Re-Visiting the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Black Widow

 "Black Widow" (2021)

If you've followed my blog at all or you know me, you know that I'm a Marvel guy. I appreciate DC and think they're great. I'm a huge fan of Batman and Wonder Woman and Harley Quinn, but my loyalties and primary allegiance will always be with Marvel. So, it pains me to admit that there was one key area where DC beat Marvel. DC was the first to have female solo headlining film in their extended universe when "Wonder Woman" hit theaters. Black Widow was the first (and for a time) only female Avenger. She should have had a solo movie back in 2012. Natasha Romanoff gets no respect. She wasn't even Marvel's first female led solo movie. That honor belongs to "Captain Marvel" and no shade to Carol, but come on. It should have been Nat. Then there was the utter disrespect shown to Nat in "Avengers: Endgame" and let's just say this solo movie had a lot riding on it for me. Not to mention, it was the first movie of Phase 4, the first MCU movie to be released during the pandemic, after its release date had moved three times. Let's not mention the lawsuit. Well, mention again after this. 

Principal photography on "Black Widow" began in May 2019 and ended in October 2019. The film stars Scarlet Johansson as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow, Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova/Black Widow, David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian, O-T Fagbenle as Rick Mason, Olga Kurylenko as Antonia Dreykov/Taskmaster, William Hurt as Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, Ray Winstone as Dreykov and Rachel Weisz as Melina Vostokoff/Black Widow. The film was written by Eric Pearson, Jac Shaeffer and Ned Benson. It was directed by Cate Shortland. "Black Widow" premiered on July 9, 2021.

Into the DC Murderverse: "Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)"

 "Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)" (2020)

We are back to the DC Murderverse, which is maybe a misnomer at this point, but we're committed. When David Ayer's "Suicide Squad" movie was released, it was pretty clear that Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn was the bright spot in a literal dark sky. After that, there were rumors of a solo film, a film with Harley and Jared Leto's Joker, a Gotham City Sirens film and a Birds of Prey movie. Who would have thought that out of all those, it was the Birds of Prey movie that would have actually ended up getting made? I was ecstatic when I heard this. I am a big fan of the Birds of Prey team. I jumped on during writer Gail Simone's landmark run on the title and I was thrilled to see some of my favorite DC characters make the jump to the big screen. Harley Quinn wasn't part of the Birds in the comics, but, why not?

Principal photography on "Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)" began in January 2019 and ended in April 2019. The film stars Margot Robbie as Dr. Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn, Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Helena Bertinelli/Huntress, Jurnee Smollett-Bell as Dinah Lance/Black Canary, Rosie Perez as Renee Montoya, Chris Messina as Victor Zsasz, Ella Jay Basco as Cassandra Cain, Ali Wong as Ellen Yee and Ewan McGregor as Roman Sionis/Black Mask. The film was written by Christina Hodson. It was directed by Cathy Yan. "Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)" premiered on February 7, 2020.

A Long Time Ago, During the Clone Wars: "Overlords," "Altar of Mortis" & "Ghosts of Mortis"

 Star Wars The Clone Wars

I know I've said it before, but it bears repeating. Season three of "The Clone Wars" is really where the show becomes required viewing for all "Star Wars" fans and it's mainly because of episodes like the ones we are covering in this post. It's adding real meat to the mythos and I'm here for it.

"In the Name of the Moon" Re-Watch: "The Targeted Kindergarteners: Venus to the Rescue" & "Mamoru and Usagi's Babysitting Mayhem"

 Sailor Moon R

It's always interesting to me when the episodes that I choose to include in a blog post have a theme. I don't think the writers necessarily plan these episodes to be similarly themed, but it's always fun for me. It happens this time so let's get into it.

"Last Son" Re-Watch: "Blasts From the Past" Parts 1 & 2

 Superman The Animated Series

It's time to start season two of "Superman: The Animated Series" and we are getting a bit more of Krypton's backstory and a little more of Superman learning more about it. Oh, and meeting more Kryptonians which usually works out really well.

"The Truth Is Out There" Re-Watch: "Fearful Symmetry" & "Død Kalm"

 The X-Files

The great thing about "The X-Files" and other genre fiction is that due to the nature of the show, each episode can tell a completely different story. You can take big swings. These two episodes take big swings and while neither really hits a home run, at least one kind of connects. And that's about the only sports metaphor you'll ever get from me.

"foX-Men" Re-Watch: Deadpool 2

 "Deadpool 2" (2018)

After the monstrous success of the first "Deadpool," it was only a matter of time before a pumped up sequel hit theaters. And just as he teased in the post credits scene of the first film, "Deadpool 2" brings in Wade's "friend,"the time-traveling mutant known as Cable. You're looking for a live action version of X-Force? Well, this is the movie for you... well... sort of.

Principal photography on "Deadpool 2" began in June 2017 and ended in October 2017. The film stars Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson/Deadpool, Josh Brolin as Cable, Morena Baccarin as Vanessa, Julian Dennison as Russell Collins/Firefist, Zazie Beetz as Domino, T.J. Miller as Weasel, Brianna Hildebrand as Negasonic Teenage Warhead, Jack Kesy as Black Tom Cassidy and Stefan Kapicic as Colossus. The film was written by Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick and Ryan Reynolds. It was directed by David Leitch. "Deadpool 2" premiered on May 18, 2018.