Friday, May 17, 2013

Review: "The Wrath of Kahn" is Still Great Star Trek

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 34 (of 2013) by Leroy Douresseaux


Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn (1982)
Running time: 113 minutes (1 hour, 53 minutes)
MPAA – PG
DIRECTOR: Nicholas Meyer
WRITERS: Jack B. Sowards; from a story by Harve Bennett and Jack B. Sowards (based upon the TV series “Star Trek” created by Gene Roddenberry)
PRODUCER: Robert Sallin
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Gayne Rescher
EDITOR: William P. Dornisch
COMPOSER: James Horner

SCI-FI/ACTION/ADVENTURE

Starring: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols, George Takei, Ricardo Montalban, Bibi Besch, Merritt Butrick, Paul Winfield, Kirstie Alley, and Ike Eisenmann with Judson Earney Scott

The subject of this movie review is Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn, a 1982 science fiction movie. It is the second movie in the Star Trek film franchise, which is based on “Star Trek,” a science fiction television series originally broadcast on NBC from September 1966 to June 1969. The Wrath of Kahn finds the crew of the Enterprise fighting an old and practically forgotten nemesis and trying to stop him from using a life-generating device as the ultimate weapon.

In fact, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn’s plot is based on an episode of the TV series entitled, “Space Seed,” which was originally broadcast in February 1967, the show’s first season. Writers Samuel A. Peeples and Roman Sanchez apparently contributed to film’s story, while The Wrath of Kahn’s director, Nicholas Meyer, wrote the final script for the film, but did not receive a screen credit.

As The Wrath of Kahn opens, the USS Enterprise is commanded by Captain Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and has a mostly novice crew. Captain Kirk is now Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner), and now, he mostly oversees training of Starfleet personnel and inspection of starships. The Enterprise is about to embark on a three-week training voyage with Spock in command and Kirk along for observation.

Meanwhile, former Enterprise crewman, Pavel Chekov (Walter Koenig), is on the USS Reliant with Captain Clark Terrell (Paul Winfield). The two men accidentally discover that the genetically-engineered tyrant, Khan Noonien Singh (Ricardo Montalban), who once tried to seize control of the Enterprise, is still alive and has an old score to settle with Admiral Kirk. Khan learns of the “Genesis Drive,” created by Dr. Carol Marcus (Bibi Besch) and her son, David (Merritt Butrick). This device can create life on barren worlds, but it can also destroy a planet. Now, Khan wants it, but can Kirk, Spock, and the rest of the Enterprise regulars stop him?

Following the first Star Trek film, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, which was considered a disappointment to some, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn became the first great Star Trek film. I can’t remember whom, but a writer I like once described the original Star Trek series as basically a blending of World War II submarine movies and the television series, “Wagon Train.” The original Star Trek was escapist entertainment with a swashbuckling adventure aspect, but it was often socially relevant, as it alluded to, in one form or another, what was occurring in the 1960s.

The Wrath of Kahn was a bit of all of that, but on a grander scale. Director Nicholas Meyer took advantage of the medium of cinema and made the drama more melodramatic, the conflicts edgier, the villains more menacing, and the specter of death more tangible than it had been on the small screen. Even the score by James Horner evokes a sense of adventure that the earlier Star Trek film did not have. Watching this movie, I almost felt as if I were a seafaring adventurer, ready for swashbuckling fun across the expanse of outer space.

The Wrath of Kahn deals with the themes of growing old, death, and resurrection. However, I think the overarching theme of this film is renewal, especially following the first film. For the characters, there is a renewal of purpose, status, friendships, etc. Khan represents the renewal of old conflicts (which carries over into the third film). The younger crew of the Enterprise hints at a renewal of the mission. To me, this Star Trek is less about winding down and ending and more about restarting.

The performances are good, and thanks to the screenplay, William Shatner has some weighty material to use and delivers what is probably his best performance in a Star Trek film. Ricardo Montalban is fantastic – plain and simple. In Khan, Montalban delivers just the kind of grand, vengeful, madman The Wrath of Kahn has to have. He is Oscar-worth and is the main reason Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn is so distinctive among Star Trek films.

8 of 10
A

Wednesday, May 15, 2013


Happy Birthday, Albert

or Happy Birthday, Al! Your birthday reminds me of how long we've know each other, and it's a scary long time.  Have a great one!

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Paramount Digital Releases "World War Z" Game

EPIC ‘WORLD WAR Z’ GAME BITES INTO iOS & ANDROID AS PARAMOUNT DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT TEAMS WITH PHOSPHOR GAMES

LOS ANGELES / CHICAGO – May 16, 2013 – Paramount Digital Entertainment and award-winning Phosphor Games Studio bring global apocalyptic panic to you in the newly announced World War Z game. Set to release on May 30, the game will launch on iOS and select Android devices.

Offering a fully immersive experience, players are dropped into the middle of the World War Z chaos. Casual and core gamers will both love the game’s action-packed first person experience and electrifying story. Featuring 28 visceral levels, intense combat, engaging puzzles, upgradable weapons and armor, an unlimited challenge mode, and a global scale, this game challenges you: play to survive.

“We loved the rich world that the filmmakers created, and are thrilled to tell a story that runs parallel to its film counterpart,” said Amy Powell, President of Paramount Digital Entertainment. “We wanted to give audiences a chance to truly live the movie in this story-based game.”

“We were excited to be able to use the cutting-edge Unreal Engine 3 to bring World War Z to life,” said Chip Sineni, Phosphor Games Studio Director. “Our goal was to build Paramount a AAA game, and with that came all our favorite bells and whistles, like ambient occlusion lighting, multipass blended textures, and hordes of enemies to fight.”

The World War Z game is available on iOS and select Android devices on May 30. World War Z, the film, revolves around ex-United Nations employee Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt), who traverses the world in a race against time to stop a pandemic that is toppling armies and governments, and threatening to decimate humanity itself. The film hits theaters worldwide on June 21.

To Watch The Trailer: http://youtu.be/LswiwBAHmtU


About Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.

About Phosphor Games Studio
Based in Chicago, Phosphor Games Studio is a premier development studio comprised of experienced video game designers with a track record of producing financially successful and critically acclaimed titles across a variety of genres – from hardcore first-person shooters and MMOs to sports and casual games. The studio has received back-to-back Mobile Game of the Year nominations from the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences for Horn (2012) and The Dark Meadow (2011). More information can be found online at www.phosphorgames.com, on Facebook or via Twitter @phosphorgames.

Review: "The Dark Crystal" Retains its Beautiful Magic (Remembering Jim Henson)

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 119 (of 2005) by Leroy Douresseaux

The Dark Crystal (1982)
Running time: 84 minutes (1 hour, 24 minutes)
MPAA – PG
DIRECTORS: Jim Henson and Frank Oz
WRITERS: David Odell, from a story by Jim Henson
PRODUCERS: Gary Kurtz and Jim Henson
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Oswald Morris, B.S.C.
EDITOR: Ralph Kemplen
COMPOSER: Trevor Jones
BAFTA Awards nominee

FANTASY/ADVENTURE/FAMILY/ACTION

Starring: Jim Henson, Kathryn Mullen, and Frank Oz

The subject of this movie review is The Dark Crystal, a 1982 American and British fantasy film directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz. It remains one of the most unique and imaginative fantasy films ever made.

Although “The Muppet Show” may be the thing for which Jim Henson is best known, many movie fans, especially fans of fantasy movies, fondly remember Henson’s ambitious film, The Dark Crystal. Costing roughly $20 million to produce and in production for nearly five years, The Dark Crystal was a live-action fantasy film that featured some of Henson’s most imaginative creatures ever, many of which were the concept designs of Brian Froud, who would collaborate with Henson on his next fantasy epic, the mid-80’s flick, Labyrinth.

The story revolved around The Dark Crystal, a source for Balance and Truth in the Universe. One thousand years before this film begins it was shattered, dividing the world of the film into two factions: the wicked, avian-like, Skeksis, and the peaceful Mystics. Now, the convergence of the world’s three suns again approaches, and the Crystal must be healed by then or the Skeksis will rule for eternity. Enter Jen (Jim Henson), a Gelfling (like an elf), who believes that he is the last of his race. A Mystic took Jen into his home when Jen was an infant; on his deathbed, the Mystic tells Jen that he must find the shard that broke off the Crystal, and he later learns that he must restore that piece and make the Crystal whole. Another Gelfling, Kira (Kathryn Mullen), joins Jen on his quest, and together they brave the unknown dangers that await them on their quest to restore the Crystal and end the reign of evil on their world.

The Dark Crystal is arguably Jim Henson’s finest achievement as a maker of fantasy film. The plot is simple and the script barely builds on the protagonist/obstacle dynamic, but the filmmakers probably considered that to be the least important thing. They intended us to be wowed by the puppets. That is important – the incredible puppets, costumes, creature effects, and other special effects. Human don’t make an appearance in this film other than being under puppets or costumes because the emphasis is on the puppets. And what an achievement in puppetry The Dark Crystal is.

Watching it, I couldn’t help but marvel that these puppets made such engaging characters and that the operators did such a great job making the puppets seem like real beings. Jen and Kira are characters that we can’t take our eyes off of as they scramble to save their world; you could totally buy into them the way you would flesh and blood actors. They give better performances than many real actors. Over two decades later, The Dark Crystal retains its marvelous charm, and its production is still a wonder of filmmaking.

8 of 10
A

NOTES:
1984 BAFTA Awards: “Best Special Visual Effects” (Roy Field, Brian Smithies, and Ian Wingrove)

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You can buy THE DARK CRYSTAL on Blu-ray at AMAZON.

Amazon wants me to inform you that the affiliate link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the affiliate link below AND buy something(s).


"20 Feet from Stardom" Arriving in June 2013


Radius/TWC Presents

20 FEET FROM STARDOM

IN THEATRES JUNE 14TH

Starring: Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, Judith Hill, AND Tata Vega

A film by Morgan Neville

Synopsis: Millions know their voices, but no one knows their names. In his compelling new film TWENTY FEET FROM STARDOM, award-winning director Morgan Neville shines a spotlight on the untold true story of the backup singers behind some of the greatest musical legends of the 21st century. Triumphant and heartbreaking in equal measure, the film is both a tribute to the unsung voices who brought shape and style to popular music and a reflection on the conflicts, sacrifices and rewards of a career spent harmonizing with others.

These gifted artists span a range of styles, genres and eras of popular music, but each has a uniquely fascinating and personal story to share of life spent in the shadows of superstardom. Along with rare archival footage and a peerless soundtrack, TWENTY FEET FROM STARDOM boasts intimate interviews with Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Mick Jagger and Sting to name just a few. However, these world-famous figures take a backseat to the diverse array of backup singers whose lives and stories take center stage in the film.

Rated: PG-13

Download the Trailer for TWENTY FEET FROM STARDOM here: www.youtube.com/radiustwc

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Review: Reach for "Jack Reacher"

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 33 (of 2013) by Leroy Douresseaux


Jack Reacher (2012)
Running time: 130 minutes (2 hours, 10 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for violence, language and some drug material
DIRECTOR: Christopher McQuarrie
WRITER: Christopher McQuarrie (based on the novel, One Shot, by Lee Child)
PRODUCERS: Tom Cruise, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger, Gary Levinsohn, Kevin J. Messick, and Paula Wagner
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Caleb Deschanel (D.o.P.)
EDITOR: Kevin Stitt
COMPOSER: Joe Kraemer

DRAMA/ACTION/THRILLER

Starring: Tom Cruise, Rosamund Pike, Richard Jenkins, David Oyelowo, Werner Herzog, Jai Courtney, Vladimir Sizov, Joseph Sikora, Michael Raymond-James, Alexia Fast, Josh Helman, and Robert Duvall

Jack Reacher is a 2012 drama and thriller film from writer-director Christopher McQuarrie. The film stars Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher, a fictional character that originally appears in a series of novels by author Lee Child (the pen name British author Jim Grant). Jack Reacher the movie is based on the ninth Jack Reacher novel, One Shot (2005). The film follows Reacher as he investigates the case of a military sniper charged in a mass shooting.

Jack Reacher opens in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where an unknown man readies a sniper rifle and shoots five people dead. Former U.S. Army sniper James Barr (Joseph Sikora) is arrested for the crime. Investigating Detective Emerson (David Oyelowo) and District Attorney Alex Rodin (Richard Jenkins) pressure Barr during interrogation to accept a plea deal that would spare him the death penalty. Barr, however, will only say, “Get Jack Reacher.”

Not long afterwards, Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise), a former U.S. Army Military Police Corps officer (a “military cop”), arrives in Pittsburgh, but Rodin and Emerson will not let him see the evidence against Barr. Reacher meets with Helen Rodin (Rosamund Pike), Barr’s attorney and the District Attorney’s daughter. Reacher reluctantly agrees to help Helen, and soon finds himself drawn into a dangerous cat-and-mouse game with unknown forces that do not want the case against Barr investigated.

Jack Reacher is a suspense thriller. Because Reacher is always on the move and because the surprises and twists and turns come so fast and furious, the film is as much an action movie as it is anything else. Jack Reacher’s action movie credibility may be in doubt because the film isn’t jittery and loud like so many action movies. The explosions and gunfire are held to a minimum, so when they do happen, it means more to the narrative. Jack Reacher just makes the most out of its theatrics.

Everyone is a supporting actor and character to Tom Cruise in Jack Reacher, but some make the most of their time. Standouts include David Oyelowo as the dour and menacing Detective Emerson, Jai Courtney as the vicious killer named Charlie, and the always-welcomed Robert Duvall. As the retired Marine and gun range owner, Martin Cash, Duvall brings some much-needed levity and humor to the film. Cash throws Reacher off his game a bit, which makes Reacher vulnerable and more interesting as a character in the movie’s final half-hour or so. That makes it seem as if Reacher really could be killed, in turn, heightening the sense danger.

Jack Reacher is a perfect role for Tom Cruise. Cruise’s obvious aloofness and brusque charm, as well as that innate cold-bloodedness (which he tries to hide), are a near-perfect fit for Jack Reacher. Cruise as Reacher is just fun to watch, and I found that not knowing what crazy, unexpected thing he was going to do or say made Cruise/Reacher fascinating, even enthralling.

I’m surprised that this movie was not a bigger hit than it was. Outside of the Mission: Impossible films, this is one of the better Tom Cruise movies. Jack Reacher shows why Cruise is a true movie star and a rather good actor to boot.

8 of 10
A

Wednesday, May 15, 2013


Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Happy Birthday, George Lucas

Had to say it. Sometimes, I wonder if there would be a Negromancer without him.  Happy B'day and many, many, many more.