Scifi Collectibles, Science Fiction Discounts

Reviews

I saw this movie many years ago when I was little and liked it right away. It's a classic and I've been searching for a good German and English DVD for years but I found out it's obviously not available on DVD yet which I personally do think is a pity.

This was the movie for which Marilyn Monroe wanted desperately the role of Grushenka, the sexy girl in the movie. She wanted this role to prove her acting ability. But it was not to happen. Well, maybe it was for the better ...since she filmed in 1958 the role of Sugar Kane Kowalcyk, in SOME LIKE IT HOT. But one wonders what Grushenka would have been like played by Marilyn Monroe, seducing Lee J. Cobb and Yul Brynner.

It practically goes without saying that this Hollywood production is inadequate as an adaptation of a monumental novel. On the other hand, even when judged as an adaptation, "Brothers Karamazov" strikes me as superior to efforts to film similar weighty Russian novels such as "War and Peace" and "Dr. Zhivago." The elder Karamazov (Lee J. Cobb) and his four sons, including Yul Brynner, Richard Basehart, and William Shattner, are so sharply realized they have remained vivid in my memory for over four decades. The same goes for Maria Schell (whose alluring, enigmatic magnetism must have had the same effect on me as Garbo's persona is said to have had on audiences in the '30's) and Claire Bloom, the two women vying for Brynner's affections. Finally, credit the evocative score of Bronislaw Kaper ("On Green Dolphin Street") and the efficient yet imaginative direction of Richard Brooks (responsible for the equally underrated "Looking for Mr. Goodbar"). Were it not for this movie, I would never have nursed a life-long crush on Maria Schell (the vital and resonant Grushenka) or become devoted to Dostoesky's fiction. Worse, I might never have met the Grand Inquisitor and become engaged in a theological quest that continues unabated.

Yul Brynner was a great actor and this movie shows a more sensitive side of his charactor than his cowboy flicks. It also contemplates the issues of God, conscience, good and evil. I didn't read the book,I'm judging this movie on it's own merit. It is one of my favorite "old movies", you see multi-dimensional sides of the charactors as they deal with love, greed,family conflicts and jealousies. I think the actors play their parts well and you can relate to why the charactors respond in their ways to each other. I don't think Yul got as much acclaim as an actor and leading man as was deserved. He was the first man to make bald, sexy!

This movie doesn't go along with the book, but what movie about a book goes along with it? This movie is your typical movie about a book and kinda twisting the books details. But it is pretty funny.

Reviews

Angie Dickinson is gorgeous, William Shatner and Tom Skerritt are cool. The story is better than you might expect in a B-movie, and there's plenty of sex and violence. What more could you ask?

Big Bad Mama is the archetypal Roger Corman 70s b-movie, with the monsters and sci-fi of the 50s and 60s replaced by plentiful low-budget action, tongue-in-cheek humor and mandatory nudity from almost every actress in the cast in a fast-moving Depression-era backroads gangster flick. Angie Dickinson is the Ma Barker figure tryin' to do right by her two gals, stumbling her way from bootlegging to armed robbery to kidnapping with the aid of Tom Skerritt's bank robber and William Shatner's Southern conman (unfortunately the mandatory nudity rule also applies to him, though we are spared the sight of the captain's log). While not as smart as John Sayles' and Jonathan Demme's Corman flicks there are occasional nods to history - not least the resistance of hypocritical establishment figures and the Big Rich to the New Deal, leaving the poor to fend for themselves as best they can - and some mildly anarchic sight gags (watch out for the cripple `healed' by William O'Connell's phoney preacher) but mostly this has few aspirations beyond throwing in as many shootouts, car chases and nude scenes from Ms Dickinson as it can in its 83 running time.

What else is there to say about this movie?!!! This should be re-named "Proud Mama" cause Angie struts her great bod and is proud of it!!!

Not sure why Angie did this one, but it is good, fun and she is absolutely beautiful when she is in bed with William Shatner and the guy from Top Gun (Not Tom Cruise.. his boss at Top Gun)

Saw the movie years ago. You know how time does. Didn't think it was as great as I remembered. Still an action movie. Not altogether bad, just not as good as I thought I remembered.

Reviews

Compare Tora! Tora! Tora! (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)and Pearl Harbor (Two-Disc 60th Anniversary Commemorative Edition) The former comes out as a kickass stuff. The latter is a weepy wimpy movie. Even the special effects are not worth the movie. This movie, "Judgement at Nuremberg" is something like tora tora tora. See the German Defense lawyer demolish every single argument the Allied lawyer tries to make, in pinning nazi war crimes on the German Judge on trial. Especially the T-4 program, tirade against communism, relationships are amazing.

"Judgment at Nuremberg," directed by Stanley Kramer from a screenplay by Abby Mann, is set in 1948, three years after the most important Nazi leaders had been tried for their crimes. In the dock are four German judges who issued rulings in line with the Nazi policies of forced sterilizations and racial purity. Spencer Tracy plays an American judge who heads the tribunal that will adjudicate the fate of the defendants. Hans Rolfe, portrayed by Oscar-winner Maximilian Schell, is a fiery defense attorney who insists that his client, Ernst Janning (Burt Lancaster), is not only a judge but a respected intellectual and patriot who did what he thought was right. Janning merely carried out the laws of the land; it was not his job to question or interpret these laws. Colonel Tad Lawson (Richard Widmark), is the passionate prosecuting attorney who vehemently disagrees with this argument. Lawson maintains that judges, of all people, should have the insight to see through the rationalizations of a corrupt regime. He contends that these men should have resigned rather than send innocent people to their deaths. Those who have not seen this 1961 movie for many years will be amazed at how well it has stood the test of time. Mann's exceptional screenplay is as relevant today as it ever was. He raises such controversial and important questions as: Should a country's leaders do whatever they deem necessary to insure their nation's survival? Does political expedience take precedence over decency and justice? Should a person who is ordered to commit immoral acts be punished for doing as he is told? Is it true that "we have to forget [the past] if we are to go on living?" There are no easy answers. Many individuals will find themselves thinking about these questions and their implications long after they have viewed the film. The cast is extraordinary. The great Spencer Tracy is thoughtful, restrained, and compassionate as Judge Dan Haywood, a man of conscience who will not be bullied. He walks the streets of Nuremberg, chats with ordinary Germans, reads Janning's books, and immerses himself in every aspect of the trial so that he can render a fair decision. Montgomery Clift (Rudolph Peterson), Judy Garland (Irene Hoffman), and Marlene Dietrich (Mrs. Bertholt) are all excellent in key supporting roles. It is impossible to remain unmoved when Garland and Clift take the stand to tell their heartrending stories or when we see archival footage showing the unspeakable atrocities committed in the concentration camps. Although Lancaster spends much of the movie sitting stone-faced in the courtroom, at one point he stands and delivers an electrifying speech that changes the course of the trial. The DVD extras add very little, but they are not really needed since "Judgment at Nuremberg" still speaks for itself, loudly and clearly, approximately fifty years after it was made.

Hey guys, you gotta be kidding me! Some reviewers consider this film to be Anti-American Propaganda. Come on! One reviewer even goes deeper into suggesting, that Stanley Kramer was an Anti-American liberal member of the hollywood elite. This reviewer also wrote "In this film he uses America's victory over the Nazi menace and its liberation of Europe as an excuse to bash America more than the Nazis." My, My, My, you self-righteous sons of a gun. I think an historical reminder is in order here. Who dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing hundreds of thousand civilians? Innocent people, kids, women and elderly died a horrible death inflicted by the USA!! It really doesn't matter whether you kill 6 million or two hundred thousand, the fact remains, murder is murder! If anyone is going to judge the Nazis, they should judge the Americans as well! Were they heros?? Well, that depends entirely on your point of view. Different countries would have different opinions (eg. the Middle East, Latinamerica, etc) It would be interesting finding out why Anti-American hatred is so outspread in the world. If you are going to point your finger at someone, remember, that three fingers are pointing back at yourself. In regards to the movie, it is great. A bit boring at times, but interesting whatsoever. It makes you meditate and reflect a lot on what really could have happened in the Third Reich and why.

I first saw this film in France when I was nine years old. It had a profound effect on me. Way to young to understand. Seeing it again as a adult many years later I understand so much more. Excellent. A must see for every adult. Classic.

This movie was acclaimed when it was released in 1961 but it's theme is as relevent now as then. In the movie, several German judges were put on trial for preverting the law for the advancement of the goals of the Nazi regime. What made these men both more tragic and more evil than many of the other Nazis is the fact that they should have known better. They were highly intelligent men who used their legal training and position to establish a veneer of legality for monstrous acts. And in light of the last eight years, this theme reverberates today. As investigations unfold into the Gitmo and Abu Ghraib torture scandals and the lawyers in the Bush administration who used their legal training to justify water boarding and the abrogation of the "quaint" notions of the Geneva Convention---men such as Alberto Gonzales, Jay Bybee, John Yoo, David Addington, et al may well face a similar reckoning. The greatest tragedy is that they ignored the lessons of history---as Judgment of Nuremburg so powerfully illustrates.

Reviews

Arrived promptly in great condition. Just what I needed for a gift for a Star Trek junkie

This is considered the worst season of TOS but the first two seasons were outstanding so its unfair to compare it to them. It is still better than most of what is out there on TV today. This looks incredible on Blu ray. Don't knock this season until you see it. But I definitely recommend it to Trek fans. Finish your collection cause I KNOW you already have seasons 1 & 2.

While the Original Series hit its peak in the Second Season, that's not to say there isn't anything to enjoy in Season Three. Sure, Shatner's Rug looks terrible. Sure, the tunics aren't velour anymore. Sure, as a whole, the writing isn't what it once was, but we still get gem's like 'Spectre of the Gun' and 'The Empath'. We're introduced to Michael Ansara's Kang and a new hairstyle for Jimmy Doohan. Any real Trek fan who makes the active choice to buy the Original Series on Blu-Ray ain't gonna give a rat's ass ('tribble's ass' just wasn't worth it) about Season Three's short-comings. It becomes an obsessive/compulsive necessity to round out your collection.

I ordered this not knowing if it would arrive in time for Christmas but it did and I was very pleased by this. Also the DVD was excellently packaged and the receiver of the gift was very happy.

I bought this package mainly for the unseen version of the Second Pilot, "Where No Man Has Gone Before" Was interested in seeing how much was different. But, not much was different, only opening voice-over. I have all episodes on DVD now, my recording from local channels and then from SciFi channels remastered and narrated by Shatner and Nimoy with interviews of the guest stars for the episode.

Reviews

I bought this from BB for the same price this week and the picture is remarkable. I can only imagine how much time was spent to redo and enhance the visual effects of these episodes. They truly are worth it in my opinion for any die hard Star Trek fan. The images are so crisp and clear. I was waiting for these to go lower in price and when I saw them for this price $39.99, I couldn't resist. Worth every penny of it.

The blu-ray process has really done justice to this somewhat ancient but beloved sci-fi series and it really holds its own despite being over 40 years old. The detail of the sets is amazing that even to this day don't look tacky or phoney (beyond what is acceptable and lovable for fans) and it is surprising that it really doesn't look its age. I prefered the version with enchanced effects, as having seen the original series many times in its old format, the new is a breath of fresh air and the Enterprise is very plausible as a spaceship in the viewing of its adventures in our 21st century. This series is well worth having for any fans of the original series, as its a dream come true, with our favourite characters looking wonderfully fresh and youthful (some of whom are now passed away) and full of energy. The extra 'documentaries' are also facinating. It was a series way ahead of its time and the enchanced blu-ray brings it very much to the present day for current generations to enjoy as much as we did back in the 60's when we were kids. I now have all 3 series and my kids love them!

He's very happy with the picture quality and sound. Also, in every episode we've watched, there are scenes he's never seen before, which totally delights him.

I wish I could review this Star Trek: Season 2, But my Panasonic BD-10A player will NOT play it. Seasons 1 & 3 plays just fine and they are both great productions. There is a blog going about this problem below. I would like to know, what Blu-Ray Players all of you used to watch this Season 2? That would be most heplful in choosing a new BD Player. Thanks. 2/9/2010 - I just bought a new Panasonic Blu-Ray Player BD-60 and it plays Season 2 without any problems. Good-bye BD-10A.

I watched this with a family member. We were both VERY IMPRESSED over the quality of the remastered version. It really is worth buying for your collection. I was also impressed over the delivery of the product. I ordered it on a Monday and had it by Friday of the same week, and it was durig the Christmas season. Season 2 is my favorite and I will not hesitate to order Season One.

Reviews

Funny, serious, surprising, imaginative....David Kelly is a genious weaver of plot, personality, and entertainment. The caliber of this program in superb.

Got this for my mom for x-mas! She loves this show! Came within 2 days of ordering. No complaints about video quality..

This was a great buy! I got it quickly, and it is in perfect condition!

Here we have a show that is funny, dramatic, and amazingly popular. Now, as if this were not enough, every episode from the first to the last, has been just totally brilliant. Moreover, this is one of the few respected shows that tackles real issues in a way that truly shows the intrinsic value of each issue. These are issues often buried by the main stream media, such as teen STD's (HIV), gay marriage, the truth about "GITMO" and how our rights are being eroded daily by a government that in my opinion has played the 9/11 card once to often. Furthermore, the show addresses serious debilitating issues like depression, As-burgers Syndrome, extreme shyness, agoraphobia and a plethora of others. Giving real hope to the many who suffer these maladies. Now, the cast, all wonderful actors and actresses. The guests are all well known guests. And, in my humble opinion the best thing that William Shatner has done since Star Trek. So, in short, it's a great show. Has a great following. So, what does the network do? They cancel the show. A total shame, that any one would cancel a show with this much potential.

From the first show to the last, this is one of the most enjoyable series I have ever watched, thank you ....

Reviews

I am glad I took the chance to get this cd, not being sure that the 60's vibe I enjoyed on "Transformed Man" would translate well to today's styles. This cd is quickly becoming one of my favorites. The great thing about Shatner is that you can "see" his facial expressions as the words come across. One songs talks about living life like you are going to die, and it made me think that of many aging celebrities that I grew up with. I had a moment of realization that it would sure feel like losing an old friend to lose Bill. The title cut is great, and really says it like it is about critics. So, no criticism here, only praise.

"that's me trying" is awesome and simply fantastic ... if you could only hear it. BUT YOU CANT because the idiot mixer has the lame muxic louder than anything Shatner is saying!

First off, for all the people who are complaining that Shatner can't/doesn't sing, I think you are missing the point. An album does not necessarily have to be singing. Since when is spoken word not a viable option? This album doesn't pretend to be something it's not - it is, plain and simple, a spoken word album. Beyond that, I think many of the arrangements are beautiful, I think Shatner's delivery is classic and often powerful, and I think there are a wide range of emotions to be had here - from out-and-out funny to soulful to jaded to hopeful. In the end, it's just a man trying to express himself. And I can get behind that.

Bravo! William Shatner for shattering the myth that everyone over 50 is teetering on the edge of uselessness and senility. Contrary to the popular belief put forward in the philosophy of Bart Simpson and every child's breakfast cereal commercial put out in the last ten years, Grown-ups have more that a clue. Thank you for your visionary look at the pure wisdom that comes with having lived long enough to know a few things. "Has Been" reveals that true artistry comes from the hand of a master and mastery is not handed out with birth certificates. It is the product of years, experience, and tireless work at polishing the gem of one's chosen craft. Loved Gonzo Ballet too. Put it out on DVD.

My predecessors in this review-line have said it all quite well. Suffice it for me to add that I was expecting "so bad that it's good," a la Shatner's "Rocket Man," "Mr. Tambourine Man," & "Lucy in the Sky"...but found this new record to be beautifully conceived, written, performed, and produced. It's moving; it's funny; it's insightful -- & it makes me feel as if I know Bill, & as if he's more "Real" than most NON-celebs I know. Dare I say it? Yes, I do: masterpiece.

Reviews

Shatner's tracks are completely off the rails and funny because of it, especially "Mr. Tambourine Man". But Nimoy sings so sincerely I find myself preferring his versions to the originals. It will be an odd soul that takes this seriously but he really is that good, warm and sincere, and it will give you some insight into the soul of this man in terms of the songs he chose to record.

Spaced Out is the perfect title for this stoner's delight...These guys should've been on the road with the Grateful Dead..."Further".

I bought the CD as a joke gift. I'm sure it's some of Kirk's and Spock's best work. I just wish they were backed by the wall of sound studios of Phil Spector. I didn't even listen to it, but I'd recommend the Spock solos - live long & prosper!

A compilation of material recorded by Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner from 1967-1970, it actually is more than a novelty piece from pop culture. Shatner is (in)famous for his 1968 spoken word album, The Transformed Man, but Nimoy proved to have more of an artistic touch - without the dripping satire - releasing five albums on Dot Records and which quickly drifted away from the Mr. Spock character after his 1967 debut, Leonard Nimoy Presents Mr. Spock's Music From Outer Space. This is a great look into the creativity of two superb actors who had serious fun when in the recording studio.

Never was a trekkie, saw one of the movies, KAAAAAHHN! But these cd is worth its price! Too funny and great to listen to. So whether or not your a trekkie you'll love it. What were they thinking?!

Reviews

God probably would have advised Bill not to take the brown acid. However, Bill took the brown acid. Fortunately for the rest of us, he then promptly waltzed straight into a recording studio. And thus a masterpiece was born.

Yes, it's funny the first time you hear "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" and "Mr. Tambourine Man" because you know those songs and Shatner's take on the songs is pretty far out there... It sounds a bit like bad community theater. Plus, everyone has told you this album is "funny," so that's how you'll approach it for the first listen. For those reasons, this is only 2 stars. If you are a bit intellectual and artistically inclined and can get beyond first impressions, however, "The Transformed Man" is worth a listen, especially the price. Bump it up to 4 stars in that case, and keep reading my review. A lot of the tracks remind me of an adult version the equally melodramatic children's audiobooks (on LP) that I had as a kid; but in this case, it is Shatner reading Shakespeare instead of a overwrought storybook of "G.I. Joe" or the biography of Ben Franklin. In that sense, I actually enjoyed Shatner's take on performing some of the pieces. What is more interesting is the contrast between the paired pieces of theater, poetry, and song lyrics that Shatner has chosen. In "Hamlet/It Was a Very Good Year," Hamlet's debate over suicide (AKA "To be or not to be...") monologue transitions to the thought of life well spent. Romeo's infatuation with Juliet transitions into a tale of lust that has run its course in "Romeo and Juliet/How Insensitive." Thoughts of independence and freedom transform into a maniacal co-dependence for happiness in "Theme from Cyrano/Mr. Tambourine Man." And so forth... At least that's my take on what Shatner is doing here. This is a guilty pleasure best enjoyed alone. Put this on your MP3 player, go lay out on a grassy field under some clouds, and spend 40 minutes visualizing the stories retold through Shatner's soliloquies. You'll feel a bit smarter for it, understand a bit of what Shatner was trying to achieve, and you might even get a smile on your face. Just don't tell anyone.

Taken objectively, this performance speaks of the pure superficial realm created in the post war era. Persona, cancels reason. At least Shatner stands up to reveal the miasma of filth, save it can no longer be obscured. Anyone who dares listen to this album will be Transformed. Be brave, the contrails of vomit must be cleaned by patient souls. Bill, a debt is owed to you.

Let me put this as succinctly as possible. This release is a load of "shat".

First, it's William Shatner. Second, it was recorded in 1967 when things were different. Third, the adjectives "good" and "bad" are relative and not absolute. If you appreciate and enjoy Shatner's works for what they are and for what he is, you will love this. If you are not a fan of Shatner, you'll think this is the most god-awful thing you've ever heard. It's been a long time since 1967 and most people who download music today won't understand the point of this album. The peace, love and self awareness hippie stuff doesn't resonate much today. And most importantly, this album proves that some things can be so bad they're good. Truly, 1967 was a very good year.

Reviews

A GREAT STAR TREK COLLECTIBLE AND A FANTASTIC REPLICA. AS ALWAYS, A SUPERB JOB BY ART ASYLUM/DIAMOND SELECT TOYS! IT'S REALLY HARD TO DISTINGUISH THIS FROM THE ACTUAL PROP FEATURED IN THE MOVIE. IT LOOKS AND SOUNDS JUST LIKE THE REAL THING! ACTUALLY, MORE FOR THE ADULT FANS, BUT I'M SURE KIDS WILL LOVE IT TOO.

The ST2 phaser is a very good replica/prop with two very authentic sound effects which are quite similar to those featured in the movie. My only hangup is that there are actually four sounds, and two of the four are made up/invented sounds we never heard and just sound terrible - I'd have been happy with just stun and kill since the others seem like fake variants to fill up the features list. I am also unsure why the "self destruct" effect features a transporter sound. The phaser 1 on this is also a bit on the awkward side - phaser 1 from the TOS phaser is much more sleek and stylish - I cannot imagine the phaser 1 on this to be carried on a belt - it just looks terrible. But once hooked up the pistol, the entire unit looks wonderful. I especially like the "safety" feature and the large button to turn on the unit.

Okay, I've had three different "representations" of the TMP/TWOK phaser over the years. I had the "phaser battle" set (from South Bend toys) which came out at the time of TMP, which were really pretty cool (basically "laser tag" but the sensor and emitter were both in the "phaser" - see info here: [...]), and later on the Playmates version (which was also OK). But this is by far the best I've seen. By the way, I've picked up both the TMP and TWOK versions... they're the same in terms of inner workings, but are cosmetically different (colored lights for TMP versus white lights for TWOK, silver for TWOK versus grey for TMP, etc). As far as the TMP/TWOK phaser design goes, this is the definitive version as far as I'm concerned, and you can't go wrong buying either version (though I have to say, I like the TMP version better!)

After the disappointment that was the Playmates Toys ST II TWOK Phaser released in 1996, Art Asylum / Diamond Select has FINALLY gotten it right this time!! I have been waiting for an accurate, low-cost TWOK Phaser for a long time now, and was excited to hear last year that Art Asylum AKA Diamond Select would be continuing the success of the Original Series Classic Phaser "Trek Tek" series, with this amazing work of electronic engineering! The Phaser is full of electronic lights and authentic sound effects with 6 unique settings and LED light sequences: * Safety Mode - Phaser is locked and cannot be operated without knowing the unlock code. * LOW STUN/HEAT * STUN * KILL * DISINTEGRATE * OVERLOAD And each setting has an included authentic sound effect along with the light effects in unison. When you 'fire" the Phaser, the Dilithium Crystal flickers briefly at the same time! And like the Original Series Phaser, this Phaser also separates from the main Phaser body so you have a Type I Phaser that works independently from the main Type II Phaser body. And when you reattach the Type I to the Type II main body; a Phaser "Charge Up" sound will be heard. 11 LED lights total, including an illuminated Dilithium Crystal Chamber, behind the Type I control panel! The Playmates version only had 4 LEDs and none in the clear dilithium crystal. If you're a fan of one of the best Trek films, then I highly recommend this Phaser Replica, as it is well worth the money, and for only $20, why buy it anywhere else??

They did a great job with this one. The lights and sound are great, and being able to detach the smaller phaser was an awesome touch. Operation and configuration don't match the description in the old Weapons and Field Equipment Technical Reference Manual by Shane Johnson (you have to be a super-nerd to know that one), but they did a first-rate job. The Playmates version was good, but this has better colors, lights, sound effects, and just about everything else. I suspect it isn't as durable as the playmantes version, and probably wouldn't survive an away mission with your kids. This one is really for adults.

Reviews

As stated with the title of this review, Bill would not want his epitaph to be headlined by Star Trek legacy alone. Because when you note his credits throughout 6 decades, this guy may be the most prolific actor who ever lived with a resume spanning entire multimedia generations. From the heyday of Broadway to pioneer television, he literally grew up acting in a life spent either on stage or in front of a camera. The scope of such a career makes him a giant of entertainment. A study in enigmatic contradictions, this is the story of a Jewish boy who grew up in Canada with soft male lead looks but Shakespearean charisma, a rarefied combination for western world thespians. So he passed on becoming a studio property because movie eye candy melodrama did not translate well to serious stardom. This led him to cherry pick a career in TV shows and B movies all in search of a secret storyline formula for his wise hunk persona to make him a big star. Star Trek was that vehicle. And while he likes to kid his fans to "get a life", Star Trek the TV series is symbolic of more than half of the 20th century in which new media was so revolutionary and entertaining that it babysat the lives of humble real people and concepts of family, fame, fortune and success were altered forever. If not for the lives spent watching TV, there would be no Bill Shatners who don't feel alive unless they are constantly working in front of cameras. With his hand in virtually every medium, this self portrait from stage to screen to romance to family evokes the humanistic fervor of a man with a zest for life enchanted by the aura of fame as an evolving adventure but not a finite journey. If his ego shows, it's in his career and not his personal life, which he lays bare with the faults of a possessed workaholic. In so doing, intimate passages reveal him to be a down to earth mensch foil to old school media institutions. We gain insight into the depth of Shatner the human being when he laments about the loss of his ill wife, the down periods in between bad career breaks, the friendship of colleagues and the prospect of mortality. If the man and actor are anything like Captain Kirk, sci-fi superhero, then to come full circle is to wonder about the mysteries of life and answers beyond success and happiness. Or at least save ad sponsor spokesmanship until you've become a commercial franchise. It was his special feature commentary in the DVD movie collection that inspired me to get this book. For every Hollywood legend, multitudes of fans miss the humanity forest for the showbiz trees in celebrity celebration. In this autobio showman stud trek, Shatman's looks met talent in TV fame's final frontier. If he took a movie contract route to stardom, then he would've become just another matinee idol. Instead, he's a small screen immortal who gave Trekkies a life---his.

Most of us just go about, in relative anonymity, for seven decades, give or take a few years. However, just about anyone in America, and many beyond these shores, know the name, the voice, and the face of Captain Kirk of the original Star Trek series. In his autobiography, there's about a hundred pages of William Shatner's life before Star Trek. And, at the time, Shatner viewed Star Trek as a failed television series and moved on with his career. Without its success in syndication, his life, and our culture, would be different. There are many reviews of this book online, so I'll focus instead on some general themes within it. First, Shatner's energy comes across, as well as his ability to poke fun at himself. His work ethic comes from his upbringing-- his merchant father taught him to take advantage of all opportunities and to work hard to achieve success. Although he decided to become an actor early in life, Shatner seems to have been very worried, for years and years, about not having work. That, and the financial instability that is part and parcel of an actor's life, motivated him to say, "Yes!" to almost every money making opportunity, however taxing-- or downright bizarre. Being willing to work has kept him working. Every performance seemed to lead to some other opportunity, and Shatner's energy and his courage stand out, even when he pokes fun at many of the ways he has made money over the years. I did laugh aloud a few times, and the good humor of it all does keep the reader smiling and turning pages. Although this account of Shatner's life starts early and ends late, Up Till Now is not always a linear narrative. Sometimes he tells stories which are on topic, but not in the time line. As a man who is gifted in years, he has much to tell, so the disruptions add to the charm of the book. In addition to his lengthy acting career and the Star Trek phenomenon, Shatner does address his lack of success in marriage, and the account of his third wife's death is particularly heartbreaking. With surprising candor, Shatner places much of the blame for his divorces on his own shoulders. As he rambles through his life, most of his major roles are fodder for a few pages, and he does discuss Boston Legal, his latest television series, at some length. Fans of Star Trek will enjoy the insights that the original Captain Kirk shares, but those who are interested in acting on stage and screen will also find interesting observations about the actor's craft in Up Till Now. Shatner discusses his approach to roles, and he often contrasts his way with the methods used by co-stars. At times, Shatner is funny, at times his struggle evokes a mixture of pity and amazement. Who would have thought that after Trek, Shatner would live in the back of a pickup truck in New York City, eking out a living doing an off Broadway play? During the portions of the book devoted to the original Star Trek and the five movies it spawned, Shatner frankly discusses the challenge of making a television series set in space, but with such a low budget that the cast and crew had to be very creative. As a fan of science fiction, and of Star Trek, I especially enjoyed his assertion that Gene Roddenberry saw Star Trek as the quest for intelligent life on the other side of a television screen. For Shatner's fans and for Star Trek fans, Up Till Now is a must read. And, really, this book is funny. Who else would auction his kidney stone on eBay? Or play the amazing Denny Crane? William Shatner may not be tall, but describing him as larger than life is an understatement.

Very revealing and very funny. Shatner talks about his life in its entirety. Many joys, disappointments and sorrows. But also a lot of laughs. It's very conversational. It's the same stream of consciousness style that we're used to seeing from him on talk shows. Sure he's got his faults but without them he wouldn't be the Shatner we've all come to know and love. Now we just need another CD like Has Been.

This book doesn't contain the bizarreness of Pryor Convictions regarding Richard Pryor's life. Nor is it as funny as American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot by Craig Ferguson. However, I would rate it very high for providing a "fun" reading experience. Just plain, simple fun. The book spared me the minutiae of all the behind the scenes action - there was some but not too much. It did provide me a detailed picture of the events that shaped Shatner. The risks that he took should be taught in every high school. Risk-taking 101 with the William Shatner Workbook. Those risks defined him as an actor and as a man. I also enjoyed the writing which made the book sound like you were actually sitting with Bill Shatner while he told his stories. The forgetfulness, the tangents, the tongue in cheek self promotion...all of it combined for an effect that really made Shatner jump off the page. Excellent job. Am I a Shatner fan? You bet. From Star Trek to Boston Legal. Any time he is on the screen, it is electric. And nowadays, I never miss an airing of Raw Nerve. Great television and in my book, the best interviewer we have ever had the pleasure of watching. I just can't wait to see what he is going to do next. I hope you find this opinion helpful. Michael L. Gooch Author of Wingtips with Spurs

I bought this as a birthday gift to my boyfriend, who had gotten me into 'Boston Legal' and all trhings Shatner. It was absolutly perfect! We listened to it in the car going to and from work for a little over a month and found ourselves finding excuses to go on long drives to get to listen to more of the discs. The best part of the audiobook is the fact that Shatner reads it himself, giving so much emotion to all the parts in his life... In the end, we were very entertained and still wanted more!