The Obsessives Podcast

Damn You Nerdist

You've one upped us again...just as we re-cast this damn movie you show us this Muppet Action Figures.

The Obsessives Episode 2.9 "The Great Star Wars Re-Casting 2011"

This week is a gem, we've got a horse herpes outbreak, a selection of summer beers, workplace bathroom etiquette, and The Obsessives delve into some dark, murky waters by re-casting Star Wars Episode 4 A New Hope. Things may get ugly with a Marty this hung over.

The Obsessives Episode 2.9 _The Great Star Wars Re-Casting 2011_

Cooking With The Obsessives: A Continuation

I know I said last week that it was probably the final pizza edition....well I lied. I figured I should probably add a couple of my favorite ways to top those wonderful discs of dough.

It's Tiki Time

Well, I recently received a bunch of Tiki Barware for my birthday, I've kept this obsession as bay for years by not letting myself give in to it, I refused to let myself by anythign Tiki related because I knew that once I opened that door it was game on. Well, yesterday I unwrappeded these:

Thank You Eugene

Comedian Eugene Mirman had a wonderful open letter to his cable company published, it sums up the pain we have all gone through at one time or another.
Eugene Mirman's Website

The Obsessives Episode 2.8 "Marty Goes Rogue"

After preparing for the rapture and getting left behind we decided to talk about our favorite albums of the year thus far which leads Marty to believe he is in 1971, and we make another Netflix pick of the week.

The Obsessives Podcast Episode 2.8 Marty Goes Rogue

Cooking With The Obsessives: The Final Pizza Edition...maybe

Those of you that have followed this page over the last year and a half will know that I've been working on an at home pizza dough recipe for the last year and a half, well, I've finally got it.

Are you ready?

Chicago Craft Beer Week is here. Get our there and support your local brewers. Drink up my friends.

Craft Beer Schedule

Cooking With The Obsessives: A Mexican Pork Feast

I love mexican food in the summertime, I love it all year round actually, but the summertime screams food from the Yucatan. So when we hit 90 degrees last week my heart went stratight to Mexico, but then reality set in and the temperature dropped back down to 50. I didn't let that deter me though, I set my mind to a mexican feast over the weekend and came up with Cochinita Pibil (but instead of a whole pig, went the pork cheek route) with green chile rice, black beans, pickled onion and my very special margaritas.

What Happens When One Scam Artist Scams Another?

Ok, I understand. You don't care about this anymore. I can feel your agitation as you read this post. You get the idea. I for one, am still fascinated you Mr. Granito. I want to take you out to dinner and tell you everything will be alright. I want to take you home after and give you and your wife a nice warm bath and ease the tension in your life. Then I will tuck you in and read you a story Mr. Granito. I will pet your hair and kiss your forehead and let you know that we love you Rob. I love you Rob. You make me happy. This comic fan really does still love you.
Thanks again goes out to Bleeding Cool for another trip into the dark, devious world of Comic Books.

The Obsessives T-Shirt Contest

Who doesn't like a free t-shirt? Well, you can get your very own, shiny, new Obsessives T-shirt by being one of the first three people to respond correctly to this question: What were The Obsessives first three Netflix Picks of the Week? The first three people to correctly answer this question by sending an e-mail to theobsessivespod@gmail.com, posting the answer to the wall of our facebook page, or leaving it in the comments section of this post will get a free Obsessives T-Shirt, they're pretty cool, you can check them out over at Midwestmerch.net. Get on it.

T-Shirt Time

Hey there, The Obsessives have some T-Shirts, check 'em out over at Midwest Merch Midwest Merch and The Obsessives. The shirts are awesome and so is the company, show Dan some love by picking up one or two, suppport an awesome local business and great business model. Or, if you aren't interested in ponying up a few buck for one, check back on Wednesday to find out how you can win one.

An Obsessives Reminder

Don't forget, tonight is the opening of The Chicago Street Art Show, this is a don't miss.

Chicago Street Art Show

I've Been To Marty's Office...

and this is what it is really like.

Oh...and "That Mitchell and Webb Look" is also The Obsessives Netflix Pick of the Week. Good times.

 

Where's My Rock and Roll

A few weeks back on The Obsessives, we had a conversation about the demise of rock and roll in popular culture, it was being overshadowed by hip hop, teen pop stars, pop-country and so and blah blah blah. Well, I think the folks over at the AV Club were listening because they wrote a really good companion piece in their "Crosstalk" section that is right in line with everything we were discussing, except it's better, that's why they're paid to write and we talk for free. It is a really clever, well-written article, check it out.

The AV Club

The Obsessives Episode 2.7 "Luke Wilson's Face"

This week, Sean, Marty and Steve are reunited after three long weeks apart. They talk a bit about blogging on death and finances, make a new Netflix streaming pick and discuss the horrors that have befallen Luke Wilson's face. Seriously, what the hell happened to his face, are they casting a live action Family Guy?

 

Check out this week's episode:

The Obsessives Episode 2.7 Luke Wilson's Expanding Face

Cooking With The Obsessives: Brunch Edition

This week for Cooking with The Obsessives I took my inspiration from all the talk of Mother's Day Brunches. Sunday morning I decided to put together a sweet breakfast of Stuffed French Toast with Strawberries and Creme Anglais. It was a great way to start a lazy Sunday, I highly encourage it. Check out the photo and recipe below.

The Chicago Street Art Show

If you are looking for something fun to do this weekend or if you love Street Art you really need to make your way down to Pilsen to check out The Chicago Street Art Show at the Chicago Urban Arts Society at 2229 S. Halsted.

This show is featuring some of the best street artists working in Chicago and is shaping up to be a truly awesome event. The show opens on Friday and is running through June 4th. This is looking to be one of the best art shows Chicago has seen in quite a while. Check out the trailer below.

Cycling Tragedy

I started cycling about three years ago. I decided that it was time to get active again after a very long affair with a sedentary lifestyle which had taken it's toll. I was quite an athlete as a kid even though I never really cared too much for organized sport, at least not the ones I could play. Once I found a love for playing guitar, my dislike for organized sports found an excuse to be left behind.

I always enjoyed cycling as a kid, bmx, mountain, road, I really liked just riding. I didn't care about the competitive nature of it all, it was fun and the feeling of exhaustion after hours on a bike always felt great, muscles were tired but there were never any issues with impact injuries, except for the occasional fall.

 

Derby Day Has Come And Gone

The 2011 running of the Kentucky Derby has come and gone and I still don't understand the hype around it. Why is the Kentucky Derby treated almost like a national holiday? You know a holiday dedicated to binge drinking, dressing like an ass and traditions of amorphous origin. Is they hype a new thing or is it a midwest thing? Growing up on the East Coast, I don't remember people getting this worked up about it, yes everyone planned on watching it on TV but I don't remember people having parties around it, drinking to the black out stage, and needing fancy dresses and hats to take part.

 

Cooking With The Obsessives: The Recipe

So it seems like people want the recipe to go along with the Cooking With The Obsessives posts and who am I to deny the people. This week featured Seared Sea Scallops on Spring Pea Puree. This recipe has quite a few steps, but they are all very simple so don't let the length intimidate, just jump in and do it. Here it is.

Download Seared Sea Scallops on Spring Pea Puree

Netflix Pick of the Week: Network

It's that time again. It's time for The Obsessives Netflix Pick of the Week. This week, in honor of the recently passed Sidney Lumet, and because it is an epic film, we urge you to take a couple hours and watch "Network." This really is one of the Great American Films, the script, the acting, the directing, the vision, it's all there and it ages gracefully. Check it out, but before you do, watch the trailer, it rates really high on the scale of hilariously bad, check it out below but don't let it prevent you from checking out the film too.

The Obsessives Episode 2.6 "The Sunday Sermon"

This week Sean and Marty record really early on a Sunday after a few beers, see what happens when they make poor decisions such as this. And this week's Netflix Pick. Download, listen and preach the good word. Let us know what you think at theobsessivespod@gmail.com

The Obsessives Episode 2.6 _The Sunday Sermon_

Cooking With The Obsessives

The farmer's markets are starting to open, spring gardens have started producing and I've been inspired to get back in the kitchen. So I've decided to start sharing some creations with eveyone in Obsessives land. Check out what's on the menu at Sean's.

I've decided to do this for a couple of reasons; one is to give myself an outlet to share some of my work and another is to keep myself motivated when inspiration starts to fade. I had some time on Monday to secure some really good provisions, so yesterday I set to work on this dish. Seared Sea Scallops on a Spring Pea Puree with roasted tomatoes and potatoes. Check it out, it was damn good.

I've been debating with the idea of posting the recipes, with some variations, for you to try and to keep a record of them so I can remember what the hell I did. What do you think? Should I post them?

I'm hoping to make one Cooking With Sean post a week, if the week goes well maybe more, sometimes it may not happen, but let me know what you think? Shoot me an e-mail with your thoughts at theobsessivespod@gmail.com. Enjoy!

Coming This Week On The Obsessives

Sean and Marty are mad as hell and they are going to rant about it. After getting up at 5am to catch Liverpool, and drink, Marty and Sean record this week's episode as Stevie lay asleep in the cave. Marty and Sean take on the American Dream , bitch about debt, talk about the trials and tribulations of condo associations, rave about the brilliance of "Network" and get distracted by a dog. Coming Thursday on The Obsessives Episode 2.6

 

Krush It

The weather sucks and you're staying in. Here's what you do. Go to Netflix Streaming, select Krush Goove, and thank us later.

The Obsessives Episode 2.5 "Swollen Bits"

This week Sean and Stevie go it alone. Featuring swollen canine body parts, e-readers, webcomics and Krush Groove.

 

The Obsessives Episode 2.5 _Swollen Bits_

email us your thoughts at theobsessivespod@gmail.com

 

A Must Have

Are you a horses ass? Do you like to talk on your cell phone ridiculously loud in public place? Prattle on and on about nothing at all and bother everyone around you?

Steve is buying one of these and your day is coming. Asshole.

EMP Cell Phone Eliminator

Blindsided

Have you ever been completely blindsided by something. It doesn't have to be anything serious, but has something every completely come out of the blue at you, where you didn't even think it was possible for this thing to happen?  I don't mean something like an unexpected death, or a shocking break-up. As suprising and as life changing as these things can be, the possibility is always there, mortalitly is a definitive, there is no telling how long a personal realationship may go on, when you're in a job there is always the chance you could get laid off.

 

Tell us that story where all logic, reason or understanding abandoned you and made you really just shake your head and say "What the?" Share your stories with The Obsessives and we may just talk about them on the podcast this week.  Show us yours and we'll show you ours, anonymously of course. theobsessivespod@gmail.com

 

Things I never thought I'd hear...and understand

"Please try to make sure she doesn't lick her vulva too much, and let us know if you notice any changes in behavior."   Imaginations GO!!

The Obsessives Episode 2.4 "Bag Taggers"

This week, The Obsessives try to figure out why they show love by being asses, find out if people are happier with or without kids and make another Netflix streaming suggestion.       

The Obsessives Episode 2.4 _Bag Taggers_

This Week on The Obsessives Episode 2.4

We spend the day bag-tagging each other, wonder if people are happier with or without kids, and why many, seemingly, lie about it and we take a long, hard look at the "classic" mid-90's horror flick "Pinocchio's Revenge."  Check back tomorrow to hear the goodness.

Internet Radio

We all know how terrible music radio is.  Specialty, local radio is a thing of the past, but we have the internet and some people have been making great strides in that radio experience online.  Not just podcasts either but music.  I cam across Weirdo Records Radio on Boing Boing today, I've had it on for a while now and it is pretty damn cool, check it out. Weirdo Records Radio

 

We also can't forget the behemoth of this format, Pandora. It isn't a great system, but it does a good enough job where The Obsessives have been building a station, listen with us. The Obsessives Radio

 

Stevie's Netflix Pick of the Week

I'm just going to let the trailer speak for this one.

 

Introducing...

Our new mascot. Say hello to Carl.

It's been a bad month to be a favorite filmmaker of Sean.

The great Sidney Lumet has passed away. Let's hope the "rule of three" is as much bullshit as I think it is.

 

I remember the first time I watched "Dog Day Afternoon," it was in a class when I was at Columbia and I remember how exciting the film was, you could feel the city, the heatwave, the tight quarters it was filmed in. It was one of those films that changed how I looked at the art form, the "real" feel of the film was something lost by so many modern directors, few have been able to really do it since the 1970s. Film is about the story, and Lumet was  a master at capturing it. Huge special effects, action, CGI, none of it can even match the visceral feel of a phone call in a Lumet film. Maybe that's why I despise 3D and the modern action film so much, they're soulless, you can't see the tension on the characters faces, I just don't care or FEEL anything when I watch it. It is a bit depressing when people talk about films, like "Avatar," where they tell me how 3D makes them feel like they are in the story.  If you want to feel part of the story, part of a film, close to a character, watch a close-up in a Lumet film, nothing pulls you in faster. The industry has lost a true great, maybe someone will rise up to take his place, maybe, hopefully. The legend brought a great energy and life to everything he did, at least we have what he left behind.  I'm going to go watch "Network."

 

Vanity Fair has a well written obituary here Vanity Fair and the NYTimes has a good article here NYTimes  

 

True Legend

This looks to be an amazing piece of work about one of the most influential forces in the history of documentary cinema. Ricky Leacock was one of the first great documentarians, one of the most innovative and long lasting.  A true teacher and innovator.  If you want to get me a gift, here it is: The Feeling of Being There: A Filmmaker's Memoir

  Go ahead and contribute, it's worth it.

 

 

Why?

Because it's going to be fun.

 

Wire

We're going to be checking out Wire this weekend.  You should join us.  Metro

Hey Look More Granito

Bleeding Cool has annotated an interview from a year ago with Rob Granito, pretty amusing stuff Bleeding Cool

Someone caught in a web of his own creation who refuses to fess up and move on will never get old.

 

 

Geatest Comic Panel Ever?

‘How Should An Artist React To Being Granito’d' 

I would go to that con for that panel alone.  Seriously, who wouldn't want to be part of that.

 

This week we talked a bit about Rob Granito and got involved in some speculation on his intentions. I think the e-mail his wife Ali sent out to various comic websites tells the story. Criminals, not deluded wanna be artists.  Check out the e-mail in a great post over at Ty Templeton's site.  Cashing in on their own crimes

 

 

The Obsessives Episode 2.3 "The Job Interview"

This week, Sean has a job interview, Steve finds out his Rob Granito Calvin and Hobbes collection is worthless, they long for the days when Rock and Roll topped the charts and they tell you what to watch on Netflix this week.

The Obsessives Episode 2.3 _The Job Interview_

Batman is moving Wayne Manor to Pittsburgh

It was fun being Gotham while it lasted.  Batman to PA

 

At least we still have....Kelsey Grammer.  Oh...

 

This Week On The Obsessives Episode 2.3

This week we look at the fraud that is Rob Granito we long for the days when Rock and Roll ruled the charts, and decide that the best thing for you to watch on Netflix this week is I Like Killing Flies. For a little taste of the mad genius behind Shopsin's Restaurant before you watch the film peruse the menu below

  Shopsin's

 

Theme Music, Yes Please

The Obsessives is looking for theme music.  If you are a musician, know a musician who might be interested in composing a new piece for The Obsessives, let us know, there will be some publicity and some free goodies as well.  Shoot us an e-mail at theobsessivespod@gmail.com.  Let's hear what you've got.

Cutthroat Comics

I find this whole thing amazing, I really do. I couldn't stop watching how Rob Granito, self proclaimed comic artist and swiper got dragged through the mud for 4 days non-stop.

Rob Granito set up booths at comic cons pretending to be a legit comic artist when he indeed was just copying other peoples work. After years he was found out and in my opinion was one of the most fun and interesting thing to happen to comics in a long time. Rob Granito, we barely knew ye. Although we all did see your amazing work on Calvin & Hobbes and The Iron man movies.

There's a great article summing up the saga over at Comics Alliance

Rob Granito Plagaristic Superstar

The Shanghai Salad Tower

Salad bars in restaurants and grocery stores are notorious for being a ripoff, items are far more expensive than they need to be for the establishments to turn a profit. Last week the NY Times magazine published a fascinating article ( GameTheBar ) on how to game the salad bar at Whole Foods.  It is a well researched, if not amusing piece of work.

Well, today I stumbled across this on The Comsumerist website ( Amazing Salad Towers ) dealing with the absolutely wonderous salad towers constructed at Chinese Pizza Huts, before the company took them out of all restaurants in China. This led me here Shanghai Towers It is ingenuity like this that is leaving America behind in the world economy, i'm sure of it.

The Obsessives Episode 2.2 Marty Fan Fiction

A nation of depressed teens, Goose Island is swallowed up by a beer behemoth, The League on FX and Steve reads Marty some fan fiction.  All sorts of fun this week on The Obsessives...and some anal bleeding.

The Obsessives Episode 2.2 _Martin Fan Fiction_

This Week On The Obsessives

This week we mourn the sale of Goose Island to AB/InBev, we look at Facebook depression and why Marty won't get an account or eat a slider or drink a Shamrock Shake, we talk a bit about how 'The League' is the best thing to watch on Netflix this week and Stevie reads us some Marty Fan Fiction. Check back tomorrow for Episode 2.2

Keeping Our Fingers Crossed

This was a pretty bad ass book, we're keeping our fingers crossed, but my hopes aren't terribly high. Please don't let us down.

Chew