Into the DC Murderverse: "SHAZAM!"

 "SHAZAM!" (2019)

Who would've thought that a character that is basically a Superman knock off with a complicated publishing history would help DC put out not only one of its best movies, but one of the best superhero movies ever. I said what I said. A touching, funny, action packed film about how the most loving families aren't necessarily families that you are born into but the families you make. 

Principal photography on "SHAZAM!" began on January 29, 2018 and concluded on May 11, 2018. The film stars Zachary Levi as Shazam, Asher Angel as Billy Batson, Mark Strong as Dr. Thaddeus Sivana, Jack Dylan Grazer as Frederick "Freddy" Freeman with Adam Brody playing the adult version, Djimon Honsou as the Wizard Shazam, Faithe Herman as Darla Dudley with Meagan Good playing the adult version, Grace Fulton as Mary Bromfield with Michelle Borth playing the adult version, Ian Chen as Eugene Choi with Ross Butler playing the adult version, Joavan Armand as Pedro Pena with D.J. Cotrona playing the adult version, Marta Milans as Rosa Vasquez, Cooper Andrews as Victor Vasquez and John Glover as Mr. Sivana. The film was written by Henry Gayden. It was directed by David F. Sandberg. "SHAZAM!" was released on April 5, 2019.

A Long Time Ago, During the Clone Wars: "Bounty Hunters," "The Zillo Beast" & "The Zillo Beast Strikes Back"

 Star Wars The Clone Wars

We get a study in contrasts in regards to Jedi philosophy in these three episodes. We also get a good old fashioned beast rampage through a metropolitan area. So... win-win?

"In the Name of the Moon" Re-watch: "Love and Chased: Luna's Worst Day Ever" & "Umino's Resolve: I'll Protect Naru"

 Sailor Moon

I am kind of at a loss sometimes with these intros. Sometimes I have a lot to say or an idea that comes to me right away and sometimes I don't. Well, today, I don't. So let's get right into it.

"I Am the Night" Re-watch: "Legends of the Dark Knight" & "Girls Night Out"

 The New Batman Adventures

The two episodes I'm covering today are a bit of a departure from the norm and that is a good thing. It's great when shows try new things, even if they aren't totally successful. It shows that they don't want the show to become stagnant. Let's take a look at how successful these formula changes were in this case.

"The Truth Is Out There" Re-Watch: "Tooms" & "Born Again"

 The X-Files

Honestly, I am not sure what to write in this intro. So, I will just point out that Gillian posted a pic of her and David and her dog on Twitter and it was super cute. I love seeing them together, no matter what, even if it has nothing to do with the show. If you haven't seen the photo, definitely check it out. It' adorbs.

"foX-Men" Re-watch: X-Men

 "X-Men" (2000)

Believe it or not, there was a time when superhero films weren't the ubiquitous box office giants that they are today. After the box office dud and critical failure of "Batman & Robin," Studios weren't ready to take a chance on them, but 20th Century Fox had faith that a movie based on the reigning champs of the comics world would reinvigorate the genre and they weren't wrong. "X-Men" was the beginning of their take on the X-franchise that ended last year with the release of "The New Mutants." As we wait to see how the MCU is going to integrate Marvel's Merry Mutants into their shared universe, I thought it would be fun to re-watch and take a look back at the peaks and many valleys of this era beginning with the film that stated it all, 2000's "X-Men."

Principal photography on "X-Men" began on September 22, 1999 and ended on March 3, 2000. The film stars Patrick Stewart as Professor Charles Xavier, Ian McKellen as Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto, Hugh Jackman as Logan/Wolverine, Halle Berry as Ororo Munroe/Storm, Famke Janssen as Jean Grey, James Marsden as Scott Summers/Cyclops, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos as Raven Darkholme/Mystique, Bruce Davison as Senator Robert Kelly, Ray Park as Mortimer Toynbee/Toad, Tyler Mane as Victor Creed/Sabretooth, Shawn Ashmore as Bobby Drake/Iceman and Anna Paquin as Marie D'Ancanto/Rogue. The film was written by David Hayter. It was directed by Bryan Singer. "X-Men" was released on July 14, 2000.

"Hated and Feared" X-Men The Animated Series Re-watch: "Night of the Sentinels Parts 1 & 2"

 X-Men The Animated Series

This blog is supposed to be dedicated to my various nerdy interests. The things I consider to be a hardcore fanboy of and I realized that there is a real lack of one of my top 5 fandoms: the X-Men. If you have been reading my "Batman: The Animated Series" recaps from the beginning, first, Goddess bless you, secondly, you know that Batman was my first comic book fandom. It was "X-Men: the Animated Series" that turned me into a comic book fan and the X-Men the beating heart of that fandom that is still alive today.

"X-Men: The Animated Series" immediately hooked me. I felt a kinship to these mutants. It could be because I too felt like I was inherently different than everyone else, even if at 9 years old, I wasn't quite sure what that was. The X-Men are voices for anyone who felt in the minority. Who has been persecuted for being who they are, not accepted based on things they couldn't change. I immersed myself in the X-Men. If you're old enough, you might remember the Scholastic book orders that you'd get in elementary school. Shortly after "X-Men" premiered there was a guidebook that I begged my mom to buy and I wore that out. The X-Men have one of the most convoluted continuities of any comic book franchise and I could walk you through every single and twist and turn, every retcon, every horrible run, if you wanted me too. Trust me, you don't want me too. And it's all thanks to this animated series. 

"X-Men: The Animated Series" pulled heavily from the rich history of the comic it was based on. The team was an all-star roster but other famous mutants routinely made guest appearances. It relatively faithfully adapted major storylines like "Days of Future Past," "The Phoenix Saga" and "The Dark Phoenix Saga." It didn't shy away from adult subjects. The voice cast was stellar. It was one of, if not the first animated series to be serialized. Much like "B: TAS," a lot of modern day animated series owe a lot to "X-Men: The Animated Series." I'm very excited to experience this all over again. The show premiered with three special episodes aired weekly beginning October 31, 1992. It moved to it's regular Saturday morning perch on January 23, 1993. It ran for five seasons. I will be recapping these episodes in script order which is different than air date order so if you're following along on Disney+ you'll want to make sure you're watching the correct episode. Now, without further adieu, let's get to it.