2020 Streaming Service Launches

You were supposed to watch Quibi during your commute
… except everyone is working at home or on semi-lockdown due to covid

The big Day One HBO Max content was supposed to be the much-awaited Friends reunion
… except due to covid the reunion has been delayed

Peacock was going to have all sorts of Olympics programming (and maybe even counter-programming)
… except the Olympics has also been delayed due to covid

Rewatching Iron Man

Some notes:

I’m glad that Terrance Howard was replaced by Don Cheadle. Although it does sort of drive me nuts when a film series replaces actors/actresses. I wonder when we’ll get a deep fake version of the film that swaps out Howard’s face for Cheadle’s.

Tony Stark/Iron Man has really experienced so much growth over the course of the MCU. In this film he starts off as a womanizer, gambler, etc. He’s a totally different person by Infinity War.

The Jericho Missile System reminds me of some of the missile technology that Iron Man shoots from his hands.

I love the Mad Money cameo — seems so apropos for 2008.

One of my favorite things about comic book movies in general is casting really great actors as villains. The MCU kicks this off in Iron Man with Jeff Bridges playing Obadiah and continues throughout the series.

That said, Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man was an especially inspired casting choice. I cannot imagine the film being as successful with another actor.

Neat continuity that Paul Bettany voices Jarvis and becomes Vision. It’s been a long time since I’ve watched Age of Ultron and I’m excited to be watching it again soon.

I sort of forgot about the slight anti-war message of the movie and that a good chunk of it tangentially involved the (still) ongoing war in Afghanistan.

Obadiah/Iron Monger sorta reminds me of Johnny 5 from Short Circuit. (The missile/rocket launcher-thing coming out of his arm/elbow.)

I wish Obadiah survived. One of my favorite parts of Chris Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy was that a character like Scarecrow didn’t die at the end of the first movie and went on to appear in the sequels (albeit in very minor roles — even better!).

This is the only Iron Man movie I am rewatching. Sometime I’ll get around to rewatching the second and third in the series.

Avengers: Endgame Prep

In advance of Avengers: Endgame coming out April 26, I’ve decided to rewatch a movie from the Marvel Cinematic UniverseCaptain Marvel (which I saw in the theatres and loved, of course).

Here’s what I’m up to the the next 6 or so weekends:

  • 3/16 – Iron Man
  • 3/23 – Captain America
  • 3/30 – Avengers
  • 4/6 – Avengers Age of Ultron
  • 4/13 – Civil War
  • 4/20 – Avengers Infinity War
  • 4/27 – Avengers Endgame

How did I come up with this set of films? A couple things: First, I didn’t chose many of the recent films because I’ve seen them more recently (and in most cases multiple times e.g. Black Panther four times). It’s been a long time since I’ve rewatched Captain America and an even longer time since I’ve rewatched Iron Man. Second, I specifically wanted to focus on Iron Man and Captain America knowing that Endgame will likely be their last film. I expect Spider-Man to be around for a while… And finally, I wanted to re-watch all of the previous Avengers films.

I’m definitely looking forward to Endgame and I’m happy with the fact I was able to resist my completionist/whatever urges and attempt to rewatch every movie — this list will be a good abbreviated version of the MCU thus far.

May 2016 Chart

Green Doors
Good news about this month’s chart: There seem to be more music videos on YouTube than normal.

Artist Song Name Remixer
Portishead S.O.S.
Such a dark, interesting take on such a normally fun song.
Go Satta Go Deep
Shock Machine Shock Machine Beyond The Wizard’s Sleeve Re-Animation
Oliver Heldens & Tiësto The Right Song (feat. Natalie La Rose)
This month’s c89.5 song.
Luxxury Hold On (Greg Wilson & Peza Remix Feat. The Reynolds)
Kenny Glasgow Imagine a World (feat. Shanira G)
Aladdin Girls in Uniform Trevor Jackson Mix
The original is pretty interesting, too, but I love how Trevor Jackson turns it so long, dark, and weird.
Holy Ghost! Crime Cutz Neon Indian vs Holy Ghost! Remix
Alicia Keys In Common
My new favorite song. The first song of 2016 I rated 5-star.
For The Foxes Running Back to You (feat. Allison Weiss)
I’m sort of embarrassed to like this song but it’s so catchy!
Lianne La Havas Lost and Found Matthew Herbert Remix
Dorsia Chateau D’if
Danny Daze Swim
Electrosexual Tempelhof
Usually remixes of songs end up on my charts so this is a rare occasion when I picked the original instead. On this one it was close, though. I really love the David Carretta remix, as well.

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Idea for Flash Season 3, Arrow Season 5, Supergirl Season 2

So I just watched the DC Animated Universe original movie The Flashpoint Paradox and it gave me an awesome (I think) idea for what the Arrow/Flash/and even Supergirl TV shows can do for their next season. Here’s the trailer for the animated film:

So at the end of Flash season 2, Barry goes back in time and saves his mother. This is the same thing that causes the Flashpoint Paradox story. What if the television show universe does the same thing. On Arrow, Oliver is darker. The world has changed. Maybe his dad or mom are still alive and Thea is dead or something? They could bring back Black Canary, too, and reset the “Olicity” relationship. The previous season was sort of a dud in my eyes and this could reset things. The finale ended with “Team Arrow” sort of disbanding anyway. Likewise on Flash they could follow the comic a little more and have Cisco and Caitlin reprise their evil roles as Reverb and Killer Frost, respectively. Considering they are moving Supergirl from CBS for the next season, maybe this Flashpoint could be an interesting way to reset that show, as well.

As for DC Legends of Tomorrow (which I also enjoy), considering it’s about time travel I figure it would be cool if it mentioned the Flashpoint but I wouldn’t be as disappointed if it wasn’t a major part of the story — though the fact that John Wesley Shipp, who played The Flash in the series from the 1990s is supposedly joining the cast as Jay Garrick could make for an awesome aspect to the Flashpoint storyline.

Either way, I loved Flashpoint Paradox and am really curious/excited to see how the TV show tackles this storyline. But considering how connected Flash and Arrow are, I would be disappointed if the Flash season finale only affected Flash/i>.

April 2016 Chart

Bridge

Artist Song Name Remixer
Jori Hulkkonen Black Books Doc L Junior’s Robo-dub
Midnight to Monaco One In A Million
Thank you Aurea Astro!!! This is on a record label I love called Future Classic.
Pet Shop Boys Twenty-Something
I love the poppiness of this song. So slick. It’s produced by Stuart Price/Jacques lu Cont/etc. of Madonna (and many others) fame.
Tiga Tell Me Your Secret
Lee Walker Freak Like Me DJ Deeon vs Lee Walker Remix
Kodaline Unclear
The Agent Southside Berlin
Beyoncé 6 Inch (feat. The Weeknd)
Of course it’s difficult to choose just one song, but I especially love this song because of the sample of “2Wicky” by Hooverphonic.
Shit Hot Soundsystem Lover’s Groove
Sísý Ey Do It Good Club Mix
Duke So in Love With You Sweet mix
This is a relatively older song but I’d never heard it before and I happened to hear it on c89.5 and it immediately struck me. Dumb but catchy as hell.

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March 2016 Chart

Destruction

Artist Song Name Remixer
Tiga Make Me Fall In Love Tiga Vs. Audion Pop Version
I love his new album No Fantasy Required. Was tough choosing one favorite track.
salute Diamond Gold Rush
Coma The Sea Baio Mix
Daco Dreadnought
Kanye West Ultralight Beam (feat. Chance the Rapper & Kirk Franklin)
When it comes to Kanye I always prefer the production over the lyrics.
New Order Singularity Erol Alkan’s Extended Mix
Aww yeah! It’s been a while since Erol Alkan has put out a remix — it was worth the wait.
V.I.M. Maggie’s Last Party Beats & Bass mix
I don’t know much about this song but it’s crazy and weird and I love it.
Supermax Lovemachine GusGus remix
Santigold Banshee
Cassius Action (feat. Cat Power)
I never would’ve predicted these two artists (Cassius and Cat Power/Chan Marshall) two collaborate. But they did. And it’s great.
Alex Midi In the Air Tonight (feat. Delacey)
This is for my Phil Collins-loving friend Aurea Astro.
AlunaGeorge I’m In Control (feat. Popcaan)
WhoMadeWho Hi & Low
M83 Do It, Try It
This song took a few listens but then it really caught me. It’s not what I would’ve expected from M83 — which could be exciting. New album out soon.
Shlohmo Druid Caravan of Smoke
So Rick Rubin produced an album of a bunch of electronic music artists doing songs inspired by Star Wars. I love a bunch of the tracks — they are weird, funny, exciting. But this dark one by Shlohmo is definitely my favorite.

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