Wednesday 29 June 2011

American Dad




On first glance, American Dad looks like a carbon copy of Seth MacFarlane's "other" show Family Guy. The animation is near identical, the lead character Stan Smith's knuckle headed optimism and in-your-face presentation doesn't so much recall Peter Griffin as grab you by the throat and scream in your face and Roger the alien and Klaus the goldfish work in much the same way Stewie and Brian do in the previous show. So far so very familiar, as though MacFarlane dressed up his fourth FG series with different characters when it was initially cancelled so as to stay on the air but stick with it, and American Dad will eventually reveal itself as a superior cartoon to it's predecessor.

Sure, the humour is once again a mixture of insightful witticisms, biting satire and odd bursts into toilet humour but rather than the chaos of Family Guy where the plot seems to revolve round the jokes, here the opposite is true. The flashbacks are almost totally absent and instead each episode features a structure and character development that is normally missing from the first show. Okay some of the episodes fall a bit flat but nevertheless, there are considerably more hits than there are misses and when it's good, it's brilliant. "A Smith In The Hand" for example is in this writer's humble opinion, the funniest thing MacFarlane and his team have ever produced.

What's more, American Dad is considerably more politically-orientated and everything you could conceive about the USA's current state of fear mongering and distrust is put beneath a microscope and parodied mercilessly. Stan Smith is a boorish depiction of all that paranoia rolled into one and some of his outbursts and overreactions are hilarious. Take the scene where he locks up his new Arab neighbours in his back garden for instance in a moment that scarily recalls the nightmarish conditions of Guantanamo bay yet still manages to be side splittingly funny or any of his numerous conceited one-liners ("only women have emotions son, they come from their ovaries").

Only time will tell if American Dad can outlive the shadow of it's far more successful big brother, but like the relationship between Futurama and the Simpsons beforehand, it's often a far funnier and considerably more focused show that deserves a wider audience.

My Rating 8/10

Friday 24 June 2011

The Big Bang Theory



The big bang theory is a wonderful comedy that revolves around two central characters.. Sheldon, an extremely talented physicist with an IQ of 187 and two PhD.s who lives in his own scientifically organized world where everything is preplanned and flawless, and Leonard a comparatively less geeky guy who tries to socialize a little but is not really very good at it...

An important aspect while writing a show is how to relate the characters with one another. Leonard becomes roommates with Sheldon and Penny, a sensitive girl who comes to Pasadena to be an actress but winds up as a waitress at a cheesecake factory, moves in across the hall from them. Raj, an Indian astrophysicist and Howard a Jewish engineer work at the same university as Leonard and Sheldon.

Interactions among the characters are really funny, as every character has its own idiosyncrasies and particular way of expression. The show has always been well written, nicely directed and wonderfully presented. There have been guest stars time to time, to make the show even more hilarious.

My Rating 8.5/10

Friday 1 April 2011

South Park



My Rating - 8.9/10



South Park continues to be fresh and unique after 14 series - a rare achievement for any T.V series! The show's main characters; Cartman, Kyle, Stan and Kenny are all able to bring a certain charm to the show. Whether it's Kenny's many deaths, Cartman and Kyle's rivalry or even just Stan's normality! The supporting characters are just as great too, and the antics the boys get caught up in are almost always hillarious! South Park is, in my opinion, one of the few cartoons left that still has the same quality episode as the earlier ones. This show has always been, and hopefully will be, a classic show to remember. You could watch each episode a few times and discover little jokes you previously missed too.
An absolute classic! Many may dislike this show for being crude and for airing many offensive things, but that is exactly why I love it!

Thursday 31 March 2011

Dexter


My Rating 10/10



In truth the first few episodes of the first season didn't really grab me that much, but luckily i stuck with it, and i'm very glad i did. You should too.

The writers take the initial premise of the 'likeable' Serial Killer 'Dexter', who exacts brutal justice to his victims but (and here's the twist) only to those who truly deserve it, on an engaging (and surprisingly believable) emotional journey of self-discovery. That may sound a bit trite, but the series is so well written it never becomes preachy or predictable. In fact the opposite is true. This series is very brave too and is most certainly a very 'adult' themed drama'. It touches on edgy subjects rarely approached by Television and does it with intelligence, with a large chunk of black humour.

As a whole the Dexter experience is rare in that it is an intelligent, challenging and deeply engaging series - and you will identify with a lot more of his personal dilemma's than you might think. Its just the best thing on TV at the moment and is really not to be missed.

Intelligent, dark, funny, morally challenging and very addictive. Dexter is superb TV !!

Wednesday 30 March 2011

100+ Followers



Hey guys i would just like to thank all my followers for your interest and support.
As a sign of my appreciation Im going to share with you a link.
A link to my current favourite programme on TV,
That you can watch for free and with HD streaming.
Tomorrow Im going to write a proper review for this show, so if you are looking for an amazing, addictive, drama/mystery with a original style to it

heres the link ---> http://www.ovguide.com/tv_season/dexter-season-1-79349

i would recommend the "stagevu" links

Tuesday 29 March 2011

Scrubs



My Rating 9/10

Scrubs is a really well written and smart comedy. Unlike so many situation comedies it has kept a nice balance between humor, silliness, and a bit of drama/seriousness. It will make you laugh, cry, and think about life in general. I empthasize with character of JD, who searches for the answers to life, while he works at sacred heart. Unlike most shows, I like all characters, they all real and have depth.
All I can say is, give it time. Let it grow on you a bit before you cast judgment, it was not an instant thing with me, but it only took a few episodes to get me hooked. If you haven't watched an episode of Scrubs, you don't know what you're missing, this is by far one of the funniest shows around and certainly one of the most original.

Monday 28 March 2011

How I Met Your Mother

My Rating - 8.5/10

It's one of the few sitcoms to properly incorporate an intelligent plot and character development along with slapstick humour, womanizing humour, emotional romances, and a little bit of mystery. As the show progresses, the audience are shown clues as to the possible identity of Ted's wife. This of course, not only encourages discussion of the show, but keeps the viewer guessing, until probably the very end. You really get a lot of enjoyment watching this show from the fact that you're just watching a bunch of cooky friends hanging out. One of my favourite things about the show is its constant references to past episodes. Things that are mentioned in passing are always revisited in later episodes. Also the show seems to have a strong relationship with real life media. Often websites mentioned in the show actually appear on the internet, as well as Barney's blog and Barney's "The Bro Code". Overall, a tremendously funny show and one of most enjoyable sitcoms I've seen in a long time.

Sunday 27 March 2011

The Walking Dead



My Rating 8.9/10

The walking dead a title that takes multiple meanings and not just one. When people hear the title, their immediate assumption are zombies. The story however not only revolves around zombies but it revolves around people who are struggling to survive. This is the other reason in which why the show is called "the walking dead" people who are dead not physically but spiritually. Ingenious title.


A cop wakes up to find his city overrun by zombies and the mission he has established for himself: Find his wife and son. A good subplot, but it sounds like one that I have heard before in a zombie flick. The other subplots however make this series amazing and all add up to a great main storyline.
It is so much more than a post-apocalyptic zombie show. Much of the reason for the show's success lies with the lead character, Deputy Sheriff Rick Grimes. As portrayed by Andrew Lincoln, we immediately empathize with the Sheriff - from seeing him shot and left for dead prior to the zombie revolt, to watching him search frantically for his family. The people he meets along the way are equally fascinating. I love the quick thinking, energetic Glenn, the former best friend Shane - even the un-likable Merle. All of these characters add a special dimension to this series.

Saturday 26 March 2011

Leverage



My Rating - 10/10

Some times the bad guys are the best good guys. A gang of ex-criminals are recruited to be the modern day robin hoods providing retribution to thoses hurt or robbed by those who have all the power who take what they want and give nothing back.
The show has it all action, romance and fullfills all the cliche's. Similar to Hustle, there is comedy and exciting with great characters that you soon love.

Leverage is a brilliant, intelligent, and memorable show that keeps you interested throughout an episode. The characters are intriguing, and the perspective of thieves being good guys is interesting. 

Friday 25 March 2011

Hustle


Season 1 to 3 Rating - 10/10

The art of the con, "getting something for nothing." Hustle is a show that is in a league of its own! Amazing pace with plot twists and turns everywhere.
Quick witty remarks, action and cons, hustle is a show about a group of grifters(con artists) who work together on elaborate long cons. Each episode shows the crew trying to hustle a big score, and on they way they pull off smaller cons to raise money. What is so great about this show, is that you think you know what is happening, but each episode throws you a curve ball at the end. The audience usually has no idea whats going on until the very end, when the amazing plan B has worked like a charm. The characters are very well written as well as the script.

Thursday 24 March 2011

Heroes



My Rating - 10/10


im going to be honest it helps if you love anything superhero related, but Heroes is an amazing TV series. Tim Kring has created a show deserving of mass dedicated followers (which it has). The show started with a focus on 4 of the main characters. Peter Petrelli (Milo Ventimiglia), Hiro Nakamura (Masi Oka), Claire Bennet (Hayden Panettiere), and Nikki/Jessica Sanders (Ali Larter). Yes that last one was no type-o she has a split personality that’s much more complicated than most. They all discover their powers in their own way (Flying,Time Control, Healing, Super Strength) and deal with if differently accordingly. The season goes on to expand with additional character all that fit well, connect with one another beautifully and keeps the show interesting. It gives you my two favorite kinds of twists, ones you figure out right before it happens, and the classic “what! No way! I didn’t see that coming” twist aka the “where the M. Night Shyamalan did that come from” twist. Season one also introduces one of the most sinister TV villains since Roseanne. His name is Sylar and unlike the other Heroes he uses his (at first) mysterious powers to kill others, who as it turns out are not random hits. He leaves his victims with their heads cut open and their brains missing. Are you watching Heroes yet or do you need more? Every story line is interwined intelligently and all follow the popular prophecy “save the cheerleader, save the world” which does make perfect since once you watch the season. There is a countdown to the destruction of most of NY, an explosion of nuclear proportions was predicted by an artist who can paint the future. The climax in the season finale does not disappoint and leaves you wanting more. Its hard to review with out giving anything away, but do yourself a favor and rent the first disc of the season, get hooked, catch up, and join thousands of others

Thursday 17 March 2011

TV

Dexter - 9.8/10
Amazing show, not usually into crime scene drama but if you want a clever on the edge of your seat drama look no further.

Watch free here