We all have something that we believe in. A cause, an ideal and often times religion. Regardless of which one you are a part of, there are constant themes, a deity, creation and the edict to be good to one another. Even those who do not believe in a higher power or religion have positive ideals that they hold to and these foundational thoughts and beliefs play a major role in our lives.  

Yet as is always the case, there are those who take their beliefs to the extreme. They will warp and distort the message of peace to fill whatever need suits them best. It is a theme that has caused great debate and even war among our species and oddly enough, found its way into science fiction by way of Star Trek V: The Final Frontier. 

The planet of galactic peace, Nimbus III is in turmoil. An unknown terrorist force has seized the only world that has representatives from the three major powers in the galaxy. With such a dire event in front of the Federation, the newly re-commissioned U.S.S. Enterprise is dispatched to rescue the hostages but the man responsible for this act has bigger plans in mind. He intends to seize the Enterprise and take her to the center of the Milky Way Galaxy, where he believes the creator of all life is waiting.

This is a tough film to write about. So, before we get into the meat and potatoes of The Final Frontier let's take a moment to talk about something we rarely discuss at Nerds That Geek, the soundtrack. Jerry Goldsmith, may he rest in peace, is the man behind the music in this particular film, and while he has scored many a Trek adventure, this is one of his finest. It is haunting, majestic, and thought provoking. In fact, there are several times where the score simply draws you into the emotions of the cast and quite frankly, it is the highlight of the film. But for me to have to say that, means one thing, there are a lot of problems with Star Trek V.  

In reality, there are too many issues to discuss in one sitting. Plot holes abound, decisions that don't make sense, the list goes on and on. To give us all perspective, it makes no sense that the Federation would agree to a world where people do whatever they want, with crime and poverty running rampant without having a larger presence there. Not to mention, it strikes me as strange that out of the entire Federation fleet, they would send a barely functional Enterprise into such a tense situation. In fact, the Admiral early on even states that no one has the experience that Kirk has in situations like this. I found that shocking. All those captains in Starfleet and none of them were capable of handling this, only Jim Kirk? What will happen in situations similar to this after he decides to retire? You see where I'm going with this.  

The Final Frontier isn't a terrible film, just heavily flawed and its biggest error is trying to mix religion and science fiction. Let's be honest, the two are oil and water when dealt with directly. There requires subtext to make the two work together in this genre but the idea of God and His existence are front and center in this film, and quite frankly, it doesn't work. This element makes Sybok useless in a sense for his demise in the climax of the film is hollow at best and nullifies the whole point of his ability to help others see their pain. If anything, this movie gets props for trying to address something so prolific, but the message falls short making it nothing more than a forgettable journey, and that's unfortunate. 

In a world of seven billion human beings, it would seem that our ability to impact other people on this planet has become limited. Yet that cannot be further from the truth. Everything we do in our lives has an effect on one another. To those we see on a regular basis, it is obviously a direct impact, but whether we know it or not, the little things we do influence so much.  

For example, it's easy to spread our emotions. A bad day spreads quickly, but so does a smile. On a larger scale, we are now learning that scientifically our actions are potentially changing our world and our future. As the evidence continues to be researched it is odd to reflect on the fact that years ago such ideas were considered wild speculation. But theories are what science fiction thrives on and such an idea gave way to the plot of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.

As they to head back to Earth to face the consequences of their actions, the crew of the late U.S.S. Enterprise is forced to delay their return. For an unknown probe has arrived over Earth and it is slowly terraforming the planet. The crew learns that the probe's signal is designed to communicate with an extinct species on our planet, the humpback whale. Now in order to save the future they must return to the past and bring back the only species that can end this attack.  

​Released in 1986, The Voyage Home quickly became the top grossing Star Trek film for many years to come. Its success is warranted, since placing the crew from the 23rd Century into the 20th Century was a stroke of genius. This is a film full of laughs and is outright fun through and through. In fact, there are just too many scenes to go through that leave you in stitches when it comes to seeing these future fish out of water. For me though, my favorite interaction is the scene with Kirk and Spock on the bus with the fine young man who loves his heavy metal.  

The laughs are welcome, especially with the darkness that surrounded the prior two films. In fact, one can look at this as the conclusion of a tough trilogy of movies, culminating with the satisfying sight of the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-A. I remember the first time I saw this film my mind kept drifting back to the sad fact that the Enterprise was nowhere to be found and we would never see her again. That simple moment when they reveal the Big E once again was the proper finale for all the hardships this poor crew had been through recently and completes this film in a satisfying manner when we see Kirk, once again sitting in the only place he truly belongs, the captain's chair.  

Yet as is expected from Trek its message is warranted and relevant today. The dangers of what actions we take that are endangering our future is clear, but is handled with enough subtlety that a heavy-handed approach stays out of the way. The message is made easy to digest by the actions of the crew. At no point do they question the risk or potential possibility of failure in their mission. They simply act, and in the process, save the day. It is that desire to work for the greater good that makes the movie work and is clearly why the film was so successful. I would venture to say this is the first time we really see the crew of the Enterprise as pure heroes, and their actions remind us that what we do today, matters tomorrow.  

​Loyalty is something I firmly believe all of us strive for simply because it does so much for people. It gives everyone a sense of trust, of belonging and it also provides folks with a sense of worth. It allows us to come together with our friends and family as well, letting those we know and care about that they can rely on us for just about anything.  

Of course, over time this loyalty will be tested, like anything in life and at times the boundaries of that loyalty will be pushed to the breaking point. It is that breaking point, and how far one is willing to go that remain the central themes in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock.

Khan is dead.  But the battle that ended his vendetta has proven to be a pyrrhic victory. The U.S.S. Enterprise is badly damaged and Captain Spock gave his life to save her crew, and the galaxy is stunned at the creation of Planet Genesis. Upon return to Earth, Kirk is confronted by Spock's father Sarek and learns that a mind meld with Doctor McCoy has left the essence of his son's mind preserved and if Spock's body can be brought to Vulcan, there is an outside chance Kirk's oldest friend can still be saved. Now it is a race against time. For Planet Genesis is a failed experiment and accelerating toward destruction and lying in wait for Kirk and the Enterprise are rogue Klingons who are willing to wage war in an effort to obtain the secrets of Genesis.  

​One would think that after the dark journey that Wrath of Khan takes us on that The Search for Spock would in some way be a lighter film. This is simply not the case because Star Trek III is equally as dark as its predecessor. We continue the painful emotional journey that James T. Kirk is going through during this phase of his life and career but there is a difference this time around.  Kirk is no longer bound by guilt or that sense of helplessness we saw in the last film.  

Instead he clearly sees this as his chance to redeem himself for so many mistakes, and he is willing to do everything he must to make it right, including sacrificing the U.S.S. Enterprise. That's what makes this film so special because this is when James T. Kirk went beyond what we already knew him to be. He was already heroic, an incredible leader and tactician, but the return to Genesis is when he became a legendary Captain. More importantly though, it is a wonderful sight to see all of Spock's friends rally behind the cause and join in the risk all for one chance to see their friend alive once again. Say what you will about the cheap move to bring Spock back to life, this crew did what all of us wish we could do, save a life that we have seen fade away far too early.  

It's that loyalty that drives this film, and leaves you cheering for the return of Captain Spock and it makes the end of the Enterprise that much more tragic when the order is given to self-destruct, yet it is also the final act of redemption. To destroy the ship he called home for so many years, to risk everything to save one man, this is when Kirk forgave himself for his mistakes and realized that while duty and honor are important, it is the loyalty to those who get us there that matter.  

It is the past that defines us. Our memories, our experiences, both good and bad form the person that we will become and guide us throughout our lives. In some way, the past will consume us. It will drive us in a direction whether we like it or not. For there is a memory or experience that stays with us and many out there use it to better themselves and others.  

Yet there are those out there who let the past define one action, with a memory or experience that blinds them with rage, and gives them license to do anything that they must to right the wrong in their mind. Vengeance, and the past are two strong themes that guide the science fiction classic; Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.

Admiral James T. Kirk has settled in to his new desk job at Starfleet Command. Gone are the days of adventure out among the stars, replaced by fresh faced cadets and time for reflection upon his career. But in the void of space, one man has been unleashed from his unintended prison, Khan Noonien Singh is out there, with a Federation ship now under his control and the fire of vengeance driving him toward the Enterprise and Kirk.  

I think it goes without saying that is one of the finest Trek stories and films in the history of the franchise. The action is there, the drama is there, the list goes on and on and these are all elements that have been broken down and dissected over and over again. In fact, we won't spend much time on it other than what I have just written. Instead we are going to focus on the two central themes I brought up earlier and throw in that this is a surprisingly dark Trek film in a galaxy full of peace and harmony.

​Let's start off with Khan. This is a man who was nearly the Emperor of Earth before his exile into space. He spent centuries in suspended animation aboard the Botany Bay and once more found himself in exile on Ceti Alpha V after awakening from his slumber. He lost his love, and with his best years behind him and wasted in his mind, the only salvation left for a man of his incredible intelligence was to stoop to revenge. Tragic to say the least.  

But for James T. Kirk, the story is equally as tragic. This is the first time we see this intrepid hero looking tired and old. We see the wear and tear on his face, and William Shatner does an excellent job portraying a man who has reached the top and relishes this honor by reflecting as often as possible. One gets the sense that there is regret, especially when Kirk learns that David Marcus is his son.  

In both instances, the past weighs heavily on this film, and while that seems so out of place for Star Trek in reality it is not. This saga is always about the human adventure and sadly we too feel that regret of our poor decisions and sometimes see our worst mistakes come back to haunt us. But we simply press on. In fact, the death of Spock in this film is perhaps the greatest way to hammer the themes home. As we continue on in life our friends will fade away, yet their memory and the ones that have made us who we are allow us to endure. 

There is not one person out there who can say that they have never given the future any thought.  It may not always be on the forefront of our minds, but tomorrow is a concept that haunts us. Be it a bill that needs to be paid, what will happen between us and our loved ones or what the day might bring, the endless possibilities are enough to drive us mad so we leave what might happen to fate or chance and hold fast to the knowledge that we will handle tomorrow as it comes.  

Yet there are some of us out there consumed by the future. They must know what will happen next, and if there is a chance that tomorrow can be shaped and molded to their command, they will stop at nothing to do it. When it comes to creativity, those obsessed with the future simply need to close their eyes and imagine. Sometimes the vision of the new dawn is dark and terrifying, or in Gene Roddenberry's case when he dreamed of a starship named Enterprise; one of hope.  

Gene was responsible for bringing forth the science fiction phenomenon Star Trek. A show that did so-so during its original run, but a beautiful message of peace left fans wanting more after it left the airwaves. As the years moved on, Roddenberry began an attempt to revive the show as Star Trek: Phase II, but something happened in the science fiction universe that changed Gene's plans for the better; a little movie known simply as Star Wars, and its runaway success paved the way to bring the intrepid crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise to the big screen in Star Trek: The Motion Picture.

Deep in space, something is headed toward Earth and nothing seems to be able to stop it as it absorbs any ship it comes in contact with. Knowing that this creature is headed the Federation's way, Starfleet prepares to launch the newly redesigned U.S.S. Enterprise to contact this being.  Now an Admiral, James T. Kirk will not allow his old command to make first contact without such a powerful entity without him aboard and he once more takes his place in the captain's chair as the Enterprise is sent out to save the Federation.  

Released in 1979, Star Trek: The Motion Picture is truly the yang to Star Wars' yin. No interstellar war here, just the clean and polished corridors of a United Federation of Planets starship and The Original Series cast reunited at long last. The effects are beautiful, and shown off frequently in the film with many a swooping shot of the new NCC-1701 and V'ger as well, yet for this being Trek's first foray onto the silver screen something is lacking.  

The plot is nowhere near as engaging or cerebral as many episodes of the series were, in fact special effects are the highlight here along with one simple fact; Roddenberry's vision is finally realized in larger than life fashion. All mistakes aside, there is something to be said about seeing so many different species pulling together to find out what this common threat is and how to resolve it peacefully. That's what allows us to sit through this film and enjoy it regardless of its flaws, all that overwhelming hope for the future.  

There is nothing more important than being yourself, at least if you are comfortable in doing so. So many people put on masks that they try to portray to the rest of the world, but doing this for many years myself, I will admit that it made me miserable. If that is the feeling I had, I am sure that it is the same for many more people. If you have been hiding behind a mask for a long time, it would be better if you remove it slowly to the world, and most of all to the people you care most about. A big change can affect your life in more than one way, but it is important to keep it positive, because if you don’t, you might lose what is most valuable to you.
​
Working at the post office, Jim is having a hard time getting the hang of his job. Getting called into his boss’s office and getting let go, Jim does not feel like he has anywhere else to go, but receiving a letter from the CIA that says they reviewed his application has given him some hope. Finding out that he will not be working there anytime soon, Jim gets down on himself when he gets a call from his old friend Seth who is in town for the week. Wanting to avoid his old friend, mainly because Seth is dating Angela who he used to love, he is convinced to make his way out into the world again to have a good time with old friends.

Meeting the group, Seth and Angela have brought a friend of their own, Kara, who has made her living on YouTube. With all sorts of stories to tell, Kara is one of a kind and has taken a little shine to the shy boy their friends have introduced her to. Even though the west coast is great, Seth has plans for the group to head out and release some anger and hiring someone to take them shooting in the desert seems like the best way to let off some steam. Just going along for the ride, Jim sees that life is not as bad as he thought it was and with his little bit of military background, he can hang with the best of them.

As their day of shooting is coming to an end, their teacher John has a special surprise for the group as he has packed an explosive for the final target. After seeing the target go bang, the group heads down range to check out the damage and when getting their first look, Kara sees something out of this world. A rock has been broken open and inside of it is some sort of red sand. Thinking little of what it could be, Kara is engulfed in the sand and while it does dissipate, there is something strange happening to everyone in the group. Everyone that has been touched by the sand is acting strangely with the exception of Jim who finds himself being hunted by his friends. With another mind controlling them, Jim and Angela need to find help, but until then, they also need to find a way to stop the infected in the desert from finding a way back to town where they can inflict much more damage.

An interesting find on Amazon Prime, as the description of the movie says the plot will have ties to the pyramids of Egypt and other great monuments that regular humans could not have done on their own. I will say that it does take a while for the story to pick up and to figure out what is going on, while it is not a slow burn because you get plenty of shooting, it does take a minute before you get to the meat of the story. I liked the first infected fight and really wish that the results of it were utilized more throughout the movie, it started with a Highlander feel and then just kind of lost it. With a mysterious red dust, being able to absorb your foes memories, an unstoppable infection, best friends turning on each other and plenty of gun play, it really is a fun movie to get into. I must admit that I was very impressed by the characters and liked how Jim was able to keep it together while having to put them all down to protect the Earth from another takeover.  

I feel bad for the sequel as a whole. There is always a ridiculous amount of expectation put upon them whether we like to admit it or not. We go in expecting something different, but in the back of our mind, we hope for something similar to the first film.  

That puts filmmakers in a precarious place. They have to give us just enough of what we loved about the first movie, without overdoing it, while at the same time giving us hints of fresh and original ideas without making us feel as though the franchise has gone in a completely different direction. It is this immense battle for balance that made The Hangover Part II an incredibly polarizing film.  

It's been two years since the Wolfpack's wild night in Vegas right before Doug's wedding and another celebration is on the horizon as Stu prepares to enter into matrimony. But Stu will have no part in a bachelor party; in fact, he has made a point to not invite Alan to his wedding. But some convincing from Doug allows Alan to join the wedding party in Thailand and when the boys awaken inside the confines of a hotel in the heart of Bangkok, after starting their evening at a simple gathering by the beach, they know they have lived through another night they will never remember. 

​Earlier I used the word polarizing when it comes to this story and well, that's the right one to use as we enter a discussion on The Hangover Part II simply because you either loved this comedy or utterly hated it. The ones that enjoyed this sequel found it to be fresh and inventive while those that despise this film to its core continue to cite that it is a complete and utter rip off of the first one.  

Fact of the matter is, both sides have valid points. There are some pretty hilarious moments in this story that never quite top the original's jokes but they do leave you in stitches. Yet at the same time, it is hard to deny that many of the events that lead to the laughs are well...pretty darn similar to the first film. Does it make this movie a bad motion picture? I say no because of one simple question, where exactly do you go after a film like The Hangover? Please the crowds and keep them in stitches? Or take a completely different path and tick off the audience?  

It was a lose/lose for the filmmakers either way, but in the end, you'll find a funny comedy for sure and it is definitely worth a watch or two. As for those out there wondering what could have been had the franchise decided to go in a wildly different direction? Well the answer to that...arrived with The Hangover Part III and we will talk about that one another time. 

It's always a wonderful thing when you see a franchise that you hold near and dear to your heart as a child, extend into your adulthood. Those incredible memories and feelings that said franchise evokes truly never die and when the opportunity arises to see fresh content from that universe, you know you have to be there.

At least, that's how I feel when it comes to the Muppets. The Muppet Show was a cannot miss for me growing up and I remember seeing every single movie that they made either on VHS or in theaters. It was a shame that the series eventually faded from the big screen, but you cannot keep a good Muppet down and thanks to their resurgence on the silver screen a few years ago, they returned shortly thereafter with their first sequel in years, Muppets Most Wanted. 

Following their newfound success from their last movie, the Muppets decide that it is time to head out onto a world tour to capitalize on their popularity with the help of their new manager, Dominic Badguy (pronounced Bad-gie). But unbeknownst to the Muppets, Dominic is working with the world's finest thief, Constantine, who has recently escaped from a remote Russian Gulag and just happens to look like Kermit the Frog, whom he plans to replace in order to work with Dominic in a scheme to steal one of the greatest treasures in all the land...the crown jewels of England. 

​Obviously, it took little effort to get me into the theater to watch this new Muppet motion picture and with good reason. 2011's 'reboot' of the franchise with The Muppets was simply fantastic and the good news is, Muppets Most Wanted is just as fantastic. They once again lined up an amazing cast with Ricky Gervais, Ty Burrell and Tina Fey who light up the screen with their presence and performances.

But of course the real star of the show is the Muppets themselves, and their hilarious antics keep the crowd enthralled with awesome joke after awesome joke that left me in stitches.  Add those aforementioned fine performances alongside some quality comedy, and a few more top-notch celebrity cameos and you've got another incredible Muppet movie on your hands.  

I'd love to elaborate a little more, but there really isn't any reason to.  It's the Muppets.  You know what you're getting when you head into the theater and that's the best part, the movie simply delivers all the things we know and love and that alone makes it worth your while.  If you get a chance, check this one out and kick back and enjoy some good old-fashioned comedy from Kermit and the gang, you'll be thankful you did.  

I distinctly recall the first time I was able to sit down and watch Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner, simply due to the fact that it was a cinematic viewing experience unlike any other. After being raised on a steady diet of Star Trek and relatively positive science fiction, it was incredibly jarring to see such a dark, dystopian future present itself to me and after many, many viewings it remains one of my favorite films thanks to its daring design and bold storytelling.
 
Yet, despite my love of this motion picture, Blade Runner is another film that I had not experienced on the big screen and thankfully once again, the Alamo Drafthouse swooped in to save the day and solve that problem, because last night they hosted a special screening of the ‘The Final Cut’ of the film, presented in magnificent 4K and well, there was no way in hell I was going to miss my opportunity to finally see this cinematic masterpiece on the big screen at last.
 
Now the first thing I noticed when it came to seeing this sucker in a theater, was how incredible the visuals look on a forty-foot screen. The decadent yet decomposing world of 2019 was simply breathtaking and for the first time ever when watching this film, I felt completely and utterly sucked into this world. But while it was stunning to finally this see this place in glorious high definition, the true draw of this event came by way of the surprises I found within the story because I’ve finally figured out the magic of seeing films like this on the silver screen…the nuances of the performances are brought to the forefront. 

​Now, in saying that…it’s a foregone conclusion that this motion picture has a heavy focus on humanity, specifically in what it means to be human, and the value of life but I never truly appreciated how the actors enhanced those themes through their performances. Take Deckard for example. Up until last night, I never noticed just how badly ‘retiring’ Replicants rattles Deckard, until I noticed the nuances in Harrison Ford’s performance. You can see it eating at him in key scenes of the film and spotting that gave the character new life on the screen.
 
Plus, I had never picked up on the childlike qualities the Nexus Sixes exude in this film until this viewing. They know they are grown adults, that they are gifted and strong, but every little thing we take for granted, including emotions, eludes them on a regular basis and it was refreshing and stunning to see that, especially when one considers the philosophy and thought that goes into such an incredible twist and it also allows for the audience to sympathize with these poor beings on a whole new level.
 
If anything, watching Blade Runner on the big screen allowed for me to truly appreciate every nuance of this film, and it was wonderful to watch it with such a diverse audience. There were some younger folks, who like me, had only caught the film on home video and were now able to appreciate the majesty of this story and there were other folks in the audience who had clearly seen the film back in 1982 when it was originally released, that were simply looking to enjoy a good old-fashioned trip down memory lane. Either way, what a magical experience this turned out to be and once again I thank the Alamo Drafthouse for indulging cinephiles everywhere with incredible screenings such as these. 

Las Vegas truly is the stuff of legend. It’s a city of sin where secrets are always destined to remain just that and it is a mystical place when it comes to motion pictures. However, there is a recurring theme when it comes to this glittering oasis in the desert, in that it is a dark and dreary place where dreams often go to die and people struggle to live their lives.  

It's rare to see any truly hilarious film about Vegas, in fact the only other one that comes to mind as I write this is Vegas Vacation, but often times any comedies set in this land of neon are as dark as they come, but there was one film in recent years that managed to finally take the ugly out of Vegas and bring about a rip-roaring comedy with...The Hangover. 

It is a time of celebration. For Phil and Stu, their best friend Doug is getting married and that means it is time for the time-honored tradition of the bachelor party, and they head out to Las Vegas with the bride's brother, Alan, to say goodbye to Doug's bachelor lifestyle. But the party is nothing more than a blank spot in their mind...for someone drugged the men the night before and Doug has gone missing. Now it is a race against time to find their friend in order to get him to the altar on time.   

​That’s a simple premise to say the least, one that led to a complete and utter comedy phenomenon back in 2009 when this film hit theaters. At the time, Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zack Galifianakis were in no way household names before this movie put them on the map. In fact, everything about this film was under the radar, to the point where I remember seeing the trailers for this movie and thinking to myself that this should be a mildly amusing film before heading into the theater, and finding myself gasping for air after laughing so hard. 

This is one of those rare perfect storm comedies, thanks to the right casting, the right premise and jokes that simply don't hold back. It's a raunchy comedy that oddly enough doesn't offend because the jokes are just that hilarious. But the jokes don't work without a quality cast, and Bradley, Ed and Zack are what make this film so memorable. There’s just an incredible, on screen synergy from these three gentlemen and a few scenes stolen by Ken Jeong only add to the experience.  

If by some strange chance you haven't seen The Hangover, and I have no idea how you managed that, watch it. It's a hilarious comedy filled with memorable moments and quotes that will leave you laughing for days. Not to mention, it is a piece of film history quite frankly, since it was once the highest grossing R rated comedy. It's a modern classic to say the least and one to watch over and over again because trust me, there are things you missed while you were doubled over laughing.