Saturday, April 04, 2015

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

D is for Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde....so what gives? The original author, Robert Louis Stevenson wrote his first edition novella "Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde" in 1886. Since that time there have been dozens of stage and film adaptions of the novella, over 123 film versions alone not including radio and stage versions.  There doesn't seem to any stopping Dr Jekyl or his doppelganger hiding within, hehe! Looking back Rouben Mamoulian's 1931 B/W version made quite an impact.


1931 didn't have 3D CGI techo special effects we take for granted today. Jekyll and Hyde fans should get a kick out of Mamoulian's movie. I reckon lots of remakes failed to capture the spirit of Stevenson's original book, lacking Mamoulian's movie style and technical innovation.  It really was the golden age of science and inventions.






The arrival of new age special effects has changed Hollywood forever. Theres a brand new "true to text" 2015 Jekyll and Hyde movie due out on April 17th. The official website is here. Theres something about the earlier classics that gives us an appreciation and stretches the imagination.

What's your favorite Jekyll and Hyde film?

Hyde long and Prosper, trekkers.

Friday, March 13, 2015

In Memoriam Leonard Nimoy (1931 - 2015)

Leonard Nimoy lived and shared many moments with fans across the world. I met him in 1995 at his book signing "I AM SPOCK." Meeting Leonard was a big moment in my life that I'll cherish forever. Goodbye Leonard.



































Saturday, February 28, 2015

Leonard Nimoy




Leonard Nimoy passed away on Friday the 27th February at the age of 83. All over the world tributes have poured in from NASA, Celebrities to Barack Obama.

I never really expected this day to really come. Leonard was universally loved for playing the pointy eared Mr Spock devoted to logic and so much more. He was remarkable and will be sorely missed.

Deforest Kelly's Dr McCoy captured Mr Spock's passing best in Star Trek's Wrath of Khan as you'll remember heres what he said,

McCoy: He's not really dead. As long as we remember him.




Sunday, February 22, 2015

Happy Birthday Jeri Ryan





Aw shucks! Heres Jeri Ryan hanging out with trekkies. I'm guessing this photo was taken at a Sci Fi convention but which one? These tickled pink Trekkers in Starfleet uniforms look really pleased as punch. Don't forget, Star Trek fans come in all shapes and sizes. We've even got a green one wearing a Starfleet combadge. 'Captain Four To Beam Up!'



 Happy Birthday Jeri,  Have a great day.

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Into Darkness Speed Chase

Hello Everyone, Heres the David and Goliath Star Trek Into Darkness space chase. You know the score. Big baddie Vengence spaceship races after Captain Kirk's chicken USS Enterprise ship. So now its battle stations! Chekov's got his cool space shades on and Dr Carol Marcos wants permission to, I quote "come on the bridge..."




Anyway, in this space chase the admiral's dreadnought is frightening fast roaring a little like a retro Godzilla but you be the judge. Poor USS Enterprise hasn't a chance. No time for Uhura's 'hailing frequencies, open captain.' Instead its fire first and prepare to die. (1m 20sec) Secretly we're all getting off on the speed chase and what happens next. Those poor devils!!!



 Did you get a rush when Starfleets finest got sucked out the side of USS Enterprise NCC 1701? Go on now admit it, warrior to warrior. How did you feel?


Monday, November 03, 2014

STAR TREK CONVENTIONS









The links on this page will beam you to the furthest corners of the galaxy currently hosting Star Trek and Science Fiction Conventions. Enjoy the Sci Fi buzz Trekkers, Trekkies and Niners!





Creation Entertainment Las Vegas

Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo

Coast Con

Creation Entertainment

New York Comic Con

Baltimore 1999 Worldcon

Cruise Trek

Comic Con International

DemiCon (Des Moines, Iowa)

CollectorMania

Comic Con France

DragonCon Atlanta

FedCon

Gallifrey One California

Gen Con LLC

Science Fiction and Fantasy Con

Light Speed Productions

Galactic Beach Party

Long Beach Comic and Horror Con

Millennicon (Kings Island, Ohio)

Motor City (Detroit, Michigan)

ScifiConventions

Shore Leave Home Page (Maryland)

StarLand Cons

Vulcan Events

Fedcon Sci Fi Experience

Polaris Canada

Starfest

Starfury (UK)

Trek Fest

Northwest Science Fiction Resources

Wizard World Austin Comic Con

World Science Fiction Convention








Boston, MA
 - Official Star Trek Convention

Chicago, IL
 - Salute to Supernatural
 - The Vampire Diaries Official Convention
 - Official Star Trek Convention
 - Official STARGATE Convention

Dallas, TX
 - Salute to Supernatural

Detroit Area, MI
 - The Twilight Saga Official Convention

Las Vegas, NV
 - Salute to Supernatural
 - The Vampire Diaries Official Convention
 The Official Star Trek Convention

Los Angeles, CA
 - The Twilight Saga:
 - The Official Xena Convention
- Grandslam Convention: The Star Trek & Sci-Fi Summit

Nashville, TN
Official Star Trek Convention
 The Vampire Diaries Official Convention

Parsippany, NJ
 - The Twilight Saga Official Convention
 - The Vampire Diaries Official Convention

Philadelphia Area
 - Official Star Trek Convention

San Francisco, CA
 - Official Star Trek Convention

Toronto, ON
 - Salute to Supernatural

Vancouver, BC
 - Salute to Supernatural

Whippany, NJ
 - Salute to Supernatural









































































Monday, September 22, 2014

Blogfest 'Firefly vs Star Trek'

The time to write about our favorite unknown for the Underrated Treasures Blogfest,  MOVIE – BAND/ARTIST – TV SHOW – BOOK has arrived, so here goes!

Firefly vs Star Trek!

Every so often, an ensemble of Hollywood talent unites to create a marvel of science fiction.. I'd like to tell you about Joss Whedon's Firefly. One thing that I look for and enjoy in a work of science fiction are conflict driven characters exploring the scientific and social dimensions taking us to strange new worlds. Star Trek's classic show was unique because of its three-way bond between Kirk, Spock and Dr McCoy. The battle of egos, human scepticism and logic gave it a special edge. I like it when a character does or says something to surprise you but how do you stand out from the crowd when every action hero is so convincing?

Star Trek with all of its official re-incarnations shows humans and aliens working together using futuristic technology exploring the human adventure. Roddenberry's action packed wagon train in space was lucky because its over enthusiastic actors, aliens and cardboard sets produced characters and stories like one seamless magic show fans cared about.

James Cameron understood that if you copy a work of genius like Star Trek, you'll be left with a terrible phony which won't fly. So, he set the trend in Hollywood by re-inventing instead of ripping off the old sci-fi classics.

When Joss Whedon's learned about the secret formula he produced 14 episodes for his sci-fi 'sequel' on a shoestring budget, sound familiar?

Whedon's Firefly 'sequel' simply took Star Trek's followers on a fresh 'spaceship' journey thrilling us with a mirror cast based on Gene Roddenberry's original show. The beauty of Firefly is there are no clean cut uniforms, no energy weapons, no teleportation, no long shots of spaceships warping against a starry backdrop to classical music, no obsession with technology, no robots, no artificial intelligences, not even a clear long-term goal for the protagonists apart from the plot conflict between the Alliance and the Rim, and the bitterness of committed Browncoats. Its all close-up and raw. The characters are flawed and realistic. 

1. Mal is the gruff 'anti-hero' with powerful leadership qualities like Captain Kirk, propelling his crew into the thick of action. Still it has to be said Firefly created its own law and disorder in the galaxy.
2. Zoe and Inara are graceful rational, logical counterparts to Mal, as Spock is to Kirk.
3. Wash has Sulu written all over him, gentle and humorous with a way of articulating intense situations.
4. Kaylee is the cool-headed Scotty full of optimism and the miracle worker.
5. Dr Simon Tam has the same fiery relationship with Mal as Bones has with Kirk.
6. Book has the intelligent saving graces of Dr McCoy.
7. Jayne is a fearless explorer like Chekov often breaking the ice with his cornball humor.

Firefly captured the imagination of sci-fi fans with qualities we can all admire, it provided fresh unpredictable characters in an alternate universe, subtracting the science without ruining the fun or being just a shallow imitation. There certainly are numerous original aspects to Firefly, given River's unnatural insight bordering on the edge of madness providing a mysterious air of intrigue for the show. While Firefly and Star Trek are fashioned on the Western wagon train to the stars, each show is full of emotional depth, adventure with a cast of reverse engineered characters. What do you think?

Which sci-fi show made a distinct impression on you?


Monday, August 11, 2014

All Hands Battle Stations

PICARD: This is about saving the future of humanity.
LILY: Jean-Luc, blow up the damn ship!
PICARD: No! ...No! (Picard breaks the starship display cabinet with his phaser rifle)
PICARD: No! ... I will not sacrifice the Enterprise. We've made too many compromises already. Too many retreats. They invade our space and we fall back. They assimilate entire worlds, and we fall back. Not again! The line must be drawn here, ...this far, no further! And I will make them pay for what they've done.
LILY: You broke your little ships. ...See you around, Ahab.
PICARD: 'And he piled upon the whale's white hump, a sum of all the rage and hate felt by his own race. If his chest had been a cannon, he would have shot his heart upon it.'
LILY: What? PICARD: 'Moby Dick.' LILY: Actually, I never read it.
PICARD: Ahab spent years hunting the white whale that crippled him. A quest for vengeance, ...but in the end it destroyed him and his ship.
 LILY: I guess he didn't know when to quit

Star Trek First Contact is a cool movie. I love it when Lilly rather gloomily, says 'See you around, Ahab.' All seems lost. Its seems to me Lilly Sloane's comparison of Picard to Ahab captures the moment beautifully. Despite Lilly's heated words, our valiant skipper delivers a powerful message - Never Give Up, Never Surrender. After all how would you feel about blowing up the beloved Enterprise?

Well my trekker friends, I just wanted you to know Spacerguy is back! The show must go on. All hands battle stations! Lets go get the Borg.


 

Friday, May 30, 2014

Worfs Secret Fear

In Star Trek's TNG episode, "Coming of Age" Wesley and Worf discuss facing their fears while on the USS Enterprise-D holodeck. But its not actually divulged what Worf's "secret fear" is. So lets make an educated guess.....



Tribbles!!! 


Could this be true? Do Tribbles really have what it takes to spook Warrior Worf?


Tribble long and Prosper, trekkers, trekkies and niners.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Zats all Folks

Zats all Folks! Its Zee end of April's A to Z Blog challenge. Its been fun which is why we do it again and again. Heres to the Galaxy's Greatest who beamed on over, so lets rejoice. Thanks to our hosts for making A to Z so:

 Arlee Bird @ Tossing it Out
Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh
Author Stephen Tremp
Tina @ Life is Good
Damyanti @ Amlokiblogs
Jeremy @ Being Retro
Nicole Ayers - The Madlab Post
M. J. Joachim's Writing Tips
Heather M. Gardner
AJ @ Naturally Sweet
Pam @ An Unconventional Librarian.




 My gratitude goes out to all  of you happy lifeforms who trekked over to join in the party, visited and commented through the A to Z Challenge this month! Thanks trekkers, trekkies, trekinators, trekologists, Niners, until next time. Kapla!

Monday, April 28, 2014

X-Men Xavier

Patrick Stewart is most widely known for his roles as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation and its successor films, as Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men film series, and for his prolific stage roles with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Stewart's character, Charles Xavier, is very similar to Picard and himself, "a grand, deep-voiced, bald English guy" aka Professor X, the leader and founder of the X-Men.

Throughout most of his comic book history, Xavier is paraplegic, although his body houses one of the world's most powerful mutant minds. As a high-level telepath, Xavier can read, control, and influence human minds. Stewart has also since voiced that role as Xavier in 4 video games including: X-Men Legends, X-Men Legends II, and X-Men: Next Dimension. Truly he is one of the most powerful telepaths in the Marvel Universe.


Saturday, April 26, 2014

Don't mess with WORF!

Why is Worf rejected so much? In the STNG episode, "Coming of Age", while on the holodeck, Wesley and Worf discuss facing their fears. It was not revealed what Worf's "secret fear" was.




We know Klingons living to an old age is every warriors worst nightmare, as is being denied the right to die gloriously in battle. Actor Michael Dorn aka Worf has seen the youtube clip,

'Worf gets DENIED again and again on Star TNG' and was amused by it.

Heres what Michael had to say at a Comic and Toy Expo.

(Forward to 2mins 4sec)





In conclusion share with us now, warrior to warrior, 

What is your favorite Worfism?

Here mine: Assimilate this! 

Friday, April 25, 2014

Vash

V is for Vash but who is she? Vash is a fortune hunter in Star Trek TNG 67th episode 'Captain's Holiday' with Jennifer Hetrick co-starring with Patrick stewart. While chilling out on the idyllic pleasure planet Risa, Captain Picard gets involved with a hot babe totally passionate about archaeology. At first she doesn't quite level with Picard until the unethical Ferengi, Sovak and two time travelling Vorgon criminals arrive on the scene looking for Captain Picard. The 'baddies' have come a long way for a 27th century superweapon of ultimate power, called the Tox Uthat. However Vash has other ideas and seeks only one thing, locate and seize the small crystal cube and flog it to the highest bidder.


Who will find the Tox Uthat first? Which do you think is the most destructive force ever created in the universe, the Tox Uthat or the Federation's (Regula One) Genesis Torpedo or Soran's rocket star killer?

live long and prosper, trekkers.

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Star Trek The Undiscovered Country

Star Trek The Undiscovered Country is a good movie with plenty of emotional attachment to all the main characters, proper effects and peppered humour. Its fun watching the hungover USS Enterprise NCC 1701-A crew piecing together the clues in this Sherlockian style, Star Trek murder/mystery.

When a mysterious photon torpedo ploughs into the Klingon High Chancellor's flagship, Kronos One, its red alert, battle stations for Kirk's Enterprise. The real mind twister is why are the USS Enterprise computer banks lying? Scotty just isn't buying it.


'Inform them of what? A new weapon that is invisible? Raving lunatics, that's what they'll call us!


What did Valeris see in the evil General Chang? Anyone with an eyepatch NAILED to his head is not exactly someone you want to mess with, Period. Who were you rooting for? Did you feel sorry for Valeris?


 

Monday, April 21, 2014

Robotic Datas' Epic Win

Heres our Robotic Enterprise-D Science Officer, Commander Data awaiting word on missing DNA fragments essential to locating a super humanoid master species. Anyway what makes this youtube funny is the fact Data's positronic brain is encased in battleship armour!

He has the strength of 10 men, doesn't get tired, rust or ever sleep! In an epic encounter with the Klingon Nu’Daq, our metal friend Data is challenged to an armwrestle, Klingon style. When Nu’Daq loses he tries a new move. Lets just say the Klingon isn't counting on Data's very hard head.

Data: "My upper spinal support is a polyalloy designed for extreme stress. My skull is composed of cortenide and duranium."

When you listen closely you can hear chuckles in the Enterprises Ten Forward bar. Should Guinan aka Whoopi Goldberg have intervened? Did you know about Data's molybdenum-cobalt, tripolymer or polyalloys? What would you have done in the same situation?




 Laugh Long and prosper, trekinators!

Friday, April 18, 2014

Cable Guy Star Trek Battle

Remember Kirk and Spock's duel in Star Trek's classic episode of Amok Time? Well, here's Jim Carey's skit of trek's famous fight to the death scrap. It's an epic "Cable Guy" parody really. When you play the clip you'll see the master of crazy comedy lampooning around as Chip with a terrified Kovac slugging it out in the arena. Listen out for Carey's improvised "Star Trek" sound effects which are a total hoot.




"All right you want to play rough? Daddy can play rough." Da-na, na, na, na, na, naaa, na-naa, na, na.

"Like when Spock had to play Kirk on Star Trek, best friends forced to do battle." - Cable Guy.

"Chip this isn't funny, will you stop it!!"

"The name is Spock, if we don't battle to the death, they will kill us both." - Cable Guy.

 "This isn't Star Trek" yells Kovac.


Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Natasha Yar in Naked Now


N is for Naked. In Star Trek TNG's "Naked Now" the USS Enterprise-D crew get infected with a virus from another ship, the Tsiolkovsky. The fun begins when everyone loses their inhibitions, acting real weird when they return from an away mission.

Security Officer, Natash Yar is a real stunner all dolled up and a sight for sore eyes. She sets her sights on Data, seducing the android, adding him to her list of conquests. With a mischievous expression on her face, she corners Data and their eyes light up. The android is baffled but can't help resisting Tasha's advances towards him. Security Officer Tasha is in complete control of the situation.


" Data, You are fully functional aren't you ?"
" I am functional" replies Data
" HOW fully functional ?" demands Yar, smiling eagerly like a hungry little cougar.
" In every way!, I am programmed in multiple techniques." responds Data "
You little Jewel" responds an ecstatic Tasha leading the smiling android away to an adjoining bedroom.

Lucky day for Data? A bird wearing a Starfleet shirt with insignia appears on a computer screen. Could this be the Great Bird of the Galaxy?

Dream Long and prosper, trekkers.



Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Mind altering Star Trek TOS Bloopers


M is for Makeup Meltdown. William Shatner spent 3 hours in the chair prepping for Star Trek's classic 'Deadly Years.' One day after suffering the exhausting 'aging' makeup process, Shatner arrived at Paramount's Star Trek production set which was closing down. Frustrated heres what he said:

'Bob Justman, I'm going home now. after spending three hours putting this f****** makeup back on.....and its your fault!


Have you seen treks original blooper reel outakes? How would you have reacted? Whos your favorite alien sci-fi creature?

Jump to 3.54 for Shatners reaction.


Monday, April 14, 2014

Locutus of Borg

L is for Locutus of Borg but who is he? In Star Trek TNG's Best of Both Worlds, Picard's Enterprise-D crew get their butts kicked in a battle with the big scary Borg. Victorious, trek's cybernetic baddies beam off the Federation's Galaxy class fortress with their prized possession, Captain Picard. How could this be happenning, I hear you ask. Well to be honest, TNG's Best of Both Worlds left many of us gobsmacked on stardate 44001.4 It was spine chillingly thrilling watching Picard become Locutus of Borg. However, many of us still couldn't accept Starfleet's finest diplomat was now the enemy, a walking and talking Borg.

 'I am Locutus of Borg. Resistance is futile. Your life as it has been is over. From now on, you will service us.'

 How did you react when Commander Riker gave the order?

 'Mr Worf.....fire.'

Live Long and Prosper, Trekkers.

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CAPTAIN PICARD TV SERIES

So analysis  has begun with Star Trek Picard's trailer... after a 17 year TNG hiatus some of trek's icons have returned. Here we ca...