “We may not have the same financial reserves as the NRA, but we can make up with it in other ways.”
Now that this bill was defeated, Geenen explains that the next step is looking towards the 2014 upcoming elections for the State and the Senate.
I really, really, REALLY hope you check it out and give me your feedback.
The episode features an
interview with Executive Director of We Are Wisconsin Kristen Crowell
discussing the April 2nd election and the radical Tea Party movement
in Wisconsin. Other segments include
“Drunk Dialing Ron Johnson”, “A Report from Up Nort (with Michael)”, “My
Conservative Friend BJ”, “Movie of the Week with Rob Matsushita” and the Fly
Up/Fly down segment.
00:00 –
3:53 Introduction (aka - Who the
Hell am I?)
03:53 –
9:16 Theme of the Week: “The Tea
Party Lives and Breathes in WI”
09:16 –
26:42 Interview with Executive
Director of We Are Wisconsin, Kristen Crowell
26:42 - 34:44 Fly Up/Fly Down
Discussing the deficit
Meg Hamel being pushed aside from the Wisconsin Film Festival
Republican Representative Dale
Schultz being awesome
Charlie Sykes being a wimp
State Rep Evan Goyke’s
mining hole comment
The Board of Directors for the National Law Enforcement
Memorial Fund delaying a decision Starbuck CEO Howard Schultz pro-gay marriage
comment
RNC Chair Reince Preibus’ weird comment
DNC holding convention in
Waukesha County.
34:44 –
40:22 My Conservative Friend BJ
40:22 –
43:29
Drunk Dial Ron Johnson
43:29 –
46:55
Report from Up Nort (with Michael)
46:55 - 53:53
Movie of the Week (with Rob) “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom”
53:53 - 58:14 End Rant
If you want to download or stream the audio, it is below...thanks!
The Rants without Pants video program is ending and this is the last episode (Cue funeral music). I take a look back at my favorite episodes, fill you in on what my next endeavor is, show you a goodbye video (with the help of Peter Cetera's "Glory of Love") and if that's not enough, I interview founder of www.bloggingblue.com and candidate for Alder of Cudahy (District 3) Zachary Wisniewski.
This video also includes my brother Jeremy Schabow, Madison Alder Bridget Maniaci, Roller Derby bad ass Victoria Echevaria , former WTDY Reporter Dylan Brogan, former CBS reporter Dustin Weis, former Communications Director of the ACLU Stacy Harbaugh, Postal Worker Perry Frank, founder and editor of of Dane101 Jesse Russell, my conservative friend BJ, editor of Dane101 and Our Lives magazine Emily Mills, my non-ideological friend from up north Michael Bartnik and my dog Boo. THANKS TO YOU ALL FOR BEING ON THE SHOW!!!
AND THANKS TO YOU ALL FOR WATCHING...BUT REMEMBER TO COME BACK ON APRIL 1ST FOR MY NEW ADVENTURE!!!
00:00 - 10:29 Intro/Interview with founder of www.bloggingblue.com and candidate for Alder of Cudahy (District 3), Zach Wisniewski.
10:29 - 16:51 A look back at some of my favorite episodes.
16:51 - 18:38 A few "Thank Yous"
18:38 - 19:50 What's next....
19:50 - End A goodbye video with the help of Peter Cetera's "Glory of Love".
This week on “Rants without Pants”, you are all trapped in the passenger seat of my car while I listen to the stereo and rant about James Cromwell protesting (“It Aint Me Babe” by Bob Dylan), Brian Murphy being mentioned in the SOU (“Hero” by Foo Fighters), Governor Walker turning down the Medicaid Expansion money (“Sabotage” by The Beastie Boys), Liberals making fun of Marco Rubio (“High Water Blues” by The Jayhawks), Scott Fitzgerald for supporting a forced transvaginal probe bill (“Rape Me” by Nirvana) and much more.
I also interview postal worker Perry Frank (National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 507-Capitol City Merged-Trustee ) where he discusses the Carrier Alert Program, collective begging before the Wildcats Strike, how email is not as damaging as everyone thinks, 2006 Postal Enhancement Act, Retirement Prefund is the reason for the fiscal trouble, Post Office is self-sufficient, cuts and eliminating Saturday delivery, possible privatization of the post office and the effects it would have and much more.
Interview taped live from the best coffee shop in Madison, “Mother Fools”.
Other songs played – “Car Stereo” by The Shabelles, “I Can’t Drive 55” by Sammy Hagar and
“Mr. Postman” by The Marvelettes
00:00 - 1:02 Intro – Roadtrip
1:02 – 11:59 – Interview with postal worker Perry Frank (National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 507-Capitol City Merged-Trustee)
11:59 – End – Fly Up/Fly Down Segment where I rant about the subjects stated above.
I then rant (with the help of Tom Petty and The Beach Boys) to those who oppose gay marriage.
This one is special. It's about true love and the fight for equality.
00:00 -- 13:32 Interview with Victoria Echeverria includes -
Vic's Dog running in circles
How Vic and Natalie met and how she proposed to her
Vic's response to Senator Ron Johnson and Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleifisch's ridiculous comments
Where the future is going
Wisconsin Domestic Partnership registry being challenged and much, much more.
13:32 -- End Adam's Rant includes Kirk Cameron's silly comments, redefining gay marriage, christian denomination internal debates about homosexuality, Gomer Pyle's marriage and the coolest kid in the world kicking Gov. Michelle Bachman's ass.
Next Week: An interview with postal worker Perry Frank about many of the changes arising with the post office, including cutting down to 5 days delivery.
This week on Rants without Pants, an interview with Madison City Council Alder, Bridget Maniaci. I also take a look at the shady workings of the Republican law firm Michael Best & Friedrich.
Beginning - 17:19– Interview with Madison City Council Bridget Maniaci
Maniaci discusses the diversity of her district, how her age relates to her constituents, how great government can be, comparing Waukesha and Dane County, cheap shots, why local races matter, the process of an Alder, how age and gender has inserted themselves in politics, the future of Bridget Maniaci and much more.
This week on Rants Without Pants, Part 2 of our "Farewell Interview with Co-founder and Publisher of Dane101 Jesse Russell".
As I stated in the video, Jesse Russell has been an inspiration to me. I am in awe of his commitment to Madison, of the endless amount of creative ideas that is banging around in his head as well as his willingness to give a guy like me the opportunities that he has. I will always be in Jesse Russell's debt.
Jesse Russell's departure will leave a hole in Madison that simply can not be filled. He will leave a legacy all his own.
Anyway, to me, Part 2 of this interview is facinating as he says his goodbyes and discusses so many interesting topics.
After the interview, there is a new segment called "Five Rants in a Minute". (I cheated and only put in four...shhhhh...don't tell anyone)
00:00 - 00:38 Intro/Whoring Shabelles Show with The German Art Students
00:38 - 17:39 Interview with Jesse Russell -
Jesse discusses, covering the Capitol protests, homelessness and mining
Jesse's Tea Party picture that went viral
The Wisconsin Film Festival Coverage
The Fireball (which is taking place this weekend...THE TICKETS ARE GOING FAST!!) Freakin' Halloweekend
The Forward Music Festival
Dane101's relationship with Mark Pocan, Herb Kohl, Tammy Baldwin and how Jesse met Russ Feingold
The future of Dane101 and the future of Jesse Russell
Jesse says goodbye to Madison
17:39 - End Five Rants in a Minute
This week on Rants without Pants, Co-founder and Editor of Dane101 Jesse Russell gives his Frewell Interview as he will be moving to San Fransisco at the end of the month with his lovely wife Maddie.
In Part 1, he discusses the inception and history of Dane101, blogging in general and answers questions from the internets.
Part 2 will be up next week.
00:00 - 14:48 Interview with Jesse Russell
14:48 - 15:45 And That's the Truth and I THINK You Know It Jingle
15:45 - 19:20 And That's the Truth and I THINK You Know It - Canada and Israel's Approach to Gun Control/Health Care.
19:20 - 20:41 And That's the Truth and I THINK You Know It - Wisconsin Job Numbers (TOONCES...NO!!!!)
I know. I know.You’ve been asking yourself: “When can I read a top ten list of movies
of 2012 from a bald-headed, pantsless blogger?Well, here ya go!
My biggest disappointment was that I was not able to see Zero Dark Thirty due to it not being released in Wisconsin anywhere at the
moment.Based on everything I read, it
probably would have made this list.
Anyway, here is the list.
1. The
Imposter
This documentary about a pathological liar/criminal who claims the identity of a boy that went missing 3 years previously is an examination of who we are and who we perceive others to be.Shockingly, the family and authorities do
not question his identity, even though he has a different eye color, hair
color, height, age and suddenly now speaks with a french accent.
There is a little bit of a twist at the end of the movie
which I did not see coming.The movie
reminded me of The Thin Blue Line which proved re-enactment scenes can be successfully used to examine a
complex story.
The mystery, the psychological questions, the willingness to
ignore what is right in from of you.It
was just simply fascinating.
Admittedly, The Imposter plays to my weaknesses and my guilty pleasures.
I’m addicted to true crime documentaries (I salivate over the Investigation
series on the Discovery Channel.). So when there
is a crime documentary this well done, it just fell nicely into my number one
spot.
2. Django
Unchained
Quentin Tarantino films are like children.You have an order, but you still love them
all.For me, Django Unchained would
have been one of my middle Tarantino children.And like all middle children, they at times can be easily forgotten, but always
loved.
This mash-up of Spaghetti Western and Blaxploitation films
is one of Tarantino’s most straight-forward and linear movies.And for that, I thank him.This didn’t need to be complicated and
Tarantino is smart enough to know that.It’s a simple revenge story told the only way Tarantino knows:In a fun, bloody mess.
For me, even though the movie is funny, action packed and
yes, violent, there isn’t a movie around that has tackled the issue of slavery with this type of raw truth.
Some outstanding performances from Leonardo DiCaprio,
Christoph Waltz and Jamie Fox.But
honestly, this may be Samuel L. Jackson’s best acting role ever.I hope his performance isn’t lost in the
weeds when it comes to award season.
3. Cabin
in the Woods
Only once in a few years do you get a movie like Cabin in
the Woods:A movie that perfectly
satirizes genres while still being a true entry into those genres.
I can honestly say, there is no movie from 2012 that I had
more fun watching, especially the last 20 minutes when the shit hits the
fan.
The screenplay by Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard pays homage to
the great horror folklore from, well since the beginning of
time.
Their script is ballsy, unique, funny, scary, witty, and
have I mentioned flat out fun?
Even if you are not a fan of horror movies, I urge you all
to watch Cabin in the Woods, because I can promise you that it’s not what you
think it’s going to be and you will enjoy it.
Oh yeah, also, can we get another movie where Bradley Whitford
and Richard Jenkins team up together? Please?
4. Compliance
Is it possible to have a movie that is on your top ten list
but that you don’t want to see again...EVER?!?!Well, I’m telling you it is possible.
I reviewed this movie for Dane101 when attending this year’s
Wisconsin Film Festival.Compliance is based on a true story about a fast food manager who receives a call from a
person claiming to be a police officer. The caller asks her to detain one of
her teenage employees in the back office and things go disturbingly
insane.
The film explores the findings of the Stanley Milgrim
experiment back in the 60's which found most people, from all different
backgrounds, would give the subjects what they believed to be even fatal doses
of electric shocks simply because a person in a white lab coat told them to.
If you do see this movie, I would suggest trying to set up a
Q & A afterwards with the actor Patrick Healy. For me, having a serious,
intelligent discussion with Healy regarding the film, it's subject matter, and
it's true components helped ease some of the tension and uneasiness I was
feeling after it showed at the Film Festival.
I can’t think of a movie that has made me use my brain this
much throughout the last year, so for that reason, it had to make my list.But be warned, this is not a “fun” film to
watch.
5. The
Grey
Man against nature. Liam Neeson against wolves.You will not find a more heart pounding
suspenseful film this year.Liam Neeson
was born to play this role.It requires
intensity while at the same time a bit of stillness. He is the master at
juggling the two.
Within the first 15 minutes, I knew I was all in when the
plane crash was filmed so simply and Liam Neeson’s character, Ottway, calms a
wounded passenger by saying this:
Cimoski: No no no no no .. hold on, hold on, hold on ..
Ottway: It's OK. Look at me. Keep looking at me. It's alright. It'll slide
over you. It'll start to feel warm. Nice and warm. Let it move over you. Let
your thoughts go. All the good things. All the good things. Yeah. Who do you
love? Who do you love?
Cimoski: Rosie ..
Ottway: Is she your daughter? Let her take you then.
Oh man I love that scene...and the movie.
6. Ted
Yes.A movie about
filthy-talking teddy bear named Ted made my top ten list of the year.The movie is funny.Funny as hell.What makes the movie work is the twisted relationship between Ted
and Mark Wahlberg, which is unique and oddly sweet.
Besides Wahlberg being funny (anyone who has seen Four Kings
knows he is capable of), he’s actually doing some great acting in Ted.For a good part of the movie, he had to play
opposite of a CGI teddy bear…meaning while filming, he’s acting opposite to no
one.But yet onscreen, they have
chemistry that completely works and is entirely believable.
7. Lincoln
Spielberg went a different way with this film then he could
have…and I can’t tell you how happy I am that he did.Lincoln tells the straight-forward story about what it took for
our 16th President, played masterfully by Daniel Day Lewis, to pass
the 13th Amendment which abolished slavery.
The film shows how even back then, politics and getting
bills passed can be grimy and slimy and flat-out sleazy.Oh, how little has changed.
As a political junkie, I was captivated by the idea of CSPAN
in 1865.Playwright Tony Kushner knew
the concept of “less is more” was the way to approach this material.The dialogue had elements of Aaron Sorkin,
but with less schmaltz and more wit.
Also, Tommy Lee Jones playing Thaddeus Stevens and James
Spader playing W.N. Bilbo are a blast to watch.As for Lewis, just give him the Oscar right now.He deserves it.
8. Moonrise
Kingdom
Wes Anderson is back, and almost in full form.Almost.It’s his best film since The Royal Tenenbaums and has a similar tone to Rushmore.
The oddly bright colors, how the camera meticulously swerves
around, the long takes, the dialogue, the awesome slow motion scenes, Bill Murray - that’s how you know it’s a
Wes Anderson movie.He has a production
design and cinematic style all his own. Anderson’s directing is as much of a
character in the movie as the actors.
Moonrise Kingdom is about two odd rebellious
youngsters in love that run away from their family and/or summer camp to
explore the woods and each other. The two kid actors (Jared Kilman and Kara Hayward) are great together. Actually, all the kids are great. I love how they all team up together to revolt against the adults. This is SO Wes Anderson!
As for the adults, Edward Norton's Scout Master Ward is a blast to watch. It's also nice to see Bruce Willis going back to doing these smaller movies. After all, he is the one who took a chance on Pulp Fiction, Nobody's Fool and The Sixth Sense just to name a few.
9. ParaNorman
I knew nothing about this movie or it’s existence until we
randomly stumbled upon it while searching for a movie to order on-line.
A spooky animated feature directed towards kids about zombies and the supernatural? How could we NOT check it out?
But this isn't a Tim Burton style kids film, ParaNorman is actually quite conventional and mainstream.
It's about a kid named Norman that sees dead people and is determined to save the town from witches and zombies. The story is exciting, funny, scary and ultimately has a good message for kids while at the same time respecting their intelligence to understand the message.
It's the first stop-animation film to use a color 3D printer. So I guess, that's cool too.
10. Skyfall
You will not find a better looking film than Skyfall
this year.The cinematography is simply
dazzling and deserves the Oscar. GIVE IT TO THEM NOW!!!
While I love James Bond movies, I never would have thought a
Bond movie would make my yearly top ten list, but there it is.Like it’s got a license to be there.
Skyfall is so much more than a James Bond movie while at
same time being the Bondiest James Bond movie ever.
Daniel Craig plays Bond with less sophistication and more roughness
than any of the Bonds since Sean Connery.That’s how it should be. It’s more accurate to the books and frankly,
it’s a more interesting character that way.I learned more about James Bond as a character in Skyfall than I
have in the previous 22 movies combined.
Of course, lets not forget the great Judi Dench as M, who thankfully has
just as much screen time as Daniel Craig in the movie.In fact, in many ways, Judi Dench is the bond girl in the
movie.Sure, an old cranky bond girl, but the
smartest and most interesting Bond girl to date.
Then we have the best villain of the year in Javier Bardem’s
flamboyantly fun Silva. Bardem chews up the scenery and is having blast doing
it.
So while I had my hesitation of Sam Mendes (Road to
Perdition, American Beauty) directing a James Bond movie, I was proven
wrong.If he wants another crack at it,
give him back the camera and let him do whatever the hell he wants.
Worst Movies of 2012
Red Tails – “Another failed George Lucas movie”
Total Recall (Remake) – “Once again Total Recall proves my
theory that Colin Farrell is one of the most boring actors ever.There was no reason to remake a masterpiece
especially with Farrell as the lead”
The Bourne Legacy – “The weirdest and most unbalanced movie
I saw this year.”
Dark Shadows - "Tim Burton and Johnny Depp need to get a divorce, or at the very least a separation."
Worst Cameo
Quentin Tarantino – “Dude, if you insist on giving yourself
cameos in your movies, don’t give yourself an accent.”
Best Foreign Film
Once Upon a Time in Anatolia (Turkey) – “Slow moving, but
very moving. A film about a doctor, a prosecutor and a police chief that are
trying to find a buried corpse.”
Best Villain (Besides Javier Bardem's Silva)
Michael Shannon in Premium Rush. “Once again, Premium Rush
proves my theory that the more Michael Shannon is in a movie, the more
enjoyable it will be.”
Best Sci-Fi Movies
Prometheus – “While I was disappointed in Prometheus, there
is a scene where the lead gives herself a Caesarean
Section to remove an alien in her stomach.It’s pretty awesome.”
John Carter – “This was a huge box office flop, but to me,
this is a solid sci-fi flick. Too bad there will not be a sequel.”
Chronicle – “I’m usually not a fan of found footage movies,
but this low, low, low budget movie proves that you can make a film for very
little, but still craft a story that requires exceptional special effects.”
Looper - "While it's not at all the film I thought it would be, it stuck with me after watching it. I need to watch it again as I suspect I will enjoy it much more the second time around."
Best Blockbuster
The Avengers - “Pure Fun! It’s amazing that this film
actually worked considering all it’s elements. Proves once again that Joss Whedon is a genius ”
Most Underrated Movies
Rock of Ages – “A nostalgic hair metal musical featuring
songs from Guns-N-Roses, Joan Jett, Twisted Sister, Poison, Bon Jovi and so
much more.Oh, Rock of Ages, you had
me at GnR.”
Ghost Rider 2 – “This surprised me.It’s from the director of the Crank series
and for some reason this flick worked for me.Don’t know why. Don’t know how.It just did.”
The Watch – “I don’t give a shit what anyone says.This is a funny movie.I’m giving it ‘The Death to Smoochy Award’”.
Biggest Disappointment
Men in Black 3 - “I really, really wanted this to work,
especially with such a great Tommy Lee Joe impersonation from Josh Brolin.Unfortunately, the jokes fall flat and the
action is bland.”
Best Indie Movies
Bernie – “Jack Black’s best performance since School of
Rock.This true story about the most
liked guy in town doing something awful.It’s an odd, funny, sad little movie.”
Jeff Goes Home – “Like Cedar Rapids, Ed Helms proves he can
act. Perhaps now that The Office is coming to an end, he can focus on these
nice little indie movies.”
Most Overrated
Argo – “It was alright, but I don’t see why it’s on anyone’s
top ten list. I still think Gone Baby Gone is Affleck’s best film as a
director.”
More Honorable Mentions
The Queen of Versailes – “This documentary started out about
a rich family building the biggest house, but then turned into a serious and
heart-warming story about a mom and wife trying to keep her family together,
while the family loses tons of money from the recession.There is a scene where they shop at Walmart.
It’s priceless.”
21 Jump Street – “Wow!I always new Jonah Hill was funny, but damn, so is Channing Tatum?That was surprising!”
I would like to admit that I haven’t seen "Killer Joe", "Cloud
Atlas", "The Master", "Zero Dark Thirty" and "Flight". It’s possible those could have
made my list.
OK, I just mainlined the whole forth season of “Arrested Development” on Netflix and while the reaction has been mixed, I personally loved it! This needs to be approached, not as a TV show, but as a seven and a half hour movie. So I plead to those who aren't thrilled by the first few episodes, DON'T TURN IT OFF!!! That would be like turning off a movie if you are only a quarter of the way through it. 
