Saying Goodbye To "Lost"

This won't be easy. I know it won't. I feel like I'm saying goodbye to an old friend as we approach the series finale, that's right, I said series finale of ABC's award winning "Lost." By now, I'm sure you've heard the show will take its final breath Sunday night during a 2 and a half hour spectacular. I won't kid you--that's impressive.
I remember in early 2004, reading an article in USAToday or maybe it was CNN, about "Lost," and the general excitement surrounding this show that would premiere that fall. It just sounded cool. A plane crashes on an island in the middle of nowhere, leaving dozens of passengers stranded. Then strange things start to happen. And as viewers know, there have been many strange things happening on the unnamed island we've all come to know and love.
Listen, I could go on and on about how rich the characters are, how good the writing is, how well the music compliments each episode, how the Cinematographer, Set Designer, and Director work so well to disguise Hawaii as multiple locations around the world, but you sorta get the point. It's a very, very well done show.
And as I've told friends and fellow fans, I feel like we've all been partaking in a delicious feast these last 6 seasons, and now we're about to get that last really fine meal.
That's what makes it so satisfying, at least for me, and also why I think it won't be too bad when it ends. Because, in much the same way you enjoy reading a good book, the show has played out in the very same fashion. There's really so much to appreciate about "Lost," that I will miss a show of its caliber, but I'm certainly very grateful to have been able to watch it from the beginning. And to everyone out there, fasten your seat belts, Sunday's going to be a bumpy ride...
Of course, this whole thing has caused me to reflect on other series finales. I remember some that weren't received so well, like the endings to "Seinfeld," and "St. Elsewhere." I still liked the ending to "St. Elsewhere," even if it was obscure. One of the finest endings to a show in TV history, in my opinion, remains the finale to "M*A*S*H*". Still an outstanding program. I'm also reminded of the end of my favorite sitcom of all time, "Frasier," and how well it was able to bookend the pilot episode. Love that show!
So get ready to raise a glass and say goodbye to "Lost." We've all been on a wonderful journey together, and it's not over yet!

"Lost" Season 5 On DVD

Need I say more?
For the "Lost" faithful, the headline is enough. The latest season of the popular, enigmatic ABC program has now made its way to DVD and Blu-Ray, just in time to watch before the final (gasp!) Season 6 premiere on February 2nd.
When last we saw the gang...
(*Warning, brief spoiler material--if you haven't seen Season 5, stop reading now!!)

Ok, you made it past my spoiler alert. I know some people who haven't seen the material, and you know who you are...
Anyway, last season brought us some spectacular images, and new puzzles to solve. We finally met Jacob, and oh, what a tangled web he weaved. The scene on the beach with the Man In Black, as he is affectionately known, is an all time classic.
I remember reading an interview with the two guys who played Jacob and MIB, and they both said they weren't given too much direction on how to play that scene--so there's still quite a bit of mystery there.
For me, Season 5 was my favorite since Season 2 and the revelations about the Hatch.

I just received my copy today, and am looking forward to viewing at least some of it this weekend.
All of this certainly whets fans' appetites for the final season, which ABC has been promoting heavily, although without any new clips--and they're doing a very effective job of it.
So, if you plan to review the latest season, enjoy it, and we'll be talking a lot more about "Lost" as we get closer to that all important Tuesday night in February... Can you feel the excitement?
Here's a Season 5 promo:
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My Favorite "Trek" Films

With the release of the new "Star Trek" film on DVD (which I very much enjoyed in theatres this year), I wanted to take a trip down memory lane and give a shout out to some other movies in the "Trek" franchise that I found great escapist fare.
It should come as no surprise that "Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan" is my all time favorite of the "old school" "Trek" movies. Great storyline with Ricardo Montalban reprising his role from the TV series episode titled "Space Seed." This is a fine example of a cool concept blended with a fantastic score, and an excellent story that sets it up for what I thought was a disappointing sequel. Still, it's one of the best, and Kirk certainly has a worthy adversary in Khan.
See a clip from "Khan" and read more after the jump.

Live Long...and Watch Many DVDs

The best movie of the Summer, "Star Trek" is storming to stores nationwide today. This isn't your father's "Star Trek." The new movie introduces us to a younger crew of cadets as they embark on the first adventures in The Enterprise. Director J.J. Abrams continues to develop Grade-A projects. The script, special effects, and actors come together for the perfect popcorn adventure!

The film is being released on Blu-ray and DVD just in time for Thanksgiving next week. There are sure to be plenty of Trekkies that will pick this up for themselves and maybe even pick up an extra copy to stuff someone's stocking this holiday season. You can get the one disc that will just give you the basic film or the two disc comes with loads of special features including a blooper reel.

I've never been a big "Star Trek" fan, but this movie is what filmmaking is all about. It will take you on a non-stop adventure through the "final frontier." So, with temperatures cooling down and activites being limited outdoors...pick up The Starfleet Crew and give them a try. I promise you will not be disappointed!

To J.J. Abrams' films and the future "Star Trek" films --- "Live Long and Prosper."

Beaming Back

"Star Trek" is coming back to IMAX theatres starting today! Paramount is putting J.J. Abrams' Summer smash back into many box offices nationwide. The movie only enjoyed a two week run in many theatres, due to "Night At The Museum: Battle For The Smithsonian" taking over in late May. You can catch my favorite movie of the Summer starting today at 85 IMAX theatres in the U.S. and Canada. The film will stay in IMAX until "Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs" replaces it on September 18th. TrekMovie.com has a complete list of the 85 theatres. So, if you haven't seen it yet or want to catch it in IMAX for the first (or second, third, fourth) time...head to one the theatres and enjoy!