Star Trek: Into Darkness movie review

Actually, if I was blogging chronologically, I really ought to blog my review of Pacific Rim or Monster University first, but I wanted to get this one out-of-the-way ASAP so I can watch and/or read other reviews with my own unadulterated thoughts put down already. Once seen, such things cannot be unseen. That's your deep thought for moment. I really can't wait to see what Mr. Plinkett says about Star Trek 2. His movie reviews are outstanding, although I do not know if Plinkett is one man, many, a fictional person, a pseudonym(s), or what.

Anyway, NON SPOILER SECTION

I enjoyed all three movies, although my order of the three I mention would be: Pacific Rim, Monster University, Star Trek

I haven't been to many movies this year, or any year lately. All by itself, the fact I made the effort to see it in the theater was a compliment. I did not go to see the previous Star Trek, and it took me awhile (and a change in my thinking) to finally watch it.

The newest Star Trek movies basically got the Lost in Space movie treatment. Or Starsky and Hutch. Or the Beverly Hillbillies. They are not sequels to the original, or even remakes strictly speaking, but nostolgia-driven pop-culture-appealing gimmick-prone inspired-by entertainment-experiences.

To say that a movie with Kirk-Spock-McCoy and phasers and Klingons is good ol' Star Trek again is like saying my original Nintendo Star Trek 30th Anniversary game was right on par with the series in entertainment-genetics. Hey, the game was fun, with Harry Mudd, Saurian brandy, and Romulan birds-of-prey shooting at you (or threatening to). True to the classic series, I even learned to take along a few redshirts whenever bad guys were around.

SPOILER ALERT - SPOILER-FILLED SECTION - DO NOT ENTER WITHOUT CONSENT

I enjoyed the movie, but on terms of a fun sci-fi movie. It certainly was not bad. And I have seen some bad sci-fi movies, recently and in the past, so I am grateful for that.

So, in no partcular order, my gripes.
Khan crying, Spock crying, Kirk crying
Khan's defeat was not because of his 20th Century 2-Dimensional thinking, but rather a rather silly mistake (owing to a underestimation of Spock).
Khan was not Indian (tan-skinned), but this is understandable in light of tan-skinned terrorists in movies being a delicate proposition
Scotty not being replaced with an experienced Starfleet engineer (while docked at Earth for goodness sake! This was the most stupid part of the whole movie, except maybe the crying)

My compliments:
Carol Marcus showing up for perhaps more than one movie.
The idea that Khan and Carol Marcus are in this universe suggest boundless gimmick possibilities (wouldn't it be fun if Dax, Harry Mudd, and Gary Seven show up?).
The cameo of Leonard Nimoy's Spock
The unexpectedness of the Kirk-radiation plot twist
The reappearance of the peerless Captain Pike

I expect I will think of more, but let me get this posted.

Hey, this guy wasn't in Jurassic Park: Carnotaurus

http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120903195505/primalcarnagethegame/images/thumb/8/84/Carnotaurus.png/640px-Carnotaurus.png

http://www.wikidino.com/wp-content/uploads/Carnotaurus-M.Shiraishi-2.jpg

From my reading, I am given to understand that Carnotaurus (Meat-eating bull-lizard) was roughly contemporary with Tyrannosaurus Rex and Allosaurus, and of similar contour, but was off doing his own thing on the then-island of South America, which much like the Australia of then and now, was an isolated continent giving rise to unique forms.

Actually, also from my own reading, I recall many other examples of the peculiarity of South American fauna, represented even today by the sloths and their xenarthan brethren. You see, South America didn't connect up to North America directly until about the last Ice Age.

Apparently, I am just now learning something many 4-year-olds probably know. There is apparently a year 2000 Disney animated movie that features Carnotaurs fairly heavily. Gonna have to see that sometime.

http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Dinosaur
http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Carnotaurus

I am wondering if that's the dinosaur on the Turok animated movie cover.
There is so much genetic and evolutionary hanky-panky in Turok's Lost Land that I don't think it matters much.
http://donglutsdinosaurs.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Turok-DVD-697x10001.jpg

kaiju emotion

It is hard to convey distinct emotion in monsters, but I saw this photo of a diorama recently that did a very good job. Despite the fact that these are "real animals" represented, I think my use here is justified.

http://archosaurmusings.wordpress.com/2008/11/01/being-eaten-alive-arrrrrgggggghhhhhh/

http://archosaurmusings.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/rhyncho-herrera-model.jpg


Also, I have been impressed with art in the Kill All Monsters webcomic. Heck, the webcomic in general. They appear to have a published form for sale, but at the moment I am broke. And truth be told, I try to restrain my whimsical purchases.

meet the sabre-toothed sheep-lizard

(I'm not kidding)
The dicynodont was another Triassic animal, also known in other geologic eras.
(it goes PERMAIN -> MESOZOIC (Parts 123: Triassic -> Jurassic -> Cretaceous) -> CENOZOIC)

These are hardy fellows, having as a group survived the Permian-Triassic Extinction event, the Jurassic Ecologic Chaos, and the competition with the well-adapted dinosaurs. Their heyday was apparently in the early and middle Triassic, however, when they were as numerous as perhaps 95% of all land animals.

http://eonsepochsetc.com/Mesozoic/Triassic/Tri_Animals/Dicynodonts.html
http://www.abc.net.au/science/ozfossil/ageofreptiles/northern/dicynodont.htm
http://darrennaish.blogspot.com/2006/05/dicynodonts-that-didnt-die-late.html

Among other things, the dicynodonts are amazing as a survivor from the early Triassic to the early Cretaceous. They were once though to have all died out in the Triassic for various reasons.

meet the owl-headed pig-lizard

Rhynchosaurs were a group of reptiles that lived about 220 million years ago during the Triassic period. They're not considered dinosaurs, although neither are pterodactyls nor dimetrodons, although popular culture considers them to be such.
My readings recently in a book about dinosaurs has often mentioned the other non-dinosaurs with whom they lived, which is pretty cool to me.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhynchosaur
http://www.darwincountry.org/assets/userfiles/medium/sy2129.jpg

These triassic reptiles are considered to be archosauromorphs, a group ancestral to both crocodilians and dinosaurs. The archosaurs and archosauromorphs are generally crocodile-like, although some such as the rhynchosaurs were plant-eaters.

In this case, the rhynchosaurs are at least "distant cousins" to the dinosaurs. Other prehistoric fauna, such as giant amphibians and therapsids (mammal-like lizards who ruled the Earth before dinosaurs), are not really part of the extended dinosaur relations.

Doing a casual search on Google, I discovered a rather unexpected connection with Dungens and Dragons.

Varan idol figurine

It is hard to explain why I find this so amazingly cool. It's an obscure reference to an obscure monster in an obscure monster movie, beautifully rendered. It's listed as Price: 12,500 Yen, whatever that comes out to in dollars. I am doubtful that it is still available, however.

It's exceedingly ironic that an idol is the source of my fascination. Smacks of idolatry?

The website it's from, www.kaijukits.com, is interesting in and of itself.

Also, check out Varan Unleashed

Listen to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p-b0rE2_7w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=223JFA8zsaY&feature=share&list=PL5871002D4E8A850C
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pholQl7L8A0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHrEZ0bYzes (images)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws_dP1PwuQs (theme music from Godzilla: Unleashed video game)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckaiCaG4UlI (maybe film reviews)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXH3QJrx98U (German military music? WHy?)
http://www.historyvortex.org/TohoInAmerica5.html

http://www.ebay.com/itm/X-Plus-12-internet-variant-Varan-monster-Godzilla-Marmit-Bandai-M1-Paradise-/121031803070
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160949760756&fromMakeTrack=true

【Description】

X-Plus 12" internet variant Varan monster Godzilla Marmit Bandai M1 Paradise

Here is a spikey 12" vinyl X-Plus prepainted figure of Varan, the orphan kaiju of Toho who was given a decidedly unspectacular production for his first and essentially final film appearance (unless you count his ragged costume being shown for a few seconds in Destroy All Monsters). But don't think that Toho's one-shot wonder is not pursued by collectors, partially due to his elusive nature and partially because he is one classic-looking reptilian monster, with a tough scaly hide and those distinguishing (and distinguished) spikes. X-Plus adds the requisite touch of making the spikes out of translucent vinyl, and this internet exclusive includes a 4" plus stone-textured version of the idol from Varan's island, making this the definitive Varan piece for that hole in your kaiju collection (unless you have the Paradise Varan, then you're in pretty good shape). Comes in the box unused as pictured.

“If you have any question, please ask me.

I’m looking forward to your contact!!

Happy Bidding”


http://tomkrohne.blogspot.com/2012/02/godzilla-all-monsters-attack-cartoon.html You gotta see this!

Varan means "lizard" or something

I just discovered by accident today that varan is actually a word in some foreign languages, and means various things, but is especially associated with monitor lizards. Also, in science-speak, monitor lizards are sometimes known as varanoid lizards. That's pretty cool, considering the source of my interest. http://worddomination.com/varan.html#

It's also apparently a boy's name used in Asia:
https://www.facebook.com/suresh.varan.5

Exciting movie! Pacific Rim, great sounding mainstream monster movie

This is a movie about giant manmade robots battling with giant biological monsters in defense of Mankind (expected Summer 2013 (July?). And it's no "B movie" but as big a blockbuster adventure movie as the Spider-man or X-Men movies. The official website with the latest news: http://www.pacificrim-movie.net/ I have not been keeping up-to-date, and the newest Star Trek movie is also being something to note, apparantly titled Trek: Into Darkness (expected release also summer 2013). This link talks about both: http://www.tgdaily.com/entertainment/67862-star-trek-and-pacific-rim-trailers-about-to-drop And do you know who Ron Perlman is? I wasn't so sure until I saw him present on the discussion panel for Pacific Rim. WATCH PANEL http://www.aintitcool.com/node/57081 It's a bit embarrassing I hadn't realized he was the Reman Viceroy in Star Trek Nemesis. I really enjoyed his performance in Enemy at the Gates, but he is best known as the Hellboy. Well, now that I know who was under the Reman make-up, I am even more disappointed in Nemesis than ever before. It's almost as bad as the unforgivable misuse of the talents of Malcolm McDowell in Generations. Both of the actors had the potential to be the most memorable, badass villians imaginable. But they came off...uninspired. But I digress... http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=30450 Pacific Rim and Guy Davis http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2012/04/two-things-you-didnt-know-about-guy-davis-and-pacific-rim/ http://guydavisartworks.blogspot.com/2012/04/home-from-pacific-rim.html http://guydavisartworks.wordpress.com/ I know of people who have been very excited about The Hobbit. And I can't quite blame them, and that movie is a cool thing, but not quite worth the money to see it in a fancy theatre premiere. I am happy with the $2 theater, thank you. I've waited this long... However, I might be tempted to splurge on Pacific Rim and see it right when it comes out.

On a Turok Self-Indulgence Binge

I was stolling the flea market, and casually saw a comic book shop. Now, up until this point in my life, I have bought only two comics (unless kiddie LEGO comics count) I was curious about the two comic franchises I know a bit about: Turok, Dinosaur Hunter and Dark Horse's Godzilla. Well, asked a few question, and learned a few answers, but also was offered 5 for $1 90s Turok comics! I was shocked that these comics were so cheap, considering that they had been stored carefully since 1994 or so, but I am guessing the seller mostly wanted them to find good homes. I liked this description for one of the Turok incarnations: (via Wikipedia) "In the revamped Acclaim [Entertainment]

universe, Turok is not the character's name, but rather a title meaning 'Son of Stone'. The Turok must protect the barriers between this dimension and the others—the axis of all worlds being The Lost Lands, a place where creatures from across time and space had been dragged and where "Time has no meaning". Joshua Fireseed, the latest Turok, must travel between alternate universes stopping those who would try to conquer the Lost Lands, and thus all of the Multiverse with it. This series is notable for inspiring the Video Game series of the same name." I learned that Turk may soon be published anew, or may not. If you can beleive what you hear from MTV... http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2008/06/10/exclusive-adam-beach-to-star-in-live-action-turok-movie/ It's compatriots from the same comic lines have been brought back from oblivion just this year. You see, the publisher company had died off, and took Turok with it. It has been born again, and perhaps Turok along with it. It's probably an idle hope, but in the Kingdom of Hope there is no Winter. the Turok franshise began in the 1950s with Western Publishing, and isn't considered very readable. And about the most recent video game from 2008, simply titled Turok, a reboot: http://n4g.com/news/107635/cheatcc-review-turok-3-8-out-of-5-old-franchise-gets-next-gen-makeover This brings us up to the present day, with the Dark Horse comics rebooted reboot (featuring 1428 AD characters) published in 2011 and 2012. I found some nifty links: http://www.darkhorse.com/Features/Making-of-a-Comic/1188/Making-of-a-Comic-Turok-Son-of-Stone-1 (print this!) This link at Amazon is cool, especially if you read the customoer reviews: http://www.amazon.com/TUROK-SON-OF-STONE-Various/dp/B000ZBEOGK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355199185&sr=8-1&keywords=turok+son+of+stone+dvd Why do I use the "xenomorh" and "kaijuology" labels you may wonder? Well, these are often not your garden variety dinosaurs, sometimes mutations and sometimes technologically-enhanced. Also found this link: (a cool free comic of Valient's Re-newed X-O Manowar first issue) http://www.newsarama.com/php/multimedia/album.php?aid=48211 You still have my link to Kill All Monsters webcomic, right?

book preorder: Exiles of Kho

After receiving and loving Gods of Opar, I decided to order the unpublished further book the author is writing (a prequel, actually) called Exiles of Kho. It will be a novella, and right now has an unreleased page count, which honestly concerns me since I have already preordered. Nonetheless, I am very excited! http://meteorhousepress.com/exiles-of-kho/ As I have said before, this author is new to me and not widely known in general circles, from what I can tell. But he seems to be a good writer, and I am pleased I gave him the chance I did when I ordered Gods of Opar slightly on faith. The cover art (and perhaps other art) is impressive and worthy of note, and suggests this will be a very handsome volumn. Carey is not Farmer, and his writing style is subtly different. It's not terribly noticible, and yet I did notice it. His attitude towards mysticism and magic and religion seem to be different, as seem in Song of Kwasin. I am disappointed by at least one thing wich is a matter of taste. I am not a fan of the Sahhindar character, and he will be a central figure in the story. But that's my taste; other readers seem to be thrilled that Sahhindar is well-represented. I am thowing in the labels "xenomorph" and "kaijuology" because of the sirrush, a conjectural prehistoric reptile of crocodilian proportions. The sirrush (trnslated from Assyrian meaning 'Splendor Serpent') is also known as "The Dragon of the Ishtar Gate" and is a creature of legitimate if unproven credentials. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mushussu In fact, I wonder if there are any other fiction books that include a living sirrush. I would not be suprised either way.

Interesting: http://phantomsandmonsters.wetpaint.com/page/Sirrush+of+Babylon Another book I am really interested in: The Other Log of Phileas Fogg This link is especially interesting: A Very Long Letter by PJFarmer. also, Iron and Bronze and also, http://www.violetbooks.com/haggard-pringle.html

MegaFauna park... Ooo you don't see this every day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4e9ZaGra7E&feature=related



Once you get past the dinosaurs, it gets much more interesting, in my opinion. I have to wonder about the materials used. Are they simply concrete statues, or are they textured?

War rhinos and bio-terrorism speculation

While reading this blog article to distant xenomorphalogical interest (http://scienceblogs.com/tetrapodzoology/2007/03/war_rhinos.php) I got to thinking about kaiju used in war.

(I could explain what I am talking about, but I think it's kind of funny if I don't)

When I saw Jurassic Park III, I was really hoping that I was hearing hints of bio-warfare using dinosaurs. I was sad there hasn't been a JP 4, although eventually they did make Rush Hour 3 after all, so there is still hope.

Anyway, besides mad scientists (Mechani-Kong and Ebirah) and aliens (Monster Zero, etc) and lost civilizations (Megalon and Manda) are there many examples of kaiju-warfare? And I noticed all my examples are Japanese. What about American movies?

All I can think of that's American is Cyber-GINO. That's sad.
http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/reviews/81/1091734396.jpg

Ooh, ever hear of stegodon or sivatherium?

Zelda Biology text!

http://kidicarus222.blogspot.com/2011/11/deku-tree-of-life.html

This is so cool!

Troll Hunter: Norwegian film

Over the weekend, I went to a film festival downtown expecting to see this, but the seating was full, and my sister and I were just narrowly not seated. Other people who had signed up on the waiting list just before us did get in. We were there about 10 minutes early. Oh, well.

I did get to see it, through unexpected means which I perfer not to discuss. But it involved the Internet. And no costs.

Anyway, I had seen the trailer previously (ironically pointed out by another Blogspot blog, located on my links). I feel informed and "in the know" and it's a cool feeling I don't often have.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLEo7H9tqSM


In my "labels" I included kaijuology, xenomorph, natural history, movies, and culture. An odd mix of topics, I admit. I could have also said "of cryptozoological interest" although I put that under the natural history label. Kaijuology refers to my "study" of monster movies, especially of the larger Godzilla variety. Xenomorph also refers to fictional "monsters" of the unexpected variety, preferably Godzilla-esque too. And the Trolls seen in this movie clearly qualified. The 'movies' label is easy and needs no explanation; the 'culture' label is included because this movie sheds light to world audiences on Norwegian folklore, modern culture, and says some things about their points of view regarding religion and the environment. And in the case of this particular American, I have become much better at spelling "Norweigen".

In a brief review on just a few points, 1) it was a fun movie, but not anything exceptional. With that said, I was rewarded by my expectations and am glad it was made. From the trailer, I had thought of the film (and desribed it to friends as) a cross between Jurassic Park and Buffy the Vampire Slayer but with trolls. I wasn't too far off. I think there was much less Buffy than I had hoped. Far less ass-kicking, which I expected, but also much less witty dialogue, which I hadn't and was disappointed with. Even accepting that clever wordplay might not survive translation effectively, there was so much less attitude of wry wit.

Oh, by the way, yes this movie is in the Norwegian language but with English subtitles. Luckily, the word "troll" survives the language barrier ;-)

2) I personally don't think trolls made very good kaiju. My own conception of trolls (American and Lord of the Rings-influenced) doesn't have them anywhere near as huge as seen in this movie. The "small" elephantine trolls who lived under bridges and ate sheep were much more to my liking. I freely admit it is a matter of taste, here.

3) The movie tried hard and confusingly and counter-productively to describe the trolls scientifically. The troll's metaphysical terror/hate of "Christian blood" was completely out of line with all the natural plausibility given, and never peoperly addressed.

4) I gotta go. TTYL

Xenomorph webcomic

Oh, this webcomic doesn't actually use the word "xenomorph" (that I know of), and in fact I don't think many people would, but I have come to consider it a very nifty term. Kaiju or dai kaiju or giant monsters are other, more common terms. I first saw the word xenomorph used in signage in a Godzilla movie from the 2000s, (I think it was Tokyo S.O.S.) and liked it. A bit of Googling revealed the term is perhaps better known as the creatures in Alien, but I think it's usage would be broader than that, simply meaning a "monster". As evidenced by this. In fact, "xenomorph" isn't even in Dictionary.com, although "xenomorphic" is, meaning simply "strange form" although applied to minerology rather than biology. I would think it could mean "foreign shape" or "alien form" as well. Now that I think about it, I suppose macroxenomorph might be more accurate for Godzilla and ilk, while a xenomorph is probably human-to-elephant sized (think, Tremors). A microxenomorph might be a parasite or "bug" of some sort.

The webcomic is Kill All Monsters and I found about it on another blog, herein posted. I was worth looking at, and the artwork is well done. The story to me seems a bit ungrounded in reality, but when you are making a fun-loving melee comic about giant monsters roaming the Earth, I suppose being grounded isn't exactly as important as artistic licence. I suppose I'm just more of a Hard SF guy myself. Even before I realized there was such a distinction in the genre.

http://michaelmay.blogspot.com/2011/02/kill-all-monsters-pp-39-41.html

I have to give major props to whoever it was who thought to give their giant beetle xenomorph an inner skelaton as well as an exoskeleton, revealed during its beheading. Anyone who knows about such things realizes that giant arthropods, if exact replicas of current species, are...improbable.

The whole Eiffel Tower thing was disqueiting. Intentionally destroying a monument to human culture has to be a crime against humanity in somebody's book. Perhaps is was merely a reconstruction and thus not especially valuable?

http://review2akill.com/tag/kill-all-monsters/

Japan's Godzilla Statue

Erected around 1995, if I understand correctly, and in Hibiya, Tokyo (I haven't had the time to figure out yet if Hibiya is a district or burough or what.)

I am re-posting this because I hadn't heard of it before, being only casually aware of such things, despite my "putting on airs."

http://godzilla2012.blogspot.com/2010/10/hibiyas-godzilla-statue.html

It's disappointingly small. Then, compared the toy figurines that are usually the only option, it's gargantuan.
The Monster Movie Fan's Guide to Japan strikes me as very interesting to note. I am grateful for the other bloggers putting the info out there for me to find.

http://armandsrancho.blogspot.com/p/about-monster-movie-fans-guide-to-japan.html

Hahaha...Gila Monster horror movie rock song

http://giantmonstersattack.blogspot.com/2010/09/hava-nagilah-monster-by-357-lover.html

I think this is great, but my sense of humor is a little off from the mainstream.
Part of what is great is that this marries my love for natural science and monster movies and music. The rock song portion itself isn't bad, but is nothing amazing.

I want to send this to my friend in the Herps Dept at the Tulsa Zoo, but I'm not sure if I still have an e-mail for them. I think it's make a great novelty outside the Gila Monster exhibit.

Speaking of which, have you heard of the unsubstantiated European mystery lizard known as the tatzelwurm?

Solpugids finally get starring role

Heck, any role at all. Mostly unknown to American audiences (except many veterans of the Mess-O-Potamia) solpugids, aka camel spiders, aka wind scorpions, aka unusual arachnids with a heck of a bite and that run like the wind, to be featured (I read) in a new movie Extraction giving a unexpected foe to Iraqi forces. From what I understand, they do not bite like a spider (who jab at prey), but have grinding mouthparts, without venom, trusting to sheer ripping force. Aparrently, they'll tear off a little peice of flesh if they get a hold of you.

I found this thru:
http://michaelmay.blogspot.com/2010/06/movie-news-roundup-yoda-died-today.html#more

http://roberthood.net/blog/index.php/2010/06/18/new-extraction/

It's "in development" and I don't even know if it's legit, but there's a trailer!



While I'm at it, have you guys seen Nazis Invaders From the Moon?
http://michaelmay.blogspot.com/2010/05/movie-news-army-of-ivan-dragos.html#more

Kaijuology: Banglasdesh's KING KONG trailer

Godzilla 2012 - News And Info: KING KONG Done Wrong In Bangladesh#comment-form#comment-form#comment-form

Kaijuology: review of Dreamworks 'How To Train Your Dragon'

http://giantmonstersattack.blogspot.com/2010/06/movie-review-how-to-train-your-dragon.html

Since I don't think I will be getting out to see this anytime soon, I thought I'd borrow a good review.