AN EPIC NEW TRAILER HAS ARRIVED…  BUT I CAN’T ALLOW MYSELF TO PRESS PLAY

The marketing team behind Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel has done a remarkable job selling the film to audiences.  They sold me after the teaser trailer was released.  Actually, I was probably on board the moment they announced the keys to the franchise were handed to Christopher Nolan.

Little by little, they released epic posters, astonishing images and incredible trailers.  Indeed, Superman is in good hands and I can’t wait for his return to the big screen.

THE BEST SUPERMAN MOVIE EVER?

Time will tell if the latest and easily the most ambitious Superman movie will take it’s place alongside the best superhero movies of all time.  I’m willing to bet it will but something funny happened when they released the latest and presumably final trailer.

I couldn’t bring myself to watch it! I’ve analyzed nearly every Man of Steel trailer they’ve released thus far yet I couldn’t press play.

XTRA | Top 5 Moments: Man of Steel Trailer #2

XTRA | Top 5 Moments: Man of Steel Trailer #3

Honestly, I’m already excited enough for this movie and this new trailer is apparently action packed…

I DON’T NEED TO SEE ANYTHING MORE..  BRING ON THE MOVIE

A while back, I wrote about how major movie villains are revealed in the social media age.  How much information is too much?  Star Trek Into Darkness did a wonderful job disguising a major twist involving the villain.  It was nice to see some information held back.

In regards to Man of Steel, the first 3 trailers did a phenomenal job of showing off the film without giving too much away.  (Including the villainous General Zod) I think that’s why I’m avoiding the fourth trailer.  This is my chance to step back from the marketing and simply wait for the film to come out.  Still, it’s very difficult to avoid this new trailer especially when my favorite sites raved about it:

“We all thought there was no way a trailer could top the last one director Zack Snyder provided us for Man of Steel. At three minutes, even its length was epic. And the action it showed was pure, ass-kicking Superman.  The latest trailer (number four, if you count the teasers as one) is shorter than the previous one but, somehow jam-packed with even more spectacle.” (/FILM)

“While previous trailers focused on the coming-of-age tale of a Kryptonian stranded on Earth and the love between a son and his father, this new cut is chock full of dread, evidenced by Superman drowning in a mountain of skulls.” (Collider)

“Zod narrates this newest trailer, full of never before seen footage. One feeling I get from watching it is that Zod is a very real threat, which is great because Superman is going to kick his ass.” (Geek Tyrant)

“If anything, this trailer puts to rest any doubts that Man of Steel will be anything other than epic. Unlike some previous Superman movies, it looks as if the world’s greatest superhero will be taking on a threat that’s on a scale commensurate with his powers.” (Screen Rant)

I wake up ever morning, read movie news and watch the latest trailers.  Not pressing play is hard but we’re less than a month away from what looks like an unforgettable blockbuster event.  A Superman movie unlike anything we’ve ever seen before.  Man of Steel!

XTRA | 20 Movie Sites You’ll Love

Excited about this summer’s big blockbusters?  Check out 10 of the biggest movies coming out in 2014 here.

TOO MASSIVE FOR YOUR COMPUTER SCREEN!

I still can’t get over it…  This movie exists!?

A movie about giant robots fighting giant monsters created by one of the most imaginative directors of our time; Guillermo Del Toro.

XTRA | Top 5 Moments: Pacific Rim Trailer #1

A new trailer has arrived that’s full of action but also a few intriguing character moments I can’t wait to learn more about.  Could this be a giant robot movie with heart?  If you’ve seen Del Toro’s masterful Pan’s Labyrinth then you already know he brings equal amounts of emotion to go along with his monstrous creations.

The marketing campaign didn’t have to release a trailer this awesome.  They had me at Del Toro…   According to a recent article on /Film, Del Toro had this to say when asked about money shots in his trailers:

“If I showed you all the money shots [in Pacific Rim], you’d have a 70 minute orgasm.”

5. GIMME A HUG

I highly doubt this is in fact intended to be part of an ending where we make peace with the monsters.  These battles look relentless and I’m most definitely okay with that.

4. ELECTRIC MONSTERS, FLYING MONSTERS AND MORE

Kitchen.  Sink…  No other words are necessary.

3. FACE OFF: MAN VS MONSTER

No way in hell am I getting out of a giant robot to face a massive monster on my own…  But this guy does…  Courage? Stupidity? We’ll find out in July

2. GIANT ROBOTS IN SPACE?

These battles take place in the ocean, on the shore, in the snow, in cities AND in space!?

1. IN THE FACE!!!  WITH A BOAT!?

The robot smashes a BOAT into a monsters face.  How will this movie suck?  Give me one good reason why this won’t be FUN to watch on the big screen.  I can’t think of any.

Click here for more Movie Countdowns.

XTRA | Movies That Changed Everything: A 12 Part Series

10 FLICKS | Awesome Looking Movie Villains

HUNDREDS OF SCREENWRITING WEBSITES AWAIT!

As part of The Screenwriting Spark launch, I’ll be showcasing some of the big features the new screenwriting site has to offer thus far.  First up:

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SCREENWRITING WEBSITES

This page is home to hundreds of screenwriting websites, blogs and resources from around the world.  I had a lot of fun researching all of these wonderful sites.  Every entry is given a category so you can find the type of site you’re looking for quickly and easily.

The page itself is separated in alphabetical order but you can also view these sites by category here.

What I love the most about The Ultimate Guide is that it will continue to evolve.  Passionate screenwriters are launching new blogs everyday.  Be sure to submit your site if it’s not part of the guide.

Check out more great features on The Screenwriting Spark here.  Don’t forget to subscribe for email updates on all the latest sparks.

THE HYPE IS BUILDING…

Every summer, as the big movies approach, I always feel like the following summer won’t stack up. In 2012, we got the ultimate superhero team up as Marvel unleashed The Avengers. Christopher Nolan completed his legendary Batman trilogy with The Dark Knight Rises. Spider-Man returned to the big screen with a completely new look. How would 2013 top that?

How about Iron Man 3, Star Trek Into Darkness, Man of Steel, Pacific Rim & The Wolverine?

COUNTDOWN | Top 10 Summer Movies 2013

Now that Marvel’s Cinematic Universe has kicked off with Iron Man 3, I think it’s time to look ahead and see what’s coming. Here are 10 big 2014 summer movies to look forward to:

10. ALL YOU NEED IS KILL

Tom Cruise returns to science fiction after saving the world in 2012′s Oblivion.  All You Need Is Kill is based on a novel of the same name by Hiroshi Sakurazaka with illustrations by Yoshitoshi ABe.  Here is a brief plot description from Amazon.com:

“There’s one thing worse than dying. It’s coming back to do it again and again… When the alien Gitai invade, Keiji Kiriya is just one of many raw recruits shoved into a suit of battle armor and sent out to kill. Keiji dies on the battlefield, only to find himself reborn each morning to fight and die again and again. On the 158th iteration though, he sees something different, something out of place: the female soldier known as the Bitch of War. Is the Bitch the key to Keiji’s escape, or to his final death?”

Sounds wonderfully strange.

REVIEW | Oblivion, Prometheus, Moon & Independence Day

9. GODZILLA

I loved Gareth Edwards ‘Monster’.  Now he gets to make the mother of all monster movies (with respect to Guillermo Del Toro’s Pacific Rim.)  Godzilla is THE monster.  Hopefully they can erase the memory of Roland Emmerich’s 1998 adaptation starring…  Mathew Broderick.

REVIEW | A Monster amount of character

8. DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

Speaking of erasing bad memories… Rise of the Planet of the Apes was one of my favorite surprises of 2011.  It was a brilliant reboot that made me forget all about Tim Burton’s attempt.  This was Ceasar’s story and I loved his story.  Andy Serkis gave us one of the best motion capture performances of all time.  I can’t wait to see what the apes have planned for us in 2014.

REVIEW | Rise of the Planet of the Apes

7. FAST & FURIOUS 7

Rumor has it, Jason Statham will join the cast for the seventh installment as a villain.  This time, Saw alum James Wan takes over for director Justin Lin.  This series has seen unprecedented longevity and now boasts a cast that may rival The Expendables by Fast 9.  Will see if a new director can keep things fresh for Dom and his team.

XTRA | Fast Five is Rock Solid

6. TRANSFORMERS 4

I loved the first Transformers but I really hated the sequel Revenge of the Fallen.  The third installment was a return to form but now all bets are off.  Michael Bay is currently redesigning Autobots and Decepticons.  He’s bringing in an entirely new cast including Pain & Gain‘s Mark Walberg.

XTRA | Big Blockbuster Blogging: My first Transformers 4

REVIEW | Transformers Dark of the Moon?  Apology accepted Michael Bay

5. CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDER

Marvel’s Cinematic Universe will certainly get a big boost when Captain America returns to the big screen.  I say that because the film will feature many prominent members of S.H.E.I.L.D.  The organization was one of the main ways Marvel connected their films from Phase One.  S.H.I.E.L.D was absent from Iron Man 3 and more than likely won’t be a major part of Thor: The Dark World either.  This may be the film that updates us on the universe as a whole as well as Captain America’s adjustment to the modern world.

Note: This isn’t technically a summer movie with an April release date but lets face it…  It is.

COUNTDOWN | Top 10 Moments: Marvel’s The Avengers

4. THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2

I enjoyed The Amazing Spider-Man.  The reboot managed to retell Peter Parker’s origin story without feeling like a shot for shot remake.  Andrew Garfield IS Spider-Man now.  His next challenge?  How about Jamie Foxx as Electro and Paul Giamatti as Rhino?  Not too mention the first appearances of Mary Jane Watson, Harry Osborn and his famous father Norman.

This has all the makings of a fantastic summer movie.

XTRA | Larger Than Life Movie Villains Revealed!

3. X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST

When Brett Ratner created X-Men: The Last Stand…  He literally destroyed the series.  Major characters were killed off and the whole thing felt like a rushed mess.  When you do that, it’s pretty difficult to create a sequel.  What did they do?  They brought in Matthew Vaughn to create a prequel.  The result was X-Men: First Class.  A fantastic movie that reminded us that the X-Men franchise has a lot left to give.

I don’t think anyone saw Bryan Singer returning for the follow up.  Regardless, the man who brought the X-Men to life before Ratner killed them all is back!  Now we get to see mutants from the past and present in one giant movie.  It may not be as big as The Avengers but this movie will definitely flex it’s Superhero muscle.

2. TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES

I still can’t believe this movie is happening.  I grew up with Ninja Turtles.  I had the action figures, the bed sheets, the Halloween costumes…  You name it.  I absolutely love the movies as well. (The first two at least.)  The thought of seeing the Turtles in a new live action movie with TODAY’S technology is thrilling to say the least.  The child in me is smiling.  I’ll be there on opening day.

XTRA | Hey! Jonathan Liebesman!  How about some Ninja Turtles Concept Art!

XTRA | Why the new Ninja Turtles movie is off to a great start

XTRA | Awesome Ninja Turtles Fan Art

1. GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

Who are The Guardians of the Galaxy?  I struggled putting this above Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles but it’s the unknown that intrigues me.  What does Marvel have up it’s sleeve?  No doubt this film will set the stage for The Avengers 2 and the villain Thanos.  Big superhero movies are normally reserved for well known franchises.  This is definitely a risk but I’m on board.  I love the idea of a Marvel movie set in space with characters I know nothing about.

XTRA | I’m glad I don’t know anything about Guardians of the Galaxy

COUNTDOWN | Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase Two: 10 Things I’m looking forward to.

XTRA | Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase Two Round Up

Which Summer movie are you excited for?

SEASON 3 EPISODE 8
SECOND SONS

Last week I was admittedly disappointed in the episode as little forward progress was made in the majority of the story lines.  Game of Thrones usually follows up slower episodes with huge moments…  And that’s exactly what happened in ‘Second Sons’.

Leaving behind most of the stories and characters we visited last week, this episode focused on three main threads.  All of which gave us incredible moments yet none of them won the episode.  If you’ve been reading my recaps this season you know exactly which moment I loved the most.

Before we got that that moment, we got to see Gendry’s arrival at Dragonstone play out…  The poor guy found out he’s not on vacation in the worst way.  The thought of a leech to the nuts is absolutely terrifying.  (Though not as terrifying as Theon’s experience last week.)  We’ll see what his… ahem…  King’s blood will accomplish through Melisandre’s scorcery soon enough I’m sure.  Are we destined for a super smoke monster or something worse?

Back in King’s Landing, Tyrion and Sansa got married in a ceremony laced with Joffrey’s mischief.  He’s an asshole.  Still, putting up with the King’s antics led to one of the best moments of the season.  Tyrion stabbing that knife into the table and threatening the King was fantastic.

Daenerys has really grown this season.  Last year, she spent the majority of her time trying to win people over without much success.  Now, she gets what she wants and managed to get the titular second sons to join her cause with ease.  No dragons required.  She just had to be hot apparently.  Side note: What ever happened to the Warlocks that were hunting her?

Those three stories were awesome but I HAVE to award the moment of the episode to the White Walker!

FINALLY A WHITE WALKER APPEARS IN SEASON 3!

If there is one thing that frustrated me about Season 3 it was the absence of the characters that ended season 2 so brilliantly.  A whole army of White Walkers marching on The Wall only to disappear without a mention for 7 episodes.  I thought for sure Jon and Ygritte would spot a few as they scaled The Wall.  They didn’t.

I’m not sure how they will factor into the final 2 episodes of the season but I’m glad to see they haven’t been forgotten entirely.  Although, it did feel a bit random to have one attack Sam and Gilly considering there is an army of them roaming somewhere in the North.

Regardless, watching him shatter like that was pretty fantastic.  These guys are probably a huge drain on the shows budget so saving them makes sense.  I would have been happy with a mention before now but I’ll take it.  Welcome to Season 3 White Walkers!  It’s about time.

COUNTDOWN | Best Moments: Game of Thrones Season 2

XTRA | Screenwriting & The Game of Thrones Theme

CATCH UP:

Episode 1 Moment: Valar Dohaeris

Episode 2 Moment: Dark Wings, Dark Words

Episode 3 Moment: Walk of Punishment

Episode 4 Moment: And now his watch is ended

Episode 5 Moment: Kissed by fire

Episode 6 Moment: The Climb

Episode 7 Moment: The Bear and the Maiden Fair

WARNING!  HUGE SPOILERS DISCUSSED IN THIS REVIEW
STOP READING IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS!

I recently had a debate with my friend John about J.J Abrams’ Star Trek and how it compares to the original series.  The basic setup was simple:  I never saw the original series and therefore, my first exposure to the characters (other than pop culture references) came when the reboot was released in 2009.  John grew up watching The Original Series and was extremely disappointed when they rebooted the universe he adored.

What followed was a 3 part series where we went back and forth discussing the pros and ‘I have the’ cons of Star Trek.

ROUND ONE: One Trek…  One No Trek

ROUND TWO: One Trek…  One No Trek

ROUND THREE: One Trek…  One No Trek

Obviously, I was beyond excited to see Star Trek Into Darkness.  I couldn’t wait to see J.J would take these characters next.  John has repeatedly sworn not to see the sequel until someone loans it to him or it appears On Demand free of charge.

I bought my ticket a week in advance and caught a matinee on opening day.  So how was Star Trek Into Darkness?

I liked Star Trek Into Darkness a lot but I found myself thinking about our friendly debate often as the story progressed.

FINAL SPOILER WARNING… 

A few months back, in an effort to better understand TOS, I took it upon myself to finally sit through The Wrath of Kahn.  A movie many would agree is the best Star Trek movie of all time.  I can’t make that claim as I haven’t seen them all but I did enjoy it.  When it was revealed that Benedict Cumberbatch was actually Kahn, I couldn’t help but think about our friendly debate.

John didn’t like the idea of rebooting Captain Kirk and his crew.  He can watch his Star Trek whenever he wants on DVD.  As soon as it was revealed that Kahn was indeed a part of this rebooted universe I smiled and thought:

“John is absolutely going to hate this movie.”

I won’t know for sure until he sees it but even I had to admit it would be strange.  To love a group of characters only to have them reinterpreted would be frustrating to some.  Personally, I’m thankful that I watched Wrath of Kahn first because it was my first chance to truly compare the two universes.  I’m obviously not as attached to the original series so I actually appreciated what J.J Abrams did with Star Trek Into Darkness.

Separating the two Kahns was difficult at first.  I kept picturing Ricardo Montalban but Benedict Cumberbatch has created a truly memorable villain here.  He’s ruthless yet sympathetic to a certain degree.  A man driven to do whatever it takes to save his family.  He’s a relentless foe with a booming voice and a worthy adversary for the crew of the Enterprise.

Speaking of which, the rest of the crew evolves accordingly in this film.  Obviously, we are once again thrust into the captain’s seat with Kirk still learning humility as a commanding officer.  By his side, the ever logical Spock who still questions virtually every decision Kirk makes.

It’s a relationship that mirrors the original series but Star Trek Into Darkness also takes liberties that may or may not upset the hardcore fans.  For the most part, I don’t know the difference but I do know I liked it.

I read a little online after I saw the film and many people were upset with the very idea of a new Kahn.  Weren’t people hoping Kahn would be the villain?  It’s strange because I found myself wondering why they didn’t change Kahn more…

There are so many nods to The Wrath of Kahn here including major plot points.  In our debate, I defended J.J Abrams’ rebooted universe because it threw out the rule book.  They used time travel to create a reality where both universes would co-exist.  As evidenced by old Spock’s return to warn new Spock about Kahn.

Why go to such great lengths to create a new Star Trek universe where anything could happen yet still go back to a tale we’ve already seen.  Star Trek Into Darkness is basically bizarro Wrath of Kahn.  There are obviously BIG differences but this movie functions more as a homage.

Still, I liked that they brought back Kahn.  I really liked that they included an impending conflict with the Klingons…  I liked Star Trek Into Darkness.

It was great to see these characters on the big screen again.  Even though I had an idea where the story was going once Kahn revealed himself, there were still plenty of surprises in store.  Not too mention some pretty amazing action sequences.

All in all, this summer is off to a great start with Iron Man 3 leading off and Superman on deck.

As for our debate?  I still believe they have done enough to please new fans like me while respecting fans of the original series.  No matter what you do, you can’t please everyone.  There will always be people who dislike movies like this.  It doesn’t matter what Star Trek universe you call home.  Some movies aren’t for everyone.

This movie was for me.  Perhaps my friend John will see it someday and enjoy seeing a new vision of Kahn on the big screen.  (He probably won’t.)

Overall, I thought Star Trek Into Darkness was a fantastic sequel that doesn’t quite live up to ‘the original’.  Multiply that by about a million and that’s probably how John felt about the 2009 reboot.

I get it now.

Click here for more reviews.

XTRA | Between Bilbo & John Harrison There Is Sherlock

COUNTDOWN | The Best of J.J Abrams

Have you watched a short film today?

MAC ‘N’ CHEESE

Directed by Tom Hankins, Gijs Van Kooten, Guido Puijk & Roy Neiterau

When you find yourself running scared and running out of energy, there’s only a few options left to outrun your opponent through the southern desert. Stopping at nothing, watch these two guys wear each other out and rip through boundaries hitherto unbroken. Enjoy the ride! (Vimeo)

Click here for more.

THE GIFT

Directed by Carl E. Rinsch

The Gift is a Sci-Fi short with a savage Chase sequence on it. (Vimeo)

MOBIUS

Directed by Vincent Laforet

A short film about a photojournalist who stumbles upon a cartel execution and supernatural events in the the “Zone of Silence” in Mexico. (Vimeo)

Click here for more.

PIVOT

Designed & Animated by Kevin Megens, Floris Vos, Arno de Grijs, André Bergs

When a man is witness to a murder and takes pictures of the killer, he has to run for his life. During the chase he is able to turn the tables and the prey becomes the hunter. All resulting in an unfortunate ending. (Vimeo)

Click here for more.

MORE FROM AROUND THE WEB

WEBSITE| I love short films | A great site full of high quality short films.

SHORT FILM | Miniature Melbourne

SHORT FILM | Lost In Manhattan

TRAILER | Self Inflicted | Click here for more.

DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT YOU WOULD LIKE TO PROMOTE?

Email me at jason@theathleticnerd.com and be sure to include links to your project/website. (Note: I don’t review submissions)

Check out The Post archives here.

SEASON 3 EPISODE 7
THE BEAR AND THE MAIDEN FAIR

This week’s Game of Thrones was basically an update on all the relationships in Westeros.  Everyone just sat around discussing relationships.  Jon and Ygritte,  Tyrion and Sansa and  Robb & Talisa all got updates.

Outside of romantic positioning and strategy, we also got more vicious Theon torture.  I understand that they are holding back information from Theon while they literally break his balls but can’t the audience learn something new?  Week after week we’ve watched Theon suffer with little to no advancement of his story.

Speaking of which, Arya & Bran seem to be stuck in their own black holes when it comes to advancing their stories.  Both are trying to get back to their family yet they never seem to get any closer.  This week Bran essentially (and literally) stayed still while Osha talked about her past relationship.

Even Jon Snow’s storyline stalled this week.  His relationship with Ygritte was discussed at length but they made no progress other than walking closer to doom according to Snow.

Outside of King’s Landing, Gendry finally found out what we’ve known for 2.5 seasons.  Yes he is the bastard son of King Robert but why bring him back to King’s Landing?

Inside King’s Landing, we finally got to see Tywin interact with his awful grandson King Joffrey.  Tywin didn’t barge into the throne room and belittle the King but what he did do was far more interesting.  With body language alone he caused Joffrey to back down.  While this method of intimidation was fantastic, it was King Joffrey who stole the show.  FINALLY someone mentioned a certain Queen who happens to command a growing army and three dragons.

Speaking of Daenerys, her story was one of the few that advanced as she now stands at the doorstep of her next conquest.  It was awesome to see her dragons intimidate her guest.  Her story was by far my favorite of the episode because it offered at least a hint of what’s coming.

I suppose the big moment of the episode was Jaime’s rescue of Brienne from a bear.  It was an awesome sequence but I couldn’t help but feel disappointed.  Jaime and Brienne have come a long way this season but we are right back where we started now as they head for King’s Landing…  It’ll be awesome once they get there and the confrontations begin but it’s taking a really long time.

As you can probably guess, I wasn’t a big fan of this episode.  If I had to choose a moment it would be tie between Daenerys negotiation tactics and King Joffrey acknowledging her existence. Other than that, there weren’t many BIG moments. We did get a TON of character development and many relationships advanced but the story stalled.  The Bear and the Maiden Fair almost felt like the first episode of the season.  All we did was check in on all the characters and move on.

There is a silver lining though.  This is probably the last episode of this kind.  They’ve repositioned characters, updated us on their relationships and journeys and now it’s time to start revealing the destinations.  With so few episodes left, I feel confident that there won’t be room for stalling.

It’s strange, this episode wasn’t my favorite but I’m even more excited for next week because they never air back to back episodes like this.  Next week, something will go down!

…  Maybe we will finally catch up with Commander Zombie?

COUNTDOWN | Best Moments: Game of Thrones Season 2

XTRA | Screenwriting & The Game of Thrones Theme

CATCH UP:

Episode 1 Moment: Valar Dohaeris

Episode 2 Moment: Dark Wings, Dark Words

Episode 3 Moment: Walk of Punishment

Episode 4 Moment: And now his watch is ended

Episode 5 Moment: Kissed by fire

Episode 6 Moment: The Climb

THE DEBATE CONCLUDES

ONE TREK…  ONE NO TREK INTRO

ONE TREK…  ONE NO TREK ROUND ONE

ONE TREK…  ONE NO TREK ROUND TWO

ONE TREK…  ONE NO TREK ROUND THREE

The Setup:

JAY: A fan of J.J Abrams’ Star Trek Universe with little knowledge of the original series.

JOHN: Not a fan of J.J Abrams’ Star Trek Universe but a huge fan of the original series.

ROUND THREE

(JAY) The sequel is not far away and you say it’ll get your money but as a sci fi fan and not a Star Trek fan. It makes me wonder what it would take for Star Trek Into Darkness to convince you that it is a tale worthy of it’s name.

I think it’s going to be spectacular because of the approach they’ve taken with the villain. After years of ‘Kahn’ speculation, it appears as though Benedict Cumberbatch is playing an original character. I’m hoping he is an original character. I’m sure you are as well. Why recycle legends like Kahn?  Let’s see something new.

Having said that, I think ‘John Harrison’ will have a lot in common with Kahn. He’s a powerful being who appears to have serious business with the federation and Earth. It’s almost a given that things will get personal with Kirk but I think it will be a classic battle of strategic minds.  They’ve even cast Alice Eve as Dr. Carol Marcus…

Much has been written about John Harrison’s back story. (note: need to find link for this) He’s fighting for a very real and very relatable cause. We’ll have to wait to find out what that cause is but I couldn’t be more encouraged.

Beyond the villain, I’m also excited to spend time with the crew of the Enterprise without the need to establish them. A part of me believes you didn’t respond to the first because they spent a lot of time setting up relationships you already knew inside and out. For me it was new but I can see how it can be frustrating for a long time fan. Especially when you factor in the time travel element they used to ‘reset’ the universe.

Now, the Enterprise has it’s captain and the adventure can begin right away. I hope they deliver more space battles. More strategy. More science fiction concepts. Essentially… More Star Trek. (And more lens flares.)

If Star Trek Into Darkness features more of the crew doing what they do best and a formidable foe, would that be enough?

What did you think of the trailers?  Encouraged?  Discouraged?

COUNTDOWN | Top 5 Moments: Star Trek Into Darkness Trailer #1

COUNTDOWN | Top 5 Moments: Star Trek Into Darkness Final Trailer

Personally, I think the sequel will surpass the original. They worked so hard to create a new universe of sorts where they have the freedom to do whatever they want with the franchise. They’ve got a blank check. I think it’s fascinating to consider the options they had available to them.

Opening credits. Star Trek.

However, I have to admit I’m not fully versed in what that entails. I know it’s going to be more Star Trek as I know it but will they be able to include enough to please fans of old?  As we reach the end of this debate I’m more convinced that I really don’t know the subtleties that makes Star Trek work.  But I know I’m a fan of this new crew.

Maybe I’m looking forward to the same movie you are. I’m just a lot more excited to see it because I love the new versions of the characters.

As this is technically the final round, I propose we revisit this debate after we both see the sequel. A fourth round.  We can find out if they succeeded in winning you back.

(JOHN) With the new movie closely approaching, I’m rather impressed how the identity of the villain is still a mystery. If they do decide to go the original route, I’d definitely find that a welcome decision, as recreating a previous villain will naturally force me to draw comparisons and stay loyal to the original. That’s just how I roll.

Having still not seen the original series minus The Wrath of Khan, I still find it hard how one can make comparisons to the new characters if they didn’t even really get to know the original ones. In essence, there isn’t really much there to base a comparison due to lack of reference. How do you know you “love” these new characters better than the original ones if you haven’t really seen them?

Pretty much any recreation of anything that already appeared in The Original Series is going to discourage me. You touched on more space battles, and I will admit that is the ONE thing I am curious about and interested in seeing. It may just be the ship, an inanimate object, but the Enterprise is definitely part of the “cast” of the series and is a character in itself. Even though they made some of their own modifications to the design of the ship, that is the one thing in the new films that I can mildly accept the aesthetic changes to as it still closely resembles the original, more than anything else they have tried to re-create. That quick shot of the Enterprise diving into what looks like water sparked my attention. The ship is something that is timeless, and whether you’re seeing it in The Motion Picture from 1979, or in the upcoming Darkness, it still holds true for me. I can imagine MY crew on the newer ship, and deal with it.

As I stated before, I’ll probably go see the movie when it comes out. But I’ll be there to basically check out the effects and watch someone else mess with “my” universe.

[UPDATE] Multiply these reasons by 50 now the the trailer has been released!  Forgive the pun but Gravity just skyrocketed even higher on my 2013 must see list.

Originally posted on January 30, 2013

Gravity is the next film from director Alfonso Cuarón. (Children of Men)  It’s a thriller about two astronauts who get stranded in space after their shuttle is destroyed.  Two people floating around with little hope of setting foot on Earth again.  Where will the story go?  How will they survive?  Why has this film’s development taken so long?  These are just a few questions that make Gravity one of my most anticipated movies of 2013.

Click here for 43 more movies to look forward to in 2013.

5. THE WAIT

Original Release Date: November 21, 2012

Actual Release Date: October 18, 2013

Those who were anxiously awaiting Alfonso Cuarón’s space thriller were forced to wait another year.  A year!  It’s unclear why the film was delayed given the overwhelmingly positive early buzz but I’m over it.  The film is obviously packed with challenging special effects.  If he needed an extra year to get it right I’m more than happy to forgive the delay.

4. THE CAST

George Clooney and Sandra Bullock.  Two fantastic actors tasked with bringing these astronauts to life.  Many big names were attached to Gravity before George & Sandra took on the roles.  Names that included Robert Downey Jr., Marion Cotillard, Scarlett Johansson, Blake Lively & Natalie Portman.

Tons of interest in roles that are sure to be challenging to pull off.  With a high concept that demands a ton of screen time for few actors, the cast is crucial.  As a fan of them both, I think this movie is in good hands.

3. THE DIRECTOR

Children of Men was a phenomenal movie full of imaginative ideas and incredible visuals.  Director Alfonso Cuarón gave us a thrilling science fiction adventure that dealt with extremely tense circumstances.  I loved Children of Men.  It’s full of breathtaking long shots that pushed the limits of what you can accomplish without an edit.

Rumor has it Gravity begins with a spectacular 17 minute opening shot.  I can’t wait to see it. (If it’s true.)

2. THE PREMISE

Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) is a brilliant medical engineer on her first shuttle mission, with veteran astronaut Matt Kowalsky (George Clooney) in command of his last flight before retiring. But on a seemingly routine spacewalk, disaster strikes. The shuttle is destroyed, leaving Stone and Kowalsky completely alone–tethered to nothing but each other and spiraling out into the blackness. The deafening silence tells them they have lost any link to Earth…and any chance for rescue. As fear turns to panic, every gulp of air eats away at what little oxygen is left. But the only way home may be to go further out into the terrifying expanse of space.

Sounds awesome doesn’t it?  For now, this is all we know BUT it’s what we don’t know that makes Gravity so intriguing.

1. THE UNKNOWN

What excites me the most is what WON’T happen.  A concept like this could easily end with some kind of space battle or an alien world.  Perhaps a ship picks them up and they must fight to survive.  I’d be okay watching a movie like that but Gravity promises to be something different.

Two characters.  Endless Space.

A while back, George Clooney did an interview and had this to say:

“It’s a two-hander with only two actors in the whole film,” he says. “It is a very odd film, really. Two people in space. No monsters. It’s more like [2001: A Space Odyssey] than an action film.” (USA Today)

No monsters?  No aliens?  Just two people stranded in space and tethered to each other?

…  What’s going to happen!? I can’t wait to find out.  What do you think?

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EPIC VILLAINS IN A SOCIAL MEDIA WORLD

If I may quote Mission Impossible 2:

“Every search for a hero must begin with something which every hero requires…  A villain.”

We all love great villains.  They are the reason our heroes are called to action in the first place.  Throughout history we have been blessed with iconic and unforgettable villains.  The Wicked Witch of the West, Hannibal Lector, Darth Vader, Auric Goldfinger, Nurse Ratched, The Joker, Norman Bates, Freddy Krueger, Verbal Kint, Biff Tannen, Bill the Butcher, Doc Ock, Tommy DeVito, Alex DeLarge…

Dramas, horror, thrillers, comedies…  Every genre has it’s classics but no group faces more scrutiny that the Summer Blockbusters.  Big franchises, sequels and the unstoppable force known as the comic book movie.

It’s the first question we all ask when a giant blockbuster is announced.  Whether it’s a new franchise or a sequel we all want to know who our favorite heroes will fight next.  How will these villains look?  Sound?  Move?

Fans crave every detail leading up to the movies they cannot wait to see.  I remember staring at this image wondering what Christopher Nolan’s Joker would be like.

The Joker was brilliantly realized by Nolan and wonderfully portrayed by the late Heath Ledger.  However, by the time the movie arrived, we had several trailers, clips and more that took away at least a little of the mystery. Is that a bad thing?  I don’t think so.  We live in a different time.  I suppose the question is…

Can you keep a big villain secret?  Should you?

I wonder how much scrutiny Darth Vader would face if Star Wars was released today.  A world where studios preemptively release images from sets in order to beat the spies to the punch.  Every time a movie shoots an exterior scene, images shot on cell phones pop up online.  We live in an age of social media.  An era where promotion is 24/7 and fans are closer than ever to the development process.

Now, I don’t want to sound like a spoiled brat.  Here I am, discussing my relentless craving for new villain reveals while complaining that we know too much before they are unleashed.  I just appreciate the evolution of the villain reveal.

We may have 4 or 5 trailers for each big blockbuster these days but I could choose to avoid them.  I just don’t.  I simply cannot resist pressing play and envisioning the adventures that await on the silver screen.

There are filmmakers out there who work tirelessly to keep their big projects a secret.  J.J Abrams immediately comes to mind.  When he and his team produced Cloverfield, it nearly broke the internet when they unveiled the mysterious trailer.  What the hell did the Cloverfield monster look like?

Personally, it drove me nuts for months.  The director repeated this tactic when he created Super 8. It’s a proven way to generate interest in a film.   Super 8 was actually my favorite movie of 2011.

He’s doing it again with Star Trek Into Darkness.  Who is John Harrison?  Is it really Kahn?  The answers are coming.

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Honestly, I can’t decide which side I’m on.

Do I prefer the shroud of secrecy and the anticipation it ignites?  Or do I want a constant stream of updates and risk burning out before the lights dim?

WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON?

In the last few weeks, we were treated to new trailers that revealed Superman’s enemy Zod and Thor’s next challenge Malekith.  Both look incredible.

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We were also given a glimpse of Jamie Foxx as Electro in next summer’s The Amazing Spider-Man 2:

Would you rather wait to see the villain?

I’m not sure if you can argue one way or another which approach is better.  Secrecy is frustrating but could ramp up the hype to impossible heights.  On the other hand, transparency invites discussion online and the promotion never stops.  There are pros and cons to both.  Sometimes too much secrecy can be seen as a weakness or a lack of faith in the studio.  Sometimes, a villain is revealed and hardcore fans tear it apart in vicious blog posts, tweets and parodies.

Yet sometimes, magic can be captured in the imagination of a film fan’s curiosity.  The same blogs and tweets can also be overwhelmingly positive.  Take Electro for example.  I think he’s going to look awesome on the big screen.  I can’t wait to see what he looks like with added effects.

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how or when a villain is revealed.  Whether it’s a year out or opening night, the only thing that really matters is…  The story.

The next generation of heroes and villains are coming.  Which ones will claim their place amongst the greatest of all time?  That’s a search that will never end.

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A NEW WEBSITE FOR SCREENWRITERS IS HERE!

About 6 months ago, I took some time to completely reorganize myself online.  First, I deleted a dozen accounts on various sites I never used.  You’d be surprised how great that feels to be rid of so many user IDs and passwords.  I also eliminated a website I was maintaining but rarely contributed to.

From there I focused on The Athletic Nerd.  My 4 year old blog got a complete makeover with a new theme, an updated logo and new graphics.  Behind the scenes, I deleted tons of outdated posts, updated others and spent a lot of time refocusing the content and my promotional techniques.

It was time for a new project.  For years, I wanted to launch a screenwriting website.  I write about screenwriting on this blog all the time but I didn’t want this new site to be a blog.  I wanted to create a place that would inspire me to write more and in doing so, hopefully, inspire others.

The Screenwriting Spark was born!

This new screenwriting website was built around a simple idea: Screenwriters Inspire Screenwriters.

There are so many wonderful writers out there sharing their experiences using websites, blogs and social media. These unique stories are full of insight. I’ve learned so much about myself and my hobby of choice thanks to dedicated people who love screenwriting too!  I decided to collect all of these resources in one place.  (Screenwriting Spark)

The site is home to hundreds of links to amazing screenwriting websites.  Beyond that, it’s also home to blog posts, videos, tips, resources, interviews and much more.

Here’s a quick guide on getting started:

• Explore hundreds of screenwriting websites
• Resources, tips and more on the blog
• Tons of screenwriting videos
• 25 amazing screenwriting blogs
• Exclusive interviews with screenwriters
• A complete guide to screenwriting on Twitter

Among the highlights is an exclusive section where screenwriters share why they love writing screenplays, the obstacles they face and what keeps them coming back.  You can add your own story by answering 6 screenwriting questions found here.

The Screenwriting Spark began as a hobby and quickly became a passion of mine.  I had so much fun researching and gathering resources to pull it off.  I’m thrilled with how it turned out and I sincerely hope people enjoy the content there.  Subscribe for all the latest Sparks and happy writing!

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE SCREENWRITING SPARK!

INSPIRE THE ASPIRING

THE SCREENWRITING SPARK IS HERE BUT WHAT ABOUT MY NEW SCREENPLAY?

Last summer, I challenged myself to put this blog aside and finish a new feature length screenplay.  I did.  It was an amazing experience that ended a year of doubt when it came to screenwriting.  I had spent so long thinking only of shorts I could produce I lost confidence that I could create enough content to fill the pages of a feature.

When I finished that script, I immediately began developing a new screenplay that would become my take on the superhero genre.  Towards the end of 2012, I gathered all my notes and script pages and began writing.  I made it through the first act and ran into a little bit of trouble.

Around this time, I got an idea for a new screenwriting website and decided it would become a hobby project.  I also stopped writing my superhero tale in favor of more development time.  Months passed and I continued working on both project in addition to regular posts on this job.  If there’s one thing my Summer of Screenwriting taught me, it was how to budget my time.  About a month ago, I had a big breakthrough in my screenplay.  It was a wonderfully inspiring moment as I was getting frustrated.  I didn’t know if I would ever crack the story and truly immerse myself in the world.  Thankfully, that wasn’t the case and I couldn’t wait to get started.

However, I was nearly finished building The Screenwriting Spark and I wanted to launch it before diving into a screenplay again.  Today is that day.  It took a while to finish the site but I hope screenwriters will find a creative spark there if they need it.  It certainly sparked my need to get back to writing.

Launch day is finally here.  Yesterday I woke up and my to-do list was empty. Over the last few months, I completely reorganized my online life.  I redesigned and simplified The Athletic Nerd, eliminated some of the creative clutter on my desk and designed a brand new site.  I’m all caught up.

What did I do with my free time before my shift?  I fired up the first act of my superhero screenplay, read it and began a brand new first draft.  I always say I missed screenwriting after a long lay off but that’s just a cop out.  I could have been writing all along.  I know it.  When I first started this screenplay, I thought I would have it finished before 2013 began.  I was wrong but I care more about the story now than I did in the Fall.  That’s more important to me.  Screenwriting is my escape from stress.  An activity that’s just for me.  If I don’t care about a story, it’s tough to keep my mind occupied and I wind up getting stuck.

Creating The Screenwriting Spark was just another challenge but it did the trick.  I created a website I hope will inspire screenwriters.  It certainly inspired me.  I don’t know when I’ll finish my latest screenplay but I’m just taking things one day at a time now.  No pressure.  Just writing.

Check out The Screenwriting Spark and let me know what you think!

SEASON 3 EPISODE 6
THE CLIMB

This week’s game of thrones was some how the slowest yet one of the most violent simultaneously.  I’m not sure what to make of that. It wasn’t the best episode of the season but it did offer several eye opening moments.

Poor Theon. Having to endure torture is one thing but being fed false hope like that is pretty grim. His torturer has yet to reveal his true intentions but its definitely haunting to prolong the answers this way.

The episode was very much focused on arranged marriages and their use in Westeros. So much power at stake.  I thought the scene between Olenna and Tywin was fantastic. I hope this isn’t the last time we see these two in a battle of words. Tywin may have won the first battle but the way he avoided speaking about his children’s incestuous ways was great.  It was a little disappointing to cut away as Tyrion essentially proposes to Sansa… Sort of. I suppose it made sense given the chilling final shot of Sansa crying as her escape from King’s Landing sailed away.

In the North, Robb continues to make strategic moves marrying off his uncle to pay for his own mistakes. He also offered one of my favourite lines of the episode:

“I win every battle but I’m losing the war.”

In the end, the moment I chose this week belonged not just to Jon Snow but the view atop The Wall.

WINTER IS COMING

Finally, Jon and Ygritte climb the wall. It wasn’t easy but I loved the final shot of the episode. On one side, a winter wasteland. On the other, endless possibilities for future Game of Thrones moments.  With only a few episodes left, worlds are bound to start colliding soon! I can’t wait to see it.

Another week… Still no White Walker sightings?

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CATCH UP:

Episode 1 Moment: Valar Dohaeris

Episode 2 Moment: Dark Wings, Dark Words

Episode 3 Moment: Walk of Punishment

Episode 4 Moment: And now his watch is ended

Episode 5 Moment: Kissed by fire

PHASE TWO HAS BEGUN…  SORT OF.

I stood in the concession line with my wife and two of our friends.  Iron Man 3 was set to begin in 25 minutes.  I felt anxious.  It’s not everyday you get to see a massive blockbuster movie on opening day.  I felt like I had to rush into a giant line wondering if we would score good seats.  Times are different now.  We bought our tickets online the day they went on sale and reserved our seats directly in the middle of the theater.  When I saw The Dark Knight we had to line up 2 hours before the movie began and we weren’t even close to the front of the line.  A Bigger screen, better sound, assigned seating and an eager crowd…  The perfect setting to kick off a new slate of Marvel movies.

We got our popcorn and made our way into the theater.  My anxiety quickly became excitement.  Another round of Marvel blockbusters was set to begin…

IS IRON MAN 3 THE BEST IRON MAN EVER?

The short answer is yes.  I think this might be the best movie Marvel has produced to date with the exception of The Avengers.  Honestly, there’s no way they could best the finale of Phase One.  Iron Man 3 is certainly ambitious but not on a world scale.  This is a simpler story.  This is Tony Stark’s story.

Tony is a beaten man when the movie begins and slowly things keep getting worse.  Thanks to a terrorist called The Mandarin, he finds himself alone without both his physical and emotional armor.  Half way through the movie, I began thinking about how little of Iron Man we actually see in the first two acts.  It’s a testament to the larger than life performance of Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark.  Iron Man 3 is just as funny as it is serious.  His amusing banter with a child is especially entertaining.  This series has always contained comedy but here you can tell they had a blast on set.

As Tony rebuilds himself we get reminders of what he went through in The Avengers.  Aliens invaded our planet and he fought side by side with Gods and genetically enhanced soldiers.  That’s a pretty good reason to have an anxiety attack or two.

“Gods, aliens, other dimensions?  I’m just a man in a can.”

The story’s villain was…  Surprising to say the least.  A while back, I wrote an article about the 10 things I’m looking forward to most in Marvel’s Phase Two.  #9 Iron Man vs The Mandarin.  Here’s what I said:

“The final battles in Iron Man and Iron Man 2 weren’t the greatest in my opinion.  I doubt Iron Man will fight The Mandarin in a fist fight but there’s no way the finale won’t be massive.  Just look at all the Iron Man suits in the second trailer.”

Without spoiling anything, The Mandarin is certainly not what you would expect.  (Good for you Ben Kingsley by the way) As a result, this film lacks a truly iconic comic book villain but it works here.  There is still a phenomenal final act.  Dozens of remote controlled Iron Man suites more than made up for the lack of Iron Man in the first half.  This is by far the best finale of the series.

IRON MAN 3 IS NOT A SEQUEL TO THE AVENGERS

If you go into Iron Man 3 expecting a ton of fallout from The Avengers and a setup for The Avengers 2 you’ll be disappointed.  They tried to incorporate too much into Iron Man 2 and it was a disaster so I’m glad they kept things restrained.  Still, I didn’t think we would get a Thanos appearance but I thought they would at least plant seeds for what’s to come.   We aren’t any closer to finding out where Marvel’s Cinematic Universe is heading but it’s still early.  We still have Thor: The Dark World, Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy to look forward to.

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A GREAT EXPERIENCE

I saw Iron Man 3 in a sold out theater full of excited fans.  There wasn’t a single idiot around us chatting or texting friends.  The movie itself is full of humor, heart and fantastic action including a breathtaking aerial rescue.  It was nice to see Tony Stark taken back to square one.  It serves as a clean slate for the franchise and it sets the stage for what will be an amazing journey to The Avengers 2.

You have to see this movie in theaters.

Click here for more reviews.

Note: Forgot to mention our little group CRUSHED that theater at Timeplay.  We finished 1,2,3.  (My wife beat me.  I love her.)