Articles by John Tenuto

Review: Star Trek Into Darkness Sound Track

While Star Trek films have had 8 different directors (Wise, Meyer, Nimoy, Shatner, Carson, Frakes, Baird, and Abrams), the composer club is slightly more exclusive with six (Goldsmith, Horner, Rosenman, Eidelman, McCarthy, and Giacchino). It is arguable that amongst all the behind the scenes artists, the composer has the most power to influence the emotional energy of a film, perhaps even more than the director or cinematographer. The music influences what the audience feels, and when it is done right, it enhances the actor’s performances, the director’s vision, and the cinematographer’s created mood. When the music fails to resonate, it harms a film through distraction or obvious manipulation. Michael Giacchino’s music for Star Trek Into Darkness is one of the former soundtracks, helping to enhance the story and giving STID additional emotional life. Hit the jump for our full review of the Star Trek Into Darkness sound track.


TrekMovie Review: Personalized 3D Star Trek Figurines from Cubify

Star Trek figurines have been a staple of fan collections since the 1970s, with companies making everything from paint-your-own Star Trek: The Motion Picture plastic figurines to brand new resin Gorn figurines from the Star Trek Video Game. Advances in 3D Printing technology, however, have made it possible for fans to now become Star Trek figurines themselves. TrekMovie looks at the results.


Hasbro Star Trek Line Unveiled At Toy Fair – Possibly Revealing Some Into Darkness Clues

Yesterday we reported the outline of Hasbro’s plans for Star Trek this spring, and today the company revealed their line at the Toy Fair in New York. The line covers toys for both Star Trek in general as well as speicific toys for the upcoming Star Trek Into Darkness movie. And some of the toys may provide some clues about the Into Darkness movie. More details, images and analysis below.  .   





TenutoBlog: Making The Case For Identifying The Star Trek Into Darkness Villain

Even with the reveal of the villain’s name in Star Trek Into Darkness, the speculation continues, with some even growing openly frustrated. Today TrekMovie contributor and Star Trek history expert John Tenuto takes a look at all the talk along with a look at Trek history, and comes to his own conclusion. Read his detailed case below (with possible spoilers).


Review: Star Trek: The Next Generation Theater Event + LeVar Burton Defends Wil Wheaton At NYC Event

Last night CBS and Fathom Entertainment held special one night only theater screenings of two episodes from the first season of Star Trek: The Next Generation. This celebration of the 25th anniversary of the show was also a way to promote today’s release of the first season of the show on Blu-ray. TrekMovie’s John Tenuto share’s his thoughts on the event with a recap and review, including some tidbits shown that aren’t on the S1 release. Also find out what LeVar Burton had to say about Wesley when he attended the NYC screening.



REVIEW: Star Trek: The Motion Picture Complete Score

“There is no comparison!” was the tagline for Star Trek: The Motion Picture, presumably a reference to 1977’s Star Wars. While certainly debatable whether true, the tagline is arguably applicable to the treatment given to Jerry Goldsmith’s soundtrack with the new LaLa Land Records’ Star Trek: The Motion Picture Limited Edition 3CD set. TrekMovie details the release in this new review.



Review: Star Trek First Contact Complete Motion Picture Score

The original 1996 soundtrack for Star Trek: First Contact was limited to about 45 minutes, and as such, much of the music was excised. Now, GNP Crescendo’s Star Trek: First Contact Complete Motion Picture Soundtrack restores the entire soundtrack, giving fans the chance to listen to isolated tracks never before available. TrekMovie.com makes contact with the CD to provide this review of Jerry (and Joel) Goldsmith’s compositions for one Star Trek’s best loved feature films. 


Review: Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Ron Jones Project

In the last couple of years we have seen a renaissance in expanded releases of Star Trek music, including the Star Trek VI complete soundtrack announced earlier this week. One of the best of these releases has been Film Score Monthly's "Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Ron Jones Project." We have been remiss in not putting out a detailed review, but that ends today. See below to find out what is in this epic 14-disc set.


Guide To Star Trek Conventions & Events For March-May

Before the big summer convention season, there are many great Star Trek themed events, both fan run and official, to keep us busy between now and the end of May. Today we present a (non-exhaustive) list of some of Star Trek related events for March, April and May. Some events are free, others have a cost. Please check with the event promoters for schedule changes and ticket policies if any and to confirm all times, dates, guests, and other details. Engage!


New Commercial & Details For Shatner’s One Man Broadway Show [UPDATE: US Tour Dates Announced]

Yesterday, we learned that William Shatner’s Priceline.com Negotiator character is being retired. But that doesn’t mean the Shat will ever retire! A new commercial for the “William Shatner’s World: We Just Live in It” Broadway one man show is now available. Watch it below, along with more info on the show. 


Priceline Says Goodbye To Shatner’s “Negotiator” – Watch Final Ad

It looks like Star Trek’s William Shatner is saying goodbye to another character — who is literally going out in a heroic blaze of glory. Today Priceline released what they are calling the final ad featuring Shatner as "The Negotiator," and they may even be ending their relationship with the actor who helped launch the brand in the 90s. We also have a retrospective of some of Shat’s best Priceline spots.


Remembering The Collectibles Of Star Trek: Voyager

It was January 16, 1995 when the premiere episode of Star Trek Voyager, titled “Caretaker,” premiered with nearly 14 million fans tuned to the UPN network’s very first show. From 1995 to 2001, Voyager produced almost 170 episodes and brought new demographics to Star Trek audiences. It also brought a variety of collectibles. To celebrate the premiere of Voyager 17 years ago, TrekMovie time travels through the years to look at some of the collectibles based on the show and its characters.


The Collective: New Star Trek Snow Globes + New Look At TNG Cloth Figures

Following the news of the new ThinkGeek items, this week  is turning out to be a good week for Star Trek collectors. We now have news of a new line of Star Trek snow globes coming from Willabee & Ward. Also Diamond Select Toys has sent us details and a new image of the first retro cloth Star Trek The Next Generation figures, which are now available for pre-order.


Watch: Leonard Nimoy Talks To Steve Wozniak About Universal Translators

Earlier this week Star Trek’s original Mr. Spock attended the IDG DEMO Enterprise event in San Franciso, where he sat down on stage with Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. At one point during the discussion, Nimoy asked where are the universal translators, like the ones he used on Star Trek. See video of that exchange and more below.


Remembering The Collectibles Of Star Trek Deep Space Nine

January 3, 1993, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine premiered with the two hour television movie “The Emissary.” Today, TrekMovie celebrates by remembering some of the variety of collectibles available during the past 19 years, which allowed fans to make Star Trek “deep space mine!” Time travel with us through the decades to see some of the items made based on DS9 and its amazing characters.     


ShatWatch: Bill Headed To Broadway, Betty White, Tonight Show, Cookie Jar & More In 2012

William Shatner has a busy 2012 planned, and he’s bringing us on the ride! In the next few week’s Bill is headed to Broadway, The Tonight Show and Betty White. There are also new Shatner products (like a Kirk cookie jar) and new Shatner videos. ShatWatch returns with a look at William Shatner’s newest adventures as only he can live them!


Video and Pix Of Paramount Rose Parade Float With USS Enterprise

As reported earlier, Paramount Pictures had their first float today as part of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade. Celebrating their centennial, the studio’s float featured some icons from Paramount films, including the USS Enterprise soaring over the Paramount mountain and gate. See video and images of the float below.



TrekIn2011: Best Star Trek Merchandise Of The Year

Today TrekMovie begins its look back at the year that was. 2011 was a year of Trekversaries, from the 45th anniversary of the premiere of the original show to the 20th and 25th anniversaries of the sixth and fourth Star Trek movies. To celebrate, Star Trek fans had options among many items to collect. TrekMovie presents its annual “best of” Star Trek collectibles winners for the year.


Listen To Rare Star Trek Radio Special From 1982

TrekMovie has a great piece of Star Trek history to share with you today. Our resident historian John Tenuto has unearthed a rare radio program promoting the release of Star Trek II in 1982 which featured interviews with William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, Nichelle Nichols, George Takei, Walter Koenig, Ricardo Montalban, and more. Listen to it below.






Video Interview/Preview For Shatner’s “Seeking Major Tom” Album + Bill Going On Canadian Tour

Star Trek’s William Shatner is about to drop his new record "Seeking Major Tom" where he collaborates with all sorts of rockers doing a number of sci-fi themed cover songs. Watch a promotional video below where Shatner talks about the album and reveals some sample tunes. And if that wasn’t enough, Shatner is going on the road (in Canada eh) with an "Evening with William Shatner" tour. Get all the details below.