Rugrats Revival in 2020: Is It Worth It?

Reboot, Upcoming /

Posted: 27 August 2018

One of the articles: https://www.etonline.com/rugrats-is-coming-back-with-a-revival-series-and-live-action-movie-106135

Back in July, it was announced that the Nickelodeon ’90s hit animated series Rugrats will return with a new season of 26 episodes and a new movie in 2020.

My Reaction

Aw, yes, the Rugrats (Nickelodeon, 1991-2004), an all-time classic! Yes, I was a Nick kid growing up in the ‘90s. My TV stayed on that Nickelodeon all the time. It’s not that I hated any other channel, it was just that I was too lazy to change the channel. Also I kept breaking or losing the remote that came with the TV set. It would always put a smile on my face when Rugrats would come on.

Do realize that this show was cancelled several times. It was revived in the following years:  1996 and 2005 (if you want to count the 2 direct-to-video “Tales from the Crib” movies). Now it’s going to be revived again.

Why?

Rugrats must be one timeless franchise to be revived once again. I thought the franchise was too far gone to be revived with all the new characters and changes in direction in its time. Unlike other timeless classics that get revived often like Mickey Mouse and Looney Tunes, Rugrats should NOT be one of them. It had a good run. Why exhaust it more even if it is to introduce the show to an new generation of kids (man, I keep thinking the show isn’t that old and hearing “new generation” makes me feel old)? Despite the original creators being on board with this project, wouldn’t rerunning the old episodes be good enough but with fresh promotions like contests? What other stories are there to tell?

I’ve seen this show through its good times and bad times through the years. What kind of times will this revival have? Perhaps watching a preview of the new movie/show could further influence my decision whether or not to commit to watching it or not. At this point, I’m not sure whether a revival for this franchise is a good idea. I may watch a new episode or the movie and I could decide from there. It’s too soon to tell.

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What Vic Watched: Samurai Jack Seasons 3 and 4

Currently Watching /

Posted: 23 August 2018

I decided to integrate the posts for seasons 3 and 4 because they are essentially the same quality. Season 5 in its entirety, a whole other story, has been watched. A review will be posted as soon as its written.

Seasons 3 (watched from 26 July to 3 August) and 4 (6 August to 14 August) retain the show’s superb condition as Jack continues to chase down Aku and a portal to the past. The series shows its seriousness through darker-themed episodes. Despite this darken-ness there are still some light parts that make me smile because this show makes me happy. No matter how badly Jack gets beaten up and and scratched, oftentimes the bruises and scratches disappear by the next scene. Another thing I really like about Jack is that never gives up. He can’t when he has a big quest to accomplish.

Is it just me or starting in late season 3, Jack looks a bit older? The accumulating lines on his face must be a result of a long journey spanning several years but they make him look wiser.

In a season 3 episode’s credits (Episode XXXI), we see more relatives temporarily join the crew. “Randy Mters” and “James Tin Walker” do a fine job at sheet timing. They are let go as soon as they hire a better person to type out the ending credits without typos.

Notable Episodes in Season 3 (asterisk notates the names I made up):

Episodes XXXVII and XXXVIII (Birth of Evil, Parts 1 and 2)-This episode shines light on how Aku came into existence and how Jack received his sword. This is a very important episode for reference in later episodes, namely in the season 5 episodes.

Episode XXXV (Jack and the Haunted House*)- When you watch this episode, try to watch in surround sound or with really good headphones. Bonus points if you watch at night. I say this episode was made for such devices as there are effects that were made to startle and to put you in suspense.

Bonus: Episode XXXIX (Secret Agent Jack*)- Not spoiling much but this is another episode where Jack “jumps good.”

Notable Episodes in Season 4

Episode XLIX (The Four Seasons and Jack*)- I swear that there are some instances when it looks like Jack gets hurt and needs to go to the hospital. There’s are no modern hospitals to be found on this show; even in the future! Also we never see Jack injured to the point he can’t continue with his mission but we did see him sick in another episode. This is the episode that showcases the extremes of each season and the how he deals with them.

Episode LII (Jack Finds a Baby*)- This episodes shows a fatherly side to Jack not shown in any other episode. Jack must have had a pretty good father and father figures to have inherited the parenting skills he demonstrated. All that while still on his quest.

Common Voices/Characters

More excellent work from the voice actors as well. I have to say at times when I hear Jack speak, I think of Wilt from Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends (Yes, same voice actor). At times throughout these seasons, Grey DeLisle (now “Grey Griffin”) voices a minor character or villain. Oftentimes DeLisle’s character interacts with Jack such as in the season 3 train episode (Episode XXIX). I understand Grey DeLisle and Phil LaMarr have lent their voices to other shows but when I see their characters together, I can’t help but think about Fluffernutter and Jackie Khones (voices by DeLisle and LaMarr, respectively) also of Foster’s Home. They were also on Evil con Carne as Hector con Carne and Major Doctor Ghastly, to name another example.

Seasons 3 and 4 are just as good as seasons 1 and 2 but with more characters introduced, there are more opportunities for story ideas. Season 4 was the last season in the show’s initial run. The last episode wasn’t an ending to the series at all. If you’ve come this far watching all of seasons 1-4, you must watch all of season 5 for an ending (more on that later). Yes, all 4 seasons were fine but it just left fans hanging when it ended in 2004.

What Vic Watched: Samurai Jack Seasons 3 and 4 Read More »

Here’s what’s going on…

Upcoming /

Posted: 10 August 2018

Hello again!

For the next few days, unless I can find a phone app to help me post something, there will be next to no post. I will be away on from my computers. I should post again sometime after Tuesday or Wednesday.

I have the Samurai Jack season 3 post currently outlined and it is to be written. I am to finish watching season 4 on Tuesday or so. I don’t know what show I will watch next but I might not be writing long post about each season. There could be a different format. I also have other updates on upcoming entertainment. Stay tuned to see what they are.

Vic out!

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Thoughts about Invader Zim and Enter the Florpus

Thoughts, Upcoming /

Posted: 9 August 2018

Basic series summary: Zim, a green alien from planet Irk, is sent to Earth to blend in with the humans and destroy the planet.

Invader Zim (Nickelodeon, 2001-2002; Nicktoons, 2006) will always be a great show/comic/anime (whatever media you want to make it). It faced a tragic and unfair cancellation. Thanks to home media, I thought I would lose it forever.

My initial experiences

When the show first aired on 30 March 2001, I wasn’t too sure if I should watch it or not. It did not seem like the other shows Nick put out at the time. That night, I gave Zim a try and I thought it was OK. It took until September of the year for the liking growth to be obvious. After 9/11, things started to change. Nick began to show Zim less and less and kept shuffling the show all over the schedule from week to week. Just as I was expecting Zim to air, another show kept taking its place. New episodes were sporadically and irregularly shown and they were unannounced (i.e. Gir Goes Crazy and Stuff/Dib’s Wonderful Life of Doom was a surprise for me). The DVDs made me happy to have the show back into my life. I could watch any ep anytime.

Overall thoughts

The high cost of production really shines though the show’s animation and episode quality. The animation is beautiful, robust, and shows no signs of aging. Even though I have seen each episode dozens and dozens of times and each storyline has become slightly stale to me, there is something in this high degree of quality that makes me want to watch again. I’d watch again no matter how many times I watched, say, one night 14 years ago. I swear I watched Sad, Sad Tale of Chickenfoot 6 times in one night that long ago and it’s still something I reach for sometimes.

Yeah! A revival movie!

With all the politics that went on between creator Jhonen Vasquez and Nickelodeon, I was convinced Zim had no chance for being revived. Later on, I became all for some revival to be done. When I found out a movie was being made, I wanted to learn more. Over a year later the trailer debuted. From what I saw, the art style is similar to that of the new comics. Years ago, I read somewhere that if Zim were to be revived, the animation would be cheaper and not in the same style to which the original series made us accustomed. All I can say is that if it’s Invader Zim-related, I’m so there. The fact that the trailer had no dialogue makes me want to watch the movie even more.

One question: What’s a “Florpus”? I guess we’ll find out after the movie comes out. Next question: WHEN will this movie come out? I hope it’s sometime this year.

Invader Zim is a high-quality series and I look forward to seeing the new movie.

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What Vic Watched: Samurai Jack Season 2

Currently Watching /

Posted:  2 August 2018

Jack’s quest for a portal to the past continues in season 2. This time the storylines had more depth, fight scenes were less boring compared to season 1, and more stories took place outside the futuristic city.  Also in season 2, we saw a wider variety of villains other than Aku, such as robots and monsters, antagonize these 13 episodes. 

Notable Episodes

In Season 2 (watched from July 17th to July 26th), there was a variety of different story types. These range from the noble stories of the rescue of the Scottsman’s wife and Jack finding his childhood home in ruins (thanks to Aku). There were also some silly stories, namely the flatulent dragon episode and the theft of Jack’s clothes and sword (must have been a fun ep to make *wink*). One of my favorite eps was when Jack was searching for a new pair of shoes.

Voice acting and Phil’s Twin Brother

The voice acting continues to intrigue. One of the notable mentions include the talented Kevin Michael Richardson’s many character voices on this show. I like how he used his trademark deep voice and added variation by adding different accents to the wide array of characters. It also seems that in the later copyright 2001 episodes, Phil LaMarr stepped down from voicing Jack and his twin brother “Pill” LaMarr stepped in and did quite a fine job. It was like Phil never left. Phil returned in the early copyright 2002 episodes. How do I know about this? It’s this (highlight to read): “There was a typo in the credits in the ‘voices’ section. Heehee!“

Another fine season

The cast and crew of Samurai Jack continue to bat 1000 in season 2. Season 2 is just as good as season 1 but the surprises keep on coming. If I can have likings to Genndy Tartakovsky’s other works such as the comedic Dexter’s Laboratory and the sci-fi of Sym-bionic Titan, I just had to give the fantasy adventure Samurai Jack the light of day and I’m glad I did. Finishing season 2 made me excited for more adventures in season 3 and for what’s to come in season 4 and 5.

I should finish watching season 3 by Friday. I will have a review posted as soon as I finish writing it.

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Misadventure Awaits: Checking Out Disenchantment

Upcoming /

Published 26 July 2018

Ever since I was young up until recent years, I lived and breathed The Simpsons. I would watch reruns every night and compare events from the episodes to situations in my life from time to time. I also watch Futurama occasionally when I can. Soon there will be a new addition to the family of Matt Groening’s creations. As Futurama takes place in the future (a sci-if), The Simpsons is in the present (a sitcom), and soon I shall observe the latest Medieval fantasy series, Disenchantment.

From what I understand from watching the trailers and other related videos, the show is about Princess Bean who is to be married off for political reasons. She is also an alcoholic due to daddy issues and the fact that her brother is next in line to be king. She and her companions Elfo (an elf) and Luci (her personal demon) go on adventures together. The show takes place in the kingdom of Dreamland. That’s the best description I can give for now.

The fact that the art style is so similar to The Simpsons influences my decision to try this series. The art has so much detail that it would look great on an HD TV like you’re in with the action. I also read Mark Mothersbaugh composed the score. It will be on Netflix, not on FOX like the previously mentioned shows. Good! I am more likely to watch shows on Netflix so I can take my time and watch when I can. I hardly watch FOX on live TV anymore.

I look forward to watching the first 10 episodes of Disenchantment on Netflix starting August 17th.

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Rocko’s Modern Life: Static Cling is coming!

Upcoming /

Posted 23 July 2018

This was announced at San Diego Comic Con 2017 (last year). It’s never too late to share my views about this.

After being in space for about 20 years (based on last episode, Future Schlock), Rocko, Heffer, and Filburt return to Earth only to find society has changed heavily. O-Town looks more futuristic. The rapid changes that happened during the passing decades scare Rocko.

I’m going to make this review as brief as I can. I think it’s rather sweet how Nickelodeon still acknowledges Rocko as part of its past. Judging from watching the trailer, though visibly digitized, the animation stayed true to the old show. When I first found out about this movie, in my mind I pictured a Rocko movie with really a cheesy CGI overkill. Though not the same feel as the old animation, the animation is still good enough to make me smile for nostalgia.

I also think it’s neat how the original voice actors returned (Carlos Alazraqui as Rocko, Tom Kenny as Heffer, Mr. Lawrence as Filburt, and Charlie Adler as Mr. and Mrs Bighead). Hearing their voices on the trailer, they sound like they never left the show.

I can’t wait for this movie to come out! I’m sure it will be a delight to watch because I seen many eps and I expect the same level of quality from this movie. Now, when is it coming out?

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What is Vic Watching?

Currently Watching, Review /

Posted 18 July 2018

I’m pretty much always watching a show. This is a segment I would like to start with which I chronicle a show I plan to watch from start to finish. Usually I will watch 2 episodes every weekday. I won’t exactly review every episode of the show but I will give my thoughts about the show. Do note that the factors of me completing a show include availability and the quality of the series.

Vic watches Samurai Jack

Beginning July 9th, I have begun watching Samurai Jack episodes. Samurai Jack (Cartoon Network/Adult Swim; 2001-2004, 2017) is about a samurai who gets sent through a portal to a dystopian future by a shape-shifting demon (Aku). It is up to the samurai to finish the quest to return to the past to defeat Aku before he overtakes the world.

Why Samurai Jack?

Upon completing every available Steven Spielberg cartoon (Tiny Toon Adventures, Animaniacs and spin-offs; possible future posts) the first show to come to mind to watch next was Samurai Jack. For a number of years I joked to myself about starting and finishing this show. I now think I’m ready to take myself seriously. I wasn’t too interested when it first came out in 2001 (I was a Nick kid and it wasn’t my taste). Upon sampling Genndy Tartakovsky’s other works, I started to consider this one. Finding out about the 2017 reboot also sparked some interest.

What do I think so far?

As of posting this, I have completed watching the entire first season and have begun the second season. Let’s focus on season one. The first 3 episodes (considered a “movie”) was a fine introduction about the samurai’s early life, how his ordeal began, and his early adventures in the Aku-infested future. The manner in which “Jack” received his name, I felt, was quite humorous. It was in this go-around that it donned on me that Jack received his name in the future. His birth-given name remains unknown. In the early eps, we see young Jack visiting the different countries and learning new skills. Seeing those scenes make me think Jack is more well-rounded than I am. He shows those skills as the show goes on.

What I like:

I really like looking at the Japanese-inspired artwork especially in the early episodes. I’ve had a liking to Japanese themes for quite some time. The artwork is beautiful! I also like the voice actors on this show; Jack was played by Phil LaMarr (also on other show I like such as Foster’s Home and Evil con Carne (first shows to come to mind)) and Aku was played by the late, great Mako (Iwamatsu). Mako did a great Aku; brought to life a voice of a villain who wished not to be disturbed.

What I don’t like:

I wasn’t quite a fan of the long, monotonous fight scenes. Either they really dragged on or they were making me more tired after coming inside from the heat after driving away from a day of work. Will they fix this in season 2? Another thought is: why did Mako have to die in 2006? He had a great voice.

So, off to a good start?

This show started well. The episodes after episode 3 are mostly self-contained so you can jump in to watch at any time during the season. Overall, season 1 was good.

I am currently watching season 2. Season 2 and other seasons and/or episodes will be discussed as soon as viewing is complete.

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How did I get to watch the movie Flushed Away on a weeknight?

Some Stuff, Up Next /

Posted 16 July 2018

…Because I can! If you like Aardman animation and British humor, you should definitely give this 2006 movie a try.

Some things:

You may notice I haven’t been putting pictures with my posts. Yes, it seems easy to go on Google and steal other people’s pictures and post on here with my posts. On the other hand, I have absolutely no time and money to get in trouble and pay hefty fines. I have plans for my future that don’t include those. I could make pictures but I have yet to figure out how I’m going to do it. Yeah, I figure out how to dress up my blog posts when I can.

Also, I am in the process of writing a post about a show I am currently watching. The post will come up soon.

Stay cool, everyone!

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We Asked for It, We Got It: Hey Arnold Jungle Movie (2017)

Review /

Posted 11 July 2018

Hey Arnold
Nickelodeon
Original Run: 7 October 1996 – 8 June 2004
Movie Air Date: 24 November 2017

It’s Hey Arnold, it has to be good. This latest movie was the continuation and closure we have been waiting for for quite some time. Even in the today’s state of Nickelodeon, if a movie of an old show comes out, namely Hey Arnold, you have to watch it.

Returning in the form of a TV movie, Hey Arnold returns in all its charm as well as many returning cast members (some of the best in the industry like Dan Castellaneta and Tress MacNeille). Francesca Marie Smith also returns and continues to nail it as Helga. There were also some new voices; some were great (Mason Vale Cotton (Arnold) did a fine job), some not so great (for example, Oscar and Mr. Hyunh (both played by Wally Wingert replacing Steve Viksten and Baoan Coleman respectively) just sounded over-exaggerated and not as genuine as in the show). Among those new voices were Jet Jurgensmeyer (Stinky) from the Legends of the Hidden Temple movie. The music sounded great as Jim Lang once again outdoes himself composing the movie’s soundtrack. The characters were slightly redesigned. Let me be the first to say, “Miriam has eyebrows!” In the words of Mr. Hyunh, “Veddy Kleeply!” I also enjoyed the tributes and references to the older episodes. Even though the writers had to remember how to do Hey Arnold after an absence of many years, they sure did pull it off!

This movie is great for those millennials who grew up watching Hey Arnold in the ’90s and ’00s. Like other revival movies, this movie could be an encouragement for those younger kids to gain an interest in the show. The movie surely earns its PG rating as there were more mature elements that were not present in the original series.

To me and many other Hey Arnold fans, I’m sure, this movie is a real dream that has come to life. This fine show deserve the ending it deserved. Before I give the movie its rating, I would like to say that I vaguely remember signing an online petition to get this movie made years ago. I can’t remember whether I signed it or not but as naïve as I was in 2004, I’m sure I signed it at least once. I didn’t think it would happen but it did. I had a good cry at the end of the movie because of this quote at the end of the credits:

“Thank you to all the fans who wrote letters and signed petitions encouraging the making of this movie”

This was being pretty sure that my digital signature was on one of those petitions to make it happen.

The Jungle Movie gets 5 stars. All the changes aside such as updated animation and new voice actors, this was the Hey Arnold I’ve adored for over two decades. It was all there. I expected nothing less from the crew. An excellent series has been crowned with a fitting finale.

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