Showing posts with label video. Show all posts
Showing posts with label video. Show all posts

Friday, September 28, 2018

Exclusive Interview with Star Trek Comic Artist J.K. Woodward!



Hey everyone! This past weekend, at the Edmonton Comic and Entertainment Expo, I had the opportunity to interview artist J.K. Woodward, a supremely talented creator who currently works for IDW's Star Trek comic line. He has been involved in a number of great projects for them over the years, including the adaptation of Harlan Ellison's original "City on the Edge of Forever" script, the TNG/Doctor Who crossover, TNG: Mirror Broken, and much more!

Check out the interview below, and let me know your thoughts in the comments!



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Thursday, February 22, 2018

Enigma Tales

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Enigma Tales by Una McCormack
Release date: June 27th 2017
Read July 7th 2017

 Previous book (Deep Space Nine): Section 31: Control
Next book (Deep Space Nine): Gamma: Original Sin
Mass-Market Paperback: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk
E-book (Kindle): Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk

 Spoilers ahead for Enigma Tales!

 Publisher's description:
Elim Garak has ascended to Castellan of the Cardassian Union...but despite his soaring popularity, the imminent publication of a report exposing his people's war crimes during the occupation on Bajor looks likely to set the military against him. Into this tense situation come Dr. Katherine Pulaski—visiting Cardassia Prime to accept an award on behalf of the team that solved the Andorian genetic crisis—and Dr. Peter Alden, formerly of Starfleet Intelligence. The two soon find themselves at odds with Garak and embroiled in the politics of the prestigious University of the Union, where a new head is about to be appointed. Among the front-runners is one of Cardassia’s most respected public figures: Professor Natima Lang. But the discovery of a hidden archive from the last years before the Dominion War could destroy Lang’s reputation. As Pulaski and Alden become drawn into a deadly game to exonerate Lang, their confrontation escalates with Castellan Garak—a conflicted leader treading a fine line between the bright hopes for Cardassia’s future and the dark secrets still buried in its past...

My thoughts:

Click here to watch my video review of DS9: Enigma Tales, or click play on the embedded video below!





Final thoughts:

Another winner in Una McCormack's catalog! She has crafted a compelling story that goes, at times, to some very dark places, but that is offset by a great sense of humor. McCormack captures the voices of the characters magnificently, especially Garak, which is no surprise. McCormack has become a master of writing for the enigmatic Cardassian tailor/spy/leader of Cardassia!

 More about Enigma Tales:


 Also by Una McCormack:
Next time on Trek Lit Reviews:

Next up is my review of the Shatnerverse novel Spectre, the first book of William Shatner's Mirror Universe trilogy.


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Thursday, December 14, 2017

Hearts and Minds

Star Trek: The Next Generation
Hearts and Minds by Dayton Ward
Release date: May 30th 2017
Read June 7th 2017

 Previous book (The Next Generation): Headlong Flight
Next book (The Next Generation): Available Light
Mass-Market Paperback: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk
E-book (Kindle): Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk

 Spoilers ahead for Hearts and Minds!

 Publisher's description:
2031: United States Air Force fighter jets shoot down an unidentified spacecraft and take its crew into custody. Soon, it’s learned that the ship is one of several dispatched across space by an alien species, the Eizand, to search for a new home before their own world becomes uninhabitable. Fearing extraterrestrial invasion, government and military agencies which for more than eighty years have operated in secret swing into action, charged with protecting humanity no matter the cost...

 2386: Continuing their exploration of the Odyssean Pass, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the Starship Enterprise discover what they at first believe is a previously uncharted world, with a civilization still recovering from the effects of global nuclear war. An astonishing priority message from Starfleet Command warns that there’s more to this planet than meets the eye, and Picard soon realizes that the mysteries of this world may well weave through centuries of undisclosed human history...

My thoughts:

Click here to watch my video review of TNG: Hearts and Minds, or click play on the embedded video below!





Final thoughts:

A fun follow-up to previous TOS novels From History's Shadow and Elusive Salvation, while at the same time continuing the voyages of the Enterprise-E in the Odyssean Pass from Armageddon's Arrow and Headlong Flight. Hearts and Minds also deals with some weighty issues, and I'm fascinated to see where Picard's story goes from here. 4/5 stars.


 More about Hearts and Minds:


 Also by Dayton Ward:

Next time on Trek Lit Reviews:

Next review is for Best Destiny by Diane Carey.


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Friday, August 4, 2017

Books and Comics News From STLV17!



Over on my YouTube channel, I've just posted a video featuring news from the Creation Entertainment Official Star Trek Convention, happening right now in Las Vegas!

Click here to watch the video on YouTube, or click the embedded player below for exciting news about Star Trek: Discovery comics and books, as well as some surprising news regarding the upcoming Pocket Books Star Trek book schedule!

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Friday, June 30, 2017

Control

Star Trek: Section 31
Control by David Mack
Release date: March 28th 2017
Read April 4th 2017

Previous book (Section 31): Disavowed
Previous book (Deep Space Nine): The Long Mirage
Next book (Deep Space Nine): Enigma Tales
Mass-Market Paperback: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk
E-book (Kindle): Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk

 Spoilers ahead for Control!

 Publisher's description:
No law…no conscience…no mercy. Amoral, shrouded in secrecy, and answering to no one, Section 31 is the mysterious covert operations division of Starfleet, a rogue shadow group pledged to defend the Federation at any cost. The discovery of a two-hundred-year-old secret gives Doctor Julian Bashir his best chance yet to expose and destroy the illegal spy organization. But his foes won’t go down without a fight, and his mission to protect the Federation he loves just end up triggering its destruction. Only one thing is for certain: this time, the price of victory will be paid with Bashir’s dearest blood.

My thoughts:

Click here to watch my video review of Section 31: Control, or click play on the embedded video below!





Final thoughts:

Control is a novel that redefines much of what we think of the Star Trek universe. While this may irk some fans, I loved this novel. The emotional and physical sacrifices that the characters have to make to achieve their goals and the nature of the enemy they are fighting were very compelling to me. A perfect Trek novel, and the best of the year's crop so far.

 More about The Long Mirage:


 Also by David Mack:

Next time on Trek Lit Reviews:

My next video review will be for The Next Generation: Hearts and Minds by Dayton Ward, while my next written review will be for Enterprise: The Romulan War: Beneath the Raptor's Wing by Michael A. Martin. Stay tuned!


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Friday, March 17, 2017

Headlong Flight

Star Trek: The Next Generation
Headlong Flight by Dayton Ward
Release date: January 31st 2017
Read February 7th 2017

Previous book (The Next Generation): Prey, Book 3: The Hall of Heroes
Next book (The Next Generation): Hearts and Minds
Mass-market paperback: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk
E-book (Kindle): Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk

Spoilers ahead for Headlong Flight!

 Publisher's description:
An exhilarating thriller from bestselling author Dayton Ward set in the universe of Star Trek: The Next Generation, following Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his crew as they explore the previously uncharted and dangerous Odyssean Pass.

 Surveying a nebula as part of their continuing exploration of the previously uncharted “Odyssean Pass,” Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the Starship Enterprise encounter a rogue planet. Life signs are detected on the barren world’s surface, and then a garbled message is received: a partial warning to stay away at all costs. Determined to render assistance, Picard dispatches Commander Worf and an away team to investigate, but their shuttlecraft is forced to make an emergency landing on the surface—moments before all contact is lost and the planet completely disappears.

 Worf and his team learn that this mysterious world is locked into an unending succession of random jumps between dimensions, the result of an ambitious experiment gone awry. The Enterprise crewmembers and the alien scientists who created the technology behind this astonishing feat find themselves trapped, powerless to break the cycle. Meanwhile, as the planet continues to fade in and out of various planes of existence, other parties have now taken notice….

My thoughts:

Click here to watch my video review of Headlong Flight, or click play on the embedded video below!




Final thoughts:

This novel ended up being a bit of a surprise hit for me. I was prepared for a pretty standard, run-of-the-mill TNG adventure, but this novel turned out to be one of my favorite Dayton Ward books ever. The action was tightly plotted, the situations the characters found themselves in were fresh and interesting, and the inclusion of alternate realities gave the story just the little extra it needed without feeling like it was fan service or gimmicky.

 More about Headlong Flight:


 Also by Dayton Ward:

Next time on Trek Lit Reviews:

I'm afraid I've fallen behind in my schedule once again! Hoping to have a review for the "Shatnerverse" novel Avenger up soon. In the meantime, live long and prosper!


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Friday, January 20, 2017

The Face of the Unknown

Star Trek: The Original Series
The Face of the Unknown by Christopher L. Bennett
Release date: December 27th 2016
Read January 4th 2017

Previous book (The Original Series): Legacies, Book 3: Purgatory's Key
Next book (The Original Series): The Captain's Oath
Mass-market paperback: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk
E-book (Kindle): Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk

Spoilers ahead for The Face of the Unknown!

 Publisher's description:
Continuing the milestone 50th anniversary celebration of Star Trek—a brand-new novel of The Original Series featuring James T. Kirk, Spock, and the crew of the USS Enterprise!

 Investigating a series of violent raids by a mysterious predatory species, Captain James T. Kirk discovers that these events share a startling connection with the First Federation, a friendly but secretive civilization contacted early in the USS Enterprise’s five-year mission. Traveling to the First Federation in search of answers, the Enterprise suddenly comes under attack from these strange marauders. Seeking refuge, the starship finds its way to the true home of the First Federation, an astonishing collection of worlds hidden from the galaxy beyond. The inhabitants of this isolated realm are wary of outsiders, and some accuse Kirk and his crew for bringing the wrath of their ancient enemy down upon them. When an attempt to stave off disaster goes tragically wrong, Kirk is held fully accountable, and Commander Spock learns there are even deeper forces that threaten this civilization. If Kirk and Spock cannot convince the First Federation's leaders to overcome their fears, the resulting catastrophe could doom them all!

My thoughts:

This year, with new releases, I'm trying something a little different. Click here to watch my video review of The Face of the Unknown on YouTube, or watch the embedded video below!




Final thoughts:

As usual from Christopher Bennett, we get top-notch storytelling with a compelling link to current-day events. Revisiting the First Federation was fun, and Bennett has succeeded in his mission to create the definitive story about that civilization. The tranya-loving Balok is a fun character, and it was terrific to get a follow-up to Bailey's mission from "The Corbomite Maneuver."
4/5.

 More about The Face of the Unknown:


 Also by Christopher L. Bennett:

Next time on Trek Lit Reviews:

I have a lot of books that were read in 2016 that I have to catch up on. First up is a tale from The Lost Era, all about Captain Picard shortly before the beginning of The Next Generation: The Buried Age by Christopher L. Bennett.

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Monday, April 4, 2016

Video: TrekLore #1: The New Star Trek Series!

Hey everyone! As you know, I've been branching out lately into doing video. Here's something I'm particularly excited about, and extremely pleased to be sharing with you today: the first episode of a new Star Trek YouTube talk show, TrekLore! In this first episode, Bobbi Michaud and I talk about the upcoming new Star Trek television series: what do we want to see with regards to plots, characters, etc.?

 The aim is to do an episode on a regular basis, likely monthly. We have some ideas for the next few episodes, and I'm very much looking forward to seeing what you think of this new show! So, please check it out, and leave a comment with what you thought. And if there are any topics in particular you would like to see us tackle, let us know!

In the meantime, movie reviews and other content will continue on the Kertrats Productions channel. See you on the YouTubes!


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Friday, March 4, 2016

Re-Watch Reviews, Episode 006: "Acquisition" - Enterprise 1x19

Episode six in my alphabetical Star Trek re-watch is here! This week, it's the first episode I've gotten to from Enterprise! And it's... oh... it's "Acquisition."

That's right folks, Enterprise did a Ferengi episode.

*sigh*

Enterprise does get much better than this, I swear!


Last episode: "Accession" - DS9 4x17
Next episode: "The Adversary" - DS9 3x26

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Friday, February 26, 2016

Re-Watch Reviews, Episode 005: "Accession" - DS9 4x17

The next episode in my alphabetical Star Trek re-watch is here! A major turning point in the life of Benjamin Sisko: his acceptance of the role of Emissary. What did I think of the Deep Space Nine episode "Accession"? Find out by watching my review!



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Thursday, February 18, 2016

Re-Watch Reviews, Episode 004: "The Abandoned" - DS9 3x06

Here it is, the fourth episode in my Star Trek re-watch reviews video series! From Deep Space Nine season three, it's "The Abandoned." When a young Jem'Hadar is found, Odo must take the youth under his wing. Will he be able to tame the Dominion warrior?

No. No he won't. He's a freaking Jem'Hadar.


Next episode: "Accession" - DS9 4x17

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Monday, February 8, 2016

Re-Watch Reviews, Episode 003: "The 37's" - Voyager 2x01

A little late with this post, but the third episode of my re-watch reviews is another Voyager entry, this time from earlier in the series: the first episode of season two, "The 37's"!


Last episode: "11:59" - Voyager 5x23

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Saturday, January 30, 2016

Re-Watch Reviews, Episode 002: "11:59" - Voyager 5x23

Hey everyone! For anyone interested, here is the next episode of my Star Trek re-watch project. This week, it's Voyager's "11:59," a decidedly non-Star Trek like episode from the 5th season.

Let me know what you think in the comments, and stay tuned for more episodes as the weeks go by!
Last episode: "11001001" - TNG 1x15

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Thursday, January 21, 2016

Kertrats' Star Trek Re-Watch Reviews!

I love Star Trek novels, and I'm still committed to continuing this site and reviewing Star Trek books, both old and new. However, I have dipped my toe into another arena: online video!

Here's a peek at another project I'm working on: a re-watch of every episode and movie from the Star Trek universe... in alphabetical order!

Check out the first episode - my review of "11001001" from TNG's first season - and let me know what you think in the comments! I'm working on getting the website for this project up and running, but in the meantime, here is a link to the Facebook page for Kertrats Productions. If you want to see more stuff like this, including movie reviews, videos on other Trek topics, and more, give Kertrats Productions a like to follow my posts there!





We also have a YouTube channel, which can be found here.

We don't have a lot on there yet, but we're looking to grow the channel with new and exciting content! Subscribe to keep up to date on our ongoing video projects.

Next Episode: "11:59" - Voyager 5x23

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Friday, December 18, 2015

The New Star Trek Beyond Trailer: My Thoughts

The new teaser trailer for Star Trek Beyond, the third instalment in the current crop of Trek films coming next summer, was recently revealed to the world. Unfortunately, I've recently seen a lot of negatively online surrounding the new trailer. I felt compelled to record a few of my thoughts. I didn't hate the trailer, but also realize that it isn't exactly marketed towards me, either.

Here's a quick video I recorded. It includes the trailer, followed by my thoughts.


Many of my thoughts seem to be echoed by writer/star Simon Pegg, who was interviewed by The Nerdist recently. A lot of his comments set my mind at ease with regards to this film! As with all things, only time will tell.
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