Review of Star Trek into Darkness

I know it's come and gone through the theatres -- but The Lady and I rarely see movies on the big screen -- except for ones that are aimed at gradeschoolers.

But, my sister-in-law is a big Star Trek fan, so (of course!) she had Star Trek:  Into Darkness on DVD.

Borrowed it a few days ago, and watched it last night.


Ayep!  Good movie.  Starts off quick.

There are some parallels to Star Trek II:  Wrath of Khan that I'm sure were intentional -- but I thought it was a little cheesy.  Not horribly so -- but right on the cusp of being **too** cheesy.


Umm -- actually, not much to say.  Good popcorn movie.  Worth watching once -- esp. if you're in to Star Trek.  But I'm unlikely to watch it again -- as opposed to some movies like Stranger than Fiction, where I've re-watched several scenes many, many times.


--GG

Temba, his arms wide

There's a really good episode of Star Trek:  Next Generation called ''Darmok''.  The plot revolves around the inability of the crew of the Enterprise to communicate with a race of aliens who speak only in metaphor.

Had a hankering to see it, so I borrowed the DVD from my sister-in-law.

Watched it, then thought it'd be fun to spring these phrases on people, now and again -- kind of like exclaiming ''Great balls of fire!!!'' So I jotted down all the phrases that I thought could be used conversationally.

But after a few mornings on the bus, trying to memorize them, my enthusiasm waned:  I'm not good at straight memorization.

However, during this process, I did a web search and discovered that my interpretation of the meaning of these phrases differs from that of other people's.  So, I've presented my interpretations below. 

Note that vocal inflection indicates the magnitude of the meaning, and whether you're being serious or wry (e.g.  ''That's a tragedy.'' vs.  ''That's a TRAGEDY!!!'').  Also, I noticed that I often provided an American ideoms as well as straight definitions -- which I think fits the theme.


Shaka, when the walls fell.  Throwing up your hands in exasperation; frustration, often over a difficult, futile or impossible task.

Kiteo, his eyes closed.  Not ''getting it''; failure to understand.

Sokath, his eyes uncovered.  (Alt: Sokath, his eyes open.)  Finally ''getting it''.  Insight and understanding as a transition from not understanding.

The river Temarc, in winter.  Impossible, or at least very difficult; very hard going.  (Presumably this river is very rough in winter.) 

Mirab, his sails unfurled.  (Alt:  Mirab, with sails unfurled.)  Either ''Let's get outta here'', ''Let's beat it'', ''Cut our losses and leave'' -- or else ''Make it so'', ''Let's get on with it''.  Hard to tell by the context -- although I think the former.

Temba, his arms wide.  (Alt:  Temba, his arms open.)  Generosity; a gift; sharing.

Temba, at rest.  The scales are balanced; you've done enough; we're good, thanks.

Uzani, his army with fist open.  Drawing someone in.

Uzani, his army with fist closed.  Seizing the moment; bringing the hammer down.

Uzani, his army at Lashmir.  Both of the above techniques, used in series; the ol' rope-a-dope.

Darmok on the ocean.  Isolation or loneliness.

Darmok and Jalad, on the ocean.  Solidarity, possibly with a touch of companionship.

Kiazi's children, their faces wet.  Sadness over a loss, possibly specific to death.


--GG

Movie review of Enterprise

Didn't manage to catch Enterprise in the theatres. Borrowed the DVD from my sister-in-law. Good stuff.

It's a reboot of Classic Star Trek. Excellent job of doing a new version, with subtle changes to the characters, while still making them very recognizeable (including their catchphrases). The new actors managed to capture their speech patterns without being imitators.

Again, good stuff.


--GG