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.
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."
Kettle Corn is a list of casting notes/news/tidbits going on in the world of pop culture. It's like someone just popped a fresh batch of popcorn -- and the smell is too good to pass up!
Popsnap! would like to wish a Happy Birthday to one of our favorite readers, Katie Mercuri!
Fox Searchlight is offering FREE advanced screenings of "Fantastic Mr. Fox." Just click on the icon on the right side of the page.
MTV debates who should play Black Cat in "Spider-Man 4."
"V" was the biggest premiere for ABC since "Lost" debuted in 2004.
According to the AP, the future of Aerosmith is still up in the air.
The popular PBS children's show "Sesame Street" turns 40 this year, and there are celebrations aplenty.
A new book is out with lots of behind the scenes photos and articles about the program.
I have fond childhood memories of coming home from school, and spending time with Grover, Kermit, Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch and the gang.
Those were indeed precious times. It was learning disguised as fun, and it worked. And it's still working for millions of children not only in the United States, but around the world.
For me, Sesame Street was part of a block of educational television that included "The Electric Company" (featuring Morgan Freeman as the Easy Reader!) and "Mister Rogers Neighborhood."
I have many favorite moments from the show. I was, and still am, a big fan of Bert & Ernie, and the Cookie Monster is always a hit. The show featured animation as well, and I distinctly remember one animated bit where a mother is giving a grocery list as her daughter tries to memorize it: "A gallon of milk, a loaf of bread, and a stick of butter," or something to that effect. It's close. She repeats it over and over as she travels to the store.
I am so grateful to have had these programs in my life as a child. "Sesame Street" gave you the fundamentals--basic language and math skills, plus how to live your life as a decent person. And it's all done in a wonderful way kids can instantly relate to--puppets with funny voices.
Of course, you can't forget that classic opening theme song: "Sunny Day/Sweeping the clouds away/On my way to where the air is clear/Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?"
Jim Henson had already created commercials with some of his muppets in the years before he hit the "Street," (I'm sure you can still see them somewhere on the internet), but he struck gold when he paired his creation with education.
I wish he were still around to celebrate this milestone. He left an amazing legacy that has changed the lives of millions of children for the better.
Thanks, Jim, and let's raise a glass (of milk or juice) to 40 more years of this spectacular show.
Check out this video which combines another of my favorite shows "Mad Men" with "Sesame Street."
Tomorrow night, Earth will once again be invaded by aliens. (I wonder if anybody keeps track of this kind of thing on a fictional basis...)
ABC has dusted off the old 80s NBC series "V" and given it a new look for the 21st century.
On Sunday, SyFy replayed the old version, and I just couldn't resist giving it another look. Marc Singer (remember "The Beastmaster"?) played a television news photographer who gets some up close and personal video of the "visitors" who promise all sorts of things in return for certain needs of their own.
Without spoiling anything here, I'll just say that the aliens are not what they seem, and the "V" doesn't really stand for "visitors."
It's a cool concept, and one that I'll surely be watching. The show has a slick look to it, and good casting.
Elizabeth Mitchell from ABC's "Lost" is one of the stars of the show, which features some other faces you might recognize, including Scott Wolf as an eager reporter (the new Marc Singer?) and many others.
Without a doubt, if visitors from another planet were to come here, it would be the most significant event in history, and I find it hard to believe people would be able to do anything at all to get back to "normal," since we would all be so curious to find out more about these beings.
You can watch the first few minutes of the show below. I've seen the clip, and trust me, there's nothing in it that isn't already covered by the many previews you've already seen.
So, what do you think? Will you be watching "V"? Did you see the original? Leave us a comment.
"Paranormal Activity" has been tearing up the box office. The small budget film tells the story of a young couple living in California and how they deal with the presence of a demon. The movie was made for only $11,000 and has already passed the $60 million mark. I had a chance to see the movie recently and it does not disappoint. The theatre was packed and everyone in the crowd was on the edge of their seat. I'm a fan of scary movies, but a lot of the newer "slasher" films these days don't really appeal to me. "Paranormal" takes the most important element of horror, timing, and uses it utilize jumps and screams throughout the film. This movie sticks with you!! It will make you think twice about certain everyday things that happen (sorry, no spoilers here) and how they impact your routine.
These days it's simple to get caught up in the money and the special effects. It's nice to see that a simple, small budget movie can still have the impact of the million dollar action flick. I have seen a lot of horror films, and "Paranormal Activity" is one of the scariest movies I have ever seen!
Tonight, the New York Yankees took on the Philadelphia Phillies in the first game of the 2009 World Series. So, here are my picks for some of the best baseball movies ever made.
"The Natural" Robert Redford is perfect as a natural born baseball player with a mysterious past, who finally gets to play pro ball late in life.
One of the best casts ever assembled. Watch out for Wilford Brimley as the stubborn manager of the New York Knights, as well as the great Richard Farnsworth at his side. Robert Duvall, Glenn Close, Kim Basinger, Robert Prosky, and Darren McGavin round out the cast.
The film also has a wonderful score by the truly gifted Randy Newman.
"Field Of Dreams" Kevin Costner leads another all star cast with this movie about a farmer (Costner) who risks everything after he hears a mysterious voice say "If you build it, they will come."
What he builds is a baseball field, and then he brings in James Earl Jones to help him solve the mystery. Also featuring Ray Liotta as Shoeless Joe Jackson and the late, great Burt Lancaster, "Field Of Dreams" is indeed a wonderful film.
"The Pride Of The Yankees" Gary Cooper stars as baseball phenom Lou Gehrig in this heartfelt drama about a man who rose to baseball superstardom before he was cut down in the prime of his life by a terrible disease. Great story, great cast. Don't miss this classic baseball tale.
"A League Of Their Own" Penny Marshall directs Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, and Madonna in this story based on the real life women's baseball leagues of the 1940s. While most men were off fighting World War II, women came to the rescue of the great American pastime. Tom Hanks plays a baseball player just past his prime, who's given a second chance to coach one of the women's teams. Watch out for David Strathairn and Jon Lovitz as a baseball scout. And if you look closely, you'll also spot me in the stands. I was lucky enough to be one of the extras in this film, which was shot in Indiana. Tom Hanks very entertaining both off and on screen.
