"The Truth Is Still Out There" Re-Watch: "Squeeze" & "Conduit"

 The X-Files

Creator of "The X-Files," Chris Carter, knew you couldn't live on mythology episodes alone. So, to fill out the season the writers would do "Monster of the Week" episodes, basically one offs that could go multiple directions. Some were serious. Some were funny. Some were both. Sometimes they had inbred hillbilly "Deliverance" types... wait... I'm getting ahead of myself. These next two episodes are the first "MotW" episodes of the shows run and they make a great argument for why they are necessary and why a lot of sci-fi shows have used this same formula.

Re-Visiting the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Spider-Man: Homecoming

 "Spider-Man: Homecoming" (2017)

When Spider-Man was announced to be joining the MCU with "Captain America: Civil War," nerds everywhere rejoiced. Spider-Man is a flagship Marvel character and it felt right for him to be alongside the Avengers and the other MCU heroes. After getting a taste of Tom Holland's take on Peter Parker, I was definitely ready for him to get his first solo MCU movie. I didn't have to wait long. 2017 was a pretty big year for the MCU. Along with Spider-Man getting his movie, 2017 was the first year that we saw three MCU movies released in one year.

Principal photography on "Spider-Man: Homecoming" began in June 2016 and concluded in October 2016. The film starred Tom Holland as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Michael Keaton as Adrian Toomes/The Vulture, Marisa Tomei as May Parker, Jon Favreau as Harold "Happy" Hogan, Zendaya as Michelle, Donald Glover as Aaron Davis, Jacob Batalon as Ned, Laura Harrier as Liz, Tony Revolori as Eugene "Flash" Thompson and Robert Downey, Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man. The film was written by Jonathan Goldstein, Jon Francis Daley, Jon Watts, Christopher Ford, Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers. It was directed by Jon Watts. "Spider-Man: Homecoming" was released on July 7, 2017.

A Long Time Ago, During the Clone Wars: The Movie

 Star Wars The Clone Wars

OK, so chronologically in our "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" re-watch is the justly maligned movie that actually started this whole thing off. I don't think we should waste time dilly dallying. We should just get this over with.

"In the Name of the Moon" Re-watch: "Usagi Vs. Rei: Nightmare in Dreamland" & "I Want a Boyfriend: The Luxury Cruise Ship is a Trap"

Sailor Moon

If these two episodes have something in common, it's the hostility that exists between Rei and Usagi. Both episodes find the two teammates butting heads over everything. It's good to have a theme and I guess female competition is as good as any.

"I Am the Night" Re-watch: "Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero"

 Batman the Animated Series

You may have heard of a little film called "Batman & Robin." A film that was basically the nail in the coffin for the Batman film franchise until "Batman Begins" re-booted things in 2005. This movie was supposed to be released in July of 1997, prior to the start of "The New Batman Adventures," which was the continuation B: TAS. When the movie underperformed and was panned, "Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero" was pushed to March 17, 1998. 

It makes sense that they would want to release a second B: TAS film featuring Mr. Freeze, outside of the synergistic reasons that Warner Bros. had. Mr. Freeze was made the villain in "Batman & Robin" because of what B: TAS had done for the character, revamping his origin and making him much more sympathetic than he had been in the past. Unlike the first B: TAS film, "Mask of the Phantasm," "Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero" was released straight to VHS. Let's take a closer look at the only Batman movie starring Freeze, Robin and Batgirl that actually matters.

"The Truth Is Still Out There" Re-watch: "Pilot" & "Deep Throat"

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Re-Visiting the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2

 "Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2" (2017)

I don't want to say the original "Guardians of the Galaxy" was a surprise hit because at this point is it really a surprise when an MCU movie is a hit? I don't think anyone expected the characters to be such immediate fan favorites, though. It's nice to take a little break from the Infinity Saga and head back into space with our favorite outcasts.

Principal photography on "Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2" began in February 2016 and concluded in June 2016. The film starred Chris Pratt as Peter Quill/Star-Lord, Zoe Saldana as Gamora, Dave Bautista as Drax, Bradley Cooper as the voice of Rocket, Vin Diesel as the voice of Baby Groot, Karen Gillan as Nebula, Michael Rooker as Yondu, Elizabeth Debicki as Ayesha, Pom Klementieff as Mantis, Sylvester Stallone as Stakar Ogord and Kurt Russell as Ego. The film was written and directed by James Gunn. It was released on May 5, 2017.

A Long Time Ago, During the Clone Wars: "Cat and Mouse" & "The Hidden Enemy"

 Star Wars: The Clone Wars

We have made it to The Clone Wars and are starting the series that bears its name. The show started in 2008, after a movie that was pretty terrible. The show went on to be very good and introduce some unforgettable characters to the Star Wars canon like Ahsoka Tano, Cad Bane and Asajj Ventress. You may be wondering why we aren't starting with the movie and then moving on to season one. Well, I've decided to watch and recap in chronological order so we will be jumping around a lot. Along with the episode title, I'll include it's season and episode number, so you can follow along if you so choose.

"In the Name of the Moon" Rewatch: "Usagi's Disaster: Beware of the Clock of Confusion" & "The Cursed Bus: Enter Mars, The Guardian of Fire"

 Sailor Moon

So, we met Ami and she became Sailor Mars. Based on how "Sailor Moon" had been going, you probably thought that you'd be in store for like 6 episodes of Ami and Usagi working together before we met another Sailor Guardian. You'd be wrong! We get one episode of Ami and Usagi bonding until we meet Rei, Sailor Mars. That must mean we are going to meet the other two at a swift clip, right? Hold your horses.

Sequestration Strains: The New Albums Helping Me Through Quarantine

Sequestration Strains

Malte Mueller/Getty Images/Stop

Let's be real. 2020 has been fucking insane. At this point, who knows how this year will be remembered in the annals of US history. We are all stuck inside and if you're an entertainment junkie, specifically a music junkie, like me, it's been tough. Lots of albums have been postponed some with no new release date. Luckily, we haven't been entirely devoid of new music during this time. Here are some of the albums (all released during quarantine) that have been getting me through.