Your Saturday Linc: The Missing Linc Heads to Germany, Peter Cushing as the Doctor, Warp Speed vs. Hyperdrive, The Green Ranger Returns

Welcome to the weekend! Grab your tablet, jump on a float in the pool, and read the latest from the Missing Linc!

1. Deutschland Über AWESOME: The Missing Linc Heads To Germany for Celebration Europe II

The Missing Linc is heading to the biggest Star Wars celebration across the Atlantic! Celebration Europe II will be held on July 26-28 in Essen, Germany. Among the highlights include host Warwick Davis, Kathleen Kennedy's debut among the fandom, a special first look at Star Wars: Rebels, and a screening of Episode II: Attack of the Clones in 3-D! And, to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Return of the Jedi there will be a "Jabba's Palace Reunion" of actors who played or puppeted some of the most vile creatures in the galaxy. And I'll be meeting up with some friends from all over the world for a taste of how they get their Wars on on the other side of the Pond. And you can bet that I will be covering all the highlights and reporting back to you!

Now I just have to practice saying: "Möge die Macht mit dir sein!"

2. Grand Moff Tarkin, A Time Lord?

Peter Cushing was a brilliant actor who brought depth and force to any performance. He graced the silver screen as Sherlock Holmes, Van Helsing (opposite future Sith Lord Christopher Lee's Dracula), and, of course, as the embodiment of an Imperial officer as Grand Moff Tarkin in A New Hope. But, did you know that Mr. Cushing was also a Time Lord? In the 1960's two movies, Dr. Who and the Daleks and Daleks – Invasion Earth: 2150 A.D., saw Cushing as the mysterious figure known as the Doctor. Neither were meant to be canon, but they certainly are classics!

"I'll take Regenerations for $500, Alex."

Here's a synopsis of Dr. Who and the Daleks provided by our friends at The TARDIS DataCore:

"Accidentally thrown together, Dr. Who (Peter Cushing), his granddaughters, and their friend Ian cross the universe in Who's new invention, the space and time machine known as "Tardis". When they land on the planet Skaro, the travellers meet the kind and placid Thals, who live in fear of the dreaded Daleks. Somehow, the Doctor and his party must find a way to help the Thals overcome the deadly mutants who live inside impenetrable metal casings."

And for Daleks – Invasion Earth: 2150 A.D.:

"Policeman Tom Campbell stumbles into Tardis on a normal day and ends up being taken to 2150 A.D. by Dr. Who. The future seems to be deserted, but the group soon finds out that the world is controlled by the evil Daleks. The human survivors hide, lest they be turned into Robomen. The Doctor teams up with the survivors to take down the Daleks."

Invasion Earth also stars a young Bernard Cribbins, who would go on to play Wilfred Mott, grandfather of Tenth Doctor companion Donna Noble, and the man who accompanied Ten on his last adventure (and ultimately be the cause of his regeneration). Sadly, you can only get the Blue-Rays in the UK, but hopefully one day we'll be able to relive these classic adventures here in the US! In the meantime you can watch clips of the movies here.

3. The Fastest Ships in the 'Verse

For generations fans have debated the superiority of warp speed vs. hyperdrive, of time travel vs. travel by dark matter reactor. Well, the good people over at Slate have endeavored to answer this question once and for all!

Click on the link above and set a course to one of three destinations (Alpha Centauri, Galactic Center, Andromeda Galaxy) and see how fast it takes your favorite craft to reach it. Not only do they compare the Millenium Falcon and the Enterprise, but they throw in the TARDIS, the Serenity, the Planet Express Ship, the Battlestar known as Galactica, the Heart of Gold (from the "Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy"), the Jupiter 2 (from "Lost in Space") and even the real-world Voyager 1

Ready....set.....PUNCH IT!

4. Go Green Ranger Go! Jason David Frank Returns to Power Rangers!

Power Rangers Megaforce, the latest incarnation in the long-running franchise, has the distinction of celebrating the series' 20th Anniversary, and they are doing it in grand style. No full details yet on the episode, but we do know that they are bringing back many past Rangers, including the Rangerest Ranger of them all.

Jason David Frank was introduced as Tommy Oliver in the original Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers where, under the control of Rita Repulsa, he almost succeeded in destroying the "teenagers with attitude" as the evil Green Ranger. Deciding to fight for good, Tommy eventually lost his Green Ranger powers, but donned the spandex of the White Ranger with new powers, a new zord, and a talking sword named Saba. Tommy also led the team as Zeo Ranger 5 (Red) when the series changed for the first time to Power Rangers: Zeo. He would also go on to be the Red Turbo Ranger, appear alongside first Red Ranger Austin St. John in the 10th Anniversary special "Forever Red", and lead the team as Dr. Tommy Oliver, the Black Dino Ranger, in Power Rangers: Dino Thunder.

Wear ALL the costumes!

Is it any wonder why he's the most beloved ranger of all time? Currently Master Frank is a Mixed Martial Arts instructor and champion. You can check out some pretty cool production pictures over on JDF's Facebook Page. HSET-HIYA!!



And that's it for today. Enjoy the sun, but most importantly, enjoy all the things you love as a fan!

Til' next time,

- Joe

Your Late Evening Linc: JJ Abrams Talks Episode VII, Empire Strikes Back Photos, Doctor Who Teasers, and DBZ Abridged

Oh, what a fine evening it is! Let's not waste another moment of it and get right to your evening Lincs:

1. J.J. Abrams Talks Star Wars (And That Other Franchise)

Pictured: NOT Miss April

Because this time I really am reading it for the articles! Episode VII director J.J. Abrams sat down with Playboy Magazine for a fully in-depth interview in which he discusses all of his upcoming projects. He talks about what it takes to make Star Trek exciting to fans and casual viewers alike, the responsibility of taking the helm of two mega-franchises with rabidly loyal fans (Hi, how are ya?), and his approach to directing Episode VII and making the two franchises distinct. He even dishes on his incredible and controversial (amongst fans, that is) TV shows Lost, Fringe, Felicity and Revolution. And that's just the tip of the iceberg! Here's a snippet of what he had to say with regard to juggling the two universes:

ABRAMS: As with anything, because these are very different worlds, they shouldn’t feel the same aesthetically. They can’t. You’re right. But again, I don’t apply aesthetics first and fit a movie into that aesthetic. If I had come into Star Trek with those eyes, I would probably have been paralyzed. The advantage here is that we still have George Lucas with us to go to and ask questions and get his feedback on things, which I certainly will do. With Star Trek it was harder because I wasn’t a Star Trek fan; I didn’t have the same emotional feeling, and I didn’t have Gene Roddenberry to go to. But I came to understand the world of Star Trek, and I appreciated what fans felt and believed about this universe and this franchise.

Later in the interview, the "King of the Reboot" hints that something original is coming down the pike. You can read the full article here.

2. Never Before Seen Behind the Scenes Photos from The Empire Strikes Back

Imugr user "joinyoubythesun" has uploaded an astounding 66 behind the scenes images from the filming of The Empire Strikes Back. Not sure exactly where he got them from, but I am definitely not complaining! There are a whole host of pictures that I've never seen before; some posed, some candid, and all amazing. There are also plenty of pictures of the late greats of the film, including director Irvin Kershner, Yoda creator and make-up master Stuart Freeborn, swordsman Bob Anderson, and Old Ben himself, Sir Alec Guiness. All in all, it really does bring a smile to my face to see the cast and crew really enjoying themselves as they create what is arguably one of the best movies of all time. You can check them all out here, but I wanted to share a few of my favorites:

They're smiling because their faces are frozen like that.

Quit you're whining kid, it's only your melted hand.

Going over the script with Kirsh (and producer Gary Kurtz)

"And then...Chewie just let one RIP...an arm I mean..."

The Maker, The Vader, and the Director

"And THIS is what I think of your acting!"

"I'll see you in hell!.. Ha ha, I'm just kidding. You're going there, I'll be up in Heaven."

"Drive the Rebel Ice Cream Truck, they said. It'll be fun they said!"

Miss you, Kirsh. 

"He's just crazy enough to do it!"

3. Doctor Whoness

Well, after Saturday's exciting episode, the folks at the BBC are serving up all sorts of bits and bobs to keep us going until next week. For starters, they are releasing a collectible box set entitled "Regeneration".

Included: The rare episode where the Doctor regenerates into Michael Jackson

With over 1,000 minutes of footage and bonus material over 6 DVDs, the album is "adorned with superb photography from across the era and features detailed and informative accounts of every regeneration." Each DVD contains the episodes that contain the Doctors' regeneration, including the masterfully reconstructed fourth and final episode of the "Tenth Planet" arc which gives us our very first "renewal". The box set is out June 10, 2013.

And check out what's coming up next week in "The Crimson Horror". The Paternoster Gang are back as Jenny, Vastra, and Strax help the Doctor and Clara unravel the dangerous mystery surrounding Sweetville. Perhaps their travels back to the era in which the Doctor met Clara for the second time will lead to some more clues as to the true nature of the newest  and most mysterious companion.



Speaking of Clara-related mysteries, we got the smallest, and yet most tantalizing of clues from none other than Jenna-Louise Coleman herself! On the topic of the Series 7 finale episode, "The Name of the Doctor", Jenna-Louise praises the epic plot, the cool new villains The Whispermen, and drops this bombshell:

“All I can say is that Clara hasn’t just met the Doctor three times before…”

I'm sorry....WHAT?! Apparently, Moffat has been planting clues for years, and has stated that we have yet to even get on the scent of the truth behind Clara Oswin Oswald. And we've only got two episodes left before the finale, which will lead directly into the 50th anniversary. According to the synopsis for "The Name of the Doctor":

"Clara is summoned to an impossible conference call, alerting her that the deadly Whisper Men are closing in on Vastra, Jenny and Strax. Someone is kidnapping the Doctor’s friends, leading him toward the one place in all of time and space that he should never go. It’s a deadly trap that threatens to unravel his past, present and future…"

Because, remember, it's all still waiting for him. Trenzalore, the fall of the Eleventh....and the revelation of his biggest secret.

4. Dragonball Z Abridged Episode 34

"The following is a non-profit fan based parody..." If you're a DragonBall Z fan and have not yet experienced the hilarity and sheer awesomeness that is DragonBall Z Abridged, then stop literally everything you're doing (I see you feeding that baby) and get crackin'. The brilliant minds and incredible voice talents at Team Four Star have been able to get at the very core of what the show was about, while managing to create stories all their own. From an imbecilic Goku, to a senile Guru, to a sadistic Mr. Popo, you'll find yourself with all new favorite characters as you laugh your way through each episode. The one that got me hooked was Episode 29, and I suggest if you're going to start anywhere, you start there. Here is the latest episode, number 34, which takes place after a cooler than cool Trunks has finally dispatched a Cyber-Frieza and his Daddykins.




That's it for tonight, kids. Check back tomorrow for more from the Missing Linc!

- Joe

Your Morning Linc: Muse at MSG, Star Trek Into Darkness Trailer, Iron Man 3 Clip, Jamie Foxx as Electro

Good morning! As I was beginning to write this post I received an e-mail from Titan Magazines, publishers of the Star Wars Insider (to which I have been a subscriber since Issue #37 in 1999). Apparently, thanks to my participation in a survey a month or so ago, I've won a whole bunch of books and an action figure! Thanks, Insider!

My own copy was signed by Ian McDiarmid himself!

Well, that was a great way to start the day! And now onto the news!

1. Muse at Madison Square Garden

Speaking of being extremely lucky, I was fortunate enough to go with a few friends last night to see the British alt-rock  band Muse at Madison Square Garden. I've been a fan of theirs for a while now, and really love their style of music. This tour, for their newest album The 2nd Law, was a feast for the eyes, ears, and soul. Imagine a giant ziggurat descending from the sky, changing shape and color, and syncing up with phenomenal music. That was this concert! Singer Matt Bellamy, drummer Dominic Howard, and bassist Christopher Wolstenholme were in rare form...or not so rare, as Muse puts on fantastic shows on a regular basis. New songs like "Madness" and "Supremacy" were great to see live, and classics like "Knights of Cydonia", "Plug-In Baby" ,"Hysteria", "Resistance", and others got the crowd jumping and singing like nothing else. Visually stunning, audibly incredible, and performed with such passion and love for the fans, Muse's The 2nd Law Tour cannot and should not be missed! Check out some pictures below:

Hat tip to opening act Biffy Clyro who were actually pretty good.

2. Star Trek Into Darkness Trailer: Sherlock's Gone Bad

The latest trailer for Star Trek: Into Darkenss is out and it...is...awesome. Now I'm not normally a fan of the Trek, but J.J. Abrams has done such a masterful job with the series it's hard not to appreciate it. While we still don't know who Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch is playing (rumors are it's a certain name worth shouting angrily), he certainly is at his most villainous in this movie. Check out the trailer below, and watch for around the 1:13 mark for a serious "holy crap!" moment:

 

3. Iron Man 3 Clip at MTV Movie Awards

And while we're talking trailers, let's take a look an exclusive clip of Iron Man 3 that was shown at this year's MTV Movie Awards. Nothing to say but it looks like Tony is in a biiiit of a pickle:

Get More: 2013 MTV Movie Awards, Latest Movie News, Robert Downey, Jr.

4. Jamie Foxx: Electro Unchained

And rounding out the news, take a look at the first pictures of Jaime Foxx as Electro in The Amazing Spider-Man 2:

And, for comparison, Electro in the Ultimate Spider-Man cartoon:

And that's it for now! Hope you continue to have a great day!

- Joe

Your Evening Linc: New Star Trek Into Darkness Trailer, OUAT Clip, And Doctor Who Teasers

What a fine evening it is! At the time of writing this blog has been viewed 1,034 times! I'm very grateful for all of you that have read, commented, and shared The Missing Linc. I have had a blast writing it and you better believe there will be more to come! As a matter of fact...

1. New Star Trek: Into Darkness Trailer and Poster

Now, I have to preface by saying I was never that big into Star Trek, but J.J. Abrams has certainly given the franchise new life and made it appeal to fans and non-fans alike. The sequel, Into Darkness is due out May 17th. Here is the new poster just released today:

Mr. Holmes, I presume?

It's funny, but once I start liking a new show or movie, it's all I see anywhere. Benedict Cumberbatch of Sherlock fame is looking absolutely dark and devious as villain John Harrison. Our heroes, Uhura, Kirk, and Spock, look a little out of their depth. And if the new trailer is any indication, it looks like they'll be facing a whole mess of danger.



2. Regina Confronts Owen in a Clip of Sunday's OUAT

It's always nice to see a familiar face...except when that face looks exactly the same as it did 30 years ago. Greg Mendell, aka a grown-up Owen, is confronted by Regina in his hotel room. He doesn't believe that his father just up and left Storybrooke and he demands answers. Regina gives him one: leave, or he'll disappear too.

 

Can't wait for Sunday and another fantastic episode!

3. Doctor Who: Bells of St. John Prequel To Air, New Clip, and Peter Jackson Really Wants to Direct

The good people over at the BBC will be airing a prequel webisode to the first new episode "The Bells of St John" on Saturday, March 23rd. The Doctor has been searching in vain to find Clara, the impossible girl who has died twice so far in different eras. When he does find her though, the Eleventh Doctor's boyish charm shines through (thanks to the brilliant acting of Matt Smith).

"Wait, this isn't a video clip!"

Well, Clara, you're right. The clip can only be viewed at Entertainment Weekly's website. But when you do, note the glee in the Doctor's voice. He can't help but be intrigued by Clara, who in this incarnation doesn't quite know who the Time Lord is yet. This scene is classic Smith, including his delight at his accidental invention of the "quadracycle".

And who knows, maybe one day we'll see an episode by this bright new talent named Peter Jackson. That's right, the Lord of the Rings director has been a Whovian since childhood and has publicly stated more than once that he would love to take the helm for an episode. Jackson reveals his enthusiasm in another exclusive EW article.

"They don't even have to pay me," Jackson writes. But I have got my eye on one of those nice new gold-colored Daleks. They must have a spare one (hint, hint).

Does this man have any unfulfilled child fantasies?

C'mon Moffat, giive him what he wants!

That's all for now! Here's to the next 1,000 views and beyond!

-Joe