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  • TV Review: ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ Season 1

    (L to R) Paul Giamatti as Nus Braka and Holly Hunter as Chancellor Nahla Ake in season 1 , episode 1 of 'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer/Paramount+.
    (L to R) Paul Giamatti as Nus Braka and Holly Hunter as Chancellor Nahla Ake in season 1 , episode 1 of ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer/Paramount+.

    Arriving on Paramount+ on January 15 with its first two episodes (followed by one episode weekly) is the first season of ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy,’ the latest attempt to extend the venerable sci-fi franchise to places where no one has gone before.

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    The cast for the show includes Holly Hunter (‘Broadcast News’), Paul Giamatti (‘The Holdovers’), Sandro Rosta (‘Snitches Get Stitches’), Kerrice Brooks (‘My Old Ass’), Karim Diané (‘One of Us is Lying’) and Robert Picardo (‘Star Trek: Voyager’).

    Related Article: Paul Giamatti to be the Villain in the New ‘Starfleet Academy’ Series

    Initial Thoughts

    (L to R) Robert Picardo as The Doctor, Kerrice Brooks as Sam and Bella Shepard as Genesis in season 1 , episode 1 of 'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer/Paramount+.
    (L to R) Robert Picardo as The Doctor, Kerrice Brooks as Sam and Bella Shepard as Genesis in season 1 , episode 1 of ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer/Paramount+.

    Exploring student lives at Starfleet Academy has been a project mooted for years but which never quite came about.

    Now, Alex Kurtzman and the current TV ‘Star Trek’ team (Gaia Violo created the series alongside Noga Landau and Kurtzman) have finally managed it, setting the show in the far, far future as explored by ‘Star Trek: Discovery’s later seasons, in a time when the Federation and other space-going organizations are still recovering after the “Burn”, which killed billions and all but ended warp drive travel.

    It’s designed as a blend of YA archetypes, with younger characters still finding themselves and a healthy dollop of ‘Star Trek’s moral philosophy, albeit with the harder edge of the Paramount+ series.

    Script and Direction

    (L to R) George Hawkins, Bella Shepard and Kerrice Brooks in season 1, episode 5 of 'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer/Paramount+.
    (L to R) George Hawkins, Bella Shepard and Kerrice Brooks in season 1, episode 5 of ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer/Paramount+.

    Kurtzman, Viola and Landau have pulled off quite the trick here –– the combination of fairly different approaches could have been as problematic as mixing matter and antimatter, but here it largely works.

    Yes, some of the storylines are burdened with cliches (the bitter loner with a tough past who finds a family among his fellow students! The non-human character learning about humanity! The hard-charging jock/rich boy who seems smug and annoying but has some depth!) and the show’s deep dive into ‘Trek’ history can come across as pandering in a way that ‘Lower Decks’ never did, but once the series starts to find its feet, it turns into something watchable, and one episode early in the run that explores the potential fate of a familiar character from a previous series (no spoilers here), is even effective and affecting.

    Cast and Performances

    (L to R) George Hawkins as Darem Reymi, Kerrice Brooks as Sam and Sandro Rosta as Caleb Mir in season 1 , episode 3 of 'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: John Medland/Paramount+.
    (L to R) George Hawkins as Darem Reymi, Kerrice Brooks as Sam and Sandro Rosta as Caleb Mir in season 1 , episode 3 of ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: John Medland/Paramount+.

    While the main focus is on the younger characters, it’s the veterans who really impress. Hunter’s fantastic as the long-lived chancellor/captain, forever curling up in command chairs or padding around the Academy barefoot.

    When she’s facing off against Giamatti’s half-Klingon/half Tellurite piratical troublemaker, the air crackles with energy.

    As for the younger cast, they’re good –– Kerrice Brooks brings truly fun energy as SAM, the “photonic” (read: holographic being) who was created four months before the series starts but is designed to act as a 17-year-old, hoovering up knowledge and interactions.

    Meanwhile, Robert Picardo is still supremely fastidious and officious as The Doctor, but has found new levels of humanity to play.

    Final Thoughts

    Bella Shepard in season 1, episode 1 of 'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer/Paramount+.
    Bella Shepard in season 1, episode 1 of ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer/Paramount+.

    Like any youngster finding its way in the world, the new show stumbles a little before it really takes off, but should find a home with both those who enjoy the current ‘Trek’ output (there are humor levels that sometimes rival ‘Strange New Worlds’) and even fans of the various older series.

    Plus, with Season 2 in the works, at least you know it’s worth heading back to the final frontier…

    ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ Season 1 receives 78 out of 100.

    (L to R) Karim Diané as Jay-Den Kraag, George Hawkins as Darem Reymi, Kerrice Brooks as Sam, Bella Shepard as Genesis Lythe and Sandro Rosta as Caleb Mir in season 1, episode 5 of 'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: John Medland/Paramount+.
    (L to R) Karim Diané as Jay-Den Kraag, George Hawkins as Darem Reymi, Kerrice Brooks as Sam, Bella Shepard as Genesis Lythe and Sandro Rosta as Caleb Mir in season 1, episode 5 of ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: John Medland/Paramount+.

    What’s the plot of ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ Season 1?

    The new series introduces viewers to a young group of cadets who come together to pursue a common dream of hope and optimism.

    Under the watchful and demanding eyes of their instructors, they discover what it takes to become Starfleet officers as they navigate blossoming friendships, explosive rivalries, first loves and a new enemy that threatens both the Academy and the Federation itself.

    Who stars in ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ Season 1?

    Holly Hunter as Nahla Ake
    Sandro Rosta as Caleb Mir
    Karim Diané as Jay-Den Kraag
    Kerrice Brooks as SAM (Series Acclimation Mil)
    George Hawkins as Darem Reymi
    Bella Shepard as Genesis Lythe
    Zoë Steiner as Tarima Sadal
    Robert Picardo as the Doctor
    Tig Notaro as Jett Reno
    Oded Fehr as Charles Vance
    Gina Yashere as Lura Thok
    Paul Giamatti as Nus Braka
    Stephen Colbert as the voice of Starfleet Academy’s Digital Dean of Students

    Karim Diané in season 1, episode 4 of 'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer/Paramount+.
    Karim Diané in season 1, episode 4 of ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer/Paramount+.

    Other ‘Star Trek’ Movies and TV Series:

    Buy ‘Star Trek’ Movies On Amazon

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  • Best Thanksgiving Movies of All Time, Ranked

    2018's 'The Oath'. Photo: Roadside Attractions.
    2018’s ‘The Oath’. Photo: Roadside Attractions.

    Everyone has a favorite Christmas movie, right? Whether it’s ‘A Christmas Story,’ ‘Elf’ or even ‘Die Hard,’ Christmas movies play ad nauseam on television throughout the month of December.

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    But where are all the Thanksgiving Day films?

    In honor of the annual holiday, Moviefone is counting down the top twenty Thanksgiving Day themed movies of all time!

    Now, to qualify for this list the film must either take place at Thanksgiving or involve the holiday in some way, and we are only counting theatrical releases, so sorry ‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.’

    Let’s begin!

    Related Article: Every Halloween Movie, Ranked From Terrible to Terrifying

    20) ‘The Blind Side ‘ (1997)

    2009's 'The Blind Side'. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.
    2009’s ‘The Blind Side’. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.

    The story of Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), a homeless and traumatized boy who became an All American football player and first round NFL draft pick with the help of a caring woman (Sandra Bullock) and her family.

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    19) ‘Pilgrim‘ (2019)

    In an attempt to remind her family of their privilege and help them bond, Ms. Anna Barker (Courtney Henggeler) invites Pilgrim reenactors to stay with them over Thanksgiving. When the “actors” refuse to break character, the Barker family learns that there is such a thing as too much gratitude.

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    18) ‘Black Friday‘ (2021)

    A group of toy store employees must protect each other from a horde of parasite infected shoppers.

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    17) ‘The Thanksgiving Movie‘ (2020)

    Join Butterball the turkey and Missy the Dodo as they come to the rescue of Thanksgiving and embark on an unforgettable, clock-racing countdown to a holiday dinner. It’s a Thanksgiving Movie for the ages.

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    16) ‘Sweet November‘ (2001)

    Nelson (Keanu Reeves)is a man devoted to his advertising career in San Francisco. One day, while taking a driving test at the DMV, he meets Sara (Charlize Theron). She is very different from the other women in his life. Nelson causes her to miss out on taking the test and later that day she tracks him down. One thing leads to another and Nelson ends up living with her through a November that will change his life forever.

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    15) ‘Scent of a Woman‘ (1992)

    1992's 'Scent of a Woman'. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    1992’s ‘Scent of a Woman’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    Charlie Simms (Chris O’Donnell) is a student at a private preparatory school who comes from a poor family. To earn the money for his flight home to Gresham, Oregon for Christmas, Charlie takes a job over Thanksgiving looking after retired U.S. Army officer Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade (Al Pacino), a cantankerous middle-aged man who lives with his niece and her family.

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    14) ‘Son in Law‘ (1993)

    Country girl Rebecca (Carla Gugino) has spent most of her life on a farm in South Dakota, and, when she goes away to college in Los Angeles, Rebecca immediately feels out of place in the daunting urban setting. She is befriended by a savvy party animal named Crawl (Pauley Shore), who convinces the ambivalent Rebecca to stay in the city. When Thanksgiving break rolls around, Rebecca, no longer an innocent farm girl, invites Crawl back to South Dakota, where he pretends to be her fiancé.

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    13) ‘Prisoners‘ (2013)

    Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman) faces a parent’s worst nightmare when his 6-year-old daughter, Anna, and her friend go missing. The only lead is an old motorhome that had been parked on their street. The head of the investigation, Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal), arrests the driver, but a lack of evidence forces Loki to release his only suspect. Dover, knowing that his daughter’s life is at stake, decides that he has no choice but to take matters into his own hands.

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    12) ‘The Wiz‘ (1978)

    Dorothy Gale (Diana Ross), a shy kindergarten teacher, is swept away to the magic land of Oz where she embarks on a quest to return home.

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    11) ‘Pieces of April‘ (2003)

    Quirky and rebellious April Burns (Katie Holmes) lives with her boyfriend (Derek Luke) in a low-rent New York City apartment miles away from her emotionally distant family. But when she discovers that her mother (Patricia Clarkson) has a fatal form of breast cancer, she invites the clan to her place for Thanksgiving. While her father (Oliver Platt) struggles to drive her family into the city, April — an inexperienced cook — runs into kitchen trouble and must ask a neighbor for help.

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    10) ‘Home for the Holidays‘ (1995)

    1995's 'Home for the Holidays'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    1995’s ‘Home for the Holidays’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    After losing her job, making out with her soon-to-be former boss, and finding out that her daughter plans to spend Thanksgiving with her boyfriend, Claudia Larson (Holly Hunter) faces spending the holiday with her unhinged family.

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    9) ‘The Ice Storm‘ (1997)

    In the weekend after thanksgiving 1973 the Hood family is skidding out of control. Then an ice storm hits, the worst in a century.

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    8) ‘Addams Family Values‘ (1993)

    Siblings Wednesday (Christina Ricci) and Pugsley Addams (Jimmy Workman) will stop at nothing to get rid of Pubert, the new baby boy adored by parents Gomez (Raul Julia) and Morticia (Anjelica Huston). Things go from bad to worse when the new “black widow” nanny, Debbie Jellinsky (Joan Cusack), launches her plan to add Fester to her collection of dead husbands.

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    7) ‘Grumpy Old Men‘ (1993)

    For decades, next-door neighbors and former friends John (Jack Lemmon) and Max (Walter Matthau) have feuded, trading insults and wicked pranks. When an attractive widow (Ann-Margret) moves in nearby, their bad blood erupts into a high-stakes rivalry full of naughty jokes and adolescent hijinks.

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    6) ‘Tower Heist‘ (2011)

    A luxury condo manager leads a staff of workers to seek payback on the Wall Street swindler who defrauded them. With only days until the billionaire gets away with the perfect crime, the unlikely crew of amateur thieves enlists the help of petty crook Slide to steal the $20 million they’re sure is hidden in the penthouse.

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    5) ‘Thanksgiving‘ (2023)

    'Thanksgiving' Parade from TriStar Pictures and Spyglass Media Group, LLC Thanksgiving.
    ‘Thanksgiving’ Parade from TriStar Pictures and Spyglass Media Group, LLC Thanksgiving.

    After a Black Friday riot ends in tragedy, a mysterious Thanksgiving-inspired killer terrorizes Plymouth, Massachusetts – the birthplace of the holiday. Picking off residents one by one, what begins as random revenge killings are soon revealed to be part of a larger, sinister holiday plan.

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    4) ‘Free Birds‘ (2013)

    Two turkeys from opposite sides of the tracks must put aside their differences and team up to travel back in time to change the course of history—and get turkey off the holiday menu for good.

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    3) ‘The Oath‘ (2018)

    In a politically-divided United States, a man struggles to make it through the Thanksgiving holiday without destroying his family.

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    2) ‘The Last Waltz‘ (1978)

    Martin Scorsese‘s documentary intertwines footage from “The Band’s” incredible farewell tour with probing backstage interviews and featured performances by Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, and other rock legends.

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    1) ‘Planes, Trains and Automobiles‘ (1987)

    1987's 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    1987’s ‘Planes, Trains and Automobiles’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    An irritable marketing executive, Neal Page (Steve Martin), is heading home to Chicago for Thanksgiving when a number of delays force him to travel with a well meaning but overbearing shower curtain ring salesman, Del Griffith (John Candy).

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  • Peter Sohn to Direct Pixar’s ‘Incredibles 3’

    (Left) Director Peter Sohn at Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, Calif. Photo by Deborah Coleman/Pixar. (Right) The Incredibles in 2004's 'The Incredibles'. Photo: Pixar Animation Studios.
    (Left) Director Peter Sohn at Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, Calif. Photo by Deborah Coleman/Pixar. (Right) The Incredibles in 2004’s ‘The Incredibles’. Photo: Pixar Animation Studios.

    Preview:

    • Peter Sohn will direct ‘Incredibles 3’.
    • Brad Bird, who directed the previous two movies, wrote the script.
    • The movie was confirmed at last year’s D23 event.

    If you cast your mind back to last August, you might recall that Disney took the opportunity of its D23 event to announce that a third movie in the successful ‘Incredibles’ franchise was in the works.

    Little was revealed about it, beyond Pixar animation Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter offering that Brad Bird –– who has written and directed both the previous outings, was developing a third.

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    Yet it would appear that Bird’s duties elsewhere (more on that lower down the page) are precluding him from handling the new movie. The Hollywood Reporter brings word that while Bird is at work on the screenplay, ‘Elemental’ director Peter Sohn is the one who will usher the super-powered Parr family back to screens, with ‘Soul’s Dana Murray producing alongside Bird.

    Related Article: Director Peter Sohn and Producer Denise Ream Talk Pixar’s ‘Elemental’

    What’s the story of the ‘Incredibles’ franchise?

    The Incredibles in 2004's 'The Incredibles'. Photo: Pixar Animation Studios.
    The Incredibles in 2004’s ‘The Incredibles’. Photo: Pixar Animation Studios.

    Long before the Marvel Cinematic Universe helped superheroes conquer cinema, Bird’s first ‘Incredibles’ movie, released in 2004, told the story of Bob Parr (voiced by Craig T. Nelson).

    Bob (A.K.A. Mr. Incredible), and his wife Helen (A.K.A. Elastigirl, played by Holly Hunter), are the world’s greatest famous crime-fighting superheroes in Metroville, always saving lives and battling evil on a daily basis.

    But 15 years later, they have been forced to adopt civilian identities and retreat to the suburbs where they have no choice but to retire as superheroes to live a “normal” life with their three children Violet (Sarah Vowell), Dash (Spencer Fox) and Jack-Jack, who were born with secret superpowers.

    Itching to get back into action, Bob gets his chance when a mysterious communication summons him to a remote island for a top-secret assignment. He soon discovers that it will take a super family effort to rescue the world from total destruction.

    In the 2018 sequel, ‘Incredibles 2’, the Parr family still know that heroism is illegal according to the established law that prevents them from helping people.

    But their lives in hiding are cut short when a wealthy philanthropist approaches Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl with the idea to remove the law and make their heroic acts legal. And Elastigirl is chosen to help lead this plan, leaving Mr. Incredible in charge of the kids.

    Things get even more complicated when a terrifying new menace called the Screenslaver shows up and threatens to abolish Elastigirl’s attempt to restore heroism. Who is the Screenslaver? Can the Parrs save the world from chaos and destruction? Can the heroic freedom be restored?

    (L to R) Jeremy Renner, Tom Cruise Simon Pegg, and Paula Patton in 'Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol.' ©2021 Paramount Pictures. All Right Reserved.
    (L to R) Jeremy Renner, Tom Cruise Simon Pegg, and Paula Patton in ‘Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol.’ ©2021 Paramount Pictures. All Right Reserved.

    While Bird, who has also brought us the animated likes of ‘The Iron Giant’ and ‘Ratatouille’ and live-action movies ‘Tomorrowland’ and ‘Mission: Impossible –– Ghost Protocol’, had been predicted to direct the third ‘Incredibles,’ but is in the midst of another animated movie instead.

    That project, ‘Ray Gunn’, has been a passion of Bird’s for nearly 30 years. Originally created alongside writer Matthew Robbins, it’s reportedly the story of the last human private detective, Raymund Gunn, in a future world composed of humans and aliens.

    Originally aimed for production via Skydance Animation and its deal with Apple, the movie has been mired in creative difference issues and budgetary wrangles, but is now likely to see screens via Netflix, which took over the ‘toon company in 2023.

    What else has Peter Sohn worked on?

    Oscar® Nominee Peter Sohn, Elemental during the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' “Oscar Season: Animated Feature Film” Event on Saturday, March 2 at the The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. Credit/Provider: Michael Owen Baker / ©Academy Museum Foundation. Copyright: ©Academy Museum Foundation
    Oscar® Nominee Peter Sohn, Elemental during the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ “Oscar Season: Animated Feature Film” Event on Saturday, March 2 at the The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. Credit/Provider: Michael Owen Baker / ©Academy Museum Foundation. Copyright: ©Academy Museum Foundation

    Peter Sohn feels like the natural pick to follow Bird; he has worked on every animated Bird film (including both ‘Incredibles’) up until ‘Ray Gunn’.

    Bird has been a mentor to Sohn, and Sohn was specifically chosen to carry The Incredibles torch by Bird and Pete Docter.

    Sohn is a Pixar veteran, having worked on various movies as a story artist, animator and story consultant, and has been a member of the company’s Senior Creative Team (a group of filmmakers who offer input to those making films there) for a decade.

    He has also voiced characters in various movies for the studio, like ‘Ratatouille’, ‘Monsters University’ and ‘Lightyear’.

    As a director himself, Sohn made ‘The Good Dinosaur’ and the aforementioned ‘Elemental’, Sohn’s second movie, was nominated for the best animated feature Oscar last year.

    When will ‘Incredibles 3’ head to theaters?

    Disney and Pixar are keeping that particular piece of information locked in a vault for now, but given the usual lead time on CG animated movies, we can’t imagine it being ready much before 2028 or 2029 (the planned sequel to ‘Coco’, for example, is tentatively scheduled for 2029.)

    Next up for the Emeryville-based animation team is alien abduction adventure ‘Elio’, which sees the title character (voiced by Yonas Kibreab), a space-obsessed kid who is swept off on a cosmic misadventure.

    ‘Elio’ will be in theaters on June 20th.

    Pixar's 'Elio'. Photo: Disney.
    Pixar’s ‘Elio’. Photo: Disney.

    List of Pixar Movies:

    Buy Pixar Movies on Amazon

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  • Paul Giamatti joins New ‘Starfleet Academy’ Series

    Paul Giamatti arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Kyusung Gong / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Paul Giamatti arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Kyusung Gong / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    Preview:

    • Paul Giamatti will be the villain for ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’s first season.
    • The new series will follow the travails of students at the academic institution.
    • Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau are running the show.

    While the likes of current ‘Star Trek’ series ‘Discovery’ and ‘Strange New Worlds’ have certainly had solid casts, the new show, ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ really seems to have stepped it up in terms of star power.

    With Holly Hunter already aboard, the show is now adding Paul Giamatti in a key role. Which is quite the get, given that he was Oscar nominated this past season for ‘The Holdovers’. Having finished a successful run on ‘Billions’, he recently also boarded a TV series based on the ‘Hostel’ horror movies.

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    Who will Paul Giamatti play in ‘Starfleet Academy’?

    Oscar® nominee Paul Giamatti arrives on the red carpet at the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Mike Baker / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee Paul Giamatti arrives on the red carpet at the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Mike Baker / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    Giamatti has snagged a recurring role in the show as the first season’s main villain, who has a sinister connection to the past of one of the cadets.

    This is what co-showrunners Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau had to say about the casting coup:

    “Sometimes you’re lucky enough to discover that one of the greatest actors alive is also a huge ‘Star Trek’ fan, and meeting Paul was one of those miraculous moments for us. The sheer delight with which he dove in on ‘Starfleet Academy’ is only surpassed by the gratitude we feel about him joining our incredible cast.”

    What’s the story of ‘Starfleet Academy’?

    Sonequa Martin-Green and Commander Burnham of the CBS All Access series 'Star Trek: Discovery'.
    (L to R) Sonequa Martin-Green and Commander Burnham of the CBS All Access series ‘Star Trek: Discovery’. Photo: Michael Gibson/CBS ©2020 CBS Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    While most of the other character and story details are being kept behind a forcefield, we do know something of the show’s tone thanks to a previous comment by Landau:

    “These are kids who’ve never had a red alert before. They never had to operate a transporter or be in a phaser fight.”

    So, yes, lots of coming-of-age with high tech equipment appears likely with this one.

    The sets being built for the new series apparently include featuring the largest contiguous one ever constructed for a ‘Star Trek’ series, a central academic atrium that will span two stories and include an amphitheater, classrooms, a mess hall, and an idyllic walkway lined with trees.

    Related Article: Rebecca Romijn and Anson Mount Talk ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ Season 2

    Who is Holly Hunter playing in ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’?

    Holly Hunter attends the Academy’s 2017 Annual Governors Awards in The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, CA, on Saturday, November 11, 2017. Credit/Provider: Aaron Poole / ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Holly Hunter attends the Academy’s 2017 Annual Governors Awards in The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, CA, on Saturday, November 11, 2017. Credit/Provider: Aaron Poole / ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    Holly Hunter will star as the Captain and Chancellor of the Academy set in the titular educational facility that trains crew and officers for the fleet.

    Hunter’s Chancellor will be presiding over the faculty and the latest class of students to arrive at the academy.

    Here’s Kurtzman and Landau on Hunter:

    “It feels like we’ve spent our entire lives watching Holly Hunter be a stone-cold genius. To have her extraordinary authenticity, fearlessness, sense of humor, and across the board brilliance leading the charge on ‘Starfleet Academy’ is a gift to all of us, and to the enduring legacy of ‘Star Trek.’”

    When will ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ be on screens?

    While shooting is due to kick off later this summer in ‘Star Trek’s current TV production home of Toronto, Paramount+ has yet to confirm when it might appear on the streaming service.

    Jess Bush as Chapel, Celia Rose Gooding as Shura, Ethan Peck as Spock, Anson Mount as Pike, Rebecca Romijn as Una, Babs Olusanmokun as M’Benga, Christina Chong as La’an and Melissa Navia as Ortegas of 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,' streaming on Paramount+, 2023.
    (L to R) Jess Bush as Chapel, Celia Rose Gooding as Shura, Ethan Peck as Spock, Anson Mount as Pike, Rebecca Romijn as Una, Babs Olusanmokun as M’Benga, Christina Chong as La’an and Melissa Navia as Ortegas of ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,’ streaming on Paramount+, 2023. Photo: Pari Dukovic/Paramount+.

    Other ‘Star Trek’ Movies and TV Series:

    Buy ‘Star Trek’ Movies On Amazon

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  • Simon Kinberg Reportedly Producing new ‘Star Trek’ Movie

    (Left) 'Invasion' series creator Simon Kinberg. (Right) Chris Pine, Simon Pegg, and Karl Urban in 'Star Trek' (2009). Courtesy of Paramount Pictures.
    (Left) ‘Invasion’ series creator Simon Kinberg. (Right) Chris Pine, Simon Pegg, and Karl Urban in ‘Star Trek’ (2009). Courtesy of Paramount Pictures.

    Preview:

    • Simon Kinberg is reportedly boarding the ‘Star Trek’ movie franchise.
    • He’s going to be producing future entries.
    • Holly Hunter is the first person cast in series ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’.

    While Paramount itself remains in something of a flux state –– with different buyers circling to make offers to buy the venerable studio and its associated TV network, streaming service and other properties –– it appears to be making moves on both the movie and TV front when it comes to hugely successful sci-fi franchise ‘Star Trek’.

    First up, we have news on the ‘Trek’ movies and a notable new (potential) hire.

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    What is happening with the new ‘Star Trek’ movie?

    Chris Pine in 2009's 'Star Trek'.
    Chris Pine in 2009’s ‘Star Trek’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    Paramount has seemingly had real trouble landing on a direction for its ‘Trek’ movie franchise. The TV side of things (more on that below) has been humming along nicely, but on the big screen, the movies have been mired in development limbo since ‘Star Trek Beyond’ opened to less-than-thrilling box office in 2016.

    There have been various films announced or reported upon, including a return for Chris Pine’s Kirk and co. from J.J. Abrams’ “Kelvin” timeline movies, a one-off by Quentin Tarantino (which seems less likely to happen) and the more recent word of a prequel/origin story to be directed by ‘Andor’s Toby Haynes with a script by Seth Grahame-Smith.

    Now, according to Puck’s ‘What I’m Hearing…’ newsletter, Simon Kinberg, a veteran producer of movies such as ‘The Martian’, some of the ‘X-Men‘ movies and the first two ‘Deadpool’ efforts (not to mention the likes of ‘Invasion’ on Apple TV+) is in talks to produce that new ‘Trek’ effort.

    And if it all works out, the plan is apparently for Kinberg to take over the stewardship of the movie side of Trek, helping to shepherd future outings and presumably help to correct the course.

    Related Article: ‘Andor’ Director Toby Haynes Overseeing new ‘Star Trek’ Prequel Movie

    What’s happening with the ‘Starfleet Academy’ series?

    Holly Hunter attends the Academy’s 2017 Annual Governors Awards in The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, CA, on Saturday, November 11, 2017. Credit/Provider: Aaron Poole / ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Holly Hunter attends the Academy’s 2017 Annual Governors Awards in The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, CA, on Saturday, November 11, 2017. Credit/Provider: Aaron Poole / ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    Following that, we have word that Holly Hunter will star as the Captain and Chancellor of Starfleet Academy set in the titular educational facility that trains crew and officers for the fleet.

    Hunter’s Chancellor will be presiding over the faculty and the latest class of students to arrive at the academy.

    This is what co-showrunners Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau said about casting Hunter to Variety:

    “It feels like we’ve spent our entire lives watching Holly Hunter be a stone-cold genius. To have her extraordinary authenticity, fearlessness, sense of humor, and across the board brilliance leading the charge on ‘Starfleet Academy’ is a gift to all of us, and to the enduring legacy of ‘Star Trek.’”

    What’s the story of ‘Starfleet Academy’?

    1979's 'Star Trek: The Motion Picture.'
    1979’s ‘Star Trek: The Motion Picture.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    While most of the other character and story details are being kept behind a forcefield, we do know something of the show’s tone thanks to a previous comment by Landau:

    “These are kids who’ve never had a red alert before. They never had to operate a transporter or be in a phaser fight.”

    So, yes, lots of coming-of-age with high tech equipment appears likely with this one.

    The sets being built for the new series apparently include featuring the largest contiguous one ever constructed for a ‘Star Trek’ series, a central academic atrium that will span two stories and include an amphitheater, classrooms, a mess hall, and an idyllic walkway lined with trees.

    Production on the show is scheduled for later this summer in Toronto.

    Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto in 'Star Trek' (2009).
    (L to R) Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto in ‘Star Trek’ (2009). Courtesy of Paramount Pictures.

    Other ‘Star Trek’ Movies and TV Series:

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  • Holly Hunter Joins ‘Succession’ in Recurring Role

    Holly Hunter Joins ‘Succession’ in Recurring Role

    Warner Bros.

    Holly Hunter‘s series “Here and Now” may be over, but she’s staying on HBO.  She’s joining Season 2 of the cable network’s series “Succession.”

    She’ll star as Rhea Jarrell, the politically savvy CEO of a rival media conglomerate to the Roy Family’s Waystar Royco.

    Season 2 of “Succession” will follow the Roys — led by aging patriarch Logan Roy (Brian Cox) as they struggle to retain control of their empire. While the future looks increasingly uncertain, it is the past that threatens to ultimately destroy them.

    Among the most recent roles for the Oscar-winning actress a ruthless senator in “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” a fiercely protective mom in “The Big Sick,” and an androgynous spiritual leader in the thriller “Top of the Lake.”

    One of her best early roles, was, of course, in James L. Brooks’s smart satire of American television news, “Broadcast News“: It earned her her first Best Actress Oscar nomination.

    [Via Variety]

  • Alan Ball’s New HBO Series (With ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Alum) Gets Premiere Date & Trailer

    Remember when Stephanie left “Grey’s Anatomy”? Here’s where she went.

    HBO just released the premiere date for Alan Ball’s (“True Blood,” “Six Feet Under”) new drama series “Here and Now,” which launches its 10-episode first season on Sunday, February 11 from 9 to 10 p.m. ET/PT.

    Here’s the breakdown from HBO:

    “From Oscar and Emmy winner Alan Ball, and starring Oscar and Golden Globe winner Tim Robbins and Oscar, Emmy and Golden Globe winner Holly Hunter, the show is a provocative and darkly comic meditation on the disparate forces polarizing present-day American culture, as experienced by the members of a progressive multi-ethnic family – a philosophy professor and his wife, their adopted children from Vietnam, Liberia and Colombia, and their sole biological child – and a contemporary Muslim family, headed by a psychiatrist who is treating one of their children.

    Jerrika Hinton, Daniel Zovatto, Raymond Lee, Sosie Bacon, Andy Bean, Joe Williamson and Peter Macdissi also star.

    HERE AND NOW is executive produced by Alan Ball, Peter Macdissi, and David Knoller.”

    Watch the first trailer:According to Deadline, Lee plas Duc, “a successful life coach, adopted from Vietnam when he was five. A powerhouse and overachiever, he has ambitions to become a motivational guru on the scale of Tony Robbins. But his ambition masks a painful past that he has never really faced.”

    Hinton — who left “Grey’s Anatomy” at the end of Season 13 — plays Ashley, “creator and owner of a retail fashion website, wife and mother of a 4-year-old who was born in America to Somalian refugees, adopted when her mother died and her father was deported. Ashley now finds herself feeling part of neither the white or the black experience, and her perfect life is beginning to fray.”

    Zovatto plays Ramon, “who was adopted from an orphanage in Colombia at 18 months and now is in his final year of college, studying video game design. Sensitive and appealing, his life is turned upside down when he begins to have hallucinations that cannot be explained.”

    Bacon — daughter of Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick — picks up her first series regular role as Kristen, the only biological child of her parents. “A junior in high school, she always has felt somehow lesser than her exotic international siblings. She’s determined to find something — anything — to define herself as something other than ‘just the pasty white chick’ of the family.”

    Meet the whole family on February 11, 2018.

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  • ‘The Big Sick’ Trailer Teams Up Kumail Nanjiani and Ray Romano

    “Love isn’t easy,” Ray Romano tells Kumail Nanjiani in the trailer for “The Big Sick.” “That’s why they call it love.”

    If love isn’t easy, neither is befriending your ex-girlfriend’s father while she lays in a coma. That’s the premise of the romantic comedy, which “Silicon Valley” star Nanjiani wrote with his real-life wife Emily V. Gordon based on their relationship. In the movie, Kumail is dating Emily (played by Zoe Kazan), but breaks up with her because his family expects him to marry a nice Pakistani Muslim girl.

    But when Emily falls into a coma, Kumail shows up at the hospital to comfort her parents (Romano and Holly Hunter). They rebuff him at first, but soon, he winds up becoming part of their family.“The Big Sick” opened at the Sundance Film Festival, where it earned glowing reviews. The movie opens in limited release June 23 and then expanders wider July 14.

  • Al Pacino Is a Sad Crazy Cat Man in This ‘Manglehorn’ Trailer

    If nothing else, the new trailer for “Manglehorn” is a good advertisement for the U.S. Post Office. Al Pacino plays A.J. Manglehorn, a lonely locksmith obsessed with an old flame named Clara. He constantly sends her letters, then repeatedly checks his mailbox for replies. It’s old school like that, but there’s always been a romance to the love letter, as opposed to the immediacy of the booty call text.

    “Manglehorn” was directed by David Gordon Green (“Pineapple Express, “All the Real Girls”) and co-stars Chris Messina as A.J.’s son Jacob and Holly Hunter as A.J.’s potential new love interest, a bank teller named Dawn. Manglehorn doesn’t do much besides fix locks, dote on his cat, and remain heartbroken by the Clara he loved and lost so many years ago. If he were a woman, they’d call him an eccentric crazy cat lady, so we’ll call him an eccentric crazy cat gentleman. Nothing wrong with that. Except when it gets in the way of being a good parent.

    Pacino is getting high praise for his work here, and when “Manglehorn” hits theaters June 19, you can decide where you’d rank this performance in his impressive filmography.

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