Last week, Paramount released the final movie trailer for “Star Trek.”

I gotta admit, this is shaping up to be THE movie event of the spring.

The movie “re-boot” essentially reintroduces the “Star Trek” characters that we all know (and I love)

But the best part is the movie is written by the team behind TV’s “LOST.” Those guys know something about creating compelling characters and telling a great story.  The combination I think is going to be fantastic and judging by the trailer, epic. And its going to be directed by LOST creator JJ Abrams. Sweet!

They’ve said they are not trying to make a movie just for fans of “Star Trek.” They want to make a great movie, period. Which means, ya don’t have to be a “Trekkie” to enjoy this one. And based on what I’ve seen, it looks like its gonna be a helluva action movie…with great characters.

Some Trek fans are leery of a new version of the classic show.

Not me.

While I think the original was and is still great and compelling television, I am ready for a new and improved version. I don’t think its going to take anything away from the original’s William Shatner (Capt. Kirk), DeForest Kelly (Dr. McCoy) or Leonard Nimoy (Mr. Spock.) And the fact that Nimoy is IN this new version will make it even better!

I will be standing in line for this one!

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Speaking of lines, I stood in line Saturday at the Hamilton 16 IMAX in Noblesville to catch a screening of “Watchmen.” The movie is on track to be earn $60 million dollars (or more) in its opening weekend. The IMAX theatre I saw it in was packed.

It’s based on the classic graphic novel that was published in the mid 80s. The dark story is placed in a universe where the United States and Russia are on the verge of a nuclear war and Richard Nixon is in his fifth term as President. (I told you if was a dark story.)

A group of superheroes called the Watchmen have been outlawed. And now someone is hunting them down and murdering them. (If the story sounds like the animated “The Incredibles,” don’t worry…the similarities end there.)

I’ve read the source material and enjoyed it.

The movie version is very faithful to the original…but maybe almost too much so.

I was reminded of the first couple of Harry Potter movies adapted from the books. They were well done…but lacking that special cinematic magic because they adhered too closely to the storytelling from the excellent novels. A good read doesn’t always translate as a good movie. In the later “Potter” films, they’ve loosened up, inspiring a much more fulfilling cinematic experience because they are not just trying to translate the book. They are interpeting it as a movie. Does that make sense?

Visually, “Watchmen” is stunning. Director Zach Snyder has a wonderful way of visually capturing the mood. The film has the steady, grim and world-weary flow of the graphic novel. The movie is good, well made. But with a running time of two hours and 45 minutes I would have prefered the ride to offer a little more variety in the intensity.

It had its moments of humor and personality and intensity…I  just needed a little more.

I would give it a “6.5″ on the Sandwich Scale.

Finally, a word of caution and as Stephen Colbert would say “A Wag of My Finger” to some parents. I saw a number of young kids in the theatre. (A couple of 9 or 10 year olds were sitting behind me with their parents.)

Parents, this is an “R” rated movie. There is extreme violence,  a lot of sexuality and plenty of nudity (including a fully exposed blue man.) This is NOT a movie for youngsters. I don’t care how “mature” you may think your kids are, but this movie is NOT for kids.

Okay, when is a kids movie not really a kids movie?

Ask my friend Terri.

She was anxious to take her kids to see “Coraline.” It is a 3D animated film directed by Henry Selik. Selik made the wonderful “Nightmare Before Christmas” released a few years ago. 

Terri’s young daughter is a huge fan of “Nightmare” having worn out a VHS tape copy of that movie. (Remember VHS?) “The Nightmare Before Christmas” features some scary scenes but for the most part, it is an appropriate film for kids of all ages and was marketed as such. 

But Terri, her daughter and older son warn that “Coraline” is maybe a little too intense for kids. The subject matter, about a little girl crossing over to another world with a seemingly perfect mommy was just too scary for Terri’s youngsters.

I bring it up because while “Coraline” has received overall positive reviews and is visually stunning, it was marketed at kids. I know because I saw it heavily advertised on Nickolodeon and other kids channels. So parents, be aware.

As a side note, Terri was grateful she didn’t take the kids to the promoted 3D version playing in some theatres…she said that would have been just too scary.

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Speaking of slightly deceptive advertising, I want to warn you about the marketing of this year’s Best Picture, “Slumdog Millionaire.” There are plenty of spots on the air right now playing up the warm, positive vibe of the movie.

While I think it is a terrific movie, be warned it is R-rated and it earns that rating with some pretty intense scenes of young children in peril, some extreme violence and other intense themes.

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On Tuesday night’s edition of “The Bachelor: After the Final Rose – Part Two,” taped six weeks after Monday night’s show, ABC announced that the next edition of “The Bachelorette” will debut with a two hour episode on Monday, May 18 from 9 to 11pm.

Jillian, the popular third choice of Bachelor Jason Mesnick will step up to hand out the roses this time around.

So there number two…

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Finally, a friend forwarded a link to a trailer for a movie playing here in the Indy area.

It’s called “Fanboys.” It’s about a group of VERY dedicated Star Wars fans attempting to break-in to the Star Wars holy grail, George Lucas’ Skywalker Ranch.

I mention it because the small movie is taking a viral approach to get the word out about the movie.

For Star Wars fans, it looks pretty funny. (Besides, Kristen Bell of ”Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and “Veronica Mars” has a featured role in the movie.

Check out the trailer here.

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Finally, I’m gonna check out “Watchmen” this weekend (hopefully) in IMAX if I can get a ticket. Word is that it is selling out…

Jeffery Dean Morgan (Denny in "Grey's Anatomy) as The Comedian in "Watchmen"

Last weekend, “The Dark Knight” passed the $500 million dollar mark, shattering another movie record. (Why do we care how much something has made? I guess that’s another post)

The success of the Batman sequel is having a very dark impact on the future of comic book movies. In March 2009, Warner Bros. is set to release the darkest of dark comic book movies with the release of “Watchmen.”

“Watchmen” is based on the graphic novel of the same name. Graphic novels are what they call comic books these days…and the name change is justified. Comic books were much simpler and appropriate for youngsters. These days, graphic novels are not written for kids but for adults. And “Watchmen” released by DC Comics in the 80s, is widely regarded as one of the very best graphic novels ever published.

A friend recently loaned me his hard bound book edition and I re-read it. If you thought “Dark Knight” was too dark, “Watchmen” is pitch-black! Written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons, this is an inspired piece of work.

Here’s the premise…what if superheroes did exist? How would they be accepted by the public? Would they be accepted…or rejected?

A very different take on superheroes in "Watchmen"

Or would the public just think these people are off their rockers? That is part of the concept behind the story. It’s set in an alternate version of the 80s. Nixon has just been re-elected to a fourth term and the world is on the brink of World War III. (I told you it was bleak.) Superheroes have been outlawed. And someone is eliminating the few superheroes still around. 

As I write this, I can’t help enjoying the similarities with Disney/Pixar’s “The Incredibles,” the CG masterpiece released a couple years ago, written and directed by Brad Bird. Course, that animated classic was  light-hearted and told for laughs. There are very few chuckles in “Watchmen.”

This is not Superman. It’s not Spiderman. It’s not even “The Dark Knight.” This is a totally unique POV on the whole comic book genre written especially for adults.

I’m looking forward to the movie adaptation based on the trailer released earlier this summer. You can watch the “Watchmen” trailer here on TheIndyChannel.com. It looks faithful to the source material. And that means its gonna be very dark.

We’ll find out next March.

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Looks exciting…and incredibly dangerous.

Should be fun. Have a great weekend!

Heyyyyyyyyy!

After this summer’s stunning superhero success on the silver screen (how do you like that alliteration!) you can expect plenty more rubber-suited superheroes at the movies over the next couple years.

Earlier this summer Marvel Comics led off with “Iron Man” and the re-booted “Incredible Hulk.” “Iron Man” took off…literally. Marvel then took charge with reports of sequels to “Iron Man” (no word on “Hulk” yet) a Wolferine sequel to “The X-Men,” and eventually an “Avengers” movie. Can “Spiderman 4″ be far away (no word on if Tobery Maguire and director Sam Raimi will be doing that one…and when…but it will surely come.)

Recently, published reports say DC Comics and Warner Brothers had a “superhero summit” to develop a strategy for their comic catalog. DC publishes The Batman and Superman among other titles. Marvel and DC are the two major comic book publishers and in the recent movie successes are any indication, Marvel has been Kryptonite to DC…at least until “The Dark Knight” came out.

Many have complained Warners and DC have been too slow to unlock the treasure trove of characters like Marvel has done. Well, now they plan to catch up and exploit their characters.

So what can we expect to see from D.C.? A sequel to “The Dark Knight,” the biggest movie of the year is no doubt going to come. Christian Bale has said as much before “Knight” opened saying this Batman was conceived as a trilogy.

Another “Superman” movie (possibly called “The Man of Steel”) again starring Brandon Routh and directed by Bryan Singer (“Superman Returns”) will begin shooting in the next few months. (Hope its better than “Returns.”)

There is also talk of movies based on “The Green Lantern,” directed by Greg Berlanti, producer of TV’s “Brothers and Sisters” and “Eli Stone”) “The Flash”, “Aquaman” and finally “Wonder Woman.”

According to USA Today, all plans, though, depend on the course the studio charts in its summit. The studio is keeping details of its meetings under wraps, but issued a statement saying, in part, “We’re constantly looking at how best to exploit the DC Comics characters and properties.”

 Since Warner Bros. owns DC Comics,, they have first take on any DC heroes.

IF you saw “The Dark Knight,” you got a preview of what could certainly be the next big comic book movie. Zack Snyder, the visionary director behind last year’s sword and sandals graphic novel/movie “300″ is adapting “Watchmen,” the graphic novel many say is the best in the genre into a movie that will be released next spring. (I’m re-reading “Watchmen” and will post my take on it soon.)

Have a great weekend!