When the Borg were first introduced on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (in the 1989 episode "Q Who"), they were terrifying. Clearly inspired by the works of H.R. Giger, the Borg sported tubes, servos, wires, and ineffable black machinery sprouting from their bodies. The Borg were made up of other species that had been kidnapped and assimilated into their collective, their minds wiped and replaced with a singular, terrifying machine consciousness. The Borg traversed space in outsized cube-shaped vessels, likewise crisscrossed with wires and ducts. They only had one goal: to grow. As Q (John de Lancie) described them, the Borg are the ultimate users. They look out at the universe and emotionlessly see nothing but raw materials to expand with.
The Borg returned periodically throughout "Next Generation," becoming one of the show's more impressive antagonists. The race of soulless machine people proved to be a great villain.
Naturally, when "Next Generation" moved into feature films,...
The Borg returned periodically throughout "Next Generation," becoming one of the show's more impressive antagonists. The race of soulless machine people proved to be a great villain.
Naturally, when "Next Generation" moved into feature films,...
- 4/29/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
In Jonathan Frakes' 1996 film "Star Trek: First Contact," the U.S.S. Enterprise travels back in time to the year 2063, the year humanity first invented faster-than-light travel and, almost immediately thereafter, made first contact with an alien species. By "Star Trek" lore, the maiden voyage of the Phoenix, the very first warp-capable ship, caught the attention of a passing Vulcan vessel, causing them to change course, land on Earth, and shake hands with humans. It was the franchise's "Welcome to the neighborhood" moment. It also started a massive utopian rebuilding of Earth, as it had just survived several devastating wars. By "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry's estimation, Earth had to almost destroy itself to have a "moment of clarity." After that, the technological, post-war, post-scarcity, post-capitalist utopia could begin.
The inventor of warp drive was Zefram Cochrane, who fashioned his ship out of a disused bomb casing. In "First Contact,...
The inventor of warp drive was Zefram Cochrane, who fashioned his ship out of a disused bomb casing. In "First Contact,...
- 4/29/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
In the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode "Captain's Holiday", Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) was forced to take a vacation on the sexed-up beach resort planet of Risa where his impishly playful crew hoped he would have a drink, get laid, and return to the job less stern and more relaxed. Picard, a studious and intellectual fellow, would have been more content drinking tea and reading James Joyce's "Ulysses" in a dark room.
Luckily, Risa proves to be more exciting than Picard realized. He had no interest in beach shenanigans, but he did fall into the company of the utterly dazzling Indiana-Jone-type adventurer Vash (Jennifer Hetrick), a roguish tomb raider. Picard and Vash end up having to protect a rare, powerful artifact from time-traveling Vorgons, and fall in lust as a result. Picard returns to the Enterprise more relaxed and with a new romantic interest in the back of his mind.
Luckily, Risa proves to be more exciting than Picard realized. He had no interest in beach shenanigans, but he did fall into the company of the utterly dazzling Indiana-Jone-type adventurer Vash (Jennifer Hetrick), a roguish tomb raider. Picard and Vash end up having to protect a rare, powerful artifact from time-traveling Vorgons, and fall in lust as a result. Picard returns to the Enterprise more relaxed and with a new romantic interest in the back of his mind.
- 4/21/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
In the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode "Identity Crisis", Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton) discovers from an old friend named Lieutenant Commander Susanna Leijten (Maryann Plunkett) that they are the only two people still alive and accounted for from a mysterious away mission on the planet Tarchannen III, conducted years before. The other members of the team have all mysteriously fled to Tarchannen III -- sometimes stealing shuttlecrafts to do so -- and vanished without a trace. It won't be long before Leijten begins exhibiting strange, nervous symptoms of an unknown disease, causing her to become fearful and twitchy. She, too, it seems, is being irresistibly drawn back to Tarchannan III. Is Geordi next? Not to spoil anything, but yes he is.
It's eventually revealed that an undetectable spore on Tarchannen III infected the members of Geordi's old away mission, causing them to mutate. It seems the spores are...
It's eventually revealed that an undetectable spore on Tarchannen III infected the members of Geordi's old away mission, causing them to mutate. It seems the spores are...
- 4/15/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
In the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode "Identity Crisis", Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton) meets an old friend, Lieutenant Commander Susanna Leijten (Maryann Plunkett), the only surviving member of a mission they both went on years before. It seems that their compatriots have gone missing or stolen shuttlecrafts to return to the planet Tarchannen III, where they were last united. Soon after her arrival, Leijten also begins exhibiting weird behavior, twitching nervously and demanding a visit to Tarchannen III. Her body begins to mutate. Her fingers fuse together and eerie blue veins appear on her skin. Her eyes turn yellow. It's all Dr. Crusher (Gates McFadden) can do to slow the mutations.
Geordi, while unattended, also suddenly begins to mutate. He eventually returns to Tarchannen III, having turned into a near-invisible creature that can only be seen under a special blacklight. Leijten has to overcome her own...
Geordi, while unattended, also suddenly begins to mutate. He eventually returns to Tarchannen III, having turned into a near-invisible creature that can only be seen under a special blacklight. Leijten has to overcome her own...
- 4/14/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
After the release of "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country" in 1991, a consensus began to form among Trekkies as to which Trek movie was the best. Most fans agreed that the even-numbered films -- "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home," and "Country" -- were the good ones, while the odd-numbered film -- "Star Trek: The Motion Picture," "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock," and "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier" -- were the bad ones. This is arguably an unfair assessment, although "Final Frontier" is still often considered the worst in the series, and "Voyage Home" remains one of the most popular.
Indeed, "Voyage Home," even when not adjusted for inflation, remains the most financially successful "Star Trek" movie released before 2009. This might seem unusual to a 21st-century eye, as "Voyage Home" was a fish-out-of-water time travel comedy and not a revenge-motivated action flick.
Indeed, "Voyage Home," even when not adjusted for inflation, remains the most financially successful "Star Trek" movie released before 2009. This might seem unusual to a 21st-century eye, as "Voyage Home" was a fish-out-of-water time travel comedy and not a revenge-motivated action flick.
- 3/31/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The final episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" — called "All Good Things..." — aired on May 23, 1994. It was an excellent send-off for the show, featuring a complex time-travel story about an eerie spatial phenomenon that gets larger the more it travels back in time. Trekkies could likely have survived for many years on the satisfaction brought to them by "All Good Things..." Unwilling to leave well enough alone, however, Paramount immediately began production on "Star Trek: Generations," the first movie based on "Next Generation." The film opened in theaters on November 18, 1994, just under six months after we last saw the crew of the Enterprise-d. We didn't even get a chance to miss them.
"Generations" is less satisfying than "All Good Things...," as it features a magical temporal nexus that allows Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) to come face-to-face with Captain Kirk (William Shatner). The film is all about tiresome passing-the-torch moments that it didn't need.
"Generations" is less satisfying than "All Good Things...," as it features a magical temporal nexus that allows Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) to come face-to-face with Captain Kirk (William Shatner). The film is all about tiresome passing-the-torch moments that it didn't need.
- 3/30/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
In the "Star Trek" episode "The Enemy Within", Captain Kirk (William Shatner) beams up from the planet Alpha 177 covered in a mysterious magnetic dust. Unbeknownst to any of the Enterprise crew, the dust has fouled up the transporter and created a second Kirk inside its memory buffer. After Kirk leaves the room, the second Kirk materializes ... but displays an altered personality. It seems that Kirk has been bifurcated into a gentle version of himself and a cruel, aggressive version of himself. For much of "The Enemy Within," the Evil Kirk stalks around the halls of the U.S.S. Enterprise, startling the crew and accosting Yeoman Rand (Grace Lee Whitney). Gentle Kirk soon realizes that he needs his aggression back in order to be whole. Eventually, the two Kirks confront one another.
"Star Trek" had a modest budget back in the day, and it certainly didn't have the resources to...
"Star Trek" had a modest budget back in the day, and it certainly didn't have the resources to...
- 3/24/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Before they were Professor Charles Xavier and Jean Grey in "X-Men," Patrick Stewart and Famke Janssen shared the screen on an episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation." Stewart was, of course, the series lead, Enterprise-d Captain Jean-Luc Picard, while Janssen played Kamala, one of the many beautiful alien women on "Star Trek." Captain Kirk may be the famed womanizer, but Picard had his dalliances over the show's seven seasons -- Kamala included.
The episode is "The Perfect Mate," the 21st installment of the fifth season. Kamala is a Kriosian "metamorph," an empathetic being who can read their partners' feelings and adjust themselves to them. She's been betrothed to an ambassador from the neighboring world Valt, in hopes this will help end a conflict between the planets. As she travels on the Enterprise-d and works alongside Picard, they grow closer and closer.
Aired in 1992, this was Janssen's first role on television.
The episode is "The Perfect Mate," the 21st installment of the fifth season. Kamala is a Kriosian "metamorph," an empathetic being who can read their partners' feelings and adjust themselves to them. She's been betrothed to an ambassador from the neighboring world Valt, in hopes this will help end a conflict between the planets. As she travels on the Enterprise-d and works alongside Picard, they grow closer and closer.
Aired in 1992, this was Janssen's first role on television.
- 3/24/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
In the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode "The Perfect Mate," the U.S.S. Enterprise-d is tasked with transporting a Kriosian ambassador (Tim O'Conner) to an arranged peace ceremony with a species called the Valtians. As a peace offering, the Kriosians aim to deliver a mysterious, eight-foot pod to the Valtians. Thanks to the meddling of some traveling Ferengi, the pod is cracked open, revealing Kamala (Famke Janssen) to have been sealed inside. Kamala was roped into an arranged marriage with the Valtian ambassador, a humanoid gift to "sweeten the deal." She was being transported in stasis.
The reason for her stasis quickly becomes clear. Kamala is an "empathic metamorph," meaning she can sense the desires of the men in her vicinity and alter her personality to match what they might be attracted to. She also produces clouds of powerful pheromones, driving men wild with lust. Having her wander...
The reason for her stasis quickly becomes clear. Kamala is an "empathic metamorph," meaning she can sense the desires of the men in her vicinity and alter her personality to match what they might be attracted to. She also produces clouds of powerful pheromones, driving men wild with lust. Having her wander...
- 3/23/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
On the 1966 "Star Trek" episode "The Enemy Within," Captain Kirk (played by one-time /Film writer William Shatner) beams up from a geological research mission covered in a rare magnetic dust. The dust causes a glitch in the Enterprise's transporter, resulting in Kirk bifurcating into two separate beings. The first Kirk to beam up contains all of Kirk's intelligence and rationality, while the second Kirk -- arriving a few moments later -- contains all of his aggression or anger. With a "good" captain and an "evil" captain on board the Enterprise, mayhem ensues.
By the end of the episode, both Kirks must face off, and then, naturally, reunite. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) points out that Kirk cannot be an effective captain without his irrational rage and aggression; as a gentle person, he's not complete. The "evil" Kirk is a madman but he's also a vital part of Kirk's core being. "The Enemy...
By the end of the episode, both Kirks must face off, and then, naturally, reunite. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) points out that Kirk cannot be an effective captain without his irrational rage and aggression; as a gentle person, he's not complete. The "evil" Kirk is a madman but he's also a vital part of Kirk's core being. "The Enemy...
- 3/16/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
David Carson's 1994 film "Star Trek: Generations" has a farfetched premise, even by Trek's own outlandish standards. It seems there is a mysterious energy ribbon called the Nexus that periodically floats through the galaxy. The Nexus destroys any starships it encounters but also sweeps living beings into its own mysterious pocket dimension. The Nexus' pocket dimension is essentially Heaven, where its victims live out their happiest memories. Time also stands still in the Nexus, allowing its inhabitants to remain there eternally.
The physical existence of Heaven, one might think, would be a heady concept for a humanist franchise like "Star Trek." How would the universe react if Heaven was in a physical location one could visit? One might think there would be a mad dash to get there as soon as possible, rapidly depleting the galaxy's population.
Sadly, "Generations" sidesteps any interesting ideas in favor of a useless "pass the...
The physical existence of Heaven, one might think, would be a heady concept for a humanist franchise like "Star Trek." How would the universe react if Heaven was in a physical location one could visit? One might think there would be a mad dash to get there as soon as possible, rapidly depleting the galaxy's population.
Sadly, "Generations" sidesteps any interesting ideas in favor of a useless "pass the...
- 3/9/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Trekkies who were there in 1994 may remember the incredibly fast turn-around for "Star Trek: The Next Generation." The final episode of the series, "All Good Things..." aired on May 23, and the first feature film adaptation of the show, "Star Trek: Generations," was released in theaters on November 18. In the intervening six months, Trekkies would be able to tide themselves over with ten new episodes of "Deep Space Nine." Even though a seminal TV series in the "Star Trek" universe was coming to an end, there was no drought to suffer through.
Both Paramount and "Star Trek" executive producer Rick Berman were feeling apprehensive about "Generations." One can see their apprehension in Berman's choice of story: thanks to a magical temporal nexus, Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) was able to meet up with Captain Kirk (William Shatner) who was presumed dead 87 years prior. The two of them teamed up to fistfight...
Both Paramount and "Star Trek" executive producer Rick Berman were feeling apprehensive about "Generations." One can see their apprehension in Berman's choice of story: thanks to a magical temporal nexus, Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) was able to meet up with Captain Kirk (William Shatner) who was presumed dead 87 years prior. The two of them teamed up to fistfight...
- 3/8/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The premise for "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" is a little complex for the non-Trekkie, but ripe for drama when one delves in.
The titular station, Deep Space Nine, was in orbit around the non-Federation world of Bajor. For the past several decades, Bajor had been militarily occupied by the Nazi-like Cardassians, a species that regularly enslaved and mass-murdered Bajoran citizens. At the outset of the series, the Cardassian occupation had just ended, and Bajor inherited their disused station. In order to aid the Bajoran restoration, Starfleet was assigned to run Deep Space Nine and to oversee the rebuilding of Bajor's government (which was already tilting dangerously close to a corrupt theocracy).
Commander Sisko (Avery Brooks) was the Starfleet officer put in charge of the broken-down DS9 and his first officer was the haughty former Bajoran resistance fighter, Major Kira (Nana Visitor). "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" was unique in...
The titular station, Deep Space Nine, was in orbit around the non-Federation world of Bajor. For the past several decades, Bajor had been militarily occupied by the Nazi-like Cardassians, a species that regularly enslaved and mass-murdered Bajoran citizens. At the outset of the series, the Cardassian occupation had just ended, and Bajor inherited their disused station. In order to aid the Bajoran restoration, Starfleet was assigned to run Deep Space Nine and to oversee the rebuilding of Bajor's government (which was already tilting dangerously close to a corrupt theocracy).
Commander Sisko (Avery Brooks) was the Starfleet officer put in charge of the broken-down DS9 and his first officer was the haughty former Bajoran resistance fighter, Major Kira (Nana Visitor). "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" was unique in...
- 2/25/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
In the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode "The Outcast", the crew of the Enterprise aids a species called the J'naii in locating and rescuing a missing shuttlecraft. The J'naii are a genderless species, claiming to have evolved past specific gender identities. In their society, any expression of maleness or femaleness is considered darkly taboo, and gendered sexual contact has been criminalized. Commander Riker (Jonathan Frakes) spends a great deal of the episode working with a J'naii pilot named Soren (Melinda Culea) and the two bond. Soren will eventually reveal that she feels more female than genderless and that she is attracted to Riker. When Soren's gender identity reaches the other J'naii officials, she is threatened with the sci-fi equivalent of a conversion camp.
By today's politics, "The Outcast" feels clumsy in its attempts to discuss gender identity. It can, however, be commended for even attempting to tell a trans...
By today's politics, "The Outcast" feels clumsy in its attempts to discuss gender identity. It can, however, be commended for even attempting to tell a trans...
- 2/25/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
By 2001, "Star Trek" had — for better or for worse — fallen into a groove. "Star Trek: The Next Generation" launched in 1987 and took place almost a century after the events of the original series. It was bold new ground to cover for the then-20-year-old franchise, and the universe of the 24th century had to be built from the ground up. Over the next few years, "Next Generation" established how strong and dynamic a series it was, clearly distinguishing itself from its forebear. Indeed, "Next Generation" became so popular that when "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" debuted in 1993, it took place within the same time frame.
Then, keeping the ball rolling, the 1995 series "Star Trek: Voyager," continued directly in the same timeline, running concurrently with "Deep Space Nine" (albeit in an entirely different part of the galaxy). The continuation of the same NextGen timeline into "Deep Space Nine" and "Voyager" only...
Then, keeping the ball rolling, the 1995 series "Star Trek: Voyager," continued directly in the same timeline, running concurrently with "Deep Space Nine" (albeit in an entirely different part of the galaxy). The continuation of the same NextGen timeline into "Deep Space Nine" and "Voyager" only...
- 2/10/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
A note on revisionism: as many of you out there no doubt already know, it's become de rigueur for studios, corporations and filmmakers themselves to continue to tinker with their works. George Lucas and his "Special Editions" (and subsequent re-revisions) of the "Star Wars" films are the most prominent example of this, and the most illustrative of the concept's drawbacks. For while the idea of a "Director's Cut" or alternate version is a phenomenon that's been employed by everyone from Richard Donner to Michael Mann, Lucas' changes to "Star Wars" were part creative-minded, part "future-proofing" in terms of updating the visual effects to better conform with the Prequel Trilogy.
The most egregious victim of this trend is the original "Star Trek" TV series. Given that "Trek" had gained a (I believe erroneous) reputation for containing chintzy, so-called "dated" visual effects, CBS Television made the choice in 2006 to remaster the 1960s...
The most egregious victim of this trend is the original "Star Trek" TV series. Given that "Trek" had gained a (I believe erroneous) reputation for containing chintzy, so-called "dated" visual effects, CBS Television made the choice in 2006 to remaster the 1960s...
- 2/8/2024
- by Bill Bria
- Slash Film
It's worth recalling that "Star Trek: Enterprise" is one of the less popular "Star Trek" shows. "Enterprise" debuted in late September 2001, and was set about a century before the events of the original "Star Trek" series. It followed the adventures of the very first human vessel sent on a long-range space voyage, and took place at a time when a lot of familiar "Star Trek" technologies/notions hadn't been invented yet; there were no tractor beams, no shields, no human-safe transporters, and no Prime Directive. "Enterprise" clearly wanted to revive the old-world frontiersmanship so familiar to fans of the 1966 series.
"Enterprise," however, only lasted four seasons; the three previous Trek shows ran for seven years each. The series was canceled in 2005, and, at the time, it seemed like "Star Trek" was pretty much over and done with. Some might credit the show's writing as a culprit for its unpopularity; it...
"Enterprise," however, only lasted four seasons; the three previous Trek shows ran for seven years each. The series was canceled in 2005, and, at the time, it seemed like "Star Trek" was pretty much over and done with. Some might credit the show's writing as a culprit for its unpopularity; it...
- 2/4/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
In the "Star Trek: Voyager" episode "Threshold", the U.S.S. Voyager discovers a rare, extra-powerful version of dilithium, the crystal that is required to run starship engines. Using this new dilithium, the Voyager crew figure they can build an engine capable of passing the mythic warp-10 barrier, essentially allowing them to reach infinite velocity, passing through every point in the universe simultaneously. Such a breakthrough would allow the Voyager to return to Earth in a moment.
When testing their new engine, however, something goes awry. Tom Paris (Robert Duncan McNeill) returns from a test flight ... altered. He begins to mutate and change, losing skin and spitting out his tongue. It seems that the infinite velocity flight somehow triggered his body's evolutionary genes and he is rapidly transforming into whatever creatures humans will evolve into in the next hundred million years. When Paris becomes an amphibian-like frog man, he kidnaps...
When testing their new engine, however, something goes awry. Tom Paris (Robert Duncan McNeill) returns from a test flight ... altered. He begins to mutate and change, losing skin and spitting out his tongue. It seems that the infinite velocity flight somehow triggered his body's evolutionary genes and he is rapidly transforming into whatever creatures humans will evolve into in the next hundred million years. When Paris becomes an amphibian-like frog man, he kidnaps...
- 2/2/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
In the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode "The Royale", the Enterprise encounters a mysterious, uninhabited planet that houses a small bubble of breathable air. When Commander Riker (Jonathan Frakes), Lieutenant Commander Data (Brent Spiner), and Lieutenant Worf (Michael Dorn) beam down to investigate, they astonishingly find a 20th-century-era hotel/casino called The Royale, populated by people who don't seem to know they're the only humans located on a distant world.
Through a series of investigations, the Starfleet officers learn that the Royale was constructed by strange, powerful aliens many years before, specifically to house a single human astronaut who left Earth way back in 2037. It seems the off-screen aliens accidentally killed most of the astronaut's friends and shunted his ship through a wormhole. To make it up to him, the aliens scanned a pulp novel the astronaut was reading -- a chintzy piece of neo-noir garbage called "Hotel Royale...
Through a series of investigations, the Starfleet officers learn that the Royale was constructed by strange, powerful aliens many years before, specifically to house a single human astronaut who left Earth way back in 2037. It seems the off-screen aliens accidentally killed most of the astronaut's friends and shunted his ship through a wormhole. To make it up to him, the aliens scanned a pulp novel the astronaut was reading -- a chintzy piece of neo-noir garbage called "Hotel Royale...
- 2/2/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The Dominion War might be the most consequential event in Star Trek history. When the all-powerful Dominion entered the Alpha Quadrant from the Gamma Quadrant via a wormhole near Federation Starbase Deep Space Nine, old enemies had to put aside their differences to band together against a common threat. As Federation planet after planet fell under the Dominion’s control, Starfleet entered into alliances with the Klingon Empire and the Romulan Star Empire, even engaging in tactics that violated Starfleet principles.
The Dominion War took up most of the sixth and seventh seasons of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and changed the balance of power in the Alpha Quadrant, even driving Cardassians, the major enemy race introduced in the latter seasons of The Next Generation, to fight against their one-time allies the Dominion.
But this raises a question. If the Dominion is so important, then why doesn’t any other...
The Dominion War took up most of the sixth and seventh seasons of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and changed the balance of power in the Alpha Quadrant, even driving Cardassians, the major enemy race introduced in the latter seasons of The Next Generation, to fight against their one-time allies the Dominion.
But this raises a question. If the Dominion is so important, then why doesn’t any other...
- 1/30/2024
- by Joe George
- Den of Geek
Jonathan Frakes is a long-seasoned veteran of being both behind and in front of the camera. Frakes got to cut his teeth directing on the show that made him a beloved sci-fi character, Star Trek: The Next Generation, where he portrayed Captain Picard‘s second in command, Commander William Riker. Frakes would go on to helm some of the continuing spin-offs of the popular show, as well as the film adaptations. Recently, Frakes got to make a triumphant return as Riker in Star Trek: Picard, but would also direct several episodes.
Deadline now reports that Frakes is set to direct television adaptations of the novel and audiobook series, Deathlands. The novels come from crypto pioneer Jeff Garzik’s indie company, Next Cypher Productions. The show is planning to start production this year and set to begin shooting in Sofia, Bulgaria in the spring. Deadline would get a little detail about...
Deadline now reports that Frakes is set to direct television adaptations of the novel and audiobook series, Deathlands. The novels come from crypto pioneer Jeff Garzik’s indie company, Next Cypher Productions. The show is planning to start production this year and set to begin shooting in Sofia, Bulgaria in the spring. Deadline would get a little detail about...
- 1/24/2024
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: Star Trek icon Jonathan Frakes is to direct a 10-part series based on novel and audio book Deathlands.
The series comes from NextCypher, the indie that crypto pioneer Jeff Garzik launched last year, and is set to begin shooting in Sofia, Bulgaria, this spring. When we first told about the show in August 2022, Garzik described it as “Mad Max: Fury Road meets Yellowjackets in an epic post-apocalyptic sci-fi adventure.”
Mark A. Altman as the showrunner and executive producer. Thomas P. Vitale and Garzik are also executive producers. Christine Sheaks is handling global casting efforts.
Frakes — known for his role as Commander William Riker in Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Picard and several Star Trek movies — is directing. “One of the things that I find so compelling about Deathlands is that it’s a series about hope and the...
The series comes from NextCypher, the indie that crypto pioneer Jeff Garzik launched last year, and is set to begin shooting in Sofia, Bulgaria, this spring. When we first told about the show in August 2022, Garzik described it as “Mad Max: Fury Road meets Yellowjackets in an epic post-apocalyptic sci-fi adventure.”
Mark A. Altman as the showrunner and executive producer. Thomas P. Vitale and Garzik are also executive producers. Christine Sheaks is handling global casting efforts.
Frakes — known for his role as Commander William Riker in Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Picard and several Star Trek movies — is directing. “One of the things that I find so compelling about Deathlands is that it’s a series about hope and the...
- 1/24/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Dashing, magnetic superstar Ricardo Montalbán got his start in the 1940s, appearing in numerous notable hit films in his native Mexico, playing a variety of roles in romantic dramas, historical comedies, and other swashbuckling adventures. His natural dazzle and ineffable "it" qualities caught the eye of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1947, and he shot the English-language film "Fiesta" with Esther Williams, Cyd Charisse, and Mary Astor. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Montalbán became incredibly busy, starring in romances, dramas, and an enormous amount of American TV, including one-shot TV movies and multiple notable hit shows. He was in "Dr. Kildare," "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.," "Gunsmoke," "Hawaii Five-o," and, of course, "Star Trek," playing the charismatic tyrant Khan Noonien Singh.
A new generation of Montalbán fans was born with the debut of "Fantasy Island" in 1978. On "Fantasy Island," Montalbán played the mysterious Mr. Roarke, the manager of Devil's Island, a remote, hard-to-get-to tropical paradise...
A new generation of Montalbán fans was born with the debut of "Fantasy Island" in 1978. On "Fantasy Island," Montalbán played the mysterious Mr. Roarke, the manager of Devil's Island, a remote, hard-to-get-to tropical paradise...
- 1/23/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
I watch a lot of movies, but even ones that stab at my heart rarely make me tear up. "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" is, to quote Hayley Williams of Paramore, the only exception.
Spock (Leonard Nimoy) dies to save the Enterprise and his comrades, taking a lethal dose of radiation when giving the ship's engine a boost. He passes on after a final conversation with his best friend James Kirk (William Shatner). It's fair to say Nimoy was a better actor than Shatner, yet it's the latter who affects me most here. From the way his voice trembles as he yells Spock's name to the quiet heartbreak across his face as he watches his friend's final moments of pain, it's the most empathic acting I've ever seen from Shatner.
So, there's a part of me that will always resent the next film, "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock,...
Spock (Leonard Nimoy) dies to save the Enterprise and his comrades, taking a lethal dose of radiation when giving the ship's engine a boost. He passes on after a final conversation with his best friend James Kirk (William Shatner). It's fair to say Nimoy was a better actor than Shatner, yet it's the latter who affects me most here. From the way his voice trembles as he yells Spock's name to the quiet heartbreak across his face as he watches his friend's final moments of pain, it's the most empathic acting I've ever seen from Shatner.
So, there's a part of me that will always resent the next film, "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock,...
- 1/21/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
"Star Trek III: The Search for Spock" is not everyone's favorite movie in the franchise, but it is an important one. Not only did it revive Spock after the events of the much-beloved "Wrath of Khan," but it also was an important first as Leonard Nimoy stepped behind the camera to direct the film as well. Before that, Nimoy had only directed select episodes of TV shows like "Night Gallery." But this was his feature directorial debut, and fittingly, it was within the franchise that made him famous. However, it did create a bit of awkward tension with his friend and co-star, William Shatner, who had starred as Captain Kirk since the beginning of the original series.
Nimoy and Shatner had worked together for nearly 20 years by the time the 1984 film rolled around. But with Nimoy behind the camera, the power dynamic was about to change in a meaningful way.
Nimoy and Shatner had worked together for nearly 20 years by the time the 1984 film rolled around. But with Nimoy behind the camera, the power dynamic was about to change in a meaningful way.
- 1/21/2024
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Jonathan Frakes' 1998 film "Star Trek: Insurrection" was about a remote planet called Ba'ku, the home of a gentle colony of farmers who, thanks to a quirk of the planet's radioactive rings, can live healthily for centuries. A shady species called the Son'a have teamed up with Starfleet to harvest the radiation from the Ba'ku homeworld and forcibly relocate the citizens. Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) feels that the forced relocation of the Ba'ku is morally wrong under the circumstances, and stages the titular insurrection.
The film climaxed with Picard and the Son'a captain Ru'afo (F. Murray Abraham) fighting one another for control of the radiation collector. Picard was in his 60s and Ru'afo's body and face had been ruined by many years of cosmetic surgery. While Picard and Ru'afo engaged in a fistfight, Commander Riker (Frakes) battled a Son'a ship using scooped-up explosive gases as a weapon. On the planet below,...
The film climaxed with Picard and the Son'a captain Ru'afo (F. Murray Abraham) fighting one another for control of the radiation collector. Picard was in his 60s and Ru'afo's body and face had been ruined by many years of cosmetic surgery. While Picard and Ru'afo engaged in a fistfight, Commander Riker (Frakes) battled a Son'a ship using scooped-up explosive gases as a weapon. On the planet below,...
- 1/9/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
It's pretty well known among Trekkies that Robert Wise's 1979 feature film "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" came about after the proposed 1977 TV series "Star Trek: Phase II" never quite made it off the ground. "Phase II" was meant to be the initial "Star Trek" spinoff series, but various behind-the-scenes decisions eventually saw the project mutating to fit the big screen. "Phase II" characters were changed to be part of "The Motion Picture," and several ideas for "Phase II" scripts made their way into future episodes of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," which debuted in 1987.
Trekkies will also tell you that Paramount was unimpressed by the box office numbers for "Motion Picture," a film that "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry was heavily involved in. Harold Livingston is the credited screenwriter, but Roddenberry aided in the story and served as producer. Because "Motion Picture" was a relative dud, Roddenberry was pushed out of the sequel.
Trekkies will also tell you that Paramount was unimpressed by the box office numbers for "Motion Picture," a film that "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry was heavily involved in. Harold Livingston is the credited screenwriter, but Roddenberry aided in the story and served as producer. Because "Motion Picture" was a relative dud, Roddenberry was pushed out of the sequel.
- 1/1/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The glory-obsessed, wild-eyed Klingon character of Gowron (Robert O'Reilly) was first introduced in the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode "Reunion", in which the leadership of the Klingon High Council was in a state of flux. It seemed that the old Chancellor K'mpec (Charles Cooper) was being slowly poisoned, and one of two men was set to take his place. There was the dishonorable Duras (Patrick Massett) or the mysterious Gowron. Ultimately, Worf (Michael Dorn) killed Duras in a fit of rage after Duras murdered Worf's mate K'Ehlyr (Suzie Plakson), leaving Gowron in charge. Gowron would sit at the head of the Klingon High Council as Chancellor until the events of the "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" episode "Tacking Into the Wind", when Worf would slay him as well.
Gowron has always been a fan favorite, as Robert O'Reilly's performance was often enjoyably over-the-top. Grit your teeth and growl the phrase "Gloohry to yooooou,...
Gowron has always been a fan favorite, as Robert O'Reilly's performance was often enjoyably over-the-top. Grit your teeth and growl the phrase "Gloohry to yooooou,...
- 12/31/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
When reading actor Brian Cox's memoir "Putting the Rabbit in the Hat," I was disappointed that he didn't mention his work on David Fincher's superlative "Zodiac." Throughout the book, Cox shows no reluctance to burn bridges, and given his ribbing of "Succession" co-star Jeremy Strong's method acting, I was eager to see if he'd have similar words about Fincher's infamous perfectionism. Alas, no such stories exist.
True to its title, the 2007 "Zodiac" film is about the Zodiac killer, the still unidentified murderer who left Northern California quaking with fear as the 1960s closed. The film spans the 1960s to 1980s (with an epilogue in 1991), focusing on the killings and then Robert Graysmith's (Jake Gyllenhaal) investigation years later.
One of the movie's earlier sequences recreates an episode from October 22, 1969. Someone claiming to be the Zodiac said he would dial into Jim Dunbar's Kgo-tv (local to...
True to its title, the 2007 "Zodiac" film is about the Zodiac killer, the still unidentified murderer who left Northern California quaking with fear as the 1960s closed. The film spans the 1960s to 1980s (with an epilogue in 1991), focusing on the killings and then Robert Graysmith's (Jake Gyllenhaal) investigation years later.
One of the movie's earlier sequences recreates an episode from October 22, 1969. Someone claiming to be the Zodiac said he would dial into Jim Dunbar's Kgo-tv (local to...
- 12/31/2023
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
The honorable Klingon Kurn (Tony Todd) first appeared in the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode "Sins of the Father". In that episode, he revealed that he was the long-lost little brother of Worf (Michael Dorn), the only Klingon in Starfleet. Kurn had been living under a fake name, as his and Worf's father had been (falsely) accused of betraying a camp of Klingons to the Romulans years before. In Klingon society, a son is just as guilty as their parent, hence the episode's title. The crime in question was actually committed by the father of a character named Duras (Patrick Massett), who had covered up the crime and was now poised to sit on the Klingon High Council.
Rather than accuse a potential Klingon ruler of malfeasance and potentially throw the entire Klingon Empire into a civil war, Worf chose to keep all this secret. He instead allowed his...
Rather than accuse a potential Klingon ruler of malfeasance and potentially throw the entire Klingon Empire into a civil war, Worf chose to keep all this secret. He instead allowed his...
- 12/31/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Jonathan Frakes' 1998 film "Star Trek: Insurrection" is hardly the most celebrated of the 13 extant "Star Trek" movies. The film wasn't terribly well-reviewed when it was released, and a general fan consensus seems to dictate that it may be the least of the four films based on "Star Trek: The Next Generation."
Notably, "Insurrection" looks cheap. The bulk of the film's action takes place on the Ba'ku homeworld, but the filmmakers were unable to do anything to make it look appropriately alien. The exteriors were filmed in Thousand Oaks, California, as well as the Sierra Nevada mountain range, and, well, it looks like they just shot the film in California. Additionally, the Ba'ku were given no alien makeup, leaving them looking like regular old people. Worst of all, the Ba'ku costume designs were unbearably boring, as everyone was draped in loose-fitting, off-white hippie-wear that even mannequins would be embarrassed by.
The...
Notably, "Insurrection" looks cheap. The bulk of the film's action takes place on the Ba'ku homeworld, but the filmmakers were unable to do anything to make it look appropriately alien. The exteriors were filmed in Thousand Oaks, California, as well as the Sierra Nevada mountain range, and, well, it looks like they just shot the film in California. Additionally, the Ba'ku were given no alien makeup, leaving them looking like regular old people. Worst of all, the Ba'ku costume designs were unbearably boring, as everyone was draped in loose-fitting, off-white hippie-wear that even mannequins would be embarrassed by.
The...
- 12/26/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Throughout the seven seasons of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," the android Data (Brent Spiner) often struggled with his inability to connect with his crewmates. Unlike Data, his organic peers were all emotional beings who could laugh, get angry, and intuit friendly interactions via their feelings and social acumen. Data had no emotions, at least not demonstrably, and had to rely on analysis and study to understand humans. Data longed to be human and often asked his friends to explain their baffling idiosyncrasies. Data's emotionlessness was not a flaw, but a design choice by his creator.
Later in the series, Data secured an emotion chip built specially for him by his presumed-dead creator. At first, he was afraid to install it, but after a prank gone awry in the 1994 film "Star Trek: Generations," Data finally decided to give himself the emotions he had been longing for. It's a pity that...
Later in the series, Data secured an emotion chip built specially for him by his presumed-dead creator. At first, he was afraid to install it, but after a prank gone awry in the 1994 film "Star Trek: Generations," Data finally decided to give himself the emotions he had been longing for. It's a pity that...
- 12/25/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Throughout "Star Trek," Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) has engaged in precious few romances. Early in "Star Trek: The Next Generation," he reunited with an old flame (Michelle Phillips) in the episode "We'll Always Have Paris," and it was implied that he had a fling years earlier with a lawyer (Amanda McBroom) in "The Measure of a Man," but those relationships concluded before "Next Generation" began. Of course, Picard had a wild dalliance with Vash (Jennifer Hetrick) in "Captain's Holiday," lived out a life with his imagined wife (Margot Rose) in "The Inner Light," had a time-travel fling with a classmate (J.C. Brandy) in "Tapestry," and had a very palpable romance with Lieutenant Commander Nella Darren (Wendy Hughes) in "Lessons."
Oh yes, and Picard was very clearly attracted to Lwaxana Troi (Majel Barrett), and throughout "Next Generation," Picard and Dr. Crusher (Gates McFadden) shared a professional regard through a definite romantic undercurrent.
Oh yes, and Picard was very clearly attracted to Lwaxana Troi (Majel Barrett), and throughout "Next Generation," Picard and Dr. Crusher (Gates McFadden) shared a professional regard through a definite romantic undercurrent.
- 12/25/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Oh no, not the decontamination chamber.
When "Star Trek: Enterprise" debuted in 2001, there was a conscious effort by the showrunners to work in as much brazen sex appeal as they could. Noticeably, the casting directors hired Jolene Blalock, who had worked as a professional model, to play the Vulcan First Officer T'Pol, and the costume designers were careful to outfit her in skin-tight body suits. She was clearly meant to replicate Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) from "Star Trek: Voyager."
"Enterprise" was set about a century prior to the original "Star Trek," and some of the more popular "Trek" tech hadn't been invented yet. As such, when a team of officers returned from an away mission, they had to spend a long span in a decontamination chamber. In later other "Trek" shows, the transporters took care of contaminants and idle spores an away mission might have accumulated. On "Enterprise," officers...
When "Star Trek: Enterprise" debuted in 2001, there was a conscious effort by the showrunners to work in as much brazen sex appeal as they could. Noticeably, the casting directors hired Jolene Blalock, who had worked as a professional model, to play the Vulcan First Officer T'Pol, and the costume designers were careful to outfit her in skin-tight body suits. She was clearly meant to replicate Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) from "Star Trek: Voyager."
"Enterprise" was set about a century prior to the original "Star Trek," and some of the more popular "Trek" tech hadn't been invented yet. As such, when a team of officers returned from an away mission, they had to spend a long span in a decontamination chamber. In later other "Trek" shows, the transporters took care of contaminants and idle spores an away mission might have accumulated. On "Enterprise," officers...
- 12/24/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
People old enough to remember the "Police Academy" movies may recall a scene in Hugh Wilson's 1984 original might recall a scene wherein the irascible horndog Carey Mahoney (Steve Guttenberg) sidled up to fellow cadet Karen Thompson (Kim Cattrall) and asked to see her thighs. Karen was too flustered in the moment to respond, but was eventually won over by Mahoney's comedic charm and loose manners in the face of the Metropolitan Police training facility. She eventually donned a pair of jogging shorts and, of her own accord, playfully showed them off to Mahoney while in the middle of her morning run.
The "Police Academy" movies are, naturally, horrendously dated in their attitudes today, but Kim Cattrall likely didn't object to the jogging shorts scene as, it so happens, she is quite fond of her own legs. It was that fondness, it seems, that led to a minor disappointment when...
The "Police Academy" movies are, naturally, horrendously dated in their attitudes today, but Kim Cattrall likely didn't object to the jogging shorts scene as, it so happens, she is quite fond of her own legs. It was that fondness, it seems, that led to a minor disappointment when...
- 12/18/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
In Nicholas Meyer's 1991 film "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country," the usual crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise-a was joined by a new member of the senior staff, Lieutenant Valeris (Kim Cattrall). Valeris, Trekkies will be able to tell you, was initially meant to be the character of Saavik, played by Kirstie Alley in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" and by Robin Curtis in "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock" and "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home." According to a DVD commentary track provided by longtime "Star Trek" designer Mike Okuda, Saavik was changed into a new character when show creator Gene Roddenberry objected to the character's unexpected turn to villainy. Valeris proves to be in league with some of the villains of "Star Trek VI," you see, and Roddenberry couldn't abide a turncoat.
Additionally, Cattrall didn't like the idea of being the third actress to play the same role.
Additionally, Cattrall didn't like the idea of being the third actress to play the same role.
- 12/16/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The three-season NBC run of "Star Trek" in the late 1960s (aka "The Original Series") was not a smooth ride for anyone at any level of production. Each hour-long episode cost, in 2023 dollars, over $1 million to produce (with the classic "The City on the Edge of Forever" being particularly pricey), which, given the series' Nielsen ratings struggles, was a huge problem for the network (which pulled the plug on the show in 1969 much to its rabid fans' consternation). Also tricky, the stars' salaries. William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy played chicken with NBC in pay negotiations, basically daring the execs to fire them.
According to "Star Trek" historian Marc Cushman, the network decided they'd had enough of Nimoy's hardball act; rather than bring back the hugely popular (with fans at least) Mr. Spock, they opted to write the character out of the show and bring in a brand new Vulcan. However,...
According to "Star Trek" historian Marc Cushman, the network decided they'd had enough of Nimoy's hardball act; rather than bring back the hugely popular (with fans at least) Mr. Spock, they opted to write the character out of the show and bring in a brand new Vulcan. However,...
- 12/11/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
The "Star Trek" franchise was nearing a crossroads in 1986. 20 years after the premiere of The Original Series on NBC, moviegoers were showing up in significant numbers to follow the big-screen exploits of Captain Kirk and the crew of the Starship Enterprise. But while 1982's "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" and 1984's "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock" were hits for Paramount (they both grossed in the $78 million range domestically), they were not blockbusters. So when stars William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy asked for salary bumps, the studio had some tough decisions to make.
Paramount almost received an unexpected windfall when their under-contract box office juggernaut, Eddie Murphy, asked to be in the fourth "Star Trek" movie. Murphy had just starred in "Beverly Hills Cop," the highest-grossing movie of 1984, and, as a hardcore Trekker, wanted to be a part of Gene Roddenberry's sci-fi universe. The studio was thrilled,...
Paramount almost received an unexpected windfall when their under-contract box office juggernaut, Eddie Murphy, asked to be in the fourth "Star Trek" movie. Murphy had just starred in "Beverly Hills Cop," the highest-grossing movie of 1984, and, as a hardcore Trekker, wanted to be a part of Gene Roddenberry's sci-fi universe. The studio was thrilled,...
- 12/7/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
One of the more fantastical elements of J.J. Abrams' 2009 film "Star Trek" is the use of a mysterious, seemingly magical substance called Red Matter.
In the 23rd century, Spock (Leonard Nimoy) used Red Matter to create a black hole in the Romulan star system just as its sun was about to go supernova. The idea was that the black hole would suck up the exploding star like a vacuum cleaner and save the Romulan homeworld. No, the actual astral physics don't many any sense, but this is what they went with.
Spock did suck up the supernova with his black hole, but he was too late to save Romulus. The black hole, it turns out, was also a portal through time, and Spock is sucked in and deposited about a century in the past. Following Spock through the time hole is a bitter Romulan named Nero (Eric Bana), incensed...
In the 23rd century, Spock (Leonard Nimoy) used Red Matter to create a black hole in the Romulan star system just as its sun was about to go supernova. The idea was that the black hole would suck up the exploding star like a vacuum cleaner and save the Romulan homeworld. No, the actual astral physics don't many any sense, but this is what they went with.
Spock did suck up the supernova with his black hole, but he was too late to save Romulus. The black hole, it turns out, was also a portal through time, and Spock is sucked in and deposited about a century in the past. Following Spock through the time hole is a bitter Romulan named Nero (Eric Bana), incensed...
- 12/6/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Trekkies and sci-fi nerds in the early 1990s were riding high. The original "Star Trek" cast wrapped up their final movie together with "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country," and "Star Trek: The Next Generation" was striding through its best period. Most importantly, the Sci-Fi Channel launched within nerds' cable packages in 1992, and a panoply of riches opened up. Some previously inaccessible shows were suddenly regularly rotated through the Channel's calendar, and classic sci-fi movies were finally gathered under one umbrella. About 30 years ago, the Sci-Fi Channel slate was embarrassingly good, containing "Planet of the Apes" movies, "Star Trek" reruns, "The Incredible Hulk" reruns, airings of "Starman," and curious documentary shows like "Mysteries from Beyond the Other Dominion" and "Inside Space." Kids got to enjoy "Transformers," "Stingray," and "Space: 1999." Adults got to watch "Night Gallery" and "Tales from the Darkside." 1992 Sci-Fi Channel was truly TV at its peak.
Barry Schulman...
Barry Schulman...
- 12/4/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
In the "Star Trek" episode "Whom Gods Destroy", the U.S.S. Enterprise was lured to a distant planet that hosted an advanced mental health facility built for the people who, even after being subjected to the thorough rigors of 23rd-century medicine and psychology, are still quite unhealthy. Captain Kirk (William Shatner) must match wits with one of the facility's patients, Fleet Captain Garth (Steve Ihnat), who has taken over the asylum. Among his mentally unwell servants is a woman named Marta (Yvonne Craig), an Orion dancer who attempts to stab Kirk. Craig plays the part with energy and wildness and she's a big part of why "Whom Gods Destroy" is fun to watch.
To play Marta, as seen in the photo above, Craig had to be painted almost entirely green. Her costume was a short, diaphanous tunic, so her arms, armpits, back, and legs all had to be coated in green makeup.
To play Marta, as seen in the photo above, Craig had to be painted almost entirely green. Her costume was a short, diaphanous tunic, so her arms, armpits, back, and legs all had to be coated in green makeup.
- 12/3/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
You might've heard over the years that William Shatner has a propensity for diva behavior, both on and off set. He could be controlling, selfish, and downright insulting. He's been accused of stealing lines and generally being a jerk to his "Star Trek" cast mates. James Doohan, who endeared himself to fans as the Enterprise's chief engineer Scotty, once remarked, "I wanted to thump him on more than one occasion." At a roast held in Shatner's honor, Nichelle Nichols, a television legend for her portrayal of Black communications officer Lieutenant Uhura, joked, "People say you're a pompous, arrogant, egotistical, self-centered, narcissistic jerk. I don't think you're narcissistic."
Obviously, the cast learned to deal with Shatner being Shatner, which allowed them to hang together for several decades and six feature films. They all made a good deal of money milking "Star Trek" for every cent it was worth, and thank god...
Obviously, the cast learned to deal with Shatner being Shatner, which allowed them to hang together for several decades and six feature films. They all made a good deal of money milking "Star Trek" for every cent it was worth, and thank god...
- 11/26/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
In Stuart Baird's 2002 film "Star Trek: Nemesis," Tom Hardy plays Shinzon, a human clone of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), grown in a lab by the dastardly spies in the Romulan Empire. When their clone plot didn't quite turn out the way that they wanted, the Romulans disavowed Shinzon's existence and sent him as a young boy to be enslaved in a Reman mine. The Remans were a cousin species of the Romulans that had been enslaved for many generations. Shinzon would grow up among the goblin-looking Remans, sharing their plight. Perhaps possessed of Picard's knack for leadership, Shizon would eventually lead a Reman uprising against the Romulans. "Nemesis" was the first time Trekkies ever caught a glimpse of the Remans. Shinzon's massive warship, the Scimitar, would be staffed entirely by Reman officers.
Most notably, Shinzon's unnamed right-hand man, a Reman Voiceroy, would be played by Ron Perlman, an...
Most notably, Shinzon's unnamed right-hand man, a Reman Voiceroy, would be played by Ron Perlman, an...
- 11/26/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
In 2006, CBS began the meticulous process of remastering the original "Star Trek" series for release on Blu-ray and on HD DVD (remember those?). The live-action sequences were to be seen in high-definition for the first time, and the new versions were extrapolated from surviving 35mm masters. The show's special effects were to be recreated using modern CGI techniques, as modern HD TV screens would have made the original effects stand out in an awkward way. The release of the "remastered" Treks caused some debate among Trekkies. Was it exciting to see a TV series from 1966 brushed up to look as modern as possible, or should the shoddiness of the original be maintained for reasons of aesthetic purity? Luckily, unlike the "Special Editions" of "Star Wars," both the old versions and the new versions are readily available on Blu-ray.
The debate, however, will eternally remain if it's better to watch "Star Trek...
The debate, however, will eternally remain if it's better to watch "Star Trek...
- 11/25/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The "Star Trek" movie franchise was almost a one-and-done fiasco. Paramount had the highest of hopes when they released "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" on December 7, 1979, and, at first, it appeared as though their commercial expectations would be exceeded. The film scored the biggest opening of the year with a gross of $11.9 million (slightly better than the openings for "Alien" and "Moonraker"), but mixed reviews and ho-hum word of mouth (particularly from non-fans) kept it from being the runaway blockbuster it needed to be given its then exorbitant $44 million budget. It wound up being the fourth highest grossing film of 1979 behind "Kramer vs. Kramer," "The Amityville Horror" and "Rocky II").
The film's primary problem was its length and lack of action. At 132 minutes, Robert Wise's movie kind of lumbered; there are long, reverent shots of the U.S.S. Enterprise that, for many in the audience, quickly went from awe-inspiring to tedious.
The film's primary problem was its length and lack of action. At 132 minutes, Robert Wise's movie kind of lumbered; there are long, reverent shots of the U.S.S. Enterprise that, for many in the audience, quickly went from awe-inspiring to tedious.
- 11/19/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
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The Daniel Craig era of James Bond changed up the many decades-long film series in a number of different ways. Most notably was its tonal shift, steering further away from the goofier and campier elements of the series that the "Austin Powers" trilogy had so much fun lampooning. After all, once you make "Die Another Day," the only direction you can go is a more grounded one. But there had been serious James Bond films before, such as the earliest Sean Connery films or the Timothy Dalton era. The bigger change the Craig films made was taking a page out of the modern franchise booklet, and that was serialization.
The first 20 James Bond films may have brought actors and filmmakers over from one film to another, but the plots of those films rarely carried over. Part of the pleasure of...
The Daniel Craig era of James Bond changed up the many decades-long film series in a number of different ways. Most notably was its tonal shift, steering further away from the goofier and campier elements of the series that the "Austin Powers" trilogy had so much fun lampooning. After all, once you make "Die Another Day," the only direction you can go is a more grounded one. But there had been serious James Bond films before, such as the earliest Sean Connery films or the Timothy Dalton era. The bigger change the Craig films made was taking a page out of the modern franchise booklet, and that was serialization.
The first 20 James Bond films may have brought actors and filmmakers over from one film to another, but the plots of those films rarely carried over. Part of the pleasure of...
- 10/29/2023
- by Mike Shutt
- Slash Film
Of all the James Bond movies, "Die Another Day" is perhaps the most detested. Maybe you think it's an underrated Bond film deserving of more respect, but the prevailing view of this early 2000s outing is that of a truly shameful blunder in the canon. Of course, perspectives shift over time. At one point, "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" was treated with similar derision to "Die Another Day," and now George Lazenby's only outing in the tux is viewed as one of the best in Bond's 60-year on-screen run. But there's something about "Die Another Day" that I can't help but feel will forever keep it from achieving the same respect.
The ice palaces, invisible cars, and Korean colonels using plastic surgery to transform into insufferable British toffs, are all beyond ridiculous. But they're funny, and Bond has been funny and lighthearted at various points throughout his career to great effect.
The ice palaces, invisible cars, and Korean colonels using plastic surgery to transform into insufferable British toffs, are all beyond ridiculous. But they're funny, and Bond has been funny and lighthearted at various points throughout his career to great effect.
- 10/22/2023
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
It's well known that "Star Trek: The Next Generation" didn't have the easiest beginning. Virtually no Trekkies list season 1 as their favorite of "Tng." As season 1 aired in the Fall of 1988, the series hit another speed bump: The 1988 Writers Guild of America strike. Production on new TV seasons had to be put on hold as negotiations broke down and writers took to the picket line for increased residuals and creative rights.
This WGA Strike lasted for 154 days from March 7 to August 7, 1988, and remains the longest in the Guild's history, barely eclipsing the recently concluded strike of 2023. To cross-reference, "Next Generation" season 1 would finish its run that May. Instead of running away with the momentum of that first season, it was left up in the air. Had the strike gone on for longer, the series could've died on the vine. Captain Picard himself, Sir Patrick Stewart, revealed in his new memoir,...
This WGA Strike lasted for 154 days from March 7 to August 7, 1988, and remains the longest in the Guild's history, barely eclipsing the recently concluded strike of 2023. To cross-reference, "Next Generation" season 1 would finish its run that May. Instead of running away with the momentum of that first season, it was left up in the air. Had the strike gone on for longer, the series could've died on the vine. Captain Picard himself, Sir Patrick Stewart, revealed in his new memoir,...
- 10/16/2023
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
In many ways, "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry was a very progressive thinker. His hit TV series depicted a future wherein humanity had outgrown concepts like prejudice, war, and greed, and it stood as an open criticism of Cold War politics, corporate malfeasance, and the damage the religious right was doing to the country. Roddenberry pictured a semi-idealized future without want, and posited that humans would eventually come to embrace intellect, diplomacy, open-mindedness, and a benevolent -- not a warlike -- relationship with technology.
When it came to sex and women, however, Roddenberry was perhaps a little less philosophically graceful. He famously had multiple affairs and long-term girlfriends while he was married, and oversaw multiple "Star Trek" episodes that were, more or less, sexual fantasies for him. He was a free love advocate, often speaking crassly about the importance of sex in his life. In the book "The Fifty-Year Mission:...
When it came to sex and women, however, Roddenberry was perhaps a little less philosophically graceful. He famously had multiple affairs and long-term girlfriends while he was married, and oversaw multiple "Star Trek" episodes that were, more or less, sexual fantasies for him. He was a free love advocate, often speaking crassly about the importance of sex in his life. In the book "The Fifty-Year Mission:...
- 10/15/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
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