48 - The World's End (2013)

The Apocolypse is a popular topic this year. Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright as writers take on the subject with the same abandon as Shaun of the Dead (2004), Hot Fuzz (2007), and Paul (2011). Simon and his usual sidekick Edgar Wright rejoin three other college friends in an attempt to better their last epic college pub crawl, which was to end at the aptly named pub, The World's End. As they begin their planned route they discover that all the pubs from 20 years ago look the same; the people have become unfriendly and something sinister seems afoot. Eventually Pegg and his friends discover that none of the people in the town are what they appear to be and the pub crawl becomes a dramatic race to save mankind.

The World's End (2013) ****

27 - Star Trek Into Darkness 3D (2013)

Part of the fun of the Star Trek franchise is to see the twists and reimaginings necessary to make another prequel of the original series. This episode felt even more satisfying than the last: mind-boggling special effects, great action sequences, strong and well realized characters.

By now, Chris Pine has become blended into my concept of the early Kirk and  Zachary Quinto has merged with Spock. Zoe Saldana (Uhura), Karl Urban (Bones), and Jon Cho (Sulu) remind us of the predecessors/future beings. Simon Pegg doesn't so much as channel Scotty as create his own parallel being who offers much needed humor to his character. Benedict Cumberbatch makes a worthy villain.

Star Trek Into Darkness 3D (2013) *****