Re-Visiting the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Avengers: Endgame

 "Avengers: Endgame" (2019)

This is it, folks. The culmination of ten years of films set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. "Avengers: Endgame" was one of the most highly anticipated movies in a long time. It had so many expectations on it. It not only had to be it's own movie but it also had to serve as an ending to the Infinity Saga, give an idea of where the MCU was going in Phase 4 and be a seemingly final farewell to some loved staples of the MCU. That is a lot to shoulder for one film. "Avengers: Endgame" became the highest grossing movie of all-time with $2,797,800,564 worldwide.

Principal photography on "Avengers: Endgame" began in August 2017 and ended in January 2018. The film stars Chris Evans as Steve Rogers/Captain America, Robert Downey, Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/Hulk, Scarlet Johansson as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow, Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton/Hawkeye, Don Cheadle as James "Rhodey" Rhodes/War Machine, Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man, Brie Larson as Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel, Karen Gillan as Nebula, Bradley Cooper as Rocket, Danai Gurira as Okoye, Gwenyth Paltrow as Pepper Potts/Rescue and Josh Brolin as Thanos. Plus, an appearance by basically every major MCU character of the past ten years. The film was written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeeley. It was directed by the Russo Brothers. "Avengers: Endgame" was released on April 26, 2019.

"The Truth Is Still Out There" Re-Watch: "Lazarus" & "Young at Heart"

 The X-Files

I'm sure I've said this before, but this first season has so many standalone episodes. That isn't the worst thing since the mythology episodes get worse as the series goes on but some of these are experiments gone awry. Luckily, if you squint hard enough, there is a common theme running through both of todays episodes.

Into the DC Murderverse: "Justice League"

 "Justice League" (2017)

The story behind the making of "Justice League" is more interesting than the movie itself. Warner Bros. was losing faith in Zack Snyder's vision, especially after the critical drubbing that "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" took. Geoff Johns took over the DCEU and made re-writes to the script that upset Snyder and the film's initial writer. Warner Bros. brought in Joss Whedon to punch up the script and make it more "hopeful and optimistic." Snyder stepped down from the film to properly mourn the tragic death of his daughter and Whedon directed two months worth of re-shoots, gaining a writing credit but no directing credit. Shockingly, this movie wasn't the critical and commercial success that Warner Bros/DC were hoping for. The reception led to a small but vocal group of fans clamoring for the Snyder Cut of "Justice League" which we will be getting next month, for better or for worse.

Principal photography on "Justice League" began in April 2016 and concluded in October 2016. The film stars Gal Gadot as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman, Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Henry Cavill as Clark Kent/Superman, Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry/Aquaman, Ezra Miller as Barry Allen/The Flash, Ray Fisher as Victor Stone/Cyborg, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Jeremy Irons as Alfred Pennyworth, Diane Lane as Martha Kent, Connie Nielsen as Hippolyta, J.K. Simmons as Commissioner James Gordon, Ciaran Hinds as Steppenwolf, Joe Morton as Silas Stone and Amber Heard as Mera. The film was written by Chris Terrio and Joss Whedon. It was directed by Zack Snyder. "Justice League" was released on November 17, 2017.

A Long Time Ago, During the Clone Wars: "Jedi Crash," "Defenders of Peace" & "Trespass"

 Star Wars The Clone Wars

We've got a theme running through the three episodes of "The Clone Wars" that we will be covering. It's all about peace and what it means during wartime. We also learn the origins of a species of alien that we first met way back in "A New Hope."

"In the Name of the Moon" Re-watch: "Wish Upon a Star: Naru's First Love" & "Naru's Tears: Nephrite Dies For Love"

 Sailor Moon

Hey everyone! We've reached the end of the Nephrite arc and my least favorite episode of "Sailor Moon." In fact, as I write this I'm in comment back and forth with someone about the shitty, toxic relationship at this episodes heart. Fun!

"I Am the Night" Re-watch: "The Ultimate Thrill" & "Over the Edge"

 The New Batman Adventures

We have reached the midway point of "The New Batman Adventures" and we are getting to the end of "Batman The Animated Series." It's crazy that this journey we started years ago is reaching an end. Let's get to it.

"The Truth Is Still Out There" Re-Watch: "Beyond the Sea" & "Gender Bender"

 The X-Files

Season one of "The X-Files" soldiers on and we have the first type of episode that will become a staple of the series for the entirety of its run, for better or worse. The agents go into another culture episode. It's fun stuff.

Re-Visitng the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Captain Marvel

"Captain Marvel" (2019)

It only took a decade, but Marvel Studios finally gave Black Widow her own solo film. Wait. The first female-led MCU film isn't Black Widow? Hers is made but hasn't been released? She is the first female Avenger and they put some other character who no one had heard of before her? Oh. Oh. Sure, sure. That's cool. Makes sense. I mean, Carol Danvers rocks and Captain Marvel is a bad ass, but like, shafting Black Widow. Cool, cool, cool. Got it.

Principal photography on "Captain Marvel" began in January 2018 and wrapped in July 2018. The film stars Brie Larson as Carol Danvers/Vers/Captain Marvel, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Ben Mendelsohn as Talos, Djimon Honsou as Korath, Lee Pace as Ronan the Accuser, Lashana Lynch as Maria Rambeau, Gemma Chan as Minn-Erva, Annette Benning as the Supreme Intelligence and Mar-Vell, Clark Gregg as Phil Coulson and Jude Law as Yon-Rogg. The film was written by Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck and Geneva Robertson-Dworet. It was directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck. "Captain Marvel" was released on March 8, 2019. 

Into the DC Murderverse: "Wonder Woman"

 "Wonder Woman" (2017)

Since I began this re-watch project of the DC Murderverse aka the DCEU, I've been pretty harsh on the movies that DC put out since revamping everything with "Man of Steel." Have I talked shit? Absolutely. And it was deserved. Those movies were real bad and it was almost disrespectful. The MCU definitely has a lot on the DC Murderverse. But DC beat Marvel when it comes to giving us a solo female superhero film. What it took Marvel almost a decade to do, it only took DC four years. That is something and you have to give them some respect. It was also the first legitimately good DC Murderverse film.

Principal photography on "Wonder Woman" began in November 2015 and concluded May 6, 2016, which was coincidentally Wonder Woman creator, William Moulton Marston's birthday. Some additional filming took place in November 2016. The film stars Gal Gadot as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman, Chris Pine as Steve Trevor, Robin Wright as Antiope, Danny Huston as Erich Ludendorff, David Thewlis as Sir Patrick, Connie Nielsen as Hippolyta, Elena Anaya as Dr. Isabel Maru, Lucy Davis as Etta Candy, Said Taghmoui as Sameer, Ewen Bremner as Charlie and Eugene Brave Rock as Chief. The film was written by Allan Heinberg. It was directed by Patty Jenkins. "Wonder Woman" was released on June 2, 2017.

A Long Time Ago, During the Clone Wars: "Lair of Grievous," "Dooku Captured" & "The Gungan General"

 Star Wars The Clone Wars

I can't stress enough how much "The Clone Wars" has made the prequel films and that era more palatable for me and probably a lot of other people too. The prequel era has some great ideas and just imagine if all we had to explore them was the films. That would be tragic. So, remember that as you watch the series and run into some lackluster episodes. They are always better than the films for the most part.

"I Am the Night" Re-Watch: "Protect the Children's Dreams: Friendship Through Anime" & "Romance Under the Moon: Usagi's First Kiss"

 Sailor Moon

We have almost reached the halfway point of the first season of "Sailor Moon." We still only have three Sailor Guardians out of five, but the story is starting to shape. This week, we get a bit more movement on that and what Tuxedo Mask is really up to. Let's get into it.

"I Am the Night" Re-watch: "Love Is a Croc" & "Torch Song"

 The New Batman Adventures

Who would have thought that two of the episodes I'm covering in back to back blog posts deal with fire? What a coincidence! Let's get right into it!!

"The Truth Is Still Out There" Re-Watch: "Eve" & "Fire"

 The X-Files

We are back to standalone episodes with this posts episodes. They also feature some pretty great character actors that I'm sure you will remember from other shows. Let's dive right into the action.

Re-Visiting the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Ant-Man and the Wasp

 "Ant-Man and the Wasp" (2018)

When "Ant-Man" was released, it was pretty obvious that Hope van Dyne and her transformation into the next Wasp would be front and center whenever a second "Ant-Man" was made. That was confirmed when Marvel, Kevin Feige and director Petyon Reed announced the title of the second movie based on the shrinking superheroes. Since it was being released right after the game changing, "Avengers: Infinity War," everyone was curious what was going to happen to Scott Lang, Hope Van Dyne, Hank Pym et. al.

Principal photography on "Ant-Man and the Wasp" began in August 2017 and ended in November 2017. The film stars Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man, Evangeline Lilly as Hope van Dyne/The Wasp, Michael Peña as Luis, Randall Park as Jimmy Woo, Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr/Ghost, Walton Goggins as Sonny Burch, Judy Greer as Maggie, Bobby Cannavale as Jim Paxton, David Dastmalchian as Kurt, Tip "T.I." Harris as Dave, Laurence Fishburne as Bill Foster, Michael Douglas as Hank Pym and Michelle Pfeiffer as Janet van Dyne. The film was written by Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers, Paul Rudd, Andrew Barrer and Gabriel Ferrari. It was directed by Peyton Reed. "Ant-Man and the Wasp" was released on July 6, 2018.