Semi-Reboots; Ghostbusters, Star Trek, and Beyond

SPOILERS. SO MANY FREAKIN' SPOILERS.

...Ugh...

Chances are you've seen my wild elation over the new Ghostbusters. If not, know that I love it; it falls higher in my esteem than the Extreme Ghostbusters, the IDW comics, and the second half of The Real Ghostbusters.

Phelous is the only other person who shares my level of hate.

But a lot of people are complaining about how this is too similar to the original. It does hit some of the same beats, but this is easily explained in two words: alternate universe.

Like the new Star Trek, this Ghostbuster's film seems to take place in an alternate universe. Unlike that film, the timeline-altering event is now shown in film, but with careful observation it's clear.

This universe is the result of Egon dying young.

We see an unnamed copper bust in-film of Harold Ramis' Egon. Assuming this is a memorial, everything else falls into place; Peter Venkman (in this universe named Martin Heiss) and Ray Stantz (no idea what his new name is) began their work on the paranormal with Egon, when working with their dangerous equipment killed him. Peter couldn't cope with the loss and delved into debunking everything that he percieved killed his friend.

Ray kept up with the work for a while, but the University eventually fired him. Without Peter to drive him into 'the private sector' he turned to being a cabby to pay the bills. But his academic work was studied and built on by Erin and Abby. Thus the "It's only a calls 5 full torso apparition."

Winston simply fell into another line of work. One where he still works with the dead, though.

So, what does my theory mean for the franchise? Much like in Star Trek (especially Star Trek Into Darkness) we may still see the same beats playing out differently due to the new universes new circumstances. And I'm fine with that. I'd love to see a brand new story, but I'm not adverse to seeing what these girls would do faced with Terror Dogs and Gozer.

Either way, I get more Ghostbusters. That's a win in my book.

Beyond

As you've probably hear, Anton Yelchin, the new Chekov, died in a freak accident.

I'm a Star Trek fan, as you know. I liked Yelchin in the role. Beyond that, I don't know what to say. It's tragic that another person has joined the 27 club. This wasn't due to a fan going nuts or drugs or anything but stupid, freak luck.

What a terrible time for the family. I can't do anything but extend my condolences along with the rest of the internet.

I wanted to close this with a pithy quote, but nothing felt right. Another unsatisfying end.

Tears

Leonard Nimoy died today.

The world lost a multi-talented man. Granted, I know him best as my favorite Star Trek character, Spock, as did many. I've written before about how important Spock is to me.

What can I say? He was 83. His illness was known, at least to him. I don't know if it was publicized before.  My husband knew he was in hospital about a week ago, but I missed that news (Hubby is out getting me McD's to cheer me up. I love my husband).

Spock the character is still alive in Zachary Quinto. We even had a lovely send off for him in the latest Star Trek film. I shouldn't be this sad. I never met the man. I'd learned from the ideals he held. There wasn't anything else to glean.

Egon is dead. Spock is dead.  Brent Spiner is getting older.  I'm losing my stoic icons.

What do I say? Not live long and prosper. He did that.

There's something better. A Hebrew proverb.  "Say not in grief 'he is no more' but in thankfulness that he was."

Another saying, for those of us not trekking the final frontier. "God is closest to those with broken hearts."

I feel terrible. 

TEN Scary Fan Drawings

Spooky Friday!

10. Boogieman by Lunoki

This art was inspired by the TOS episode Phantasms. I won't spoil it, but this image marries perfectly with Halloween.

9. Muppet Hell by LordWormm

Meep indeed...

8. Sam's New Pet by kezeff

Remember how the drawing in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark were the only scary thing? Somebody took one of the most horrifying and made a sculpture out of it! Enjoy!

7. ET by THATGUYWHODRAWS

Finally, someone else sees the little monster how I do.

6. Pennywise...by RayDillon

Tim Curry's got nothin' on this guy.

5. Elmo's Nightmare Revisited by xXxMudzxXx

There are a lot of puns about 'A Nightmare on Elmo Street'. This drawing is the most horrifying of the bunch. Elmo's dead eyes are just chilling.

4. Mrs. Lovett - Puppetmaster by KittyMira

The art itself is fine, but the implications are what really makes this piece work. Mrs. Lovette, not an obsessed, lovesick psychopath, but a plain psychopath willingly jerking Sweeney Todd to her whims. Brr.

3. POST IT POLTERGEIST by QuinteroART

HOLY CRAP, NO.

2. The Further by davidcombs76

Go watch Insidious. And Insidious 2. Now.

1. Deception and Blood Lust by  Silver-HeartCrosser

I love Wreck-It Ralph. The original character art was already terrifying, but damned if this doesn't take it to the next level. BRAVO! 

Questions geeks care about

• Do they have classes in Vulcan, like they do for Klingon?
• How did Fred and George Weasley know Krum would get the snitch, but still lose the cup? Did they divine the secret magically, or was it just a strong hunch? If a hunch, why bet all their money?  
• Why did Gollum teach his Grandmother to suck eggs?

Especially when this little guy exists.

• Was Watson shot in the leg or the shoulder?
• How did Thor get back to earth?
• Why didn't Yoda find other Jedis and make a kick-ass resistance group?
• Was Jareth a pedophile?

• Do you care if Jareth was a pedophile?
• Because seriously, it was fantasy olden times. Like Game of Thrones. So it's okay.

• Really.
• Seriously.

• I've lost my train of thought.

The (Job) Hunter Games, Day 1

Well, my first day of joblessness is off to a smashing start. So far I've

1. Watched an episode of Star Trek TNG

Star Date: -309119.1459601725. My back hurts and I'm cold.

2. Cleaned the bathroom.

Too bad I'm not Catholic.

3. Scheduled a job interview with the County in two weeks.

And a few assorted other things, making lunch for Bahamute, etc. But I'd say day one is off to a good start.

Now, the County thing is by no means assured, but I feel a lot better having this interview than not. I passed the first part of the screening process a week or two ago, and now go on to an interview and a typing test. Well, you remember I just picked up some books that may help, and have an abundance of time to bring up my typing speed. It's not too shabby right now, thanks to NaNoWriMo, and this blog.

So, that just leaves the rest of the day.

Well, I still have to finish my 1666 words for NaNoWriMo. Yesterday, thanks to Spamalot, I found myself two days behind. I made up, writing over 3k over the course of the day, in between killing Orks.

It's just like this.

My house is in desperate need of cleaning, so every day I'm not paid, I'll be working to get the house in order. I will keep myself busy. I will keep to a schedule and not let myself sleep all day, just because I can. It'd be far, far to easy to let myself be slothful during this time. That would only lead to despair.

Well, I'm off to work on the novel, take care of the neighbor's dogs, and begin work on another room...maybe the loft (aka Harley's person room, stay out Humans). Wish me luck, internet. 

Impotant RAAAAAAGE

What is the word for experiencing rage over something that happened 20 some years ago? Not something serious, like a murder or a war, mind you: something cultural, like an event in a book, movie, play or T.V. show.

Because the crap in Star Trek TNG is starting to REALLY get my dander up.

90% of the episodes are about Picard negotiating treaties. A nice idea, but I though your mission was to BOLDLY go where NO ONE HAS GONE BEFORE, not boldly go to the next neutral meeting site!

Another thing that sucks? Kids. So far Troi, Worf, Data, and Riker have all had a kid (not always a real one, mind you). Two have died by the end of the episode, one was shunted off to live with grandparents, and one was an alien impostor that was ditched at a starbase, presumably. Emotional manipulation go!

Wesley. Nuff said

Don't get me wrong, I still love TNG, mostly for it's complex characters. But I sure do miss the Holy Trinity of Trek beaming down to planets and finding adventures. 

Do do do do doooo....

The Star Trek Into Darkness Midnight Express

Since I was as the midnight release last night, I understand that virtually NOBODY will have seen the movie yet. As such, I 'll post a mini-review of the midnight experience for now, and a more spoileriffic one later.

After grabbing a quick bite and some snacks from the local Kroger, Bahamute and our friend Millie headed to the MJR Theater. We were there by 10:50 for the 12:05 showing. So, we picked our seats (middle of the last row), and waited. And waited. And nattered. And waited. And it was fun, as it always it.

Hooray meatspace interaction!

To my disappointment, the theater didn't have many patrons. Maybe it was because a 3D showing was playing at 12:01. Maybe it was because the release had moved to Wednesday night for unknown reasons. But there were only about 20 people, making it a strangely intimate experience.

Another small annoyance was the trailers: there were only three, and only one was new. Granted the new one was a Hangover Expy starring Robert Di Niro, Kevin Kline, Morgan Freeman, and Michael Douglas. Totally awesome!

So, how was this in comparison with the Iron Man 3 midnight showing? QUIETER. But no less epic. In fact, I liked STID more than Iron Man 3. Ahh, that felt good.

Now I'm off to sleepwalk my way through my shift. Totally worth it. Wish me luck.

Seeing Star Trek Into Darkness tonight!

Tomorrow I'll have a review, but today I'm reveling in seeing my first Star Trek movie on the big screen after seeing all of Star Trek TOS and movies 1-6 (plus the reboot). SO HAPPY! ILLOGICAL, BUT HAPPY!

On a side note, my boss just threw all his papers on the floor and guilted me into cleaning them up. Whatever. Still seeing Star Trek.

Star Trek is coming

I've spent the better part of the last six months watching the complete Star Trek TOS, the first six movies, and the reboot/prequel/sequel that came out in 2009. Now, as a bonified Star-Trek fan, I'm going to see a new Star Trek movie with understanding of all the cannon that went before hand.

I'm a little worried.

They look calm, though. Kinda evil, but calm.

I still loved the  reboot/prequel/sequel after watching TOS. But what if now there's some obscure detail that ruins everything? "Mr. Spock would never cry like that!" or  "Bones would KNOW if it was a space STD!"

See?

Will knowing more about Star Trek, well...ruin Star Trek 2.0? I'm not a Trekkie, by any means: I don't have the titles of episodes memorized, or know the layout of the decks of the Kirk-Era Enterprise, or know what brand of whisky Scottie likes best. But I do really enjoy the show. 

Granted, things that are different in the new universe are things I accept, and even enjoy. Spock/Uhura? Sure. It's no Spirk, but hey, this is a different timeline, and things change.

See?

I love the new actors too. Simon Pegg's Scottie is pure brilliance. Here's hoping he plays Ant-Man too.

He's cool! Really! REALLY!

Worst of all, what if I hate it not because it doesn't live up to the original standards of Star Trek, but because it's just a bad sequel? Hell, every other Star Trek movie is bad, and the reboot/prequel/sequel was good, so...aw crap.

Still waiting with baited breath. Because it's Still Star Trek, it's still a great cast, and J.J. Abrams is the man. Until then...Great Gatsby, anyone?

 Remember this? Wha...what do  you mean, no? In High-school, you read it. No seriously. I swear. I don't care if you remember, you did! C'mon guys, this is why English Majors are dying out!

New friends, or the saga of The Hobbit (not that one)

There's a local restaurant that's open twenty four hours, and has low prices--you know the type of place. My friends and I eat there at least once a week, due to them all being night owls. Nearly every time we're there we see other frequent diners. We've made up names for some "Pepperidge Farm" for a well-dressed older gentleman. "The Wired Couple" for two who are constantly on their laptops and kindles.

Then there's The Hobbit.

No, not that one.

A shorter man, wild brown hair, long beard. He is always in a group of other men around their mid-twenties. We saw him much more than Pepperidge Farm or the Wired couple: every time we've been there, he's been there. The other faces change, but his never has. So, we began to wonder: who is this guy? Why is he here EVERY night? Is he a nerd like us, just seeking a cheap hangout? Curiosity was burning.

Last night, we made contact. The Hobbit and his other friend were outside smoking as we left; it was odd as it was much earlier than we usually went out.

"Hey, sorry we were starring at you." My friend Jay (names replaced to protect the "innocent).

"You were what?" He replied, looking blank.

"Damnit Jay, you blew our cover!" I scolded him sarcastically. "Now they know!"

"I'm sorry, but we're in here all the time, and we always see you." Jay replied.

"You are?"  The Hobbit's friend looked just as blank.

My heart sank a little. We'd been watching these guys for months: they had no idea who we were?

The my fiancee Bahamute walked out, and their faces lit up. "Oooh, YOU guys!"

I guess the 6 foot long haired scruffy guy would stand out more than the rest of us. For his part, Bahamute just looked confused.

"So,"  Jay's wife Selena got into the act "are you nerds like us?"

Well, nobody could say we didn't speak our minds.

"What do you think of the new Star Trek?"  The Hobbit addressed me.

"Love it. It pays respect to the old--"

"While letting the new do new stuff!"  He finished. I began to get excited.

No word on if they support Spirk.

We talked about EVERYTHING. Superheros. Star Trek. Card Games. Video Games. Musical theater! The Hobbit's friend studied in New York.

It was amazing. Everything we'd imagined about these guys was true. They were just like us. We agreed that next time we'd make one massive table and take over half the restaurant, to indulge in all our nerdism.

"I'm Mike."

Well. The Hobbit finally had a name.

"One last thing--do you know you look a little like a Hobbit and a Dwarf combined?" Jay asked.

My jaw dropped. So much for our burgeoning friendship.

"Thorin Oakenshield is my adoptive Father." Mike grinned. We all laughed, me with a mix of joy and relief.

We have met the diners. They are us. If only more friendships could be formed that easily.

Also, Mike may be my genderflip clone from another universe. More on that later.

Nerdgasm

My boyfriend gave me some early birthday presents: Futurama volume 7, and lego figures of Harley Quinn and The Wicked Witch of the West. I am in dork heaven.

Still watching season 3 of Star Trek. I want to get all the way thru TOS and the movies with just the original cast. It's getting harder; episodes like 'That Which Survives' make it hard. Spock is by far my favorite; no matter how zany things get, he's like 'I got this.'

I still miss Picard. Can't wait to tackle that! Netflicks rocks.