Posted by Michael Pinto on May 8, 2008 in Star Trek
Yes I know that there were quite a few talented folks who made Star Trek great, and I’ll grant you that he has a huge ego — but I feel like William Shatner is being treated like crap by not including him in this upcoming Star Trek film. Don’t tell me that they can bring back Nimoy for a leading role but they can’t work a 5 minute future flashback into the damn script?
Adding insult to injury is the Star Trek Ultimate Captain Kirk 1:4 Scale Figure which looks like a bad cartoon sculpture of Shatner. Of course I’ll grant you that Paramount has never had the same approach to quality merchandise that say Lucasfilm has had with Star Wars, but I think that they could do a little bit better on the small and big things that count to us fanboys.
Posted by Michael Pinto on May 5, 2008 in Star Trek
It’s funny but in the last few years I’ve found Google translation tools pretty handy for looking at various websites, but the the thought of being able to turn a cell phone into a Star Trek Universal Translator would change the world:
“Progress being made by European researchers on automatic speech-to-speech translation technology could help the EU tackle one of the biggest remaining boundaries to internal trade, mobility and the free exchange of information – language. Though the system still cannot match the accuracy of a human translator or interpreter, they’re is convinced that, with further research a commercially viable automatic speech-to-speech translator will be feasible within a few years, at least for some simpler language pairs.”
Posted by Michael Pinto on Apr 26, 2008 in Star Trek
I just love the detailing on this vintage Star Trek replica, in fact I’d love to see some enterprising fanboys kitbash it with an iPod! But sadly you’ll have to wait October to play doctor:
“Based on the classic 23rd century design, the electronic Tricorder features silver highlights over a black finish, as well as light and sound effects taken from the classic Star Trek series. Also included is the removable scanner accessory – perfect for your next away mission! ”
Posted by Michael Pinto on Apr 4, 2008 in Star Trek
Chief Engineer Michaelangelo, First Officer Donatello, Captain Leonard, and Chief Medical Officer Raphael: These are the continuing voyages of the Star Trek Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! Shown above is a detail from the back of a Playmates package dating from 1994 (to check out Chief Engineer Michaelangelo go here).
Posted by Michael Pinto on Apr 2, 2008 in Star Trek
The above clip almost looks more like a parody of a TV show from 1973 than an actual show, but it’s the real deal — well almost, it’s a failed pilot for a show called Baffled! which would have starred Leonard Nimoy. Here’s the description:
“In the role Robert Wagner was born to play, Nimoy stars as All-American race car driver Tom Kovack who tackles mystery and adventure after he is endowed with psychic powers in a racing accident. A failed TV pilot, it is notable for it’s fun, kitchy opening and totally kick ass theme song.”
Posted by Michael Pinto on Mar 30, 2008 in Star Trek
Ah yes the “good old days” of primitive 20th Century Earth! Back then before them there internets it was a strange world when Starship Captains were played by real men of grit and action like the Shat and we had quaint customs like buying our New Year’s calendars in December. But now things are much better: We can order our New Year’s calendars before Memorial Day!
Any way I do hope that William Shatner is getting a cut of the above Star Trek: 2009 Wall Calendar (because God knows he won’t be getting any sort of pay check from the upcoming film from J.J. Abrams who claims to not be able to figure out a plot device like a cameo to include Bill — but no I’m not bitter about it). Shown below is the Star Trek: Ships of the Line: 2009 Wall Calendar for you hardware fanboys:
Posted by Michael Pinto on Mar 19, 2008 in Star Trek
Shown above is a full-size replica of the classic Star Trek Communicator which was just released. While it won’t replace your iPhone this collectible features blinking lights, a moving moire pattern to impress your hippy friends, and over twenty sound effects and phrases including “Scotty here, Captain!” Star Trek fanboys (and fangurls) can order it now at Amazon.com for about $25 (transporter fees not included):
“What’s the biggest misconception about teleportation? That the object itself is being sent. We’re not sending around material stuff. If I wanted to send you a Boeing 757, I could send you all the parts, or I could send you a blueprint showing all the parts, and it’s much easier to send a blueprint. Teleportation is a protocol about how to send a quantum state—a wave function—from one place to another.”
Posted by Michael Pinto on Feb 10, 2008 in Star Trek
The folks behind the lolcat website I Can Has Cheezburger? now have a site for dogs! Being a Star trek fan I loved the loldog shot above from the episode The Enemy Within from 1966. As you’ll recall the poor horned space puppy went red shirt in the episode when used for unethical transporter testing, causing Dr. McCoy to comment “It’s dead, Jim”. Arf! Arf!
Posted by Michael Pinto on Jan 30, 2008 in Star Trek
Humans smile with so little provocation! It’s 20th Century Earth and the Bangles need a director for their music video “Going Down To Liverpool” (a cover by Katrina & the Waves) and the choice is logical — Leonard Nimoy. Well that and also band member Susanna Hoffs knew Nimoy’s son Adam (it’s who you know in Hollywood sometimes). By the way Adam Nimoy would go on to direct episodes of Star trek the Next Generation and Babylon 5. And least we forget Leonard Nimoy’s own musical roots:
Posted by Michael Pinto on Jan 29, 2008 in Star Trek
Shown above is a 1966 interview William Shatner on the set of the Star Trek episode What Are Little Girls Made Of? Below is another segment with Leonard Nimoy:
Posted by Michael Pinto on Jan 19, 2008 in Star Trek
Shown above is the first teaser trailer for the upcoming Star Trek film – now I see that “Under Construction” is a reference to the building of the Enterprise. I love the early NASA and JFK references and I’m happy to hear Spock, but I’m also sad that there’s no reference to Shatner. How can you have Nimoy without Shatner? That’s like having Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups without the chocolate and peanut butter!
Posted by Michael Pinto on Jan 18, 2008 in Star Trek
To boldly post an “Under Construction” sign where no fan has gone before! Nothing real on this website yet, although you can sign up to be spammed by Paramount when the time comes…
Posted by Michael Pinto on Nov 28, 2007 in Star Trek
Shown above is the Talking Translator, which in a crude way reminds me a bit of the Universal Translator from Star Trek. Although this primitive 21st Century version will only cost you about $70. Speaks and displays 12 languages, including French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Swedish, Portuguese, Dutch and Turkish but not Klingon. Silly humans!
Posted by Michael Pinto on Nov 20, 2007 in Star Trek
Behind every great heating company there’s a fanboy heading up the marketing department! I love this Star Trek themed parody/commercial from 1982. There’s also a Star Wars reference when they introduce the robot slideshow.
Posted by Michael Pinto on Nov 9, 2007 in Star Trek
The one thing that confuses me about this report is that Spock’s mom (Amanda Grayson, shown above played by Jane Wyatt) was human not a vulcan. Although Winona would make a cute vulcan (although she’ll have to work on he logic thing):
“Star Trek is beaming up Winona Ryder. Paramount Pictures and director JJ Abrams have set Ryder to play the Vulcan mother of a young Spock (Zachary Quinto). Scripted by Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, the film revolves around the Starfleet Academy days of the crew of the Starship Enterprise. Chris Pine has been set to play Capt. Kirk, Simon Pegg will play Scotty, Karl Urban is Dr. McCoy and Eric Bana will play the villain, Nero.”
…by the way for my money the BEST vulcan actress was Kirstie Alley as Lt. Saavik in the Wrath of Khan. Man I’ll never understand why they won’t let Nicholas Meyer touch Star Trek again!
Snarky Update: Variety revised the story to state that Spock’s mom will be human. Although on second thought I do think that Winona would look cute with the pointy ears…
Posted by Michael Pinto on Oct 20, 2007 in Star Trek
This is heartbreaking! William Shatner has gone on record in the above video to state that he hasn’t been offered a role in the upcomig Star Trek film. If this was the good old days Star Trek fanboys (and fangurls) would flood Paramount with letters, petitions and even a few death threats demanding screen time for Shat. How can we go where no man has gone before without Shat on board the Enterprise?
I blame Star Trek: TNG for ruining the rabid nature of Trek fandom, I mean how can you care about anything when the Captain of the Enterprise is up there on the small screen sipping tea and singing Gilbert and Sullivan ditties? Sadly people care more about Ellen’s dog being snatched than poor old seadog Kirk. It just isn’t right! And don’t even get me started on those bastards not including Lindsey Wagner in the Bionic Woman remake, they deserve to have their ratings tank.
“On Tuesday, November 13, the two-part Star Trek Remastered version of “The Menagerie” will beam onto the big screen in a special engagement with selected theatres. The screening — a first for episodic Star Trek on this scale — will be seen in nearly 300 venues across the U.S. and Canada. This one-night-only event will also feature a special introduction by Eugene “Rod” Roddenberry, son of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, plus an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of the Remastered series.
“The Menagerie” will be presented in its digitally remastered, high-definition format and in Cinema Surround Sound. The screening is in part to promote the HD-DVD/DVD release the following week (Nov. 20) by CBS Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment.
for you hardware fanboys:
I’d rather see “The Cage” (and show it with a scratchy 16mm print too) but this is still a pretty cool event: