"Road to No Way Home" Re-Watch: The Amazing Spider-Man

 "The Amazing Spider-Man" (2012)

After it was decided that "Spider-Man 4" wasn't going to move forward, Sony immediately started working on rebooting the franchise. And, you know, why not start at the beginning and re-tell Spider-Man's origin? We just had a movie that told his origin ten years ago. It's time for another, right?

Principal photography on "The Amazing Spider-Man" began in December 2010 and concluded in April 2011. The film stars Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy, Rhys Ifans as Dr. Curt Connors/The Lizard, Denis Leary as Captain George Stacy, Campbell Scott as Richard Parker, Embeth Davidtz as Mary Parker, Irrfan Khan as Rajit Ratha, Martin Sheen as Ben Parker and Sally Field as May Parker. The film was written by James Vanderbilt, Alvin Sargent and Steve Kloves. It was directed by Marc Webb. "The Amazing Spider-Man" premiered on July 3, 2012.

"Hated and Feared" Re-Watch: "The Dark Phoenix" Parts 3 & 4: "The Dark Phoenix" & "The Fate of the Phoenix"

 X-Men

Honestly, after re-watching "X-Men"s adaptation of "The Dark Phoenix Saga" and how masterfully they do it, I have this to say to any future live action adaptations. If you can't do it like this, then don't do it at all. Let's jump into these last two episodes.

"Hawkguy" Hawkeye Recaps: "Ronin" & "So This Is Christmas?"

 Hawkeye

It's time to wrap up another Disney+ MCU show. And overall, I enjoyed "Hawkeye" a lot more than I thought I would. Spoiler alert. They stick the landing. Let's get to it.

"Road to No Way Home" Re-Watch: Spider-Man 3

 "Spider-Man 3" (2007)

The original "Spider-Man" trilogy with Tobey Maguire concludes with the much derided "Spider-Man 3." If there was ever an argument for less studio meddling in a movie, it's this one. Sam Raimi had just made the best "Spider-Man" movie, so why not just trust him to do what he has been doing and not force him to shoehorn in a popular villain that he hadn't planned on using.

Principal photography on "Spider-Man 3" began in January 2006 and concluded in October 2006. The film stars Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson, James Franco as Harry Osborn/New Goblin, Thomas Haden Church as Flint Marko/The Sandman, Topher Grace as Edward "Eddie" Brock, Jr./Venom, Bryce Dallas Howard as Gwen Stacy, James Cromwell as Captain George Stacy, Rosemary Harris as May Parker and J.K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson. The film was written by Sam Raimi, Ivan Raimi and Alvin Sargent. It was directed by Sam Raimi. "Spider-Man 3" premiered on May 4, 2007.

A Long Time Ago, During the Clone Wars: "Massacre," "Bounty," "Brothers" & "Revenge"

 Star Wars The Clone Wars

I feel like one of the biggest things "The Clone Wars" did is bring Darth Maul back into the Star Wars universe. He's making his debut in the series. Here we go.

"In the Name of the Moon" Re-Watch: "Protect Chibi-Usa: The Clash of the Ten Warriors" & "Awaken the Sleeping Beauty: Mamoru's Distress"

 Sailor Moon R

Have you been curious what the deal is with the Black Moon Clan? Are you still unsure of Chibi-Usa's connection to Sailor Moon? Well, you're in luck because you're getting answers in these episodes. Let's get to it.

"Last Son" Re-Watch: "Bizarro's World" & "The Hand of Fate"

 Superman the Animated Series

I know that this is a Superman post, but I have to mention the passing of the one person who will always be Batman for a generation of people: Kevin Conroy. Conroy passed after a short cancer battle on November 10, 2022 at the age of 66. My heart is still broken. I really started to give this blog attention when I decided to re-watch "Batman: The Animated Series" and a lot of that had to do with wanting to hear the definitive Batman actor. I can't believe that Batman is dead. RIP, sir.

"Big Shots" Re-Watch: "Jupiter Jazz" Parts 1 & 2

 Cowboy Bebop

With this two-parter we have reached the midway point of the series and honestly these episodes feel different. And with their placement, it makes sense that they would. Let's get to it.

"The Truth Is Out There" Re-Watch: "Nisei" & "731"

 The X-Files

It's mythology time!! It's been a minute since we've had one. So let's not waste anytime. We will get right into things.

"SuperDad" Superman & Lois Recaps: "Through the Valley of Death" & "Fail Safe"

 Superman & Lois

We are heading into the final stretch of "Superman & Lois" first season. It has kept me guessing so I'm very curious to see how things are going to end up. Let's get to it.

"Road to No Way Home" Re-Watch: Spider-Man 2

"Spider-Man 2" (2004)

 The sequel to Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man" came out a short two years after the original, but despite the relatively quick turnaround, we got an assured masterpiece that is the best of the eight "Spider-Man" movies that have been on the big screen. I said what I said. Not only that, it's one of the best superhero movies of all-time. Again, I said what I said.

Principal photography on "Spider-Man 2" began April 2003 and concluded in December 2003. The film stars Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson, James Franco as Harry Osborn, Alfred Molina as Dr. Otto Octavius/Doctor Octopus, Rosemary Harris as May Parker, Donna Murphy as Rosie Octavius, Daniel Gillies as John Jameson and J.K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson. The film was written by Alvin Sargent from a story by Alfred Gough, Miles Millar and Michael Chabon. It was directed by Sam Raimi. "Spider-Man 2" premiered on June 30, 2004.

"Hated and Feared" Re-Watch: "The Dark Phoenix" Parts 1 & 2: "Dazzled" & "The Inner Circle"

 X-Men

We made it to the Dark Phoenix everyone. The triumphant return of Jean Grey to "X-Men: The Animated Series." It has been six long episodes but she's finally back. She's still possessed by the Phoenix and she's ready to go bad. Let's get started.

"Hawkguy" Hawkeye Recaps: "Echoes" & "Partners, Am I Right?"

Hawkeye

 Is it weird that Clint Barton is maybe the least interesting thing in this series? Is that just me? Let's jump right into it.

"Road to No Way Home" Re-Watch: "Spider-Man"

"Spider-Man" (2002)

 In my MCU re-watch, we are rapidly approaching "Spider-Man: No Way Home" which connects the MCU Tom Holland Spider-Man to his cinematic counterparts, Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield. So, I thought why not re-watch the Spidey movies that came before. The Maguire movies are the ones that I'm more familiar with. They came out shortly after I graduated high school and I think "Spider-Man 2" is a high water mark for comic book films.

The first "Spider-Man" movie came out in 2002, shortly after the success of the first "X-Men" movie in 2000. The thing I most remember about this movie prior to release was the teaser trailer. It featured a mostly unseen Spider-Man webbing a bank robbers helicopter between the Twin Towers. It was quickly pulled from theaters following the 9/11 terror attacks. I remember seeing it once at the drive-in and because it was pulled so quickly it's become something of a cinematic urban legend until the point I wondered if it was a Mandela effect situation. I just re-watched it and it is surreal and kind of chilling seeing the towers. I'm linking it here so you can watch for yourself if you've never seen it.

Principal photography on"Spider-Man" began in January 2001 and ended in July 2001. The film stars Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Willem Dafoe as Norman Osobrn/Green Goblin, Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson, James Franco as Harry Osborn, Cliff Robertson as Ben Parker, Rosemary Harris as May Parker and J.K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson. The film was written by David Koepp. It was directed by Sam Raimi. "Spider-Man" premiered on May 3, 2002.

A Long Time Ago, During the Clone Wars: "Deception," "Friends and Enemies," "The Box" & "Crisis on Naboo"

 Star Wars The Clone Wars

As we head towards the end of the Clone Wars and the implementation of Order 66, the show is not afraid to get a little grittier and darker and I'm not upset about it. Let's get into it.