Clones, Cats, & Movie Facts

What do clones, cats, and the upcoming Frontiers movie have in common?

Well... Nothing, really.

They do however, share the distinct privilege of being part of what kept me entertained over the last week. Something everyone should strive for, of course.

Now, I've probably spent WAY to much time here talking about my latest obsession - Ultimate Spider-Man, but I have to say - the latest issue (#99 for those keeping track) blew me away. It was the most twists & turns I've ever seen in a comic, TV series, movie... Whatever. The big arc at the moment is the Ultimate re-telling of Marvel's infamous clone saga. The original concept saw a clone of Peter Parker's come in, become the Scarlet Spider, and then briefly assume the Spider-Man identity, all while a failed, deformed clone tried to make both their lives hell.

It's much more complicated than that, but I don't have 80 years to write a re-cap.

The Ultimate version so far is nothing short of excellent. They've taken the bare bones of the original, and shortened it into a series of shock after shock, after bombshell after bombshell. Talk about not knowing where something is headed. My God... I'm completely lost. You can read the issue, and a much more detailed recap for yourself at: http://home.ec.rr.com/nx84/usm_99.html

Okay... Next up, those cats. Well, not cats exactly, but Panthers. The Carolina Panthers, who recorded win #3 of the NFL preseason last Thursday night against Miami. Man... could this really be the year? They look as good as I've ever seen any team.

Just read the latest update to the Frontiers movie script, and it's starting to come together nicely. I won't speculate on when it'll be released, but expect a few hints and teasers in the next week or so that should help shed some light on its plot.

I just read over at TrekWeb that Paramount has contacted Shatner & Nimoy about Star Trek XI. Now, I'd like to see them back as much as anyone else, but I hope they're not actually going to be the stars of this thing. There are plenty of younger actors that could step into those roles well, and while they may never be like the originals, it'd be better than two 70-year-old men trying to play action hero - because you know that's what we're going to get with any Trek movie - action. It was the problem the TNG films faced - too much action, and not enough of what made the series to popular in the first place - the characters.

Thankfully, the Frontiers movie doesn't have that problem. There's plenty of both.

VST to Reality?

Here goes another one... maybe a bit more VST-related.

Hopefully...

Maybe?

I was reading over a thread on TrekWeb last week about the future of Trek - a popular topic these days - and i began to compare VST's shows to some of the ideas being thrown around. How would each VST series fare if the execs at Paramount suddenly decided to produce it as the next Trek series or movie?

I'll start with the original - Renaissance. The first thing you have to understand about REN is that it's quite a bit darker than anything Trek has done before - yes, even DS9. That would be the biggest thing for audiences to adapt to - audiences unfamiliar with VST anyway - but given the state of most live-action drama's these days, that darkness could help draw in more viewers. At the same time though, there are many hardcore Trek fans who dislike that take on Gene Roddenberry's universe. These same people disliked DS9, and are the TOS-core types, still, there are a growing number of TOS fans who are beginning to get more and more into DS9-style Trek.

REN's character-driven approach to Trek - perhaps more than any other Trek series, virtual or otherwise - would give audiences a new take on Trek, especially those who weren't DS9 fans. That works both ways, though as REN is heavily based on the events of DS9. Because of that, it would likely appeal more to the DS9 fans than anyone else. Still, the quality stories and great characters would likely make REN a hit with casual audiences as well. By that i mean the 24 fans out there, the Lost faithful, and the 4400 fanatics (myself included). The biggest question is how the hardcore TOS fans would react to REN's gritty, DS9-style approach to the franchise.

Next up, Frontiers. It's been said that Frontiers is "Star Trek in its purest form" and i think that's true. The concept of Frontiers is the one i could most see making it to the small screen. The tech geeks out there would have plenty of new tech gadgets to geek-out about, but Frontiers has never really been about technobabble at its core - it's more a mix of that old TOS exploration, mixed with TNG's science and family atmosphere between its characters, with a pinch of DS9's political drama thrown in for good measure. That's why it would likely have the best shot at success - it's got a little of everything, and a little something for everyone.

The TOS faithful would love Frontiers concept of actually EXPLORING, and exploring NEW galaxies, rather than the same old Milky Way we're used to. The DS9 fans would get their character drama and political intrigue, and the TNG buffs would get their science & technology. Don't get me wrong though - I'm not saying Frontiers is a better series than any of the others - in fact, i happen to think Renaissance is the best Trek fan fic ever written, script-based or otherwise. Frontiers would however, make the most logical choice as an actual live-action series.

Star's End takes the concept of DS9 one step further. Instead of being set on a space station, it's set planet-side. This would likely be too radical a change for the hardcore audience who never even gave DS9 a chance because they weren't moving. Still, SE provides great character drama, and some of the most innovative stories you'll see in a Trek setting. It could build its own audience, but there would likely be the same type of rift as when DS9 first launched. I certainly wouldn't mind seeing it produced, though.

Avalon... what can i say about Avalon. The first Trek series to be given a TV-MA rating no doubt. Maybe aired late-night, or edited for content, which would make room for uncensored DVD releases. Seriously though, Avalon's attitude is quite refreshing to me. It doesn't take itself too seriously, but it's very much a fan fiction series when it comes to the language and such - not to mention a certain... Scene. If Avalon were to ever make it to TV, it would have to be so cleaned up, and be changed so much there would be little point of even trying. It's really better suited to the internet, where it can be as creatively free as it wants to be - and needs to be. Otherwise, it just wouldn't be Avalon.

Knight's Haven I'm not sure about since i know next to nothing about the series until it launches. Maybe I'll discuss it later.

The 4400 this week was amazing. I'm beginning to think that, not only is this the best show currently on television, but maybe one of the best shows in the last decade. If you haven't checked it out yet, you're cheating yourself.

The Dead Zone, on the other hand, has disappointed two weeks in a row. It's really apparent how much the tragic death of Michael Piller has affected the creative process behind the scenes with the show. The man really was brilliant when it came to storytelling.

Once again, i continue my crusade to convert everyone on VST to an Ultimate Spider-Man reader: my sample's still up at http://home.ec.rr.com/nx84/usm.html - contact me if you want the first 96 issues - they're FREE (if not entirely legal).

Marvel announced this week that they're going to do a live-action Avengers movie, largely based on the Ultimate universe version of the group - The Ultimates. This could be good... very good. Then again, they could really screw it up!

The Frontiers movie trailer is very nearly complete. Be prepared to be blown away...

The Carolina Panthers played their first preseason game of the 2006 season Saturday night against the Buffalo Bills, and wouldn't you know it - the local FOX affiliate had "technical difficulties" connecting to the satellite feed, causing everyone in the area to miss the game. I was forced to listen on the radio - bad reception and all, and as you can imagine was just a little bit pissed off.

Anyway... the Panthers won the game 14-13.

A Writer's Blurb

Hello world! Joining our prestigious producers, I arrive at the Frontiers blog and add my two cents into the goings on for our little, but HUGE show. With our big movie and the anticipated Season 3 drawing near, it's a good time to be part of Frontiers. Speaking of Season 3, I think there is some excitement coming your way. I recently told our Exec. that I'm really happy with how it's turning out, especially with Adam joining the staff and Randi making her return. While I can't go into the details of what we're planning, I'll give you some sneak peeks into what I'm working on.

When I first came aboard, after a failed attempt to launch my own fan fiction show, I was completely green and had no idea what I wanted to do. Once I got started working on episodes, namely "Second Coming" and my first solo effort "All the World's A Stage," I realized that I really wanted to do character study shows. For Season 3, I get to work on a little character study trilogy. While these stories are in no way related to each other, they each deal with their own specific character and nothing else.

My beginning entry for the season is an episode entitled "One for Doran," and is the first of the three. I won't say who it deals with, but I will say that she has tentacles. Working on the rough draft of this episode is quite difficult as I realize more and more how complex a character she is right now and the expectations of the fans in regards to her. It's quite a unique story for her and for Frontiers in general. In fact, the other major characters only make very brief appearances. It's a dark, but poetic piece that deals with self-image and penitence. So there's something to look forward to.

Also, I'm currently working on a secret Frontiers film project that, hopefully, will arrive sometime during our first Season 3 hiatus. I'm not going to say anything about this one, except that it will not feature ANY of our beloved Frontiers characters. But you can expect some more updates once "Ascent" and Season 3 have launched.

And speaking of "Star Trek: Ascent," I hope you guys are gearing up for it; it's going to be intense! I'll admit, when Josh first pitched the idea, I was a bit skeptic. In fact, I down right hated the idea and wanted nothing to do with it. However, the more it's been worked on and the more I've seen, the more excited I get for it. I'm a convert to Ascent now and I promise that it lives up to hype generated by us. Kudos to Josh for making it happen, I can't wait until this puppy is released!

In other new, I saw that new Talladega Nights movie and it is hysterical. Granted, you have to be a Will Farrell fan to appreciate it. If you are, drop what you're doing, get in the car, and go see it right now!

I think that about does it for my blurb. Until next time, folks...

STF Movie, Panthers, & USM - Put up or shut up!

Okay... Another update. You know, it seems like this blog is getting more & more off-topic with each update.

I'm here to say - it will continue!

Okay, well, i do hope to add more Frontiers-related content, but i doubt if our off-topic rants will stop. The problem is, we can't really post many updates on Frontiers without giving away stuff. I'll try to give away as little as possible, but I'm sure you'd just assume we do give it away.

Now, i know last time i went on a rant about how good these Ultimate Spider-Man comics were, and i know Josh did as well in his recent entry, but i have to go back to this for a moment. I just picked up the latest issue, and it's fantastic - the kind of thing you read 8-10 times just because it's that good. Granted, it takes a whole 5 minutes to read through one issue for me, so it's not a huge investment time-wise, but still...

So, i figured it was time to put up, or shut up about these things. I have issues 1-96 on my laptop, so if anyone wants them just let me know - I'll get them to you, and you will not regret it. Until then, though, I've put together a USM sampler of sorts - just a few pages of two issues that were part of the "Hollywood" arc - one of my personal favorites. It has it's share of action - fight scenes and the like - but it's the character moments, and the humor that make USM so great. This arc had plenty of both, so i put together a few of my favorite moments from the arc as a preview for anyone who might be considering getting into them:

http://home.ec.rr.com/nx84/usm.html

Back to Frontiers business - the movie is progressing well... Just read the latest update, and it's great. I think you guys are going to be shocked, and hopefully pleasantly surprised by the turn of events in this one. Right now, it's very Bruce-centered, but there's probably as much, if not more Sito to come, and of course plenty of twists & turns as you've come to expect from us.

Just read the first draft of a certain S3 episode, and it's looking good as well. The influx of new staff is working out well. We have some things planned for S3 that will shake the very foundation of the series - and the entire franchise - if STF was a canon series.

http://home.ec.rr.com/nx84/usm.html - Click it

I spent this past weekend making the 12-hour round trip to Charlotte with a few friends to attend the Carolina Panthers 2006 Fan Fest. During the event, i had the chance to go down onto the field for two games they had - a 25-yard field goal attempt, and a 15-yard touchdown pass through what seemed like a 6-inch hole drilled into a piece of wood.

Now, i didn't succeed at either, but i didn't really ever think i would. I must say though, it was a surreal experience stepping onto that field. I've watched my team play there for years, and to actually be able to step onto the same field where so many great moments have taken place throughout the team's history was a big deal for me. I know it may sound silly to you non-football fans, but it was something I've wanted to do for a while, and finally doing it was really a big thing for me.

http://home.ec.rr.com/nx84/usm.html - Really, click it.

The 4400 was amazing this week - better than usual - and usual is brilliant, so this episode really impressed me. The Dead Zone wasn't as good, but following the 4400 can't be an easy thing to do.

Well... That about does it. More off-topic nonsense, and a few sentences about the movie... Oh well, it's a blog - have you ever seen one that stays ON topic?

P.S. - http://home.ec.rr.com/nx84/usm.html

:)

Pirates and more...

Who would have thought that a quirky little ride in a Disney theme park would turn out to be one of my favorite movie series of all time?

I loved Pirates of the Caribbean. I always enjoyed the ride, and the movie surprisingly captured the feel of the ride perfectly, in particular at Port Royal. But the first film was a masterpiece, weaving a compelling tale with colorful and interesting characters with whom I could identify, cheer for, and weep for.

From the moment I saw the trailer for Dead Man's Chest, I knew the second film would be good. But I couldn't have possibly understood HOW good. The film was, from start to finish, the best "middle chapter" since Empire. The story was different but just as compelling as the first. There were clever nods to the first movie throughout, but the adventure this time was of a far grander scale. And that, of course, is as it should be. Everyone knows the basic plot: that Jack Sparrow made a deal with Davey Jones and that now he is a marked man because of it. But this is really just the surface of a much more complex plot that is about far more than one man's debt to the devil of the ocean. What is at stake here - and we only realize this near the end of the film - is not just Jack Sparrow, but his entire way of life. Piracy, itself, is in jeopardy.

Despite the week that's past since I saw the movie, images of it still haunt me. The Kraken wrapping its tentacles around the Pearl... Jack grinning at it and saying, "Hello, Beastie"... and those last 10 seconds or so when... well, I don't want to spoil it. Let's just say, this is a more than worthy follow-up to the first movie, a fantastic movie in its own right, and definitely my favorite film of the year so far. It had its flaws but for me, they are so overshadowed by the incredible story and the high entertainment value that they just don't matter. Dead Man's Chest is the movie to beat this year, at least for sheer escapism entertainment (with heart, no less) and I'm willing to be it won't be topped until At World's End, the final chapter of the film series... or possibly Spider-man 3.

And on that topic... dear lord, can you believe how many great movies are coming out next spring/summer? Spidey 3, Pirates 3, Transformers... and many more than I'm not even mentioning. It will be a good year.

My final rant is about Ultimate Spider-man. My co-exec for Frontiers, Jay, has introduced me to these fantastic comics. I was never a big reader and never read superhero comics in my youth. I had every issue of GI Joe and Madballs, but that was about it. But I've now read through the first sixty-some issues of Ultimate Spider-man and I cannot tell you how impressed I am.

The concept behind the "Ultimate" line of comics is to update the classic comics by setting them in the current day and age. In Ultimate Spidey, Peter is 15 years old when he gets his powers. The relationships are altered from the original series... most notably Gwen Stacey... wow, is she EVER different. But the issues that the books raise about our society are so poignant and dead-on, I cannot help but applaud the writers for tackling them. The social commentary alone is worth the read. Of course the storylines are top-notch and interesting and I find myself truly caring for Peter Parker and Mary Jane in a way I haven't before, even with the films. It is the most relevant superhero work I've ever read and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Check them out. Contact either myself or Jay if you want to read them, we've got most of them. Really, it's THAT good.

Okay, now onto some Frontiers stuff. This IS a Frontiers blog after all. The good news is, the movie is - you guessed it - coming along fairly well. It's not done yet but it's getting there. We'll be announcing the film's release date and a season three schedule soon.

Another interesting note is that we're examing Celtx, a freeware screenwriting program that seems to boast just as many features as Sophocles, plus some very impressive collaboration capabilities. So far it's working out well; I'm officially now writing the movie script with it, so we'll see how it works out. It's worth a look for anyone who doesn't own a copy of Sophocles or whatever other screen writing software. You can find it at http://www.celtx.com - check it out.

That's all for this round. Until next time... go see Dead Man's Chest and then read Ultimate Spider-man.