ST09 Tidbits (T-1): Fringe Clues + New Reviews + Pegg Moves Scotty + Interview Vids + more May 6, 2009
by Anthony Pascale , Filed under: Great Links, Star Trek (2009 film) , trackback
Just one more day until the early showings in the US (and Star Trek is actually opening in some countries in Europe today). First tidbit is from last night’s Fringe which had some Trek moments you will want to see. Plus there are more reviews (including Ebert and Wheaton), and lots of interviews below (including JJ on Charlie Rose). And Simon Pegg is playing with Scotty’s geography. All that and more.
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. And by buying your tickets from Fandango, you are supporting TrekMovie.com. For locations that don’t have tickets available through Fandango, try movietickets.com.
NOTICE: New Reader Review Page
TrekMovie has more site reviews lined up, but what about the fans? Well we have set up a page for reader reviews, so if you have seen the movie, write your own review.
Fringe clues?
Just like last week with Lost, there was a clip run during Fringe (created by Abrams, Orci & Kurtzman). This one turns out to be the previously seen ‘What gives you the right?’ clip (see TrekMovie clip page). However during the episode there were a couple of moments that seemed to be dropping some Trek hints. Firstly there was a scene with Clint Howard (a Trek vet), which had some major Trek refs [note contains movie spoilers if you pay attention].
And then there was this exposition scene from Walter that sounds like he was channeling Doc Brown and Bob Orci, and a little Spock (notice the ‘Fascinating’)…again some potential spoilers if you read into it.
AP article on fandom (and TrekMovie.com)
There have been a lot of articles in the media about the return of Star Trek and its effect on fandom. I point to the one at AP in particular today for no other reason than I am quoted in it (along with James Cawley and others), and it mentions the TrekMovie community in the first paragraph:
It took just a few seconds of footage — a single trailer, dropped from the heavens with great fanfare — for the hue and cry to rise on Trekmovie.com, the top fan site for J.J. Abrams’ new “Star Trek” movie. By the hundreds they weighed in, a contentious cacophony that would have jammed even Lt. Uhura’s comms system.
Review Watch – Scores remain high – Ebert & Trek vets weigh in
Currently the Star Trek movie is ranked at 94% at Metacritic and it is also now down to 94% at Rotten Tomatoes, this makes Trek the best ranked wide release movie on both sites for current and upcoming films. There are a lot of new reviews with the mainstream press continuing to give the film praise for the most part. First up is a big one, with Entertainment Weekly giving the film an A-, noting:
Sci-fi origin stories, at least those launched decades after the stories themselves, tend to be disappointing. They’re usually more work than play. The acquiring of superpowers, and/or Defining Personality Traits, has a certain built-in roteness, whether the subject is Luke Skywalker, Batman, or Wolverine; we know where we’re going, and the getting there can be an elaborate
filling in of blanks. But in Star Trek, the clever and infectious reboot of the amazingly enduring sci-fi classic, director
J.J. Abrams crafts an origin myth that avoids any hint of the origin doldrums. That’s because he rewires us back into the original Star Trek’s primal appeal.
The New York Daily News liked it so much they put the review on the front page.
But Chicago Sun Times film critic Roger Ebert isn’t so jazzed. He gives the film 2 1/2 out of four stars and recommends it as ’space opera’, but has a beef with the believability of the science. Here is his summary:
I understand the Star Trek science has never been intended as plausible. I understand this is not science fiction but an Ark movie using a starship. I understand that the character types are as familiar as your favorite slippers. But the franchise has become much of a muchness. The new movie essentially intends to reboot the franchise with younger characters and carry on as before. The movie deals with narrative housekeeping. Perhaps the next one will engage these characters in a more challenging and devious story, one more about testing their personalities than re-establishing them. In the meantime, you want space opera, you got it.
Outside of the mainstream press, there are a couple of notable Trek vets who have posted reviews on their blogs.
- TNG era designer John Eaves (who did some work on the new film) blogs about the team who made the film and says he was "LOVED IT!" and was "overwhelmed"
- TNG’s Wesley Crusher, Will Wheaton, says "Star Trek has been reborn, and it is SPECTACULAR"
The official site has been collecting quotes on the film, see them at startrekmovie.com/quotes.
Pegg tries to fix Scotty backstory
According to some Star Trek lore, Montgomery Scott comes from the town of Linlithgow, Scotland. There is even a museum display there all about the famous future engineer. However some recent comments from the new Scotty, Simon Pegg, seemed to move Scotty’s home to Glasgow. Now Pegg is trying to fix up the discrepancies by creating more back-story for Scotty on his MySpace blog. Here is his new and improved version:
Montgomery Scott was born on March 3rd 2222, in Linlithgow, West Lothian. His parents eventually moved him and his brother Robert to Aberdeen, where his sister Clara was born. An exceptional student Scotty (or Mad Monty as his friends called him) was advanced forward several years in the educational system, meaning his intellectual peers were all at University age, whilst he was a mere 14. As a result, he spent much of his time crawling the pubs of Aberdeen with is friends, drinking and getting into fights about thermodynamics and quantum mechanics with men twice his size. At the age of 16, he came to the attention of professors at the Advanced Relativistic Physics Department at Glasgow University, after disproving the Prerera Theory (regarding photon torpedo detonation) and was transferred to study there for a year (where he really picked up the accent) before being accepted to Starfleet Academy on a scholarship. However he deferred his placement in favor of practical experience in space, working aboard mining ships and freighters, in particular the USS Deirdre, where he fell in love with engineering. Eventually he attended Starfleet and finished top of his graduating year, although the honor was later stripped due to disciplinary action taken against him due to “highly speculative and dangerous experiments with matter transfer”.
It was Simon Pegg’s [spoiler alert] transporter room companion Chris Doohan who pointed that page out to us, and he also sends in this photo of the pair at the Star Trek premiere.
Chris Doohan as guest of Simon Pegg at Hollywood premiere of Star Trek last week
TV/ Video interviews
JJ Abrams on Charlie Rose:
Abrams on Good Day New York
Collider gets Quinto and Pine to crack up.
Talk show list updated – Nimoy to do Top 10
The Trek stars are fanning across the talk shows and TV stations, here are the latest videos. Tune in for these upcoming appearances:
- Wednesday 5/6: “Bonnie Hunt Show” (Syndicated) – Zachary Quinto
- Wednesday 5/6: “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” (Syndicated) – Chris Pine
- Wednesday 5/6: "Jimmy Kimmel Live" (ABC) – Zoe Saldana
- Wednesday 5/6: “The Tonight Show” (NBC) John Cho
- Thursday 5/7: "Jimmy Kimmel Live" (ABC) – John Cho
- Thursday 5/7: "Late Show with David Letterman" (CBS) – Leonard Nimoy (doing top 10 as Spock)
- Friday 5/8: "Jimmy Kimmel Live" (ABC) – Chris Pine
- Friday 5/8: "Tavis Smiley" (PBS) – JJ Abrams
- Friday 5/8: "The View" (ABC) – Leonard Nimoy
- Friday 5/8: "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" (NBC) – Leonard Nimoy & Zachary Quinto [not confirmed]
Finally: Trek Yourself
Atom has an alternative take on the early years of Kirk and Spock and the TOS crew:
Tidbits bits
Even more Star Trek stuff for you:
- Good article on Star Trek sound design and Ben Burtt at Editors Guild Magazine
- People has Five Things You Didn’t Know About Chris Pine
- The official movie site has finished the Star Trek artist model gallery at startrekmovie.com/modelgallery
- Verizon & Nokia have added the third skill test (a helm simulator) to joinstarfleetacademy.com
Get to the Defiant!
Thanks to all the tipsters
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Comments»
I wonder what the spoilers are…
Just saw the movie here in Germany. I give it a 9/10 rating. Easily the best movie to date considering most aspects. Considering depth ST II and ST VI are a bit better… . We laughed a lot. There probably hasn’t been a more funny Star Trek film since Star Trek IV. Great special effects and cast is just outstanding. You can really believe that those character are the younger Kirk, Spock, etc.
The 2 things i didn’t like:
- Physics got flushed down the toilet. More than once Spock should have said “What we have just experienced is absolutely impossible”.
- [MILD SPOILER AHEAD] The alternative universe established in the movie leaves a strange aftertaste…only Star Trek 12 will tell, whether it was a good move that’s going to work.
Changing Scottys back story!! SACRILIDGE hahaha!!
Sounds cool to me, cant wait for the 23.30pm showing on the 7th May at Manchester, Printworks Odeon in UK gimme a WOOOO if your going there!!
Cute (on Fringe) – the apartment door is labeled 1701… ;)
And the guy in the apartment is the kid from the giant bubble spheroid ship thingy that the Enterprise had a tug of war with …
;)
Ebert’s review didn’t offer up many surprises; he has always been lukewarm on Star Trek.
And yet… he’ll give a movie like “The X-Files: I Want to Believe” three and half stars. And claim that the most recent “Mummy” movie (you know, the one that was universally panned) was the best installment of the series.
I have to wonder what he’s thinking sometimes.
Haha, Trek yourself was ridiculous, but it still made me laugh!
Eighth!!!!
4… and his name is Grayson, Amanda’s maiden name.
LOL!
Roger Ebert wrote Valley of the Dolls. I’m glad he didn’t like Star Trek.
LL&P
#5 – Ebert has himself admitted that his reviews are often affected by the mood he’s in the day he sees a particular movie. He recently panned Quantum of Solace for the very same reasons that he praised Casino Royale. He gave Scooby Doo 2 a favorable review after savaging the original, even mentioning that he must have been having a bad day when he reviewed the original. I never listen to critics, but that kind of attitude really disqualifies his opinions for me. Also, questioning the science in a sci-fi movie is pretty silly. By that standard then he should also trash the Terminator movies and a pleothora of other sci-fi classics.
Okay, one more shot at Ebert… the only way his opinion would have less credibility is if he wrote Showgirls too!
Wonderful interview with Charlie Rose (we don’t get his show in Ireland). We get Letterman and Kimmel, but it was really great to see an incisive, thorough interview *about* JJ’s processes rather than the standard Q&A in every other interview. Thanks for posting this.
Re: #8 750 Mang:
No, Ebert wrote “Beyond the Valley of the Dolls”. He also wrote Russ Meyer’s “Up!” and “Beneath the Valley of the Ultravixens”. The screenplay of “Valley of the Dolls” was written by Helen Deutsch and Dorothy Kingsley, based upon the novel of Jacqueline Susann, who in the 23rd century will be considered one of the 20th century’s literary giants alongside Harold Robbins. :-)
12. Donald G – May 6, 2009
Nice job.
Even worse.
#3 – Shame… I’m going to the IMAX in the printworks on Friday at 11am because thats the only day a few of my mates could get off work.
I can’t wait for this film!!!!!
Roger Ebert is a douche.
Come now, Mang – in 250 years, 1970’s sexploitation films will be regarded as high art. Ebert’s descendants will have the last laugh yet. >:-)
Fringe: If I had the power to blow people up, I’d start with the ass magnet that put ‘American Ahole’ on the air and let’s it run long into normal television. Now I gotta go watch it online and sit through ‘those’ commercials just to get to the last few minutes to see what happened :(
Friggin reality TV. I gotta get out of this country. Maybe I’ll go to Canada so I can still watch Flashpoint. Do they have this crap in other parts of the world? “I Want To Heard Sheep” or “Goat Swap”? Grrr I’m angry.
4 – yes, Clint Howard was indeed in “The Corbomite Maneuver” as a child.
15. Donald G – May 6, 2009
“Come now, Mang – in 250 years, 1970’s sexploitation films will be regarded as high art. Ebert’s descendants will have the last laugh yet. >:-)”
I thought Ebert was already getting the last laugh.
LL&P
Just in from seeing the movie. WOW. I mean, WOW. Like, my God, WOW.
Corney, Funny, moving, but also strange, new and unfamiliar. Makes me feel like I am becoming a fan for the first time all over again.
You will love this movie.
16–”Goat Swap” Fantastic!
15. Aye, and if my grandmother had wheels, she’d be a wagon… ;-)
Comments appeared to have crashed….
The Nokia/Verizon game has you saving the Defiant, talk about canon violations, LOL
22 hrs and 30 min
Oh, Fringe, you are my favorite show.
5. You’re dead wrong on Ebert and Star Trek. He’s a genuine science fiction fan and has always been partial to Trek (read, notably, his reviews on Khan, and Voyage Home — he’s even been fair to the lesser films).
I’m disappointed he didn’t like JJ’s Trek as I often agree with his take on things. He’s both a populist and a great writer on film. However, I hope my reaction this time will differ from his.
Cool thing about IMAX showings: they are going to be playing it at the Kennedy Space Center Visitors’ Complex IMAX theater from the 7th to the 24th, and will include Star Trek merchandise at their stores–for a little bit of a mark-up. Either way it is still pretty cool that they are going to show the movie at the only place in the US where we actually send people into space. I already got my ticket online.
Ebert’s reviews of Trek:
TMP: ***
TWOK: ***
TSFS: ***
TVH: ***1/2
TFF: **
TUC: ***
STG: **
STFC: ***1/2
STI: **
STN: **
Gee, Ebert gave it a bad review. How shocking!
I, of course, haven’t seen the movie yet so I have no opinion to share at this moment. My opinion will be developed at around 9:30PM tomorrow night when I’m on my way home from the 7 o’clock showing. However, when it comes to Star Trek, I’ve learned not to listen to Ebert too much.
Reading his review about any of the Star Trek movies has always been annoying. It would be different if he actually understood the concept of Star Trek and its’ characters. He always claims that he does, but his reviews (other than that of The Final Frontier) are always pretty much the sign of someone who doesn’t get the concept at all.
Unless it’s Star Wars he isn’t going to like it much. Everyone should just take his review with a grain of salt. I mean the guy gave “The Phantom Menace” a good review for Gods’ sake!
Frankly, I’ve never understood what’s SO HARD for the “uninitiated” to get about Star Trek. I mean, it’s certainly no more confusing than any other TV show/movie that’s out there.
I’m just coming from the Cinema (germany) have seen the movie in the english language version…
It will kick your ass!
Star Trek is back – as you have never seen it before!
I’m Shock that Ebert did not like Star Trek 2009 because he like the Star Wars prequels which is just as bad as Star Trek 2009. Also he loved the first Hulk movie which sucked.
Wow Chris Doohan ceratinly looks like a long lost brother of Simon Pegg.
We’ll after reading all the interviews and reviews of this film and now that I’ve gotten reajusted to the new Enterprise I’m defiinetly going to go see this.
so let me get this straight according to him, its a little better than nemesis?
Ebert seemed to be attacking Star Trek in general more than just the film. Still, he calls the film “fun” and gives it 2.5 stars out of 4. I’m not sure why RT classifies his review as “rotten”.
Oh well, he’s always been an annoying old fart to me.
Ebert wrote a review of Insurrection which panned it because he said they didn’t even touch on why the So’na couldn’t just set up a colony on the planet. Of course, Picard asks the Admiral this question and gets an answer, leading me to wonder… Does Ebert even bother to pay attention when watching Star Trek movies?
#34—-And only 1/2 star better than The Great Trek Turd Of ‘89!
He rated TMP, TWOK, TSFS, TVH, TUC, and FC better than ST09.
Seems quite the contrast to the overwhelming praise the film is getting nearly everywhere else.
Hahaha that ‘Trek Yourself’ video is SOOOOOOOO stupid but I love it anyway. So many references!
35.Closettrekker, that’s quite the worthwhile comment. (I’m pretty confident you’ve rarely read the man let alone followed his career as a writer on film).
I swear, the closer opening day comes, the more ignorant people posting on this site become.
Anthony Pascale, you’ve done a great service for us fans these last three years allowing us a forum to follow the production of the film and take part in even small ways.
But, man oh man, I wish the level of discourse could just grow up a notch or two.
I know a lot of fans who are very discriminating towards critics and fans in general who have problems with the new film, but I actually prefer to see good and bad reviews because I believe it can put one’s expectations in perspective. I remember hating “Terminator 3″ because I was only exposed to one particular reaction prior to opening day (the praise). Boy, was I in for one hell of a surprise when I saw it. I don’t know too much about Ebert’s track record with previous Trek outings, so I don’t put too much stock into what he says (I don’t even put too much stock into the positive reviews either). I’m still geared to see the film on opening day, but if I personally don’t like it and people ask me what I thought of it, I’m going to be as brutally honest as I can. If that means having other Trek fans call me a loser, then so be it. Hopefully, this movie will transcend the hype and make me glad I paid for admission.
#36
No, he doesn’t watch them. Re-read some of his other reviews of earlier Trek’s, especially Generations. I’m not defending Generations, but if the review is still up and it’s the same one I remember, he clearly didn’t watch the movie.
Seen the movie at a midnight showing here in Edinburgh. Absolutely amazing. Not going to spoil it for anyone, but im off again tomorrow at least once or twice :) Round of applause at the end and everything
MAJOR SPOILERS!!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulcan_(Star_Trek_planet)
ORCI! ABRAMS! Your crime is unforgivable! Consider yourselves discommendated!
I’ve looked at Rotten Tomatoes and even the “bad” review aren’t that bad. More like quibles with certain plot points but everyone seems to be in agreement that JJ picked the perfect cast. I just hope everyone comes along for Star Trek 2 (or is that 12… I don’t know).
When is Nimoy going to be on Fringe?
#43 – Grow Up
It’s a MOVIE!
45:
Next week.
JMN
43. senwod
So what?
I completely disagree with most of Ebert’s Trek reviews but if you dis Ebert, you dis yourself. He isn’t in good health and we should be glad to have this national treasure still with us, especially if the filmmakers take him up on his challenge, in his final paragraph, to make the next movie even better than this one.
Just seen the movie…
Iss wery good!
Brought a tear to me eye :.-)
A lukewarm review in The Age (Melbourne paper) today:
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/05/06/1241289237288.html
“Unfortunately, what started out as an energetic, fun, lively and respectful imagining of the Star Trek saga then ferments into a tangle of tired cliches about time travel and intergalactic revenge, when, about the halfway point, Spock does something, well, illogical.”
I haven’t enjoyed Roger Ebert’s reviews since Gene died, frankly. When they did At The Movies together they balanced each other out quite nicely (I never missed an episode), but once Gene was gone it simply wasn’t the same. His review record in the last decade has rarely lined up with my tastes.
This has nothing to do with whether he liked Trek or not, only that his opinion on it doesn’t count for much, with me. After all, he recently praised Watchmen – a conflicted mess of a movie that couldn’t decide exactly what it wanted to be.
Though to be fair, for those mentioning his supposed love for the SW prequels, he gave a pretty scathing (and deserved) review to Attack of the Clones.
I’ve caught most of the cast guest appearance on the talk shows. So far I think I liked Chris Pine’s appearance on Ellen the best. There was a home movie of him with his dad (remember Sarge on C.H.I.P.S?); and his dad was shown sitting in the audience, just thrilled to see his son getting the attention. It was a nice touch.
Robert Pine was one of those actors who I always liked, but never knew his name. But it was always cool to see him pop up every few years. He even did a couple of Star Trek gigs, and I’d go, “There’s Sarge!” I didn’t realize the family connection with Chris until this week.
Just saw it here in Orlando. I’d give it an 8 out of 10. I think old school Trekkies will have the hardest time accepting the different feel about it. That said, it was a lot of fun and moved like a whirlwind.
Ebert’s review was terrible.
He basically spent the entire time questioning the validity of the science and technology, and barely mentioned the story, the characters or their emotional story arcs.
What’s worse is that he opens the review by lamenting that the film isn’t as philisophical as TOS, and then goes on to dismiss transporters and warp speed as plot gimmicks as though JJ Abrams had invented them just for this film.
He’s perfeclty entitled to not enjoy the film, but he seems to have picked the most flimsy reasons.
Re: 52 If Gene and Roger disagreed, I always sided with Gene.
OF COURSE WILL WHEATON LOVES IT!!!
THEY’VE TURNED CHECKOV INTO WESLEY CRUSHER!!!
LOL
Oh and when Pine balls his fist and starts shouting at Spock, he is Shatner’s Kirk.
Let’s go easy on Ebert.
Here’s something fun to watch . . . Chris Pine’s dad on CHiPs (about 3 minutes in):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94WiLddmzt0&feature=related
For you younger folks, this is what we used to call compelling television, lol.
Why should any self respecting fanboy listen to Ebert. This is the guy who wrote Retun to the Valley of the Dolls after all. You don’t even want to know what whe thinks of us as fans of Star Trek. All you have to do is to read his review of Fanboys (yes I know it’s about Star Wars fans, but are we really so different?) to get the picture of how he feels about our “idiotic lifestyle”(quoting Ebert here). This man is simply not worth listening to. If you are interested you should check out Jimmy Mac’s (co-host of the force-cast) reply defending Star Wars in particular and fandom in general at http://www.theforce.net . It’s pretty damn good. #49: As to being nice to Ebert because of his health, I don’t think so. He should have layed off the Big Mac’s and pizza. His choice. His health has nothing to do with his judgement.
USA Today’s review is in. Claudia Puig gives it 3 out of 4 stars.
#32: (paraphrasing Ronald Reagan, something I am loathe to do)… Darrksan, “now there you go again.”
BTW, Darrksan, have you seen the movie yet?… if not… (uh, never mind… my momma always taught me if I can say nothing nice, say nothing).
LOL.. tugging at your shoelaces, actually.
It’s going to be SO COOL to see Chris Doohan at the console next to Simon Pegg’s Scotty in the transporter room!!
They look like they could be brothers, let alone father & son! =)
Cheers Chris for getting the gig, if it hasn’t been said! Cheers Simon!! =)
Cannot WAIT to see Simon as Scotty!!! =D
More on Leno tonight … after the Hilarious Star Trek parody, with John Cho comming up, they have decided to bring on Tim Allen, the star of my FAVORITE Star Trek movie OF ALL TIME – Galaxy Quest!
Saw ST09 at IMAX in Melbourne 12.05 this morning. Back tonight at 6.30pm to try and take it all back in.
What a wonderfull movie! A roller coaster, sit on the edge of your seat treat. When it’s over there there is only one question….when is the next one?
Congratulations JJ, Robert, Alex, the hot hot HOT Cast and of course Paramount. You guy’s Rock!
#55: “He basically spent the entire time questioning the validity of the science and technology,…”
For me, that does not bode well as I am a big fan of accurate science and motivations as possible… especially since such a big deal was made about hiring Kayla Iacovino as science advisor.
BUT
the science in the 1980s “Flash (ah-ahhh!) Gordon” stunk too and I loved that movie… so I will wait and see before making my judgment call.
Incidentally, some of Roger Ebert’s criticisms of previous TREK movies, to me, made a lot of sense, but overall he has been pretty fair to the franchise. Gene Siskel, when he was alive, was the critic who went out of his way to ravage the series… although Siskel really liked “STV: TFF,” so you can only take these critics with a grain of salt.
Yeah, sorry about earlier. It was in a moment of hurt.
Clint Howard not only played Balok in “The Corbomite Manuver”, but he appeared in DS-9 as a homeless man who had Dax’s Commbadge when they accidentally ended up in the 21st Century, and played one of the hapless Ferengi in the first season Enterprise episode. He has quite a connection to Star Trek.
He was in Heroes a few weeks ago too. Which is a connection to Zachary Quinto who Sylars his character.
I do not give any crap about what Ebert thinks about the new movie. He is getting more and more senile everyday.
Review from Globe and Mail, one of Canada’s national newspapers
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090506.wtrek0507/BNStory/Entertainment/home
The movie reviewer has given it three stars.
I read Ebert’s review, and thought it was fair and respectful. I may disagree with him after I see the movie (I hope I do), but I don’t think he deserves insults if his opinion is contrary.
East Coast preview of Sulu character acted by John Cho on Tonight Show:
John Cho’s son turned 1 last Saturday … he’s Korean … and his Korean buddy and he would compare notes about how tought the parents were … his parents locked him out of the house when he was 5 … he is also (like Korean Linda Park) a college graduate and a professionally certified English teacher. Says by 7th or 10th grade the damage is done and by then the teacher has to have 30 or so lesson plans – one for each damaged child.
This is not George Takei with Robert Altman -not that I don’t respect Takei to death. Came into being an actor because someone called in sick and a friend needed someone who fit the costume to fall into the role – and he fell into it. Backed Dennis Kusenich and thought Obama was a Community Organizer not even with the experience of Sarah Palin (true).
FOR THE RECORD … “Sulu” is a name of a person from the Philippines, played by a Japanese-American (Takei) and now a Korean-American (Cho).
Cho calls Takei “the REAL Sulu.” Takei then said “Relax – pretty soon they’ll be calling me the old guy who plays Cho in the future.” Then they go to the Kuwait theatre and the troops say “thanks for bringing the movie over.” Cho then replies, “thanks for the freedom!”
God bless this guy.
I think Ebert’s review of Trek 09 is pretty consistent with his attitude towards the series. Regarding Nemesis, he said that the writers ought to tell about a story set thousands of years further into the future, in order to recapture the awe and wonder that Star Trek once possessed. His review of Trek 09 isn’t so much about the non-believability of the science as opposed to the non-novelty of the material. For him, Trek 09 is essentially the same old stuff in prettier wrapping.
As for moods affecting Ebert’s reviews, well, all movie reviews are affected by mood. Ultimately, criticism is all about preference. It’s how thoroughly you explain your position that makes the criticism worth the read.
On any case, 2 1/2 stars out of 4 isn’t so bad. It simply says, “It’s not all great, but there are stuff I like about it.” (And it’s not like it would stop people from watching the movie, haha! XD )
World’s first film review in Klingon for new Star Trek movie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXbbPjTgLhI&
You might want to check it. ;)
Wow, Simon Pegg really did his TOS homework when he wrote that biography for Scotty!! You can tell he was taking notes during “Wolf in the Fold” and other key Scotty TOS episodes. To quote the new Uhura, “I’m impressed!!”
Okey, What’s going on with Ebert. I do agree that his review of the Mummy must have been done while he was on crack, or something. I mean the movie sucked. And while I’m probably not going to give the movie all the stars it could get, I’m still thinking that Ebert has lost his reviewing edge….. oh well
No way this should get less stars from Ebert than any single one of the Star Wars prequels.
The dude did say “don’t get me wrong, it’s a fun movie.” He also joins me in what I’ve already said about the impossible manipulations in a Universe where Scotty once decried that ye kenna change ta laws of physics! The one that gets me every time is how the crew is blasted out of the bottom of a flying car like they were pellets from a shotgun. Not a bone in the body would remain unfractured.
How does Ebert join me there? He says Star Trek isn’t Sci Fi, and I agree – especially since I absolutely unambigiously HATE Sci-Fi. He calls it an Ark story aboard a Starship, and perhaps I’ll settle with an Arc story aboard a Trilogy – hopefully one which will see a much more impressive ship and story in II and III. To me, Star Trek has always been more Action-Adventure, which I love. And it sounds like this movie has tons of action and yet only a little adventure. Everyone I’ve talked to today younger than 30 thinks this is the best thing since sliced Menagerie episodes that their grandparents told them about.
I can’t fairly review any of these reviews until I see the movie myself … but when I do, unless it is even half as good as Science Friday … then WATCH OUT!
Zoe Saldana on Kimmel: She looks really hot ….Alien or Earthlike, asks Kimmel? She brings a rose out that looks like “the evil ship in Star Trek.” Just in time for Mother’s Day, Nero’s ship looks like a rose by any other name. Talks about the history I’ve already told, grew up in New York / NJ and went to the Dominican Republic for several years. Cultured and sophisticated. Island girls, but like from New York Island and not the Dominican Republic next to Haiti. Zoe’s mother is very excited about daughter’s role in Star Trek. Zoe’s mother used to watch Star Trek in Puerto Rico, called Viaje de las Estrellas … that her mother became such a fan. The debate rages about Trekkies or Trekkers, and I’ll call myself a Trekkie, and Zoe calls herself a Geek who dresses nice who (I join her here) LOVES Blade Runner. Kimmel: “Had any run-ins with rabid Star Trek fans?” Zoe: “What’s that?” Kimmel: “You’ll find out Saturday!”
Kimmel: Much spunker Uhura.
Zoe: “I disagree. Nichelle was very trend-setting and sexy.”
Kimmel: But you have a real tough streak …watch …
Duno if you guys have seen this…. lol!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXbbPjTgLhI
MORE APPEARANCES THURSDAY MORNING:
Leonard Nimoy: The Today Show (NBC)
Zachary Quinto: The Early Show (CBS)
- no. 80 Buzz
Repost. :( I put that link before you.
I love Roger Ebert — but his reviews have been getting a little wonky as he gets increasingly unwell. He called Knowing one of the best sci fi films ever (I’m paraphrasing). Still, he calls ‘em like he sees ‘em.
I know this is a pointless post but OH MY GOD I’M STOKED!!!! 20 more hours until I’m watching a new STAR TREK!!!
How could anyone be negative at this point? STAR TREK LIVES!!!
#78: “The dude did say “don’t get me wrong, it’s a fun movie.”
He said many other positive things as well … Ebert’s review is not only balanced, but it’s consistently reasoned … he doesn’t just like this or dislike that, he’s very clear on why. They’re his own reasons and his own tastes, but he describes them clearly and fairly. He’s not only entitled to his opinion, he earns that entitlement by describing it in intelligent terms.
Maybe I’ll disagree with him 100% when I see the film … but I’d consider myself lucky if I’m able to articulate my opinion half as efficiently, readably and reasonably as Ebert.
But since he isn’t spooging all over the film, he gets a witch-hunt.
Ebert was pretty clear in his love for “Garfield: The Movie” and the sequel “Garfield: A Tale of Two Kitties” both of which he rated higher than the new Trek movie. He’s sometimes amusing, but no one I’ve ever trusted to help me with movie going decisions.
A small rant:
#64 – “Comming up”
Why is everyone spelling “coming” wrong lately? Has anyone seen a sign or paper with something “Comming Soon”. Just don’t get it!
Less than 24 hours for me until film time!
In what way has Simon Pegg “changed” Scotty’s backstory? Everything he wrote in the excerpt above makes perfect sense – he’s got the Linlithgow connection (see http://www.linlithgowgazette.co.uk/news/Doohan-us-proud.3223216.jp ), listened to the dialogue in ‘Wolf in the Fold’, AND as an added bonus has referenced the excellent Trek Novel “The Kobayashi Maru”.
Now there’s a man who’s done his research! Thanks, Simon!
#85
“But since he isn’t spooging all over the film, he gets a witch-hunt.”
Or, some simply dislike his review style. It is possible to do so without going on a with hunt.
I could kill for some Tranya right now!
hahahaha, i did Physics at Glasgow University as well! Scotty must have followed in my footsteps! :-D
Just got back from seeing STAR TREK and it is amazing!!!!! :)
I really don’t get it why people care what critics think.
To me critics are nothing more then parasites whose sole contribution to society is criticize other peoples work.
To me someone being more useless than that is pretty much impossible.
Only more five hours until I see the movie.
I like Ebert. Some film critics can get really nasty and personal. He generally doesn’t sucumb to that mentality and ought to be applauded for being a little more thoughtful.
But I’d probably take his “reduced to loud and colorful action” criticism a little more seriously if he didn’t love Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace so much.
In his other Trek reviews, Ebert often takes issue with Star Trek’s tacky special effects. Fair enough. But if you spend all your money on ILM ‘eye candy,’ of course it is going to distract from the storytelling. The gigantic space battles come at a price. He seems to forgive Star Wars for making this trade off, but not Star Trek. It is a bit inconsistent.
In four hours I will be sitting down in the London Imax (my first time in an Imax) and watching Star Trek…I am so excited that I barely slept last night! I cannot wait any longer for this film……
Toronto Sun gives it 4 out of 5.
http://www.torontosun.com/entertainment/columnists/jim_slotek/2009/05/07/9378691-sun.html
Toronto Star gave it four out of four!!! They called the movie “stunning”.
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/629737
[SPOILERS!!!!]
I saw the film yesterday in Berlin and I’m sorry to say, that it just wasn’t Star Trek for me anymore:
- more action scenes than character development
- noticeable cuts that leave you wtf? from time to time (Uhura’s relationship to you know who for example)
- Pine’s Kirk is loud, arrogant and cocky –> not really likable
- Kirk gets promoted from cadet to captain, whereas Spock and the rest of the crew just go on with their lives
- giant turbines and pipes in the engineering room
- FOUR warp cores???
- beaming from a planet/moon to a warping ship? Wasn’t even possible in the 24th century
- stardate has become the year
- too much flare effects and shaky hand cam for my taste
- messy special effects (Star Wars Episode III anyone?)
Sorry for the rant, but I don’t know if I saw the same movie so many people are so crazy about. for ME that was worse than Nemesis and The Final Frontier combined. :-(
The movie got four out of five stars from Montreal Gazette.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/Review/1570109/story.html
MORE APPEARANCES…
THURSDAY MORNING:
Leonard Nimoy: The Today Show (NBC)
Zachary Quinto: The Early Show (CBS)
FRIDAY MORNING:
Chris Pine: The Early Show (CBS)
Newsday, Long Island: ” 2 1/2 stars – lacks the heart and wit of its predecessors”
As for Roger Ebert – meh, I only agree with him about half the time, anyway…
Don’t know who this E’Bert guy is …? Always preferred Ernie.
31 F31!x: Me too. Have you been at the Cinema in Munich, too?
However, I didn’t like the movie. IMO JJ is just not a good director. He’s not able to tell a story visually like great directors are.
It wasn’t about canon violations (too many to even begin with, anyway) or changed characters – in fact I was suprised how easily I could accept all the changes.
It is the whole visual appearance of the movie which repels me. I’m quite a visual person, movies are a visual form of art, and so when my eyes feel insulted I cannot relate to a movie. Much too often I felt strangely reminded of the Galactica reboot and, even worse, of that unwatchable Flash Gordon TV reboot. JJ’s visual imagination just isn’t compatible with mine, it seems.
Another thing which bothered me a great deal is that sound extrapolation of spaceflight technology and science has gone down the drain completely here. Did they even hire a science consultant? I can’t imagine this JJ Trek will inspire anyone to pursue engineering or science, like TOS did.
Another surprise for me was the actual story. Without giving away spoilers, I think the story preceeding the time jump as it’s told in the movie is shaky at best (but haven’t read Countdown yet) if not outright ridiculous. But from then on the story really works. Kudos to Orci and Kurtzman. On the way home I read Foster’s novelization in the train and I found that I actually like the stuff as soon as JJ’s images are removed.
98 SteveH: I rate the movie worse than STV but still a good deal better than NEM (which is still the worst movie for me).
I give a maximum of 10 points to TMP and 9.5 to STII. Then NEM receives 0.5 points, ST09 1 point and STV 3 points.
Woooooooooooow saw Trek last night in Portsmouth! Was sensational! Loved it!! Easily 5 out of 5! Is amazing! The sound effects make me smile, most of the original ones are there! And half way through the Maru test WHAM nice suprise from the view screen :D
It is cracking!!!! Really good!!!! I had no beef with it at all, I think they pretty much wrap everything up, only thing is I want to see it again already!!! I loved it!!
Heeeeere come the reviews…
If you guys value my opinion at all (which I doubt xD) then don’t pay much attention to reviews. That’s what my parents always tell me. If you want to go see it, it doesn’t matter if a couple reviews aren’t so great. Go to the movie, judge it for yourself. X-Men Origins got crappy reviews, but half my school’s population still went to see it the first weekend. (probably an exaggeration, but you see my point.)
#94 :: “…He seems to forgive Star Wars for making this trade off, but not Star Trek. It is a bit inconsistent. … “
Keep in mind that Star Wars has a huge CURRENT fanbase following it. And it keeps… on… growing. A lot of people are partial to that, or to some other sci-fi film/series/etc… So it’s quite possibly he just plain likes Star Wars more than Star Trek. It happens.
Just saw it! F%$king awesome! That’s all there is to say.
Trek’s back baby.
Fear not, for I have discovered one constant in the universe: the more Ebert pans a movie, the better it actually is. Anything he gives two stars or less, usually gets moved to the top of my Netflix queue. LOL
I love Scottys backstory! Wow! Simon really did his research.The Kobayashi Maru is one of my favorite Trek novelizations.
BTW, Chris and Simon look like they could be brothers.
My husband and I will be at the 7 pm showing at AMC 24 Aventura Mall in Miami, FL.
Ebert’s review is no surprise at all; he’s never taken to Star trek and he can’t get over his prejudice. Good riddance.
My wife and I are hitting the 7pm IMAX show in Columbia,MD. Yippee!
THE WAIT IS OVER… in about 10.5 hours.. ;)
Well, I’m going to see it with my dad on Saturday (we could call it a tradition – we watched “The Man Trap” for the first time on Sept. 8, 1966, on a crappy black & white TV when I was six years old), and I expect to be surprised by the movie, despite all the spoilers and reviews. The reason why is that I don’t believe anything I read. :-) Seriously, it’s all someone else’s opinion, and I prefer to make up my own mind. But I do appreciate all the reasoned, well-written, objective write-ups I’ve seen, and I think the ones who scream “HATE IT” the loudest are simply trolling for effect. Those who reasonably state why they aren’t impressed, well, I respect their opinion, too.
Actually, I think my dad’s more excited (at 73 years old) to see the new movie than I am.
T- minus 6 hours 40 mins!!! oh my god :-))))
I already have my tickets for the IMAX at the Waterfront in Pittsburgh for the 7:15 show tomorrow. I have taken the day off of work just to watch movies and episodes all day long. As of 5:01PM today I will be in serious Trek party mode. I can’t wait!!
Dallas Morning News review of Trek 5/7/09:
Last paragraph:
Bottom Line. Star Trek is not just a great Sci-fi or summer movie. Star Trek is just a flat out Good Movie!
Rated: A
Is there a reason Tipsters are no longer individually thanked? I understand you get the same tip from more than one person, but perhaps acknowledging the first person to “tip in” would be nice like the olden days.
As I’ve noted in another thread, Ebert is so knowledgeable about “science fiction” in his review supposedly…
yet he can’t spell Arthur C. Clarke correctly! Wow, that’s some knowledge ya got there Roger.
The Washington Post has a glowing review as well. They structure it like a prayer to the “Lord of Star Trek”. See http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/06/AR2009050603913.html
Review from the Evening Herald in Ireland. High praise indeed.
http://listings.herald.ie/film-cinema/review/516
#98
I respect your honest opinion of the film. I’ll have to see for myself how the film is tomorrow, but it’s actually refreshing to see another point-of-view.
Haha! Star Trek is Sold Out at the IMAX Theater in Montreal at both the 7PM and 9:45 Shows!
RE: Tipsters
Right now there are so many tips coming in to the tipline it is hard to keep track, we will get back to the individual thanks when things calm down, but for most items we don’t have on our own there are multiple tipsters
I do appreciate everyone who sends in tips really but it is a little hard right now to keep track. If getting your name up there is the goal i am sorry for now.
Leonard Nimoy on The Today Show was a real hoot. Ann Curry was giddy as a school girl, she was totally in love with Spock. Al Roker was also about ready to wet himself.
If someone can find a clip of this interview, it’s a must watch for Star Trek fans.
I like Ebert and enjoy reading his reviews. It is obvious, however, that he doesn’t get warp drive. “Millions of galaxies” in a second? No, it is not that fast. And then he complains that it takes away from the awe at the vastness of space. It would if it worked as he thinks it works. Admittedly some movies and episodes have been inconsistent with it.
i like Star Wars too, but a one-man fighter being able to travel between solar systems is hardly realistic.
Trek Yourself is highly radical!
#122. I saw it this morning too. It was adorable to watch Ann Curry all a-flutter at meeting Mr. Nimoy. It brought tiny tears to the eye (not that they fell, of course) that people in the media are generally EXCITED about this movie. To hear Trek talked about positively on TV and in print is just a real treat. It’s a great time to be a Trek Fan!!!!!
somebody pass me some tranya…
okay, i just saw it and although you know i’ve always had the highest of hopes….
this was a disaster. the characters are all wrong and the enterprise looks like a dance studio. uhura as a white english teacher who falls in love with spock who is a choreographer? and the planets look like los angeles! the music (mostly R&B trash didn’t even have the goldsmith theme!) was very un-trek the romulans all drink cappacinos and everyone is doing a rhumba during the finale. the costumes looked like something out of “fame”! i am so disappointed in j.j and anyone else involved. a failure, worst trek ever.
oh, wait. i think i saw “love n’ dancing by accident.
never mind.
I am scared to death that RT has 78 ‘Fresh’ reviews out of 83. I’d rather see box-office wampum, counted, and banked.
“Wolverine” proves that popcorn moviegoers are out for mind-numbing escapist entertainment. $87m is not a bad opening weekend for a film which was almost universally panned by critics and fans.
I’m off to see this thing tonight. My first “Trek” premiere since ‘the one with the whales.’ I really, really want it to outmatch expectations, and lead speedily to more.
T’was better than I was expecting. Still some frankly stupid stuff that I can’t see getting through any creative team that was paying attention to what it was doing …
But some real moments in the film that worked well. I have to say though, it ends on a sour note, literally. The musical theme for this movie isn’t great to begin with, but then when someone tried overlaying it with the original theme …. DON’T WORK. Not even slightly. It’s completely atonal.
Noteworthy how EVERY crewmember was “Top of their class”, and “Head of the Xenolinguistics/Space-Boxing Club”.
Worse than TFF or NEM? Talk about implausible! :)
129: “Still some frankly stupid stuff that I can’t see getting through any creative team that was paying attention to what it was doing …”
I agree 100%.
CTV, Canada’s largest private broadcaster, called it the best Trek ever!!! Whooooooo!
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090506/ENT_review_star_trek_090507/20090507?hub=Entertainment
T-1 ooooh yeah :P
133: And? Was anything said about why this is supposed to be so?
135: OK, a tiny little bit is in the link. I withdraw my #135!
As for Movie Reviews, I rarely listen to them, unless the reviewer has lived a similar life style as I have (better odds of escaping a Black Hole) how are they going to frame how I value the contents of the movie.
How I value the movie is one of the ever shrinking freedoms I was born with. Now if they were to explain how their life developed to give them that view they have then it is only words, not values of opinion to me. I’d much rather judge attendance records than reviews. An average of the masses of views via money spending shows a better value that ones single voice or my personal viewing.
Randy H.#117- LMAO at the Washington Post review – thank you for the link. 7 more hours…
Good fan-made comic on the movie:
http://www.villagevoice.com/slideshow/view/8433105/1
How come nobody invited me as a special guest at the premiere?
Ebert? Space opera? So what? Trek has ALWAYS been space opera!
John from Cincinnati#140- Well, Leonardo called me up, told me I was his soulmate and asked me to accompany him, but I did not have a thing to wear…
I used to crawl the pubs in Aberdeen (never visit it)
No wonder Scotty was handy with his fists!
I must say though, while Doohans accent was a bit unusual, he sounds more Aberdonian than Lothian.
#139
Uh-oh…Harlan Ellison is going to sue them to kingdom come now! :P
Reading here that Ebert is influenced by his mood fits for me.
I’m a big Roger fan, and look to him for his take on things. But, now I can see where, in some cases, he just doesn’t get it (of course, in my view).
That’s OK. Just got done watching WNMHGB-R. Great stuff. Canon garbage all over the place. Watched the Romulan Incident. For little contact with Roms at the time, Spock sure new alot of Rom cutoms, even according to the Rom Cmdr.
Warping tonight at 7pm.
Sounds like fun.
#125
That interview made me laugh so hard. i can’t believe she was coming on to him that brazenly. I bet Nimoy was getting tomato red when she fondled his ear (!).
I like Roger Ebert but sometimes his reviews are very off. I remember him giving the movie “Spawn” 4 stars! The one review that surprised me is from Devin Faraci from chud.com. I use to go chud all the time but I finally had to stop because anytime there was a Star Trek related story they would go very negative and it was usually from Faraci. I was prepared for him to give the movie a negative review. But he actually gave it a 8 out of 10. Even though he still complains about the plot a bit.
http://chud.com/articles/articles/19332/1/REVIEW-STAR-TREK-DEVIN039S-TAKE/Page1.html
108
My father was in Gloucester, England on 02-14-1970. Things that make you go hmmmm. :)
I think folks are being a little hard on Ebert.
The guys is sick and dying, and i’m sure seeing young people getting ready for a whole series of movies he may never see leaves him a bit depressed.
He says its and fun and good Space Opera, so he’s right about that.
I have issue with reviewers claiming there’s little thought in the film. While the thoughtful elements aren’t in your face and attached to the main plot (or threat) like V’ger. It is peppered throughout , integrated into the characters story arcs, more like TWOK.
Hey all, I just got back from a screening in the UK and i have to say, the film was amazing! Just as Trek should be – back at the top of sci-fi!
Just got back from my first viewing!! Exceeded my expectations in every way, Star Trek is back!! Only one problem, since i first heard about this going into production I”ve visited trekmovie everyday, waiting for news pics etc., now what do i have to wait for!!!!! :-))
ATTENTION CANADIAN TREKKIES!
Bruce Greenwood will be on CBC’s talk show ‘The Hour’ tonight!!! Check your local listings!
Ebert is a douche…can i say that Anthony? I lost respect for him years ago. I mean, come on, he gives Trek (which everyone else is praising) 2.5 and gave The Phantom Menace ( and a menace it was) 4 I believe. What a moron.
SPOILERS to our West Coast viewers …
Nimoy’s Top 10 … and I am always grateful whenever he doesn’t wear those feminine weird oversized beads and just appears on TV as a real dude … what was up with that dude in that weird stage of life when he would paint and photograph naked ladies (cool) and then go through so much effort to try to look like one? Hope he’s over it.
————————-
TOP 10 lines never delivered in a STAR TREK film – by Leonard Nimoy …
I really hate Letterman and can’t wait to turn the channel. I do this for you. Even worse than how I despise Kimmel. Jay Leno? He’s da’ bomb.
————————
Here’s the list: (after political crap by Letterman that is truly unfunny and truly uninspirational) (people actually waste their time with this show? Paramount’s boss Viacom actually owns this crap?)
————————
10) (as Nimoy gets standing ovation) … Warp factor 8 ! Arby’s closes in 10 minutes!
9) We’re entering a breach in the space-time contium … or a wormhole … or some crazy crap like that!
8) Set phasers to Fabulous!
7) Welcome aboard the starship Enterprise. Today’s in-flight movie is Big Mamma’s house II
6) We’ve been hijacked by Somali pirates
5) Sir – I’m going to need Saturday off to attend my Nephew’s Bar-Mitzvah!
4) My big baby Dady is a Vulcan – on the next Mario!
3) The Enterprise just hit a goose – we’re going to have to land in the Hudson!
2) Live long, and prosper, and keep on hanging and banging!
1) I find your choice of hairpiece highly illogical …
148
Yeah, but where was he 9 months earlier?
:-D
154: I love Letterman, but this Top 10 displays zero knowledge of Star Trek. Looks like a revamped airlines-related list.