Month: April 2019

Articles, Freakin' Sweet Family Guy

Family Guy: Ryan’s Ultimate Freakin’ Sweet Review of Every Episode Part 4

My wife often accuses me of getting movies on Blu-Ray/DVD, and watching them once and then leaving them on a shelf to collect dust. In an effort to prove her wrong and to also at the same time annoy her, I’ve decided to watch every episode of Family Guy I own. And I own all of them on DVD. All 16 seasons. Plus the Stewie movie and the Star Wars Parodies. I will also review watch episode and share my thoughts here. Each article will most likely be a different length due to not knowing how many I will watch at any given time. I will be watching them in order as well so this should be really fun for me, not my wife.

Season 2, Episode 5 “Love Thy Trophy”

The guys on Spooner Street are making a float for the Harvest Day Parade, the theme is the one Peter suggested, the episode of “Who’s The Boss?” where Tony walks in on Angela in the shower.

After they win the Golden Clam, the neighbors get into a fight about who gets the trophy. They decide to place it on the hands of the statues of Tony and Angela. The next morning the trophy is missing and everyone blames each other for the theft.

“Love Thy Trophy” was produced during season one and held over for season two. Right away it’s jarring that Meg is played by Lacy Chabert, who actually has a pretty meaty part in this episode as she takes a job as a waitress to pay for a Prada purse.

Stewie is pretty funny in this episode as he pretends he’s a crack addicted baby so Meg can get bigger tips.

The jokes are fast and the episode is really solid. I love watching these early episodes to see how characters are developed. In this episode there is a really quick shot of Peter looking in Quagmire’s closet reveals a bunch of photos of Lois setting up his long running infatuation with her.

Grade: B

Season 2, Episode 6 “Death is a Bitch”

Peter finds a lump on his chest and is concerned that he is going to die. After his results comeback negative, Peter is shocked at the price of his doctor’s visit, so he writes that he is dead on his exam form thinking he won’t have to pay.

By doing this Peter sets into motion a visit from Death. Death tells Peter that he has to come with him. As they leave the Griffin’s home Peter attempts to run away from Death. Death chases him and sprains his ankle. The Griffin’s agree to take care of Death if he doesn’t kill Peter. Death agrees, but warns Peter that no one can know that Death can’t kill anyone. Peter of course doesn’t listen and does whatever he wants knowing he can’t die.

This is a classic episode. Everything works. Norm MacDonald guest stars as Death and is a riot. Peter going to a bar drinking tons of beer and getting into a gun fight is laugh out loud awesome. I love this episode.

Grade: A+

Season 2, Episode 7 “The King is Dead”

Lois is named the new theater director of the Quahog Players Theatre and chooses The King and I as her first production.  After a horrible audition, Peter is heartbroken. Lois decides to give Peter the job of producer. Peter soon uses his position as producer to cast newswoman Diane Simmons in the lead, and after Peter continuously makes changes, Lois quits. Lois is shocked to learn that not only do the cast members like all the changes Peter made but the show also sells out.

Another really great episode. Lois is establishing herself as quite the comedienne, hats off to Alex Borstein for always bringing the goods. Also this is the first episode that really explores Brian as a pretentious character.

Grade: A-

Season 2, Episode 8 “I Am Peter, Hear Me Roar”

Everyone on Spooner Street receives a letter for a free boat, the only catch is they have to sit through a time share seminar. After the seminar, Peter is offered the boat and a mystery box. Peter seduced by the mystery box chooses it. Which turns out to be tickets to a comedy club. Everyone else picked the boat and they let Peter know about it at the comedy show. Peter drunk gets up on stage after he heckles the comedian. He turns out to be a hit, only because he puts a beer bottle is his pants that makes him look like he peed his pants.

Peter with new found confidence as a comedian starts telling more and more jokes. One joke lands Peter in hot water at his job. Peter is forced to complete sensitivity training. When the standard class doesn’t work, Peter is sent to a retreat.

Peter not only embraces the camp but when he returns home he also now embraces his feminine side, much to the chagrin of Lois and the family.

This episode has everything. Awesome cut away gags. Funny inappropriate humor. Jokes on the side of a bus for the “Woman on Woman Retreat”. Also some truly brilliant writing like this exchange from Lois and Peter:

Peter: Oh God! Oh God! I’m Late!

Lois: Well, if you spent less time fixing your hair…

Peter: No, I mean I am “late” late! Do we still have that pregnancy test?

Lois: Are you insane? You can’t have a baby!

Peter: Well, I don’t have a lot of options, I’m Catholic! God, I thought you’d be happy for me!

Grade A+

Season 2, Episode 9 “If I’m Dyin’, I’m Lyin’”

After not doing well in school, Lois forbids Chris from watching TV until his grades improve. Peter lies to Lois about Chris watching TV so they can watch their favorite show together, Gumbel 2 Gumbel: Beach Justice.

When Peter learns Gumbel 2 Gumbel is being cancelled, he has Chris lie about a disease he has to make NBC stop the show from being cancelled. When Peter is about to be outed for defrauding a charity, he claims Chris is suddenly cured. This leads to people worshiping Peter, not happy with his the Griffin’s are soon bombarded with biblical plagues.

This is a huge step back after three solid episodes. I think I chuckled once. All in all a forgettable episode.

Grade: D

 

 

Articles, Freakin' Sweet Family Guy

Family Guy: Ryan’s Ultimate Freakin’ Sweet Review of Every Episode Part 3

My wife often accuses me of getting movies on Blu-Ray/DVD, and watching them once and then leaving them on a shelf to collect dust. In an effort to prove her wrong and to also at the same time annoy her, I’ve decided to watch every episode of Family Guy I own. And I own all of them on DVD. All 16 seasons. Plus the Stewie movie and the Star Wars Parodies. I will also review watch episode and share my thoughts here. Each article will most likely be a different length due to not knowing how many I will watch at any given time. I will be watching them in order as well so this should be really fun for me, not my wife.

Season 1, Episode 6 “The Son Also Draws”

Chris is in the Boy Scouts but has no interest in their activities, he would rather be an artist. After a disastrous soap box derby race, Chris is kicked out of the Scouts. Chris doesn’t care but Peter does and takes the family on a trip to New York City.

Along the way Peter need to use the bathroom and stops at a Native American casino. Lois who at first is against gambling soon becomes addicted. Lois losses the family car and the family is forced to figure out how to get their back. Peter eventually listens to Chris not wanting to be in Scouts with a little help from The Fonz.

“The Son Also Draws” has its moments but most of the episode just hums along. Peter having to use the bathroom and seeing a bunch of signs that remind him is funny, but the stuff with the Fonz is only mildly amusing. Plus, Stewie isn’t given much to do except see Carrot Top and make fun of him.

Grade: B-

Season 1 Episode 7 “Brian: Portrait of a Dog”

With Quahog in the midst of a heatwave, Peter enlists Brains help by entering him in a dog show so they can win $500 to buy a new air conditioner.

At the dog show Brian completes the obstacle course, but at the end Peter tries to force him to do a trick for a treat, Brian refuses causing a rift between Peter and him.

Later as Brian is walking home a Police Officer notices Brian doesn’t have a collar. The officer takes Brian home and gives Peter a $10 ticket. After another argument, Brian leaves the Griffins and becomes a drunk hobo.

Brian bites a person and is taken into custody as a crazed dog. Brian is sentenced to death and it’s up to Peter to save him.

It’s nice that Brian is given a chance to have an episode that features him. There are several great moments, from learning Brian’s “origin”, to his amazing rendition of a barbershop quartet. All in all a funny, solid episode.

Grade: B+

Season 2, Episode 1 “Peter, Peter Caviar Eater”

Lois comes from a wealthy family in Newport. Before she met Peter, she was a rich girl and Peter was a lowly towel boy. Lois was also the favorite of her Aunt Marguerite. When Marguerite visits the Griffins she immediately drops dead.

Marguerite leaves Lois her mansion Cherrywood Manor in Newport. Once there Lois learns Peter sold their house in Quahog and now plans to live in Newport.

Lois is against the idea and Peter at first doesn’t fit in. But with the help of Brian, Peter soon learns to be rich and snobby. Peter soon gets the hang of being in Newport and bids $100 million dollars on a vase, with no way to pay for it, Peter freaks out and must solve how to pay for his debt.

A truly great episode, with laugh out moments from almost all the cast, plus a great all out musical number makes this an endlessly rewatchable episode.

Grade: A+

Season 2, Episode 2 “Holy Crap”

Peter’s overly critical and religious father, Francis is retiring. After his retirement dinner Peter asks his father to live with him.

Peter tries unsuccessfully to get his father’s approval. Peter even gets Francis a job at Happy-Go-Lucky Toys, but Francis unimpressed with Peter’s work ethic, fires him. As a last ditch effort Peter kidnaps the Pope.

If it wasn’t for two great cut away gags, “Holy Crap” would be a total waste of 22 minutes. Francis isn’t funny and the whole episode feels forced. It’s Family Guy’s first true misfire.

Grade: D-

Season 2, Episode 3 “Da Boom”

Y2K is coming to Quahog! (Remember when that was a thing). Peter is terrified and tries to convince his family that they need to get in the basement.

It turns out that Peter was right, as nuclear bombs go off all around the world. The Griffins are saved because of Peter’s insistence they go into the basement. Peter has another idea, go to Natick where there is a Twinkie factory and they will have an unlimited supply of food.

Once there Stewie who fell into nuclear waste grows tentacles, Peter is the mayor of New Quahog, and the other characters a falling into their new roles as well. But if course Peter is too stupid to let a good thing last and is soon ousted as mayor.

Another classic episode, “Da Boom” is a hilarious, well written, well directed cartoon. Everything in this episode works. The first appearance of Ernie the Chicken, the first appearance of “Clevemire”or “Quagland”. The first time Quagmire says, “Heh, heh. Alright!” A winner in every sense of the word.

Grade: A+

Season 2, Episode 4 “Brian In Love”

Brian has a problem, he is peeing uncontrollably and blames Stewie. At first the Griffins believe its Stewie, but after an accident in a grocery store, Brian decides he needs to see a psychiatrist.

Brian learns that he is having a midlife crisis, but that’s not all. Brian also learns that he is in love with Lois. At Peter’s urging without knowing Brian is in love with Lois, Brian decides to admit his love to Lois. Lois rejects him but they stay close friends.

Another really solid episode. This is also the first episode with Mila Kunis as Meg. Kunis is much more adept at voiceover acting then Lacey Chabert. Kunis, without changing the character of Meg too much makes her funnier, and more sympathetic. Kunis’ comedic timing is also much more refined then Chabert. Chabert was just too straight for this show. Other standout moments involve Stewie with his character really starting to find his footing. Really fun episode.

Grade: B+

 

Articles, The Scream Factory Crypt

The Scream Factory Crypt Part 21: Cyborg

Welcome to the Scream Factory Crypt! In this binge series I will be watching all my Scream Factory titles I own alphabetically! Scream Factory is my favorite imprint of Blu-Ray’s because they take movies that studios and the public might not adore but have fans and deserve to be given respect. This will take a long time as I have over 120(!) titles and counting, I know I will have more before I finish, so stay tuned!  Not only will I talk about them on the podcast but I will review them here as well so you can see how I feel about aspects of each release.

Part 21, is the 80’s Sci-Fi action film, Cyborg!

Released in 1989, Cyborg is exactly what you want form a Cannon Film. You want some totally over the top violence? Check! You want an awesome perfect kicking performance from Jean-Claude Van Damme? Check! You need some random nudity? Check!

Cyborg is directed by Cannon Film veteran Albert Pyun, behind some truly “great” films like 1990’s Captain America. Taking place in the future, Gibson Rickenbacker (Van Damme) or his totally 80’s badass nickname “Slinger” must escort a woman Pearl Prophet who underwent surgery to become a cyborg courier woman person with a cure from a deadly plague to Atlanta. Pearl must get to Atlanta and only Gibson can help her!

Along the way Gibson and Pearl encounter a seemingly unbeatable gang of evil pirates, the most dangerous named Fender. Can Gibson resist the temptation to have sex with another traveler named Nady and defeat Fender’s blood thirsty pirates while still getting Pearl to Atlanta safely?

Of course Cyborg is out of control 80’s silly, which in turn makes it out of control 80’s radical. The story is not that good, the acting is not that good, the direction is stiff and uninspired, but damn it’s a fun movie to watch. Van Damme is really great at ass-kicking and that’s truly all you need from an 80’s action film starring him. And at a brisk 86 minutes it is a fun watch.

Sporting a brand new 4k scan, Cyborg looks really good for a movie made in the 80’s for according the special features, 500k. I really appreciate that Scream Factory did not clean the print up so much that it lost its 80’s film look. Bright colors, bright red blood highlight a sharp looking film.

The audio is solid. Cyborg did not receive an audio boost like the film did but it gets the job done. Radical music and punches pack a wallop.

The other big draw of course is this is a Scream Factory Collector’s Edition so Cyborg comes packed with some truly great features. The Audio Commentary with director Albert Pyun and moderator Michael Feisher is a great listen. The track contains some great insight in making and casting this low budget film. There are a couple of new interviews with Cast and Crew as well, unfortunately Van-Damme is not present but the interviews are top notch and really fun. The Effects of Cyborg is another fun featurette, detailing how the crew pulled of this film with no budget. The highlight for me is the extended interviews from Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films. If you haven’t seen this film, go to Amazon Prime and watch it, it’s amazing. The extended interviews clock in at over an hour and are priceless.

Cyborg might just be a silly 80’s movie but that’s exactly what makes it fun. Not every movie we watch has to be thought provoking, some can just be entertaining and that’s what Cyborg is, one hell of an entertaining movie. Scream Factory’s Collector’s edition is a must buy for fans.

Film: B

Video: A-

Audio: B

Extras: A

Overall: B+

Articles, Freakin' Sweet Family Guy, Review

Family Guy: Ryan’s Ultimate Freakin’ Sweet Review of Every Episode Part 2

My wife often accuses me of getting movies on Blu-Ray/DVD, and watching them once and then leaving them on a shelf to collect dust. In an effort to prove her wrong and to also at the same time annoy her, I’ve decided to watch every episode of Family Guy I own. And I own all of them on DVD. All 16 seasons. Plus the Stewie movie and the Star Wars Parodies. I will also review watch episode and share my thoughts here. Each article will most likely be a different length due to not knowing how many I will watch at any given time. I will be watching them in order as well so this should be really fun for me, not my wife.

Season 1, Episode 3 “Chitty Chitty Death Bang”

All Lois wants is to have a special first birthday for Stewie. Lois feels like this is her last chance to share something special with her son. So she makes the mistake of sending Peter to Cheesie Charlie’s (a Chucke Cheese knockoff) to pay the deposit for Stewie’s birthday party.

Peter soon learns that Cheesie Charlie’s is great fun. Peter plays the claw machine and doesn’t win. So he reaches up through the prize door in an attempt to get a prize, which makes him lose his watch. When a little boy wins Peter’s watch, Peter tries to take it from the boy. Peter is reprimanded by the manager who quickly changes his tune when he finds out Peter has a reservation, Peter however says that he will not celebrate Stewie’s party at Cheesie Charlie’s and his reservation is quickly taken.

Stewie believes that his birthday is no more than an attempt to place him back in his mother’s womb by the man in white.

All this plus Meg joins a cult.

A lot is going on in “Chitty Chitty Death Bang” and a lot of it works. Peter’s recollection of how he was treated at Cheesie Charlie’s is hilarious and so too is Stewie as he recounts his “escape” from Lois. Meg’s plot about the Cult has its moments as well but not quite as strong as the rest of the episode.

Grade B+

Season 1, Episode 4 “Mind Over Murder”

Stewie is teething and in pain. Lois tells him that the pain will go away soon. This prompts Stewie to want to build a time machine.

Lois asks Peter to drive Chris to his soccer game, and quickly come home to watch Stewie. When Peter gets to Chris’ game Quagmire is there and tempts Peter to stay because he has beer. It works. Soon Peter gets into a fight with a woman who he confuses for a man. Peter punches her and learns that she is also pregnant.

Peter is placed under house arrest and builds a bar in his basement. Lois is at first annoyed but when she performs a song, she’s a hit. She soon becomes a star where all the men in Quahog come to Peter’s bar to see Lois.

Stewie is successful is making is time machine and learns he must use it to go back in time instead of forward because of a fire at Peter’s bar.

This is by far the best episode so far. Lois finally finds a voice, instead just reacting to Peter. Cleveland makes his first real appearance and Quagmire says “Alright” for the first time. Stewie is also starting to develop more as a character as Seth MacFarlane really starts to “get” Stewie’s voice.

Grade: A

Season 1, Episode 5 “A Hero Sits Next Door”

Mr. Weed, Peter’s boss at the Happy-Go-Lucky Toy Factory, introduces a ringer for their company softball team, Guillermo, a handsome and stud softball player. During practice Peter pitches a ball to Guillermo and hits him in the knee, injuring him. Mr. Weed tells Peter he needs to find a suitable replacement for Guillermo or he is fired.

Lois and Stewie soon meet Bonnie Swanson, their new neighbor. Peter however wants nothing to do with the husband Joe. While in bed Lois tells Peter that Joe used to play college baseball. Peter returns to the Swanson’s and sees all of Joe’s trophies. He excitedly asks Joe if he would join his softball team, Joe agrees.

When Joe arrives at the softball game we learn that he is in a wheelchair. But don’t judge a book by its cover as Joe is still a world class athlete and scores the winning run for Peter’s softball team.

Peter overcome by jealousy soon starts resenting Joe. Not only is Joe popular with everyone in Quahog, he becomes popular with the Griffins as well.

Peter wanting to be a hero like Joe attempts to thrawt a bank robbery. However it’s Joe who is able to get the robbers to surrender to an adoring crowd. The Griffins tell Peter it’s ok because he is their hero.

Another really strong episode for Family Guy. Joe Swanson’s introduction is great. His story about how he became disabled, fighting the Grinch on a rooftop as he attempts to steal Christmas gifts from orphans, is funny and sweet. Family Guy is really hitting its stride with the past two episodes.

Grade: A

 

Articles, Freakin' Sweet Family Guy, Review

Family Guy: Ryan’s Ultimate Freakin’ Sweet Review of Every Episode Part 1

My wife often accuses me of getting movies on Blu-Ray/DVD, and watching them once and then leaving them on a shelf to collect dust. In an effort to prove her wrong and to also at the same time annoy her, I’ve decided to watch every episode of Family Guy I own. And I own all of them on DVD. All 16 seasons. Plus the Stewie movie and the Star Wars Parodies. I will also review watch episode and share my thoughts here. Each article will most likely be a different length due to not knowing how many I will watch at any given time. I will be watching them in order as well so this should be really fun for me, not my wife.

Season 1, Episode 1 “Death Has A Shadow

The first episode of Family Guy does a really great job introducing the Griffins to the world. In the premiere episode we meet Peter Griffin, the stupid, funny father and husband. Lois, the patient and annoyed wife. Meg, the plain Jane daughter who wants collagen injected lips. Chris, the slow and innocent son. Stewie the attempted matricidal infant. Stewie also speaks with an English accent but it is not known or clear if the other characters can understand him. And Brian, the dog who can speak to the family with no explanation why. Quagmire makes an appearance, and so too does Cleveland but they aren’t the supporting characters we know just yet. More of background friends of Peter.

The first episode finds Peter fired from his job at the toy factory after he stays up all night drinking at a stag party. Instead of telling Lois that he is unemployed he defrauds the government after the send him an unemployment check for $150,000, a week. Soon Peter is buying things he doesn’t need like a moat and renting the statue of David.

The animation in the first episode is a little crude and the voices aren’t quite there yet. The comedy is spot on however, with the series patented cut away gags and over the top stories. Meg is also voiced by Lacey Chabert, who would be replaced by Mila Kunis in season 2.

Overall a pretty good, not quite great introduction to the world of the Griffins.

Grade: B

Season 1, Episode 2 “I Never Met the Dead Man

Peter gives Meg some bad driving advice, making her fail her driver’s exam to obtain her license. On the way home Peter crashes his car into the cable TV system in Quahog. Peter decides to make his life into a TV show by making a TV screen cutout and putting it around his head. Stewie also has a plan to rid the world of broccoli by any means necessary.

The animation looks way better in “I Never Met the Dead Man” than it did in the pilot. Brighter colors and more consistency makes Family Guy look sharper. The show slowly starts to gain its style in both look and comedy in this episode.

Grade: B

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