eangeles25 Reviews

Trek Nation (2011)

Trek Nation: A story of a father rediscovered by his own son...

[9/10 · 2 December 2011]

Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry, Jr.'s narration of this wonderful documentary for all the trekkies (or trekkers) highlights his father's vision and brilliance in creating one of the most fascinating show on American television. But most importantly, the documentary presents a complex and bittersweet relationship between Rod and his father. Through the webs of the nostalgia - from the history of Gene's life (a war veteran, a PanAm's pilot, a police officer and then becoming the genius behind "Star Trek") to Gene's successes and failures with his foresight of the future through the medium of television - the film digs deeper on the son's craving to know how millions of people were influenced by the same father whom he had very few things in common. It is very touching to see how Rod somehow struggle emotionally on his interviews with people close to or admirer/fans of his father and how life has passed years after his father died, and how now he craves for so many questions that he failed to ask his dad when he was still alive. Every human being can definitely relate to this principle.

The whole film is not only intriguing but a revelation even to those fans who know most things about Star Trek. Die hard trekkies will find few things that they will never know of unless they watch this documentary.

Jessica Brunetto did a great job in writing and director, cinematographer and producer Scott Colthorp captures a very inspiring and yet emotional journey of all the entities surrounding the well-loved "Star Trek."

The Journey (II) (2007)

A quality independent film

[7/10 · 28 April 2008]

Steve (Andres Londono), a laid-back guy with no plans for the future, is awakened by the reality of losing the love of his life when girlfriend Rhona (Kazandra Santana), an archaeologist, left for Mexico. After days of despair, Steve returns to his old self and begins to track and re-acquainted with his former girlfriends. But one of them bluntly tells him who he really is and what he becomes. He then realizes that losing Rhona was the biggest mistake of his life.

Soon after, he travels on a road trip to Mexico with one purpose – to reconcile with Rhona. Three days after the trip, he suffers a car accident. Luckily, a Mexican guy and his friends help him to recovery. With enough strength, Steve takes off and eventually finds the school Rhona attended. Disappointed after being told that Rhona is on another location and with another man, Steve continues his adventure on the road. While on the road, another misfortune happens. He is robbed but he's lucky enough to find a man who assists and gives him a job. Not forgetting the sole purpose of his trip, Steve leaves with enough money on his pocket. During his journey on a private vehicle, he suffers another setback when the vehicle abandons him. Lost and desperate, a group of natives rekindle his spirit for endurance and strength.

Luck strikes and at long last, Steve finds Rhona's whereabouts. But Maurice, Rhona's avid suitor, makes his intention of reconciliation more difficult. During a conference regarding a study conducted by Maurice, Steve shows up and outsmarts Maurice, an incident that wins Rhona back in his arms.

This romantic comedy is funny with a very good stroke of cultural examination. The story is simple and honest. The character development is interesting. The acting is strong and convincing. Andres Londono and Kazandra Santana have obvious screen chemistry in the movie. The supporting cast is also well-built. Scott Marcano, who wrote (with Adriana Padilla) and directed this film, achieves remarkable execution. The scenes with the crow are captivating and the whole sequence of scenes where the lead character ends up in a whore house is authentic. On the whole, this movie is engaging and very entertaining.