Author: torstenvblog

Writer of the strange and everything; lover of horror, literature, comics, and the alien is my spirit animal

Family Guy

family-guy

I’m pretty sure this show needs no introductions. It’s brought joy and rage to thousands; it’s that show your parents yelled at you for watching but right after went into there rooms and watched, and is arguably one of the most controversial shows on TV.

The show revolves around the Griffin family as they live a ordinary/ less than ordinary life in Quahog, Rhode Island with a colorful cast of friends and side characters. The Griffin’s are Peter the idiotic dad, Lois the housewife trying to keep it together, Chris the fat, dimwitted son, Meg the outcast, Stewie the homicidal baby and there dog Brian the lush and pompous wannabe writer. For the first few seasons, the Griffins almost felt like a modern day Simpsons for the new millennium, with a bit more edge and a style of using cutaways to mini skits to keep the laughs rolling. It was alright then, not really too special but the fan base was dedicated and was able to revive it from cancellation.

Coming back after a few years with season 4, Family Guy sky-rocketed in popularity and came back more insane than ever. From seasons 4 to 9, the show pushed the limits anyway it could and honestly that’s when it was the best in my opinion- I mean hell they even did there own version of the Star Wars trilogy and it was pretty hilarious. In high school it was the one show most kids I knew watched, despite what clique they were in, and most of the people I worked with were the same. If you want to see the best of Family Guy, I recommend seasons 4-9.

Season 10 to the present day is when the magic seemed to die. There’s few episodes that were in some pretty bad taste, meant for a shock laugh, but instead left me feeling kinda dirty. Another thing that was beginning to creep it’s way in was how toxic the Griffin’s really are; where they began feeling like a flawed but decent hearted family at there core, in the present I find all of them to be insufferable assholes in there own way. Like many shows gone on too long, things got stale and I couldn’t even bother getting past season 12. I peaked in around the others and found no sign of hope, just the rotting corpse of what was a good show.

To wrap this piece up, the first 9 seasons are a good time I’d definitely recommend but stop there. What I found beyond there wasn’t worth watching. May the gaming gods bring you glory.

Cats Trailer

Ok, before I go on, I do actually like musicals ( Sweeney Todd, Repo: The Genetic Opera, and of course the Rocky Horror Picture Show to name a few.) I think the music to Cats in the trailer sounds great and its obvious a lot of time, effort, and talent went into this movie: but I have to agree with a lot of other critics, the makeup is creepy as hell. The visuals of all these stars turned into Cat people is really damn off putting and doesn’t make think of cats but Alf’s mutated cousins. I hope the movie can get past the strange makeup effects. May the gaming gods bring you glory.

His Dark Materials trailer 1

This Comic- con trailer left me intrigued and confused. First, not knowing anything about the the source material going in, I felt I was watching a trailer for 2 totally different stories. The first half feels like a dark, war thriller while the other half feels like a dark fantasy. Either way, I like the tone and I’m always a fan of James McAvoy’s work as an actor. Upon doing some quick research I discovered the Golden Compass was an adaptation of the first part of this series and frankly I prefer this look and feel more than the film adaptation; the armored up polar bear is pretty badass here. I’m actually curious and may look into the books after seeing this. May the gaming gods bring you glory.

Borderlands 3 “So Happy Together” trailer

I’m always blown away how far this game has come and how damn quick it has. There isn’t actually gameplay involved as disclaimed in the trailer but it’ll get you pumped watching the new Vault Hunters dance to this chipper tune while unleashing chaos in a way only Borderlands can. May the gaming gods bring you glory.

The King’s Man teaser

I’ve never been a fan of the secret agent thing but I have to admit I was incredibly impressed by the first Kingsman movie. While I didn’t see the second and heard mixed reviews, the impression of the first stayed with me. As for the prequel, it’s actually a good idea and the time period lends itself for some interesting ideas. It looks gritty which is interesting. In the end, I’d check it out. May the gaming gods bring you glory.

IT Chapter 2 trailer 2

It’s amazing how an awesome trailer can perk you up before a grueling day at work. My hype for this movie is pretty huge, I’d say as much as my friends were hyped for Godzilla: King of the monsters (Torsten) . The visuals were incredible and it’s always awesome to get some Pennywise in my day. It looks awesome and September can’t get here fast enough. May the gaming gods bring you glory.

3 From Hell trailer 2

I wasn’t impressed at all during the last glimpse we got of a movie I really couldn’t see a point in. This trailer, revealing a good deal of the plot, at least helps me see a point in it’s existence. It’s a fair excuse how Otis, Capt Spaulding, and Baby survived but it’s still feels flimsy to me. Still I like the tone seems to be a hybrid of the previous two movies. It’ll be interesting how it plays out. May the gaming gods bring you glory.

 

The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle

rocky and bullwinkle

For the past 17 years now, mainly after reading Dark Tower 6: Song of Susannah I’ve feared inter-dimensional rifts where the characters I created would walk amongst us and likely waste my ass in the process. Well before that, I saw the Rocky and Bullwinkle movie…

Who doesn’t know the beloved cartoon characters Rocket J Squirrel (Rocky) and Bullwinkle J Moose? Throughout the old days, the adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle charmed and entertained folks for years to come, thwarting the plots of Fearless Leader and his lackeys Boris and Natasha. When the 90’s and early 2000’s bring a time when they are nearly forgotten, until a movie executive accidentally  brings the nefarious trio into or real world and begin trying to take over our world. Our only hope is in young special agent Karen Sympathy who sneaks into Hollywood Studios and green lights Rocky and Bullwinkle into reality. Can our Cartoon heroes save the day in a world far from theirs?

The Rocky and Bullwinkle movie, while corny, awkward, and a little dated, it’s a charming fish- out- of- water story. It was really cool the voices of Rocky, Bullwinkle, and the narrator are the classic voices; Deniro, Alexander, and Russo do really well as live action versions of the villains. The acting is all around solid and there’s a lot of cameos throughout. The movie is extremely meta which may or may not turn some people off but I liked how it was done. In the end, the Rocky and Bullwinkle movie isn’t a bad movie and its a charming little comedy for the kids. May the gaming gods bring you glory.

Dragonball Z : Bojack Unbound

dbz bojack

I love the idea of treating Bojack’s  movie as an epilogue to Dragonball Z: Android Saga (Cell Games) and honestly it does work pretty well in concept. Gohan’s on his own and he’s the strongest fighter Earth has to offer so there’s a lot that can done. So how does Gohan’s first time leading the Z Fighters go?

After Cell was destroyed by Gohan, Hercule gets the credit and becomes arguably the biggest celebrity on the planet. A spoiled rich kid has Hercule host a huge tournament with the opportunity to face real aliens. Of course the Z fighters show up and advance to the real show, only to discover the aliens they were supposed to fight were killed by a group of space pirates that King Kai had stored away, unleashed by his planet getting destroyed. The band is led by Bojack, who means to go on a rampage unless Gohan and his friends can stop him…

This movie could have been awesome but there is a huge flaw I have with it. Gohan isn’t a bad hero on his own and it was cool to see him in Goku’s colors; it was also cool seeing Trunks again and I like the detail about Vegeta mourning over Goku. I really like the opening fight with Trunks and Tien, two of my favorite characters in the series. There are some cool fights with Bojack’s crew and the Z Fighters throughout. The problem is Bojack. He predominately let’s his minions do the fighting for him, jumping in for a few cheap shots. Once Gohan goes Super Saiyan 2, Gohan mops the floor with him and it doesn’t remotely feel like Bojack was a challenge. If you don’t mind a disappointing end, it’s not a bad movie and worth a watch. May the gaming gods bring you glory.