In a time of social distancing, Cyalive.com has become one of the many social outlets that still allows us to connect with others while enjoying some of our favorite films. On Saturday, April 18, 2020, they had director Peter Segal (50 First Dates) join fans as they watched the 1995 classic film, Tommy Boy. Fans were able to interact and ask questions while reliving their favorite parts of the movie. This week Cya Live brought Marc Altman and Daren Dochterman to join the discussion as Trekkies from around the world gathered together to watch and discuss Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
The sequel to Star Trek: The Motion Picture almost didn't happen, as the first film was critically panned despite its strong box office opening. Luckily, The wrath of Khan didn't suffer the same fate and is considered one of the best in the Star Trek movie franchise. Thanks to its revitalization of the series, four more sequels were made most of which did well at the box office and with critics and fans alike.
The movie begins with an officer training simulation that is deemed to be a no-win scenario meant only to test the character of the officers. However, when a distress call comes in from the Reliant, Captain Kirk (William Shatner; T.J. Hooker) and his crew take the U.S.S. Enterprise to help. On the way, The Enterprise is attacked by the Reliant which is now under the command of the tyrant Khan ( Ricardo Montalban; Fantasy Island), who is searching for something called the Genesis Device - an experimental machine used to make uninhabitable planets safe again.
Khan also blames Kirk for the death of his wife and comes after him seeking revenge as Kirk was the captain fifteen years earlier that found Khan and his people marooned and exiled them after they tried to take over Kirk's ship. When the Reliant and the Enterprise end up in battle, Khan finds himself mortally wounded and activates the Genesis device. Stuck inside the Nebula the Genesis device will reorganize all matter including the Enterprise. Spock (Leonard Nimoy; Fringe) sacrifices himself in order to restore warp power so the Enterprise can exit the nebula in time.
Part of what is so enjoyable about the Cya Live experience is that you are "virtually" (both figuratively and literally) surrounded by fans of whatever film you are watching. In this case, Trekkies from all over the world logged on (even in Ireland where it was after 1 am) to enjoy the movie and the company. They also were engaged listening to Altman and Dochterman who host a weekly podcast entitled Inglorious Treksperts and offered lots of insight into the film and the Star Trek Universe as a whole. Unlike Tommy Boy though, the moderators didn't have fans "join the stage" to ask questions via video chat until after the movie had ended. Also, the film didn't take "breaks" and was shown straight through from beginning to end.
Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan is one of the best films in the franchise with a gut-wrenching ending and a noteworthy death scene that rips your heart out. Being able to watch that with two Star Trek experts and an exciting group of fans makes for a different kind of viewing experience that Cyalive has honed in on. It offers one the sense of community and friendship even though you are technically strangers.
Next week's film is the 1961 Blake Edwards' classic, Breakfast At Tiffany's starring the talented and beautiful Audrey Hepburn. So join Cya Live, along with Paramount Pictures Archivist, Andrea Kalas, and Film Historian Leonard Maltin on May 2, 2020, at 8 pm Eastern Standard time for another enjoyable and informative evening.
