Star Trek: Into Darkness A Review

Hey there! Happy Monday and wow, did I have great weekend. I took my mom and fellow Trekkie to see J.J.'s newest installment in the Trek series, Star Trek: Into Darkness. Holy cow, there are no words for what an incredible experience it was. I loved this movie from opening frame to the last and each nanosecond in between. As did the first film, it paid homage to both the series and the films with a deft touch that only a devout Trekkie could have.

Like the original Star Trek II, this is the film that breaks Kirk. It smashes him down and forces him to dig deep, to find just what he is willing to sacrifice in order to prove that he deserves the chair. He takes on an enemy that is more cunning and powerful than he ever thought possible. There is no re-writing the Kobayashi Maru. The script is pure genius, taking elements from the first Trek II and reworking them to fit the altered time line. The dialogue is sensational, never straying into over-emoting or taking the cast out of character.

And speaking of the cast, the entire crew is back plus a cameo by the awesome Leonard Nimoy. The chemistry sparks between the characters, with Pine finding a deeper level with each actor. The scenes with Kirk and each of his fellow actors are alive with tension and amazing fluidity. Particularly with Quinto. The only weakness was the casting of Alice Eve as Carol Marcus. She was the only one who appeared to have no chemistry with Pine, she seemed distant, unsure, like the dialogue was troublesome and she could not project the right emotion.

The action sequences are mindblowingly huge, fast and furious. I was strapped into my seat on a wild rush. The fx overall were incredible and I did not need to see this in 3D to enjoy the brilliance. The other downer is I know that J.J. is going to be tied up doing Star Wars for the next few years, so Star Trek may go on the back burner, which is a shame as I am totally invested in this new crew.

So what did you all do this weekend? See Star Trek? Thoughts?

Monday Reveal, Walker Round Up And Other Things

It's Monday again, Imaginarians and this chica does not want to move. I wish I could have remained all snugged up in my bed, but I got to pay my bills. I did have a great weekend, though. I finally caught up on Vikings and finished The Hungry Ocean by Linda Greenlaw. It's about the lobstermen of Maine. What a great, great book. For those of  you who aren't familiar with her, she was one of the first female captains of the Gloucester sword boat fleet and captained the Hannah Boden, sister ship of the ill-fated Andrea Gail from Sebatian Junger's book Perfect Storm. An amazing and strong woman. In fact she is the perfect seque into my next topic, my A to Z theme reveal.

My awesome friend Mina Lobo from Some Dark Romantic and the equally incredible David Macauley from Brits in the USA co-hosted  a blog hop last week in which the participants revealed the themes for the big A to Z Challenge. I am horribly, horribly late, but I wanted to participate any way. Last year my theme was strong women and this year is a further exploration of that theme.  I am posting about Powerful Women Of Hollywood, examining the women who influence film and television through their writing, directing, producing, acting and musical talents and expertise. I hope you enjoy my look at these 26 amazing women.

SPOILERS AHOY (I MEAN IT. DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN IT AS I CAN"T KEEP MY MOUTH SHUT)

Okay, it is Dead Time. Holy guacamole what  an episode last night. Merle knew deep down that Rick would never have the stomach to turn Michonne over to Governor Psycho Pants, so he played the heavy.  He shouldered the burden by cold-cocking my katana girl and hauling her to the meet and greet site. I really admire her composure and the way she kept her head throughout, especially when Merle's hot-wiring attracted that swarm of walkers. She had the best zombies kills of the night, decapitating one with a wire and smashing the head of another with her boot. All while tied up. Badass to the bone, I tell you.

Merle had me blinking a few times when he let Michonne go before they even made it to Ground Zero. I could see that they had been building up to something like this with Merle ever since he escaped the gladiator games in Circus Woodbury. He was reunited with Daryl and could see how the months they'd been apart changed his little brother, even if at first he reviled those changes. But the way he went out, taking out as many of the Gov's henchmen as he could before finally going down in dirty ass fight with the Gov, who bit off Merle's finger, then spit them out ala Mike Tyson. Ewww!!

Most heartbreaking was seeing Daryl discover his brother. Norman Reedus gave one of the most poignant and wrenching performances of this season. I was almost in tears, then remembered it was Merle and stopped. Still, in spite of his assholishness, Merle took a huge one for Team Prison.

Glenn and Maggie are getting married!! I love how he got the ring too. Those walkers have to be good for something, he cut the finger right off and took that diamond. And Rick, giving that awesome speech about how their group was the greater good, that he was not their governor to tell them how to live, that they made their decisions together. High Fives! Man, I am DYING for the finale. You know, I can't believe its the finale already and Sundays are going to be taken over by the godawful Mad Men. If I had more time, I would enunciate each of the one thousand reasons why I hate this show and wish it would get cancelled.

SPOILERS OVER

Yesterday, I went bowling for my nephew, Cameron's B-Day. what a blast! I bowled a 113 and a 103 respectively. Not bad. How was your weekend? Anything cool? Do you hate Mondays like I do?