I know that the new Star Trek film does not debut until May 8, 2009, but it’s never too early to get your geek on when it comes to revamped franchises like this.  And yes, my nerd fever is elevated because Lost‘s J.J. Abrams is at the helm.

Make sure to bookmark and visit the official movie site, because it’s far too much fun and should prove to be an excellent procrastination activity.

While you may not recognize the new cast immediately, some of their names will ring familiar.  From left to right in the photo above: Anton Yelchin (Alpha Dog) as Chekov, Chris Pine (Smokin’ Aces) as Captain Kirk, Simon Pegg (Hot Fuzz) as Scotty, Karl Urban (The Lord of the Rings) as Bones McCoy, John Cho (Harold & Kumar) as Sulu and Zoe Saldana (Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl) as Uhura.

And of course, Sylar Zachary Quinto (Heroes) as Spock:

Also appearing in the film are Eric Bana, Leonard Nimoy, Winona Ryder,  Jennifer Morrison (House), Rachel Nichols (Alias), Bruce Greenwood (John From Cincinnati), Ben Cross (Chariots of Fire), Clifton Collins Jr. (Capote) and Faran Tahir (Iron Man), among others.

It’s early…but are you in?

And in Revolutionary Road (directed by her husband, American Beauty‘s Sam Mendes), Winslet is a malcontent suburban housewife in the 50′s married to Leonardo DiCaprio. Fair warning to Titanic fans…this is NOT going to be a pleasant reunion of Jack and Rose.

That Kate Winslet has yet to win an Oscar is inexplicable, but at least the Academy recognizes her talent time and again. I still contend that one of her best performances to date was in her very first film, 1994′s Heavenly Creatures. If you have not seen this fascinating and aesthetically pleasing little indie gem from Peter Jackson, I highly recommend that you add it to your Netflix queue immediately.

I can’t drive until later next week, so I should be taking more advantage of this ‘free’ time. I am failing miserably. Except for the nap part.

Movie-wise…I tried to get through In Bruges but could not, endured 30 Days of Night even though Josh Hartnett is painfully miscast as a leading man once again, enjoyed the highly recommended/cheesy awesome Boondock Saints, gave M. Night’s Unbreakable another look and loved Iron Man even more upon a second viewing.

TV-wise…I attempted to watch The View but wanted to flick Hasselbeck in the head, finally had time to watch and appreciate Rachel Maddow, painfully giggled at Ellen on a daily basis, sat through my first ever episode of Dancing with the Stars with and on behalf of my parents, was pleasantly surprised by Heroes, rediscovered It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia online, and loved Life, Dexter, Brothers & Sisters, Bones, Eli Stone, and 30 Rock (except for Jennifer Aniston). The Office was a bit stale but I really liked Andy and Oscar’s banter. I am secretly disappointed that Lipstick Jungle was canceled, and am anxiously awaiting word on the future of Pushing Daisies. I also decided to stick with Grey’s Anatomy, but only because of my affection and respect for Sandra Oh and Sara Ramirez (who, I admit, made me tear up this week during that ER scene).

On second thought, I did do more than just nap. Sweet.

Thanks for reading an absolutely rambling mess of an entry. Good times, and good night!

The good news is that as of right now, Pushing Daisies has not been canceled.  However, next week’s new episode may be the last. Apparently ABC has yet to decide about the future of the show, and may not do so until January.

* UPDATE: A friendly anonymous source has clarified that next week’s episode is only the 6th of 13 they’ve shot thus far for Season 2; that 13th ep. is tentatively scheduled to air on 2/18/09. He or she referred to the next episode as airing tomorrow night, but according to both ABC.com and my TiVO, the next new episode airs on 11/19/08. I could be wrong. It happens.

[Note to ABC: In light of your recent, inexplicable decision to axe Brooke Smith from Grey's Anatomy, I am seeking some redemption. Renewing Pushing Daisies would be fantastic. Thanks.]

Should PD get canceled, show runner Bryan Fuller plans to finish the series’ story lines in comic book form! I love that idea. I have been a big believer in Fuller’s world and vision since his fantastic show Wonderfalls, and listening to him speak about Pushing Daisies at a Comic-Con panel earlier this year made it official; where Fuller creates, I shall follow.

So you’re also a fan, please visit the Save Pushing Daisies blog and this site to sign an online petition.

Stay tuned…

Our relationship is traditional because we love one another unconditionally; through better or worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow. And we will continue to do so until death do us part.  We are blessed by the love and support of both families. They would have liked to have had the opportunity to participate in our wedding.

I truly do not believe that those who voted in favor of Proposition 8 in California did so from their hearts or put themselves into the shoes of those who wished for the same opportunity to wed. Imagine if you, your sibling or your own child were fortunate enough to have found a soul mate, but were not allowed to experience the elation of an engagement, the sheer bliss of a wedding day or the nervous excitement about a honeymoon.

I wish more people would have put aside their Bibles and fears just long enough to contemplate how denying someone like us the opportunity to get married was absolutely heartbreaking; we were standing together inside that glass house before it was shattered with stone votes. Supporters of Prop 8 are celebrating and continuing to get married while we are left to pick up the shards of discarded dreams.

It is also quite disturbing that many of the good folks in my home state of California are more concerned about the living conditions of their future chicken dinner than of the hearts and souls of fellow human beings.

It is obviously too late to change a vote, but perhaps not a perspective.  I am not a political figure and I have no clout; I simply write about pop culture. But if I can open up even one dialog about the other side of Proposition 8, then I feel that this will have been worth the effort.

Those five films made me respect Katie Holmes as an actress, and I became a fan.

I’m not one to delve into celebrity gossip or defamation (at least here ‘on paper’), but let’s just say that ever since she became Kate Cruise, that spark has been missing on screen. 

All of that changed with her recent stint on Eli Stone. She’s back, you can see it in her eyes again. And I hope it stays that way.

Anyone care to chime in?

It is safe to say that I was in denial, and severely underestimated what I’m currently experiencing (both the pain and the recovery). My days consist of naps and strolls around the house (waddling would be a more accurate description), and I don’t have much energy yet. I haven’t even watched one show or movie online! Geez.

But I am not seeking symphathy here. My condition will only improve with time, and I am on the mend!  I hope to be blogging again soon. Thanks again for checking in.

Jo