A Starfleet Leuitenant does get shore leave occasionally. Good to know if you were planning on joining the Academy!
Star Trek
Galaxy Quest – JenEric Movie Review
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Hello Cinephiles,
Today we’re talking about the 1999 film Galaxy Quest.
Story
The story is simple, but has wonderful layers. The nods to Star Trek, Star Wars, and Alien are great. I like the nods to Nemoy’s books and the drama behind the scenes while still keeping the spirit of classic science fiction. I”m impressed at how well it holds up after twenty-three years.
That being said, it glosses over or outright ignores the socially progressive nature of it’s influences. I like the diversity of the cast, but it doesn’t reference or push any of the same boundaries that Star Trek did 33 years earlier.
Score: 0.5
Characters
The characters are great amalgams of the Star Trek characters and caricatures of their actors. Each one could have been annoying, but ended up being very endearing.
Score: 1
Dialogue
The dialogue is believable and wonderfully tongue in cheek. I liked the technobabble and the wonderful freak outs by Guy.
Score: 1
Visuals and Music
The special effects stand up extremely well and have a great mix between cheesy and impressive. I liked the practical effects and wonderful camera work.
The music was spectacular. Absolutely epic and I liked the melding of the score with the music from the show in the show.
Score: 1
Fun
The movie was action packed, fun, and had lots of great visuals. I greatly enjoyed it.
The kids were glued to the tv and everyone loved it.
Score: 1
Overall
One of the greatest parodies and an excellent science fiction in it’s own right. This movie checks almost all the boxes and is an excellent romp.
A classic for all science fiction fans.
Final Score: 4.5 Stars out of 5
Star Trek
Not only did this cosplayer match the mask to the dress, but they made the dress themself!
Stunning work!
Please note that this series of TARDIS pictures from Ottawa Comic Con 2022 will have the background as blurred as possible. Not only was there art across the aisle from us, but the art was…riské.
Your Nostalgia isn’t an Excuse to be Jerk
Hello Nostalgics,
Do you find yourself wishing you could go back to a time that was simpler? Do you wish life was like it was before? Do you want the things from your childhood?
I think we should probably rename us Millennials as the Nostalgics. Wanting to escape to our past isn’t a new concept, but wow have we rolled with it. Obviously a large part of it is the big corporations seeing the profit in reviving, rebooting, and re-imagining old properties.
I mean, I could do without the cold war coming back, but overall, nostalgia isn’t that bad.
Don’t get me wrong, as someone who grew up in the 80’s and 90’s, they weren’t great. As much as I like Stranger Things, it’s not for the 80’s. It’s possible to capture the feel and joy of those movies in the modern day. (Finding ‘Ohana is a great example.)
There is nothing wrong with the comfort of media that we consumed at impressionable ages. It’s comforting, familiar, and fun. However, it’s important to be critical of it. You can’t love something so much that you ignore it’s faults. Ghostbusters is awesome, but there’s a lot of questionable ethics and uncomfortable moments.
This unquestioning devotion to a property is destructive.
Ignoring the overwhelming quantity of bigotry in modern fandoms, the strict adherence to a nostalgic perfection is the most messed up thing.
There isn’t a new version or movie that doesn’t get hit with constant complaints. Maybe it’s just the internet, but I watched the Star Wars Prequels with nerds when they came out. I think it’s a natural reaction to want to protect both the emotions and the preciousness of our favourite media. The most simple example is that everyone hates a cover unless it was the first version they heard or it’s done by an artist they like.
I mentioned it was destructive. It is. Not separating new and old means you get aggressive and frustrated. This leads to making the people who like the new stuff feel attacked. All of it ends in a polarization that is unhealthy.
Next time you see that they’re making a new version of your favourite media, remember that it won’t replace the original. Your feelings about the new one can and shouldn’t affect how you feel about the original. (No, they’re not ruining it. The original will not self-destruct.)
Spite isn’t a good look on anyone, especially not a fandom.
As for the bigots? They really need to shut up, but they are definitely the loud minority. If you find yourself agreeing with them, think about your position and decide if attacking your favourite media and its new fans is the best way to love it.
Loving something should never mean insulting, demeaning, mocking, or otherwise being a jerk to others.
Stay safe and be kind,
Éric
Commander Saru
Doug Jones plays the remarkable character Commander Saru in Star Trek Discovery. This cosplay is an incredible homage to the character.
Top Five Phrases You Need to Stop Using
Hello My Imaginary Friends,
There are things that piss me off… Pet Peeves, Office Pet Peeves, Convention Pet Peeves, Freelancer Pet Peeves and Angering statements for a short list.
There are, however, quicker ways to piss me off. The following phrases need to be forgotten to history and absolutely guarantee making me mad.
5. I’m Just Playing Devil’s Advocate
If you’re not Al Pacino or Keanu Reeves, I don’t want to hear it.
This is the preferred phrase for people who know they’re going to piss you off for fun. It’s a tell that they are arguing for the sake of arguing and that they don’t care about your feelings.
Don’t. Just don’t.
4. Do Your Research
Just like the image above. This phrase is used by people who fundamentally missed the point. Their idea of research is a good emotional Netflix or Youtube propaganda film or some conspiracy site. It’s not just an annoying phrase, but an indication that you’re probably dealing with someone with a huge ego that truly believes the bullshit coming from their mouths.
Don’t say it unless you want me to picture you with a foil hat. (and probably block, unfriend, etc.)
3. Survival of the Fittest
Survival of the fittest is a bullshit name for an incomplete theory that people have taken to mean that it’s okay if people die.
There’a great article from New Scientist that explains the flaw in this. Evolution myths: ‘Survival of the fittest’ justifies ‘everyone for themselves’
Evolution and survival are not streamlined to only the strong. It’s messy and random.
This phrase has been co-opted by business and competitions. More recently by jackasses that are trying to push a Eugenic point of view with regard to Covid-19.
Seeing as most of my friends and family would be considered weak by these people… Just don’t use the phrase.
2. We Have to Consider Both Sides
You’ve gotta respect everyone’s beliefs.” No, you don’t. That’s what gets us in trouble. Look, you have to acknowledge everyone’s beliefs, and then you have to reserve the right to go: “That is fucking stupid. Are you kidding me?”
The Full quote not shown on the image continues:
I acknowledge that you believe that, that’s great, but I’m not going to respect it. I have an uncle that believes he saw Sasquatch. We do not believe him, nor do we respect him!”
There’s so much emphasis on balance and respect when it comes to arguments. Not people, but arguments. There are extremes ON BOTH SIDES, you have to understand BOTH SIDES, BOTH SIDES are entitled to their opinions.
Stop, just stop. Yes, there are arguments that have complex issues where you need to look at both sides. But the moment someone starts to devalue another person’s life, I refuse to listen to both sides.
Giving a Nazi, or an Anti-vaxx person the same podium to speak validates their opinion. By saying, “Their are good people on both sides” you tell the world that it’s okay to hate others and want them dead if you’re nice about it.
The value of human life should not be a political issue.
1. Calm Down / Don’t Get Emotional
There’s a great theme that runs throughout Star Trek. That of the importance of balancing logic and emotion. We see it with Spock, Data, the Doctor, Odo, T’Pol, Burnham, and Spock again.
Wild unchecked emotion is destructive, unfettered logic is cold and heartless. But it seems that when talking to people about something you’re passionate about, the phrases ‘calm down’ or ‘don’t get emotional’ are the quickest way to dismiss your passion.
When talking about something you love or feel passionate about, you will be emotional and, in my opinion, you shouldn’t be calm.
It’s also a wonderful way to make anyone angry. It’s dismissive and condescending.
What common phrases do you think we should stop using?
Stay Safe,
Éric
Comments, Politics, and Entertainment.
Dear Imaginary Friends,
I have an unhealthy obsession. I’m a little ashamed of myself actually. I just can’t seem to stop… reading the comments online.
I know I really shouldn’t but there’s a weird fascination to seeing the worst of humanity interacting. I’m fascinated, repulsed, and I feel a little gross after.
My particular weaknesses are looking at comments on stories relating to Doctor Who, Captain Marvel, CW’s superhero shows, and Canadian politics.
Comic from Rhymes With Orange
The comments are a squirming cesspool of humanity’s worst qualities and worst arguments. One that I’ve heard a lot lately is that there’s too much politics in entertainment. Make me think of the old Peanut Butter cup commercials, “You got peanut butter on my chocolate.”
Unlike chocolate and peanut butter (yummy), the idea that you can have any form of entertainment devoid of politics is laughable. Even when you think something isn’t political, it is.
The reason most people don’t notice is that the politics align with theirs. If you’re a straight, white, cis, middle to upper class person, you won’t notice any politics in something like Friends, Big Bang, or How I Met Your Mother. You might glance over the commentary on sexism or classism in those shows as just normal everyday stuff. Just because you don’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there.
I can hear the “Well actually, it’s more blatant” and that’s bullshit. If you’re one of those people who thinks old shows didn’t make political comments, you weren’t listening. Star Wars, Diehard, North by North-West, all had political messages in them. It’s nearly impossible to separate politics from art because it’s impossible to separate belief from creation.
Those complaining that things have become too political aren’t complaining about politics. They’re complaining that they aren’t seeing their politics reflected back at them.
Later Days,
Éric
Star Trek: Discovery; I finally finished it
Hello My Imaginary Friends,
I had a hard time finishing Star Trek: Discovery. That says a lot considering I’ve happily watched every Star Trek series to come out since TNG.
I have a lot of thoughts that I’ll share after the cut.