There are Star Trek movies just about everyone can enjoy—like this summer’s Star Trek Beyond, or that one with the whales—and then there are Star Trek movies only Trekkies turn out for. For the Love of Spock is the latter—even though this documentary about the late, great Leonard Nimoy isn’t technically a Star Trek movie, […]
United Federation of Planets
Posted inMovies & TV
Review: As Star Trek Movies Go, Beyond Is Just About Perfect
Paramount didn’t screen Star Trek Beyond for Portland press—which, yeah, gave me an opportunity to write more generally about why Star Trek matters, but also meant that last night, a friend and I hit the first showing of Beyond in Portland, whooping and cheering along with a crowd that was fucking delighted. As they should […]
Posted inMovies & TV
Star Trek Offers Us a Reminder: We Can Do Better
“Your father was captain of a starship for 12 minutes,” says Captain Christopher Pike. He’s in a roadside bar in rural Iowa, the kind of old-school dive that still serves Budweiser Classic and shots of Jack, despite far more interesting drinks having been invented by 2255. “He saved 800 lives—including your mother’s, and yours,” Pike […]
Posted inNews
Uber Flouted Portland Lobbying Rules, Will Be Fined $2,000
Mark Markovich Mayor Charlie Hales, Transportation Commissioner Steve Novick, and ride-hailing juggernaut Uber all ran afoul of city disclosure rules when they met over Uber’s future in Portland in December 2014. Only Uber will have to pay for it. Portland City Auditor Mary Hull Caballero announced today that she’s levying a fine of $2,000 against […]
Posted inMovies & TV
Okay, Nerds, Let’s Talk About Those Star Trek Beyond and Independence Day: Resurgence Trailers
STAR TREK BEYOND “Beyond… what? Captain, are we going… BEYOND DARKNESS?” Along with roughly 400 other previews, the trailers for Star Trek Beyond and Independence Day: Resurgence are slated to play with Star Wars: The Force Awakens when that movie opens on Thursday. (Here’s where you should go see it.) But probably because studios know […]
Posted inMovies & TV
This Week’s Mercury Movie Reviews, and a Few Netflix Recommendations
MAPS TO THE STARS God bless you, Julianne Moore. MAPS TO THE STARS—Courtney Ferguson found Cronenberg’s Hollywood-set latest to be “a haze of toxicity, backstabbing, and finagling for advantage in the good ol’ dream factory.” THE LAZARUS EFFECT—Court was rather less enthused by this PG-13 horror flick, in which Olivia Wilde gets brought back to […]
Posted inMovies & TV
The Only Thing I Care About on the Internet This Morning
I didn’t watch Hollywood’s Prom last night, so I have no idea what happened! Did Wolf of Wall Street and Inside Llewyn Davis and Frances Ha and The Act of Killing win everything? If not, I don’t care! I’ll look up who won later. (I’m guessing Her got the token we-can’t-give-you-Best-Picture-because-you-don’t-appeal-to-mainstream-audiences-enough-so-here’s-Best-Original-Screenplay, and I’m guessing 12 […]
Posted inUnited Federation of Planets
Showtunes and Star Trek: The Brent Spiner Musical Experience
In 2004’s Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs, Chuck Klosterman made the case for Billy Joel. “Unlike 99 percent of pop artists,” wrote Klosterman, “there is absolutely no relationship between Joel’s greatness and Joel’s coolness.” Klosterman went on to compare Billy Joel to an interesting senior citizen or historical event, and stressed that certain forms of […]
Posted inUnited Federation of Planets
Denis Theriault is Without Honor. Banish His Name from the Hall of Heroes.
We run a helpful little bit called “My, What a Busy Week” in the paper. Every week. Probably you’ve seen it. It’s a list of things you should do during the week. It’s helpful! Except for next week’s. You should not read it. I was assigned to write about Kronos Quartet (because I wasn’t at […]
Posted inUnited Federation of Planets
Captain Sisko Is Coming to Portland!
BENJAMIN SISKO The best captain on the best Star Trek? VERY POSSIBLY!!! Guess who’s coming to Rose City Comic Con in September?! Wait. Shit. Okay. Pretend you didn’t read my headline. Or see the image above. And then guess who’s coming to Rose City Comic Con in September?! To the press release! You’re going to […]
Posted inBooks
The IMAGINATION Inside Your MIND
This is William Shatner reading Where the Wild Things Are to a group of small children. It is as magical as you want it to be. Get More: MTV Shows Good day.
Posted inArtsy
Captain Picard Day Is Coming. DO NOT DISAPPOINT ME
CAPTAIN PICARD DAY The best day that ever was will be. We’re a mere week away from Captain Picard Day, the most amazing holiday there is. And, true to form, Floating World Comics (400 NW Couch) is hosting an annual art show/contest for works celebrating Jean-Luc Picard, a man infinitely wiser and stronger and more […]