One of my favorite character dynamics is Kirk. One aspect of the ST IT is the fact that it does not fulfill audience expectations. When 09 ended it was expected that Kirk would step right in to the TOS era as the captain of the Enterprise. But, as was noted, there is no way for Pine Kirk to be exactly like Shatner Kirk because of the loss of his father.

When ID starts, Kirk is kind of expected to be jumping right in, but instead, he is still shown to be immature and arrogant in regards to command. He is book smart but lacks any sort of experience that allows him to admit to mistakes. Admiral Pike calls him out on that. But, he doesn't recognize it. Shatner's Kirk is flawed but he can recognize it. Pine's Kirk doesn't recognize that. And that is part of his arc that fascinates me. He has to be humbled in order to be a better leader. Khan and Marcus are reflections of what he could become if he follows their way and Pike is the father figure he needs to become better.

It is odd, but it reflects a bid of Roddenberry's point of view towards humanity that humanity will rise above the petty differences and become more "evolved," to use his term. There is a reflection of TOS in that not every one in the Federation is satisfied with the type of society produced, there is an aspect of Kirk not fulfilling his full potential in 09 and that arc is continuing in ID.

That is for me, though. I am all about characters moments in movies and Into Darkness really rings true for me.

Got to watch Captain Phillips tonight and it is an incredibly well done movie. I was rather surprised by the direction they took with it, the general lack of score, and some very tight editing. While I know it was based upon a true story, the adaptation conveyed a real world sense of tension as it progressed towards the conclusion. Even knowing the ending did not ease the tension.

Certainly worth a watch: 9/10

I keep thinking of films and then forgot when I get in front of computer. Apologies for repeats but they are on my mind right now:

-Species
-My Favorite Martian
-Wolverine: Origins

And the train of thought derails...stupid head cold

This may be true.

I have horses in this race (much like the Super Bowl) and I still could not care less about the Oscars.

Somewhere, there is a Game of Thrones quote that is applicable to my feelings...

Actually, no (and to my surprise) Indiana Jones came first:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana_Jo … Adventures

I believe this should be a policy of not shooting anyone over texting, regardless of location.

(Dear Firefox, it is the year 2014 and texting is a common. thing. I shouldn't have to add the word to the dictionary. Thank you.)

Given how they looked that is no surprise to me at all.

As to Saniss' point, one of the reasons I like the Mirkwood Elves is the fact that they are presented as imperfect. That isn't just in Hobbit or LOTR. That is actually a part of Tolkien's mythos and much more compelling to me as a race. The Elves are magnificent in their culture, but their failures can be just as magnificent.

Didn't know that about Cushing. He is now more amazing!

Unless we start betting on the gender and birth date

Or finds them with a body and covered in blood...

Man, sounds like the script from a really deranged indy movie.