Star Trek: A Night of Perfection

So I just had one of the best nights and here is how it went down:

I get regular emails from Alamo Drafthouse and earlier this week they sent me one about a free screening of the Wrath of Kahn, one of the greatest Star Trek movies, with a ten minute clip of the new Star Trek movie, so I was pretty interested, but didn't really know anyone else to go with. At meeting I mentioned in and Rachel was into it, so we decided to go, totally last minute, but destined by fate. We arrived and there was a stand-by line for us lonely commoners and a line for fantastic fest 2009 (wish I could go, but probably will no longer reside in texas). After much anticipation we got to the front and were allowed access, missing the cut off by a only about fifteen people. They took all cameras, cell phones and any electronic equipment, which was a little odd considering it was only supposed to be a ten minute preview, but didn't think much of it and went inside with my free popcorn and drink. We were only able to get seats in the far corner of the first row, which at first seemed horrible but turned out to be the greatest thing for us! Tim League begins introducing the movie and as I look over I notice a pair of glasses. I shook my head thinking that it couldn't be him, did a double take, and yes it was Damon Lindelof. (Side note: for anyone who doesn't know he is a writer and executive producer on Lost and one of my idols. Considering he is associated with Lost should be clue enough to my obsession, but it totally goes beyond that into being obsessed with him...seriously though listen to the podcasts he is hilarious!) I squeezed the crap out of Rachel's leg with excitement and pure adrenaline seeing the one person I have wanted to meet, but never thought I would. Then him and the other two writers, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci (who I just now realized wrote for Alias and Fringe which makes me even more giddy) got onstage to say a few words and then the opening credits of Wrath of Kahn begin. Then the picture cuts out and as we assume it is a bulb, Tim goes back to take a look. The writers get back onstage and start talking about doing a Q&A and of course someone mentions Lost which made my day. Then out of nowhere a figure in a trench coat walks up onstage carrying a film canister. It was LEONARD NIMOY!!! The audience went insane with delight and wouldn't not stop screaming and clapping for quite a while. Eventually we died down and Leonard is like I'm surprised you all just want to see ten minutes of the film....who would rather see the whole thing?! So of course everyone jumps out of their seats and goes apeshit! Then we got to see the entire new Star Trek film, 5 weeks before it is being released and a few hours before the people at the true premiere in Sydney Australia (where JJ was) got to see it. We were the first ones to see it!!! As the writers walked offstage Rachel ran up to the writers and got autographs so I called out to Damon and asked him for one (and eventually got the other writers too) and he pleasantly obliged saying it was no problem. I, usually, am as cool as a cucumber around celebrities as other people can attest to, but with Damon I totally lost it (no pun intended) and reverted into a 12 year old squeeling girl. I told him I was his biggest fan and that everything he does is amazing. He signed my paper and thanked me and told me to enjoy the show and shook my hand. It MADE MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!

The movie itself is amazing! I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone, even those who aren't familiar with the Star Trek franchise, it is a great film filled with plenty of action and humor. For those of you who are Trekkies, you will be ecstatically pleased. The movie plays perfectly with the mythology and all the references to the classic star trek are spot on. Every single character was cast perfectly and did a great job living up to their predecessors. I think my favorite was Karl Urban as McCoy...he was hilarious and spot on! I am so pumped for the sequel now I can't wait!!! And now after an adrenaline filled night, I will not be able to sleep for a lonnnggg time. The only thing that would have made this night better would have been being able to bring in cameras, but no worries, I will always have this in my head! Also loved at the end Leonard Nimoy got back on stage and was like I can't leave without saying it...Live Long and Prosper :) :) :)