A Long Time Ago During the Clone Wars: "Padawan Lost" & "Wookie Hunt"

 Star Wars The Clone Wars

We are wrapping up season 3 of "The Clone Wars" and one thing I noticed as we made it through the majority of this season is that it wasn't afraid of bringing in some familiar faces. We saw Shmi and Qui-Gon, famously earlier in the season. And we have one more famous face to look forward to in these last two episodes. Let's get into it.

"In the Name of the Moon" Re-Watch: "Steal a Kiss from Mamoru! An's Project Snow White" & "After-School Trouble: Usagi is a Target"

 Sailor Moon R

We are winding down the Makai Tree Arc and you kind of get the feeling withe these two episodes that they are running on fumes. I'm ready to move on to the next major manga arc, so let's get down to business.

"Last Son" Re-Watch: "Livewire" & "Identity Crisis"

 Superman The Animated Series

"Batman: The Animated Series" wasn't the only '90's DC animated series that had a character that made the jump from the small screen to the comics. The villainess, Livewire, introduced in the first episode of today's post also made that jump. She wasn't nearly as successful, but she has had her own live action debut thanks to "Supergirl." So, that is something.

"The Truth Is Out There" Re-Watch: "F. Emasculata" & "Soft Light"

 The X-Files

We are winding down with season 2. Even with its second season wrapping up, the show is still introducing us to pieces of the puzzle both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. "Soft Light" is the first episode to be written by Vince Gilligan. Vince will write more prolific episodes and he will go on to create the critically-acclaimed "Breaking Bad." Pretty impressive.

"SuperDad" Superman & Lois Recap: "Pilot"

 Superman & Lois

[I should begin this with a little editor's note. If you follow my blog at all, God bless you, you probably were expecting the final part of my "foX-Men" series. Well, they took "The New Mutants" off of HBO Max and I refuse to spend money on it. So, we will finish that off once it's available to stream again.]

When it comes to a shared movie universe, I think we can all agree that the DC Murderverse has been an abject failure. If you need more proof of that, just take a look at DC's film presentation at last weekend's San Diego Comic Con where they basically ignored their two tentpole films scheduled to come out next year: "The Flash" and "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom." They have succeeded when it comes to a shared television universe. The "Arrowverse" began when "Arrow" premiered in the fall of 2012 and is still going. It may be winding down if the cancellations of "Batwoman" and "DC's Legend's of Tomorrow," but "Superman & Lois" was a ratings success when it premiered on February 23, 2021 and that success continues as it was renewed for season 3. You may recognize Tyler Hoechlin and Bitsie Tulloch from their appearances on "Supergirl," but while they may be played the same actors, this Lois and Clark are not the same Lois & Clark that appeared in the "Arrowverse" previously. I know that sounds really confusing but all you need to know is that you can go into this series blind and no have to worry that you're missing anything. Let's dive right into the oversized pilot.

"Hated and Feared" Re-Watch: "Out of the Past" Parts 1 & 2

 X-Men

It's time to start season 3 and the prelude to "The Phoenix Saga," my favorite episodes of "X-Men: The Animated Series." When "Out of the Past" Part 1 premiered it premiered on Fox in the summer in primetime. I remember watching it at my grandparents house. It aired right after the episode of "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" that introduced Lord Zedd. It was great, but it made the wait for the rest of season three's episodes in the fall interminable.

Watching With the Watcher "What If...?" Recaps: "... Captain Carter Were the First Avenger?," "... T'Challa Became a Star-Lord?" & "... The World Lost Its Mightiest Heroes?"

 What If...?

It was only a matter of time before Marvel tackled animation and it's first project lends itself well to an animated series. "What If..." is a famous Marvel comics series. It debuted in February 1977. This animated series transfers the plot of the comic series to this show. Uatu the Watcher, member of a cosmic race that... watches but never interferes, introduces us to a new universe. One that seems very familiar to the MCU but due to some changes looks very different. We've met the Watcher briefly in "Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2" in the Stan Lee cameo. "What If...?" has been renewed for a second season.

Into the DC Murderverse: "Wonder Woman 1984"

 "Wonder Woman 1984" (2020)

The first "Wonder Woman" is the best Murderverse film that has been released, so I had high expectations for the follow-up. Unfortunately, "Wonder Woman 1984" was scheduled for release in 2020 and we all know how that turned out. After multiple delays, it was announced that along with a theatrical release, the movie would premiere on HBO Max. Due to being released in the midst of the pandemic, pre-vaccine, "Wonder Woman 1984" did well enough to earn a sequel, that will hopefully be set in the present day.

Principal photography on "Wonder Woman 1984" began in June2018 and wrapped in December 2018 with additional filming taking place in July 2019. The film stars Gal Gadot as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman, Kristen Wiig as Barbara Minerva/The Cheetah, Chris Pine as Steve Trevor, Pedro Pascal as Maxwell Lord, Robin Wright as Antiope and Connie Nielsen as Hippolyta. The film was written by Patty Jenkins, Geoff Johns and Dave Callaham. It was directed by Patty Jenkins. "Wonder Woman 1984" was released on December 25, 2020.

A Long Time Ago, During the Clone Wars: "The Citadel," "Counterattack" & "Citadel Rescue"

 Star Wars: The Clone Wars

"Star Wars: The Clone Wars" is really hitting its stride and just keeps getting better and better. In these episodes, we are introduced to a really cool and perilous location and we check in with a character from the OG trilogy. Let's go.

"In The Name of the Moon" Re-Watch: "The School Festival Is for Me?! Queen Rei's Song" & "Is Seijuro the Moonlight Knight? Mako Falls In Love"

 Sailor Moon R

The Makai Tree arc is filler through and through, but at least it is giving each of the girls time to shine in episodes that feature them. It is one of the benefits of these filler arcs if they are done correctly. Let's see how Rei and Mako make out in their spotlight episodes.

"Last Son" Re-Watch: "The Prometheon" & "Speed Demons"

 Superman The Animated Series

We are continuing on with season 2 and "Superman: The Animated Series" does something "Batman: The Animated Series" never did. It actually introduced another DC superhero. There are actually other ones besides Batman and Superman! Can you believe! Let's get to it.

"The Truth Is Out There" Re-Watch: "Humbug" & "The Calusari"

The X-Files

 Man, it feels like we haven't checked in on Mulder and Scully for almost 3 months. Ha. Well, we are back, back, back again. Like I've said before, it feels like a lot of times, these dual episodes we go over have a theme and these are no exceptions. It's all about twins today, in one shape or another. Let's go.

"foX-Men" Re-Watch: X-Men: Dark Phoenix

 "X-Men: Dark Phoenix" (2019)

We have reached the final "X-Men" movie in Fox's series and it ends not with a bang but with a whimper. "X-Men: Dark Phoenix" was supposed to be a better re-telling of the famous X-story than what we got in "X-Men: The Last Stand." Spoiler alert, we didn't get it. The movie was plagued with delays and reshoots. It was not well received by audiences when it was released and is one of, if not the biggest box office bombs of all-time.

Principal photography on "X-Men: Dark Phoenix" began in June 2017 and ended in October 2017. The entire third act was re-shot in late 2018. The film stars Sophie Turner as Jean Grey/Phoenix/Dark Phoenix, James McAvoy as Charles Xavier, Michael Fassbender as Erik Lensherr/Magneto, Jennifer Lawrence as Raven Darkholme/Mystique, Nicholas Hoult as Hank McCoy/The Beast, Tye Sheridan as Scott Summers/Cyclops, Alexandra Shipp as Ororo Munroe/Storm, Evan Peters as Peter Maximoff/Quicksilver, Kodi Smit-Mcphee as Kurt Wagner/Nightcrawler and Jessica Chastain as Vuk. The film was written and directed by Simon Kinberg. "X-Men: Dark Phoenix" premiered on June 7, 2019. 

"Hated and Feared" Re-Watch: "Reunion" Part 1 & 2

 X-Men

It's been almost two months since I've made a post. Not my longest break, but longer than I was intending. What can I say, life happened but I'm ready to get back on track. We are back with the X-Men and it's time to close out season 2 with Xavier rejoining the fold and a final confrontation with Mister Sinister. Let's go.