January 22, 2008

Family Guy - Blue Harvest Special Edition (w/ limited-edition collectibles)

What better way to launch Family Guy’s sixth season and commemorate Star Wars‘ 30th anniversary than with this double-length Very Special Episode, a full-scale, awesomely animated spoof that recasts George Lucas’ saga with Family Guy’s galaxy of characters: Chris (Seth Green) is Luke; Lois (Alex Borstein) is Princess Leia; Peter (Seth McFarlane) is Han Solo, but not, as expected, Jabba the Hut; Brian (Seth, again) is Chewbacca; Quagmire (and again, Seth) is C3PO; Cleveland is R2D2; Herbert, the creepy senior pedophile, is Obi-Wan (both voiced by Mike Henry); and, of course, Stewie (Seth, already) is Darth Vader (”My diapers have gone over to the dark side”). Poor Meg is reduced to a cameo as the hideous reptilian creature that haunts the garbage compactor. Blue Harvest is reverently faithful to A New Hope, while engaging in typical Family Guy pop-culture references (everything from those old Grey Poupon commercials to Doctor Who, Airplane, Dirty Dancing, and Deal or No Deal) and bizarre digressions (the iconic opening crawl detours into an appreciation of a “way naked” Angelina Jolie in Gia). Along for the wild ride are Judd Nelson, who contributes a voice cameo as John Bender for a Breakfast Club gag, Rush Limbaugh railing against futuristic affirmative action on Tatooine talk radio, and Beverly D’Angelo and Chevy Chase as the vacationing Griswolds observing the rebellion from their orbiting station wagon. A Star Wars spoof in 2007 isn’t exactly uncharted territory. As Chris Griffin notes in this episode’s final moments, Robot Chicken brilliantly did it months earlier (and let us not forget Mel Brooks’ Spaceballs from 1987; or, on second thought…). But the Force is strong with Family Guy, and who could resist the opportunity to hear the Muzak playing in a Death Star elevator? –Donald Liebenson

Beyond Family Guy: Blue Harvest

The Family Guy Series

The Star Wars Store

Victorinox Swiss Army Explorer with Collectible Gift Box

Victorinox Swiss Army Explorer with Collectible Gift Box From the renowned company that created the Swiss Army Knife a century ago comes the Explorer knife/multi-tool in a gift box that is perfect for any camping or hiking enthusiast. This very useful, 16-function multi-tool knife has been included in the Design Collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The Explorer contains 16 stainless-steel tools that will be there when you need them, but not burden you with its size when you don’t. The standard tools include a large blade, small blade, corkscrew, can opener, small screwdriver for Phillips screws, bottle opener with large screwdriver, wire stripper, reamer, key ring, tweezers, toothpick, scissors, multi-purpose hook (parcel carrier), Phillips screwdriver and magnifying glass.

The Explorer comes incased in a red and silver box crafted to look like the Original Swiss Army shield/logo. The attractive gift box makes this knife the perfect present during the holidays. The box can then be re-used to store special items. As with all Victorinox items, the Explorer is made to exacting standards of construction in Ibach, Switzerland at the same factory that has made Swiss Army knives for the last century. Victorinox focuses on every detail, from selecting the finest materials to performing the final inspection. In addition, each individual tool has been hardened in a different way to stand up to its designated use. Outfitted with a nylon handle and aluminum housing, the Explorer carries a lifetime warranty.

The Explorer measures just 3-1/2 inches long when closed and contains 16 stainless steel tools.

Explorer Features:

Large blade
Small blade
Corkscrew
Can opener
Small screw driver for Phillips screws
Bottle opener
Large screwdriver
Wire stripper
Reamer
Key ring
Tweezers
Toothpick
Scissors
Multi-purpose hook
Phillips screwdriver
Magnifying glass

About Swiss Army Knives
In 1884, Swiss cutler Karl Elsener set up shop in Ibach-Schwyz, installing a waterwheel in Tobelbach Brook to run his grinding and polishing machines. Thus began what would become the international brand name Victorinox, a combination of Victoria, for Elsener’s mother, and “inox,” or stainless steel. Today, Victorinox produces watches, luggage, clothing, and, famously, Swiss Army Knives. The original product dates to 1897, when Elsener patented the Swiss Officer’s and Sports Knife he supplied to the Swiss Army. Following World War II, American servicemen and women shopping in PX stores shortened the name to Swiss Army Knife, which lives on in English-speaking countries around the world and has become a metaphor for versatility.

Sports: Set includes Swiss Army’s Explorer multi-tool and a limited-edition Swiss Army shield gift box, Measures 3-1/2 inches when closed; includes 16 features, Features include a large stainless steel blade, scissors, can opener, corkscrew, three screwdriver tips, magnifying glass, wire stripper, reamer, bottle opener, tweezers, toothpick, multi-purpose hook, and key ring, Blades and tools are constructed of stainless steel; handle is made of nylon; frame is made of aluminum, Precision crafted in Switzerland; includes a lifetime warranty
Company: Victorinox (2007-09-11)
List Price: $44.00
Amazon Price: $33.00

More: continued here

Bookmark to: