"The Truth Is Out There" Re-Watch: "Roland" & "The Erlenmeyer Flask"

 The X-Files

So, I was doing great updating my blog at regular intervals. Then, depression and anxiety took hold and things kind of went off the rails. We are backpack, backpack back again though and ready to finish up the last two episodes of "The X-Files" inaugural season. Let's get to it.

"foX-Men" Re-watch: X2: X-Men United

 "X2: X-Men United" (2003)

After the overwhelming success of "X-Men," Fox enlisted Bryan Singer and the rest of the creative team to begin work on a sequel. The majority of the original cast returned, jettisoning some dead weight. Bye, Toad. Bye, Sabretooth. "X2" leaned into the comics that inspired it and 18 years later, it is still one of the best comic book films of all time.

Principal photography on "X2" began in June 2002 and concluded in November 2002. 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 Dr. Jean Grey, James Marsden as Scott Summers/Cyclops, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos as Raven Darkholme/Mystique, Brian Cox as Col. William Stryker, Alan Cumming as Kurt Wagner/Nightcrawler, Bruce Davison as Senator Robert Kelly, Anna Paquin as Rogue, Shawn Ashmore as Bobby Drake/Iceman, Aaron Stanford as John Allerdyce/Pyro and Kelly Hu as Yuriko/Deathstrike. The film was written by Michael Dougherty, Dan Harris and David Hayter. It was directed by Bryan Singer. "X2: X-Men United" was released on May 2, 2003.

"Hated and Feared" Re-watch: "Enter Magneto" & "Deadly Reunions"

 X-Men The Animated Series

We have to talk about the theme song for "X-Men: The Animated Series." It's dope. It is one of the most recognizable themes in all of animation. It has no lyrics but that synth is so freaking distinct. It is one of the first things that I think of when I think of the X-Men and that is really impressive. They used to do it right back in the '90's and I love that recent animation is bringing back the theme song. A great modern theme song is "She-Ra and the Princesses of Power." If you are skipping it, there is something wrong with you.

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.