Star Trek

[daredevil]

From the creator of Felicity.

And Lost.

And Alias

[Wolter]

From the creator of Felicity.

And Lost.

And Alias

And M*A*S*H

[tepista]

From the creator of Felicity.

And Lost.

Lost sucked when the producers made the fat guy cut off all his hair.

Just kidding, I never seen Lost.

[Dr. Medulla]

From the creator of Felicity.

And Lost.

Lost sucked when the producers made the fat guy cut off all his hair.

Just kidding, I never seen Lost.

Simple rule: if there are on-screen footnotes, the show is either too pretentious or too demanding of me. There's gonna be a helluva online fall-out when that show ends and the ending will either be a massive cop-out or there will be so many contradictions from previous episodes that the attentive viewers will fly into a rage.

[Flex]

Simple rule: if there are on-screen footnotes, the show is either too pretentious or too demanding of me. There's gonna be a helluva online fall-out when that show ends and the ending will either be a massive cop-out or there will be so many contradictions from previous episodes that the attentive viewers will fly into a rage.

I've never seen the show but I plan on mapping out a schedule at some point and just plunging through it. I fucking loved Cloverfield and I guess they're technically in the same universe as I understand it.

[Dr. Medulla]

Simple rule: if there are on-screen footnotes, the show is either too pretentious or too demanding of me. There's gonna be a helluva online fall-out when that show ends and the ending will either be a massive cop-out or there will be so many contradictions from previous episodes that the attentive viewers will fly into a rage.

I've never seen the show but I plan on mapping out a schedule at some point and just plunging through it. I fucking loved Cloverfield and I guess they're technically in the same universe as I understand it.

Both the wife and a good friend watched it obsessively during the first two seasons at least. Not sure about the friend, but B is more sporadic in catching it now. Dragged out too long and just layer after layer of weirdness from what I can tell. Twin Peaks started suffering from that—knowing when to quit is a decent skill for a storyteller.

[eumaas]

Twin Peaks dragged pretty bad in the second season, but there were still some class episodes in there. I really love Twin Peaks--just a creepy, fucked up little TV show. Some of the early 90s cheese doesn't translate well now, though.

And the movie is FUCKED UP.

[Flex]

Star Trek: Tonight

Time: 9:45 Mountain Time

Excitement: Building

[Flex]

Holy shit
Holy shit
Holy shit
That was rad
That was rad
That was rad
Oh my god
Oh my god
Oh my god
Nerdgasm
Nerdgasm
Nerdgasm

Wow, that was fan-fucking-tastic. I highly recommend this flick. It brings back what I love about Trek: characters that I give a damn about. Maybe a more fleshed out review later, but I have the same concern as Hayden, I don't wanna spill anything for folks still going to see it. Better to take it all in fresh.

[CorwoodRep]

Went to the 10:00 showing at a non-chain local theater. For these opening-day showings they always have the manager come in and talk about how cool movies are and how you need to shut the fuck up and turn your cell phones off. Sometimes he'll mention how he's just as excited as you are.

First time this has happened: He comes in and goes, "Oh my God, I expected way more people. Uh, I guess, you know, turn off your cell phones, all right?" then leaves with his head hung low.

Anyway, I very much liked the movie. Using an alternate timeline as an excuse to retcon is really lazy writing, but I loved seeing Leonard Nimoy as Spock again. That made me giddy as a bitch. And Simon Pegg as Scotty made me really happy because you know he had to just relish everything about that role. He's so glad just to be there, and it shows.

In general the movie has probably too many set pieces and tired action sequences that are plagued by that trendy, Bourne-y, jittery approach to action scenes. They just bored me and occasionally just felt claustrophobic and unpleasant. As well, it was too melodramatic in spots. And the Uhura thing? That was stupid. But I love the original Trek characters and that world, and I'm very glad to see it all brought back. Makes me give a damn about Star Trek after having to put up with all that Next Generation bullshit. Hopefully this movie makes a few bucks so we can some more character focus in a sequel instead of the too-heavy emphasis on action scenes.

[HaydenWar]

actually as many times as they used the arternate timeline/time travel idea in tos and the movies before I thought it was just another nod to the past

[Flex]

actually as many times as they used the arternate timeline/time travel idea in tos and the movies before I thought it was just another nod to the past

I agree, this is how I took it. So much of the movie was about tying in elements from other Treks (Kirk trekking across the frozen ice planet, anyone?) and I thought it worked.

Also, let's be honest, Trek writers have been known to be pretty damned lazy on occasion. The plot was somewhat uneven but that's pretty much par for the course.

I think all the characters were fantastic, they all seemed like genuinely younger versions of the TOS folks and they all had little bits and pieces that paid homage to that series. I was worried it would just come of as over the top parody, but I don't think it ever did.

I thought the action stuff was fine. The camera stuff can be a bit annoying at times but they didn't go nearly as overboard on it in this film as most contemporary sci-fi and action flicks do. The space battles were fairly goddamn exciting and the effects actually looked really, really good. it felt like Star Trek. The costumes and set design also fit really well, they did a good job blending the old TOS look into something, well, not totally dated.

I think this could be the best Star Trek film to come out since I was one year old. I echo the sentiment that I hope it does well (my theater last night was almost deserted), because I think this reboot has a lot of potential. I'd expect the next handful of movies to get even better.

[Flex]

As I mentioned to Flex in the Room of Chattering a couple weeks ago, the trailer didn't fill me with hope or interest. Seemed like a generic CGI action flick. Which is fine if that's what you want, but I want something more from Trek. However, he passed on some early reviews that suggest that the trailer was skewing to the popcorn crowd. Eburp's review, tho, isn't very complimentary. Eh, I might wait till it hits the cheap theatre.

FWIW, I just read Ebert's review and was left pretty nonplussed with his criticisms. At least half of what he complained about could be said about all Star Trek, even his vaunted Rodenberry-era (which, lets face it, had all sorts of problems too).

To be honest, I do understand his criticism about the film not being a lesson in moralism or whatever, but I'm sort of glad they didn't go there this time. As it was, you had a pretty well paced flick that focuses on the characters. We actually have time to see the entire cast get introduced, get their moments in and have the film remain engaging. I think there's something to be said for avoiding overreach (especially since this is intended to be a reboot of a franchise that was one nail away from being buried in a coffin) and avoiding a flick like The Motion Picture. That was actually a pretty good movie but it tried to do everything and as a result kind of ended up long as ass. Even Rodenberry said that first and foremost it was important to spin an engaging yarn.

But, I think that this film does still capture the inherent positivity that Star Trek has about humanity and that's really the essence of Star Trek in my opinion. I think it's unfortunate that Ebert either didn't catch that or didn't feel it was worth mentioning. To me, that's the cornerstone of the franchise. Oh well.

In the end, I'm glad they didn't try to make another TMP or (ugh!) Nemesis. Focusing on characters and establishing dynamics was a good way to go.

Anyways, the review reads like Ebert is looking at the Trek franchise through incredibly rose colored glasses and not forgiving this film for some of the same traits we (frequently) see throughout the history of the franchise.

[Dr. Medulla]

FWIW, I just read Ebert's review and was left pretty nonplussed with his criticisms. At least half of what he complained about could be said about all Star Trek, even his vaunted Rodenberry-era (which, lets face it, had all sorts of problems too).

Definitely agreed. Roddenberry's not unlike Lucas in that he created a great concept, but probably should have stepped aside once things were moving well.

I think there's something to be said for avoiding overreach (especially since this is intended to be a reboot of a franchise that was one nail away from being buried in a coffin) and avoiding a flick like The Motion Picture. That was actually a pretty good movie but it tried to do everything and as a result kind of ended up long as ass. Even Rodenberry said that first and foremost it was important to spin an engaging yarn.

It's quite amazing in retrospect that they got to make another Trek film after TMG. I remember seeing it in the theatre as a kid and being totally confused. When I saw it again years later, I was more bored than confused. The docking scene in the early parts of the movie seems to go on for a half hour. Just a muddled mess even tho there's the germ of a decent idea at its heart.

But, I think that this film does still capture the inherent positivity that Star Trek has about humanity and that's really the essence of Star Trek in my opinion. I think it's unfortunate that Ebert either didn't catch that or didn't feel it was worth mentioning. To me, that's the cornerstone of the franchise. Oh well.

That's good to hear. That is the essence of Trek to me as well: humans are flawed, but at heart there's a noble spark that seeks to do right. I was surprised by Eburp's review because it seems the last few years he's really embraced the fun summer popcorn movie. That he was lukewarm on this one really made me pause.

Anyways, the review reads like Ebert is looking at the Trek franchise through incredibly rose colored glasses and not forgiving this film for some of the same traits we (frequently) see throughout the history of the franchise.

He probably needs to watch the first season of Next Gen to get a glimpse of how subpar the franchise can be. "Attack of the Clones" painful for the most part.

[eumaas]

This film was produced in the United States of FUCK YEAH!