At The Movies

Argo Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Franchise: standalone Franchise position: N/A Release date: October 12, 2012 Runtime: 120 min Tagline: The CIA’s most daring operation in history. Plot summary Argo is a historical thriller based on the true story of the 1979 Iran hostage crisis. The film follows CIA operative Tony Mendez, who devises a daring plan to rescue six American diplomats trapped in Tehran. Using the cover of a fake science-fiction film production, Mendez and his team navigate tense negotiations, cultural challenges, and high-stakes deception to safely extract the hostages. The movie balances suspenseful action sequences with a focus on the intelligence, courage, and ingenuity required for the operation, highlighting the real-life bravery of those involved. Critics review Critics lauded Argo for its gripping storytelling, realistic tension, and strong performances, particularly by Ben Affleck, who also directed the film. The combination of historical accuracy and cinematic su...

VIDEO: Bellum Aetenus Runtime: 14 minutes Studio: No Budget Productions / Blue Ghost Productions  Country of Origin: United States Franchise: Lexington Adventures Franchise Position: 2 The starship Lexington faces a new enemy threatening the Federation. Plot Summary: Bellum Aetenus is the first installment of the Lexington Adventures series. The crew of the starship Lexington encounters a powerful enemy using advanced tactics to challenge the Federation. Captain Alexander McKnight leads his team, including Commander Brieanna Smith and Commander Angelica McKnight, as they confront unforeseen threats, strategize under intense pressure, and work together to protect the Federation. The story highlights teamwork, bravery, and the resourcefulness needed to overcome a formidable adversary in deep space. Personal Note: This film is especially near and dear to my heart, as it was the first Star Trek fan film in which I had a starring role. I have been a lifelong Star Trek fan, and when Vanc...

Star Trek: Enterprise (ENT) Years Aired : 2001 - 2005 Franchise : Star Trek Franchise #: 6th TV series in Star Trek franchise Episodes : 98 episodes across 4 seasons MPAA Rating / TV Parental Guidelines TV Parental Guidelines : TV-PG to TV-14 Total Runtime:  71 hr 36 min Tagline “Before Kirk. Before Picard. It all began with Enterprise.” Main Cast Scott Bakula – Captain Jonathan Archer Jolene Blalock – Sub-Commander T’Pol Connor Trinneer – Chief Engineer Trip Tucker Dominic Keating – Lieutenant Malcolm Reed Linda Park – Ensign Hoshi Sato Anthony Montgomery – Ensign Travis Mayweather John Billingsley – Dr. Phlox Reviews Overview Enterprise takes place before the founding of the Federation, chronicling humanity’s early steps into deep space exploration. The show explores the challenges of first contact, diplomacy, and ethics without the support of advanced Federation principles. Captain Archer is a more hands-on, uncertain leader than his successors, making the series feel grou...

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (DS9) Years Aired : 1993–1999 Episodes : 176 episodes across 7 seasons Franchise : Star Trek Franchise #: 4th TV series in Star Trek franchise MPAA Rating / TV Parental Guidelines TV Parental Guidelines : TV-PG or TV-14 depending on episode Total Runtime : 133 hr 6 min Tagline “The final frontier is a space station.” Main Cast Avery Brooks – Captain Benjamin Sisko Nana Visitor – Major Kira Nerys René Auberjonois – Odo Michael Dorn – Lt. Commander Worf (joined Season 4) Terry Farrell – Lt. Jadzia Dax Cirroc Lofton – Jake Sisko Colm Meaney – Chief Miles O’Brien Armin Shimerman – Quark Alexander Siddig - Dr. Julian Bashir Reviews Overview Deep Space Nine broke from Star Trek tradition by focusing on a space station rather than a starship, allowing for complex, ongoing story arcs. The show is darker, more political, and explores war, religion, and cultural conflict in depth. It’s praised for its morally complex characters and serialized storytelling, especially ...

Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG) Years Aired : 1987–1994 Episodes : 178 episodes across 7 seasons Franchise: Star Trek Franchise #: 3rd TV series in Star Trek franchise MPAA Rating / TV Parental Guidelines TV Parental Guidelines : TV-PG Total Runtime : 130 hours and 32 minutes Tagline “The adventure continues.” Main Cast Patrick Stewart – Captain Jean-Luc Picard Jonathan Frakes – Commander William Riker Brent Spiner – Lieutenant Commander Data LeVar Burton – Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge Michael Dorn – Lieutenant Worf Marina Sirtis – Counselor Deanna Troi Gates McFadden – Dr. Beverly Crusher Wil Wheaton – Wesley Crusher Reviews Overview TNG is where Star Trek truly blossomed into a major cultural force. Set nearly a century after TOS, it offers a more polished, thoughtful, and hopeful vision of the 24th century. Captain Picard leads a diverse crew on the USS Enterprise-D, exploring new worlds, ethical puzzles, and political intrigue. The show balances action and character d...

Title : Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country Year : 1991 Franchise : Star Trek Franchise #: 6 MPAA Rating / TV Parental Guidelines MPAA Rating : PG TV Parental Guidelines : TV-PG Total Runtime 113 minutes (1 hour, 53 minutes) Tagline “The battle for peace has begun.” Main Cast William Shatner – Captain James T. Kirk Leonard Nimoy – Spock DeForest Kelley – Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy James Doohan – Scotty George Takei – Captain Hikaru Sulu Walter Koenig – Chekov Nichelle Nichols – Uhura Christopher Plummer – General Chang David Warner – Chancellor Gorkon Kim Cattrall – Lieutenant Valeris Brock Peters – Admiral Cartwright Michael Dorn – Colonel Worf Grace Lee Whitney – Janice Rand Mark Lenard – Ambassador Sarek Charles Cooper – Klingon Ambassador Reviews Overview The Undiscovered Country is widely considered one of the best entries in the original Star Trek film series. It’s part space thriller, part courtroom drama, and part political allegory. The story centers on peace negotiations b...

Title : Star Trek: The Original Series (TOS) Year : 1966–1969 Franchise : Star Trek Franchise #: 1st Tv series in the Star Trek franchise MPAA Rating / TV Parental Guidelines TV Parental Guidelines : TV-PG (parental guidance suggested; mild violence and thematic elements) Total Runtime : 79 episodes, 59 hr 15 min Tagline "To boldly go where no man has gone before." Main Cast William Shatner – Captain James T. Kirk Leonard Nimoy – Mr. Spock DeForest Kelley – Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy Nichelle Nichols – Lt. Uhura George Takei – Lt. Sulu James Doohan – Montgomery "Scotty" Scott Walter Koenig – Ensign Pavel Chekov Reviews Overview Star Trek: TOS is the groundbreaking original series that launched the entire Star Trek universe. It blends space exploration, moral questions, and hopeful visions of the future. The storytelling is imaginative, sometimes cheesy by today’s standards, but always filled with heart and intellect. It introduced iconic characters and spe...