Leonard Nimoy

“Movies from an Alternate Universe”: What If Recent Films Had Been Made Decades Earlier?

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: January 17th, 2012 at 8:07 am

Classic films are getting remade left and right, but what if it went the other way?  What if our original films of recent years were thrown back to an earlier era?  Who would star?  Who would direct?  What would the poster look like?  Artist Peter Stults ran with that idea and came up with some wonderfully creative and thoughtful posters based on recent movies.  I’m not sure if I see Leonard Nimoy as John McClane, but I can absolutely see James Dean starring in a 1950s version of Drive.

Hit the jump to check out some of the posters.

TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON Review

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: June 28th, 2011 at 10:04 am

A Michael Bay movie cannot be measured by the same standards as a normal movie.  A Bay movie cares not for compelling characters, narrative cohesion, or realistic emotions.  Instead, a Michael Bay movie must be judged on its “Bay-ness”.  How gigantic are the special effects?  What levels of homophobia, sexism, and racism can the humor reach without being outright offensive?  How long can the camera linger over the curves of the sexually-charged lead female character without starting to feel like really expensive porn?  Transformers: Dark of the Moon is about as Michael Bay as Michael Bay can get within the confines of a PG-13 movie (his gold standard in the R-rated realm is Bad Boys II).  The movie is far more successful in its action sequences and its humor (homophobic, sexist, and racist as it may be) than 2009′s abysmal Return of the Fallen), but lacks the charm of the first film in the franchise.  But since “charm” can’t be digitized and bought for millions of dollars, Bay is all about the set pieces and judging by that metric, the final hour of Dark of the Moon is his masterpiece.

J.J. Abrams Talks SUPER 8, the Viral Campaign, Amblin, Easter Eggs, STAR TREK 2, and Reveals Leonard Nimoy is in SUPER 8

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: June 5th, 2011 at 1:57 pm

With writer-director J.J. Abrams Super 8 opening next week, I was recently able to interview him in London for our partners at Omelete.  While Abrams likes to keep his films under wraps while they’re in production, by now you know Super 8 takes place in the summer of 1979 and it’s about a group of friends that discovers something not from this world while making a super 8 film.  Mix in that it’s produced by Steven Spielberg, uses his Amblin logo (which should clue you into what kind of movie this is), and you’re got a great coming-of-age story that I think audiences are going to love.

During my interview with Abrams we talked about the secrecy surrounding the film, the fact that a super 8 movie is getting released in IMAX, how involved was he in the ARG/viral stuff, what does it mean to use the Amblin logo, and what are the Easter Eggs that people should look out for.  He says “there are a couple of things hidden here and there,” and he also says “Leonard Nimoy is in the movie somewhere if you can find him.”

In addition, I also asked about the Star Trek sequel.  With production not yet underway, I wondered if he’d be able to make the summer 2012 release date.  He said “we’re working really hard to get that movie made as soon as possible, but we don’t want to rush anything.  The worst thing we could possible do would be to put something into production to make a release date instead of a great movie.”  Amen.  Hit the jump to watch.

TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON Trailer and First Official Synopsis

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: April 28th, 2011 at 2:49 pm

The theatrical trailer for Transformers: Dark of the Moon has landed online. We see some pretty fantastic looking footage on the moon, followed by some really impressive stuff back on Earth. We’re talking full-on invasion this time around. We get our first look at Frances McDormand as well. However, as we all know from the second flick Revenge of the Fallen, simply watching robots fight for 2+ hours does not a good movie make (understatement). This one has to be better than Revenge of the Fallen, right? Hitting 3D theaters on July 1st, Michael Bay’s Transformers: Dark of the Moon stars Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Josh Duhamel, John Malkovich, Frances McDormand, Tyrese Gibson, Patrick Dempsey, and voice work from Hugo Weaving, Peter Cullen, and Leonard Nimoy.

Hit the jump to check out the trailer along with the first “synopsis” and a new still from the movie.  I put “synopsis” in quotations because it’s more of a logline and not a particularly illuminating one at that.

Leonard Nimoy to Voice Sentinel Prime in TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: March 31st, 2011 at 12:52 pm

If you’re going to give a voice to Optimus Prime’s predecessor Sentinel Prime, then that voice just can’t have gravitas.  It must have geek gravitas.  EW reports that Leonard Nimoy will provide the voice for Sentinel Prime, whose wrecked body is seen in the teaser trailer for Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Nimoy previously provided the voice of Galvatron in the 1986 animated film The Transformers: The Movie.

EW also has details on Sentinel Prime’s role in the film.  Hit the jump for those details.  Transformers: Dark of the Moon stars Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Josh Duhamel, John Malkovich, Tyrese Gibson, Frances McDormand, and Ken Jeong.  The film opens in 3D on July 1st.

STAR TREK Beams Aboard Ke$ha’s “Tik Tok”

by Laura Kelley    Posted: June 21st, 2010 at 9:00 pm

If anyone has the right to wake up in the morning feeling like P. Diddy (aside from the P. Diddy), it’s definitely Captain Kirk.  YouTube user MissSheenie’s Star Trek (The Original Series) fan-video set to Ke$ha’s “Tik Tok” is amazing, complete with Kirk sluttiness, Spock’s awkward tapdancing, Scotty and Chekov being ridiculously adorable, and even Pon Farr.  And oh dear God, the slash.

Hit the jump to check out the video.

STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME and Leonard Nimoy Kick off Hero Complex Film Festival in Los Angeles

by Germain Lussier    Posted: June 11th, 2010 at 11:26 pm

Friday night in Hollywood, the first ever Hero Complex Film Festival kicked off with a screening of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home followed by a Q&A with star, director and legend Leonard Nimoy.  The Voyage Home is simply known as “the one with the whales” for most Trek fans, but certainly holds a special place in their heart.  Not being a major Trek fan myself, I enjoyed rewatching the film simply with the question in my head, “If I was a Star Trek fan in 1986, desperate for a new film, what would I have thought if I was presented with THAT?”  Long story short, I probably would have been taken back.  But today, it stands as a very entertaining, almost screwball environmental comedy.

Saturday, the festival features Insomnia and The Dark Knight with special guest Christopher Nolan and Sunday is Alien and Blade Runner and with Ridley Scott.  Check back then for a recap of those Q&A.  But for now, hit the jump for the bullet points of the one hour plus Nimoy Q&A.

Wanna See Directors Christopher Nolan, Ridley Scott and Leonard Nimoy Talk About Their Movies? Los Angeles Times Hero Complex Film Festival

by Germain Lussier    Posted: May 4th, 2010 at 2:54 pm

One of the best geek reporters in the mainstream media today is Geoff Boucher of the Los Angeles Times who writes the blog Hero Complex. Well, tickets just went on sale for his first ever Hero Complex Film Festival taking place June 11-13 at the Mann Chinese 6 in Hollywood, CA.

First up on June 11 is a screening Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home followed by a Q&A with Leonard Nimoy. Then, on Saturday June 12 there will be a double feature of Insomnia and The Dark Knight with a Christopher Nolan Q&A sandwiched in between. Finally, on Sunday June 13, Ridley Scott will do a Q&A between a double feature of Alien and Blade Runner.

Hit the jump to find out how to get tickets and to hear a bit about what the directors will talk about.

Leonard Nimoy to Retire

by Laura Kelley    Posted: April 20th, 2010 at 10:30 pm

After a 60-plus-year career as an actor and director, Leonard Nimoy has decided to retire.  In an interview with the Toronto Sun, Nimoy said he’s not only retiring from acting but he also only plans for a few more public appearances, including this weekend’s Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo.  Nimoy, 79, recently filmed his final episode of Fringe as William Bell and does not plan to return in the 12^th Star Trek film, having appeared in the Trek franchise after 12 years away from acting.  Nimoy believes he’s leaving Spock in the good hands of Zachary Quinto and is “very flattered the character will continue” in more Trek films in years to come.

Hit the jump for my thoughts on Nimoy’s retirement.

J.J. Abrams on the STAR TREK Sequel, LOST, FRINGE, and NBC’s UNDERCOVERS

by Sara Wayland    Posted: January 12th, 2010 at 7:52 am

J.J. Abrams was at Monday night’s Fox All-Star Party for the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour on behalf of his sophomore television Fringe. But, with so many things on his plate, like the final season of Lost, his new pilot for the NBC spy series Undercovers and the 2012 sequel for Star Trek, Abrams had plenty to talk about and was more than happy to do so.

During an informal chat, the director/writer/producer talked about possible fan reaction to the last season of Lost, how he’d like to set up Fringe with the same type of end-game, his preparation to direct the pilot for Undercovers and how there’s a release date for Star Trek 2, but no finished script yet. Check out what he had to say after the jump:

James Franco is Admitted into GENERAL HOSPITAL

by David Corbin    Posted: October 2nd, 2009 at 12:20 am

It’s about to get sudsy.  Fresh off of nominated turns as a lovable stoner (“Pineapple Express” and a lovable activist (“Milk”), James Franco has decided to join the popular soap opera “General Hospital.”  The details from Variety are scarce but it has been confirmed that Franco will play a mysterious person who enters Port Charles, the primary setting for “General Hospital.”  The man’s intentions, of course, are unclear but the same cannot be said for the show’s producers–Franco’s two month story arc begins during November 20, coinciding with November sweeps.

“GH,” as the fans call it, is no stranger to big time stars.  In the old days, the show had guest stars like Milton Berle, Sammy Davis Jr. and even Leonard Nimoy.  More recently, however, the biggest draw has been Billy Dee Williams.  That said, I am happy to see Franco restoring honor to the title of GH Guest Star.  I have a feeling my mother is going to enjoy his two months.

FRINGE Season One Blu-Ray Review

by Nico    Posted: September 8th, 2009 at 4:42 pm

A dashing eccentric man with swagger and charm.  A buttoned-down female agent.  Sound familiar?  Let’s face it, it’s a formula that works in science fiction television and Fringe employs it wonderfully.  But can this series fill the void left in our hearts from our long-departed X-Files?  In a word: yes.  More after the jump.

Exclusive Interview: FRINGE Showrunner/Executive Producer Jeff Pinkner

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: August 10th, 2009 at 5:59 pm

If you’re a fan of FOX’s great show “Fringe”, I’ve got an interview you’re going to love. That’s because a few days ago I went to the post production headquarters of “Fringe” and spoke with Showrunner/Executive Producer Jeff Pinkner about what’s coming up this season and a lot more. While I sometimes say “a lot more” when posting an interview, those words don’t begin to cover this interview as we talked about so much, there is no way to sum it all up in this intro.

But before getting to the interview, if you’re not watching “Fringe”, you’re missing out on a great show. Last season (which was its first), the show got better and better each week and it all came to a head with a hell of a finale. Also, by the end of the season, the show had figured out how to create self contained episodes that also furthered the mythology of “Fringe”. And even when you thought there wasn’t any mythology in an episode, the show always found a way to reward its fans. Trust me, tune in this season and give it a chance. You won’t regret it. Watch the interview after the jump:

STAR TREK The Original Series Season One Blu-ray Review

by Andre Dellamorte    Posted: May 16th, 2009 at 9:52 am

Star Trek has been born again lately with the new J.J. Abrams’ movie, and people are now excited by Trek again. Thanks, George Lucas, for making such shitty prequel films that it’s now cooler to want to be a Trekkie than a Jedi. Ironically, Abrams and company were able to reboot the franchise by following in Lucas’s footprints, and largely ditch a lot of what made the show and subsequent (original series) shows great.

In some ways the new film should come with a disclaimer (like a lot of 80′s television) that if you liked the movie you saw, you should go a library and watch the originals, and where the TV show might offer a breezy take on history, you are settling in to the old series, it’s a much denser and less fun text. But to help celebrate the relaunch, Paramount has reissued the first six movies and the first season of the TV show (Seasons Two and Three are supposed to come later this year).

The premise is this, as Gene Roddenberry put it: Wagon Train in Space. Since most modern audiences don’t know what Wagon Train is (I’ve never seen an episode), I’m led to believe what that show was about was a Wagon Train on the Oregon trail that every week would come across some adventure. But with America at the height of its Right Stuff/space exploration period, Trek also had the advantage of something fresh.

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