Why a Prequel?

My friend e-mailed me the news this morning that Star Trek 11 is going to be out by 2008, and it will be directed by J.J. Abrahms. Of course this news excites me because I have always been a fan of Trek, and it is fantastic that Abrahms current film, Mission: Impossible 3 is getting some rave reviews, which means this movie might get made right.

The only angle I am against is that this is going to be a prequel film that will exhibit the first meeeting between Kirk and Spock. On a whole, I just do not think that prequels work. Enterprise was a show that only a few wanted to see, and the latest bunch of anticipated Star Wars films definitely did not break the prequel curse. As much as I like Kirk and Spock, how many people actually want to see new actors portray these characters. If Shatner and Nimoy make any appearance in the film, it may relieve some of the uneasiness, but the prequel idea is still not my most favored approach. After all, what's past is prologue.


Now Playing Star Trek: Generations by Dennis McCarthy

Tardy to the Game

My basketball team, Rounders, lost our first game of the season yesterday 47-41. The other team was quite good and aggressive, but I know we could have done better. Although some members of our team may blame the refs' or the small number of players that we had, I think we have only ourselves to blame for the loss, because this is a team that we could beat.

I think the biggest problem occured prior to the game when we had two players show up late, one of them after the game had begun. So instead of shooting around and discussing strategy, we were outside on the phone trying to get a hold of our 'tardies,' wondering if we would even qualify with enough players to begin the game. I think this was our biggest issue because it left us in a panic from the very beginning.

On the positive side, I had 15 points in the first game.


Now Playing Big score by Howard Shore

Tragedy on Passover

I work with someone who has recommended the book, The Case Against Israel for the customers this month. I have chosen to avoid a war of words with this person, because I know it will not lead to anything positive. It will just end as it began, with two people still connected to their own point of view.

But just when I thought that his book recommendation was disturbing enough, he voices something even worse in response to the news broadcast that reported nine dead in a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv. As the journalist reported that Hamas had sanctioned the action, my co-worker says with a certain glee, "holler, yeah Hamas."

"Holler, yeah Hamas,".........nine killed and at least twenty people wounded in a crowded shopping area on the holiday of passover. There are two tragedies here.






Now Playing Maverick score by Randy Newman

A Moronic Encounter on Durant

I was walking east on Durant avenue today, just passing Ned's Bookstore when some jerk intentionally throws his elbow into my arm as I was walking by him. I turned around to him and I said, "what the hell was that!" He replies with a strong, but challenging, "what! What did you say?"
He went on to try and bait me into some sort of fight, however the challenger never took a step towards me. After a few seconds, I just turned around and went back on my way to get a tapioca drink before class was to begin.
Since he wasn't physically prepared to fight me and since he was mumbling his threats, even as I walked away, it didn't seem like it was worth my time to be around an imbecile.
This encounter I had today was the first moronic challenge I've had in years, actually it is the first one I've had since my days at McAteer High School. I remember how frightened I was back then when a 'bad person' or a group of 'bad people' would try to bully me. Today was decidely different. I was not afraid of this idiot. I spoke up and then I let him mouth off in some sort of incomprehensible idiot talk. Geez, I hope I'm not maturing.



NP- The Chronicles of Narnia by Harry Gregson-Williams

Traveling is Illuminating

A couple of days ago I watched Everything is Illuminated. It is a movie I sort of avoided at theaters because I thought the marketing department was trying to be to trendy. The title is not conventional (you need to think a little to get), the poster is really loud, and it stars Elijah Wood who is usually better in a supporting role. On top of all of this bias, I had a Russian friend tell me she loved because the bulk of the film takes place in the Ukraine (a fact I did not know) and that it was great to see her people on the screen. After that, although I didn't acknowledge it, I was almost 100% certain I was going to avoid it, and I successfully did until the DVD release.
Well, after finally renting the film it seems now that I have missed one of the more enjoyable and inspiring films of the year at the theater this year. The movie is not remarkable by any means, but you do get to be very personal with the main characters and the story is very intimate.
I do not want to get into any plot points or into any major story descriptions, I really hate that in many reviews because they always spoil some sort of surprise in the film. I will reveal that Elijah's character travels from America to the Ukraine, a place that he has never been before. This was one of my favorite aspects of the film because they show you the country as a tourist would view it, and it looked like so much fun to go. I was quite jealous of Frodo's adventures once again.


Now Playing-The War by Thomas Newman

Unrevealing

I have realized for awhile that my inner demons are not being revealed here. I knew when I had begun this blog that it would be difficult to write about the more emotional and bothering things. I have been writing a bunch of movie reviews because they are a safe topic. No one will get very bothered if I write about my digust with the Pink Panther or the Cutting Edge. These things are largely impersonal even if you happen to live and breathe the topic (movies).
At this moment I really do not have anything to particularly confess or to moan about. Last night I attended a birthday party and I had a great time. In an hour from now, I will be back on the basketball for the first time in...three days. But really, I just wanted to note that I am aware that my inner demons have not been as revealing as I wish them to be on this blog. Truth is they may never be.



NP- Lord of War score by Antonio Pinto