The Film Talk » This Week’s Podcast: ‘Star Trek’

This Week’s Podcast: ‘Star Trek’ – Including TFT+

May 9th, 2009by Jett Loe · Comments

In this week’s podcast Gareth and I have a discussion on the function of the new ‘Star Trek’ film – what are its metrics for success – and talk in-depth about the reasons why Trek films were dormant during the Bush Administration; the different approaches taken by the actors of the film and many other aspects of the pic.

We also unveil an experiment: TFT+

I realised while editing the show each week that Gareth and I kept talking, often at length and in more detail, about the films featured on the show.

So we decided to record this week’s additional hour of discussion in which Gareth and I talk more about the Star Trek pic and each review our favourite Trek films of the past, (amongst other stuff – I mean it’s and additional hour!). TFT+ episodes will be available for the princely sum of one dollar – instructions on how to purchase are on the podcast post:

The Film Talk – Part 65 – Star Trek

Tell Others About This! These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

Tags: Notes on Podcasted Shows · TFT+

Shannon McClean

Jett, have you seen Limmy's take on Star Trek?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjckbAqUwT0

Jett Loe

I'm a big fan of Limmy but think he's on the wrong track here - as he states he was expecting the standard 'prequel' = 'filling in the back story' on the characters -

I think that would have been a mistake = no suspense = we know how everything is going to turn out - by changing the timeline = suspense and DRAMA has been added = a brilliant stroke! :)

Tom

Ok, so I've paid up - how long is it before the bonus podcast turns up in my e-mail?

Haven't heard the show yet, but have seen the film and thought I'd put some random thoughts out there because I'm occasionally swayed by what Jett and Gareth say. So here goes:

Terrific fun, was sucked in by the pace, characters and humour.
Felt like a very Abrams thing to do by beginning the film with an emotional puch, just like M:I 3, but I fell for it.
Was suprised they decided to use material from the last Trek, i.e. Romulan hell bent on revenge driving a huge ship resembling an insect.
Why do so many of these films have to deal in HUGE senarios involving planet sized death and the threat of Earth's total destruction? Just as many thrills can be had on a smaller scale, i.e. Wrath of Khan.
Shame about revenge being the motivation of the 'bad guy'. Only thing I think let the whole thing down.
Did I say how much fun I had?
Sorry if you've said these things already guys. Had to get these down without being under the influence!

StanleyRumm

Good show.

I believe there's another reason why Star Trek died a death during the Bush era. I'll have to duck somewhat as I type the following, but I hope to be able to pop my head back out by the end...

Star Trek has always been about spreading the American dream and the American way of life across the world. Its whole philosophy is based on the view/ opinion of the USA as a benevolent, parental, "want to do the right thing", heart-in-the-right-place-even-if-we-don't-always-get-it-right, strength-but-doesn't-push-it-around belief in the innate goodness of America and the American way of life.
"We don't interfere -we just try to help improve" -paraphrasing the Prime Directive.

The Bush administration proved that idea (amongst those hawks at least) to be farcical.

I know it's what made The West Wing unwatchable for me too. It's not that I don't believe there have been presidents who had to wrestle with their consciences and come to decisions based on what they believe to be "the right thing", but W (the Wadministration) made a mockery of that upright reputation and dignity that the US had earned (in most 'Western' people's minds at least).

The Wadministration was like the Federation was suddenly being run by Klingons or Romulans.

I believe Obama is setting the USA on the path to begin to restore that reputation, but it will take a long time. Movies like this new Star Trek will help in that cause.

Live long and prosper. ;)