Category: Star Trek Musings

Random Thoughts On… Star Trek Beyond Promotion

Star Trek Beyond, the thirteen overall Star Trek film and the third entry in the current reboot film franchise that comprised the 2009 film as well as 2013’s Star Trek Into Darkness, just had their second trailer come out a couple weeks ago, which gives us a bit more background in regards to some of the plotpoints.

I won’t touch on the trailer too much, but it is certainly a better sell of the film than the teaser was. You know, inxay on the Beastie Boys helped – you have a more classical sort of movie trailer music here – but there were little bits of character moments that were shown ever so briefly, the opening spiel between Kirk and McCoy seems very much like a Star Trekkish kind of moment. I like the design of the starbase; I thought that was pretty cool and am looking forward to seeing more of it. And I’m definitely getting a sort-of NX-01 vibe from the new ship, which is the USS Franklin and I’m guessing it’s supposed to be more of a scout ship than a proper thing, but who knows? Still not thrilled about the Enterprise going down, but at least there are glimpses of the ship putting up a fight before being disassembled like a cheap model kit.

But honestly, I was pleased with the trailer and I thought it did a better job of telling me about the movie than the first one did and while my going was a sure thing, I’m actually a little more optimistic about this one. And I’m pleased that the folks behind the trailers took the criticisms to hard and crafted a trailer that attempts to properly portray the tone and the direction that the filmmaker hope to acheive with Star Trek Beyond. It is certainly a better second trailer for a film than the second trailer for some other film that has gotten somewhat negative reactions.

I’m also pleased, especially after voicing my concerns on the lack of press for Star Trek Beyond, that they’re finally started to shoot out some material for the film. A few posters including a really nice one based on the poster for the Motion Picture – said poster is my desktop wallpaper, by the way – and there’s also a few more promotional stills. Those who attended the fan event last weekend also got a glimpse at a couple key sequences in rough form and reaction has been positive.

So they’re finally starting the push towards July and I hope this movie ends up being as good as they’re making it out to be.

New Star Trek Beyond Trailer… Now This Is More Like It

Janet Maslin once started her 1982 review of Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan with the words, “Now this is more like it.” The same can be said for this second trailer, which does a far better job of selling the upcoming (3rd in the current series/13th overall) film than the controversial teaser released months ago. Your mileage may vary, but as far as I’m concerned? This is more like it.

About Shatner Not Being In The Next Trek

For those bitching about the lack of Shatner in Star Trek Beyond, my feelings can summed up in this familiar yet cliched picture:

Yeah, is this what Trekkies are going to obsess over every time there’s a new Trek movie coming out? I swear this is like a tradition for people to bitch and moan about Shatner not being in the latest Trek movie that takes place in a completely different reality from the prime films and thus there is no viable reason to shove Shatner in there. In fact, I’m pretty certain that the instant we start getting details on the upcoming Star Trek show, people are gonna starting asking about when Shatner is gonna show up.

Look, you want Shatner in a new Trek movie? I’ve got the perfect idea.

Seeing as Beyond is aping Trek 3 in destroying the Enterprise (groan), I would suggest that Trek 4 is about Kirk and Spock looking for humpback whales. And if we eventually get a Trek 5, Kirk can ask what God needs with a starship and then Shatner shows up to provide the answer. There’s your Shatner cameo. You’re welcome.

Now fuck off and get me my coffee.

And let the movie stand on its own… for once.

You Know, Lt. Yar's Death Isn't A Problem

Over the years, I tend to hear complaints about things. And sometimes, I don’t agree with them.

Case in point; I was watching the Star Trek TNG episode “Skin Of Evil,” where Tasha Yar is killed off by some oil slick monster during an away mission. Some people thought the death was pointless, meaningless, worthless, and a betrayal of the character. Hell, the whole reason “Yesterday’s Enterprise” was a thing that brought her back was so she could have a more meaningful death – dying fighting rather than because she got sucker-punched to death by an oil monster.
I don’t see the issue here.
Space is a wonderful place, but it is also a dangerous place. It has dangers that could be conquered, but it also has dangers that can kill you without a warning. Starfleet is a thankless job and sometimes, death comes when you least expect it. How many red shirts died in the original series that made you think, “Gee, this guy deserves a better death scene?”
Denise Crosby wanted out, so they killed her character off. Was it a good death? Probably not, but it did come out of nowhere. It served to remind people that shit happens and suddenly, one of you is not coming home. Not everyone gets a happy, meaningful death. Some folks die in the worst, most throwaway sort of way and it’s a bloody shame… or a sham.
Besides, think of it this way. Yar died while on duty the first time, then she was executed during a prison escape. Which is the better deal when you think about it? Bring on the flipping TAR MONSTER OF DEATH!
So there’s my 28-year late retort to that point.

The Updated Spock Actors Reference Post

On July 28, 2007, the following was posted on the original DTM Blog;

For anyone remotely interested, the people behind the new Star Trek movie have revealed two members of its cast: Zackary Quintos (creepy young dude who’s in Heroes) and Leonard Nimoy (creepy old guy who does photography of naked women… and he did some TV show back in the 60s) will both play the character of Spock. That’s right; Spock is so big they need TWO people to play him. Well, it’s better than the 1980s when they need SIX people to play him.

This info came from the OFFICIAL Star Trek site.

A couple days later, this was posted (588)

Contrary to an earlier blog post, you didn’t need SIX actors to portray Spock back in the 1980s. Instead, you needed NINE.

1. Leonard Nimoy – the original Spock

2. Launched Photon Torpedo – dead Spock

3. Photon Torpedo Tube – rotting Spock’s casket

4. Carl Steven – Spock at age 7

5. Vardia Potenza – Preteen Sexmate Spock at age 13

6. Stephen Manley – Teenage Spock at age 17

7. Joe W. Davis – Vulcan-Rage Spock at age 25

8. Director Nimoy – Nimoy-Spock hybrid

9. Baby – Baby Spock in Star Trek V flashback

So yeah, that’s a lot of people/things/stupidities to play one Vulcan. Wonder how many actors Tuvok has:

1. Tim Russ – Tuvok

2. A shitload of stunt doubles.

Okay, so what about the Vulcan chick on Enterprise? Well, see Tuvok but swap Tim Russ for that other chick. Jolene whatsherface.

So yeah, Vulcans are hard for one person to handle…

Or maybe it’s just me.

Good night.

Star Trek Has Hit GOG.com

Oh, fellas. You’re killin’ me. YOU’RE KILLIN’ ME.

GOG.com just recently put up Star Trek: 25th Anniversary, Star Trek: Judgment Rites, and Star Trek: Starfleet Academy and each go for about six bucks. Two of those games are perhaps the finest Star Trek games ever conceived and the closest you’d have gotten at the time to playing authentic Star Trek episodes… and yes, those look to be the enhanced CD-ROM versions featuring the voiceovers of the original crew. Starfleet Academy… I’ve never played all that much, but I’ve heard it’s good.

I guess I could hold out hope that I may yet be able to play Klingon Academy… maybe…