November 18, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 23 Prequel traces origins of a science fiction classic Greenwood) sees Kirk brawling in a bar, he intervenes, acknowledging Kirk’s academic achievements and his lineage. Kirk’s father was a courageous Starship commander killed in the line of duty the day Kirk was born. Pike advises him that he could have an impressive career in the Starfleet if he can rein in his unbridled energy. This latest entry in the “Star Trek” canon shows how the crew of the Enterprise came together and provides a space adventure complete with a battle of both laser blasts and wits between Kirk and a formidable foe. The movie has an identity of its own and is not simply a retread of old plot lines. It is fun to re-encounter the characters in a more youthful form. Kirk’s impulsiveness and Spock’s deliberate adherence to logic are intact, and more screen time is devoted to the other characters than in the TV episodes. Crew members are played by Karl Urban (Dr. “Bones” McCoy), Anton Yelchin (Chekov), Zoe Saldana (Uhura), John Cho (Sulu), and Simon Pegg (Scotty). The screenplay is thoughtful, dialogue is witty and character-appropriate, pace is quick, and performances are uniformly good. The Blu-ray three-disc edition looks spectacular in high definition, and includes many extras, including featurettes on casting, the aliens depicted, costuming, a gag reel, a digital copy of the movie, and several trailers. The best bonus feature is a series of deleted scenes that deepen the characterizations and provide fascinating background stories. “Star Trek” is also available in twodisc and single-disc DVD editions. “Gone with the Wind: The 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector’s Edition” (Warner Home Video), available in both Blu-ray (for the first time) and DVD, joins “The Wizard of Oz Ultimate Edition” released last month as one of the handsomest home video sets of the year. The Blu-ray edition has six times the visual resolution than standard DVD, and Dolby TruHD sound. “Gone with the Wind” is still an amazing achievement, especially the early, pre-Civil War scenes, which bring to life a South dependent on slave labor for its economy, though the emphasis is on the sweep and grandeur of the Old South. The plot is about the relationship among willful Scarlett O’Hara (Vivien Leigh), the man she longs for, noble Ashley Wilkes (Leslie Howard), and the man who upsets the rules of Southern social grace, Rhett Butler (Clark Gable). Victor Fleming is the credited director, but several other directors worked on the film, including George Cukor, who was removed when an insecure Gable complained Cukor was spending too much time with the (continued on Crossword page) Spock (Zachary Quinto) and James Kirk (Chris Pine) meet for the first time in ‘Star Trek,’ a prequel to the iconic franchise. by Dennis Seuling As prequels go, J.J. Abrams’ “Star Trek” (Paramount Home Entertainment) is one of the best. The 2009 film offers a collection of interesting characters and exciting adventures in a limitless universe. It is true to the original TV series, which ran from 1966 to 1969, and to the big-screen features that followed. But it also introduces an entirely new, younger cast -- the barely post-adolescent versions of the crew fans know and love. “Star Trek” hooks the viewer immediately with a crisis in deep space that will forge the destiny of one James T. Kirk. Scenes then shift back and forth between the wild Iowan Kirk (Chris Pine) and the diligent Vulcan Spock (Zachary Quinto), who has a brilliant mind but suffers bigotry from the Vulcan race because he is the product of a Vulcan father (Ben Cross) and a human mother (Winona Ryder). When Captain Christopher Pike (Bruce ���������������������������� ���������������� ��������� ������������ Mon-Thurs 11:30-10 Fri 11:30-11 Sat 12-11, Sun 12-10 OPEN 7 DAYS Authentic Cuisine from Spain Lunch • Dinner • Cocktails �� ����������������� ��������� ���������������� ����������������������� �������������� ������ ������������������������ ������������ ������ ������������������������ ����������� ������ ������������� ���������������������������������� ������ ������������������ ������������������������������ ����������������������������������� ������������ �������������������������������������� ��������������������� #1 German Restaurant in Bergen & Passaic Counties! TAKE TIME OUT FOR LUNCH NEW KIRKERS Businessmen’s & Senior Lunch Special TUESDAY SPECIAL Our Top “6” Entrees WEDNESDAYS $ 15.9 Shrimp Night Served 6-85pm includes glass of beer Includes Soup or Salad, Vegetable, Choice of Entree and Coffee/Tea Over 23 Entrees from $895 - $1395 •Served Noon - 3 pm Daily Only $12. Served 6-8pm Sauerbraten, Wienerchnitzel, “Wursts” Platter, Prime Rib, Stuffed Shrimp with Crabmeat Shore Thing - Broiled or Fried www.kirkers.com • All Major Credit Cards Accepted • Open Mon - Sat • Noon til 11:30 pm 237 Diamond Bridge Ave, Hawthorne • 973-427-7700