* Entertainment Weekly has posted its Star Trek Into Darkness cover story from last week's print issue, in which director J.J. Abrams talks about the sequel, taking on Star Wars, and more.
* Startrek.com talks to actor Richard Herd, who you may remember as the head lizard on V in the 1980s, or more recently as Tom Paris's father on Star Trek: Voyager. Herd is another character actor whose love of Star Trek comes as a pleasant surprise. I always assume it's just a job for most actors; when it turns out it really means something to them, that's nice to know, and probably explains the quality of Herd's performances in Trek. Update: Here's part two.
* 10 facts about Spock Must Die, the first real Star Trek novel, which was written by James Blish. A pretty indispensable piece of Star Trek history, Spock Must Die always struck me as about as canonical as the very best animated series episodes.
* Mick Martin has posted the fourth in his series of review of Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes I told him were awesome. Perhaps coincidentally, Mick covers three truly great episodes in this batch, and also kindly links to this blog.
* For some reason, they're re-releasing ST: TNG on regular, non-hi-def DVD, at a lower price point but with hideously designed packaging. This seems like a huge mis-step from multiple points of view.
* I have a review copy of Stuck on Star Trek, but I can't work up the whimsy to crack it open. If you're the type who enjoys goofy stuff like this, I bet you'll love it. Certainly it recalls such kitschy 1970s' fare like ColorForms and the animated Star Trek series.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Friday, February 15, 2013
Captain's Log: Stardate 021613
* William Shatner talks about Star Trek, his new animated film Escape from Planet Earth, possibly appearing on The Big Bang Theory and more in a new interview with Collider.
* There's some impressive footage in this making-of video about the forthcoming Star Trek video game.
* Here's a preview of the upcoming Star Trek Visual Dictionary. Speaking of previews, here's a rundown of IDW's May Star Trek comics, which includes the first post-Into Darkness issue of the ongoing new-timeline series.
* The remastered version of Star Trek: The Next Generation's classic two-parter The Best of Both Worlds is coming to theaters ahead of its Blu-ray release. Why do they always do these things on a weeknight?
* Hi-res versions of some recent images from Star Trek Into Darkness.
* 38 things you can learn from the commentary track to Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
* 41 minutes of all-era Star Trek bloopers. Glorious.
* There's some impressive footage in this making-of video about the forthcoming Star Trek video game.
* Here's a preview of the upcoming Star Trek Visual Dictionary. Speaking of previews, here's a rundown of IDW's May Star Trek comics, which includes the first post-Into Darkness issue of the ongoing new-timeline series.
* The remastered version of Star Trek: The Next Generation's classic two-parter The Best of Both Worlds is coming to theaters ahead of its Blu-ray release. Why do they always do these things on a weeknight?
* Hi-res versions of some recent images from Star Trek Into Darkness.
* 38 things you can learn from the commentary track to Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
* 41 minutes of all-era Star Trek bloopers. Glorious.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Captain's Log: Stardate 021313
* Los Angeles is the site of a full cast reunion of Star Trek: The Next Generation this weekend. It seems like TNG's cast, of all the Star Trek series, have the most respect and affection for each other. Look at the joy and love on the faces of Sir Patrick Stewart and Jonathan Frakes in the photo accompanying the story linked above. I think that's pretty rare in as competitive a place as Hollywood, and it's heartening to see.
* At i09, a scientist inspired by Star Trek discusses how futurists can affect the future.
* The new Star Trek video game coming out in April promises an unprecedented chance to explore the Enterprise. That sounds pretty amazing. Wish I liked video games or had the patience to learn.
* One of the cornerstones of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's reputation as a quality series is the brilliantly-realized episode "Far Beyond The Stars." Here's a look back, celebrating the challenging and affecting episode's 15th anniversary.
* Speaking of DS9, here's a rundown of what's on the newly-released four-disc soundtrack to the series.
* Writer Peter David, who has a slew of quality Star Trek novels on his considerable resume, has returned home after suffering a stroke recently; here's an update on how he's doing.
* At i09, a scientist inspired by Star Trek discusses how futurists can affect the future.
* The new Star Trek video game coming out in April promises an unprecedented chance to explore the Enterprise. That sounds pretty amazing. Wish I liked video games or had the patience to learn.
* One of the cornerstones of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's reputation as a quality series is the brilliantly-realized episode "Far Beyond The Stars." Here's a look back, celebrating the challenging and affecting episode's 15th anniversary.
* Speaking of DS9, here's a rundown of what's on the newly-released four-disc soundtrack to the series.
* Writer Peter David, who has a slew of quality Star Trek novels on his considerable resume, has returned home after suffering a stroke recently; here's an update on how he's doing.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Captain's Log: Stardate 021113
* Entertainment Weekly showcases five new images from Star Trek Into Darkness. Click through after the fifth one for a few of the previously-released pics from the film as well.
* I've never been much of a model builder, but this Revell 1/500th scale Enterprise looks beautiful. The Star Trek Into Darkness Kre-O toys, not so much. I'm hoping for a line of 6-inch STID action figures like we got for the previous film in '09, but those did not seem to sell all that well, and I haven't heard anything about new figures for the new movie. I did get a full set of Playmates 6-inchers from last time around, but Uhura was tough to find and pricier than the rest. Not that she isn't worth it.
* "He's not playing Khan." Actress Alice Eve, the new Carol Marcus, has flat-out denied that Benedict Cumberbatch is portraying the guy who stole Marcus's Genesis Device in the original Star Trek timeline. And with that, I think I am officially exhausted by the question of who Cumberbatch's character may or may not be, as much as I am looking forward to Star Trek Into Darkness.
* Toy Fair 2013 is underway in New York City. Here's a look at all the Star Trek merchandise being promoted at the event. None of it really sends me over the moon -- I find Diamond's "dynamic" six-inch Trek figures particularly disappointing -- but I have to admit that those retro alarm clocks featuring Gold Key artwork look like a fun item.
* I've never been much of a model builder, but this Revell 1/500th scale Enterprise looks beautiful. The Star Trek Into Darkness Kre-O toys, not so much. I'm hoping for a line of 6-inch STID action figures like we got for the previous film in '09, but those did not seem to sell all that well, and I haven't heard anything about new figures for the new movie. I did get a full set of Playmates 6-inchers from last time around, but Uhura was tough to find and pricier than the rest. Not that she isn't worth it.
* "He's not playing Khan." Actress Alice Eve, the new Carol Marcus, has flat-out denied that Benedict Cumberbatch is portraying the guy who stole Marcus's Genesis Device in the original Star Trek timeline. And with that, I think I am officially exhausted by the question of who Cumberbatch's character may or may not be, as much as I am looking forward to Star Trek Into Darkness.
* Toy Fair 2013 is underway in New York City. Here's a look at all the Star Trek merchandise being promoted at the event. None of it really sends me over the moon -- I find Diamond's "dynamic" six-inch Trek figures particularly disappointing -- but I have to admit that those retro alarm clocks featuring Gold Key artwork look like a fun item.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Captain's Log: Stardate 020913
* Here's a full rundown of the contents of the Blu-ray releases of Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 3 and The Best of Both Worlds, coming in April. The Best of Both Worlds was originally a two-parter that bridged seasons 3 and 4, ending with the unforgettable cliffhanger in which Picard had been transformed into Locutus, spokesman for the Borg as they attempted to assimilate humankind.
* I think it's smart that they're releasing BOBW as a standalone release, as the quality of the episodes merits such treatment, and it'll also likely convince some skeptics that TNG is worth picking up in Blu-ray. I bought the initial TNG Blu-ray sampler, and will certainly buy BOBW when it comes out, but I don't know if I have the money or the interest necessary to invest in the entire series in Blu-ray (or any other) format. There are episodes of TNG that I love dearly, but there are many more that I don't much care for. Perhaps it's a result of having seven seasons instead of three, but I could watch almost any episode of the original series and enjoy the time as well spent. I've bought the entire series on DVD, then again on Blu-Ray, and had probably a third of the episodes on VHS back before DVD became the thing. But I just don't have that same passion for the entirety of The Next Generation.
* I don't mean this as a condemnation of TNG; I watched the entire series in its original broadcasts, and love the characters and the actors who brought them to life. I would love to have an animated version of Star Trek: Countdown so that those actors could voice the great prequel to the 2009 movie that IDW published in comics form, a story that featured Picard, Data and other TNG characters to great effect, effectively a farewell to the TNG era, certainly a far better one than the last TNG movie, Star Trek Nemesis.
* So, yeah, Best of Both Worlds on Blu-ray? After the May release of Star Trek Into Darkness, that right there is the Star Trek Thing I Am Most Excited About in 2013.
* I think it's smart that they're releasing BOBW as a standalone release, as the quality of the episodes merits such treatment, and it'll also likely convince some skeptics that TNG is worth picking up in Blu-ray. I bought the initial TNG Blu-ray sampler, and will certainly buy BOBW when it comes out, but I don't know if I have the money or the interest necessary to invest in the entire series in Blu-ray (or any other) format. There are episodes of TNG that I love dearly, but there are many more that I don't much care for. Perhaps it's a result of having seven seasons instead of three, but I could watch almost any episode of the original series and enjoy the time as well spent. I've bought the entire series on DVD, then again on Blu-Ray, and had probably a third of the episodes on VHS back before DVD became the thing. But I just don't have that same passion for the entirety of The Next Generation.
* I don't mean this as a condemnation of TNG; I watched the entire series in its original broadcasts, and love the characters and the actors who brought them to life. I would love to have an animated version of Star Trek: Countdown so that those actors could voice the great prequel to the 2009 movie that IDW published in comics form, a story that featured Picard, Data and other TNG characters to great effect, effectively a farewell to the TNG era, certainly a far better one than the last TNG movie, Star Trek Nemesis.
* So, yeah, Best of Both Worlds on Blu-ray? After the May release of Star Trek Into Darkness, that right there is the Star Trek Thing I Am Most Excited About in 2013.
Friday, February 8, 2013
Captain's Log: Stardate 020813
* Rumours abound after Entertainment Weekly's coverage this week of Star Trek Into Darkness included a tag that could be giving away the long-held secret regarding the antagonist of the film, played by Benedict Cumberbatch. If you don't mind spoilers, or possibly being toyed with by Entertainment Weekly, click here to find out more.
* Here are the two Star Trek Into Darkness Entertainment Weekly covers, and a batch of new images from the film.
* One of my favourite guest stars on the original Star Trek was actor William Windom. His character, Commodore Matt Decker, makes a list of the worst captains in SF history.
* Did you see the spectacular new image of galaxy M106? Here's the equally-amazing story.
* Here are the two Star Trek Into Darkness Entertainment Weekly covers, and a batch of new images from the film.
* One of my favourite guest stars on the original Star Trek was actor William Windom. His character, Commodore Matt Decker, makes a list of the worst captains in SF history.
* Did you see the spectacular new image of galaxy M106? Here's the equally-amazing story.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Captain's Log: Stardate 020513
* In a video interview with Vanity Fair, Benedict Cumberbatch describes how he submitted his audition for Star Trek Into Darkness to director J.J. Abrams,
* The man my wife calls "The Fake Captain Kirk," actor Chris Pine, says he doesn't want Star Wars to interfere with J.J. Abrams directing the followup to Star Trek Into Darkness. I agree, and I like the fact that Pine cares enough to say something about it. I don't care if Abrams directs Star Wars, but I love what he's done with Trek and want many more such adventures.
* Actor Mark Allen Shepard reflects on his time playing Morn on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
* The man my wife calls "The Fake Captain Kirk," actor Chris Pine, says he doesn't want Star Wars to interfere with J.J. Abrams directing the followup to Star Trek Into Darkness. I agree, and I like the fact that Pine cares enough to say something about it. I don't care if Abrams directs Star Wars, but I love what he's done with Trek and want many more such adventures.
* Actor Mark Allen Shepard reflects on his time playing Morn on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Captain's Log: Stardate 020413
* Here's the Star Trek Into Darkness Superbowl commercial. Paramount supposedly paid nearly 4 mil to run this during "The Big Game." New, I think, is the Kirk "Who the hell are you?" exchange with the character played by Benedict Cumberbatch, who as you probably already know is Gary Mitchell, Khan, Robert April, or somebody. There's also some new shots of the ship apparently falling out of orbit. You have to hand it to Paramount, they certainly have kept Cumberbatch's character's true identity a secret for many months now while continuing to build excitement and anticipation for the new movie, which is out in theaters in May.
* Here's the trailer for Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 3 on Blu-ray. I haven't been buying these sets, but would be first in line for a best-of-TNG set that includes all the best episodes from all seven seasons.
* We got a Roku box a few weeks ago and I've been occasionally dipping into the vast storehouse of Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes on Hulu Plus. I watched "The Lower Decks" yesterday and was impressed by how well it was written and performed. Then at dinner, my son Aaron got off his X-Box long enough to watch "Rascals" with me. He got a huge grin out of the scene where 12-year-old Picard hugs Riker and calls him "Dad." A terrifically entertaining episode, directed by Leonard Nimoy's son Adam.
* Here's the trailer for Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 3 on Blu-ray. I haven't been buying these sets, but would be first in line for a best-of-TNG set that includes all the best episodes from all seven seasons.
* We got a Roku box a few weeks ago and I've been occasionally dipping into the vast storehouse of Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes on Hulu Plus. I watched "The Lower Decks" yesterday and was impressed by how well it was written and performed. Then at dinner, my son Aaron got off his X-Box long enough to watch "Rascals" with me. He got a huge grin out of the scene where 12-year-old Picard hugs Riker and calls him "Dad." A terrifically entertaining episode, directed by Leonard Nimoy's son Adam.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Captain's Log: Stardate 020213
* The inheritor of Leonard Nimoy's legacy as the half-Vulcan Mr. Spock is actor Zachary Quinto. He proves he's a hilariously good sport as he plays "It's Spock, Do You Care?" The only way this could have been funnier is if it were William Shatner asking the question.
* All you need to know about M'Ress, the Caitian Enterprise crew member on Star Trek's animated incarnation, who had a much bigger impact on some viewers than I had previously realized.
* There's a new Star Trek video game shipping in April, ahead of the release a month later of Star Trek Into Darkness, the 12th Star Trek movie. Here are some images from the new Star Trek game, some of which are actually quite beautiful.
* Speaking of Star Trek: Into Darkness, here is a brief promotional featurette with comments from director J.J. Abrams, Zachary Quinto, Chris Pine and others.
* Talking Trek: Here's a recent interview with Tricia O'Neil, who played Rachel Garrett, Star Trek's first female captain in the TNG episode Yesterday's Enterprise, one of my personal TNG favourites.
* All you need to know about M'Ress, the Caitian Enterprise crew member on Star Trek's animated incarnation, who had a much bigger impact on some viewers than I had previously realized.
* There's a new Star Trek video game shipping in April, ahead of the release a month later of Star Trek Into Darkness, the 12th Star Trek movie. Here are some images from the new Star Trek game, some of which are actually quite beautiful.
* Speaking of Star Trek: Into Darkness, here is a brief promotional featurette with comments from director J.J. Abrams, Zachary Quinto, Chris Pine and others.
* Talking Trek: Here's a recent interview with Tricia O'Neil, who played Rachel Garrett, Star Trek's first female captain in the TNG episode Yesterday's Enterprise, one of my personal TNG favourites.
Friday, February 1, 2013
Welcome to Star Trek Galaxy
I'm Alan David Doane and I've been blogging mostly about comic books, but occasionally about Star Trek, since 2002. I actually started writing about comics in the late 1990s, but we didn't call it blogging then and my first official blog was sometime in 2002. Not that you care, so, moving on...
I started watching Star Trek when it was in animated form in the 1970s, having been born too early to have watched the original series in its first run, coincidentally the same year it debuted, 1966. The cartoon was my gateway to the afternoon reruns of the live action series, which was my favourite TV series then and probably remains so now. I've loved a lot of TV shows since Star Trek, from The Prisoner to The Sopranos to Twin Peaks to Mad Men and beyond, but Star Trek's original three-season run has always fascinated me. Forty years or so after seeing it for the first time, I still can really immerse myself in some of the best episodes, like City on the Edge of Forever, or Mirror, Mirror. On another blog I once listed my 25 favourite episodes, and I think over the next few weeks I'll be porting articles like that over to here, so that eventually all my Star Trek posts will be in one central place.
In addition to housing all my existing Star Trek articles, this blog will contain news and commentary on Star Trek in all its incarnations, and maybe occasionally related TV and movies as well. So whether you're new to my peculiar methods of blogging or a longtime reader, welcome, and thanks for checking this out. Oh, and live long and prosper.
I started watching Star Trek when it was in animated form in the 1970s, having been born too early to have watched the original series in its first run, coincidentally the same year it debuted, 1966. The cartoon was my gateway to the afternoon reruns of the live action series, which was my favourite TV series then and probably remains so now. I've loved a lot of TV shows since Star Trek, from The Prisoner to The Sopranos to Twin Peaks to Mad Men and beyond, but Star Trek's original three-season run has always fascinated me. Forty years or so after seeing it for the first time, I still can really immerse myself in some of the best episodes, like City on the Edge of Forever, or Mirror, Mirror. On another blog I once listed my 25 favourite episodes, and I think over the next few weeks I'll be porting articles like that over to here, so that eventually all my Star Trek posts will be in one central place.
In addition to housing all my existing Star Trek articles, this blog will contain news and commentary on Star Trek in all its incarnations, and maybe occasionally related TV and movies as well. So whether you're new to my peculiar methods of blogging or a longtime reader, welcome, and thanks for checking this out. Oh, and live long and prosper.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)