Let the sun shine

The sun FINALLY came out today and this is the location where I'm writing this blog posting.

I don't want to leave...

I found out that there was a hotspot for wireless at a hotel about 10 minutes walk from my place. So, rather than head into town and sit in the sterile Telecom main office, I headed on down. When I got here, the gal at the office said "Oh, just go down to the bar...you can work on your computer there."

A bar with internet connectivity.

Sheer heaven.

It's a cute little local hotel, with a nice outdoor bar, great view of the clear water and hard liquor...really, what more do you need?



FYI....I missed my "anti-clockwise" bus right after I stopped blogging. I was power-walking up the street, saw the bus and watched as it power-drove off. Curses! The next bus wasn't for an hour and a half (about the same time it would take me to walk back...why rush?). So, I waited at the bus stop...alone. The stores all close at 4:30....everything closes at 4:30. I chatted with a couple people during my time there, mostly the ones driving up to get money out of the ATM next to me (which wasn't working). After a few minutes, I became the "It's not working" guy, waving people on so they wouldn't have to stop, get out, check...then swear and storm back to their cars in the rain. Right before the clockwise bus arrived, I noticed the sun peek, ever so carefully, out of the clouds (above). A ray of hope for the next day...

Last night was spent hanging out with many of the backpackers at the hostel. A very diverse and interesting group. Since my mind remembers no names (including my own), I'll refer to them by nationality...

Canadians: I met a nice Canadian couple last night (they are in the beach hut next to me). They are about my age and this is their first stop on their year-long travel adventure. When I asked them why now...the wife said "Life is too short to wait." They have been talking about it for a while, seriously for the last year and decided to just do it. They both left their jobs, rented out their house and...here they are.

Israeli: I have been talking to this really nice girl from Israel. She got there the day before me, alone for the first time in her 5 month trip with her boyfriend (he was short on cash and so they took a little break and she'll meet up with him in Thailand this weekend). She, like me, has encountered several people who, because of where she comes from, tell her they don't like her country or what it stands for. We discussed how sad it is that people can be so narrow minded about people and judge them soley on where they are from, rather than the person they are actually speaking with...the one in front of them smiling and saying "hello...how are you?"

Irish: Chatted with an Irish guy at the bar last night. He has 5 weeks vacation and is spending 3 of it here and a few days in LA. He is traveling alone and just wanted a quiet break from his full time translating job back home. He's got a great sense of humor (as most Irish I've encountered) and plays a mean game of pool.

The Danish: I enjoy the raspberry kirshtort and lemon puff.

Good night! I'll be here through Saturday!



The Danish: I also spoke to two Danish guys who are in the middle of a 6 month trip traveling together. They just got back from a three week stay on a very remote island (they were the only tourists), so are enjoying contact with regular people and being able to get online. They are headed to LA in a few weeks, then New York for three weeks.

The German: He seems to be all of 23, also traveling alone. He arrived two days ago and is traveling for an undetermined time. Until he decides he wants to go back, I suppose.

The New Zealander: I don't know her whole story, but she appears to be traveling alone and, when I spoke to her yesterday. She was soaking wet on her scooter and I directed her to the place where I got my rain poncho. She was pleased, purchased one and scooted back to the hostel.

The Brits: On the way into town, I was sitting next to a gal from London. She had just gotten married on Saturday and she and her husband (sitting further back in the very full bus) were on their honeymoon. They are here for a week and then head out to Aitutaki (the exclusive, fancy, perfect beaches island about 3 hours flight from here. Not in my budget...at all) for another week before flying back to London.

Irish Two: Electric Boogaloo: The only other people to board the clockwise bus with me last night, was an older couple, carrying half-opened large beers. Turns out, they also missed the 4:30 bus and decided to go into the one bar open nearby for a beer or twelve. They were very funny and have been traveling since January and have another few months to go. They appeared to be having a great time and, for me, it was just entertaining watching them attempting to focus on the road, wondering if they would recognize or remember where they were actually staying. Thankfully for them, the bus driver remembered for them...so, they slurred their goodbyes and teetered their way down the steep bus steps to the solid ground below.



I enjoy meeting the various travel kids (of all ages) and hearing all of their stories. Some people have seen so much and others are just beginning.

With the sun shining, most of us just hung out around the pool trying to enjoy the weather while it is bright and clear. There is a nasty rumor it'll cloud up again tonight through the weekend. So, I'm gonna get back to the whole relaxing thing, while I have the chance.

The traffic, crime, noise, and stress of LA is just a few days away.

I'm gonna need all the rest I can get....

Oh, the rain, Will...the rain...

It has almost rained, non-stop, since I got here. This morning, it actually stopped for about 5 minutes...then started right back up again. Luckily, in that short "dry spell", I was able to move my stuff from the nice beachfront apartment on stilts, to one of the lower beach huts (just behind).



Although I enjoyed being higher off the ground in the last place (mentally thinking that any bugs might be too tired to climb up the posts to my room), this room is almost as nice and about $40 less a night...so, that is fine with me.



It actually sleeps 3 (there is another single bed off camera to the left, it is where my luggage sleeps) and has its own bathroom/shower with solar heated water...so not too shabby. I certainly couldn't get my own room/bathroom right on the beach for $65 anywhere else on the island...so, I'm pleased about that.



With all the rain here on the island, it makes going out at night kind of...pointless. There is only one bus that runs around the island at night...once an hour. So, you'd have to stand in the rain for a while and pray for it to come around before you're soaked to the skin (which is always nice when you're out socializing). Notice the bus schedule above...one bus goes "clockwise" each hour and the other goes "anti-clockwise" each hour (but only until 4:30...and I'm closer to the "anti" side of town). At least the Anti-Christ doesn't drive that bus...our driver looked more like Anti-
Em, so it's much more relaxing.



So, I decided to stay in my room, listen to music, the rain and ocean, and read a book that I borrowed from the hostel office. A real book (no pictures inside at all). Well...it's more of a comedy about a woman trying to find a husband in a year, but it's considered a book by most standards. I also cannot begin to express how wonderful it's been to have my iPod (thank you Andrew!) and the portable music docking station/speakers (thank you Joel!) with me. Joel loaded up my iPod with about 3 gazillion great songs before I left and I've listned to it almost every night/day since I started traveling. It really makes a difference when you're hanging out in your room.



So, I went into town again today and walked around with my umbrella. Yeah, I know..."tourist", but a much dryer tourist than most people wandering the streets today. I've noticed that there are mini-cemetaries on almost every property here. I'm going to check and see if it's a custom to bury family on their land. I think it is...but you see them everywhere.



I also went to see the local "museum and library", but it was closed. It's actually, more of a library/used book store and one room of a few old things (and I'm not just talking about the ladies working there). I peered through the gate into the "museum" room...didn't see any creepy dolls, so decided not to wait two hours for the "reopening". I saved three dollars and, if you look at the picture of the painting outside of the museum, the kid is a little creepy. So...no need for me to go back there.

It started to POUR rain and, since I'm also carrying my backpack with my computer, I decided to find one of those ever-fashionable plastic rain ponchos. It took me a few minutes to find a store that had them....



Thanfully, Tuki wasn't lying...she had the poncho I needed...and more! I could have purchased a cordless baby monitor, a DVD player, individual panties from a bucket...the list goes on and on. So, I got my poncho and three pairs of panties and headed off to eat, before coming to the local Telecom office to write this blog. FYI- They are the only internet company on the island and, because of that, they charge almost $180/month for internet to the locals. Can you believe that? No wonder everyone just sticks with dialup here.



So, I went back to Cafe Salsa, had a nice sandwich, a beer and some great keylime pie (always time for keylime pie).

Now, I've gotta finish this up and get to the bus stop before the "anti-clockwise" bus heads out.

Going clockwise just isn't my style...

Tube Talk

One of the things I actually looked forward to upon my return, was catching up with many of the TV shows that had (fingers crossed) recorded while I was gone. Luckily, most of them were here waiting for me. Whew! I have always been a big TV watcher, probably always will. It's a part of who I am, good or bad. So, I spent a big part of today diving in to some of my favorites...

Plus, the DVR is full...so I have to watch some of them quickly or they will disappear into the cornfield.



The New Adventures of Old Christine

There were two episodes of this show waiting for me and I enjoyed them, as always, just as much as any of the previous ones. This show makes me laugh out loud at least once or twice an episode (and these days, that's rare). I think it's a very funny, well-written, well-cast show and that Julia Louis-Dreyfus is...hilarious. I loved her on "Seinfeld" and I love her, in a slightly different way, on this show. She's just a funny gal and the supporting cast, especially Wanda Sykes, are also very funny. If you haven't seen it....you should give it a shot.



Samantha Who?

I wanted so badly to love this show. I liked the first few episodes last year. I mean, I think Christina Applegate is entertaining, but having Jean Smart (Charlene from "Designing Women") playing her mother....how could it not be a laugh-riot? But...it's not and, after watching the three new episodes that were here today...I'm not sure that I'll watch any more episodes. I think it's the basic concept of the show that is very limiting and, honestly, it seems to be trying to be a comedy at times...then a dramedy...then a real wacky comedy. It's all a mishmash that just doesn't really mesh well. It's not awful or even bad...it's just not....special. Great cast...ok show.



30 Rock

I rewind this show more than any other show. Not because it's hard to understand, but because it has so many funny/smart/quick lines in it, that I'm usually laughing from one and miss the next two. Tina Fey is such a smart/intelligent/funny writer..I don't know how she does it. The pace is quick, the editing is almost as important to the show as the writing. This show is all about comic-timing and they have it in spades. Plus, regardless of how crazy Alec Baldwin may or may not be in real life, he is hilarious on this show. HI-larious! If you don't already watch it...you should.



The Office

I know, I know...there are many out there that say "It's not as good as the original British version.". However, I think both are great and, in their own way, unique and just as funny. Our country has a history of butchering "remakes" ("Stepford Wives", "Coupling" and, may God forgive Nora Ephron for destroying the movie version of "Bewitched". A movie about a witch...without any magic. Perfect cast...terrible movie. Don't get me started...).

But, the cast of the American version of "The Office" is great (each one of them) and the show is funny, almost painfully so, at times. It reminds me of another funny/painfully awkward show, "The Comeback" with Lisa Kudrow. So smart, funny, and real...that it was difficult to watch at times because, as often as the lead character, Valerie Cherish, put herself into a bad situation, she was still "real" and, when bad things happened...it was like witnessing deep, personal pain that no one should ever see, let alone experience. But, in both shows, there are moments of sheer, comic genius and milk-shooting-out-of-your-nose hilarity. It's a balance I enjoy.



Men In Trees

I've mentioned, in a past entry, how much I enjoy this show. Unfortunately, my DVR deleted 3 episodes of it to make room for other shows (thank goodness for full episodes being available online!). I still wasn't able to find the episode that showed Jack being rescued, but I got the others...so it'll have to do.

I just love this show. It makes me laugh, smile and, sometimes cry. It reminds me of another old favorite of mine, "Northern Exposure". They are both shows that take place in beautiful, quaint, remote towns in the middle of Alaska. Places where every character is someone that you'd like to have around you. They live in towns that are beautiful, clean, violence-free, and the people all look out for each other. You know...fantasy worlds. But, I wouldn't miss it. It's an hour of peace, beauty and smiles filled with people who treat each other like we'd all like to be treated, care for each other like we'd all like to be cared for, and who love each other deeply and with an honesty that, although rare, is still possible to find in friends and, hopefully, lovers (I'm still looking for that one).

I'll take that any day over watching the onslaught of doom and gloom on the news, the eating of live bugs or scheming and deception on reality shows and the violent subject matter of so many crime shows that fill the screen on any given night.

It's almost too much to bear at times...

Sometimes you need a little fantasy, to help make reality a little easier to deal with.

And in keeping with that....tomorrow, I'm gonna try and tackle "Lost", "Brothers and Sisters", "Heroes" and a few others.

Reality can just take a number...

Danger Will Robinson!

While looking for a pic online, I came across this site that builds/sells robots based on the original "Lost In Space" TV show. I used to love that show and thought, one day when I'm rich, I'd make the Jupiter Two spaceship my pool house in the mansion that I'd obviously own with my unlimited income. Since that hasn't happened yet...it would still make an excellent Christmas gift.

And, for only $24,000...it should make shopping for me much easier this year for one of you lucky people.

Or, if that is too pricey...the Christmas card version of Dr. Smith from the photo on the bottom of this post will also do. I still laugh hard every time I look at it.

Well, I am caught up on all, but one, of my backlog of TV shows on the DVR. I still have four episodes of "Boston Legal" (and a new one tonight), which I'm saving to watch with my roommate. Since he's so busy and not as TV-centric as I am, I just save the good shows that we both like ("30 Rock", "The Office" and "Boston Legal") for a TV night. It makes for a fun evening of laughing out loud, liquid-shooting-through-the-nose, rewind-that-again viewing.

The others, I get through on my own...



Grey's Anatomy

This is a show that I should like a lot more than I do. It's a show written by a woman, featuring a pretty good mix of actors and, more than surgeries, focuses on relationships. However, I didn't like it when it premiered and that should have stopped me there. I thought all of the characters were so unlikeable and annoying, that I didn't start watching it again until a year later when everyone at my office kept saying "You have to watch it...it's so good now."

So I tried again...and got hooked.

It had a pretty good year, then slowly went to Hell from there. I used to like several of the characters enough to get through disliking the main Grey character. Her character was so whiny and made so many unrealistic choices that I kept hoping some kind of large object would fall down and McCrush she and McDreamy.

I still wish that. But, now I want the object to be large enough to take out most of the cast and writing staff.

Izzy used to be good/interesting to watch...then they had her fall in love with George randomly in one episode...eliminating any sympathy for her character or the other character I really liked, until that storyline...Torres. I liked Torres because she constantly pointed out exactly what I thought about the main characters...they were so self-absorbed, pretty mean and not very nice to hang around. Then, the writers made Torres just as dramatic and unlikeable as the rest.

Now, the only character that keeps me watching at this point is Bailey.



She and the actress who plays her are great and feature the only cast member with any kind of realism, personality and humanity that merits screen time. If they'd only give her a bit more to do in each episode.

After last week's stupid episode about "the contest" and watching the three main gals treating patients with absolutely no sliver of realism (Grey actually exclaimed with glee "Oh...TUMOR" in front of a man who ended up having one that was going to kill him), it's gonna be difficult for them to keep me watching another season.

Unless they get rid of the annoying characters and just call it "Bailey's Anatomy" or "My Vajay-jay".



Lost

As confusing and complicated as this show becomes each year...I am hooked. After watching six episodes in a row yesterday, I am not about to drop this show anytime soon.

Now, that in mind, a part of me also thinks that the only way to keep anyone, but an avid fan, watching this show is by just showing several episodes in a row over a series of days. It's so complicated that, I think, people who miss one episode just get frustrated and stop watching. If they made "Lost" a mini-series each year and just played the entire season over the course of one week (a couple hours a night), I think they might be able to keep people involved.

All that being said, if you are a fan of this show, this is a great season!

I am constantly amazed at how well-planned and thought-out this show is. To be able to plot out flashbacks and flashforwards, while also focusing on the present, is unprecidented and very smart. It's like watching three different series, with the same cast, all rolled into one. I don't know how they do it, but I'm gonna keep watching.

Unless they air a very special episode called "The Harlem Globetrotters on Lost".

Then, I might be done.

Office Space

It turns out that the upcoming season of The Office, will be its last...

“This will be the last season of The Office, the series’ developer/executive producer Greg Daniels just announced. Daniels, who ran the veteran NBC comedy from season one through five and has returned for the upcoming season nine, made the announcement on a conference call this morning. “It was a hard decision but this is going to be a real gangbuster season,” added Daniels. 

Daniels said that a lot of stories would be wrapped up and the identity of the documentary camera crew that been filming the employees of Scranton, Penn. would be revealed. 

No matter how much this series has wavered over the years, it still always manages to make me laugh at some point. I know that all good things come to an end, but with 30 Rock (with only 13 new episodes this season) also ending this season...it's going to be a very barren Thursday night on the DVR.

It's time to start collecting office supplies before things close down.

Words on fire

There are a LOT of unhappy people out there in the world.

In the course of an hour today, I witnessed three examples of this. A customer at the Post Office who, unprovoked, decided he needed to tell the guy behind the counter how to do his job and how to do it quicker. His tone was immediately dismissive and condescending...no wonder those employees go postal.

After leaving the Post Office, I allowed a gal to exit a parking lot to merge into the opposite lane. The man in the truck behind me thought that laying on his horn would help her navigate the oncoming traffic quicker. It didn't...

While waiting for my McLunch, a burly man decided to lecture the manager, at the height of the lunch madness, about not getting enough direct eye contact when he ordered his meal. The manager seemed surprised and tried to apologize, but the man proceeded to just yell at him anyway, not giving him any opportunity to talk, then grabbed his Mcbag and left.

What a McAss.



I know that these are difficult times and people are under a lot of pressure. However, it is often quite disturbing to witness the surge of people in this world who feel justified in lashing out at others on any given day...just because they can.

It's no wonder there is so much crime and violence...the amount of people barely hanging on mentally appears to be overwhelming at times.

It's sad...but certainly something everyone should keep in mind when they're out and about. Pick your battles and pick them well. The wrong word to the wrong person can be deadly these days.

A smile, a "Thank You", a "Have a nice day" used to work in days of yore...

The only way for us to ever bring a little peace and joy back into this world is if we each do our best, on a daily basis, to treat people in the way we like to be treated.

It's really not that difficult and certainly makes a very big difference in the grand scheme of things.

The Karma police must be overwhelmed these days...



I'm heading to Houston tomorrow through Sunday to see a friend in a play. I've never been to Houston, so I'm looking forward seeing her in the show (plus she has a role in the new movie "The Happening" that opens on Friday...so we're gonna see that with her too).

I'm also looking forward to exploring the city and seeing if everyone really does drive around with gun racks in the back of their pickup trucks.

As for me, I'll be "shooting" pictures on my camera and posting them here, if all goes well.

Oh...I also watched the remake of "Sybil" that was on Saturday night...

Remember what I said about Nora Ephron and the studio that remade "Bewitched"?

I believe Nora has a new neighbor now...

Hanging with the interbots

When I woke up, that was the view from the balcony.

It was also sprinkling a little, which usually means "Thar's a storm a' brewin'!". So, I decided it was a good day to just take my laptop into town and do some research, hopefully for free. See, almost every hotel in Queenstown (and most other New Zealand cities) charges to use the internet (my hotel charges $20/3 hours) and the internet cafes charge anywhere from $4-$7 hour...it's maddening. I was so spoiled at the Hotel SO with its free internet and mood lighting.

I immediately went to the local Starbucks, remembering that they seemed to have kids using the interbots all the time and, as I recalled, it was free. It turns out that, at least here, they charge $10/hour to use the internet. Greedy corporate bastards with great tasting Dulce de Leche frappacinos! I immediately left, frapp-free (well, no coffee anyway) and wandered around town looking for free internet access. I found one private coffee house that gave you an hour of free internet if you bought something/anything. So, I had a sandwich and their carmel frappacino (2 free hours!) and worked online there, then wandered around the wee city for a bit.



Can you believe that a hotel named "Amity" has vacancies? I didn't see blood dripping down the walls or Margot Kidder looking for her "teefs" in the bushes , but I did pick up my pace a bit.



This place wasn't far from Amity, but I opted not to try the "Satan Lovers" combo (comes with raw meat, meal worms and is slathered in "Eternal Hellfire" hot sauce). They should work with Amity and relocate to a dark Hellmouth near the outskirts of town, don't you think?



After passing those two places, I figured it wouldn't hurt me to spend a few minutes on hallowed ground, just to keep any lingering demons at bay. Speaking of bay...



I noticed a giant sailboat near the beach and watched as the kids on board were furiously spinning the steering wheel of their craft, causing it to lean dangerously close to one side. I was certain that I'd have to get ready to jump into the water and start pulling bodies out, but they righted themselves a bit later and continued on their way. It's just as well, it's not like I'd really just leave my backpack with computer on the beach, as well as having to empty my "purse pants" (something in every pocket) to dive into the cold water just to save a few rich kids who can't steer a boat. But, I would take graphic pictures and video of the accident and try to make some money from their tragedy....THAT'S the American way!



Besides, I'm sure that this gentleman and his trusty horned animal-friend would suddenly come to life, he'd say a few words like "Get thy wollen buttucks and curly horns into the water and save those children, Pinkerton!" and then a dramatic rescue would occur (which I'd also get on video and try to make money from). It happens in the movies all the time...so I have to believe that it is possible.

I'm also trying to figure out whether to go to Fiji (of "Blue Lagoon" fame) or Rarotonga (part of the Cook Islands) before I head into LA. Each have their pluses and minuses, but it's only about $130 for me to change my flight and stop at one of them on the way back. So, I spent a couple hours in the Air New Zealand local office to discuss my flight options (and getting their first-hand reviews of each, which was helpful) and will likely decide what I'm gonna do in the next few days.

So, I left there and have now spent the last 3 hours or so at one of the cheaper internet cafes ($3/hour) doing more island research and, of course, this blog.

I'm hungry too.

Hmmm...maybe I'll just download some snacks, upload my blog, then unload my ass from this chair and get out of this virtual island of misfit geeks...

What a scathingly brilliant idea!

Pack your Baggins

The journey finally begins, again, with Peter Jackson directing (as it should be)...

Wellington, NZ, March 21, 2011—Production has commenced in Wellington, New Zealand, on “The Hobbit,” filmmaker Peter Jackson’s two film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s widely read masterpiece.

The two films, with screenplays by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Guillermo del Toro and Peter Jackson, will be shot consecutively in digital 3D using the latest camera and stereo technology. Filming will take place at Stone Street Studios, Wellington, and on location around New Zealand.



Martin Freeman takes the title role as Bilbo Baggins and Ian McKellen returns in the role of Gandalf the Grey. The Dwarves are played by Richard Armitage (Thorin Oakenshield), Ken Stott (Balin), Graham McTavish (Dwalin), William Kircher (Bifur) James Nesbitt (Bofur), Stephen Hunter (Bombur), Rob Kazinsky (Fili), Aidan Turner (Kili), Peter Hambleton (Gloin), John Callen (Oin), Jed Brophy (Nori), Mark Hadlow (Dori) and Adam Brown (Ori). Reprising their roles from “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy are Cate Blanchett as Galadriel, Andy Serkis as Gollum and Elijah Wood as Frodo. Jeffrey Thomas and Mike Mizrahi also join the cast as Dwarf Kings Thror and Thrain, respectively. Further casting announcements are expected.

The Oscar-winning, critically acclaimed “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, also from the production team of Jackson and Walsh, grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide at the box office. In 2003, “The Return of the King” swept the Academy Awards, winning all of the 11 categories in which it was nominated, including Best Picture – the first ever Best Picture win for a fantasy film. The trilogy’s production was also unprecedented at the time.



I'm so relieved that, after so many delays over the rights the past couple of years, these two movies are back on track and have begun production.

As many of you know, I visited Hobbiton in New Zealand (where they filmed all of the Hobbit village scenes) a couple of years ago (the shot of me above is right outside where Peter Jackson is standing in the new photos at the top).

If you ever get to New Zealand, I highly recommend taking that tour. If you're a fan of the Lord of the Rings films, you'll be very glad that you did.

A wicked good time

I went to see "Wicked" last night in Hollywood with a friend who had never been to a play...ever.

I have been wanting to see it since it arrived here in LA last year, but never got around to actually organzing it. So, when he called last week to tell me that he got two tickets through school to see it and wanted to know if I would like to go...I immediately accepted.

He was really looking forward to it and, after sitting down in our seats, he mentioned that this was his first play, which was a surprise, since he's 36 and most people have at least seen one in their life by that point.

What was funny and cute was that, when the curtain went down at intermission and we headed to the lobby....he thought the play was actually over and was talking about how much he really enjoyed it.

That says a lot about the show and how good it is!

I told him that there was still a second part, which turned out to be just as good and satisfying to him as the first. We both just loved it!

We sat behind a woman and her husband who were seeing the play for the third time, so she was full of all kinds of praise about it before it even started. It really makes the theater-going experience even better when you're sitting around fun people who are also excited about seeing the show.



I loved the story and music....such an interesting take on the classic "Wizard of Oz" premise, giving the audience a background story on Glinda the Good Witch and Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. Who knew they went to school together and actually became best friends eventually? For some reason, I always assumed (based on the movie) that the witches were sisters...not sure what made me think that...but I did.

I won't spoil the plot, for those of you who haven't seen it. But, if you're a fan, in any way, of the movie, you'll enjoy the great backstory on OZ, the witches and the events leading up to and following the film. I do highly recommend that you get yourself out there and see the show, whenever it comes to your town. It's a lot of fun, has great set design/costumes and some really wonderful music.

I really hope they make a movie out of this show (like they did "Hairspray")...it could really be amazing, with the special effects and production capabilities that we have these days.

Now, click your heels together and get yourself over to the box office and reserve your tickets today!

Trek-tacular Box Office

The new "Star Trek" movie had the best opening weekend of any Star Trek movie to date. It made $76.5 million here in the US and another $35.5 million overseas, for a total of $112 million.

Before this, "Star Trek: First Contact" held the record for making $30.7 million its first weekend.



Reports seem to indicate that this film might be the first one to appeal to non-Star Trek fans as well, which is a good sign. We'll see how it fares over the next couple of weeks as "Angels and Devils" and the new "Terminator: Salvation" open.

Regardless...it's still great news.

Now that many of you have seen the movie, I can comment on a few elements of the movie that I enjoyed.



I really liked Faran Tahir as the captain of the USS Kelvin (the one at the beginning of the movie). I knew he looked familiar, but didn't place him until later as one of the main bad guys from "Ironman" (part of the group who kidnapped Robert Downey Jr.). He has a very strong presence in both films and is also quite enjoyable visually.



I really liked the entire sequence above, on and below the drilling device over Vulcan. It's amazing how realistic everything looked, from they way they filmed them dropping from the shuttle, diving, parachuting and landing on the mechanism. Very exciting to watch and we even got a classic "Red Shirt" moment worked in.



I really enjoyed the Spock-Uhura relationship (would gossip media refer to them as "Spuhura" or "Uhurock"?). I liked the way they casually eased into revealing it and thought that their scene together in the elevator was very emotionally effective.



I also saw an interview with Chris Hemsworth (he plays Kirk's father in the movie) and didn't realize until hearing him that he, like Eric Bana, is also Australian. You'd never know it from this movie, mate.



I also thought that Bruce Greenwood was very good as Captain Pike. He works all the time as an actor and is consistently engaging and fun to watch in everything he does.

Not sure why they threw in that ewokish creature that Scotty was hanging out with, but I'm hopeful that it isn't signed on for any sequels that will be likely coming our way in the future.

Batman v Box Office

First, the good news about Batman v Superman...

The full international weekend estimates on Warner Bros’ Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice show the superheroes capturing $254M on 40K screens in 66 markets. That makes BvS the No. 5 best opener ever at the overseas box office. Coupled with the record-breaking domestic number this frame, the worldwide total is $424.1M; that’s good for 4th place all-time global opener.

Among the records shattered offshore are: The biggest superhero opening weekend of all time; biggest March opening ever; WB’s biggest China bow ($57.3M); and WB’s biggest IMAX opening ($18M).

So...it made lots of money, which we kind of all knew would happen.

And now the not so good news...the reviews weren't good. At all.



Even though I didn't think it was THAT bad...it definitely was disappointing in many ways. Thankfully, there was one moment in the film where the audience actually clapped (including myself)...



Yep...Wonder Woman's arrival definitely helped pump some much-needed adrenaline into the lethargic lull that most of the audience had been lead into during the previous meandering two hours of the film.

Let's hope the Wonder Woman movie next June 2017 balances things out and re-sets the stage for a better Justice League movie that follows a few months later in November.

Stellar box office

"Star Trek" did a great job hanging on to audiences for the crucial second weekend (a time when some movies take a drastic drop and then fade away quickly). Here is what BoxOfficeMojo had to say:

Unphased by “Angels & Demons”, “Star Trek” excelled in its second weekend, logging an estimated $43 million. Reaching $147.6 million in just over ten days, it has eclipsed “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home” as the highest-grossing picture in the franchise.

Slowing 43 percent, Star Trek effectively had the best second weekend hold for a Star Trek movie since “Star Trek III: The Search for Spock”, and it had a smaller decline than “Iron Man” last year.



Of course, the biggest difference with this movie, compared to past "Star Trek" movies, has been the overseas market response. This movie is, thankfully, drastically different according to DeadlineHollywood:

As of today, the pic's international cume is $70M over two weeks. This already makes Abrams' version the highest grossing international “Star Trek”, beating “First Contact” which did $57.4 million internationally.

No movie in the franchise has ever cracked $100M overseas before. But Paramount is predicting that this latest Star Trek should do around $150 international and around $400M worldwide.

So now Star Trek's worldwide cume is $216M.

Really good news for the zesty new Star Trek franchise.



Even President Obama, frequently referenced in the media as our Vulcan president, gave the movie a good review, according to Newsweek:

And the last movie you saw?
Now, movies I’ve been doing OK [with] because it turns out we got this nice theater on the ground floor of my house … So Star Trek, we saw this weekend, which I thought was good. Everybody was saying I was Spock, so I figured I should check it out and—[the president makes the Vulcan salute with his hand].

Very good?
Yes, absolutely.

Did you watch that when you were growing up?
I used to love Star Trek. You know, Star Trek was ahead of its time. There was a whole—the special effects weren’t real good, but the storylines were always evocative, you know, there was a little commentary and a little pop philosophy for a 10-year-old to absorb.

Just one more reason I enjoy having him in the White House...