Movie Dearest continues its look back at 2016, this time with a pair of fortuitous double features featuring the two most enduring sci-fi franchises of all time.
For the Love of Spock:
Leonard Nimoy’s son Adam Nimoy directs this (expectedly) loving homage to his late father and the still iconic character that he brought to life half a century ago. All the expected Trek cast members, past and present, make appearances, plus celebrity fans such as Jim Parsons (both in and out of character as Sheldon Cooper). A fitting tribute to a Vulcan and the man who played him, both of whom will live long and prosper in the hearts of many for generations to come. (7/10)
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| What he said. |
Star Trek Beyond:
In the third of the rebooted Star Trek series and the first to be pretty much independent from the past incarnations (maybe that explains the Beyond in the title) the new Kirk and Company take on an alien warlord played by Idris Elba bent on, you know, destroying the Federation and stuff. Well trod Trek territory aside, there are spectacular set pieces and no absence of humor, thanks to a screenplay co-written by Scotty himself, Simon Pegg. (7/10)
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| Oh yeah, and Sulu is gay now. |
Elstree 1976:
A long time ago, in a country just across the pond, a little sci-fi film was being made, and it needed extras. Little did anyone know at the time that that little sci-fi film, called Star Wars, would become, well, Star Wars. This breezy if a tad overlong doc profiles the actors who, after playing everything from alien barmaids to that stormtrooper guy who hit his head, found themselves as (very) minor celebrities, action figured and cashing in on their 15 seconds of fame on the Comic-Con circuit. (6/10)
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| The Cod Couple |
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story:
For a movie that had its whole plot spoiled 40 years ago, this first of several Star Wars spin-offs is a tense, exciting thrill ride that roller coasters to its final moments, cannon balling smack into the start of the original 1977 classic. As that film’s opening crawl summarized, a ragtag group of rebels valiantly set out to get their grubby hands on the plans for that ultimate killing machine, the Death Star, a suicidal mission that, in more ways than one, leads to "a new hope". (8/10)
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| Rebel with a Cause |
Reviews by Kirby Holt, Movie Dearest creator, editor and head writer.
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