"Star Trek" into lens flares
JJ Abrams, the creator of such science-fiction TV series as "Lost" and "Fringe" takes the crew of the Starship Enterprise out for another action-packed spin with "Star Trek Into Darkness".
It’s been shrouded in mystery and rumour for much of its production, leaving fans with little to do but wonder how many blinding lens flares will be added to the proceedings. Some speculated that perhaps British actor Benedict Cumberbatch was playing a new version of the supervillain Khan, memorably portrayed in the original “Star Trek” franchise by Ricardo Montalban. But apparently he’s not – he’s just a guy named John Harrison who is for some reason bent on destroying Earth.
Back in the captain’s chair is Chris Pine as the brash womanising Captain James T Kirk. Zachary Quinto is his logical Vulcan first officer Spock, Karl Urban is the grumpy ship's surgeon McCoy, Zoe Salana as communications officer Uhura, John Cho as helmsman Sulu, Anton Yelchin as whiz-kid navigator Pavel Chekov and Simon Pegg as chief engineer Scotty. Robocop himself, Peter Weller, joins the cast as a hawkish Starfleet commander. And Alice Eve strips down to her undies to play a character introduced in “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan”, Kirk’s love interest Dr Carol Marcus.
Hard-core Trekkers have been critical of Abrams’ direction with the franchise, arguing that he’s concentrating too much on action, comedy and lens flares, straying away from creator Gene Roddenberry’s exploration of social issues and the human condition. Nonetheless, critical reception is mostly positive.
Also opening
“Welcome to the Punch” – Mark Strong, one of the usual suspects when it comes to British gangster flicks, stars in this slick-looking thriller about a former criminal who has to return to London when his son is involved in a heist gone wrong. Eran Creevy, who made a small-budget drama called “Shifty” as well as commercials and music videos, makes his sophomore directorial feature under the production umbrella of Ridley Scott.
“Evil Dead” – Sam Raimi co-produces this reboot of the horror franchise he started with his low-budget 1981 cult movie about kids in a cabin in the woods. Fan favourite Bruce Campbell, star of the original and sequels, also produces and makes a cameo, as does Raimi’s old Oldsmobile. It’s directed and co-written by Uruguayan indie helmer Fede Alvarez, and Diablo Cody doctored the script.
“3096 Days” – This fact-based drama recounts the ordeal of Natascha Kampusch, the Austrian girl who was kidnapped at age 10 and held captive for eight years. It’s at SF cinemas and House on RCA.
“Love in the Rain” (“Ruedoo Tee Taektang”) – With posters that look eerily similar to last year’s “My Name Is Love”, which had Arak “Pe” Amornsupasiri and pals standing under umbrellas, Worrawech “Dan” Danuwong makes his sophomore directorial effort with this rain-splashed romance set in Pai. Chalermpon “Jack Fan Chan” Thikampornteerawong stars as a guy who only has eyes for girl who only has eyes for Toni Rakkaen.
