Movie Mondays (or...thursdays): Star Trek

It was inevitable that I would eventually turn to the world, er, galaxy of Star Trek for Movie Monday. And since I have been gone and haven't posted in a long while, I am not going to wait for Monday! So here you have it:


Top 5 Star Trek Films

5. Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.
After the disaster that was Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, the original Trek cast wanted to do one more film before they retired. Less a sci-fi film and more a political murder mystery, this film is a bit of a departure from the rest of the movies, but is still a nice finale for the original cast. The story involves Klingon diplomats who want to make peace with the Federation, and Kirk has been chosen to make terms with them. The Klingons were responsible for the destruction of the Enterprise and the death of his son, and Kirk has to face his own prejudices and hate in order to make peace. When he is falsely accused of killing the Klingon leader, he realizes that there is more fear and hatred lurking in the Federation than he thought, and Spock has to save Kirk from a death sentence and find the real killer. The film features an interesting cast including the model Iman, Christopher Plummer (yes, the guy from the Sound of Music) and Kim Cattral (yes, from Sex and the City), and while the movie may not be the best of the group, it serves as an excellent final film for the cast.

Highlights: Kirk unknowingly kisses a shape-shifting alien, who then takes his own form. When Kirk is betrayed by the alien he cries, "But I kissed you!” to which she replies, still in Kirk form, “Must have been your greatest ambition.”



4. Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan
Perhaps the most iconic and certainly the most quotable of all Star Trek movies, Wrath of Khan is the reason the rest of the Star Trek movies got made. After Star Trek: The Motion Picture was released, which was mildly successful but totally boring and way over budget, the future of Star Trek was uncertain. However, Wrath of Khan returned to the roots of the show. The special effects weren’t as good as the previous movie, but the film has a charismatic, engaging villain, and a real emotional journey for Kirk. He has been promoted to admiral, but this means he has a dull desk job. He feels his age creep up on him. He is being attacked by a son he never knew he had, and a nemesis he had forgotten. Kirk taking back his life by reclaiming the Enterprise, tackling his family issues, and outsmarting the bad guys is almost a metaphor for the entire Star Trek series, which was coming back to life.

Highlights: KHAN!!!





3. Star Trek: First Contact



“Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated.” The only good Next Generation movie might be the best Star Trek action movie of the bunch. With a truly terrifying villain and tons of suspense, there is still a great deal of humor. Patrick Stewart is in great form as Captain Jean-Luc Picard, and he plays a hero with a tortured past brilliantly. The storyline is mostly drawn from what is most definitely the best episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation ever: The Best of Both Worlds. The Borg, an alien race that lives as a collective, is trying to assimilate the galaxy. In the past they assimilated Picard and forced him to kill thousands of his own people. Although he escaped the Borg, he can still feel them, and he follows them as they go back in time to assimilate the planet Earth before First Contact, the day the Vulcans landed on Earth. Somehow simultaneously exciting, funny and terrifying, First Contact gives all the characters time to shine and never sacrifices story or pacing. Resistance is indeed futile!

Highlights: Picard uses the holodeck set to be a 1930’s speakeasy to confuse the Borg.



2. Star Trek (2009)

The inevitable reboot had many long time fans worried. Would the whole thing be a joke? Instead the film manages to pay a loving tribute to the original series without becoming a parody. Captain Kirk’s swagger, cheesy pick up lines, and green lady friend are obviously a wink at William Shatner’s Kirk, but he is a still a character to be taken seriously. The cameo from Leonard Nimoy’s original Spock is a great touch that lends an authentic feel to the movie. The story may have plot holes the size of black holes, but even that feels right. This IS a Star Trek movie after all! While new fans are seduced by the fast paced adventure, old fans get to see the little loving touches like Chekov’s over the top accent, Dr. McCoy’s fear of flight travel, Sulu’s fencing skills and even the appearance of a tribble.

Highlights: Dr. McCoy proves to be just as grumpy as his original counterpart and calls Spock a “pointy eared hoboblin.”


1. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

While not exactly an example of fantastic science fiction, this movie perfectly captures the fun, campy spirit that made the original series so wonderful. The story is completely ridiculous. Going back in time to collect whales to communicate with a mysterious space probe sounds like an awful premise for a movie on paper, but seeing Kirk, Spock and the gang wandering around mid-eighties San Francisco is absolutely priceless. Spock mind-melding with a whale,” Kirk’s fruitless attempts to seduce a crazy whale scientist, Dr. McCoy’s horror at 20th century medicine, Scotty’s inability to use a computer, “Hello computer?” and Chekov’s nuclear “wessels,” are all wonderful. The film never takes itself too seriously, and the end result is a silly, romp through time with actors that are clearly enjoying themselves. The audience enjoys themselves too.


Highlights: Spock denying vehemently that he went to UC Berkley and did too much “LDS.”




And there you have it, the top 5 best Star Trek movies really almost ever.

Movie Mondays: The Movie Musical Part 3

Continuing on through the history of musicals, the 1960s were mostly hits from Broadway that were adapted for film. This era brings many exciting developments but only two exceptional leading ladies were brought to the screen from Broadway as well.

One of these stars came flying in on an umbrella from her Broadway success of My Fair Lady. Julie Andrews, denied the staring role of Eliza in the movie version of the show because she was (and I quote) "not photogenic enough," was asked to portray the first 'Super Nanny' in Walt Disney's Mary Poppins. With incomparable Dick Van Dyke as co-star, Julie shines in her Oscar winning performance which would lead her to the role that made her career, Maria in The Sound of Music. Julies magic can also be found in the hilarious Thoroughly Modern Millie and the astonishing Victor/Victoria (in a role which she later originated on Broadway).

The other leading lady for this era worth mentioning don't have Julie's charm or class for that matter, but she is truly sensational. Debuting in Funny Girl, a role she originated on Broadway, Barbara Streisand's excellent performance won her the Oscar for Best Actress. Other musicals in her repertoire included, Funny Lady(the sequel to Funny Girl), Hello Dolly (big hair, long nails and Louis Armstrong :D) and Yentl (oh man, so much awkward).

Other musicals with roots in Broadway that were total hits include, Bells are Ringing, The Music Man, My Fair Lady, A Funny Thing Happened on The Way to The Forum, Sweet Charity, West Side Story, Oliver! and Finian's Rainbow.

A musical you should never see (and I mean NEVER. I couldn't even make it through the whole thing... it was that bad) is Camelot. Super boring and terrible showmanship. Just plain bad.


In the 70s, there were more of Broadway's hits were turned into movies with mixed results. Fiddler on The Roof and Cabaret did well but most did terribly.

The 70s also brought the use of rock songs in musicals like Jesus Christ Super Star, Hair, The Rose, Tommy and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Unfortunately critic and audiences alike really hated most of these attempts.

Two movies contradicted these trend however.

First, Grease, full of catchy songs and teen angst, immediately won over audiences and critics alike. John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John provided fun for the whole family in their portrayals of the rough and tough greaser and the sweater toting goody-two-shoes.

Although Rocky Horror Picture Show was not received well by critics, it has developed an impressive and bizarre following especially among college students.



At the end of the 70s, most people considered the movie musical to be pretty much dead. It would take some puppets and mythical water creatures to convince people that the movie musical should be a part of our world.

Romper: Rad or Ridiculous?

About a year or so ago, the Romper (or playsuit as it was called) came back in style after its first introduction in the 40s and 50s.

Now those look cute and retro but their modern alternatives have me hesitating.

The first one has me worried that some poor unsuspecting person could have their ENTIRE outfit pulled off by accident. The second one would be a cute skirt or a cute top... but both....? The third one is actually ok if you don't mind your shirt looking like its tucked in.

They aren't really that bad, but something about them just doesn't sit right. Maybe its because they remind me of when I was a little girl, we used to were these things called short-alls.
They were super comfy and super ugly.

Or maybe its just because its so ingrained in me that your top and bottom should not be made out of the exact same material.
See? Its just not workin' for anyone.

Or maybe its the name itself that bothers me... I mean this is also a romper...
Rompers: Hit or Miss?
ummmm idk know about you but I'm leaning towards a MISS

Movie Mondays: The Movie Musical Part 2

Now for a look a musicals from the 40s and 50s or the Golden Age of Musicals

With the boys getting ready and heading off to war, the movie musicals of the 40s were designed to lift the spirits and take people out of the misery of the day-to-day.

Bing Crosby, the crooner famous for his rendition of the classic hit White Christmas, was in his hay day in the 40s. His warm vocals and endearing personality was reassuring to a nation at war. Even though Bing is usually the main love interest along side stellar leading ladies, he is more of someone you'd want to be your super cool uncle or sweet grandfather. Bing's best include: White Christmas (the movie this time), High Society and Holiday Inn.

Judy Garland, who's performance in The Wizard of Oz launched her into stardom, appeared in 16 movie musicals and 14 feature films during the 40s. Holy cow that a lot! With her charming girl-next-door quality and stunning set of pipes, Judy Garland will forever be a household name. The best of Judy include: For Me and My Gal (Gene Kelly's Debut!), Meet Me in St Louis, Easter Parade (with Fred Astaire!) and Summer Stock.

Next up is the master of dance, musical genius and my personal favorite, Gene Kelly. Gene's magical feet, charming singing voice and lovable personality won the hearts of musical lovers the world over. Not only was he a talented performer, he also excelled as a choreographer. Some of his lesser known (but super awesome) works include: Cover Girl, Ziegfeld Follies, The Pirate (which I have actually never seen but it has Judy Garland so it must be good) and On The Town.

The 5os is referred to as both the Golden Age of musicals and the downfall of musicals. Although Elvis was king and you could make more money on a low-budget beach party flick, some of the best musicals of all time were produced during this decade.

Although Rogers and Hammerstein where teamed up before the 50s, their Broadway musicals hit the silver screen in full force during this time. Oklahoma, Carousel, The King and I and South Pacific are excellent examples of the magical music and lyrics of this duo. Don't see your favorite? Don't worry! The R & H tradition carries over into the 60s.

Perhaps the most iconic movie star of all time, Marilyn Monroe made a break through to stardom in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. This steamy, blonde bombshell made the majority of her films in the 50s including Some Like It Hot.

However, MGM's musicals pretty much blew everyone out of the water. Among them are the sensational An American In Paris, delightful Singing In The Rain, the show within a show within a movie The Band Wagon, silly but sweet Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and the last MGM musical Gigi.

There were so many musical stars in those days, all very talented, including Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Danny Kaye, Frank Sinatra, Doris Day and Rita Hayworth. Its impossible to cover them all but check out the links to see some of their showstopping performances

Next time: movie musicals of the 60s and 70s

Movie Mondays: The Movie Musical

Today we are going to delve into the phenomenon known as the movie musical. Hopefully, this will be a BRIEF history of this fascinating genre.

The world went crazy for sound in the 20s when The Jazz Singer revolutionized the industry by being the first "talking" picture in history. Audiences went 'gaga' (hee hee) over the idea of hearing their beloved actors and actresses actual voices instead of reading crude captions.

But the first movie musical was actually slightly more sophisticated. In 1929 MGM released Broadway Melody. Advertised as the first "All-Talking, All-Singing, All-Dancing" feature, it became the first sound film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. Time has not been kind to Broadway Melody, in fact you might find it difficult to sit through it all and stay awake. However, to most viewers in 1929, Broadway Melody a technical miracle, with content and sound technology superior to every "talkie" that had come before.

The early 1930s were not kind to anyone, including the movie musical. There's really nothing to report. All stinkers. According to the Internet Movie Database, Hollywood released more than 100 screen musicals in 1930 -- only 14 in 1931. yikes!

Thankfully Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers came dancing along in the mid 30s and movie goers were once again entranced by song and dance. This dynamic duo would preform in several pictures together most notably Shall We Dance and The Berkleys of Broadway.

Everyone's favorite curly-top got her big start in the 30s as well. Shirley Temple, at age six, charmed audiences with her singin', dancin' and cute-as-a-button personality. Some her best include Stand Up and Cheer and The Little Colonel.

Disney joined in the musical scene creating the first animated musical, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It was a happy day for all us Classic Disney fans :)

Also, Judy Garland and Bing Crosby both got their starts in the late 30s but the majority of their work that's worth remembering is in the 40s so we'll save them for later.

To be continued next week with movie musicals of the 40s and 50s