DELETED SCENE: Star Trek...Nero Interogated By Klingons...

Star Trek - DVD Bonus Footage

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REVIEW: Star Trek...

This is how you start off the summer film season.

Over the past 5 years or so, the realm of science fiction has been relegated to schlocky Sci-Fi channel D movies, and big budgeted superhero films. Films like the X-Men franchise and Spiderman have made science fiction a household name, and things TV movies like Blood Monkey have made it a joke.

However, this past Friday saw the release of the grandfather of the genre, in rebooted form. And it gives the genre more than its fair share of credibility.

Star Trek is the newest film from J.J. Abrams, who is most famous for creating television shows such as Felicity, Alias, and Fringe. Now he is back in the directors chair to bring us the story of James T. Kirk and his USS Enterprise crew, before they became the group we all know and love.

After the death of his father at the hands of the Romulan leader, Nero, Kirk became a rebellious young man, until a fateful bar fight with a few Star Fleet cadets. After meeting their captain, Pike, he decides to enlist in the fleet, and after some run ins with the authorities of the federation, he finds himself in the middle of a battle with the same leader who, 22 years earlier, took the life of his father.

This sees the first Star Trek film since Nemesis in 2002, and is the attempt to reboot the dead franchise.

In an attempt to do this, Abrams has done something quite controversial.
He’s made a Star Trek film for Star Wars fans. Honestly, he’s made a Star Trek film for fans of phenomenal, and action packed films.

In discussing Star Trek, the conversation must start with the man they call Kirk. This time, the classic role is portrayed by Chris Pine, best known as one of the Tremor Brothers from Smokin’ Aces. If this role doesn’t make him a house hold name, then I don’t know what will. Pine is able to bring the constant swagger and arrogance of Kirk, and yet you feel as though he has something to prove. His father died while being the captain of the USS Kelvin, and in turn saved over 800 people.
During the first real scene between Pike and Kirk, Pike finishes the discussion by telling Kirk to enlist in Star Fleet, and dares him to do better than his father. This dare seems to drive him to do as much as he can, and that is perfectly played by Pine.

The other truly classic character portrayed here is Spock, who is played by Sylar, uh, Zachary Quinto. Where I thought Pine brought something new to Kirk, bringing him out of the cheesy and cornball 1960’s, I don’t feel completely the same about Quinto. He’s fine here as the Vulcan genius, but he doesn’t totally work here. He has his moments, particularly once he learns to take his emotions for what they are, but he just falls flat in the interchanges between he and Kirk, and especially in the haphazard love story.

That said, the rest of the supporting cast is quite good. Anton Yelchin is great as Chekov, Simon Pegg is solid as Scotty, but Karl Urban steals the show as the medical expert, Dr. McCoy. McCoy is the closest friend to Kirk, and the interchanges between the two were some of the best moments, and kept the film moving when the action wasn’t.

The true star of the film however, is the look. Abrams brings a very glossy look to the film, similar to that of say, Michael Bay films, but just to the nth degree. The colors are vibrant, especially while on the deck of the Enterprise, where the stark contrast between the bright hues of computer screens and Star Fleet uniforms, popped against the snow white, Apple Computers style, deck.

The only problem with the look of the film is the copious amounts of lens flares. Sure, I believe Abrams when he says that he wants to give the feeling of something important going on off screen, but the only scenes without the flare are the ones of the deck of the Romulan mining vessel, and even then, the lens was sometimes flaring up like a McG shot herpes outbreak. It doesn’t kill the experience, but it just left me more annoyed than anything.

Over time, the Star Trek franchise has become more of a joke than a real sci fi franchise.

In a recent Devin’s Advocate article for CHUD, Devin Faraci wrote the following about superhero comic books:

They're like 50 year old hookers chainsmoking on the corner: used up, their best days behind them, appealing only to the most debased, most awful people. The fanbase for superhero comics in this day and age tends to be a devolved group clinging to degrading psychosexual power fantasies that take them away from their daily powerlessness. White males on the sidelines of society who are attached to juvenile escapades and repetitive, stunted storytelling.

I kind of feel as though this fits what was the Star Trek franchise, pre-Friday.

The one thing he attempts to get across with the article is that the world in which comics exist, including the stories and the stores, is not an environment that allows for new viewers to easily get into this universe. However, what Abrams is able to do here is to not only give us a stellar story written by Robert Orci and Alex Kurtzman that brings the everyday moviegoer into the Trek universe, but it also gives rabid Trekkers/Trekkies/Whatever-the-hell-they-are-ies a story that they can dig into. It hints at previous adventures in the series, while giving non fans something we can understand, and allows us to get into this world.

The only fault in the story comes with the villain. Nero, played by Eric Bana, doesn’t work here. The performance is to over the top and non-threatening, and his motives are never really played up. His planet was destroyed, and instead of being really menacing and dark, he plays it like the little kid in elementary school who would always be picked on. It’s a really annoying performance, and one that, in a perfectly acted film, fell flat.

Overall, this is a phenomenal film. Sure, there are a few flaws, particularly in the performances of Nero and Spock, but as a whole, this film is superb. This story is compelling, the look is stunning, and this is a truly user friendly Star Trek film. It’s hilarious, action-packed, and while there is a bit of a confusing time element, it’s handled so well, that the film really works on every level. Not the best film of the year, but it’s damn close.

STAR TREK – 9/10

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VIDEO: Stark Trek Superbowl Spot...

The new Superbowl TV Spot for J.J. Abrams Star Trek has been released, and is now available on the web. It looks to be a solid little teaser spot, and is probably 3/4ths new material. TV spots are hard to judge, because it's normaly right around 30 seconds, but for a film that I'm not really all that hyped about, to get me a little more stoked, then it's done it's job. It's not Abrams, it's not the cast, it's just the universe, and it looks to be completely rehashed, something that this dead franchise could use.



Leave your thoughts below!

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TRAILER: Star Trek...

So, late last week, in my hurry to try and get you all some news, I posted a bootleg version of the hotly anticipated trailer for the upcoming film, Star Trek. However, the HD version was not posted until today, so here it is, in glorious YouTube fuzziness, the first full length Star Trek Trailer...



What are your thoughts? I now I already heard from a few of you, but now that you are actually able to see everything, what do you guys think. My thought is still the same. Awesome.

Come back later for more news, a DVD review, and the 10 Worst Films of The Year, so far...

Expect a review of AUSTRALIA ON THURSDAY/FRIDAY!

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NEWS: Del Toro's Pinocchio, Star Trek, and 3rd Narina...

Hey guys! It's Saturday night, and while not much normally happens on the weekend, there are a few things that are worth noting, so here are the headlines...

- It looks as though Guillermo del Toro is looking at adding even more to his already packed schedule. Thanks to Variety for the news...

Guillermo del Toro (upcoming The Hobbit) is developing Pinocchio as a stop-motion feature with the Jim Henson Co. as a darker version of the original fairy tale.

The project will be produced by JHC co-toppers Brian Henson and Lisa Henson along with senior VP Jason Lust. Del Toro will executive produce.

Del Toro's working on the screenplay with Gris Grimley, who illustrated a 2002 version of "Pinocchio." Grimley and Adam Parrish King will co-direct the film.

Well isn't this just awesome news! I don't think anyone could do more justice to Pinocchio than Guillermo del Toro. What are your thoughts?

- Quantum of Solace is projected to be the highest grossing Bond film in history. It grossed about $27 Million on Friday, and is looking at a $70-73 Million for the whole weekend.

- The new Star Trek trailer has been released, if bootlegged, online! If you didn't check it out before Quantum of Solace, here it is below...



Awesome! I'm not a big Trek fan, I'm not really a Trek fan at all, but now I'm moderately looking forward to this flick...What are your thoughts?

- Finally, with the HUGE bomb that the last Chronicles Of Narnia film was, Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, there hasn't been any news on a new Narnia film. That trend has not changed. In a recent press release, there was not a single mention of a green light on a new Narnia film, so it looks dim for this huge literary hit at least in the film world. More on this as it comes...

Come back later for more news...

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NEWS: Thor, Sex Drive, and Star Trek...

Hey guys. Now, I've got a great bit of news to let you all check out, so lets get into it...

- It looks as though Kenneth Branagh is bailing on his adaptation of Hamlet to get to work on the next Marvel film, Thor...FINALLY! Now, who would you like to see as the Norse Badass?
- Big news! It looks like Jason Bourne WILL return to the big screen. Paul Greengrass and Matt Damon have both signed on, with Bourne Ultimatum co-writer Greg Nofi is penning the script for a possible summer 2010 release!!!
- The long talked about He Man live action film Greyskull: Masters of The Universe, looks to be dead and is currently staying off of the books...
- Big time news! Thanks to EW for all of the following information! In the upcoming issue of Entertainment Weekly features the upcoming film, Star Trek, and features the full plot synopsis. Check it out!

Star Trek’s time-travel plot is set in motion when a Federation starship, the USS Kelvin, is attacked by a vicious Romulan (Eric Bana) desperately seeking one of the film’s heroes. From there, the film then brings Kirk and Spock center stage and tracks the origins of their friendship and how they became officers aboard the Enterprise. In fact, the movie shows how the whole original series crew came together: McCoy (Karl Urban), Uhura (Zoë Saldana), Scotty (Simon Pegg), Sulu (John Cho), and Chekov (Anton Yelchin). The adventure stretches from Earth to Vulcan, and yes, it does find a way to have Nimoy appearing in scenes with at least one of the actors on our cover — and maybe both. The storytelling is newbie-friendly, but it slyly assimilates a wide range of Trek arcana, from doomed Captain Pike (Bruce Greenwood) to Sulu’s swordsmanship to classic lines like, ”I have been, and always shall be, your friend.” More ambitiously, the movie subversively plays with Trek lore — and those who know it. The opening sequence, for example, is an emotionally wrenching passage that culminates with a mythic climax sure to leave zealots howling ”Heresy!” But revisionism anxiety is the point. ”The movie,” Lindelof says, ”is about the act of changing what you know.”

Not only do I have that goody, but I've got a few EW exclusive photos to share!







Wow. What do you guys think about the photos?

- Finally, if you didn't get to read my review of Sex Drive about a month ago and actually want to see it, check out the first 10 minutes of it, and then check out my review, I'm reposting it in a few minutes...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azdhrLRvMpk

That's all I've got for now. I'm checking out either Max Payne or W tomorrow, I'm leaning towards W, so expect a review of either of those tomorrow sometime...

Go see something good!

NEWS: Incredible Hulk, Mulan, and Star Trek...

Hey guys! I've got some interesting stuff to cover, so here is the news...

- Interesting YouTube video today. Here is the now infamous alternate opening to this year's hit, The Incredible Hulk...



What are your thoughts? I like the tone to it, and I really think this would have improved the film. Go to the 2:22 mark to get a glimpse of the famous shot of Captain America...check the lower right hand corner...

- Twilight 2 a.k.a. New Moon has the green light from Summit Entertainment...
- Allan Loeb is penning a new script for a possible sequel to the cult hit, Wall Street...
- As I stated earlier, Don Cheadle is set to replace Terrance Howard in Iron Man 2. Howard asked for a pay increase, but was denied by the studios...Hey, if you are getting a replacement, why not make it one of the best actors working today?? Thoughts??
- Sources have it that there will indeed be a new trailer for the upcoming Star Trek film released sometime in November. Not a teaser, but one featuring Enterprise footage, along with some dialouge...
- A live action feature adaptation of the story of Mulan is being worked on by Xinhua Media...
- A new Rollercoaster is set to open at Thorpe Amusement Park in the U.K., based around the Saw series...
- Finally, I have the first poster from Pixar's upcoming film, Up, for you all to enjoy...

This will probably be their toughest sell to date. Still, it's Pixar, so you can bet that it's one to check out, and that it will probably be the best animated film for next year. Seriously, will Pixar ever mess up???

Come back later for more news and notes...

Go see something good!

Some News...

Hey guys! So, I'm still sort of getting used to my new townhouse, so I may not have the same amount of posts this week, but I definitley will try. Here are the headlines for this Tuesday, the 12th of August...

- Amy Winehouse will star in "Escape From Rehab", a new videogame to promote Disaster Movie...
- With the loss Isaac Hayes and Bernie Mac, and just like with Heath Ledger, it brings up their unfinished, or just finished work. In November, the two will star in Soul Men...thanks to the NYDaily for pointing this out...

The upcoming comedy, set to be released in November, features both comedian Bernie Mac and singer Isaac Hayes, who died within one day of each other this weekend. And eerily enough, the movie’s plot is about death.

In “Soul Men,” a rhythm-and-blues band reunites 20 years after their acrimonious breakup following the death of the band’s lead singer. Samuel L. Jackson and Bernie Mac play the group’s two main members, while Isaac Hayes portrays himself.


Sounds like a fun little film. Can't wait to check it out....

- The Special Olympic are boycotting Tropic Thunder for the use of the word "retard" on a promotional website...
- Finally, heres a new poster for the upcoming Star Trek film...


I am stoked for this film, and Simon Pegg as Scotty...PERFECT. What are your thoughts on the film?

Alright, come back tomorrow for more news and notes...

Go see something good

Some news...

Hey guys, here a few nuggets of news that you all should know about...

-450 jobs have been cut at New Line Studios...
-Blockbuster has made a bid to buy out Circuit City...
-Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker are going to reunite in a non Rush Hour film...
-Star Trek 11's release date has now been pushed back to summer '09. The studio wants it to be a summer Blockbuster...
-Finally, the new Hulk poster is out...check it out!




Go see something good!!