George Takei, the TV actor best known for his role as Mr. Sulu on the original Star Trek series, has had an asteroid named after him.
(Credit:
CBS Studios)
In the latest example of real scientists paying homage to science fiction, the International Astronomical Union last week honored the actor and his character, by renaming an asteroid, formerly known as 1994 GT9. The new name will be 7307 Takei, according to a story by the Associated Press.
Others involved with Star Trek who have had asteroids named after them are Gene Roddenberry, the series creator, and Nichelle Nichols, the actress who played Lt. Uhura.
Star Trek, which aired from 1966 to 1969, also partially inspired NASA to name a space shuttle after the show's fictional spacecraft, the Enterprise.
"I am now a heavenly body," Takei said earlier this week, according to the AP. "I found out about it yesterday...I was blown away. It came out of the clear, blue sky--just like an asteroid."
The perfect tool for mixing that Deanna Troi tribute album you've been working on.
(Credit: Jazz Mutant)Before Apple came along and integrated multitouch-screen technology into the iPhone, one of the first companies to weave multitouch into a commercial product was a boutique music controller company named JazzMutant. Their first product, the Lemur, was an extremely niche (and pricey) product that allowed musicians to use the Lemur's suite of touch-screen tools to play and tweak their music. You know its cool if Bjork takes it out on tour.
Dexter, JazzMutant's latest product, promises to bring multitouch technology to a wider audience. Released just a few days ago, Dexter is aimed at recording studio engineers and music remixers looking for a unique, and hopefully more efficient replacement for a mixing board. If the demo video is any indication, at least it bestows onto its user the design appeal of a Star Trek: TNG control panel. Price looks to be around $3,600. Ouch.
While watching "Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan" last night for the hundredth time, I thought to myself: What is the best "Star Trek" film of all time?
I know there is no technical way to gauge a movie's inherent worth, but I figure the box office reflects some sort of viewer opinion. According to worldwide gross box-office figures, "Star Trek: First Contact" has the highest sales in the 10-part saga, scoring $146 million.
Since this film was made in the '90s, there may be some inflation at play. But let's face it, the Borg stole the show. The second highest-grossing film in the franchise, is "Star Trek: The Motion Picture." For any true "Star Trek" fan, this is appalling. When I have a Trek movie-a-thon, that's the one I skip.
In fact, in the top five grossing films, I can only vouch for "First Contact." My favorites seem to be in the bottom five--but why? First, I suggest you take a look at the worldwide gross box office figures:
• "Star Trek: First Contact"-- $146 million.
• "Star Trek: The Motion Picture"--$139 million.
• "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home"--$133 million.
• "Star Trek Generations"--$120 million.
• "Star Trek: Insurrection"--$118 million.
• "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan"--$97 million.
• "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country"--$96.9 million.
• "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock"--$87 million.
• "Star Trek Nemesis"--$67 million.
• "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier"--$63 million.
Among the movies made with the original cast, "Wrath of Khan" and "Search for Spock" are undeniably the best. They both have the strongest storylines and performances, as well as a great musical score by James Horner.
Interestingly enough, the three top-grossing films were also nominated for an Oscar, as was "Undiscovered Country." None of the films won--not even "First Contact," which I was rooting for.
Besides for the original "Star Trek" movie, it blows me away how "Voyage Home" makes the top five. It has to do with whales on 20th century Earth. How, at all, is that science fiction? I know it predicts the future, but it is the corniest of the franchise.
I'm thinking "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier" ranks last on the list for a few reasons. One is that it unfortunately came after IV, which was a disappointment. The other reason is that it wasn't as action-packed as previous movies. It's a shame to see "Nemesis" barely beating it, even though Praetor Shinzon was one of the vilest villains in the movies.
I may be wrong in my assessment, but no one has really begged to differ in my circle.
Readers, sound off: On the 40th anniversary of "Star Trek," what's your favorite movie? Please don't say "Voyage Home"--I may just have to aim my phaser at you. Kidding, of course.
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