Tag Archives: Sequel

Movie review: ‘Star Trek: Into Darkness’ an adrenalin rush and a love letter to fans

861406 KS_New_trekAlthough the special effects are now somewhat dated, the “Star Trek” original series has always occupied a special place in my geeky heart. What the show may have lacked in budget, it more than made up for with great characters and good storytelling. Captain Kirk, Spock, Uhura, Dr. McCoy, Scotty and the rest of the original Enterprise crew have become some of science fiction’s most beloved characters. Though we never got to see the end of their five-year mission, they’ve never completely faded from pop culture.

However, back in early 2009, the “Star Trek” franchise as a whole wasn’t faring too well. The most recent film “Star Trek: Nemesis” wasn’t a huge hit, and the most recent TV show “Star Trek: Enterprise” was canceled in 2005 due to low ratings. The franchise was in need of a shot of adrenalin — and it received a major one, thanks to J.J. Abrams’ explosive and exciting 2009 reboot, titled simply “Star Trek.” Continue reading →

‘Hulk smash box office’: Thoughts on the success of ‘The Avengers’ and what it means for Hollywood

By Ashley Bergner
Box Office Buzz

If you’d asked me at the beginning of the year what film I thought would become the biggest hit this summer, ironically, I wouldn’t neccessarily have picked “The Avengers.” Although it was the film I was personally most looking forward to, much of the buzz seemed to be surrounding Christopher Nolan’s final Batman film, “The Dark Knight Rises.”

Then, a few months out from “The Avengers’” early May release date, something happened. The hype started building, and “The Avengers” started becoming the most talked-about summer movie. Entertainment industry insiders began to predict it would have a big opening weekend, but I’m not sure even they anticipated just how big it was going to be. Not only did “The Avengers” destroy all other films at the box office last weekend, it scored the highest opening weekend ever, to the tune of $207.4 million. That’s not even counting the funds the film has made overseas.

It’s an impressive accomplishment, and I believe it’s a well-deserved one for director Joss Whedon. It’s also a success that is going to shake up Hollywood. I hope the success of “The Avengers” makes a DC Comics superhero mash-up possible (with characters like Batman, Superman, etc.), but I’m also afraid studios are going to start scrambling to replicate “The Avengers’” success and start throwing all kinds of characters together just for the heck of it. Continue reading →

‘Spock’ vs. ‘Sherlock’ in new pics from ‘Star Trek’ film set

By Ashley Bergner; Box Office Buzz

It’s “Spock” vs. “Sherlock” is these pictures from the film set of J.J. Abrams’ highly anticipated sequel to his 2009 “Star Trek” film.

The pictures, which were released on www.trekmovie.com, feature actors Zachary Quinto (Spock) and Zoe Saldana (Uhura), as well as Benedict Cumberbatch, the star of the BBC hit “Sherlock” who is playing an as-yet unknown character in the upcoming “Trek” movie.

Although the plot remains top secret, it appears Spock and Cumberbatch’s character get into a fight, which also involves Uhura. These pictures make it appear likely Cumberbatch is indeed playing a villain, as rumored (and it’s probably not Khan), but fans likely will have to keep waiting for more details about the film.

‘Star Trek’ sequel won’t be converted to 3-D until post-production

By Ashley Bergner, Box Office Buzz

J.J. Abrams’ highly anticipated sequel to his 2009 “Star Trek” film will be available in 3-D — but it won’t be converted to 3-D until post-production.

Adam B. Vary reported on the Entertainment Weekly website Abrams isn’t necessarily a fan of 3-D and wants to shoot the movie on celluloid film in the anamorphic format, like he did with his previous “Star Trek” film.

“I did not fight for the 3-D,” Abrams said. “It was something the studio wanted to do. I didn’t want to do it. … The thing that drives me crazy about 3-D is that when you put on the glasses, everything seems dim. I’m not totally on board yet.”

However, after Abrams saw some of the first Trek film converted to 3-D, he’s said he’s not as opposed to post-production conversion.

“I saw the first movie converted; it was actually really cool,” he said. ”So I was okay with [converting the film to 3-D], as long as I could shoot it the way I wanted to.”