Articles by Anthony Pascale

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Trek Franchise | February 18, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 102 comments so far

History Channel Airing Trek Documentaries – Reviews Not So Good

The History Channel is taking a break from its regular schedule of shows on ancient Rome and World War II to take a look at the history of Star Trek. They are running two documentaries, the first of which ‘Star Trek Tech’ will air tonight (Sunday) at 9pm. ‘Tech’ is a regular show that devotes each episode the the technology of a particular time period or event or in this case a fictional universe. The second and bigger documentary is ‘Star Trek: Beyond the Final Frontier’, a two hour retrospective on Trek hosted by Leonard Nimoy (airing Monday at 9 pm). ‘Beyond the Final Frontier’ focuses much of its attention on the Christies auction and includes interviews with actors from each of the Trek series, but notably not William Shatner. There are already some reviews in on the longer doc and so far they are mixed at best.

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TOS Remastered | February 17, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 43 comments so far

Remastered “Amok Time” Airs Today – T’Bring It On

Pon Farr has got Spock feelin’ frisky and to make it worse he has to fight Kirk to work it out of his system. Preview | Episode Info | Show times Another Trek classic with some of the best Kirk, Spock, McCoy character moments. Plus probably most memorable score of the series. This week doesnt offer CBS Digital with much to work with, but what they have they are really going to town on… New matte painting replacing live action ‘troika’ walk to arena on Vulcan New matte painting replacing live action establishing shot of arena plus a few Enterprise shots including some around planet Vulcan

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Interview, TOS Remastered | February 16, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 30 comments so far

Spinrad Talks TOSR Doomsday – Plus A New VideoBlog On ‘Saving Star Trek’

Norman Spinrad, the writer of "The Doomsday Machine" has now seen the new remastered version and  gave some of his reactions to TrekMovie.com. TrekMovie.com: What did you think of it?Norman Spinrad: I haven’t watched it at all for a while and it is a strange experience. My first take is that everything looked cleaner – not just the effects but the whole episode looked cleaned up. For the new special effects it seems the biggest change is that they seem to be able to do motion a lot better. Things are moving in a more complicated way. The doomsday machine isn’t that different. The way I conceived it, it was something else. It should look both alive and robotic..and neither the new or the old looked either.

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ST09 Cast | February 16, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 24 comments so far

McAvoy Still Talking Trek – Hopes Trek XI Will Show The Man Behind Scotty

James McAvoy is again kind of sort of hinting that maybe there is something to the rumor that he may be involved in Star Trek XI. In a new interview with ComingSoon.net the subject of Trek came up: CS: I was reading on the Internet about someone asking you about playing Scotty in a Star Trek movie, probably just because you’re Scottish. McAvoy: I know! I’m a huge Star Trek fan. No, I don’t know what’s going to happen with that. It might happen, it might not.

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TNG | February 14, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 104 comments so far

Stewart: Star Trek Was A ‘Calamity’

Patrick Stewart seems to be continuing to distance himself from Star Trek and Jean Luc Picard. In an interview with The Stage, the veteran actor talks about the life changing event in 1986 when he choose to  do Star Trek: The Next Generation instead of taking a role in "Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf" on the London stage.    I was a different actor after that — doing that kind of play, and finally being able to make truth of an emotional commitment to a role like that in such a small, exposing theatre, with the support of three magnificent actors [Billie Whitelaw, Saskia Reeves and Matthew Marsh], made all the difference to me. The calamity that then happened to me was that I was offered Star Trek: The Next Generation. […]It did change many, many things, and I’m immensely grateful for that. I have worked hard not in any sense to feel they were wasted years —though time is a factor in all of this, and I now have a lot of catching up to do. I feel that acutely — not that there have been lost opportunities, but that there are things I might have done and I’ve got to do a lot of them quickly now.

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1-18-08/Cloverfield, Abrams, Rumor | February 13, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 30 comments so far

More Rumors: Abrams To Direct Dark Tower Adaptation? [UPDATED: Rumor somewhat confirmed]

The ‘Abrams is going to direct another movie’ rumors keep flying. Now IGN is reporting that Abrams will direct an adaptation of the Stephen King series "The Dark Tower." IGN claim their sources indicate an announcement is forthcoming, but are not sure if the project is for TV or film. Dark Tower is a popular 7 book series that mixes elements of sci-fi, fantasy and westerns. IGN speculate that the Dark Tower project may related to the previously reported mysterious "Cloverfield" project. TrekMovie.com has recently confirmed that Abrams does have multiple projects in the works (including one called Cloverfield) and that he is still considering directing Trek XI. Sources close to the production indicate that Trek XI news should also be forthcoming. Hopefully soon all the various Abrams projects and his involvement will be clarified. Even if Abrams does not direct Trek XI, all indications are that he will still produce and that the project is still moving forward (but is yet to get the official ‘green light’). UPDATE: Hollywood Repoter confirms talks between King and Abrams

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Humor, TOS Remastered, TrekMovie.com | February 12, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 81 comments so far

CBS Digital Guys Use TrekMovie.com To Play Prank On Boss

We all know that "Doomsday" was the big one for CBS-Digital, and that Special Effects Supervisor Niel Wray went a bit grey getting it finished. Well the effects team thought they would play a little prank on Niel and try and convince him that eagle eyed TrekMovie.com readers spotted an error in the final product (in the trailer). To that end they recreated a fake version of TrekMovie.com with a faked trailer and some rewritten comments…

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Feature Films (TMP-NEM), Nimoy | February 12, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 56 comments so far

Nimoy Wanted STIV To “Lighten Up” – OK Being Typecast

Leonard Nimoy has had a long and successful career and now says he can trace much of that success back to Star Trek. In a new interview with FatFreeFilms he talks about how Trek opened up many opportunities for him to both act and direct. After directing Star Trek III, Nimoy went on to direct a number of films including the hit comedy 3 Men and a Baby. Regarding humor, the man who portrayed the original emotionless Vulcan talks about why he wanted Star Trek IV to have a sense of humor:  when we developed Star Trek IV I said going in "this film has to lighten up". We have been dealing with death and destruction in these Star Trek movies and we have had enough of that. Spock died and Kirk’s son died and the Klingons were all being killed, and I said "Enough – lets find a way to have a lighter tone. In spite of the fact that Earth is being jeopardized we have got to find some humor." And I think we did.

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TOS Remastered | February 10, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 81 comments so far

Remastered “The Doomsday Machine” Airs Today – as if you didn’t know

Kirk and crew find a weapon of mass destruction, and an unshaven superior officer obsessed with taking it down.  Preview | Ep. Info | Show times A classic if there ever was one. CBS have been working on this for months with over 100 new effects shots, you will see… Lots of shots of the Enterprise including multiple shots of weapons firing A seriously messed up USS Constellation A big scary planet killer A shuttle and shuttle bay and all of the above from some new angles

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TOS Remastered | February 9, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 35 comments so far

Spinrad On The Transparent Doomsday Machine

Some have noted that CBS’s new CGI Doomsday machine doesn’t have that partially translucent look of the original. Well their reasoning is simple, it was never supposed to have it. Mike Okuda tells TrekMovie.com that he talked to the the original writer for the episode Norman Spinrad about this issue. According to Mike, here is what Spinrad had to say: It was a glitch, not at all intentional. The FX was really primitive, simple blue screen stuff, which is why you can also see fringes around a lot of spaceships and so forth against star backgrounds.

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1-18-08/Cloverfield, Abrams, STXI Status | February 9, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 23 comments so far

Abrams & Trek XI Update

This has been a busy week for JJ Abrams and Trek XI rumors, here is what we know. The decision on the green light for Trek XI is still pending, but things look good for it to start pre-production in the coming weeks. Multiple sources close to the production tell TrekMovie.com that Abrams is still involved in Trek XI as well as other projects at Paramount as part of his multi picture deal. We have learned that one of these other projects is a horror film called "Cloverfield", but (contrary to rumors) it should have not impact Star Trek XI. We can also confirm that it is not related to a ghost story script called "The Battle for Cloverfield" which was to be made by Columbia before going dormant in 2003. Many of the preparations for Star Trek XI are already underway with inquiries on availability going out to various crew people. The art department is slated to start going in March, with set construction probably starting in late Spring. We have also been told that as many as 5 stages have been set aside for Star Trek XI, all of which have been used for Trek TV and film projects in the past. There is no word yet on Abrams directing, but that decision should be made soon. Again this is Hollywood so things can change, but that is the status as of now.

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Merchandise | February 8, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 9 comments so far

Star Trek Goes Mobile

CBS have launched the "CBS Mobile Store" providing exclusive content from CBS shows for mobile phones. Included in that are 12 Star Trek ringtone/voicetones and 15 wallpapers. For now the sounds are primarily from TOS and the images span all series. The wallpapers cost $1.99 and tones go for $2.49, or you can subscribe and get 3 CBS tones and 1 graphic for $6.49/month. Check em out at CBSMobile.com. Also in iTunes news – The Trek TV episodes (from Star Trek: The Original Series and Star Trek: Enterprise) are temporarily not available due to technical difficulties. The Trek films are still available.  

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1-18-08/Cloverfield, Abrams, Rumor, STXI Status | February 7, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 94 comments so far

Abrams Still On For Star Trek XI – May Still Direct

Again with the rumors. Latino Review (who pushed last week’s debunked rumor that Abrams has left the project) have now morphed their rumor into saying that Abrams will not direct Star Trek XI, but will direct a different film called "Cloverfield" for Paramount. TrekMovie.com have been told by a source close to the production that this rumor is "so totally wrong". Abrams is still attached to the project as producer, the film is still going forward, and preperation are being made (including a number of stages being set aside). No decision or deal (either way) has yet been made regarding if Abrams will be directing the film. In addition Abrams confirmed to AICN that he is ‘not off Trek’.Some of this confusion may be due to the fact that Abrams has a multi-picture deal with Paramount; in fact Greg Grunberg recently told IGN Abrams had 3 projects going at the studio right now. As we have been reporting, this month may be where many of the big decisions on Trek are made so expect more rumors and more fact checking here at TrekMovie.com. And of course, things change so take it all in with the usual grains of salt.

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ST09 Cast | February 6, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 24 comments so far

McAvoy Being Coy About Scotty Role

After a report in a Scottish tabloid about James McAvoy playing Scotty, TrekMovie.com reported McAvoy’s publicist stated the actor had not been approached for the role. At the time it was noted that even if he hadn’t been officially approached, there still may be some interest. Now in an interview with IESB McAvoy puts a little more wood on the rumor fire. When asked specifically if he had been approached he cryptically says "not in so many words." To add more confusion, the first time TrekMovie made inquiries on this subject we were told by some one in his camp that he had been approached, but then were told later (by his publicist) that he had not been. Until Trek XI has a budget it is unlikely that actors would be officially appraoched (especially for secondary roles). One thing is clear from the McAvoy interview, he is a real Star Trek fan (see below). 

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Abrams, STXI Status | February 5, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 41 comments so far

Grunberg: Trek XI Script Being Finished – Abrams ‘really, really happy with it’

J.J. Abrams best friend Greg Grunberg is giving William Shatner a run for his money on being the best blabber about Star Trek XI. IGN caught up with the Heroes star and he told them that he doesn’t have the script yet, but that Abrams "was finishing it last week". On the subject of the day regarding if Abrams will direct or not, Grunberg noted how the answer keeps changing: One week he tells me he’s not sure. One week, he told me, ‘No. I’m definitely just producing.’ And then just last week he was like, ‘Man, I’m really excited to do it.’ I said, ‘Are you doing it?’ He said, ‘I don’t know.’ I mean, honestly, it’s like he’s still really up in the air. But he’s really happy with the script. I know that. Really, really happy.   

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Abrams, STXI Status | February 5, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 105 comments so far

Big Decision Week For Star Trek XI?

TrekMovie.com has already reported that February is the point where Trek XI could move from ‘development’ to getting a green light (or not) and going into pre-production. In the last few weeks we have been getting various reports from sources around the studio that things are progressing and preperations are already being made to start some preliminary work the coming weeks. Now comes this from today’s Hollywood Reporter: Over at Paramount Pictures, for example, there is now a question whether J.J. Abrams will direct "Star Trek XI." …Although Paramount is hopeful that Abrams will captain the Starship Enterprise, sources said the director likely will make his decision later this week.

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TrekMovie.com | February 4, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 123 comments so far

The Future of TrekMovie.com

Later this month TrekMovie.com will reach its 6 month anniversary. In its short life TrekMovie.com has quickly become the leading site for news and information for the world Star Trek. It has also attracted an active community of dedicated fans who can discuss their favorite franchise in an open minded and thoughtful way. The success of the site is due to a focus on exclusive content and the diversity and quality of our writer contributors. As we move towards the second half of our first year it is now time to start thinking about where to go from here. Below is some of the current thinking presented as both a ‘heads up’ as well as an opportunity for feedback. I know some Trekkies are often resistant to change, but there is always room for improvement. 

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TOS Remastered | February 3, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 52 comments so far

Remastered “Journey to Babel” Airs Today

Kirk takes ill and Spock takes command, but he has to deal wtih bickering diplomats, attacking Orions and a nagging mother. Preview | Ep. Info | Show times This history-laden episode introduces Sarek, Andorians and Tellarites to the Trek universe. There are a good number of effects shots, expect new effects for… Planet Vulcan Shuttles and Shuttle bay A brand new design for the Orion ship Many shots of the Enterprise, including firing phasers and photons

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TOS Remastered | February 2, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 67 comments so far

TOS-R Producers Talk Doomsday and More

StarTrek.com have put up a new interview with the Trek Remastered producers Dave Rossi, Denise Okuda and Mike Okuda. Here are some highlights   The "Doomsday" planet killer will ‘honor the original concept’, but have a new ‘cool animation effect’ The Machine doesn’t have "bristling weapons” (desired by original writer that didn’t end up in original design) because they don’t want to "stray too far from the familiar elements" Many changes in the project can’t be made due to time, such as ( Kirk’s tombstone ‘T’ and Gary Mitchell’s screens) Hope to change all chronometer shots to match new one in "The Naked Time” Impulse engines not always glowing is due to only showing them glow them when Enterprise is ‘stepping on the gas’ Think Gene Roddenberry and Matt Jeffries would like the project The Ent may fire red phasers if they have to match live action shots (like in "Who Mourns For Adonais?”)

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ST09 Cast | February 2, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 58 comments so far

Interview: Chris Doohan Wants To Fill His Father’s Space Boots

When Chris Doohan, the son of the original Scotty James Doohan, saw reports that Paramount is looking for a new Scotty he decided he should throw his hat into the ring. To that end Chris has started a grassroots campaign asking fans to write Paramount and suggest a Doohan for the iconic engineer. Chris tells TrekMovie.com that the idea actually came from fans: "In the back of my mind I thought this would be kind of neat to be in the movie, but never thought as the role of Scotty. Then a lot people on MySpace kept saying I should try it, and so I thought what the heck I will give it a try." Even though he has just started the campaign he says that he has got hundreds of responses from people saying they have written to Paramount on his behalf. Doohan has been surprised at how much interest his campaign has garnered, but is still realistic about his chances, saying "it is probably a shot in the dark and I know my chances aren’t good, but it is something you throw out there into the universe and see what comes back"

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Rumor, ST09 Cast | February 2, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 11 comments so far

McAvoy NOT Approached For Scotty

Just a quick follow-up to last week’s article on James McAvoy playing Scotty in Star Trek XI. TrekMovie.com has spoken to McAvoy’s publicist Rupert Fowler and he says there is no truth to the original story in the Sunday Mail. "He has not been approached there have been no meetings or conversations," says Fowler. He suggested that the rumor may stem from McAvoy being a "massive Star Trek fan" and since he is Scottish someone just put those things together and voila…a good rumor. It is of course still possible that someone at Paramount is considering McAvoy but has yet to contact him. However TrekMovie has also not been able to get any confirmation of this rumor from the Paramount side, and are told that no one is being signed until after the film gets a budget.

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Rumor, Star Trek (2009 film) | February 1, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 18 comments so far

Trouble Between JJ and Paramount Rumor Debunked [UPDATED]

There is a disturbing rumor going around that there has been some falling out between JJ Abrams and Paramount regarding Star Trek XI, and that JJ Abrams may no longer be involved in the project. TrekMovie.com heard this rumor earlier today, then Latino Review ran a story on it and some other sites followed. After looking into it, multiple sources close to the production tell TrekMovie the rumor is not true. In addition JJ Abrams has personally debunked the rumor as ‘false’ via a Blackberry message to Harry Knowles of AICN. UPDATE: IGN also say it is BS …so thats that.