The Wayans Bros.: The Complete Series... Reviewed!

A copy of The Wayans Bros. The Complete Series was provided by Warner Bros for review. My opinions are my own.

The Wayans Bros.: The Complete Series Hits DVD – A Nostalgic Treat for Fans!

The beloved sitcom The Wayans Bros., which premiered in 1995, has finally been released as a complete series on DVD! This five-season set includes all episodes inside a case that you're sure to appreciate, offering fans a chance to relive the hilarious antics of Shawn and Marlon Wayans as they navigate life in the Big Apple alongside their father. The case keeps the DVDs tamed and actually snaps the plastic holders in place, ready for action.

Did you know that Marlon Wayans told the late, great John Witherspoon that he wanted him to play his dad on a TV show prior to the existence of the sitcom? Marlon's wish came true, as John brought his larger-than-life personality and unforgettable one-liners to the role of Pops, making the show even more memorable. #BangBangBang

The Wayans Bros. wasn't just a hit in New York; it resonated with audiences nationwide. I believe this resulted in the facelift we see ushered in with the second season. This is the format most viewers are familiar with as the popularity began to soar. Its blend of slapstick humor, witty banter, and over-the-top antics made it a cultural touchstone for '90s television. People still remember many of the show's iconic one-liners to this day, and it almost feels like an ongoing skit from In Living Color. The portion of the episodes prior to the show's intro actually delivers more of that In Living Color-style content that's usually crazy and over the top. A prime example is when Marlon was supposed to watch the fries being cooked in the kitchen while Shawn was on the phone. Marlon ended up on fire, Shawn looked in the kitchen, saw him on fire, and said he's burning the fries.

If you have a Blu-ray or DVD player, this set is a must-have for fans of Wayans family comedy! The show's humor hasn't aged a bit, but some of the fashion has. Either way, it's a great way to get your laugh on. Plus, it's a fitting tribute to John Witherspoon, who left an indelible mark on the series and the industry. You will find cameo after cameo featured on the show, from The Jeffersons' Sherman Hemsley to Roy Jones Jr., Seinfeld's Phil Morris, comedy legend Bernie Mac, Michael Clarke Duncan, and many more. This will become a trend you can expect throughout the series. This show is very easy to watch, and it was actually Marlon Wayans' style of comedy that inspired younger comedians like DC Young Fly, as it blended humor with relatable life experiences.

While the show declined in ratings ahead of the generational shift of 2000, I feel that it would have held even stronger if there had been a goal to bring the show to a close. This would have allowed more viewers to stick around with the dedicated fanbase to see how it ends, knowing that it's a limited series. Most shows without a set end usually hit this wall where viewers have seen all there is to see and want to move on to something else. I believe that the storyline is better crafted when the mission is set. That's not to say The Wayans Bros. didn't have a strong conclusion while maintaining its comedic charm and wrapping up the show in a satisfying way, but the dots would have connected even more if the plan was to end it after five seasons.

One major disappointment that I have with this set is the lack of bonus content. These are the stars behind In Living Color, Scary Movie, White Chicks, and more! There were no bloopers?! That would have sweetened the pot for the dedicated fanbase, comedians, and fans of comedy. Such a missed opportunity, along with commentary that would have allowed us to fill in the blanks from the surviving cast members. Pricewise, The Wayans Bros.: The Complete Series gives you a trip down memory lane for an impressive $45.99, allowing John Witherspoon's legacy to live on.

Runtime: 50+ hours. Rated: TV-PG

Storyline 4

Visuals 3

Audio 4

Price 5

4 out of 5 Cool Points

 + Blu 

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Office Fight: A Cathartic Indie Game Experience + First 30 Gameplay!

Inspired by the developers’ own experiences with games industry layoffs, Office Fight is a cathartic experience for anyone keen to stick it to the corporate overlords. Hurl a cappuccino at Sandra in Accounting and watch her mistakenly blame Barney in HR, kicking off a calamitous brawl. Oops, there goes the photocopier!

Game Description

You’ve been unfairly laid off by Mega Corp and the news kills you. Literally. But your restless ghost wants REVENGE! ‘Restructure’ Mega Corp in this hilarious physics-based office destruction game featuring puzzles, destructible environments, and ragdoll fight simulations.

Gameplay

Ready for some hands-on experience? Smash your way through each department and break every rule in the employee handbook. Each office battleground is full of unique physics-based challenges, insane chain reactions, and temperamental office furniture.

Epic Boss Fights

We’ve all had that boss who could use some polite feedback. Now is your chance to show them how you really feel about their management style. Get ready for your 1:1 performance review!

Personal Thoughts

I think this game is fantastic, and it’s a perfect way to let off steam in regards to work. It pokes fun at the workplace, but it doesn’t stop there. You can pit co-workers against each other and tackle challenges to create as much damage and chaos as possible to achieve a high score and progress. Each stage challenges you to get between one to three stars, increasing replay value along with 40 game achievements. Additionally, you can progress in this game and take on the powers that be in Mega Corp. It’s a fun take on a physics-based adventure game and it doesn't slack on the comedy. I haven’t smiled this much while playing a game in quite some time. Kids would enjoy the physics, but I highly recommend this to adult gamers... because of what it is. The controls are simple but can be challenging during boss stages and battles. Overall, you’ll be able to manage and have fun at the same time.

This funtastic indie game from Fenix Studios is priced at $14.99... so if this game floats your boat or looks like a good way to take the edge off, get it here.

Enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend and… game on!

 + Sophi 

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Wednesday... Reviewed!

Shout out to Warner Bros Discovery for providing a copy of this show to review. My opinions are my own.

Right out of the gate, this show gained my interest thinking it was going to place Wednesday and Pugsley in a high school setting that challenged them to navigate through token school life, but then things shifted after something entertaining occurred. Does it hold up from this point? Let's find out.

Story: So that... thing that Wednesday pulled off at school to avenge Pugsley got her the boot, but not the students who kicked it all off (you know how that usually goes)... but her move to a new school took her from the ordinary to the abnormal via Nevermore Academy.

Wednesday goes into this season with smoke for her parents. It mainly seems like it's aimed at her mom (Morticia), but... her dad is getting that work as well. She seems to be a rebel with... causes she feels is noble. She doesn't believe in being a housewife, which I was like... is this going to be one of those show that revolves around that type of narrative with an Addams Family theme wrapped around it. It definitely remains tucked in the show... but it isn't oversaturated to the point that it commandeers the show. Thank goodness. A message is one thing, using it as a crutch instead of showcasing originality is something else... and Tim Burton didn't allow his name to be fuel for a dumpster fire.

But yeah... Wednesday doesn't just have a problem with that type of notion, she also doesn't believe in social media, she doesn't believe in cell phones... and just seems to be anti-anything that she feels would annoy her (which isn't far off from Wednesday). It's carried as a badge of honor by Wednesday to represent that she doesn't allow others to define her.

I would've loved to see how things played out at the traditional school, but the deeper I got into the various chapters... the show got even better. I don't really see the comedy aspect (unless it's dry dark comedy... until the family graces the screen), but the mystery... yes! I'd even call it a thriller to an extent as Wednesday tries to find the truth about a book that dates back centuries... and appears to be tied to the Addams family and their history in Jericho. The past doesn't just tie in Wednesday's ancestor, but also her dad... (Gomez) who had the local sheriff convinced that he was a killer.

So you have that aspect placing them opposite sides, plus the drama that takes place at the academy and Jericho in general. It almost feels like a cross up between The Outsider + Star Girl + Bones... featuring Thing. I was actually trying to see if Thing was doing sign language, which in part he was... and fun fact, it's a form of ASL that I use (called Signed English). Signed English is finger spelling with one hand but at a fast past that allows you to hold a conversation (with deaf individuals and the hearing impaired).

Overall, this is a really good show, despite the pace picking up closer to the finale. With over 6 billion minutes poured into the show in its first five days, it's safe to say that others feel similar outside of curious viewers (who watch the trending suggestions).

Fun fact: This is Netflix's most popular English TV series of all time. That's the power of flexing your creativity in a way that viewers appreciate.

Visuals: Visually speaking, you get a lot of dark vivid scenes in this film. They're broken up with the sunny days around town, but certain areas still deliver that darkness despite the sun shining. This show captures plenty of mid shots, closeups, with low angles and high angles tucked in (i.e. the balcony scene involving Gomez, Principal Larissa, and others). One of my favorite shots was Wednesday and a classmate climbing into the spiraled cave. I won't say anymore about that, but it was a nice angle.

Audio: Wednesday is served up in DTS-HD Master Audio, as well as Dolby Digital 5.1. 

I listened with both surround sound speakers and... 1More S50s. The quality audio makes this series even better, and it's easy to point out the sounds when the action kicks up... but subtle sounds like Lurch walking across the floor or Thing breaking someone out of a cop car sounds great too. Proper placement and quality sounds go such a long way and I appreciated what was done here. I watched the finally a few times just to hear it over again, especially when all hell broke lose and things got a little... electrifying (that sounded sweet on the headphones).

Price: Price: Pricewise you can get... Wednesday on DVD for $24.98 & $29.98 on Blu-Ray. Is it worth it? Yes, you get multiple elements that give you the feel of a thrill ride to a degree, plus the mystery aspect, plus the love interest(s) that some viewers crave even if Wednesday doesn't exactly know how to show it in a way we deem normal, but... she's an Addams (what can ya can about it, huh?). You get over 480 minutes in the 2-disc Blu-ray that serve up 8 well-rounded episodes that feel like a long movie. These episodes move you closer to the finale with ease... because they're easy to binge watch thanks to the cliffhangers. The ending also leaves the door open for another season. Personally, I would've celebrated the success of the first season with a special edition disc that included a Thing keychain.

Story 5

Visuals 5

Audio 5

Price 5

5 out of 5 Cool Points

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Smiling Friends: The Complete First Season... Reviewed!

Before I jump in, I'd like to give a shout-out to Warner Bros for supplying a copy of this show for review. My opinions are my own.

I can't lie, this is one... weird show, but it has a certain charm that I'll explain in this review. Regardless of the charm, is it worth the buy? Let's jump in and find out!

Story: Like many of you, I'm an avid fan of animated comedy shows and I think that if you're looking for a left-field show, the Smiling Friends... delivers. The show's title represents just that, a group of employees working for the Happy Smile Corporation that sends them out on assignments to deliver... smiles. (Tada!)

You will find that Charlie & Pim are primarily going out on these... deliveries (hehehe) I know some of you may be wondering how a show like that could actually hook someone, but... you'd be surprised because you're taking on various challenges to get someone to smile. It's not just going to someone's home to deliver a good joke, the adventures vary. Episodes 1, 6, and 8... showcase the variety perfectly. 

Episode 1 is an attempt to get a suicidal man to reconsider living (yeah... this show is sooooo not for kids). Episode 6 takes Charlie and Pim and a medieval adventure, and Episode 8 takes Charlie to... h-e double hockey sticks.

Regardless of the varying adventures, one thing that keeps all the episodes cohesive is the situational comedy they extract from these scenarios. They apply realistic reactions to an animated world and dial up the crazy with twists that you might not expect. By the way, episode 9 is freaking gold, and if you've traveled with a group of friends... you may find yourself watching this one the most and encouraging others to check it out.

The personalities and mannerisms of the characters are on full display in episode 9 and I honestly feel like that type of episode should close out each season of this show. Doesn't have to be the exact same episode, but full-on quirks showing nuances and all that good stuff that showcases life off the clock. It doesn't exactly have a progression from what I saw, but I'm fine with it... at least for now. Good stuff.

Visuals: The visuals of this show dial up the... weird. I don't mind, but it's not as appealing as having a fully cohesive art style that stands out. The Champloo of animations is what this show stands on in the looks department, so maybe they're hoping that it will be strong enough to build an audience of fans long enough to fall in love with the storyline. Which is a safe bet for fans of Adult Swim.

One thing I do appreciate about the animation is the fact that they could have gone full 3D animation, but they went with hand-drawn animations for the most part.

Audio: To be honest, I didn't notice anything memorable about the sound effects. Not to say they were bad, but I experienced some suspense during episodes like episode 4... in terms of the sound effects but my focus was on the comedy. The audio is delivered in DTS-HD Master Audio & Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound.

Price + Extras: Smiling Friends season 1 comes in at $24.99 on Blu-ray & $19.99 on DVD. Not bad, but... I'd probably go with the DVD and save the $5 on this one.

I think the Smiling Friends Brazil art would've been a fantastic poster to package along with this season and the trend could've continued with each season based on that final episode or something.

The extras include:

• Episode 9 - The Smiling Friends Go To Brazil
• Episodic Commentary

Story 5

Visuals 3

Audio 5

Price 5

4.5 out of 5 Cool Points

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