The Next Reel Film Podcast

Was the Borg a strong enough villain or did they need the Borg Queen for the film? How well integrated is the first contact storyline? Tune in to this week’s show to get in on the conversation!

Show Notes

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"The line must be drawn here!"

The introduction of the Borg as an antagonist on “Star Trek: The Next Generation” gave the crew of the Enterprise – and the teams on subsequent shows – one of their greatest villains. Not only are they a terrifying collective, assimilating everyone they come into contact with, but they thematically are the antithesis of everything the franchise has come to represent about technology and the future. Because of all of this, they seemed a natural element to include in the TNG cinematic stories. But the studio wanted them to include a way to personify the villain more than they ever did in the show. The filmmakers also wanted to make a time travel film. With all of these elements, were they able to pull it together to make a cohesive film? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Star Trek series with Jonathan Frakes’ 1996 film Star Trek: First Contact.

We talk about the Borg as a whole, both in the TV shows and this film, and debate how well they’re served with some of their rules and with the addition of the Borg queen. We praise the brilliant performances of the additional actors brought into the fold in this film – Alfre Woodard, James Cromwell and Alice Krige (even Neal McDonough) – and how we relish some of their scenes with our Enterprise crew. (Woodard’s scenes with Patrick Stewart all stand out as 5-star Star Trek.) We go through problems we have with the script, notably the introduction of the Borg queen and the lack of and conflict in the storyline on Earth, and debate what could have improved the movie. We look at what some of the crew, primarily cinematographer Matthew F. Leonetti, composer Jerry Goldsmith and production designer Herman F. Zimmerman, bring to the table. And we run through a list of items in the film – items like Geordi’s ocular implants, the escape pods and Cromwell’s dancing – to find out if we loved it or hated it.

It’s a fun film that makes for an exciting watch, though with more visible problems that we’re seeing now. Still, we have a great time talking about it on this week’s show. So watch the film then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins.

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Creators and Guests

Host
Andy Nelson
With over 25 years of experience in film, television, and commercial production, Andy has cultivated an enduring passion for storytelling in all its forms. His enthusiasm for the craft began in his youth when he and his friends started making their own movies in grade school. After studying film at the University of Colorado Boulder, Andy wrote, directed, and produced several short films while also producing indie features like Netherbeast Incorporated and Ambush at Dark Canyon. Andy has been on the production team for award-winning documentaries such as The Imposter and The Joe Show, as well as TV shows like Investigation Discovery’s Deadly Dentists and Nat Geo’s Inside the Hunt for the Boston Bombers. Over a decade ago, he started podcasting with Pete and immediately embraced the medium. Now, as a partner at TruStory FM, Andy looks forward to more storytelling through their wide variety of shows. Throughout his career, Andy has passed on his knowledge by teaching young minds the crafts of screenwriting, producing, editing, and podcasting. Outside of work, Andy is a family man who enjoys a good martini, a cold beer, a nice cup o’ joe. And always, of course, a great movie.
Host
Pete Wright
#Movies, #ADHD, & #Podcasting • Co-founder @trustory.fm🎥 The Next Reel Family of #Film Podcasts @thenextreel.com🎙️ Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast @takecontroladhd.com📖 Co-author of Unapologetically ADHD • https://unapologeticallyadhdbook.com

What is The Next Reel Film Podcast?

A show about movies and how they connect.
We love movies. We’ve been talking about them, one movie a week, since 2011. It’s a lot of movies, that’s true, but we’re passionate about origins and performance, directors and actors, themes and genres, and so much more. So join the community, and let’s hear about your favorite movies, too.
When the movie ends, our conversation begins.