Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Let the Trekkers (or Trekkies) say AMEN!

So I went to see the new Star Trek movie. Having been indoctrinated in the awesomeness that is Star Trek (yes I have been to conventions) I had mixed feelings. On the one hand I was anticipating seeing the "originals" brought back to life on the big screen. However I was somewhat apprehensive about how the film would be treated, in short I worried they would totally f@(& it up.

My worries were in vain.

The casting director(s) deserve(s) a standing ovation and all the accolades due to them for putting together a stellar (pun intended) cast of fresh faces who embodied the true essence of who the characters were (and in the case of Karl Urban's dead on portrayal of "Bones" you could close your eyes and you would really believe Deforest Kelly was on screen).

The writers did an excellent job of creating an in depth plot, and were smart enough to put in those little extra touches that die hard, long time Trek fans would notice and appreciate. A wonderful score and very nice visual effects rounded everything out.

In short I loved the movie, so much so that I watched it two times in row. The critics got it very right when they gave the high marks that they did. Let us join with Ann Hornaday, the authour of my favourite review of the movie (actually of any movie for that matter...) and say a word of prayer in thanksgiving for the studio not messing it up. Amen.

Monday, May 4, 2009

When television was Golden

So it is 1 am and I am still wide awake, so I flipped to the Hallmark Channel where they are showing a Golden Girls marathon and I am reminded of a time when television was worth watching.

When you looked forward to what was on television not because it took your mind off of how crappy your own life was, or because it was a way to escape reality, but because the shows were genuinely good and you had a vested interest in the lives of the characters and wanted to see how things were going to work out.

I am watching the episode series where Dorothy is diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and I am reminded why it is one of my favourite story lines. Dorothy's dry wit, Blanche's hoetasticness, Rose's innocent stupidity, and Sophia's no holds barred spirit, what's not to love?

Television today is a pointless exercise in mind numbing stupidity. With the exception of a few shows like CSI, and CSI New York, network television is not worth watching. Truth be told, other than the two previously mentioned shows, I don't think I watch mainstream television. I have no idea what the (insert any given night of the week) line up for NBC is, but I can tell you the programming schedule for the PBS Kids network. I think if I didn't have cable, I would only be watching PBS and it's affiliated networks.

Oh well, it is what it is. Back to the Golden Girls. Rest in peace Estelle and Bea, you ladies were truly a class act.