Mike Crowley
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in Potpourri
Fan Expo 2024 Was an Exciting, If Not Messy Experience
Cons can be a fun experience. It was one that I didn’t know I wanted until I reached my mid-30s. For the longest time, I was afraid of going to them. From public perception, they’re known as “nerd conventions.” Part of that is true. They are large events made for geeks. People who watch anime, […] More
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in Videogames
Why I Changed My Mind About The Last of Us Part II
The Last of Us is a big, sprawling, linear work of art that redefined how you could interpret drama in a video game. Other creators tried to make their games more than just a game, but they couldn’t quite reach writer Neil Druckmann’s heights. Hideo Kojima came close with his meta Metal Gear Solid 2: […] More
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in PremieresThe Acolyte Intrigues But Doesn’t Fascinate
Oh, Star Wars, I have such a troubled relationship with you. You give me the original trilogy, which sets my highs soaring. Then hinder them with the prequels to incredible lows. The Acolyte does what Star Wars should do yet displays the franchise’s surface-level problems. You can do any genre you want with Star Wars. […] More
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in Series
X-Men ’97 Is X-cellent
It’s been 26 years since we’ve seen the X-Men that most people in my generation grew up with. Although it has been such a long time, X-Men ’97 almost doesn’t skip a beat. It catches up to the old cartoon show like it’s just been yesterday. As a continuing narrative to what was built so long ago, X-Men […] More
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in Seasons
The First Half of The Bad Batch Season 3 Leads to a Possible Tragic Ending
The following review contains some light spoilers for Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 3, with eight episodes watched for review It’s not Star Wars if someone isn’t being rescued. Whether it be Princess Leia (twice), Han Solo, Omega, or Crosshair, The Bad Batch treads familiar territory, but this season doesn’t go to the same extent of […] More
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in Premieres
Star Wars: Ahsoka Slowly Gears Towards Excitement
Editor’s Note: This review of Star Wars: Ahsoka was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist. If you’re a fan of Star Wars Rebels, you’ll likely be entertained by Ahsoka. If you’re unfamiliar with Rebels, you may be bored with […] More
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in Seasons
The Bad Batch Season 2 Ignites a Spark of Hope
It might be a fool’s hope, but The Bad Batch Season 2 potentializes a grand payoff in an otherwise dull show. Echo, Wrecker, Tech, Hunter (all voiced masterfully by Dee Bradley Baker), and Omega (Michelle Ang) are off on episodic adventures once more. Our heroes take on mercenary work to make due in the galaxy. The […] More
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Andor: Star Wars Grows Up
Now until the end of day, the sentiment remains from George Lucas that Star Wars is made for twelve-year-olds. As time moves forward, however, those twelve-year-olds become adults. As adults, many of us can cling to childish things without the ability to move on to more mature material. But I question if Star Wars has to be marketed […] More
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Obi-Wan Kenobi Restores Star Wars’ Strength but Its Weakness Still Remains
In 2017 George Lucas told a building packed full of adults that Star Wars is made for 12-year-olds. Despite Lucas’ subtle condescending distinction that he’s telling the crowd they’re infantile, the room cluelessly cheered George on. My affinity for Star Wars is unhealthy. A grown man spending most of the quarantine watching two children’s cartoon shows […] More
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Ms. Marvel Rekindles Some Much Needed Magic in the MCU
If I can explain Ms. Marvel in one word, it would be adorable. Disney’s secret recipe for appealing to children continues to improve upon its ingredients. At one time, Disney only produced stories set in the past. The tales of Snow White, Cinderella, and Aladdin were far from contemporary settings. That is until Pixar came along with Toy Story. However, […] More
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in Series
How The Bad Batch Illustrates Disney’s Mishandling of Star Wars
After countless rescue missions, The Bad Batch can’t save Disney from their redundant writing. Adding another mantlepiece to Star Wars’ wall of disappointment, The Bad Batch is precisely why causal fans can’t get into the cartoon shows. The similarities in The Bad Batch’s writing to Rebels, The Mandalorian, and the sequel trilogy are even worse than the bulk of […] More
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in SeasonsIn Treatment Season 4 Fails to Analyze Its Therapist
This article is intended for fans or anyone who at least finished In Treatment Season 4. If you know nothing about the show, feel free to watch it and come back here later. Otherwise, you’ll have no idea what I’m referencing. SPOILERS AHEAD I didn’t know In Treatment had a fan base. Hearing the series […] More