So I've been attempting to introduce Maria to one of my main television fandoms, The X-Files, lately, in order to better prepare her for the new movie. Attempting is seemingly the operative word here. What I've discovered is that this is an incredibly tall order, and I don't think she's managed too much interest thus far. Which is not to say she's not game for trying. She's game, but I think it's slow going so far. We started off watching episodes from the first "Mythology" DVD set, because I heart me the mythology episodes more than anything, but of course season one is low-budget and not entirely similar to the many years that came after (lack of Skinner, Smoking Man doesn't talk almost ever, no black oil or Krycek or alien bounty hunter, etc). After three or four of those, we skipped ahead and watched the first movie, because that was really the thing that converted me into being seriously interested in the show and got me started on watching it regularly back in the day. It was also the first time my dad really saw much of the show, and he too was a huge fan of the movie. But I don't get the impression that went much better with my girl - although I guess I need to check in with her opinion to see where she stands, but you know, just my instinct right now. Of course, again, the movie deals with the mytharc - something which is often impenetrably complex even to fans. And I have a habit of not shutting up while I try to explain things, which I doubt is helping much of the time.

So I guess my next attempt will be to focus on standalones. Most people, I think, prefer the standalones — unlike me, because I'm an odd duck. Perhaps this is because you can watch standalones from any season in pretty much any order and they'll all make sense because it just doesn't matter, they don't interlock. And since the mytharc is usually all too serious, a healthy mix of the more comedic episodes will probably serve us well here. A little "Bad Blood," a little "Jose Chung," a dash of "Je Souhaite" and whatnot. Even so, perhaps the X-Files is just... well, kinda inaccessible if you weren't there the first time. Maybe? Maybe it's too dense and the relationships and storylines develop too slowly. Although on DVD, everything moves a little faster when you can just skip to whatever episode you like.

But I'm not giving up just yet. After all, the second movie is almost here. And let me tell you, I am giddy with anticipation. GIDDY.

Aka "Terminator Salvation." Looks like they may have dropped the subtitle.

Now, this teaser is attached to The Dark Knight, so for most of you, there's probably no reason to watch this link... but here you are anyway.

Doesn't show much. But it has some vague potential.

I think Warner Bros. might be the last major company that still advertises its movies a full YEAR in advance of release.

Oh, and they hired the guy who played Arnold in the Made-for-Cable biographical movie about him to be the new T-800 in the movie, even though it's just a small role. Probably smart casting.