Rewatching Season 2, Episode 5 ("All In"), and Johnny’s lack of agency when it comes to Robby is especially frustrating here.

In the beginning of the episode, Kreese has to be the one to call Johnny out for not being there for his son, pointing out the hypocrisy that Johnny teaches his students "no defeat" while completely resigning himself when it comes to Robby. It’s bad when Kreese looks like the more proactive figure...like really?

Later, Johnny finds out Shannon took off, the apartment was evicted, and Robby is living with the LaRussos. What does Johnny do? He gets drunk in the parking lot. Carmen finds him, hears him out, and gives him the pep talk about needing to "be the bigger man."

The payoff we actually got felt weak: Daniel storms into Cobra Kai over the stolen Medal of Honor, Johnny restrains himself from throwing a punch, and that’s supposed to be him "being the bigger man." Avoiding a fistfight with Daniel is easy compared to actually confronting the son you failed.

What should have happened instead:

Johnny should have taken Carmen's advice to heart and swallowed his pride. He should have driven over to Daniel’s house, not to start a fight, but to look Robby in the eye:

1. Own the mistake: Acknowledge he dropped the ball on checking in and apologize directly for not knowing about the eviction.
2. Offer a real home: Tell Robby he cleaned out the second bedroom, bought a bed, and that it’s his: no strings attached, no pressure to join Cobra Kai, and no rent.
3. Accept the outcome: Even if Robby naturally rejects him (which fits Robby’s trust issues at that point), Johnny actually putting himself on the line would turn his arc from passive negligence into something genuinely tragic.

Having Daniel witness Johnny swallow his ego and say something as simple as "just make sure he eats" before walking away would have planted early seeds of mutual respect, given Robby’s choice to stay with Miyagi-Do real weight, and actually delivered on the "bigger man" theme.

What do you all think? Would this have made Johnny's Season 2 arc hit harder, or did you prefer how the rift played out?

Like imagine one of the big story points was about Bob and all the survivor’s guilt crashing on him, becoming severely depressed, blaming himself for what happened to them even though it really wasn’t his fault, because in the movie he didn’t really show any emotion towards what happened to his friends and even best friends, people that have been to his wedding. He felt nothing at first because his mind was overwhelmed and everything was just happening all at once if that makes sense, but after he gets a second to actually process what happened his life falls on his head.

Maybe the “ghost” of Gazerbeam haunts him as manifestation of all of his guilt, especially since he saw Simon’s dead body it’s more traumatizing in a way that’s personal because he helped Simon become who he was and mentored him.

This in my honest opinion would’ve made for an genuinely amazing story about his depression specifically I feel like Brad is really failing at what made The Incredibles so amazing but what so you think?

As much as I look forward to Man of Tomorrow and a fully lived-in DC Universe in the far future, there are certain things I want as a fan but know I’ll never get to see. Things that — even if I was as big of a Marvel fan — we’ll never even see the equivalent of within the MCU. For instance, a time period-set universe — not just a one-off prequel going back 30 years, but a genuine embrace of a universe set in another decade, celebrating that time in comics, from the zany Silver Age to the grunge 90s. X-Men came the closest with First Class, Days of Future Past, and Apocalypse jumping from decade to decade in each movie. And that’s a major defining factor for my ideal DC cinematic universe.

Instead of “phases,” every chapter is defined as its own “era.” Timeline changes are the result of Mr. Mxyzptlk interfering with the DC Universe. He shows up toward the end of each era, messing with Superman and causing mayhem, up until the final chapter as the movies catch up to our modern day setting. The Flash eventually contributes to timeline changes as well— but nothing ever causes true harm until very late, launching a whole event of its own.

In total, my dream DC movie universe outline is comprised of 10 eras, with 78 movies, and 14 series- only a few of which span multiple seasons.

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Era 1: The Golden Age

• Set in 1940s

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Superman

• Superman has been around for a few years, and his appearance coincides with a few other heroes elsewhere in the country.
• Clark, Jimmy, Lois, and Perry are the main Daily Planet cast members, focused on Superman news, as his first major villain makes his debut.
• Inspired by the tone of Darwyn Cooke’s New Frontier, the Fleischer shorts, and the George Reeves series
• Villain: The Ultra-Humanite
• Movie 1

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Wonder Woman

• Diana sees it as her responsibility to protect mankind from Hades, as Ares plots an invasion of the realm.
• Even though she has connections to the Justice Society of America, there are some threats only she can deal with.
• Her clay origin story and Themyscrican heritage, along with her belief in the gods, plays a substantial role.
• Villains: Ares and various creatures of Hades
• Movie 2

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Batman

• As the terrifying vigilante Batman continues to appear across Gotham City, Dr. Hugo Strange collaborates with GCPD to psychoanalyze the Caped Crusader. 
• Batman begins to create a connection with Commissioner Gordon, the only member of the force who sees past Strange’s diagnosis, while they uncover an occult conspiracy…
• Bruce keeps up appearances as a philanthropist in the city, with his identity called into question by Strange, the only person who sees through the masked persona and genuinely challenges Batman.
• Villains: Dr. Hugo Strange, the Mad Monk
• Movie 3

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The Justice Society of America

• The JSA is a famous superhero team, who frequently collaborated undercover with the government during the war. But now, they’ve become hopeful symbols of a better tomorrow. They make talk show appearances, they give tours of their headquarters, etc.
• Team: Jay Garrick Flash, Alan Scott Green Lantern, Black Canary, Hourman, Dr. Fate, Sandman, Hawkman, Starman, Spectre
• Associated with Wonder Woman, Liberty Bell, and others who are not always in the main rotation
• Villains: the Injustice Society
• Movie 4

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DC: The New Frontier

• Faithful adaptation of Darwyn Cooke’s story
• Introduces the Flash, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern, Robin
• Along with several other heroes and villains
• Much like the comics, this is a DC event, not just a Justice League origin.
• Sets the tone going forward for the next era, with the Justice League formed by the end
• Movie 5

Era 2: The Silver Age

• Set in 1950-1970

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Batman: Dynamic Duo

• Focuses on Batman and Robin’s early years
• Batman is less of a terrifying threat, as he raises Dick Grayson to be his crime-fighting apprentice.
• Inspired by Mark Waid and Chris Samnee’s Batman and Robin: Year One
• Other substantial characters include Commissioner Gordon, Lt. Bullock, Alfred, and Carmine Falcone
• Villains: Penguin, Poison Ivy, Clayface
• Movie 6

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Green Lantern

• Hal Jordan continues his adventures as Green Lantern while a former Lantern, Sinestro, goes rogue.
• Carol Ferris discovers Hal’s secret alter ego.
• She is slowly built up as a character, as she will eventually become Star Sapphire.
• Some sequences on Oa with the Guardians and other Lanterns like Kilowog, Tomar‑Re, Ch’p, and Katma Tui.
• 70% of the film is set on various distant planets
• Villain: Sinestro
• Movie 7

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Wonder Woman: The Spells of Circe

• After The New Frontier, Diana is building a life of her own in the world apart from her heroics as Wonder Woman, following Superman’s lead.
• She begins to have a romantic connection with Steve Trevor, linking her more closely to mankind.
• Meanwhile, a new source of magic is impeding on the realm, with various spells causing chaos…
• Villain: Circe
• Movie 8

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The Flash

• Introduces Wally West AKA Kid Flash
• Jay Garrick is Barry’s longtime superhero mentor
• Various sequences involving the Rogues
• Basically Darwyn Cooke’s New Frontier Flash scenes expanded into a movie
• Side character: Iris West
• Cameos: Captain Cold, Captain Boomerang, Trickster, Weather Wizard, Pied Piper
• Villain: Mirror Master
• Movie 9

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Superman: Brainiac

• The type of fun superhero action movie you’d expect from Brad Bird, embracing art deco aesthetics.
• Brainiac has come to Earth with the goal of shrinking it for his collection of worlds.
• Brainiac was alerted of Earth because of recent alien activity, such as Martian Manhunter’s appearance, Abin Sur’s death, Superman’s headlines, etc.
• Lois and Superman’s romance continues to grow, with her eventually figuring out he is Clark Kent
• Clark/Superman’s friendship with Jimmy Olsen also plays a big role
• Side characters: Supergirl, Krypto
• Villains: Brainiac, Lex Luthor
• And at the very end, Mr. Mxyzptlk appears for the first time, snapping his fingers as the DC Universe jumps forward a decade… He escapes Superman, inevitably set to return later.
• Movie 10

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Teen Titans

• One of the more retro-feeling movies
• A coming-of-age story for the sidekicks when they form their own group
• Team: Robin, Kid Flash, Wonder Girl, Aqualad, Speedy
• Villains: Mad Mod, Dr. Light
• Movie 11

The Adventures of Jimmy Olsen

• TV series
• A true celebration of the Silver Age with Jack Kirby’s influence, as Jimmy Olsen investigates a series of strange incidents around Metropolis while Superman is too busy with bigger threats. At one point, he wanders into Bizarro World.
• Jimmy crosses paths with the New Gods, a genie, a werewolf, and eventually the Teen Titans.
• Show 1

Doom Patrol

• Another funky celebration of the Silver Age
• Imagine X-Men: First Class but way more stylized, mashed up with the Doom Patrol series
• Team: the Chief, Robotman, Elasti-Girl, Negative Man
• Villains: the Brotherhood of Evil, Animal‑Vegetable‑Mineral Man
• Movie 12

Brave and the Bold

• TV series
• Anthology team-up stories introducing new characters and exploring their dynamics with each other
• Every episode features a new team-up between a few heroes
• Show 2
• Introduces several new heroes including:

1. Red Tornado, Elongated Man
2. Hawk, Dove
3. Challengers of the Unknown
4. Hawkman, Hawkgirl
5. Batman, Robin, Bat-Mite
6. The Seven Soldiers of Victory: Shining Knight, Green Arrow, Speedy, Vigilante, Crimson Avenger, Star-Spangled Kid, and Stripesy

Justice League of America

• The team’s first official adventure including members: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Flash, Martian Manhunter, Green Arrow, Aquaman
• Felix Faust, Starro, Dr. Light, and others appear in a sequence depicting the team’s past villains they’ve encountered since The New Frontier
• Villains: Despero
• Movie 13

Era 3: The Bronze Age

• Set in 1970-1985

Superman & Batman: World’s Finest

• Batman and Superman encounter imps from other dimensions, leading to a bizarre adventure that causes Silver and Bronze Age-inspired chaos.
• Villains: Mr. Mxyzptlk, Bat-Mite, Bizarro, Lex Luthor
• Movie 14

Wonder Woman: Hades on Earth

• The door to Hades is opened by Felix Faust, who serves Ares in return for promised power in his coming kingdom. 
• However, after Faust does his bidding, Ares inevitably betrays him and begins to take the world for himself.
• This story occurs during Superman & Batman: World’s Finest, rendering the rest of the DC Universe unable to help due to the shenanigans of Bat-Mite and Mr. Mxyzptlk.
• Continues to build Wonder Woman’s dynamic with Wonder Girl
• Villains: Felix Faust, Ares
• Movie 15

The Flash: Run For Your Life

• Eobard Thawne is messing with Barry Allen’s life, going through time to rewrite history. 
• When Jay, Wally, and Barry realize what’s happening, it’s almost too late. Barry goes off on his own to figure out who’s behind the timeline changes, encountering Reverse-Flash in the act as Jay, Wally, and Iris West are removed from time. 
• Now, Barry has to restore everything back to the way it was, while running for his own life.
• Villains: Reverse‑Flash, the Rogues
• Movie 16

Green Lantern Corps

• The second entry to the Green Lantern series amps up the stakes with a full-blown crossover involving multiple other Lanterns alongside Hal Jordan.
• Carol becomes Star Sapphire
• Sinestro is imprisoned, now acting as a Hannibal-like source of information to Hal as he investigates threats across the galaxy.
• The Guardians warn Hal of his personal life impeding his responsibilities as a Lantern.
• Villains: Manhunters, Star Sapphire
• Movie 17

Teen Titans: Judas

• Inspired by The Judas Contract storyline
• Team members: Robin, Beast Boy, Cyborg, Raven, Starfire, Wonder Girl, Kid Flash
• Villains: Deathstroke, Terra, H.I.V.E.
• Movie 18

New Gods

• An epic story introducing the Fourth World as tensions rise between New Genesis and Apokolips, which leads up to Orion taking charge against Darkseid’s forces.
• Main heroes: Orion, Mister Miracle, Big Barda, Highfather, Lightray, Metron
• Villains: Darkseid, Steppenwolf, Granny Goodness, Female Furies, Kalibak, Desaad
• Movie 19

Task Force X

• TV series
• Amanda Waller assigns Captain Rick Flag Jr. to lead a group of super-villains to do the bidding of Checkmate, a secret government agency.
• Team members: Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, Bronze Tiger, Count Vertigo, and more rotating members
• Show 3

Brave and the Bold

• TV series, season 2
• Introduces many heroes including:

1. Deadman, the Spectre
2. Captain Marvel, Adam Strange
3. Black Lightning, Captain Atom
4. Plastic Man, Firestorm, Metal Men
5. Jonah Hex, Vigilante, Bat Lash
6. Green Arrow, Green Lantern

Since Reddit doesn't allow posts over 40,000 characters, I'm not able to post the rest of the outline with Eras 4-10.

To read the rest, check it out here: https://medium.com/@timartyn0/my-dream-dc-movie-universe-outline-10-eras-78-movies-14-series-2468e0a8c721?sharedUserId=timartyn0

Disney Plus series are dead, allegedly. Rumour is they are pulling back on the limited series format after VisionQuest. I can understand the logic in that - they are expensive, expansive without a plan and often the six episode shows fell into a similar sort of formula. I think the shows will now be reserved for (1) the street level side of things or (2) a big event show like Champions.

Despite this, it seems that marvel is commissioning two more special presentations. Switching out shows for special presentations makes sense to me - they’re shorter, cheaper and an easier commitment.

It also seems like people are clamouring for a comic inspired ‘evergreen’ marvel universe, where characters can interact without needing a huge tentpole event to do it. Brand New Day showed a living, breathing marvel universe and fans loved it.

With all this in mind, I’d like to pitch eight ideas for special presentations, each of which takes two characters and mushes them together. While the most successful franchises take up the big screen, this is our opportunity to (1) use some characters I don’t think are priority to show up again, at least in their own project and (2) tie up some loose ends if the opportunity is there. This is inspired by Marvel Team Up or Marvel Two in One, a long-running concept in the comics. There would be two per year, with these ideas covering an entire phase.

Marvel Two-In-One

She Hulk / Deadpool
* In the aftermath of Secret Wars, many multiversal refugees now exist on Earth 616. When the DODC tries to round them up and lock them away, the enigmatic Deadpool hires Jennifer Walters as his lawyer. Set mostly within the courtroom, the case defines the future for all variants…
* Villain - DODC

Moon Knight / Black Knight
* Split personality superhero Mark Specter/Steven Grant learns of a dangerous third alter when the supernatural Black Knight comes for revenge. Unaware of what he’s done or this third personality, Mark and Steven must explore their past and learn why this unknown enemy wants them dead. Learning they both are corrupted by darkness, Moon Knight must save himself and his enemy from self destruction…
* Villain: Black Knight / Inner Turmoil

Captain America / Werewolf-by-Night
* During a raid on a SERPENT base, Sam Wilson is poisoned by blood magic. Crossing paths with Jack Russel aka Werewolf-By-Night, there to retrieve a supernatural artefact, he’s forced to turn Sam into a wolf too to save his life. Sam must adjust to his new form, stop the enemy and find a cure before it’s too late.
* Villain - Sidewinder / SERPENT

Ant Man / Luke Cage / Iron Fist
* When his suit is stolen by a master criminal, Scott Lang hires Luke Cage and Danny Rand to track them down, uncovering a conspiracy inside the Us Government along the way.
* Villain: Black Ant, Sharon Carter

Captain Marvel / Rogue
* When a Kree Sentry drops in the American South, Rogue (on the run after fighting the X-Men) believes it’s a sentinel on her trail. Carol Danvers knows it’s for her, in revenge for killing the great intelligence. Both arriving to fight it, Anne wants it gone, whilst Carol needs to disable the tracker inside. Misunderstanding one another, the two women turn on each other whilst under attack, in-turn changing both their lives…
* Villain: Kree Sentry

Hercules / The Thing
* Tasked with killing Thor by his father Zeus, Hercules has traveled the cosmos and come up empty handed. Finally making his way to Earth, he tracks down Thor’s rocky ally Korg, only to discover he’s actually targeted the wrong man altogether…
* Villain: Hercules

Wonder Man / War Machine
* Ten years after the death of Tony Stark, James Rhodes finds himself guest of honour at the premier of a movie about Tony’s life. When the premier is attacked by AIM, eager for revenge, Rhodey must team up with the secretly superpowered Simon Williams, the man playing Rhodey in the film.
* Villain: AIM

Punisher / Man Thing
* Frank Castle meets his match. Taking on the Hood in rural New York, we finds the mob boss powered by a deal with a new, even more risky supernatural entity. Frank, just a man, is shot and killed and left to rot in the mud. He’s visited by Ted aka Man Thing, who pities Frank and resurrects him. Now on a mission for revenge, Frank must examine what a life of violence means when you’ve already died for it.
* Villain: The Hood

Episode 1

• Rather than immediately involving the X-Men, I'd have the X-Force be the focus characters of at least two episodes.
• Also, I want to immediately established Apocalypse as a threat, so he would be doing something bonkers in this episodes, to plant the seeds of X-Force and X-Factor working together.
• The focus episode would have been Sunspot. Since he was the view point character in the first episode of Season 1, I'd have him be the view point character in this episode.
• I'd also have a nod to Spider-Man and Amazing Friends where Sunspot teams up with Spider-Man and an Ice-based hero (either Ice-Man or Luna Snow).

Episode 2

• Would be the same as the X-Force episode in canon.

Episode 3

• This is where the X-Men in the future starts.

Episode 4

• Have this be where the first part of Apocalypse's origin story take place.

Episode 5

• This is where the second part of the Apocalypse origin story take place.

Episode 6

• Instead of the Weapon X episode, this would be about Professor X still trying to relieve himself from the trauma of Magneto dying.
• It would be established, at least in my version, that Professor X retains remnant psyches of those he read minds on, including Magneto. This is also to established that Danger is the culmination of several psyches.
• The A-Plot would be have been the X-Men helping Iron Man and Luna Snow stopping AIM who would be responsible for creating the man-driven Sentinels.

Episode 7

• Polaris Episode remains the same.

Episode 8

• Nightcrawler Episode remains the same.

Episode 9

• Same.

Episode 10

• Same.

If you’ve ever heard of Little Shop Of Horrors, you’ve almost certainly heard of the debate over which ending is the better version. Me, personally, I think neither truly lives up to the show’s full potential. The theatrical cut is a poorly-paced, emotionally lacking horror-comedy with no edge to it, and a happy ending that feels rushed and unearned. While I greatly prefer the Director’s Cut (as a matter of fact, I even *enjoy* it), a combination of lopsided pacing and using the first hour of the theatrical cut as a base leads to the film feeling uneven and disjointed. However, I feel that, with a few tweaks that hew closer to the original stage show, both endings of the film could not only work well, but also be really emotionally resonant.

I’ll take you through the outline of the changes I’d make, while explaining my reasonings along the way.

- At the beginning, I would choose to use the narration from the album rather than the film, as I feel that it sets a more foreboding mood (which is thus better subverted by the opening notes of the film)

- I do not like Miles Goodman’s score for the dialogue scenes. Every cue sounds the same. The score should make better usage of the melodies of the stage show.

- Some Fun Now would be reworked. Using the full version of the song, the first half of the song would follow Seymour enjoying the success that the plants brings him (this is important for further showing why he stays with the plant, while also giving him negative qualities early on) while the second half shows him giving his blood to feed the plant, highlighting the dichotomy of the plant’s effect on Seymour.

- Cut majority of Bill Murray cameo, except for the part where Orin throws him out.

- Orin’s death should be slightly longer, not enough to make Seymour utterly irredeemable (or to make the scene feel dragged out) but enough to show a bit more of Orin’s suffering.

- Mushnik’s death scene should be entirely altered. His death scene in the film feels like it’s bending over backwards to give Seymour an “out” for killing Mushnik. It’s out of character, cheap, and it even feels a bit anti-Semitic (although I’m not exactly an authority on that). His death in the stage play is crucial for the original tragic ending to work, while also just being less of a character-assassination.

- The Meek Shall Inherit would be extended to its length on the film soundtrack, with its associated film sequence left intact. For the tragic ending, it symbolizes the crucial moment that Seymour signs the Faustian Pact and his fate is sealed. For the happy ending, it shows the extent to which Seymour feels guilty for his actions, and sets up an emotional moment later in the film.

From here we’ll discuss the changes to each ending in order.

The Earned Happy Ending.

- Before putting Audrey in its mouth, the plant says “why don’t you join your dentist friend, and Mushnik. They’re right inside!”

- After pulling Audrey out of the plant, Seymour comes clean to Audrey about feeding people to the plant. He tells Audrey that he did it because he was worried she would lose interest in him without the plant. Audrey tells Seymour that the plant never mattered to her, and the two reconcile. This way, in the theatrical cut, Seymour actually has to face accountability for his actions, and his primary conflict through the film is given a satisfying narrative and emotional payoff.

- After Patrick Martin says “bigger that Hula Hoops,” Seymour sees flashes of the plant attacking New York (from the ending of the Director’s Cut).

- Mean Green Mother now full demo-length.

- The plant’s death in the theatrical cut is a cheap Deus Ex Machina. In this altered version, Seymour would triumphantly charge into the mouth of the plant to kill it from the inside, like in the 1960 film and the musical. The plant swallows Seymour and spits out his glasses, before turning his attention to Audrey. Just as it’s about to grab her, it begins writhing in pain, before collapsing dead on the floor. Seymour climbs out of the plant and reunites with Audrey. Ending continues as normal. This way, the plant’s death seems plausible rather than abrupt.

The Deserved Tragic Ending

- Audrey’s death occurs as normal.

- After Patrick Martin says “bigger than Hula Hoops,” Seymour sees flashes of the plant attacking New York. Like in the theatrical cut, Seymour refuses Patrick Martin’s contract entirely.

- I know some have suggested that Mean Green Mother should not exist in the ending where Seymour dies, and that it should be replaced with Bigger Than Hula Hoops from the stage show. I disagree entirely, as Bigger Than Hula Hoops feels incredibly anti-climactic, while Mean Green Mother gives Seymour’s death the dramatic build-up it deserves. In fact, I am of the opinion that Mean Green Mother should have been included in subsequent productions of the stage show.

- Footage from the theatrical version of Mean Green Mother to show Seymour actively trying to fight against the plant.

- Seymour dies charging into the plant trying to kill it from the inside, like in the stage show.

- Don’t Feed The Plants could be a minute shorter, for the sake of pacing.

In the 2012 remake of the film Red Dawn, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Russia invade the Western and Eastern coasts of the USA.

Now according to the backstory intro and what is mentioned, this successfully occurred because Europe was experiencing economic problems, Russia was taken over by ultranationalist extremists, the DPRK increased their partnership with them, both crippled US defense via an EMP weapon, and the US had already deployed much of its forces overseas and away from the homeland.

However, even when accounting all those factors, that’s still nowhere close enough to launch a successful invasion of the American mainland. I mean the USA can still project power and strike back via its allies, forces stationed abroad, deployed navy/air-force, EMP-countermeasures, satellites, etc..

So what other changes or additions to the backstory intro and lore of the world would be needed to maximize the chances of Russia and the DPRK launching a successful invasion the American mainland?

I remember watching this and it was terrible, is there a way of fixing the movie to make it better or is there no way of fixing it?

All of the James Bond films from Dr. No to Diamonds are Forever involve the global terrorist organization SPECTRE, with the exception of Goldfinger. With Ernst Stavro Blofeld seemingly dying in Diamonds are Forever, (though, I am convinced the Blofeld we see in Diamonds isn't the real deal, as we later see a Bald neckbrace-wearing man in For Your Eyes Only, consistent with the injury Blofeld received in On Her Majesty's Secret Service), the threat of SPECTRE is seemingly no longer a concern for James Bond.

This is because of a complicated lawsuit between Ian Fleming, Kevin McClory and Jack Whittingham, as McClory and Whittingham created Blofeld and SPECTRE in an unmade attempt at a Bond film before Dr. No. This is why McClory was later able to remake Thunderball as Never Say Never Again. Apparently, this is why Blofeld and SPECTRE disappear from the Eon-produced Bond films. But, I am still a little fuzzy on the timeline, as the lawsuit was settled out of court in 1963, and Blofeld's last official appearance in the Eon films was Diamonds are Forever, in 1971. After the lawsuit, Blofeld appeared in three official films before being retired, so I am not 100 percent convinced the lawsuit is what kept him out of the movies for so long, but that seems to be the official story, so let's stick with that.

In any case, Blofeld (and SPECTRE's) absence is a problem, at least for Roger Moore's first two outings as Bond, Live and Let Die, and The Man with the Golden Gun. Both movies seem to depend on the conceit that everyone in the world knows and recognizes James, even though I would think that flies in the face of him being, you know, a secret agent. Almost everyone James runs into in Live and Let Die recognizes him and tries to kill him, which legitimizes Kananga's menace, but...how did all these people know who Bond is? I suppose you could say it's Solitaire's psychic abilities, but, personally, I would be okay with the occult not being overtly plausible. Have James be skeptical Solitaire is the real deal, anything she predicts can be chalked up to coincidence, whatever. The second explanation is that CIA Agent Carver, secretly working with Kananga, provided her employer with all the information she got from working with Felix Leiter before James came to America. In fact, that is my head-canon for the movie we got.

OR, what if we leapfrog off the events of the (apparent) death of Blofeld and tie that in with Kananga and his plot in Live and Let Die? Say Kananga was one of Blofeld's lieutenants, promoted after the death of one of the the many underlings during the Connery era. Either that, or, with the power vacuum caused by the lack of SPECTRE, Kananga is making his move, now, where he was afraid to move against SPECTRE, before. Either way, he somehow obtains SPECTRE's files on James, and that is why and how he is targeting Bond, because he fears Bond will take him out, just like he did Blofeld. (allegedly). This allows the plot to basically be the same, but, in my opinion, it now makes a little more sense.

The Man with the Golden Gun suffers a similar problem, as James is dragged into the plot when he thinks a famous assassin, Francisco Scaramanga, is gunning for him. It turns out, it was Scaramanga's mistress who sent Bond the bullet, hoping he could eliminate Scaramanga. But, again, how does this woman know who James Bond is? The easiest solution, here, is to say Scaramanga had previously done jobs for SPECTRE, and through his association with them, knew of Bond, and, Andrea Anders, through her association with Scaramanga, knew of Bond. This, again, more or less allows us to keep the plot the same, as it would only require a sentence or two to explain how these people know who Bond is. Just because everyone in our world knows who James Bond is, doesn't mean everyone in his world should know.

This isn't an expansive fix for the entire Moore era, but I think these basic ideas fix what are, in my opinion, pretty glaring problems. What do you all think? Am I wrong? Maybe. I didn't see the light of the Moore films until I was already a man. By then, it was nothing to me but blinding.

1. Rhaenyra and Alicent’s friendship

2. Rhaena replacing Nettles

3. The Prophecy

PLAYABLE ROSTER: Raiden, Kotal Kahn, Sonya Blade, Reptile, Ermac, Erron Black, Goro, Kano, Cassie Cage, Jacqui Briggs, Takeda, Kung Jin, Scorpion, Subzero, Nitara, Kenshi, Kitara, Smoke, Kung Lao, Skarlet, Rain, Fujin.

NPC Fighters: Liu Kang, Sareena, Ferra / Torr, Frost, Jax, Daegon.

Cutscene only: Johnny Cage, Tanya, Sindel.

Premise: After Shinnok’s defeat and Outworlds incursion. Tensions between Earth Realm and Outworld rise. After Jax Briggs death on a mission to Outworld. The Dark Thunder God Raiden invades Outworld. In retaliation, Kotal Kahn declares Mortal Kombat in Outworlds defence against Earth Realm invasion.

Kotal Kahn must find the best available fighters outworld and other realms have to offer before the Kombat tournament.

Raidens change in behaviour and the sudden invasion of outworld has created rifts in the Special Forces. And Kuai Liang discovers his cryomancer ancestry dates back to Outworld. Creating a loophole in who he chooses to fight for in the tournament.

All the while, the Revenants, forever forced into undeath, are participating on both sides of the tournament. All the while working towards their own agenda.

Story Mode Plot:

The story starts before the New Mortal Kombat Tournament. As Erron Black kills Jax as he protects the Kombat Kids from the cowboys ambush. And Outworld is invaded by Raiden and the Shirai Ryu. As the battle goes on, Kotal Kahn retreats to commune with the Elder Gods, declaring the rite of Mortal Kombat. Him and Raiden appear in the Heavens to negotiate the terms of the tournament.

The tournament is negotiated to be a 1 and done tournament. If Earth realm wins, Outworld gets absorbed into Earth Realm. If Outworld wins, Outworld remains independent of Earthrealm.

Raiden gets the Elder Gods to negotiate that other realms can participate in the tournament for either side but only one representative of that realm for either side. Serving as a means for Raiden to bolster his own champions and hinder Kotal’s ability to recruit.

Raiden arranges a meeting with the Demigod Rain before Kotal can get the chance to do so. He promises Rain that he can get him a free Edenia if Rain participates in the Mortal Kombat tournament for Earth Realm. Rain says he will accept the offer if he knows Raiden isn’t bluffing him. And so Raiden gets Sonya Blade to retrieve the orb connecting Edenia to Outworld. Similar to the orb that connected Vaeturnus. All the while, Raiden forces Kano to participate in the tournament or else he will be killed, and promises Frost that she can become the next Grand Master of the Lin Kuei if she follows him.

Scorpion nearly kills himself to atone for dooming the other revenants in MKX. With Raiden stopping him and convincing him to atone through a different path by protecting Earth Realm and waging war on Outworld. Raiden allows Scorpion access to the Jin Sei, enhancing Scorpion further. Gameplay wise son specials or fatalities include blue flames.

For the sake of keeping track, the participants in the tournament for both sides at the start of the story would include.

Earth Realm:

- Jacqui
- Sonya
- Scorpion
- Frost
- Kano
- Rain
- Takeda
- Kung Lao
- Kung Jin

Outworld:

- Cassie Cage
- Erron Black
- Reptile
- Ermac
- Goro
- Subzero
- Ferra/Torr
- Skarlet
- Kitana

Nitara and the realm of Vaeturnus remain on the fence. In part not wanting to aid Outworld after spending ages under Outworld rule. But also the idea of Earthrealm conquering other realms doesn’t sit well with her.

Liu Kang and Kung Lao invade a monastery in Earth Realm housing Raidens amulet. Kung Jin attempts to fight Kung Lao and Liu Kang but he is easily beaten. But spared in the end. Kung Lao asks Liu Kang to give him the spotlight next time. And Liu Kang agrees to allow Kung Lao to participate in the tournament. Sparking Kung Jin to join the tournament as well. Kung Jin rematch’s Kung Lao twice. once in the tournament. And the last outside of the tournament after Kung Lao lost the previous match. This time Kung Jin manages to reach Kung Lao. And although he still remains a revenant. He chooses to join the forces of light for real this time rather than as part of his plans. And is how Special Forces learns that Liu Kang and the rest of the revenants are plotting something.

Smoke invades one of Quan-Chi’s old hideouts in NetherRealm. Fighting various demons before facing off against and killing Sareena, who tries to stop him from obtaining the secrets inside, the secrets of necromancy and the ability to create more revenants.

Kenshi and Takeda free Taven and help him kill Daegon and collapse the Red Dragon and gain their revenge. Kenshi and Taven go on a quest and hunt down Blaze as Takeda heads to Outworld to compete in the tournament.

Ermac finds himself in conflict with loyalty to Kotal and loyalty to Kitana and Sindel as they appear in Outworld, with what appears to be two personalities attempting to manifest themselves within him. He is unable to fulfill a role that manifests in his mind of protecting and caring for them. And so he uses Skarlet as an almost surrogate daughter, and Skarlet in turn bonds with him over shared origins. At the end of the story when Kitana and Sindel depart for the NetherRealm. Ermac rejects his loyalty to Outworld and chooses to try and save the Edenians souls, leading in part to this version of the Aftermath dlc.

Fujin throughout the story acts as a mediator for Raiden. Appealing to his sensibilities and trying to get through to him. Fujin is unable to do this any longer when Raiden defies the agreement of the tournament and tries to kill Kotal Kahn and invade anyways.

Even though Hanzo and Kuai Leang find themselves on two very different sides of a conflict. In the end neither can bring themselves to dredge up old wounds or kill the other. And the two withdraw from the tournament after their inevitable matchup. The two fight together against Raiden in the final battle before Fujin steps in.

Sonya and Cassie are deeply conflicted with each other’s allegiances while Johnny plays mediator. In the end, Sonya puts aside her grudge with Kotal when she can no longer deny Raidens extremism. And finally manages to kill Kano.

Frost’s attempt at proving herself above her master, Subzero, Ends poorly as she rushes out of the arena with her arms frozen solid. Feeling humiliated and scorned by Kuai Leang.

Rain attempts to convince Skarlet to join him in Edenia, as the blood of Edenians make up her being. Skarlet claims she has no interest in doing so as she has no master anymore, not even the new Kahn. She survives, albeit mortally wounded.

Cassie’s relationship with the rest of her squad remains conflicted and strained. As Jacqui seeks revenge for her father’s death, and her and Takeda’s feelings for each other conflict with Takeda’s duty and loyalty to his clan.In the end. The entirety of special forces put aside its differences and stand up to Raiden and the Edenian / Red Dragon invasion of Outworld along with the rest of the Forces of Light and Outworlders.

After Raidens long fight against Kotal Kahn and later Fujin. The wind god attempts to take Raiden to the Elder Gods to decide his fate. Before Liu Kang, Sindel, Jade, Nightwolf, Stryker, Smoke, and Kitana surround Raiden and drag him to Nether Realm.

The story ends on Outworld winning the tournament. The realm weakened severely by the invasion force. And Earthrealms finest being on shaky terms with each other.

In a mid credits scene. Liu Kang presents his plan to a captured Raiden. With a projection of a pyramid with a fire elemental on the top, and showing Raiden his amulet before reaching out his hand. Raiden accepts. Forming a deadly alliance.

Brand New Day - a villain, a cameo, the ending

1- Swapping out a villain

My suggestion is to swap The Hand for Alistair Smythe and his Spider-Slayer robots. He’d appear:

* In the opening montage with prototype drones, to be beat by Spider-Man.
* His upgraded drones later appear at the DODC with Metzger, who says that even though the man is behind bars, they took his tech to use for good.
* In Jean’s torture, we see Alistair is not behind bars but in fact working with the DODC as their tech guy.
* The hand fight is instead against the spider slayers, who are designed to take down Peter and stop his webs, forcing him to make peace with himself to win.

My main logic for this change is -

* Get another Spider-Man villain in the main plot to make it feel like a spider-man film.
* Set up ideas like the sentinels with the government using robots to police super powered people.
* Bring higher stakes to the final fight as these robots are upgraded to perfectly counter Peter, instead of him fighting a group he already beat in the opening.
* Generally feels a little less goofy and more realistic. RIP cool Ninjas.

2- A cameo

In the DoDC building, Frank sees a mutated head in a jar. Instead of the head, let’s swap that out for the Symbiote in a glass containment cage.

Given No Way Home teased it and it’s likely to show up in Secret Wars, I think it’s natural to show it as a little Easter egg. Plus, lots of characters in this movie have worn the symbiote so it generally ups the stakes.

3- The Ending

I don’t feel like the ending montage lives up to its full potential, and the Ned reveal honestly falls a little flat to me - it feels too cheap and too vague to chew on in the same way NWH’s ending could be.

Instead, after the hospital crowd cheers, we end in a montage -

* Peter and Frank eating chilli in silence.
* Peter meeting DeWolf’s kids and greeting them by name.
* Jean leaving New York to ventures new.
* Peter visiting Bruce in hospital and admitting he was wrong about inhibiting his DNA. Bruce says he feels the same, and that the world will never be safe without him learning to embrace the Hulk. He also hints that Hulk remembers Peter from before.
* Peter and Yelena hanging in the bathhouse.
* Peter hands Ned a letter in the convenience store, following MJ’s advice that he can handle the truth.
* In his apartment, Peter’s elevator opens and the blonde girl is there. He finally introduces himself and she reciprocates- her name is Gwen Stacey. They share a moment.
* finally, on the Midtown roof, MJ touches the necklace. Does she remember?

End.

I feel like this works stronger in a few ways:

* It ties in Bruce, Frank and Yelena into the central theme better, opening up after great loss.
* It gives Hulk a new status quo - smart hulk could not stop a rampage forever, and the only way to find peace is to embrace and make peace with the other guy.
* It takes the meeting with DeWolf off the phone - the film is already quite phone call heavy and I’d like to show he’s back out in the world.
* Instead of Ned remembering, Peter takes the leap to start again. As MJ suggested this to Peter, it shows how he loves her and still values her input despite everything.
* Peter opening up to love again and meeting an iconic comics character just as MJ begins to remember is a much more bittersweet note that really helps fuel some drama going into the next movie.

To foreshadow that this girl is Gwen, let’s alter her two small scenes -

* In her first appearance she has the iconic ponytail and black headband on.
* In her second appearance, Peter steals her white cardigan, just to hint that this character is Gwen for those who notice the similarities.

Like a non-insignificant number of people, I was disappointed by Lightyear. The whole movie felt lazy and un-inspiring and I disliked how nothing from Buzz Lightyear of Star Command ( 2000-2001 ) was adapted into the movie.

My first and biggest issue with Lightyear is the intro:

"In 1995, a boy named Andy got a Buzz Lightyear toy for his birthday. It was from his favorite movie. This is that movie."

Absolutely nothing about Lightyear feels like 1995 and that is the first thing that this post of mine would like to fix.

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In my opinion, Lightyear should have been a live-action movie and pastiche-type film made in the style of mid '90s action and sci-fi films like Star Trek: Generations ( 1994 ) and Judge Dredd ( 1995 ). This means that the movie would have needed to be made with dated equipment or simulated datedness via modern equipment and it would have to feature a lot of practical effects, physical sets and miniature models for scenes set in space.

This would have been terribly expensive and it's highly unlikely that Disney would have been willing to take a risk with some a film.

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Second, some world-building.

Lightyear takes place in the year 2395 and Star Command is the police force of the "Galactic Alliance", an E.U style astro-political alliance between multiple space-faring species, humanity included.

Buzz lightyear's father ( Can't come up with a name for him ) was Star Command's most decorated ranger. He perished on a mission when Buzz was very young and Buzz has spent his life since then attempting to live up to his father's image.

As it turns out, Buzz's father was actually abandoned by his fellow rangers in a fashion similar to the allegations surrounding John A. Chapman as he knew something about Commander Nebula that would've rocked Star Command to it's core and Nebula had him killed off to save himself.

Buzz's father ended up becoming Zurg, who would be portrayed as a self-aware knockoff of Darth Vader. Zurg's Empire is a largely robot/machine/A.I operated resource extraction Empire that appeared a few years after the "death" of Buzz's father and has rapidly expanded since then, becoming an existential threat to the Galactic Alliance in the process.

I'm not totally sure what the entire plot of this alternate Lightyear would be. All I know is that it would be primarily based on the cartoon albeit much more serious and it would a live-action pastiche of mid '90s action/sci-fi films.

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