Star Trek Into Darkness: Enterprise Going to Warp 9.9

Star Trek Into Darkness timeline begins anew the saga of the Starship Enterprise. Captain James Tiberius Kirk likely has been captain for a couple of years when terrorist John Harrison (expertly played by Benedict Cumberbatch) has come to the fore - through acts of terrorism in London. Thus begins action, or conflict, of tracking down Harrison, as he looks to bring pain to those he has determined are the cause of all the suffering. Basically, a megalomaniac out for universal revenge.

Cumberbatch's tasking was as he stated:

"When J.J. (Abrams) described the role to me... he described someone who was, in movie terms, a mixture of Hannibal Lecter, Jack in The Shining, and the Joker in Batman. He's someone who has enormous physical strength. He's someone who is incredibly dangerous, both as a physical entity and through the use of various technologies and weapons and who performs acts of what I would describe as terrorism. He's also a psychological master. He manipulates the minds of those around him to do his bidding in a very, very subtle way."

This reboot lands substantially prior to the original Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) and Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan (1982). Admiral Christopher Pike (Bruce Greenwood - two-time President of the United States on film), who recruits Kirk in the 2009 Trek 1.0, is obviously deep in the power structure of Starfleet and reprises the role.  Kirk will meet the now exquisite and brainy Dr. Carol Marcus (Alice Eve (below) - yep, totally fills out this role), the creator of the Genesis of project (in a now alternative future), and potentially, the mother of Kirk's first child - David.

From trailers, this story will hit on at least two planets; multiple ships (the Enterprise & a chase vehicle); have odd landscapes (red fields); and betrayals from within - Starfleet level.

I just watch the Wrath of Khan on Leonard Nimoy's 82nd birthday - March 26th. His death to save the Enterprise is one of the best moments in all the Star Trek movies, as it reflects reality, that must occur: death of a primary character. His resurrection, via Genesis, is a bit hokey, but we digress there. I still love Spock.

This International Trailer is quite a ride. It has all the elements: menace, fear, a chase, sexual tension, destruction, and suspense. You can get how awesome it will be in May as the NCC-1701 hits Warp Factor 9.9, the cusp of time travel.

Lastly, Alice Eve showing that an Oxford master's degree education does not foretell that the clothes will stay on always - to my meager minded, horny, and appreciative eyes. One can only pine, or opined, or Chris Pine, on the nature of this scene. ENGAGE! MAY 17, 2013.

Bits and Pieces: Ongoing, Reversal and a Reunion

I'll try to keep this short. But I always start off with that goal.

The Myanmar (Burmese) dilemma is escalating into a violent confrontation. From New York Times reports, several deaths are being reported. As one quote suggests:

A government announcement said security forces in Yangon, the country’s main city, fired at demonstrators who failed to disperse, killing one man. Foreign news agencies and exile groups reported death tolls ranging from two to eight people.

It doesn't seem the ruling military junta, the Chinese/Thailand diplomatic efforts or the meager words of George W. Bush has much of a chance to change the course of this military-ruled society. Which isn't a shock considering that much of the "inside information" is coming to us via the Democratic Voice of Burma, located in Oslo, Norway. As people use cell phones, illegal internet uplinks to broadcast the brutality of the ruling party, this voice has to be responded to by those who actually support the idea of democratic Burma.

Second story from NYT: Seems according to NY Times reports, that a "9/11 survivor" wasn't quite that or the embellishments to that tragedy leave one wondering exactly where she was, who did she work for and know, and what was she actually about before and after this event. Tania Head has "lawyered up," meaning that she knows the inconsistencies to her tale will eventually all come about as this quote suggests from the Times:

She has retained a lawyer, Stephanie Furgang Adwar, to represent her. Also
on Tuesday, in response to a question about the accuracy of Ms. Head’s account,
Ms. Adwar said in an e-mail message, “With regard to the veracity of my client’s
story, neither my client, nor I, have any comment.”

No one has suggested that Ms. Head did anything to profit financially
from her position as an officer with the Survivors’ Network, the nonprofit group
for which she helped to raise money. But the organizations with which she has
been affiliated have also questioned her account after learning of the inquiries
from The Times.

Third One from the NYT: Genesis, a band I grew up with and learned the history of quite a bit, is on tour. "Turn it on Again" does sound like a phrase a 50-something musician(s) would say in response to their musicial chops and vision of world rock domination, but I suppose for Genesis, whose lineup and stylistic direction has move with money, fame and longevity, the answer lies in just playing again.

Seeing them in concert isn't as, many reviewers suggest, about them bringing some new vision to the stage. They rehearsh their old bits, play the favorites of pop and hodgepodges of 1970's art rock with state of the art equipment. They are like a '57 Thunderbird with dents - a classic that needs work - but loveable with the character-building dents.

As this quote reflects:

the progressive-rock band of the 1970s, playing suitelike songs filled with
odd meters, elaborate scenarios and speedy filigree, and the pop hit-makers of
the 1980s, with shorter, hook-laden songs about personal matters like
love.

For a real tribute to them, I hope an Invisible Touch will Follow You, Follow Me as I Can't Dance because No Son of Mine will be Home By The Sea searching for his Mama or The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway. A Firth of Fifth comes before Seconds Out, yet an Illegal Alien will be caught beyond the Silver Rainbow. Inside the Congo, it is impossible to be Driving the Last Spike.

And That's All.

Top 10 lists: Books, Movies and Such (part 1)

It's a bit difficult to put together just off the top of me head. (And top of the morning to ya, lad.)
But I figure I'll give it a shot:

Music: Not in any particular order.

U2's Joshua Tree is an all-time favorite. I like in particular 'Running to Stand Still' and the lyrics:

Sweet the sin

Bitter the taste in my mouth

I see seven towers

But I only see one way out

You got to cry without weeping

Talk without speaking

Scream without raising your voice

You know I took the poison from the poison stream

Then I floated out of here

Singing ha la la la di day - ha la la la di day

Live Throwing Copper and 'White, Discussion' and the lyrics:

the coin flips again and again, and again, and again

as our sanity walks away

all this discussion though politically correct

is dead beyond destruction

though it leaves me quite erect

Big Head Todd & the Monsters 'Sister Sweetly' and from 'Bittersweet' the lyrics:

I know we don't talk about it.

We don't tell each other

All the little things that we need.

We work our way around each other

As we tremble and we bleed...As we tremble and we bleed.

The Clash 'London Calling' and 'London Calling' lyrics:

London calling to the imitation zone

Forget it, brother, you can go at it alone

London calling upon the zombies of death

Quit holding out - and draw another breath

London calling - and I don't wanna shout

But while we were talking I saw you running out

London calling, see we ain't got no HIGH

Except for that one with the yellowy eyes

Led Zeppelin and Led Zeppelin II and 'Heartbreaker' lyrics:

Well, it's been ten years and maybe more since I first set eyes on you.

The best years of my life gone by, here I am alone and blue.

Some people cry and some people die by the wicked ways of love;

But I'll just keep on rollin' along with the grace of the Lord above.

The Eagles 'Hotel California':

Mirrors on the ceiling

The pink champagne on ice

And she said:'We are all just prisoners hereof our own device'

And in the master's chambers

They gathered for the feast

They stab it with their steely knives

But they just can't kill the beast

Genesis self-titled 'Genesis' and 'Home by the Sea':

Images of sorrow, pictures of delight

Things that go to make up a life

Endless days of summer, longer nights of doom

Waiting for the morning light

Scenes of unimportance, photos in a frame

Things that go to make up a life

The Dave Matthews Band and 'Under the Table and Dreaming' and the song 'Dancing Nancies' lyrics:

I am who I am who I am, now, who am I?

Requesting some enlightenment

Could I have been anyone other than me?

The Outfield's Play Deep and 'Your Love' lyrics:

As you leave me please would you close the door

and forget what I told you

Just 'cause you're right - that don't mean I'm wrong

Another shoulder to cry upon

I just wanna use your love tonight

I don't wanna lose your love tonight

Yeah, I just wanna use your love tonight

I don't wanna lose your love tonight

Lose your love

Lose your love

Lose your love...

And Finally...Kenny Rogers 'The Gambler' and title track :

So when he'd finished speakin,

he turned back towards the window,

Crushed out his cigarette and faded off to sleep.

And somewhere in the darkness the gambler, he broke even.

But in his final words I found an ace that I could keep.