Upcoming Releases:: Star Trek

Finally, we are given images of next year's summer blockbuster, Star Trek!




What's that you say? Star Trek? A summer block buster? Really?

Well, it's true folks, J.J. Abrams (producer behind the T.V. shows Alias and Lost) as well as the writers of the Transformers movie are behind this new popcorn flick.




The movie was originally supposed to be released in December, but with this past years writers strike diminishing the amount of movies that could be made for the next year, combined with a strong faith in the studio of this movie, has pushed its release date back to the second week of May, making it a studio tent pole for the summer releases.

The plot has been kept extremely secretive. All that is known is that the movie will act as a "reboot" similar to how Casino Royal rebooted the Bond franchise. The crew have been completely recast with the exception of Leonard Nimoy , who will reprise his role as an older Spock from the future, with Zachary Quinto (best know as the villain Sylar of Heroes fame, see my last post) playing the present day Spock. Rumors have been flying around that the story will involve some sort of time travel, and the new look and faces being explained away as a divergent time line.

Personally, I am hopefully optimistic. I look at it this way, we have past the time where we can continue the current Star Trek continuity, and the majority of the original actors are a little past their prime to pull of the same roles they where cast for almost 50 years ago. I compare this to Casino Royal, hopefully, a reboot like this will make the material fresh again and more in tune with today's audiences. The more I read about it, the more excited I get. For better or for worst, I will be in the theater that weekend.

Top Ten Returning TV Shows #1: Heroes

"You must be strong for what's to come" - Angela Petrelli, portrayed by Cristine Rose

Subtle nuances, complex moral issues and the compounding of the modern day superhero myth has made this show one of the best shows of the season.

Heroes is the story of ordinary people suddenly discovering that they have unique powers and the decisions they make once they find that power.

As a long time geek, most of the concepts behind this show is nothing new. People being born with powers is a staple of the popular X-men series. But the new twist that they put on this has a naturalistic, character driven feel. Who knewl, in the world of Heroes, once you gain great powers, you don't put on a costume and fight crime. That is the strength of this show.

What Heroes, is about is the affect of power on people. What does a person really do if they have the capability to save the world. Where does that power come from, is it destiny? A divine intervention? And ultimately, what gain do people get from those in power.

Having followed this season so far, I am finding that I am enjoying it even more then the original first season, and the tragically short and disappointing second season. The title of this "volume" of Heroes is "Villians", though we are originally lead to believe that we encounter new threats to our familiar characters, the title has had even greater implications.

If you have yet to see this show, I am posting the first episode of this season below. You really owe it to yourself to check out what everyone is talking about.



Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Top Ten Returning TV #2: 30 Rock

"If you want to be a winner, you have to dress for success. That's why I sponsor a charity that gives away tuxedos to homeless people." Jack Donaghy (Alex Baldwin)

This has got to be one of the funniest, if not the funniest show I have ever seen.

Seriously, it has everything you can want in a comedy show, witty dialogue, bizarre situations, and excellent performences by a steller cast.

Tina Fey plays Liz Lemmon, the head of an "SNL" type sketch show with a certain vulnerability and brand of geekiness that is both sad and amusing, that hits a particular note that rings true to home.

Surrounding her is a cast of colorful characters, each bringing their own unique brand of comedy.

First of is Jack Donaghy (played by Alex Baldwin), Liz Lemon's ultra-conservative businessman boss. He takes a sort of mentorship role for Lemon. Alex baldwin perfectly plays the part with such a bravado, you half believe some of the lines he says.

Another is Tracy Morgan's character Tracy Jordan, the crazy loose cannon star of the show. Also you have Jane Krakowski as the limelight seeking Jenna Maroney. Jack McBrayer portrays the young, obedient Southern-born NBC page, Kenneth Parcell. Scott Adsit plays the "sane," quick witted producer of TGS, Pete Hornberger. Judah Friedlander acts as the trucker hat-wearing childish, sarcastic writer Frank Rossitano.

This show is excellent at creating it's own unique universe, complete with flashbacks, musical numbers, and subtle commentary played on a small scale. One episode follows Jack and Tracy as they compete over a community service baseball team. Another involves Kenneth's decent into darkness, because he had to much coffee (a drink that is "at the devil's temperature").

It's great, it is the best comedy on TV right now and more then worthy of you attention. Here is a sample episode, you can see more on Hulu.



Rating: 5 out of 5