July 22, 2013

Tevan Keltner Reviews Star Trek: Into Darkness

Please note: Tevan submitted this review to us on 5/19/2013.  It would have been MUCH timelier then!  The Editor's personal life (and ConQuesT 44) intervened, and the review did not get posted.

HOWEVER, we still think it's an interesting review, and that you may still enjoy it!  We apologize deeply to Tevan for taking so everlasting long to get this published.

Star Trek: Into Darkness
A review by Tevan Keltner, submitted 5/19/2013

Well, ladies and gentlemen, if you enjoyed the first Star Trek then you’re in luck, because its sequel is one hell of a ride. In 2009, J.J. Abrams went boldly where not many would go by rebooting the Star Trek franchise. And while many fans were not entirely thrilled with this news, they must admit it was pretty good for what it was.

Everyone else, however, seemed to be enthralled with the franchise reboot. The cast was excellent and the special effects gave fans and newcomers a chance to experience Star Trek on a whole new level. Even including a special appearance from one of the original cast members. With the success from the first film, it was no surprise that a sequel would be underway and now we have Star Trek: Into Darkness.

Not only does this film up the action and up the dialogue but it also establishes itself as a fantastic follow up for Trekkers and newcomers alike. Like The Dark Knight, the tone is much darker and the stakes are much higher. Characters are put into situations that glue you to the screen and make you wonder how things will get resolved. I can't even describe how much goes on in just this one movie; it's incredibly overwhelming, but in a good way.

Much of the deserved credit should go to the cast. Believe me when I say that no character is pushed aside in this film. Every character gets their own screen time without it feeling rushed. We even explore relationships further between people.

Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto own their roles. They are the driving force behind this movie and in many ways shape each others’ fates as it should be.

There is also great comedy, mostly provided by Simon Pegg and Karl Urban. The newcomers are great too - the brilliantly sexy Alice Eve and RoboCop himself, Peter Weller.

But let's talk about the best newcomer of the bunch, Benedict Cumberbatch. Trust me when I say - you will remember his name. He steals almost every scene he's in with great gusto. His voice is chilling, his mannerisms unsettling and his intentions are decidedly unpleasant. This is just everything a villain should be. He has the major weight of the film and he carries it beautifully. This man will be remembered (by those who don't know his Sherlock Holmes), and I look forward to seeing him many more times throughout his career.

Star Trek: Into Darkness is brilliantly dark and action-packed. Cumberbatch gives one of his greatest performances. If you’re seriously wondering whether to see this movie or not, please take my word for it. Go see it!! 


Tevan Keltner is a second-year college student in the Animation and Game Design program at Johnson County Community College

IMAGE CREDIT: Movie poster image is from IMDB.  Many thanks to them!

July 21, 2013

SF&F Literati go to Finishing School in July

Finishing School as you've never seen it before . . .
SelectionEtiquette and Espionage, by Gail Carriger
When: July 22, 2013, 7:00 p.m.
WhereOak Park Barnes & Noble Bookseller, 11323 W 95th Street
Overland Park, KS 66214, on the 2nd floor.

Order Etiquette and Espionage from Barnes & Noble or other fine book sellers.

If you have ideas for the next round of selections, be sure to attend the July meeting!

A fast-moving, humorous YA series-opening novel based on an unusual juxtaposition of ideas: finishing school as a Victorian young ladies' equivalent of the CIA's "The Farm" at Camp Peary.

Overview from Barnes & Noble:
"It's one thing to learn to curtsy properly. It's quite another to learn to curtsy and throw a knife at the same time. Welcome to Finishing School.  New York Times bestselling author Gail Carriger makes her young adult debut with Ettiquette & Espionage, the first book in the Finishing School series.

IMAGE CREDITS: Many thanks to Barnes & Noble for the cover of Etiquette & Espionage.

KC Horror Club Movie Screening "The Conjuring"


Details: Sunday, July 21, 2013, 4:50pm; Screenland Armour, 408 Armour Rd., North Kansas City, Missouri.

Screenland Armour is located off I-29/HWY 71 near the intersection of Armour Road and Erie St.



Synopsis: The Conjuring is a 2013 American supernatural horror film directed by James Wan. The film stars Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson as Ed and Lorraine Warren, paranormal investigators who come to the assistance of the Perron family (Ron Livingston and Lili Taylor), who are experiencing increasingly disturbing events in their farmhouse Harrisville, Rhode Island in 1971. -Wikipedia



Check out The official Facebook Event page for a great offer!

This event was organized by Earline Beebe on behalf of the KC Horror Club. If you are interested in this or any other upcoming events by the KC Horror club, please join our group! Movie Poster is © Warner Brother's Pictures and New Line Cinema

July 20, 2013

Film Cadets: R.I.P.D.

R.I.P.D.

Where: Cinemark Palace on the Plaze, 526, Nichole Rd., KCMO
When: July 21, 2013
Time: 2:50 pm (digital, non-3-D) show
Parking: Free across the street from the theater.
Dinner: Nearby restaurants, TBD.

Join us as we experience afterlife justice.
"Decorated police detective Nick Walker (Reynolds) is accidently killed during a hot criminal pursuit. He's immediately recruited by the afterlife's Rest In Peace Department (the R.I.P.D.), made up of humanity's very best dead lawmen. He is partnered with veteran old-school dead western sheriff Roy Pulsipher (Bridges). The R.I.P.D. is tasked with protecting the living from those arrogant, malevolent, and bloodthirsty souls who refuse to accept their fate and move on into the Afterlife:"

No Facebook Event page but, please checkout the KaCSFFS Facebook Group for more details on this and other exciting club activities. If you are a member, please post your RSVP to the KAXFEN Yahoo Group.

Let's go help some lost souls!


July 17, 2013

KaCSFFS Meeting THIS Weekend!

KaCSFFS Meeting for July 20, 2013:
The Writers Place
What time:  
Open Board Meeting: 5:30 p.m.
General Meeting: 7:00 p.m.
Food Theme
Deli/Coffee Shop
Where
The Writers Place,  3607 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, MO 6411 
What's going on there:
Joining KaCSFFS, Buying ConQuesT Memberships, Eating, Socializing, Promoting your club related events and, most importantly, HAVING FUN!

Interviewing Con Chairs
L-R ConQuesT 2013 (CQ44) and 2014 (CQ45)
Chairpersons Victoria L'Ecuyer and Jesi Pershing.
Ken Keller continues his interview series this time focusing on ConQuesT convention chairs. Starting with outgoing convention chair Victoria L'Ecuyer about her time and experiences. He will conclude with incoming chair Jesi Pershing. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about convention running, what it takes to make a convention happen, and what to look forward to for ConQuesT 45!


Meeting Proposals
We'll have a brief discussion before the interviews to review procedure for club promotions. (i.e. role of agendas, 5 minutes per promotion, 1-week advance notice (if possible), etc.) Shouldn't take more than a few minutes. 


For more information or to start the discussion early, please post to the Kaxfen list. Don't forget, we have a Facebook Group!

July 13, 2013

Film Cadets: Pacific Rim

Pacific Rim

Where: Cinemark Palace on the Plaze, 526, Nichole Rd., KCMO
When: July 14, 2013
Time: 3:50 pm (digital, non-3-D) show
Parking: Free across the street from the theater.
Dinner: 2 new restaurants discovered at the last outing. TBD.

Join us as we once again venture forth to experience the latest Hollywood has to offer.
"They came from the Pacific Rim. A deep ocean dimensional rift opened from a parallel world, and they came through to take our world. Their shock troops: the gigantic monsters of our scariest nightmares. Our response? The Jaeger program: to go just as *Big* as these invading monsters, or humanity goes extinct....OK, KaCSFFS, it's time once again for our Film Cadets to assemble. This time to view "Pacific Rim," del Toro's latest science fiction from Warner Bros." -Ken Keller 

No Facebook Event page but, please checkout the KaCSFFS Facebook Group for more details on this and other exciting club activities. If you are a member, please post your RSVP to the KAXFEN Yahoo Group.

Let's go save the planet -- AGAIN!


July 09, 2013

Laser Rangers 2013 July Meeting

Space Race: The Home Front

Date: July 13, 2013
Time: 4:45pm (Fhanish time) Meet at 4:15pm for pre-duel conversation.
Place: David Sooby’s home theater with 51-inch Samsung HDTV, a 5.1 Surround Sound Dolby Digital sound system, a full set of audiophile-grade speakers, and upgraded seating for about 15 people without crowding.
Captain Laser: David Sooby
Food Theme: 50s
Dress Theme: 50s

Learn more at the Laser Rangers Facebook Group. 

Programming:

Short films will precede our first feature!




October Sky



(1999, Appox. 108 minutes); Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper and Laura Dern

The true story of Homer Hickam, a coal miner's son who was inspired by the first Sputnik launch to take up rocketry against his father's wishes. Directed by Joe Johnson, director of Captain America: The First Avenger
Be inspired by this awesome trailer!









~~~~~
Between features, we will have our traditional potluck. Please bring something that matches our food theme above or bring something for yourself.

More short films will precede our main feature.

~~~~~






The Dish



MAIN FEATURE!
(2000, 101 minutes); Sam Neill, Kevin Harrington, Tom Long, and Patrick Warburton.

A remote Australian antenna, populated by quirky characters, plays a key role in the first Apollo moon landing.

A trailer that works







Next month: Atom Age Monsters: A Tribute to Bill Ostrander!

Featuring: Godzilla King of the Monsters and Them

Don't Miss it!

 
The home of the Laser Rangers is located about four miles north of the Kansas Speedway, NW of the intersection of I-70 and I-435 on the Kansas side of the Greater Kansas City area.

IMAGE CREDITS: The information for all of these shows come from the invaluable IMDB. The movie posters come from Wikipedia or the movie's respected distributors.


The movie screen frame image used for the Laser Rangers contact information is courtesy of Psychology Today Online. Many thanks to these websites!