What Can You Expect Before And After STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS At The Theater?

Well you should arrive early as word has it the first trailer for STAR TREK BEYOND is attached to pre-roll in front of STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS :-) I'm very happy to hear that and hopefully it includes some shots of the movie too and not just an I'm coming soon text laden visual.

As far as after SWTFA, I'm a firm believer in watching all the end credits of a movie I truly enjoy and I fully expect to do so with this movie - but there won't be any mid or end credit scenes to wait for according to director JJ Abrams himself.

But... do stay to honor all those that worked on the movie if you enjoyed it. You can be sometimes very surprised who you see up there to begin with and it's the ethical thing to do :-) Credit where credit is due.

So join me opening weekend for STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS in 3D! Can't wait. I'll be seeing it in multiple formats and the first will be IMAX followed closely by REALD (UltraAVX). Stay tuned for my review!

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS opens on December 18. STAR TREK BEYOND is slated for release on July 22, 2016.
 

Why I'm NOT rating STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS And Why It Reminds Me Of THE CITY ON THE EDGE OF FOREVER

In a nutshell, if you've been a fan of Star Trek from the beginning or have extensive knowledge of the canon, then I will tell you right now I was disappointed. However, if you haven't followed Star Trek from the beginning then you are in for a treat.

I'm not going to rate the movie. I've seen it twice; I really tried to like it. I can see many, many people really loving the movie and justifiably so. But I can also see many hating the movie and justifiably so. Me? I'm in the middle.

Speaking as a loyal fan since The Original Series, I did not like most of it. The visual effects? Stunning. Really. The 3D? Not so good. The story? Here we go...

**HEAVY SPOILER ALERT! **

Obviously spoilers here. I'm just going to talk as if you've seen the movie already.

STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS crosses the line from paying homage to downright copying with many twists. I can't stand knowing the lines before they are spoken and I don't care who is saying them. Swapping out Kirk for Spock in the radiation death scene is inexcusable. Lame, lame writing. Not clever at all. I also felt as though that whole scene was added on - it wasn't needed in the story. It could have been edited out entirely and have no bearing on the outcome of the movie.

Furthermore, other than now having no need for medicine whatsoever (Bones, you're out of a job) the device of using Khan's blood (Yes Khan Noonien Singh; copying yet again) to bring Kirk back from the dead is such lazy writing it's unbelievable. And now the franchise is stuck with the results. Why even wait to get Khan's blood? Thaw out one of his 72 cronies and use theirs!

And that's evading the fact that the Federation has had 300 years to distill this technology from what they knew when they froze them! Think about that. 300 YEARS!!! At least with the Genesis project from THE WRATH OF KHAN, a new technology accidentally brought Spock back and he wasn't quite the same afterward. Do you have any idea how much knowledge can be attained in 300 years, that far into the future? Computers have long become sentient and capable of independent thought *and invention*. Heck even today when we look back 300 years to our horse riding, leeching medicine ancestors - are we not amazed at what we have done to this point?

Khan blood. Why not just grant wishes? Seriously. Why not allow everyone in the Star Trek universe to grant each other wishes. What's next for the writers? Hey let's destroy Vulcan! Hey, get this, a main character dies from radiation while trying to save the Enterprise but we're gonna switch it to Kirk this time! AND let's reuse those lines again. Hey let's kill Pike!! No need for him to be a mute quadriplegic, and weave him into future films - just get rid of him. Moreover, instead of killing him for the development of something truly meaningful, let's kill him off so that Spock will learn something from his last moments mind-meld - so he can improve his understanding of his relationship with Uhura (which shouldn't be happening in the first place!). No, no - don't kill Pike so that Kirk can lose yet another father figure and we'll see how that affects his character (which might have been actually interesting). Killing Pike was horrendous. Just like Vulcan in the first movie. I was so looking forward to seeing him in a motorized transport unit and somehow contributing to the development of Kirk down the road. *Sigh* They spent all that time developing Pike as such a great moral compass for Kirk and then just whack him. Bruce Greenwood too! One of the greatest character actors we have today.

The writers also spat on the Admiral (Peter Weller), who announces that he brought in Pike to the Academy in the same fashion that Pike brought in Kirk. See the very cool connections here? Admiral Marcus is a father figure to Pike who is a father figure to Kirk. These connections could have been amazing story material, **ORIGINAL STORY MATERIAL**, if these "writers" could have fathomed it. But no. Let's kill 'em all. All of 'em. Kill Marcus as a traitor (the ADMIRAL as a TRAITOR no less!). Kill Pike to help Spock's love life. And kill Kirk, but bring him back with Khan blood. Don't worry, it's science fiction - we can get away with it.

Sorry, this story is a complete failure for me. The only saving grace is the performance of Benedict Cumberbatch as Khan in as much as I hated seeing Khan brought back. Abrams missed the chance to actually use Cumberbatch as an original villain - something new and exciting, rather than trying to have him live up to Ricardo Montalban's Khan - which by the way, both Montalban's performance and the movie THE WRATH OF KHAN are still tops in my books.

Yes, I get that this is an alternate universe. Congratulations. What's next on the Xerox guys, whales? Unfortunately I have the feeling it's going to be The Next Generation's Borg. While the idea excites me, I'm sure all they're going to do is just regurgitate Kirk being assimilated into the collective. LaKirkus? Yeah, I can see those guys dreaming it up already. *Sigh*.

So what do I like about the movie? How about LOVE about the movie - the effects!!!! Stunning, wondrous visual and practical effects that I needn't talk about too much. If you've seen it, I'm sure you will agree this is top flight stuff here.

The 3D? Not so great. Abrams style of shooting anamorphic and with lens flares just doesn't convert well at all to 3D. Some shots were amazing (mostly the effects as these were done in a computer through a native digital render), but other shots? Ugh. The Carol Marcus scene (that Tim spoke about) with the outrageous and totally ignorant lens flare mixed with distorted and stretched heads on the screen edge, all in converted 3D almost made me sick to my stomach. Ok maybe not, but I'm sure I LOOKED like I was going to be sick. Not from a headache, but from pure distaste. It literally looked like a film school dropout's work. I'm not kidding. Perhaps it was their idea of a joke. A homage to the Abrams' lens flare joke. If it was, I didn't laugh. The 3D conversion was just good. Not amazingly great like what Stereo D has done for Marvel (THE AVENGERS was the best conversion to date). STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS' 3D barely excited me - much like Stereo D's work in IRON MAN 3. Now a lot of this I know is derived from the creatives - mainly the director who give instructions to the conversion house, but c'mon - follow the Marvel 3D plan. It works big time. If you can't Abrams, then shoot natively for the love of Roddenberry.

Listen, if you haven't been following Star Trek, or if you haven't really been paying attention by all means see this movie. Much of it is eye candy and wondrous. But for all you stereoscopic 3D aficionados and Trekkies - be wary. For you may react similarly to me -and Kirk- from the ending of THE CITY ON THE EDGE OF FOREVER: "Let's get the hell out of here." 

And I can't look anymore.

Watch: First Clip From STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS 3D

Aren't those interesting suits? Definitely worthy of some sort of discussion by themselves!

Regardless, the first clip from STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS has been bestowed upon us and I'm liking the character studies in it - very, very traditional character studies. Scotty has his familiar rant, Bones has his special relationship with Spock, Kirk is conflicted and Spock has his familiar catch phrase. The only real difference from the original series and this movie is the new Uhura - Spock arc from J.J. Abrams first go around.

Here's the storyline for the movie:
In the wake of a shocking act of terror from within their own organization, the crew of The Enterprise is called back home to Earth. In defiance of regulations and with a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads his crew on a manhunt to capture an unstoppable force of destruction and bring those responsible to justice.

As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.

STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS opens in IMAX 3D on May 15 and wide on May 17. 

MUST WATCH: Last Trailer For STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS!

Check the latest and greatest trailer for STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS from J.J. Abrams and Paramount. I'm loving it. It looks like it is topping the first effort from Abrams on all fronts and that can only be good. Here's hoping!

Here's the storyline for the movie:
In Summer 2013, pioneering director J.J. Abrams will deliver an explosive action thriller that takes Star Trek Into Darkness. When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving our world in a state of crisis. With a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction. As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.

STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS opens on May 15 (IMAX) and May 17 (wide).

New Poster And Banner For STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS

Click to enlarge

Check the new Poster and banner for STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS.

The ship seems to be over the PACIFIC RIM experiencing the effects of GRAVITY and soon the California coast weather will be CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF ENTERPRISE. See what I did there?

It's an impressive poster hinting at what is in store for us in the movie. Can't wait!

Here's the storyline for the movie:
In the wake of a shocking act of terror from within their own organization, the crew of The Enterprise is called back home to Earth. In defiance of regulations and with a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads his crew on a manhunt to capture an unstoppable force of destruction and bring those responsible to justice.

As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.

Click to enlarge

STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS hits theaters on May 17 (May 15 in IMAX).


Via Collider

London Gets Hammered Again - This Time In A New STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS Poster

First London is annihilated in G.I. JOE: RETALIATION and now it's clearly in trouble again in STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS. I'm rather partial to London having walked most of the Thames area so that will be enough now thank you. :-)

The poster hints further than just London hurting though, with the "Earth Will Fall" title. The box office opens for the UK run of STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS tomorrow (releases May 9 there).

Here's the movie's storyline:
In the wake of a shocking act of terror from within their own organization, the crew of The Enterprise is called back home to Earth. In defiance of regulations and with a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads his crew on a manhunt to capture an unstoppable force of destruction and bring those responsible to justice.

As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.

STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS opens on May 9 (UK), May 15 (US / Canada IMAX) and May 17 (US Wide).

Source: Flicks and Bits

New STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS International Trailer And Poster!

Hey Star Trek fans, we've got a couple of great new marketing items for STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS that you should enjoy - one is a new poster pictured at left. Half of what is interesting about the poster is where it came from. It was part of Paramount's viral marketing as they secretly inserted a bit.ly web link in a freeze frame (pictured right) from the new international trailer (below).

The second marketing piece is a new international trailer and it introduces many new scenes - have a look at bottom...

You have to love what Benedict Cumberbatch is bringing to this motion picture. He just oozes credibility and amps up suspension of disbelief so well. Perfect casting for WHOEVER he is.

"I am better."
"At what?"
"Everything."

Click to enlarge

Here's the movie's storyline:
In the wake of a shocking act of terror from within their own organization, the crew of The Enterprise is called back home to Earth. In defiance of regulations and with a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads his crew on a manhunt to capture an unstoppable force of destruction and bring those responsible to justice. As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.

STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS opens on May 15th in IMAX and the 17th in wide release.

STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS Teaser #3

Well here's something you CAN watch and not get spoiled very much as opposed to yesterday's fiasco. Here we've got the third teaser for J.J. Abrams' STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS which does introduce some new elements to us. In particular is a new scene featuring Kirk and Spock in spaceflight that looks like a very cool moment in the film. Oh and an interesting conversation between Pike and Kirk as well...

Here's the storyline for the movie:

In Summer 2013, pioneering director J.J. Abrams will deliver an explosive action thriller that takes Star Trek Into Darkness. When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving our world in a state of crisis. With a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction. As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.


STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS opens on May 17. 

STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS Spoilers And Opening Date For The UK Is One Week Early

Let's get the non-spoiler item out of the way first. J.J. Abrams' STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS will be opening a week earlier in the UK than in North America with the UK enjoying a May 9 launch (all formats according to Simon Pegg) and across the pond in the US and Canada, a May 17 date (May 15 in IMAX).

Now let's get something straight about these spoilers. I'm against them. I'm literally against reading them and - get this - I haven't. I am blind copying and pasting this info for those of you who do want to be spoiled for this much anticipated movie. I can't bring myself to read it because I am a die hard Trekkie and I refuse to not see this thing in a pristine form.

SO. If you don't mind being spoiled - these are MASSIVE spoilers by the way - then read on. I know they're massive by the reception it's getting. Whoever wrote this in Brazil broke many a cardinal rule in doing so and he should be banned from the web. Can't stop it now - it's on the Internet and with a life of its own.

**SPOILERS AHEAD** Read at your own risk. This is YOUR decision NOT mine to read this. Know that now. I HAVE NOT and will not read it. 

Hit the jump for more...

JJ Abrams Gives His Best - Will Screen STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS For Dying Cancer Patient

I want to see more stories like this one. Out of all the sad and terrible news that the world seems to spew out everyday comes hope and inspiration for all of us. This is what the movies are all about.

JJ Abrams is one class act. He's going to show either the full movie (I hope so) or at least the 9 minute promo of STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS for a dying cancer patient.

Here are the details provided by Reddit user Grady Hendrix (via Collider):

I just wanted to say that I know and work with Dan (the guy who’s dying) but I don’t know the OP. Dan’s been running the New York Asian Film Festival with me and a few other guys for years. If you have any doubts about the legitimacy of all of this, I use my actual name as my Reddit name, and you can visit the NYAFF (New York Asian Film Festival) page on Facebook. If you still have doubts that are keeping you from helping, feel free to email me: grady@gradyhendrix.com

Thanks everyone, and a huge thanks to OP ideeyut for posting this. JJ Abrams just called Dan’s wife and left a message. He’s going to try to arrange a screening for Dan, either of the film or at least of the 9 minute promo reel…I’ll never say anything bad about JJ Abrams again. Seriously. He is now beyond reproach as far as I’m concerned.

What can you say about JJ Abrams? He's one heckuva human being. If he manages to show the whole movie well in advance of the release, there is a lot at risk for not only him but the studio. Kudos to Paramount too if they make this happen.
 

New Image, Villain Speculation For STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS!

Click to enlarge

Hmmm. Here's the newest still from J.J. Abrams STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS featuring left to right Zackary Quinto (Spock), Benedict Cumberbatch (???) and Chris Pine (Kirk).

Note that Paramount labeled Cumberbatch's character in the photo as John Harrison. Who the heck is that? Intentionally fake? We'll soon find out.

Once again we can see that Cumberbatch's character is indeed wearing a Starfleet uniform. I would say it's a safe wager that he is not playing Khan unless this new universe for Star Trek is indeed completely disoriented.

Here's the storyline for the movie:
When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving our world in a state of crisis. With a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction. As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.

So what do you think? A red herring from Abrams? A false name for Khan who reveals himself later in the movie? Twins? Alternative universe to the alternative universe? This is science fiction after all. ANYTHING is possible.

Don't forget! 9 minutes of INTO DARKNESS is pre-rolling in front of THE HOBBIT this weekend!

Complete List Of IMAX Locations Showing The 9 Minute STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS Preview!!

The extended preview of J. J. Abrams’ STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS will debut in digital IMAX 3D beginning December 14th. Check out the participating theatres below.

Additional theaters may be added.

Hit the jump to see the full list...

MUST WATCH: Extended International Trailer For STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS!!

Here's the extended international (Japanese) version of the shorter trailer that was released earlier - this newer cut has an additional 15 seconds or so of awesomeness.

Of course there is one scene in this trailer that immediately brings back intense memories for any Trek fan from STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN. When you see it - you will know what it is. In fact you may already know what I am talking about before seeing the trailer ;-)

I love how Benedict Cumberbatch is narrating this thing - what an amazing voice. Seriously. Cumberbatch is set to dominate this generation's crop of fine actors along with a certain Martin Freeman (BBC's SHERLOCK is amazing if you haven't seen it yet! Both of them star in it so what are you waiting for?).

Here's the storyline for the movie:
In Summer 2013, pioneering director J.J. Abrams will deliver an explosive action thriller that takes STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS. When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving our world in a state of crisis.With a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction. As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: His crew.

The effects look amazing, the flares never looked finer and Captain James Tiberius Kirk has his hands full yet again. What more could a fan want? Oh yeah, it's in 3D this time!! Can't wait.

STAR TREK IN TO DARKNESS opens on May 17, 2013.

Hit the jump to watch the trailer...

MUST WATCH: JJ Abrams Debuts First Clip From STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS

Ok, keep in mind this was aired on Conan. Be very aware of that. However it is true that the first clip from JJ Abrams' STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS was shown.

There's a fairly good reason why we are seeing this particular scene from the movie as opposed to others. Back in April we were privy to some spy shots, one of which was of Zachary Quinto (Spock) hanging in front of a green screen wearing a suit to protect him from a volcano. This clip is from that scene.

Here's the description of the scene:
"Zachary Quinto as Spock filming an action scene for the Untitled Star Trek 2 Sequel. After first rehearsing the scene with a Spock Stunt Double Actor Zachary Quinto was then rigged to a wire in front of a large green screen and lifted to a height of 10 stories high then dropped at a high rate of speed as if he was falling. In the scene Spock is wearing a "Volcano Suit" and carrying an unknown piece of equipment with the Starfleet Emblem. A Volcano is somehow involved in this scene. The crew had a real fire burning off camera to catch the fire reflections on Spock's 'Volcano Suit'."

There are comedic caveats involved of course. But I'll let you watch it and decide what you make of it:



Hahaa! Ok, so it's only 3 frames long, but the screen cap shown above does show you Spock's profile wearing a helmet and suit in front of raging flames. Can there be any doubt he is great peril? Give us more JJ!

STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS opens May 17, 2013. For all of our STAR TREK 2 coverage, click here.


Source: The Film Stage

STAR TREK 2 To Boldly Go IMAX 3D...

Some great news today from IMAX and Paramount stating that my favorite (and possibly yours) sci-fi franchise of all time is going IMAX 3D. We've known for awhile now that STAR TREK 2 will be a 3D conversion, but it's nice to have it all tied up in an official fashion.

Here's the official press release (emphasis is mine):

LOS ANGELES, June 13, 2012 -- IMAX Corporation (NYSE:IMAX; TSX:IMX) and Paramount Pictures Corporation, a unit of Viacom Inc., today announced that the sequel to J.J. Abrams' 2009 blockbuster Star Trek, will be released in the immersive IMAX® 3D format on May 17, 2013. The film represents the second feature in the ground-breaking franchise to be released in IMAX following Star Trek, which grossed more than $375 million at the worldwide box office.

Following on the heels of Paramount Pictures' and Bad Robot's 2011 hit, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, the filmmakers have once again taken full advantage of the IMAX® camera as well as the clarity and scope that The IMAX Experience® provides in order to transport fans into this 23rd century world. Several key sections of the film that feature big action set pieces have been captured with IMAX cameras, which has become an integral tool for visionary filmmakers to tell their amazing stories.

Exclusively in IMAX, sequences shot with the extremely high-resolution cameras will expand to fill the entire screen and further immerse the audience in the vast dimension and adventure of this highly-anticipated follow-up. Directed by J.J. Abrams and written by Damon Lindelof (Prometheus), Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman (Transformers, Mission: Impossible III, Star Trek) the sequel follows another chapter of the USS Enterprise crew's exploration into the unknown. Returning to their posts on the Enterprise are Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, John Cho, Anton Yelchin, and Bruce Greenwood. They are joined by new cast members Peter Weller and Alice Eve.

"We were so thrilled with the creative results of shooting IMAX for Mission: Impossible that we jumped at the chance to use the format for Star Trek. All expectations were exceeded -- the action and resolution is insane at this scale. We cannot wait for audiences to see the crew of the Enterprise in a way they never have before," said J.J. Abrams. 

"J.J. and the filmmaking team behind the Star Trek franchise are once again working to give audiences one of the best film going experiences available today," said Rob Moore, Vice Chairman of Paramount Pictures. "Following the great success of the first film in the newly revived franchise, the sequel to Star Trek will no doubt be among the top choices for moviegoers next summer."

"We are extremely proud to be continuing our successful partnership with Paramount Pictures, J.J., Bryan Burk, Bad Robot and the entire Star Trek team through this iconic franchise that has the perfect DNA for IMAX fans," said Greg Foster, Chairman and President, IMAX Filmed Entertainment.

The IMAX release of the Star Trek sequel will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images coupled with IMAX's customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.


About Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.

About IMAX Corporation
IMAX Corporation is one of the world's leading entertainment and technology companies, specializing in the creation and delivery of premium, awe-inspiring entertainment experiences. With a growing suite of cutting-edge motion picture and sound technologies, and a globally recognized entertainment brand, IMAX is singularly situated at the convergence of the entertainment industry, innovation and the digital media world. The industry's top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX theatres to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, and as such, the IMAX network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe. The Company's new digital projection and sound systems - combined with a growing blockbuster film slate - are fueling the rapid expansion of the IMAX network in established markets such as North America, Western Europe, and Japan, as well as emerging markets such as China and Russia. IMAX deliver the world's best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX®, IMAX 3D®, and IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-Mastering) technologies. IMAX DMR enables virtually any motion picture to be transformed into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience®.

IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto and Los Angeles, with offices in London, Tokyo, Shanghai and Beijing. As of March 31, 2012, there were 643 IMAX theatres (510 commercial multiplex, 20 commercial destination and 113 institutional) in 52 countries.

IMAX®, IMAX® 3D, IMAX DMR®, Experience It In IMAX®, An IMAX 3D Experience® and The IMAX Experience® are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information about the Company can be found at www.imax.com. You may also connect with IMAX on Facebook (www.facebook.com/imax), Twitter (www.twitter.com/imax) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/imaxmovies).

The Paramount Pictures and Bad Robot Production Will Be Released Worldwide in IMAX Theatres on May 17, 2013.

Click here to access all of our STAR TREK 2 coverage!

Source: IMAX

See: New Spy Shot Of Spock In Peril From STAR TREK 2! **SPOILER**

Warning guys, if you read on you will be getting into one of the scenes from STAR TREK 2 that may or may not be part of eventual marketing of the movie - so therefore a spoiler.

It does however show Zachary Quinto in a rather funny position so it may be worth seeing - your call.

Fair warning then!!

Check out this new leaked photo of Quinto hanging from a suspension harness in a rather funny red metallic suit! Apparently the scene involves a volcano and the suit is supposed to protect Spock from the elements.

Here's what On Location has to say about the photo:
"Zachary Quinto as Spock filming an action scene for the Untitled Star Trek 2 Sequel. After first rehearsing the scene with a Spock Stunt Double Actor Zachary Quinto was then rigged to a wire in front of a large green screen and lifted to a height of 10 stories high then dropped at a high rate of speed as if he was falling. In the scene Spock is wearing a "Volcano Suit" and carrying an unknown piece of equipment with the Starfleet Emblem. A Volcano is somehow involved in this scene. The crew had a real fire burning off camera to catch the fire reflections on Spock's 'Volcano Suit'."

Click here for all of our STAR TREK 2 coverage! STAR TREK 2 is slated for release on May 17, 2013.

Source: MTV

MUST WATCH: STAR TREK 2 Spy Video Clips!

Ok - just how much mileage can one spy get out of this thing? First there is a bunch of photos that were leaked out over the course of a few days and now a full blown video showing Zachary Quinto's Spock battling Benedict Cumberbatch's evil character in STAR TREK 2.

The RIDICULOUS voice over for this video almost makes it unwatchable but you can clearly see the pains at which J.J. Abrams is taking to make this battle very, very realistic.

Looks great JJ!

Source: 5min

MUST SEE: More STAR TREK 2 Spy Images - Abrams Is Not Pleased!

Well of course J.J. Abrams is not pleased. They have been working on STAR TREK 2 for some time now and to have photos leaked this early - even before we know the name of the movie itself - is not a good thing, creatively anyway. From a marketing point of view, I think it's a great thing to happen, as long as there are no more occurrences for awhile. There has to be some semblance of security on set!

Here's what Zoe Saldana (Uhura) had to say:
"J.J. was very upset. I have to say that. It's not going to stop people from intruding, but they are, and it's such a bummer because it only hurts them by stealing away the surprise."

...And Zachary Quinto's reaction too:
"The picture leaking did not go over so well. They’re go to great lengths to preserve security."

So today, to rub it in further, we have three more spy shots and to me they're even better. We see J.J. in action, Cumberbatch overcoming the Vulcan Nerve Pinch with a successful move of his own and more of Zoe Saldana as Uhura.

Cool seeing Quinto's stunt double too.

Here is a video of Zoe Saldana's response to the spy shots being leaked (note that the beautiful minds at MTV have blocked this from viewers outside the US):

Sources: MTV | IFC | PopSugar via /Film

MUST SEE: Set Photos From STAR TREK 2! Quinto And Saldana Vs. Cumberbatch!!

FINALLY we see something cool from the set of JJ Abrams STAR TREK 2! A couple of interesting photos to say the least. First up we have Spock (Zachary Quinto) applying his Vulcan nerve pinch to Benedict Cumberbatch's villain role (of which we still don't know his official name). However it seems Cumberbatch is somehow able to avoid the grip somehow as he seems quite conscious and looking to counter!

MTV reports (don't laugh, but they called this maneuver the Vulcan Death Grip which obviously has never existed) that the two are fighting aboard a "space barge set". Let's hope it's not a garbage scow for the sake of James Doohan's character!

Speculation that Cumberbatch was actually part of Starfleet before his turn to villainy? Many think his shirt hints at that.

Further we have Uhura (Zoe Saldana) drawing iron against Cumberbatch in the second photo. MTV says she does so to save Spock's life. The standard large green screen looms behind. Seems this villain is a busy dude. I just hope I don't keep seeing Sherlock Holmes every time he's on the screen (he nails that role if you haven't seen the BBC series yet).

So all in all some very exciting photos to be digested here! What do you make of the scenes? STAR TREK 2 is being converted to 3D and is slated for a May 17, 2013 opening.

Is JJ Abrams Putting A Red Shirt On STAR TREK 2 By Not Sheparding The 3D Conversion?

JJ Abrams recently spoke to the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour and there are some surprises that have caught me a bit off guard.

Rather than spoil the content for you right off the bat, here is the conversation as provided by Collider:

Are you shooting Star Trek 2 in 3D, or will you be converting it later?

"We’re shooting on film, and the reason for that is I wanted to shoot with anamorphic, and you can’t shoot 3D in anamorphic."

Do you plan on using lens flares again, and have you thought about how the 3D will affect that, in converting it later?

"I’ve had some people make fun of me about that. Yeah, we’ve done some tests. Not only lens flare tests, but we’ve done 3D tests. We actually converted a bunch of the original movie, which looked really good. That was the thing that made me feel like, maybe that would be okay. But, I didn’t want to shoot the movie digitally."

But, it will be in 3D?

"It will be converted, for those who want to see it in 3D. But, I wanted to match the look of the first one and shoot it anamorphically."

Because the popularity of 3D has died down some, are you worried about the commercial viability of 3D?
"I did not fight for the 3D. It was something that the studio wanted to do, and I didn’t want to do it. And then, when I saw the first movie converted in sections, I thought that it actually looked really cool. So, I was okay with their doing it, as long as I could shoot the movie the way I wanted to, in anamorphic film, and then let them convert it. So, those who want to see it in 3D, which looked pretty cool, can do it, and those that want to see it in 2D can do that too."

Other than the naysayer and completely leading last question from the Collider Interviewer (sigh), what really bothers me about what Abrams has said here is that the decision to go with 3D seems to have forced down upon him, rather than him making a creative choice to do so. This is the exact OPPOSITE that everyone in the 3D creative field wants.

Further, he is speaking in the third person about the studio showing him clips of the first movie and allowing them to go ahead and convert the second. Does this mean he is not involved in the conversion? It sounds that way to me and man I hope I am wrong about that.

These two concerns of mine when added up spell trouble (was going to joke using tribble there, but I don't feel like humor right now). I am not convinced that the conversion of Abrams' STAR TREK 2 is going to be good. I need some sort of reassurance from him that he himself is overseeing the conversion project and that he is shooting the movie with 3D IN MIND. Simply selecting a proven conversion house isn't going to cut it and is a crap shoot without having the director on board. This isn't just another movie, it's STAR TREK.

If he is not doing any of those things, than please - DON'T CONVERT IT. This is coming from a 3D advocate and from a Trekkie who would sincerely love to see the effort on a stereoscopic 3D screen. But only if it is done right and not full of what seems to me to be animosity. I like that he thought the first STAR TREK clips looked "cool" and the prospect of using flares in 3D seem like a novel idea, but wow. I'm worried. So should you in my opinion.