ST09 Tidbits (T-15): Variety Review Love + Interview-o-rama + ST: The Spork! April 22, 2009
by Anthony Pascale , Filed under: Great Links, Star Trek (2009 film) , trackback
Another day and another flood of news related to the new Star Trek movie. Firstly there is an imporant new review from trade pub Variety, that bodes well. Plus we have all the new interviews of the day (both text and video) and some new images. Also have a fun new ‘Enterprise Morph’ video, and the mos important news of all: Star Trek: The Spork!
Reminder: Tickets available online (including IMAX)
As we will begin every tidbits, we remind you that you can now buy advanced tickets (including early shows) for Star Trek at Fandango. You can also get tickets for IMAX at Fandango.
Variety calls film ’sci-fi nirvana’ – predicts hit
Another major review for the new Star Trek movie has come in, this time from the leading industry trade Variety. In short, they love it. Here is the opening summary:
Blasting onto the screen at warp speed and remaining there for two hours, the new and improved “Star Trek” will transport fans to sci-fi nirvana. Faithful enough to the spirit and key particulars of Gene Roddenberry’s original conception to keep its torchbearers happy but, more crucially, exciting on its own terms in a way that makes familiarity with the franchise irrelevant, J.J. Abrams’ smart and breathless space adventure feels like a summer blockbuster that just couldn’t stay in the box another month. Paramount won’t need any economic stimulus package with all the money it’ll rake in with this one globally, and a follow-up won’t arrive soon enough.
We linked to the THR review over the weekend, so ST09 is two for two with the Hollywood industry papers. Also the first 7 reviews up at Rotten Tomatoes are all positive, giving Star Trek an early 100% rating. This will likely go down, but the trend is good.
Spock’s Spork!
Any regular reader of TrekMovie can see that there is a lot of new Star Trek merchandise coming out, both movie related and ‘classic.’ But today we may have found our favorite new item, that comes as a bit of a surprise. That’s right folks, the official Star Trek Titanium Spork! These limited edition ‘Enterprise Mess Hall’ eating utensils will run you $22.99 and are an exclusive with ThinkGeek:
The logical way to eat?
MSNBC wants to see you in uniform!
Today MSNBC has posted a request for fans to send in pictures of themselves in Star Trek outfits. They promise to post the best photos before the release of the film. Go to MSNBC to send in yours.
Interviews of the day
At this point with all the publicity going on, there are a lot of interviews. We will try and post as many as possible, but unless something is said that is ‘huge’, interviews from other sites will be linked and embedded in ‘tidbits’ columns. Here are today’s:
CoolShiteTV with John Cho
UK Movie Show London Blue Carpet interviews
And there are even more interviews (text):
Also, here are some more pictures from London at Hollywood Chicago.
Zoe looking fine in London
Enterprise Morph – a Spockboy Video
Finally, on the lighter side of things, our talented friend Paul ‘Spockboy’ Sibbald has another fun video creation. His "Enterprise Morph" takes you on a tour of the ships called Enterprise, old and new.
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Comments»
I want that Spork!!
Did I really just say that?
Decloaking . . .
Need to Spork me some multi-colored food cubes for din-din. }:-D>
Recloaking.
Given the Starfleet borrows from nautical terms, the spork should be labeled “galley” and not “mess hall.”
Kind of neat, but not work 23 bucks for an eating utensil.
Zoe’s looking fine as ever. . . .
I seriously would like to know – does Zoe Saldana ever EAT? I mean, I know that Hollywood actresses are supposed to be skinny and all that, but my goodness!! She looks like a stick – that CAN’T be healthy!
Tell me I’m not the only one who notices this.
#4– I agree. She’s a very beautiful woman but she is way too thin.
I nabbed some packs of Star Trek Premiere popcorn from the UK premiere…are they worth anything? :p
hmmm…. well, ummm……. can I just see the movie now?
Damn two weeks! Time for hibernation!
Thanks for another great video Sporkboy… I mean Spockboy…
I wonder how Spaghetti-O’s would taste on a titanium utensil?
And Zoe is the epitome of perfection. Some people are naturally skinny people!
I’ve lived long enough.. Chuck Berry and Star Trek together. The universe is now complete!
(thank you for not using “My Ding-a-Ling”!!)
@ 9 – I have to disagree, my girlfriend is the epitome of perfection! Wow, must be weird for a Trekkie to say that :P
Woho, just send in my pictures to msnbc xD
11. ProperTrekkieUK
LOL
________
Oh, and I always thought the Enterprise-E was a cool ship, until now. It just seems too 90s. It looks like a dagger. Be careful guys, if you touch it, it may cut you!
Pictures to MSNBC and what? That video is interesting. Why did they use Chuck Berry though? Not complaining, just wondering. Well maybe a little because I can’t seem to get the solo for that one to sound right. It always comes out sounding like Johnny B. Goode.
Haha so Kirk and Spock go on MTV, and they throw Sulu a bone by putting him on CoolShite?
Wow…40 years later, and nothing has changed!!!
And still no Chekhov interviews…surprise, surprise!!!
Ahh…I grow more convinced each day that all is as it should be in Trekdom…
Where was the Enterprise-J in that Morph??
Really? A spork??
Now, I’m all for marketing… but…..
Both of those reviews presume they know what the “torch-bearers” want to see and therefore incorrectly play up how well it will appeal to those fans as part of it’s sucess. They both also capitalize on some of the more disturbing elements of the film as strengths. I would heavily discount both Variety & THR and take them with a grain of salt, not worshiped as the ultimate proof of Trek’s validation because the came-from-Hollywood.
18 – Im a livelong trekkie and I LOVED the film. You have nothing to worry about.
19- lifelong*
#18 – Sometimes I wonder if you really believe the things you type.
#4
I’ve heard them say that the camera ADDS ten pounds….
18. RD
You make me laugh.
Did anyone watch Letterman last night? Nathan Lane was on with a clip. He said he had a cameo in the movie as Larry Spock. He was quite funny.
Spockboy, That was excellent. Great way to end my day!
Nathan Lane did a parody of the trailer on Letterman last night
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_M936SjbVoQ
Ohhh… I’m ready to begin The Search for Spork!
[POSSIBLE MOVIE SPOILER]
In the YouTube of John Cho’s interview when asked if he would reprise the role of Sulu, why did Cho reply, “We’re never working with [Eric] Bana again.”? Was Bana a jerk on the set or something? Or did he just mean Bana’s character dies so Bana won’t be back for sequels? Does anybody know?
Spork? Heck, I’m waiting for the set of Ginsulu steak knives!
;-)
18:
Variety and the Hollywood Reporter are pretty much TPTB in Hollywood in terms of regular industry reporting.
Skeptical Trek fans’ concerns have been referred to with remarkable thoroughness in the mass media (thanks mostly to this site). including in these industry publications.
Being a Trekker is no different than being into Spiderman or Star Wars, and Hollywood rags have been dealing with fans like us and our eccentricities for decades. They can compartmentalize our Obsessive-Compulsive complaints into generalities, put us aside, and tell shite from shinola when a re-boot debuts for the masses.
The reviews are significant pluses in Trek’s corner commercially.
Nathan Lane always annoyed me. Now I ADORE him.
Lane has the worst toup since Shatner!
Zoe – “Eat sometihng. I’m begging you! You look like a swizzle stick.” – Cameron Drake
With apologies to the Tick:
SPOOOOOOOORK!!!!
Cheers to Spockby for another great video!
Didn’t Cho even sound a bit like Sulu? This is the first time ive heard him and think his voice tone, inflection, etc is very similar
The ENT vid is priceless.
Thanks, Spockboy!
help me Spork, Spork Help me
#28
SPOILER
First of all, he was just joking!!!! But let’s just say that Nero’s not around for the sequel.
cho was joking around as they all do with 1 another which will complimant the movie and the movies to come and if u have seen the movie dont spoil it for the rest who hasnt
Hey look it’s Voyager!! no wait that’s a spoon, with the Wrong registry # ;)
Why, it’s Mr. Spork!
I guess you really can market anything. Go spork yourself !
I love the ability of the bitter to spin every positive review of this film (which BTW has been virtually EVERY review) their way…a good film is a good film, period. We’ve had a few decades of Star Trek movies that have been good to mediocre Star Trek, but mostly all mediocre movies. I’m ready for a good MOVIE.
Would be fun if they released a whole dinning set from ENT
#4: She eats only with a titanium spork.
Absolutely love “The Morphing Enterprise!!!”
Nice job Spockboy!
Why Chuck Berry. Simple answer and it deals with money. The song is more than a half century old and has not the copyright expired, so it is now public domain prprerty in other words it’s free.
That’s unless the MP3 legal problems messed with the old laws.
And I think Paramount upgraded the copyrights on Star Trek (TOS) to 110 years because of the Digital Rights Management laws dealing with MP3’s.
Speaking of reviews, I am having a baby of joy to say that I am reviewing Star Trek, seeing it May 2!!!
WAHOOOOO!!!!
Ah, critics’ screening… no lineup… bringing the fam… ahhhhhh. I will post a link when it is up.
I’ll be thinking of you all, except for the canon purists, as I know that they have no interest in seeing this desecration, ever ever ever.
Ron Yamauchi, Georgia Straight, Vancouver
Spork! I’m hoping for a flamethrower!
Spork’s Brain
I Am Not Spork
Spork’s World
I Grok Spork
-cs™
Great morphing, even if the scale is off!
Also, us Brits love Mr Pegg so it’s a treat to have a bit of brit in there!
As the big day nears, it occurred to me that TREKMOVIE.COM will be no more?
Please Anthony can you confirm your new name?
@28
Yes its called humor….Considering Cho is interviewed by Aussie TV
Bana is kind of a big deal there.
Star Trek: The Spork! Sneak peek at the title for Star Trek (2011) maybe?
My vote is for Star Trek XII: So Very Tired!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfzuRMthMzk
I wonder if the writers of the Simpsons had any idea back then that there would ever be the possibility of a 12th Star Trek Movie!
I just wanna spork Zoe…
The wait is almost over. Please Paramount, for Trek XII don’t make us salivate for so long.
Spork- Cool, but so not worth $23. I got me a couple cool sets of utensils that are from Delta Airlines. Look like they came right from the 24th century and cost me nothing. :)
I agree Zoe looks a bit thin. Just eat a little bit more of those food cubes. You don’t have to be that thin to make it in hollywood and that orion girl. Just thinking about it, that orion girl had some meat on her bones I’d like to spork. Sorry… Way to tired.
Hmm. I was in an article about Star Trek DAC and all of a sudden it vanishes and I get teleported here. So awkward.
#51 Spork you!
Go spork yourself!
Why should ‘frak’ have all the fun? :)
Anyone know how many theaters the movie is opening in?
Ya know…
This movie could turn out to cure cancer, and there would STILL be people who were dead set against it because the Original Series DIDN’T cure cancer.
Wasn’t there a story in “The World of Star Trek” or one of those other old books written in the 70’s about some kid with a terminal illness that got better because Star Trek reruns were on the TV in his hospital room. May TOS did cure cancer.
#62 Perhaps you’re thinking of the story of the real George LaForge, who I think was a young man in a wheelchair with a lot of illnesses including MD, who although he passed away in 1975 — felt his life was enriched by Star Trek, and made an impact on Gene Roddenberry such that he named the TNG engineer after him.
I was struck in the same manner when JJ Abrams involved Randy Pausch in the movie. JJ’s filling the shoes and then some.
#3 – You are right! I almost was gong to buy a set just for fun.
There is no mess hall on the Enterprise! (unless that’s altered too….)
If they fix part that I will buy a set.
And force people who come over to eat with them.
#4 Zoe is beautiful and I’m sure she’s very healthy; that’s just her body-type. I have no doubt she will do justice to the character Uhura. But, young Nichelle Nichols and that body-type has always pushed all my buttons in the curves department! LOL
It’s nice the role has had two such smart, classy, and beautiful actresses play it.
There also was a spork in “The Darwin Awards” with Winona Ryder….hmmmm weird…..(-;
CNN does Star Trek
http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/04/22/star.trek.screening.room/
Online ticketer MovieTickets says its advance sales on Fox’s May 1 opener “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” are outpacing those for 2008’s first tentpole release, “Iron Man,” by three to one.
But then there is this: MovieTickets says Paramount’s upcoming “Star Trek” release — set to unspool a week after “Wolverine” — has already sold 25% more advance tickets at MovieTickets.com than “X-Men.”
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i2b46d200e6140dd0696bfc19df6a62c8
‘Online ticketer MovieTickets says its advance sales on Fox’s May 1 opener “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” are outpacing those for 2008’s first tentpole release, “Iron Man,” by three to one.’
-Advance tickets and early premiers are getting more popular
-X-men has a far larger fan base than Iron Man
-Iron Man was somewhat of a surprise, so advance tickets may not have been that high
i was actually focusing on the second part of article, but whatever
#18—-You are never going to be pleased, RD, since the film doesn’t conform to your preconceived notions of what a ST film set before the TOS-era should look and feel like. But you only represent one kind of Star Trek fan. We are actually quite diverse.
It doesn’t matter.
Variety and THR are big time in Hollywood, and their good reviews bode well for the success of this movie.
Looks like all the reviews are going great for trek. I perdict a near 100 million$ weekend for Trek and about 250million for the U.S. probly more though but im going to be a we bit conserveitive. I already have my Ticket for 7pm May 7th. Can’t wait!!!!
#19 Im a livelong trekkie and I LOVED the film. You have nothing to worry about.) Hey did you see the film already. Now thats just not fair) Ok. Your Agoniser Please. LOl
To any doubters out there, the film is fantastic. I saw this film on monday in london. I have a feeling the movie could make 150-200 million domestically. Not as good as TWOK but its most certainly up there with TVH. Im 100% going to see this multiple times.
Re: the folks commenting about “mess hall” vs. “galley” on the titanium spork …
Memory Alpha has entries for both “Galley” and “Mess Hall” and and seems to imply a distinction common (though by no means universal) in nautical usage: the mess/mess hall is where you eat, the galley is where food is prepared. This is also the usage indicated in Wikipedia’s glossary of nautical terms.
71. Closettrekker, you have no idea what my motivations are, but as a successful marketing genius, I take that as a compliment ;-)
Yes, THR & Variety are “Big time Hollywood”, but like all media they are politically motivated. They have at times been wildly wrong in their reviews both in favor of and against a film that did respectively badly or poorly at the box-office. They have also been split in their reviews. They have been criticized numerous times in their history for playing favorites and and trading favors for favorable reviews and taking out petty grudges against enemies.
My point is, touting these reviews as a harbinger of a slam-dunk is inappropriate. Few of these reviews have been balanced. They almost always all promote the hype around the film to the exclusion of all else. Who knows what kinds of influences they are being exposed to vis-a-vis Paramount.
Nevertheless, I have never said this film is not going to be good and entertaining. I openly confess I am skeptical of its ability to do justice to the original concept and I never wrote all Trek fans were the same. I wrote very pointedly that many Trek fan’s concerns were not being addressed, not all.
But I do think this forum needs a little balance in it to counter the blind enthusiastic fervor that is being whipped up daily without any real analysis of what has been revealed. Rather than cast aspersions as to why this is happening, I’ll just leave it at that.
Finally, I’m not sure a blockbuster success is best for the franchise. This was a very expensive movie and the next one will have to top the first, which means more money. At some point, the ability to write a story that will draw a wide audience hits a wall with how much money they can afford to spend which is why most franchises die after 2 or 3 sequels and one of the reasons the lower-budget Star Trek films made 10.
# 77
James Bond = 22 movies by now. Every one with a big budget.
But I can’t help: The more positive reviews I read, the more I feel concerned. Is that movie really SO good? They create expectations, that the movie maybe can’t hold. I’m not sure, if that is a good thing. Even the first Star Wars had some bad reviews.
Does anyone remember the tale of Icarus?
Want a spork.
Will they be available in the UK?
#77—-I’m sure that the reviews will come down to Earth once the film opens to the general public.
They could also be inflated due to the poor expectations critics have for something with the Star Trek name attached to it. Who knows?
But the positive buzz about it is not a bad thing at all, IMO.
#75—That would be correct.
A “galley” is a naval term for kitchen.
A “mess hall” is basically just a dining room.
Dammit Spork! I’m a doctor not a cook!
#77 Bond is NOT Trek. Each story is stand alone with a single character that EVERYBODY wants to be and has been re-booted numerous times over its history. Bond does not time travel, he does not fight aliens or travel at the speed of light. It has never been geeky to like him. He is the ultimate depiction of cool and yes, even the Bond franchise almost came to an end because the stories got ridiculous and the effects failed to top the last. And no not every one of them was a big budget, particularly the ones in the 70s & 80s which almost led to its demise – they were in the same ballpark as Trek budgets, but grossed considerably more. In fact few film series have ever come close to the success of Bond, or even Star Trek, particularly the ones that don’t appeal to a wide audience. Star Trek managed because it appealed to a large niche audience (in itself a phenomenon) and was produced at a low enough budget to make the franchise profitable. One the box-office grosses caught up with the cost to make them, Paramount pulled the plug. Compare it with Star Wars, which actually Bond has a lot more in common with, like Lucas Albert Brocolli produced those films himself, MGM merely distributed, so if MGM backed out, those movies would still get made. Much like Star Wars. But unlike Star Wars, Lucas continued to make movies which catered to a niche audience and none of the newer ones were able to ignite a large outside following, yet they cost considerably more to make than any of the previous movies, thus diminishing the profit margin and the motivation of investors to participate, regardless of Lucas’ plans. Do you really think Lucas would have stopped making Star Wars epics had the new films taken off like the originals did? In fact diminishing returns doomed the first three to any more sequels at the time as well. In fact most sequels attempt to lower the budget while squeezing as much profit out of a thing as possible. Look at Superman. Shameful. The new Trek faces a substantial obstacle in that it has a very high budget and must make any sequel equally as compelling while guaranteeing huge profit margins to justify spending as much, or more to make it. What I am taking from most of these reviews is that Trek is a spectacle that any Summer movie goer will not be disappointed to see, even dyed-in-the-wool, hard-core Trekies, The sub-text of all the reviews is that it is fast and furious and flashy and exciting and sure to please. Which is all grand, but I’m not hearing much discussion of what makes Trek Trek in the fist place. And that klnd of excitement is hard to keep up in a sequel that doesn’t just mimic the first attempt, much less inspire loyalty in a new fanbase.
I have the new ship, I have the new phaser, Now I find myself that I want that spork!!!!
someone stop me! ROFL!
Seriously it’s a good looking spork.
$22 Star Trek Spork < Free KFC Spork with NCC-1701 written with my black Sharpie marker
Thanks for all the positive comments guys!
I really appreciate the encouragement.
Um…sorry #48 but that’s not true at all.
As far as I know that song IS copyrighted still (which is why it says “copyright at the end ;) and I picked it because I love that song and it suited the fun spirit that I wanted to convey in the video.
peace.
: )