A nostalgic evening...

[fajrdrako]

I had a delightfully nostalgic evening with my friend Starwolf.

'Wolf collects all sorts of interesting DVDs, and he showed me three and a bit: theDoctor Strange animated movie, the remastered episode of Star Trek "The Doomsday Machine", and a Jacques Tati movie called Les Vacances de Monsieur Hulot, which was funny and charming and had almost no dialogue.

Doctor Strange used to be one of my favourite comic book characters. I made my own Doctor Strange costume, and wore it to parties and conventions. But the character faded from interest and I haven't read a Doctor Strange comic in years.

This movie was surprising good: modern in style, with better voices than most animation. Doctor Strange had an interesting face with an aquiline nose, both dramatic and distinguished, which made the poignancy of his fall from being a success surgeon all the more powerful. The art had lovely touches reminiscent of the old Steve Ditko art, like the wonderful windows in the Sanctum Sanctorum and in the Ancient One's tower. (Not that I recall the Ancient One ever having a tower before, but that's okay. It was a good tower.) Dormammu was re-designed and I liked the old version better - but everything else was superb.

As for "The Doomsday Machine" - my love of Star Trek has long since faded and it's difficult to remember that once I loved that show as much as I now love Torchwood. This was never a favourite episode, either, so it was surprising how much fun it was to watch again. A few thoughts:

• There is a minor character, a techie on the Enterprise, named Washburn. Funny, I thought: the name is familiar. Then I realized: Zoe and Wash! Of course! I love writers who are fans, like Joss Whedon and Russel T Davies. And I love discovering the sources of their names.
  
  
• Leonard Nimoy as Spock is so beautiful. I'd forgotten, I really had. The shape and structure of his face is stunning.
  
  
• Though I don't like Commodore Matt Decker as a character, William Windom does a marvellous job of acting.
  
  
• Though I thought I'd entirely forgotten the episode, I remembered some of the dialogue as it continued. Even though I'd forgotten that Norman Spinrad wrote it.

'Wolf also showed me a good video-clip that was a speech about eduction about Ken Robinson. I must research it a little, but not tonight: I've been exhausted all day. So. Bed now.

Comments

[catalenamara.livejournal.com]

>>>I haven't read a Doctor Strange comic in years. This movie was surprising good

Wow, Dr. Strange! I loved that comic book, but haven't read it in years. I didn't even know they'd made a movie. I'll have to Netflix it.

>>>As for "The Doomsday Machine" - my love of Star Trek has long since faded and it's difficult to remember that once I loved that show as much as I now love Torchwood. This was never a favourite episode, either, so it was surprising how much fun it was to watch again.

"The Doomsday Machine" is, I've discovered, a K/S favorite. Fans really enjoy Kirk and Spock are so in sync together, even on different ships.

>>>Leonard Nimoy as Spock is so beautiful. I'd forgotten, I really had. The shape and structure of his face is stunning.

God yes, gorgeous! He looked at his absolute *best* in the second season episodes - there's some scenes from "The Apple" and the utterly otherwise forgetable "Friday's Child" when he's breathtaking.

They did a great job with remastering the episodes - it looks so seamless it's easy for me to forget those beautiful planet and Enterprise shots were never in the original.

One episode you should rewatch if you get the chance is Shore Leave, just for that little bit at the beginning where Kirk assumes Spock is giving him a backrub on the bridge (it's really a female yeoman.)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I loved that comic book, but haven't read it in years.

Neither have I. They made a rebooted version - I believe the protagonist was the son of the Stephen Strange we know - but it didn't last long. I didn't read it.

They made a rather terrible live-action movie back in the 1980s. This one is much, much better. The plot is simple - basically a revision of "the origin of Doctor Strange" - but nicely done.

Fans really enjoy Kirk and Spock are so in sync together, even on different ships.

Yes, and it was clear (at least to my K/S-oriented eyes) that Spock was worried about Kirk.

The remastering was magnificent. I'd heard it was - and now I can agree from observation. Tempts me to want to see more.

I hated "Shore Leave" first time round - it was my least favourite episode. I don't remember why, now. I know it was a fan favourite with everyone but me. I wonder what I'll think if/when I see it again?

[catalenamara.livejournal.com]

I'm going to check out that Dr. Strange movie; thanks for the heads-up.

I hated "Shore Leave" first time round - it was my least favourite episode. I don't remember why, now. I know it was a fan favourite with everyone but me. I wonder what I'll think if/when I see it again?

Slow-moing the scene where K&S run from the various threats is wonderful. Kirk, of course, has managed to tear his shirt and he and Spock have their hands all over each other. My current icon is from that episode.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes. There were good reasons everyone but me liked "Shore Leave". I think I just didn't like the storyline - but still don't recall why.