The Tipping Point

We could be reaching a tipping point where the danger to the environment is so apparent that the public demands action.

First the depressing news:

Scientist: Pollution destroying pre-Aztec Mexican ruins (CNN)

'Doomsday Clock' moved forward (CNN)

'Smoking gun' report to say global warming here (CNN)

...but some reasons for hope:

Crunch year for planet Earth (CNN)

CEOs call for action against climate change (CNN)

Evangelicals, scientists join forces to combat global warming (CNN)

Polar bears may get protection (CNN)

Businesses try to outpace U.S. regulators on emissions (IHT)

Wal-Mart: A giant gone green (IHT)

Bush Goes Green? (Time)

How to Seize the Initiative (Time)

Trek Remastered -- "Where No Man Has Gone Before"

It turns out that I missed the last 5 minutes on Saturday, but I caught the most important parts of the episode; that is, the new energy barrier visual effects! Very nicely done, great work by CBS Digital.

Some interesting differences in characters are apparent in this episode. Spock seems much more "human". His mannerisms and make-up were changed in the regular production episodes of the series. Kirk is very much the same as he would be later.

You can see screenshots and video and a review at trekmovie.com.

WizKids goes exclusive with Diamond Comics/Alliance Game Distributors

Another bit of recent gaming news that is making waves...many shops/sites are phasing out their stock of WizKids product because of this. Here's an example and the discussion related to it. Gaming companies, distributors, shops -- and Wizkids in particular -- seem to be pretty good at shooting themselves in the foot.

More opinions here, here, here, and here.

Predictions on the Gaming Industry in 2007

See? This blog isn't all Trek, all the time. Just most of the time.

Ryan Dancey makes his predictions for the gaming industry in the new year. Take it with a grain of salt, your mileage may vary, and all that.

Trek Remastered -- "Wink of an Eye"

Last weekend's episode was "Wink of an Eye", the first of the third season to get the remastering treatment. It's not one of the best, but there are a couple of impressive FX updates by CBS Digital on display. The city skyline matte painting (first used in the first season episode "A Taste of Armageddon") appears at least four times, and each time CBS-D's artists do an incredible job of rotoscoping the new image behind the actors. Then there is the phaser effect on the force field. Very well done! I also like the "Enterprise leaving orbit" shot in this one.

"Where No Man has Gone Before" is on this weekend. This is the second pilot episode of the Original Series and the first with Captain Kirk. The preview pictures and video are outstanding! I'm really anticipating more excellent CGI work during this episode.

Trek Remastered -- "Friday's Child" in review

For an episode where most of the story occurs on a planet, "Friday's Child" has quite a few space scenes as well. I had forgotten most of what happens in this one. I don't know if it was because of the new effects, but it is a really good episode. Some great interaction with Kirk, Spock, McCoy and Scotty, plus a couple of gorgeous shots of the Enterprise in and leaving orbit around Capella IV. Check the comparison screenshots and FX reel, and a review.

Trek Remastered -- "Friday's Child"

Re-runs (OK, they're all re-runs, technically) for the holidays are over. Starting this weekend we will be getting new episodes of The Original Series Remastered, beginning with "Friday's Child". You can see the preview over at Trekmovie.com. The shots of the Enterprise in orbit are terrific...just getting better each time.