‘Legends Of Tomorrow’ Season 2A Roundtable

This season on Legends of Tomorrow, the show has evolved as the time traveling heroes are on new adventures to keep the world safe, by protecting time and space. Along the way, they have made a couple of new recruits on the team, with Nate Haywood who recently became the superhero Citizen Steel and Amaya Jiwe a.k.a. Vixen who is a member of the Justice Society of America, a group of heroes from the past. This year they are not facing one, but several villains that are coming together as the dangerous Legion of Doom.

With the series now on hiatus until late January, we here at Heroic Hollywood are doing a number of Heroic Roundtables to discuss the first half of various TV shows until they return. While we wait for the show to return, several Heroic Hollywood writers came together to discuss the first eight episodes of Season 2, and our expectations for the second half of the season. So hit the next button below and let’s dive into Season 2A – be aware though for spoilers from the first nine episodes.

Page 1: New Structure & Storytelling For Season 2

Page 2:  The Evolution Of The Legion Of Doom

Page 3: Sara Lance/White Canary As Leader

Page 4: Introductions Of Citizen Steel & Vixen

Page 5: The Mysterious Return Of [SPOILER]

Page 6: Hopes & Expectations For Season 2B

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‘Rogue One’ Boldly Expands The ‘Star Wars’ Universe

The following is Heroic Hollywood’s NON-SPOILER review of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story officially marks a new chapter in the Star Wars universe and is a major risk for Lucasfilm. Star Wars: The Force Awakens featured characters that audiences had come to know over the course of multiple generations while introducing us to new fan favorites. Rogue One didn’t have those advantages going in, instead, this film is different and embraces that. Rogue One boldly introduces new characters, story elements and a visual style that is simply stunning. 

Director Gareth Edwards had a monumental task with this film. He had to create an original piece that not only expanded the Star Wars universe but connected directly into Star Wars: A New Hope. He has achieved both with Rogue One. It feels as though the Star Wars world has become infinitely larger, with more stories just waiting to be told.

Edwards has openly discussed that he wanted to make a war film and Rogue One doesn’t shy away from that environment and shows just how real and devastating war is. The action sequences and visual effects transport the audience directly onto the front lines of every battle. The stakes feel real for our characters as they are life or death. 

Rogue One will be talked about for its action, visual and practical effects but the heart of this film can be found within our main characters, who set out on the mission of stealing the plans for the Death Star. If the audience doesn’t care about these characters, the film loses its momentum going into the third act. Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Riz Ahmed, Jiang Wen and Donnie Yen all deliver outstanding performances. Luna and Yen being the two of the clear standouts.

While much of the action focuses on our group of Rebels, The Empire has a looming presence throughout the film and that is delivered through Ben Mendelsohn’s Orson Krennic and Darth Vader. Seeing Darth Vader once again on the big screen proves that he is one of the most powerful and impactful villains of all time.

What audiences might not be expecting from this Star Wars film is that Edwards balances an intense, dark tone with lightness and humor. The humor doesn’t take away from the overall war movie feel but instead amplifies and contrasts those intense moments. One of the funniest and most sincere characters is K-2SO, played by Alan Tudyk. Tudyk has a standout performance throughout the film and his droid becomes instantly memorable alongside BB-8 and R2-D2. 

Rogue One isn’t a perfect film. At times the pacing felt rushed and certain characters are underutilized. In addition, if you are new to the Star Wars franchise, you might feel a bit left behind on the storyline and Easter Eggs.

Regardless, it’s clear that Edwards was a fan of this franchise and wanted to deliver a movie that fans would appreciate. Rogue One has the feel of a war movie but contains heart, passion and most of all hope. This is the prequel Star Wars fans have been waiting for. 

In a time of conflict, a group of unlikely heroes band together on a mission to steal the plans to the Death Star, the Empire’s ultimate weapon of destruction. This key event in the Star Wars timeline brings together ordinary people who choose to do extraordinary things, and in doing so, become part of something greater than themselves.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is in theaters December 16. Directed by Gareth Edwards, Rogue One stars Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Riz Ahmed, Alan Tudyk, Mads Mikkelsen, Donnie Yen, Jiang Wen, Forest Whitaker, and Ben Mendelsohn.

For continuing coverage of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, keep it locked here on HeroicHollywood.com. 

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‘Arrow’ Season 5A Roundtable

This season on Arrow, the show has started to go back to the roots of the earlier seasons with Oliver Queen continuing his crusade to protect Star City as the Green Arrow. The beginning of the season started out with Oliver as the mayor of the city while he has been putting together a new team to help protect the city. However, a new evil has emerged in the form of the mysterious powerful archer, Prometheus.

With the series now on hiatus until late January, we here at Heroic Hollywood are doing a number of Heroic Roundtables to discuss the first half of various TV shows until they return. While we wait for the show to return, several Heroic Hollywood writers came together to discuss the first nine episodes of Season 5, and our expectations for the second half of the season. So hit the next button below and let’s dive into Season 5A – be aware though for spoilers from the first nine episodes.

Page 1: The Theme Of Legacy & Returning To Show’s Roots

Page 2: Team Arrow 2.0 – The New Recruits

Page 3: The Flashbacks Of Season 5 – Russia

Page 4: Episode 100 – Celebrating A Milestone

Page 5: Prometheus – Who Is He?

Page 6: Mid-Finale Twist, Hopes For Season 5B & Speculation

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Heroic Roundtable: ’The Flash’ Season 3 So Far

This season on The Flash, the show took on the famous DC Comics storyline Flashpoint as Barry Allen changed the timeline more than once and now his world looks a bit different. Caitlin Snow now has powers, Cisco has lost his brother and that’s not even half of the changes. While Barry has been dealing with a new timeline, two dangerous enemies have emerged in Central City, with Doctor Alchemy and the dangerous speed-god, Savitar.

With the series now on hiatus until late January, we here at Heroic Hollywood are doing a number of Heroic Roundtables to discuss the first half of various TV shows until they return. While we wait for the show to return, several Heroic Hollywood writers came together to discuss the first nine episodes of Season 3, and our expectations for the second half of the season. So hit the next button below and let’s dive into Season 3A – be aware though for spoilers from the first nine episodes.

Page 1: The TV Show’s Take On Flashpoint

Page 2: Rise Of Savitar & Doctor Alchemy

Page 3: Evolution Of Heroes (& Villains?)

Page 4: Iris & Barry Relationship

Page 5: 4-Show “Invasion!” Crossover

Page 6: Hopes For Season 3B, The Prophecies & More

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Heroic Roundtable: ’Supergirl’ Season 2 So Far

The CW got its fourth DC Comics series this fall with Greg Berlanti’s Supergirl, starring Melissa Benoist as Kara Zor-El, the Girl of Steel, who flew over from CBS for her second season. Joining her fellow DC heroes in The Flash, Arrow and Legends of Tomorrow, the second season has been focusing on Kara dealing with new challenges in her life, both as a superhero and with her life as Kara Danvers. The first half of the season featured Kara and her team at the D.E.O. battling the villainous Lillian Luthor and Project Cadmus.

With the series now on hiatus until late January, we here at Heroic Hollywood are doing a number of Heroic Roundtables to discuss the first half of various TV shows until they return. While we wait for the show to return, several Heroic Hollywood writers came together to discuss the first eight episodes of Season 2, and our expectations for the second half of the season. So hit the next button below and let’s dive into Season 2A – be aware though for spoilers from the first eight episodes.

Page 1: Supergirl’s evolution since moving to The CW

Page 2: The LGBT representation with Alex Danvers & Maggie Sawyer

Page 3: Additions of new DC Comics heroes and villains

Page 4: The introduction of the Luthor women, Lena & Lillian

Page 5: What hasn’t worked so far in Season 2

Page 6: Hopes and expectations for Season 2B

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‘Legends Of Tomorrow’: ‘The Chicago Way’ Review

Legends of Tomorrow was the last CW DC show to conclude their first half of their new season as the time traveling heroes continue to hunt for Hourman’s killer. The episode opens with Eobard Thawne and Damien Darhk, along with Malcolm Merlyn, in Chicago 1927. They are there to offer Al Capone some assistance in taking down some new “foes” that are on their way, meaning the Legends.

The heroes arrive in 1927 Chicago to try and stop Capone as Gideon detected an aberration. But during the mission, the team runs into both Thawne and Darhk. Thawne ends up kidnapping Stein and Sara who gets visited by Malcolm.

He tries to come to a deal with Sara who he wants the amulet from and in exchange, he would give her a normal life again. Sara however refuses the offer which doesn’t thrill Darhk one bit. Stein does eventually reveal to Sara that he accidentally created a daughter because of a recent time travel trip. The White Canary isn’t happy about it at all and tries to convince that Lily isn’t real.

Throughout the episode, Mick begins to hallucinate his former partner in crime, Leonard Snart a.k.a. Captain Cold. As Mick keeps bonding with Vixen, Snart tries to mess with Mick’s head several times as he is aiming to “set him straight”. Mick however doesn’t let himself be distracted by the ghost of Snart.

The Legion of Doom come together to put the two amulets together and we learn that it’s actually a map that Eobard explains will bring them to something known as the “Spear of Destiny”. However, they still need another piece or to be more exact: someone.

With everything that went down in the fall finale, there is a lot that we want to discuss and breakdown. So hit the next button below and let’s breakdown the top moments and highlights from the Legends of Tomorrow Season 2 episode: “The Chicago Way”

#5: Malcolm Merlyn’s Legends Debut

#4: Team Finds Out About Lily Stein

#3: Return Of Captain Cold

#2: Legion Of Doom Evolves

#1: The Ending

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‘Arrow’: ‘What We Leave Behind’ Review

Arrow was an emotional ride for viewers of the show tonight as in the mid-season finale, Prometheus steps the game up to the next level as he puts Oliver Queen through hell. Since the new evil knows about Oliver’s real identity and the identities of his team members, he goes after Curtis who gets seriously injured.

As the Emerald Archer is hunting for his new antagonist, Evelyn reveals her true color and betrays the team. With the team trying to figure out who Prometheus really is, Oliver begins to remember an event from four years ago when he was still The Hood. The flashback tells the story of how Justin Claybourne, a criminal that Oliver took out back then. Diggle warned him back then that maybe one day, there would be consequences to Oliver’s actions.

Oliver begins to think that Prometheus is actually Justin’s son who Oliver thinks has been studying and following his training for years in order to be able to take on the Green Arrow. Meanwhile, as Billy Malone is doing his investigation, he finds a picture of a baby which he sends to Felicity. Unfortunately, Prometheus snatches him.

Once Oliver figures out where Billy is and gets to the location, a showdown takes place between the two archers. However, Prometheus puts another evil plan into motion which leaves Oliver completely broken. As he returns to his team, with his emotions completely broken, he asks everyone to stay away from him as he thinks Prometheus is right: that he brings death everywhere he goes. The group hugs and shows him that they aren’t going anywhere.

After spending a night with Susan and trying to deal with what had happened, he returns to the Arrow lair only to find a very familiar face just before the episode ends. Given how packed “What We Leave Behind” was, we have a lot to breakdown so hit the next button below and let’s go through some of the highlights and important moments of the Arrow Season 5 episode: “What We Leave Behind”

#5: Flashback To Season 1

#4: Trouble Between Curtis & Paul

#3: The Death Of [SPOILER]

#2: A Broken Team

#1: The Return Of [SPOILER]

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’Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.’: ‘The Laws of Inferno Dynamics’ Review

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. picked up right where we left off in last week’s episode as Coulson, Ghost Rider and Fitz have returned from the shadow dimension to help stop Eli Morrow once and for all. But things aren’t that simple in the winter finale as the team deals with dangerous forces.

Director Mace confronts Radcliffe about AIDA as Coulson came out clean about Radcliffe’s secret project. While he doesn’t do anything about it first, towards the end of the episode Mace decides that from now on, the program will be done under the organization’s supervision which Radcliffe doesn’t seem to thrilled about.

After making a new deal with the Devil last week, Robbie is giving it his all as he come face to face with Eli. He confronts him about what happened to him and Gabe all those years ago. But as he tries to get answers from his uncle, Robbie realizes there is no point as Eli have gotten more obsessed about the powers he now possess.

Robbie tries to flame on to take Eli down, but Eli is already one step ahead and prevents Robbie from transforming. Coulson shows up in the right time to distract Eli and the Ghost Rider comes out to play once again. However, during the big battle, Ghost Rider and Eli suddenly vanish into thin air inside the cell that.

Daisy, who has been experiencing some pain inside of herself, gets her public image cleared thanks to Mace when the press discovers her presence. While one threat is gone, a new evil appears towards the end of the episode as we discover that someone on the team is an imposter while the real version of this character is being held hostage.

A lot went down in tonight’s episode, so there is a lot to discuss about. With all of that said, hit the NEXT button below and let’s go through some of tonight’s biggest highlights and important moments in the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 4 episode: “The Laws of Inferno Dynamics”

#5: Yo-Yo & Mack’s Love Lives Again

#4: Director Mace Gets Into Action

#3: Quake’s Public Image Restored

#2: Ghost Rider Vs Eli Morrow

#1: The Ending

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‘The Flash’: ‘The Present’ Review

The Flash took part of a massive 4-show crossover last week, but this week’s mid-season finale brought it to a whole new level as Savitar takes the game to the next level. We learn about Julian’s involvement with Savitar from four years ago and how he came to be Savitar’s Alchemy. Barry Allen runs over to Earth-3 to ask help from Jay Garrick, right after he helps stop that world’s version of The Trickster.

Back on Earth-1, Jay explains to Barry what he knew about Savitar which also gave featured a brief look of the new big bad before he was suited up. Jay and Barry take on Savitar together, but Jay gets almost brutally crushed by the godlike speedster. While Barry manages to get the stone in his possession, which in turn locks Savitar away. However, Barry also discovers that Julian is Doctor Alchemy and takes him to Star Labs. Julian reveals that he has been having blackouts and Barry agrees to try and help him out.

Cisco begins to see his dead brother’s spirt that encourages him to open the box. When Savitar is unleashed once again, Wally tries to help Barry out, but Caitlin manages to convince Cisco to close it and Savitar disappears again. When the team manages, through technology, to speak directly to Savitar through Julian, the evil speedster explains that a clock is ticking, someone will be a traitor, someone will suffer a fate worse than death, but someone….will also die.

Barry and Jay try to trap the stone inside the Speed Force and while they succeed, Barry is taken to the future and witnesses his worst nightmare. Jay advices Barry though that he needs to focus on the now, that the future is not set in stone. The team later on celebrates Christmas together and Barry gives Iris the biggest gift of all time.

So hit the NEXT button below and let’s go through some of the important moments and highlights of The Flash season three episode: “The Present”

#5: Julian’s Past Explored

#4: Backstory Of Savitar

#3: Earth-3 & The Trickster

#2: Jay Garrick Mentors Barry

#1: Second Half Of Season 3 Setup

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‘Suicide Squad: Extended Cut’ Blu-Ray Review

DC Extended Universe fans have a lot to be excited about this holiday season. Suicide Squad: Extended Cut as well as its original theatrical cut is currently available on Digital HD and will be available on Ultra HD Blu-Ray, Blu-Ray 3D Combo Pack, Blu-Ray Combo Pack and DVD on Tuesday, December 13. I got a chance to have an early look at a Blu-Ray Combo Pack courtesy of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, Inc. and got to explore the picture quality, audio presentation and of course – the special features. 

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‘The Walking Dead’ Recap: S7E7 “Sing Me A Song”

This week on The Walking Dead, we visit The Sanctuary and learn more about The Saviors as Negan gives a tour.

Last week we caught up with Heath and Tara and discovered a new community, but Oceanside will remain a mystery to everyone but Tara for the time being. Tara eventually came home to discover the hell that Negan and The Saviors unleashed. A few weeks ago we saw Jesus and Carl catch a ride in one of The Saviors trucks, so it probably isn’t going to be pretty.

Jesus and Carl are still in the back of the supply truck with the two most clueless saviors waiting to get back to The Sanctuary. Jesus continues to be a badass ninja as he leaves a trail of breadcrumbs in the form of syrup. Jesus bails out of the truck so that he doesn’t get caught. However, Carl is not so eager to hide as he has an explosive surprise for them. After taking a few by surprise, he is captured and now a guest of The Sanctuary.

Negan is in awe with Carl as Carl is truly fearless. He decided to take Carl in as his guest as he shows him how he runs his kingdom. Giving Carl a beer, he shows off how everything works. Negan demands fear, loyalty, and he even shows off Carl his “wife stable.” Turns out not all of his wives are completely down with their situation. Negan has a talk with Sherry discussing Mark and Amber as they broke his rules, and there are penalties.

As Negan continues with Carl, he not only threatens him, but toys with him over his missing eye. It’s rather heartbreaking, but it’s Carl penance for his sneak attack. Turns out Negan has a soft spot for Carl as he rolls back his ridicule of him. When Negan grabs Lucille, it’s a whole different ball game as Carl has to sing him a song under threat of Lucille. Once again it’s heartbreaking.

Meanwhile, at Alexandria, Spencer is sowing discontent against Rick by talking to both Rosita and Father Gabriel. He wants to work by Negan’s rules and “pay taxes.” Gabriel stands tall and Rosita is still on a quest of vengeance. Rick and Aaron go on a scouting trip in uncharted territory and might come across some weapons.

Before we can get to that next week, here are a few of the top moments of the episode.

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‘Westworld’ 1.10 “The Bicameral Mind” Review

Westworld ended as it began – an ambitious, albeit frustrating, look at the deepest of questions, such as what is consciousness? With such big ideas on its mind, it sometimes let some frustrating storytelling devices through. Most of the theories to the big questions panned out, like the Man in Black really is William, but with so much to accomplish that even at 90 minutes, it felt muddled, even as it delivered on many of the season’s promises. In the post-episode breakdown, showrunner (and episode co-writer/director) Jonathan Nolan said the theme of the first season was control. In the end, the show handled control about as well as the hapless humans running the park – ignorantly. Then again, since the theme of the show is the relationship between hosts and humans, perhaps that was the point.

Let’s go through the events. I decided to divide this review roughly chronologically, to get our first clear view of the history of the park as told by the show’s first season. Click Next to start the review or click which part of the review you’d like to read first.

1. 35 years ago, just prior to the park’s opening
2. 30 years ago, during William & Logan’s trip
3. The present day
   1. Maeve’s escape
   2. Dolores and the Man in Black
   3. Ford’s new narrative “Journey into Night”

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‘Legends Of Tomorrow’: ‘Invasion!’ Review

Legends of Tomorrow this week took part of the massive four-show crossover with the fellow DC Comics series on The CW, with Supergirl, The Flash and Arrow, as the heroes came together to fight the villainous Dominators. After being trapped by the Dominators, Oliver and his crew reunites with the whole team and decides it is time to take down the aliens once and for all. But Oliver asks Kara to sit on the bench for the time being as he needs the situation to have some “normalcy”.

Vixen, Citizen Steel, Heatwave, Felicity and Cisco travel back to 1951 to abduct a Dominator and interrogate it, but things doesn’t go as planned. A bunch of men in suits get in the way and captures them all. Eventually they manage to escape and return back to 2016, but Cisco begins to realize that he has now also messed with time. Because they saved that one Dominator,

Back in 2016, Barry discovers another Flashpoint consequence: it broke the truce between the Dominators and the human race since 1951. The man in the glasses, whose younger self kidnapped the Legends in 1951, reveals that if Barry gives himself up to them, the Dominators will leave Earth. However, Barry’s superfriends are not willing to give him up and the heroes finally go toe-to-toe with the Dominators.

With everything that went down in the episode, there is a lot that we want to discuss and breakdown. So hit the next button below and let’s breakdown the top moments and highlights from the Legends of Tomorrow Season 2 episode and the last installment in the crossover: “Invasion!”

#5: Oliver Benches Supergirl

#4: Hunt For Dominator In The Past

#3: Heroes Vs Aliens

#2: Musical Crossover Teased

#1: Overall Thoughts

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