JohnDoe
Bryn
BrentonArrested Development: Season 1 & 2 (2003-04)-Footage Included
November 14th 2006 03:34
Arrested Development: Season 1 & 2
Season 1-DVD Cover
Starring: Jason Bateman, David Cross, Jessica Walter, Jeffrey Tambor, Will Arnett, Portia De Rossi, Tony Hale
Narrator: Ron Howard
“Now the story of a wealthy family, who lost everything and the one son who had no choice but to keep them all together, it’s Arrested Development.”-Narrator
Swimming in politically incorrect humour, shot like a documentary with a wickedly clever script funny enough for you to tear a gut muscle. Arrested Development exclusive follows the descent of the Bluth Family.
Living a life of luxury through corporate greed this is a family completely oblivious to the plight of normalcy.
Narrated with a dry wit and condescending tone by film Director Ron Howard, (Willow, Nightshift) get ready to laugh out loud at this despicable crew.
Spoiled, self obsessed, manipulative and conniving, living in their own world they are just plain bad, deserving everything they have coming.
Heading the Bluth Empire is George Bluth Sr (Jeffrey Tambor) the corrupt and controlling father. By the time the end credits role on the pilot episode he is put behind bars for his shady business dealings, pulling the financial rug out from under the family’s feet.
“George Sr. had always done the ribbon-cutting ceremony, even for the Orange County Prison, which he built, and later, ironically, would occupy.”- Narrator
Matriarch of the clan is Lucille Bluth (Jessica Walter), leading a pampered life she is dominating, insincere and the catalyst for a lot of her children’s assortment of psychological issues.
“She's trying to prove that she's closer to my children than I am, but the joke's on her, because she doesn't know how little I care for GOB.”-Lucille
In her direct realm of influence is the defenceless idiot son Buster (Tony Hale), socially awkward, inept and unable to tie his own shoelaces, he lives under his mothers thumb.
“Buster had attempted to flee to Mexico, but instead, he wound up in Santa Ana, California, a town six miles inland from his own. The two cities were so close that they shared a newspaper. Unfortunately, due to the car fumes and high temperatures, Buster could not tell the difference.”-Narrator
Also lacking any semblance of independence, is mooching daughter Lindsay Bluth Funke, (Portia De Rossi) shallow and materialistic, “the self confessed liberal of the family” who in a “goofy act of defiance” marries the balding, sexually conflicted, failed psychiatrist and terminal loser Tobias (David Cross). Their daughter Maebe is endlessly ignored.
“I'm tired of trying to find happiness through lies and self-medicating. If you need me, I'll be at the bar.”-Lindsay
Then we have oldest son, "Gob"-George Oscar Bluth (Will Arnett), a deluded and failed magician who will never say die. Constantly competing for his father’s attention with no hope for success in life or love, he is a selfish nihilist who fails at everything.
“Zero hour, Michael. It's the end of the line. I'm the firstborn. I'm sick of playing second fiddle. I'm always third in line for everything. I'm tired of finishing fourth. Being the fifth wheel. There are six things I'm mad about, and I'm taking over.”-GOB
Younger brother Michael, (Jason Bateman) is the one remotely sane, genuinely sincere and caring human being in the brood. Naturally he spends most of his time trying to get a way from his families betrayals and raise his own screwed up son George Michael to be a morally centred, caring, contributing member of society.
“They're adults. They're allowed to have fun whenever they want. We're kids, we're supposed to work.”- George Michael
John Doe says
Arrested Development is a guarenteed good mood, for me the funniest TV show of the new millennium.
The genius scripting and precise execution synchronize to the split second so that in your face laughs are laced with a more subtle comedic sensibility that comes through more and more as you get to know the players.
The cast are impeccable and all of them sell the reality TV, mockumentary style that runs the gauntlet from high to low brow smiles.
The family dynamic works because of the actors, they all understand their roles.
It is tough to single out one player, but I have been a David Cross (Mr Show, Ghost World, Colbert Report) fan for years. His role as the never nude, wannabe actor Tobias is the part he was born to play.
Will Arnett knows that GOB is so self aware that he could never for a moment have an unguarded natural moment. The laughs that come from his deliveries in tandem with his uproarious lines often floor me.
Tony Hale (Stranger Than Fiction) has me howling at his idiot savant schtick and Jason Bateman(Teen Wolf II, Sketches, The Hogan Family) is the glue that holds it all together as the straight guy and the only redeemable character in the show.
He surprises with his assured and confident performance that instantly makes you realize he has been wasted in the past.
Jessica Walters (Play Misty For Me, Grand Prix) convinces thoroughly as the self absorbed mother.
It is hard to restrain my adoration for this show; the one objective thing I will say is that some people may take a few episodes to assimilate to the shows rhythms.
Once you are under it spell there is no escaping, Arrested Development is like a crack addiction. I find myself rewatching episodes, time and again finding new laughs, especially in hindsight.
Despite winning countless awards and being universally praised by critics, the show only runs one more year and was tragically cancelled after Season 3. The final series should be released around Christmas time.
Keep an eye out for recurring guest stars like Henry Winkler, Scott Baio, Liza Minelli, Martin Short, Julia Lousie Dreyfuss and Charlize Theron
The DVD:
Season 1 and 2 are available to own in Australia, separately.
Along with featuring every episode from the two years, the DVD box sets contains some quality extras. We get a commentary and alternate version of the Pilot episode. Deleted scenes and a worthwhile making of feature in both seasons. Enjoy.
Narrator: Ron Howard
“Now the story of a wealthy family, who lost everything and the one son who had no choice but to keep them all together, it’s Arrested Development.”-Narrator
Swimming in politically incorrect humour, shot like a documentary with a wickedly clever script funny enough for you to tear a gut muscle. Arrested Development exclusive follows the descent of the Bluth Family.
Living a life of luxury through corporate greed this is a family completely oblivious to the plight of normalcy.
Narrated with a dry wit and condescending tone by film Director Ron Howard, (Willow, Nightshift) get ready to laugh out loud at this despicable crew.
Spoiled, self obsessed, manipulative and conniving, living in their own world they are just plain bad, deserving everything they have coming.
Heading the Bluth Empire is George Bluth Sr (Jeffrey Tambor) the corrupt and controlling father. By the time the end credits role on the pilot episode he is put behind bars for his shady business dealings, pulling the financial rug out from under the family’s feet.
Matriarch of the clan is Lucille Bluth (Jessica Walter), leading a pampered life she is dominating, insincere and the catalyst for a lot of her children’s assortment of psychological issues.
“She's trying to prove that she's closer to my children than I am, but the joke's on her, because she doesn't know how little I care for GOB.”-Lucille
In her direct realm of influence is the defenceless idiot son Buster (Tony Hale), socially awkward, inept and unable to tie his own shoelaces, he lives under his mothers thumb.
“Buster had attempted to flee to Mexico, but instead, he wound up in Santa Ana, California, a town six miles inland from his own. The two cities were so close that they shared a newspaper. Unfortunately, due to the car fumes and high temperatures, Buster could not tell the difference.”-Narrator
Also lacking any semblance of independence, is mooching daughter Lindsay Bluth Funke, (Portia De Rossi) shallow and materialistic, “the self confessed liberal of the family” who in a “goofy act of defiance” marries the balding, sexually conflicted, failed psychiatrist and terminal loser Tobias (David Cross). Their daughter Maebe is endlessly ignored.
“I'm tired of trying to find happiness through lies and self-medicating. If you need me, I'll be at the bar.”-Lindsay
Then we have oldest son, "Gob"-George Oscar Bluth (Will Arnett), a deluded and failed magician who will never say die. Constantly competing for his father’s attention with no hope for success in life or love, he is a selfish nihilist who fails at everything.
“Zero hour, Michael. It's the end of the line. I'm the firstborn. I'm sick of playing second fiddle. I'm always third in line for everything. I'm tired of finishing fourth. Being the fifth wheel. There are six things I'm mad about, and I'm taking over.”-GOB
Younger brother Michael, (Jason Bateman) is the one remotely sane, genuinely sincere and caring human being in the brood. Naturally he spends most of his time trying to get a way from his families betrayals and raise his own screwed up son George Michael to be a morally centred, caring, contributing member of society.
“They're adults. They're allowed to have fun whenever they want. We're kids, we're supposed to work.”- George Michael
"They were making fun of you the other night on the show Entourage. You know that whole Teen Wolf II thing, you don't even look like Michael J Fox"
John Doe says
Arrested Development is a guarenteed good mood, for me the funniest TV show of the new millennium.
The genius scripting and precise execution synchronize to the split second so that in your face laughs are laced with a more subtle comedic sensibility that comes through more and more as you get to know the players.
The cast are impeccable and all of them sell the reality TV, mockumentary style that runs the gauntlet from high to low brow smiles.
The family dynamic works because of the actors, they all understand their roles.
It is tough to single out one player, but I have been a David Cross (Mr Show, Ghost World, Colbert Report) fan for years. His role as the never nude, wannabe actor Tobias is the part he was born to play.
Will Arnett knows that GOB is so self aware that he could never for a moment have an unguarded natural moment. The laughs that come from his deliveries in tandem with his uproarious lines often floor me.
Tony Hale (Stranger Than Fiction) has me howling at his idiot savant schtick and Jason Bateman(Teen Wolf II, Sketches, The Hogan Family) is the glue that holds it all together as the straight guy and the only redeemable character in the show.
He surprises with his assured and confident performance that instantly makes you realize he has been wasted in the past.
Jessica Walters (Play Misty For Me, Grand Prix) convinces thoroughly as the self absorbed mother.
It is hard to restrain my adoration for this show; the one objective thing I will say is that some people may take a few episodes to assimilate to the shows rhythms.
Once you are under it spell there is no escaping, Arrested Development is like a crack addiction. I find myself rewatching episodes, time and again finding new laughs, especially in hindsight.
Despite winning countless awards and being universally praised by critics, the show only runs one more year and was tragically cancelled after Season 3. The final series should be released around Christmas time.
Keep an eye out for recurring guest stars like Henry Winkler, Scott Baio, Liza Minelli, Martin Short, Julia Lousie Dreyfuss and Charlize Theron
The DVD:
Season 1 and 2 are available to own in Australia, separately.
Along with featuring every episode from the two years, the DVD box sets contains some quality extras. We get a commentary and alternate version of the Pilot episode. Deleted scenes and a worthwhile making of feature in both seasons. Enjoy.
Enjoy the first 8 minutes of the pilot episode by clicking below.
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Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Like Entourage once you have watched 2 or 3 episodes you cant stop.
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
I have seasons 1 & 2 on dvd, and I've watched each season several times. It doesn't get old. Great show.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Obviously I totally agree, Arrested Development is a keeper. The only new comedy TV that comes close is Entourage.
Season 3 fo Arrested Development is of the same high quality.
It is sad when you watch the final episode and know that it is all over. They manage to tie up the loose ends well considering home many story threads they had to wrap up quickly.
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
I've never seen Entourage. After what you've said, I think I might have to go out and get it.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Cancelling Arrested Development makes baby Jesus cry.
You can read my review for Entourage Season 1 & 2 here
Enjoy!
Comment by Georgie
Oz Movies
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Great to see a nod to Dead Like Me.....did you see Wonderfalls by the same writer/creator, also cancelled early yet well worth owning.
Comment by Justin
Cinematrix
I love Arrested Development and believe you did a well thought-out critique on it offering that some will need some time to acquaint themselves with the rhythms of the show. But it's worth it.
My favourite moments off the top of my head:
The scene of Lucille and Lindsay at a restaurant neither particuarly wanted to attend due to its considered sub-par quality.
Waiteress: Plate or platter?
Lucille: I don't understand the question and I'm not going to respond
And,
Lindsay quickly walking with Lucille out of the court house, suddenly snaps the heel off her shoe but awkwardly balances herself.
Lucille: Well, they can only take so much weight
Finally it's the scene involving the attempt to frame an employee to not testify against George Snr, where the family acquire buckets of corn syrup to look like blood. Consequently, Buster joyfully finds out about the sugar-laden mixture..
Buster: This party is going to be off, the hook! *nervously erupts into giggling*
Ahh, so many more but I'm clogging up your blog.
Cheers John!
Comment by Georgie
Oz Movies
No I haven't seen Wonderfalls. I do have cable however and will check it out.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Georgie is right, there is no clogging of the blog when it comes to Arrested Development. The more love for it the better.
Great to see your a fan.
Georgie, I think you will dig Wonderfalls.
Keep Smiling all, great to see all the love in the room for a wonderful show.