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Star Trek Into Darkness, a review by Dragonfire

Star Trek Into Darkness



I have seen this one twice in the theater and I loved it both times.  I know some people don't like these movies and have complained about things that are different from the original movies and tv show.  I like the reboot and find these movies very entertaining and interesting.  I have seen some of the original movies and tv show episodes, but I don't remember a lot of what happened in those.  I went years without being interested in the movies or tv shows, but that has changed since the reboot and I want to watch the original movies here sometime.

I'm not including any spoilers in this post.

I'm not sure how much time has passed since the end of the first movie.  Kirk and Spock are getting along better, though they still have conflicts.  A mission doesn't go well, and Kirk and his crew have to deal with the fallout.  While that is happening, a terrorist and former member of Star Fleet, John Harrison, attacks Star Fleet.  Kirk and his crew are given a special mission to go after Harrison.

The movie is showing in 2D and 3D.  I saw the 2D version both times I saw the movie, so I have no idea how the 3D looks.  I did notice a few images that might have looked cool if the 3D was taken advantage of.  Abrams once again went over board with the lens flare to the point where it is distracting in some scenes.  He needs to knock that crap off.

The story is entertaining and it works well.  There are things that tie back to the original movies, including one in particular, but things are different enough that it isn't just a retelling of a previous plot.  There is a good amount of action and some violence that works with what is going on.  The characters are familiar, yet they all have little differences here and there - like Scotty standing up to Kirk about something.  There are a few little moments here and there that add humor from things that characters say or do.  Bones does one of his "Dammit man" lines.  In addition to the action and humor, there are also some emotional moments as well.  I read something after I saw the movie that someone called one part hollow and cheap..I don't agree with that at all.  That part worked in my opinion, and it did get to me.

Benedict Cumberbatch is absolutely wonderful as Harrison.  He has his reasons for why he is doing, and he is absolute in his convictions.  He is chilling and makes a very strong villain.  The rest of the cast does a good job with their parts as well, but Cumberbatch is the stand out.

Star Trek Into Darkness is a great movie that is definitely worth seeing. 



I did post a longer review on Epinions - that is spoiler free - after seeing the movie the first time.

Star Trek Into Darkness



(From Star Trek Into Darkness - No Spoilers on June 24th, 2013)

Gamera vs. Gyaos, a review by Danae Cassandra

Gamera vs. Gyaos  (Daikaiju kuchusen: Gamera tai Gyaosu)
Year of Release: 1967
Directed By: Noriaki Yuasa
Starring: Kojiro Hongo, Reiko Kasahara, Taro Marui, Yoshio Kitahara
Genre: Science-Fiction, Disaster, Tokusatsu, Kaiju

Overview:
The third entry of this classic monster series continues when a volcanic eruption awakens Gyaos, a gigantic vampire-like bat who has a ravenous hunger for blood. Gyaos is Gamera's most popular foe, returning in four more films (not counting the stock footage in SUPER MONSTER). Can the fire-spitting terrapin Gamera defeat this nocturnal beast?

My Thoughts:
Gyaos has emerged from his cave! He is hungry! Humans are the perfect size for snacking! See him generate great wind with his wings! Witness his sonic scream cut through almost anything! Gamera is all that stands between Gyaos and humanity's snacktastic end!

One of the best of the Showa era Gamera films. Gyaos is a lot more frightening than the usual monsters of the era - after all, he's not just about rampaging damage. He eats people! And seems to have a genuine glee about it. He's also a pretty cool monster, and there's a bit of thought given to what the anatomy might have to be for his powers. The kid is a fairly annoying character, but aside from him this is a pretty fun kaiju film.

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 3/5

(From Gamera! on February 27th, 2016)

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Marathon, a review by DJ Doena

Synopsis: Kira is informed that someone has found wreckage parts of a ships she has been looking for. It disappeared six years ago during the occupation. On that ship was a former member of her resistance cell. But when she departs for her search she has an unexpected companion: Dukat.

My Opinion: Once again it has been shown that Dukat isn't a one-dimensional character but he's also never been portrayed as a "good guy". I liked the introduction of Dukat's "half-breed" daughter Tora Ziyal because she brought out another aspect of Dukat's character, a side we will see again. I also liked the general idea to put Kira and Dukat on a joined mission without any other character interfering.

Synopsis: Dr. Lenara Kahn comes to the station and she wants to create an artificial wormhole. The problem is: Lenara Kahn was once Nilani Kahn and Nilani was married to Torias Dax two lifetimes ago. In the Trill society it's strictly forbidden to romantically "re-associate" with a former lover.

My Opinion: Interestingly many people saw this episode as a statement about homosexuality which it was not. I found it very interesting because one had to try to imagine what it would be like to live several hundred years always merge with a new host and thus creating a different personality yet not forgetting the feelings for past loves. It's even harder to imagine than with the Tok'ra (Stargate SG-1) because there the consciousnesses of host and symbiont were still a bit separated.

Synopsis: Quark wants to bring Nog to Earth personally and he takes his new shuttle "Quark's Treasure". But he is smuggling Kemocite at the same time and due to sabotage the ship has an accident and travels through time. And when Quark, Rom and Nog wake up they find themselves in a military facility near a town called Roswell in the year 1947.

My Opinion: This was a funny episode. It was great to see how Quark imagined to make business with these kinds of humans who are nothing like the Federation humans of his time. But even he was appalled about some aspects of human society (smoking, atom bomb tests, ...). I enjoyed this episode very much.

Synopsis: Business with the Karemma isn't going so well because it can only be conducted through the Ferengi (The Karemma wouldn't dare to oppose the Dominion). When Sisko tries to negotiate with them they are attacked by Jem'Hadar fighters and have to hide in a gas giant. From there things get worse.

My Opinion: It was an OK episode. It was interesting to see how Worf had the interact with the engineering crew because that was new territory to him. We mustn't forget that he has been a command crew officer only for a few months. But I was surprised when O'Brien mentioned that most the engineering crew hasn't been to Starfleet academy. It seems logical but until now I always thought that everyone who wore the uniform had been to the academy. I think that falls into the same category as we've never seen enlisted personnel in TNG - even O'Brien wore the insignia of a Lieutenant.

(From Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Marathon on November 8th, 2008)