Cool Shit 6/3

Seems like this video of top 10 laser gun battles has some loose criteria, and then they barely stay within that criteria. Oh well. Maybe I'm just mad that they didn't call out the battle from Ice Pirates.



So Indiana Jones probably isn't the prototypical archaeologist, but there are some similarities with these guys.

There will be more Arrested Development. While the last season was pretty inconsistent, this is still good news.

Is anyone really excited about the Wachowski's Netflix series Sense8? If you are, here's a deep dive into it.

A look at submarine terms, for the next time you watch Das Boot (the director's cut of course).

Arrested Development

Well, it's pretty much here. The new season of Arrested Development. Yes, it's almost impossible to live up to the hype that has been built. It's inevitable to be a disappointment. Like Christmas Eve, it's much more exciting before we all sit down to watch it.

Still, once you look at the current landscape of television (particularly comedy), it's hard to imagine that it won't immediately be better than 90% of what's out there right now. And honestly, I don't believe that's a lofty goal (seriously - other than Parks and Recreation and Happy Endings (which yeah got cancelled, so forget it unless it comes back on another channel), what is funny on television right now?)

So enjoy the following links and I'll see you on the other side...

Interview with Mitch Hurwitz.

Learn how to do a proper, improper chicken imitation.



Arrested Development is notorious for hidden jokes. Did you catch all these the first time around?

Obviously, there is a drinking game for the new series. Get your scorecard here.

Just how psychological is Arrested Development?

A look at how food occasionally plays an important part in the series.

Wil Arnett gives us all a preview of the new Arrested Development season.

Cool Shit 5/23

Arrested Development week continues! Today, enjoy some set dec photos from the new season and read about the influences David Cross used for Tobias. Plus, care to find out how the stars are getting paid for this unique series? Or maybe you're excitement is already waning for the new season, and you want some news about the possible Arrested Development movie?

An amazing look back at the 2003 World Series of Poker - as told by the participants. It's crazy to hear from the people involved and realize that their personas they had on television are exactly the same in real life. Phil Helmuth is still a bragger; Moneymaker is still humble and not quite sure he belongs and Sam Farha is...well he's more awesome than ever, even if he still refuses to give Moneymaker credit. I think I like him more now.

Well this snuck up on me. An HBO movie with Larry David! Here's a brief teaser...



I'm so past the concept of regional sandwiches. Too much going on. Bring me a list of hyper-regional sandwiches!

This list of car chases from a stunt man is woefully incomplete. No French Connection? No The Seven Ups? Oh, never saw the car chase from The Seven Ups?



YOU'RE GODDAMMED RIGHT THAT'S ROY SCHEIDER.

Sure the movie was great, but what happened after it ended?

Cool Shit 5/22

Private space travel is about to begin. And that's just the beginning. Of the beginning of space travel.

So this happened yesterday. A twitter "fight" between Marc Maron and Michael Ian Black. While MIB took the first shot (it's not clear if it was a simple joke or something more pointed, since it's Twitter and all) I still think he handled himself funnier than Maron. Maron seemed to be defensive and run out of steam there. And I can't believe I've just analyzed what boils down to two people yelling at each other.

Arrested Development Week continues here at the Popcorn Trick. First, Jeffery Tambor discusses the show. Then we have Michael Cera adding his two cents. And finally, let's hear what Jessica Walters has to say about everything.

I understand the desire to want to know what we put in our bodies, but I don't understand the outrage over horse meat, or any type of meat for that matter. Aside from taste, I don't think there's a way to rank animal meats when it comes to food.

Here's the Vanity Fair World War Z article everyone is/was talking about. I still hold out hope for this since I have A. recently successfully divorced the movie from the book in my head; and B. can't resist a zombie movie. Just because it isn't the book doesn't mean it won't work.

I assume I'll be eating crow in a few weeks.

New trailer for Man of Steel. I offer this because I had no idea Lawrence Fishburne was in this movie...and now this gives me a chance to tell you to watch Hannibal if you aren't already.

Cool Shit 5/21

It's "Gear Up for Arrested Development Week here at the Popcorn Trick! Today, learn more about the cult that has kept this show going, and how it's created the desire/need for new episodes.

Here's another interview with Damon Lindelof...and I'm conflicted. On one hand, I'm of the mind that the creator gets to write the story he wants and who are we to complain? But on the other, have you seen Prometheus? Seriously though, I appreciate the author's right to do what he/she wants with his/her story, but all bets are off when they speak about it beforehand in a misleading way. Lindelof touches on that a little here, but not the dangers he creates by whipping up the fan base of projects he comes on to simply because he likes to be coy about things. And don't get me started on the end of Lost.

And speaking of Lindelof and misleading viewers, here's a very spoiler heavy FAQ for the latest movie he wrote, Star Trek Into Darkness. Seriously, only read it if you've seen the movie or don't care about seeing the movie. And honestly, it's funny enough regardless if you're a trekkie or not. (I guess we should have had some inclination about the movie's quality when the title was leaked. That's worse than the B-Sharps).

You're about to get...Reggie Watts-rolled?



It's Summiting Everest season. Here's a look at just how crazy it is up there on the mountain. Pretty soon I'm going to be in the minority of people who haven't climbed it.

Before reading this, I had never heard of Ben Saunders, but he sounds like a bad ass.

Cool Shit 5/20

I hope no one is surprised by the differences between the advertisement photos and the real products of fast food places. If you are you should live your life with this one mantra: Advertising lies.

It seems like the Coen Brothers have another potential classic on their hands with their latest film, Inside  Llewyn Davis. Of course you might need a literary degree to get through this review of it.

The question on everyone's mind, what's it like to get eaten by a grizzly bear? finally gets answered with video!

Ever wonder how much it would cost to actually build the Starship Enterprise?

We're less than a week away from new Arrested Development. Here's an interview with its creator, Mitch Hurwitz.

Do you always chuckle at the antics that go on at the stadium when Kiss Cam comes up on the Jumbotron? Then you will probably enjoy these.

Remember that Patton Oswalt filibuster cut from Parks and Recreation, talking about the crazy Star Wars sequel? Well here it is again, only animated into an actual movie. Sorta.

Cool Shit 5/16

This article brings up some decent points. Edible underwear is difficult to bring up during the sexy time. And that of course is just the beginning.

I wonder if Ricky Gervais is simply becoming too saturated in the market. I want to love him and everything he does, but recently he's been making it rather difficult. This interview is just one example of that. And I see where he's coming from - he's trying desperately hard to show that his fame and success hasn't changed him. But I don't think that's the problem. Not that it's cool if it didn't change him, but that is absolutely should have changed him. And his audience would/does understand that change. No one can go from a simple, steady, boring life to hanging out with David Bowie and not have that affect their personality. And Gervais seems to be in denial of that.

Yesterday I offered up a link to help you with the different beer terminologies out there. Today I have a link that will help you use that knowledge to find beer recommendations based on what you like. In a cool visual way.

Not great when there is a mysterious, oozing liquid coming up out of the ground. Even worse when the government tries to suggest its completely harmless when in fact you just know it's the kind of thing that will devour your insides. Oh, you think that's crazy? Well I guess you've never seen this:



(If there's one rule I live my life by, it's "Listen whenever Garrett Morris is saying something.")

Yesterday I also posted some of Bill Hader's great turns as game show hosts. Well today, here's a look at some of his better sketches.

A Tobias Funke audition reel? Sent to Ron Howard? Yes please.

Cool Shit 5/15

This is a lot of thought put into the time travel conceit of Back to the Future.

While probably not a definitive list of the top 10 funniest Arrested Development recurring jokes, it's still fun watching them all.

Well I didn't think I was going to read a personal account of getting swallowed by a hippo today.

Sadly, Bill Hader won't be returning to Saturday Night Live next year. Fortunately, we have all his gameshow hosts he left behind.

The fact that Dan Brown has a new book out crept up on me. Not that I'm going to read it, but I will enjoy some of the reviews its getting.

If you like car chases, you'll enjoy this mashup of them...Suspiciously absent? the mind blowing car chase from the cult favorite System to Get Down.

Cool Shit 4/25

When comedians attack...each other!

Full admission (as though what I'm about to say is juicy - which it is most assuredly not) there's a not so insignificant chunk of me that would like to participate in the Iditarod. That my chances of making that happen are probably slim, reading this article about it is probably the next best thing. (Also, it's got a really cool interface, if my admission didn't hook you.)

Good lord, this guy had a lot of time and Legos.

A month to go before new Arrested Development episodes. Here's a look at some new character posters just released.

Here's a video of Tilda Swinton dancing to a Barry White song at Eberfest 2013. Pretty sure there's nothing more I can add to that.



(Really I just added this hoping someone would find this blog by searching "Tilda Swinton dances to Barry White.)

Ever wondered what it would take to recreate the roof scene from the original Matrix on a no $ budget?



And finally - before you insult the police for pulling you over, take a moment and recognize everything they have to deal with. At least it wasn't a panther...

Cool Shit 4/15

It takes a certain amount of hubris to believe that just because your ideas worked at one company, they can work at another company. Especially when those two companies don't share much in common. Is anyone else kinda annoyed by this? Just because you might have struck something cool at Apple in their retail sector doesn't mean it's going to work at JC Penney. In fact, it might actually do just the opposite.

Irvine Welsh, the writer who wrote Trainspotting, also wrote a novel called Filth, which I would call the Scottish equivalent to Bad Lieutenant. Anyway, here's a trailer (NSFW)- it remains to be seen if the tapeworm makes an appearance (read the novel):



Here are a lot of words about David Lee Roth, a man who has seen many an adventure in his life. And to his credit, I'm still not sure whether his actions and decisions come from his curiosity or a need for attention.

Dear Slo Mo Guys, despite your best intentions, your video of exploding paint is still interesting and cool to see. However, in the future, please light your set a little better, storyboard it out first so you know what your doing and remember, no one is watching the video for your banter. Thanks!



The new season of Arrested Development is just about 6 weeks away. Here's are interviews with Buster (Tony Hale) and Tobias (David Cross) to keep you moderately satisfied until then.

A great look at the history that was the failure of a movie called Super Mario Brothers.

Cool Shit 4/11

A couple new looks at the new Arrested Development promotions.

Books you might not know that have sequels.

New Zealand is cool. Time lapse videos are cool. When you put them together, you have double cool.



A look at Star Wars action figures as though they were from a Russ Meyer film. Commissioned by Patton Oswalt! (Really, I have no idea what's going on)

There were some weird television series spin-offs through the years.

What's that, you say? You wish you could take existing Google Street View photography and create your own time lapse movies? Well, ok.

Here's an example of what the hell I'm talking about:



Ok. Where to begin with this one...it's a documentary called Sirius - which is not about the satellite radio company but: well, I'll just offer you the first line of the movie to help explain it:

"The existence of UFOs has been known for millennia..."

And from there, it only gets crazier. Seriously - each frame of this trailer is crazier than the previous one.



April 22 can't get here fast enough.

Cool Shit 3/21

You know when you see them all together like this, it almost seems like Donald Trump's lawsuits are for publicity!

Alright, still looking for some last minute tips to help you fill out your bracket? Check here.

Want to know who played what in every Beatles song? Now you can - in poster form.

Everything is better in slow motion...



If it wasn't in Italian, I would swear I knew who created this replica of the Ghostbusters HQ.



Big Arrested Development fan? Want to do more than just anticipate Season 4? Why not help fund the Arrested Development documentary? (I'd link to the video explaining why the creators need the money, but after watching it, I'm not sure you would donate. So instead, I'll just offer up the trailer).

Cool Shit 3/11

A lot of people today will probably be talking about how great Saturday Night Live was this week, with guest host Justin Timberlake. While the show had its moments, I don't believe it deserves the hype I've been seeing it get on the Internet. Too many of the jokes relied on nostalgia and not actual humor, (the 5 Timers Club just rolled out cameos, and other than Martin Short, no one seemed like they wanted to be there; the "Veganville" sketch is a rehash of the same sketch Timberlake always does when he's on and is getting old, also Bobby Moynahan was not a great foil) while the original sketches did not seemed to be fleshed out whatsoever.

I understand that anticipation establishes excitement which leads to people maybe wanting to have enjoyed something more than actually enjoying it. I think that's what happened with this SNL episode. I think Timberlake is a very talented host and I enjoyed him on his earlier episodes. I just wish instead of falling back on the characters he's successfully done in the past, he (and the rest of the SNL crew) pushed to find new and interesting sketches/characters.

Have you really dived into the sordid mess that used to be NBC's sitcom Up All Night?

Things you never knew about Pink Floyd's classic album Dark Side of the Moon. Or, if you're a crazy fan of that album, maybe you do know these things.

A deeper look into Disney's acquisition of LucasFilm.

The latest update with what's going on with Arrested Development.

If you're a woman, and use a computer, I would probably skip this story about hackers.

SXSW is currently happening. And that means music. Lots and lots of music. Download it all here.

Cool Shit 2/14

I love Unsolved Mysteries. And while this is a great list, it's certainly not my definitive top 10 list of mysteries. Though I do enjoy the unsubstantiated claim that Robert Stack doubled up on Elizabeth Taylor with JFK in a swimming pool. A story like that has gotta be true!

An interview with a chocolate health researcher. Yes, that position actually exists and is taken (at least somewhat, from I can gather) seriously.

I completely missed this story of secrets being leaked from the Vatican, but it's a somewhat crazy read.

Perhaps it's blasphemy to say this, but after reading that one of Kubrick's favorite films was White Men Can't Jump...I just, I'm not sure I can hold him in such high regard anymore. Maybe if he'd said Fast Break I could still respect him.

A few weeks ago I posted to a Vanity Fair excerpt about how Pulp Fiction was brought to the screen. Well, here's a more in-depth article about it.

For Valentine's Day, enjoy these Arrested Development cards from Flavorwire...

Daily Links 1/11

It's like E.T. for tightrope walkers. Will he make it to the moon? WILL HE MAKE IT TO THE MOON?



If you're an Andy Kaufman fan, you'll want to check out these relics from his life.

If you have Netflix, you will be able to see new episodes of Arrested Development in May.

Nick Kroll will have a sketch comedy show out soon. Here's one of the skits:



Have a drug problem, but not cash on you? Head to your laundry room!

Jam of the Day

Led Zeppelin/The Beatles - Whole Lotta Love/Helter Skelter Mashup

Will Arnett on How to Play an Asshole

I feel bad for Will Arnett. Everyone wants him to be Job from Arrested Development. And it seems wherever he goes, people bring it up. Even this video I'm sure was spurred by a conversation about Job. Probably starting off with, "You were just so awesome in Arrested Development..." I am glad to see him poke a little fun at himself though. And one day I hope he finds the part that allows him to get away from Job - at least a little.

Links of Interest 1/12

Quick summary of how the talk show hosts involved with late night are handling it on their shows.

I’m happy with this news simply to hear what crazy titles they come up with.

Video game technology is moving along at a nice clip.

A photo montage of things William Burroughs owned. Which leads to the question – what items would you pick to represent your life?

Once again, movies lie to us. This time it’s about space travel.

Ask a child what they think the future holds, and you’ll probably get a better prediction than anyone else can give you.

10 funny moments with Michael Cera. That they’re not all from Arrested Development doesn’t make sense to me.

I love that someone’s great idea was to basically enforce the law.

Remember when AOL and Time Warner merged? Boy, was that a mistake.

I wonder how much longer it is before someone finds a graboid out there in the sand.

Links of Interest 12/4

Sundaance 2010 is coming up – here’s a look at what’ll be there.

A slightly negative opinion on the hopeful Arrested Development movie.

Ever have the desire to sail around the world? This will probably help you out.

The largest picture of the Milky Way ever. I think I’d rather see the world’s largest Milky Way ever, but whatever.

Driving the empty highways, alone.

Sometimes movie lines can be made better when they’re edited. Ok maybe not. How about unintentionally funnier?

That Meryl Streep is a good actress.

Speaking to the head of Blackwater, a company that smartly recently changed it’s name. Perhaps unsmartly to Xe.

This is kind of crazy. Apparently Google did some research in the speed of online searches and realized a half second can make a lot of difference in user satisfaction. Via kottke)

Talking with Tom Waits.

Links of Interest 10/5

Remember when we all scoffed at Hilary for suggesting there was a “vast, right wing conspiracy?” Yeah, well maybe we’re the stupid ones.

As much as we like to say how much we should get back to nature, we’re really moving in the complete opposite direction.

I really love a good long song, so it’s possible I might later post my favorite 10+ minute songs.

Screwing around with Scientology.

More awesome news about Arrested Development.

Anyone else remember Bloom County? I hated that stupid Penguin. Bill the Cat was a gimmick. Steve Dallas rules your face and Portnoy for life, bitches!

A food phobia might be the scariest of them all (via Kottke).

Secrets that only 2 people know (via mental floss).

Video of the “best” villains of in cinematic history. Look, I realize these things are subjective, and can never be definitive, but there are still boundaries you must play within. The inclusion of Drexel Spivey? Yes, he was a cool character that all the high school juniors love to quote. He was also a five minute character. And was taken out fairly quickly. And had no bearing on the rest of the movie. If you want to include Gary Oldman in your little movie, why not his character from The Professional. Apologies if I missed him, but he was a much more engrossing villain than Drexel Spivey. And ignoring Bond villains? Oddjob? Jaws? Goldfinger? This is just off the top of my head.

Regardless, the video is mesmerizing and put together well. I recommend watching it based on that alone.

I know cider donuts are good. So are cider slushies. So why not cider alcohol?

Links of Interest 9/30

Cleaning out foreclosed houses.

Cool little video about how a team got together to take a picture showing an entire Redwood tree. It’s harder than you think.

I’m certain if Wapner were still on the bench, he wouldn’t put up with any of this shit.

The Russians have a doomsday machine? What is this – a James Bond movie?

Clouds are cool.

If the shit goes down and you’re at the office, you’re gonna need to know how to arm yourself.

Picture of the Lagoon Nebula in super zoom high def!

Quite possibly the best news of September, especially for fans of a certain too-early-to-be-cancelled-sitcom (via popcandy).

The contest is awesome; the winning submission is awesome; everything is awesome about create your own BLT (via kottke).

Don’t get caught with this stuff in your kitchen.