Review of Arena Remastered October 24, 2006
by Jason Lee , Filed under: Review, TOS Remastered , 35 comments
When I was about six my father sat me down to watch a show with a guy in a yellow and black uniform fighting it out in the desert with a big, ugly, green skinned lizard. He told me it was called ‘Star Trek’ and I was hooked. I voraciously devoured every episode and, in through my formative years, the show and its characters became a central part of my worldview. My childhood hero was Captain James T. Kirk, and few episodes of the original series epitomized who and what he was better than my first episode: “Arena,” Now the Remastered version brings back all those memories and created some brand new ones…if you are looking close enough.
Preview of New ‘Catspaw’ Castle
by Anthony Pascale , Filed under: TOS Remastered, Uncategorized , 40 commentsThis week Trek Remastered has a Halloween theme with ‘Catspaw’…check out the brand new spooky castle…
Cruise Cameo in Star Trek XI? [update...rumor denied]
by Anthony Pascale , Filed under: Rumor, ST09 Cast , 35 commentsThe WENN entertainment news service is reporting
TOM CRUISE is in negotiations to reteam with MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 3 director JJ ABRAMS for the next STAR TREK movie. The movie superstar is reportedly a huge fan of the sci-fi franchise and jumped at the chance to play a cameo role in the new film, which will be directed by Abrams. An insider tells Canada’s TV Guide magazine, "He didn’t even need to be begged to appear in it.".
Memories of Roddenberry and Wyatt
by Anthony Pascale , Filed under: Trek Franchise , 8 comments
15 years ago today Gene Roddenberry, creator of ‘Star Trek’, passed away. StarTrek.com marks the date with an excellent article and retrospective. On the subject of what Roddenberry would think of Trek going strong in the hands of a new generation of professionals (including JJ Abrams) and even the fans themselves (in the form of fan films), it says: "it’s probably a safe bet that he would say something to the effect of, Star Trek no longer belongs to him, it belongs to the world." Well said. It is a true testament to Roddenberry’s vision that 40 years after he started the franchise and 15 years after his passing, Trek still inspires generation after generation.
To mark the 40th anniversary of Trek, Roddenberry.com is selling a DVD of one of the last interviews Gene Roddenberry ever gave. More info at RodenberryInterview.com
Arnold Defends Roddenberry’s Universe, Says Trek Needs ‘New Blood’ October 23, 2006
by Anthony Pascale , Filed under: Star Trek (2009 film) , 25 comments
Longtime Gene Roddenberry assistant Richard Arnold has some views on the LA Times editorial discussed here recently. The editorial called for a total ‘reboot’ of the Trek franchise, which Arnold wasn’t buying….his letter to the editor:
Although I share Dan Neil’s concern about any plans Paramount Pictures may have for the next "Star Trek" feature film, I do not agree that the"franchise" should be abandoned. Certainly the series’ creator, Gene Roddenberry, wouldn’t feel that way, nor do millions of "Star Trek" fans worldwide.
What "Star Trek" does desperately need is some new blood. Hopefully with J.J. Abrams at the helm, the next film will get the ship and her crew back on course!
Editorial: JJ, Don’t Forget About the “Old School” October 22, 2006
by Michael L. Wentz , Filed under: Editorial, Star Trek (2009 film) , 70 comments
Since the announcement of Star Trek XI there has been a frenzy of both excitement and anxiety. Scores of people are speaking up with their opinion on how J. J. Abrams should craft the story, with some championing strict adherence to the Trek canon, while others wish he would throw it all out with the bathwater much as Ronald D. Moore’s re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica. But in all of this, the truth is that the Trek franchise began dying more than a decade ago as viewership declined from a peak during the height of Next Generation to the abysmal ratings of Enterprise and poor box office results for Nemesis. Mr. Abrams has a massive task ahead of him. He must breathe life into a franchise that has lost its fan base by finding a way to open Trek up to an entire new generation. However, I believe that in order for the movie to be successful, he must also find a way to also connect with ‘old school’ fan base. There are a lot of us out here with purchasing power of a demographic that spans every generation. J. J. Abrams will have to pull out those things that were great about Star Trek and “reboot” the franchise in such a way as to attract a mainstream audience. It is a monumental task, but one that could be accomplished simply by talking with the “Old School.”
“Arena” Screenshots and Video [UPDATED] October 21, 2006
by Matt Wright , Filed under: TOS Remastered, TOS-R Screenshots/Video , 73 commentsWe have the usual assortment of old versus new, plus video clips of the blinking Gorn and new CGI!
Click the pictures for larger versions.
Dorn Praises Frakes, Blames Baird, and questions Abrams at Detroit’s Motor City Con
by John Tenuto , Filed under: Conventions/Events/Attractions , 32 comments
The popular culture presented at a Detroit’s Motor City Comic Convention is multifarious. Last weekend’s con had The Greatest American Hero’s Robert Culp to I Dream of Jeannie and The Bob Newhart Show’s Bill Daily to Desperate Housewives’ Dagney Kerr all there to blend the worlds of science fiction, comedy, comic books, and entertainment. For Trekkies there were Star Trek XI posters offered as swag, fans dressed in Trek costumes, Trek items for sale, Lori Petty (Noss from Voyager) signing autographs and last but not least Michael Dorn (TNG: Worf) sharing his thoughts on Trek’s past and future. About 100 people crammed into a small room to hear Dorn discuss his views and experiences of Star Trek.
Today is Arena Remastered Day
by Anthony Pascale , Filed under: TOS Remastered , 40 comments
Kirk goes mano-a-clawo when he faces a Gorn Captain
Video preview / Local Station & Showtimes / More at Memory Alpha
This classic episode gives the CGI crew at CBS a bit more to work with. There is a lot of action both in space and on the ground. Possible areas for improvement:
- some new Enterprise shots, including at high warp
- new planet(s)
- new Cestus III landscape
- phaser effects…and the first photon torpedoes
- a very hard to see Gorn ship
- …and a Gorn that blinks
StarTrek.com has posted some preview pics…
Trek XI Update: Abrams Already Auditioning Actors – On Track To Start Shooting In Spring October 19, 2006
by Anthony Pascale , Filed under: Abrams, Rumor, ST09 Cast, STXI Plot, STXI Status, Star Trek (2009 film), Uncategorized , 103 commentsWith so much reporting on other things, thought we should update you all on that other little Trek project
Although Trek XI is still just in ‘development‘ there already is quite a lot of activity going on. According to studio insiders the assumption is that Trek XI will get a greenlight and will be one of Paramount’s tentpoles for Summer 2008. Apparently the first draft of the script is due shortly and the Abrams team are already seeing actors for the major parts. Although no names are available, TrekMovie is told that "many A and B listers have been in and out of Abrams offices" (which are actually still on the Disney lot). One Paramount source tells TrekMovie that it is possible there will be a casting announcement even before the script gets final approval and the film gets the greenlight (which should be sometime in December/January). "Although it hasn’t been greenlit yet, it is as close as you get around here," said the source. Still unclear how many TOS roles are being recast, but another source indicates that the treatment included the characters of McCoy and Scotty in addition to Kirk and Spock. The ‘Kirk’s first Mission’ plotline (which TrekMovie first reported in August) still seems to be the prevailing assumption amongst those TrekMovie has spoken to, but still nothing firm so it is still in the realm of ‘rumor’.
Kirk v Gorn…See The ‘Arena’ Remastered Promo October 18, 2006
by Anthony Pascale , Filed under: TOS Remastered, TOS-R Preview, Uncategorized , 55 comments[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFa_ZBS5Vig[/video]
(download wmv)…plus a bonus Trek promo from Chicago’s MeTV
Producer: Trek Remastered Is Getting A New Enterprise
by Anthony Pascale , Filed under: Interview, TOS Remastered, Uncategorized , 104 commentsTrekMovie got some time with Trek Remastered Producer David Rossi to talk about how the project is going and where they are going next.
Like any Trek endeavor, the CGI-enhanced Trek Remastered project has spawned much discussion. In general the show has been well received. The re-recorded theme and the digital transfers get a lot of praise. Much of the CGI work like the new matte paintings and planets have gone over quite well, and some of the live action touches have been pleasant surprises. However, much discussion has focused on how CBS have been digitally recreating Kirk’s classic Enterprise. Many seem to feel that the team have not got it quite right yet, but what may surprise the critics is that the producers at CBS agree. "It is not that we are unhappy with the work, but it is not yet the Enterprise as we want to see it" says Dave Rossi, going on "we want it to be there as much as everybody else does." And this is not just talk; the team has a plan…and a new model.
Review of I,Mudd Remastered October 17, 2006
by Jason Lee , Filed under: Review, TOS Remastered , 25 comments
Harcourt Fenton Mudd appeared in only two Original Series episodes and one episode of the Animated Series, but he is probably one of the best remembered and best loved supporting characters Star Trek has ever had. Harry Mudd was the prototypical rogue and scoundrel, a petty thief, an outrageous liar and a brazen conman with a rap sheet as long as Kirk’s service record. He was a walking, talking, conniving refutation of Roddenberry’s whole concept of “evolved” human beings, and all the more interesting for it, if you ask me.
Interview: Grace Lee Whitney Talks Past and Future Rands October 16, 2006
by Anthony Pascale , Filed under: Interview, Of Gods and Men, Uncategorized , 38 comments
Grace Lee Whitney (Janice Rand) only appeared in 8 episodes in the first season of Star Trek before being let go amid some controversy. But fans remembered Yeoman Rand and she came back (as Lt. JG Rand) for Star Trek: The Motion Picture. She went on to appear in three more Trek films (III, IV & VI) and even an episode of Star Trek Voyager (’Flashback’). She is again reprising her role for the new independent Trek film ‘Of Gods And Men’. TrekMovie chatted with the actress about playing Rand again as well as her thoughts on a new Rand for Star Trek XI.
1st Week of TOSR Ratings Delayed, 2nd & 3rd Week About Same As Enterprise [updated & corrected]
by Anthony Pascale , Filed under: TOS Remastered , 60 commentsIn its third week in syndication, Trek Remastered scored a 1.3 1.2 rating with the episode ‘Naked Time’ . This rating is exactly almost the same as the 1.3 rating Enterprise got in its 3rd week of national syndication a year earlier with ‘Borderland’. It is also below the average rating Enterprise got in its first year. The Remastered version of the Original Series with new CGI effects was seen as a way to improve things for CBS after Enterprise didn’t catch on in syndication. There isn’t enough data yet to declare TOSR a success or failure, but one would imagine CBS was hoping for a higher rating.
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