Results tagged “Star Trek” from Access Hollywood

 So "Star Trek" is the best-reviewed movie of the year, and it knocked "Wolverine" off the top of the box office with more than $72 million. A big start, but it's still logical to assume that most of the moviegoers who boldly went to see "Star Trek" over the weekend never even saw a full episode before in their lives.

Since the new movie is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg, might I suggest going back to the original series to see what made it so great in the first place?  Start here - easily the greatest "Star Trek" episodes of all time.

5) "Where No Man Has Gone Before"   

Written by:  Samuel A. Peeples

Original Airdate:  September 22, 1966

Course Plotted:  At the edge of the galaxy, a mysterious force of energy penetrates the Enterprise and transforms two crewmembers into godlike creatures.

Why it's great:  The second pilot is also the first episode to feature James T. Kirk, and William Shatner proves that he had the Captain down from the beginning. It's also filled with high tension, as Kirk is forced to maroon an old friend on a barren planet before he takes over the Enterprise.

Where to Find it:  "Star Trek: The Original Series - Season One" (on DVD and Blu-ray)

I've been working for Access Hollywood for almost 9 years. In that time, I've interviewed a lot of celebrities, and I learned very early on not to get star-struck. That would have been the kiss of death to my career as a producer and, later, as a film critic.

But then there was the new "Star Trek." And with that came Leonard Nimoy, who has been one of my lifelong heroes after playing Spock for 43 years. When I knew I was going to interview him, I got really excited. Then I got nervous, which is -- dare I say it -- logical, given how much "Star Trek" has meant to me for, well, all my life. (Without giving my age away, let's just say it rhymes with "shmorty!")

When I sat down for the interview, I showed Nimoy that I was wearing a "Star Trek" tee shirt, and I explained that I cannot remember a time in my life when I wasn't a huge "Star Trek" fan. I also explained that "Star Trek" changed my life, and if it wasn't for "Star Trek," I wouldn't be where I am now -- living in LA and reviewing movies for Access Hollywood. He then proceeded to call security, and I was dragged kicking and screaming from the Four Seasons.

Seriously, I told him that although I was really excited, I was also really nervous to see new actors playing the characters that I've loved all my life. But then I saw the movie, and I loved it -- it's a "Star Trek" movie for everyone. He's very happy that the new movie is appealing to so many people outside the fan base, but "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" (which he directed, as I pointed out!) also appealed to non-Trekkers. I explained how important it was for "Star Trek" to appeal to everyone, and when I started to quote "Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan" by saying, "The needs of the many outweigh..." he finished the quote with "...the needs of the few or the one!" We had a moment.

By Jim Kiernan, Access staffer

Last night in New York, Paramount screened the new trailer and four nearly completed scenes (totaling about 20 minutes of footage) from the J.J. Abrams-directed reboot of the "Star Trek" franchise.

A humble, and somewhat nervous J.J. was on hand to introduce and talk up each scene and share his thoughts. Ironically, he opened his initial speech by admitting he was never a "Star Trek" fan growing up. You'd never know it from what was to come.

I, on the other hand, am a big fan of the franchise. Even separating myself from that group, I can say that this movie is huge. And I mean HUGE.

The footage presented has all of Abrams' "MI:3" action, volume, intensity, unsteady handheld camerawork, jarring lens flare, overall grit & some welcome wit thrown in so it never takes itself too seriously.

I refrain from saying it is a true blend of "MI:3" and "Star Trek" if this at all resembled the "Star Trek" we all know and love. The names, characters, history and villains are all there, but it's incredibly fun and fresh while catering to the fanbase with clever dialogue references from all incarnations of the property. But this is the long overdue big budget balls out reboot that Trek needed to be viable again.