I usually don't do reviews, but the latest Star Trek movie totally blew me away. I'm quite a trekkie, mostly focusing on series from The Next Generation, Voyager and Deep Space Nine. The 11th installment of the Star Trek movie is based on the characters from a series before those I am familiar with. Initially, I was quite grossed that they wanted to remake the original series, with a perception that the original cast - who are primary shareholders of the Star Trek franchise simply wanted a movie to reflect their long lost glory. Their shot with the latest series - Enterprise, which didn't last very long was proof of it. Anyway, the reviews on the web from CNN and Rotten Tomatoes changed my mind and boy, it was well worth it.

This movie is not just for the fans, although being one is a great bonus. Anyone can watch it. Even if you have no clue of what Star Trek is. For fans, I'd recommend you dig up the books and revise the facts, it would be more fun to watch (e.g. Who is Kirk's dad? How did Kirk become captain? etc). For non-fans, especially those with Star Trek stigma - I brought two of my housemates, one has no clue what Star Trek is and the other hates sci-fi altogether - they both enjoyed it.

The 11th movie is set before (or rather the day of birth of) James T. Kirk, the hero and icon of original franchise. Romulans from the future, distorts the timeline and seek to destroy the Federation (typical for everyone to destroy the most peaceful race. Why not destroy the Klingon Empire or Borg or something). The movie gives a fresh look at Star Trek, putting in more detail, relevance (in terms of technology) and pure humour. The cast selection was great! I mean, hello Sylar and Mr How to Make Friends and Alienate people!

Warning! Spoiler
The only regret I have from the movie was the fact that the Planet Vulcan was destroyed. Vulcan plays a huge HUGE HUGEEEE part in the Star Trek universe. I felt Spock's pain when it got sucked into the artificial black hole. Man.

 
 

I'll give this one a full 10/10.

They managed to give a fresh concept without distorting the essence and canon of Star Trek, realistic and quality special effects, good humour, good plot, off the scale action, good acting and fantastic selection of actors. This is a big one guys. Go watch it!

Gust Avrakotos: There's a little boy and on his 14th birthday he gets a horse... and everybody in the village says, "how wonderful. the boy got a horse" and the Zen master says, "we'll see." Two years later The boy falls off the horse, breaks his leg, and everyone in the village says, "how terrible." And the Zen master says, "We'll see." Then, a war breaks out and all the young men have to go off and fight... except the boy can't cause his legs all messed up. And everybody in the village says, "How wonderful."

Charlie Wilson: Now the Zen master says, "We'll see."

Over the weekend, I was dragged 30 kilometers from home to a cozy street along Brunswick Road for a glimpse of Artist Market. It is a collection of random designers, artist (duh) and business persons attempting to make an expensive buck and showcase their work. The exact location is in the middle of Rose Street near Brunswick.Apparently, I've been to this corner of the world before with my 2007 cell last year to a place called Bambino's.

Not your typical "pasar". The things sold here are for a quite a price, mostly fashion accessories and decoratives for your home.

It's quite a small place. We managed to cover everything in half an hour.

We spent the rest of the day walking about Brunswick, most of the shops open till 6, though the market was only opened till 5pm. The girl's managed to buy quite a worthwhile accessory with a similar function to a scarf (refer to second picture on the bottom. The guy's wearing it).

  
Wasn't feeling photogenic that day. Behold my passengers and friends.

After the market we were off to Lygon for dinner and gelato, and an OCF Vicchair meeting. So shag.