Photo by Paramount Pictures

Eager to see “Star Trek Into Darkness,” but intimidated by nearly 50 years of official canon? Not up on the sci-fi jargon and "Trek" continuity that legions of hardcore fans could recite in their sleep?

Fear not! As a courtesy to all those non-Trekkies planning to see J. J. Abrams’ latest galaxy-spanning romp when it hits theatres this weekend, we’ve assembled a bit of a refresher course for those who haven’t spent much time with Kirk and Spock.

Brad Bird (Photo: Paramount Pictures)

A not so long time ago in a galaxy in which we all reside, it seemed like every capable director with either a successful superhero or action movie on his resume seemed to be making headlines as a potential director for the new "Star Wars" movies. At the time, the news about narrowing the search was almost as exciting as the news of the new movies and the excitement surrounding the project hasn't slowed, even after J.J. Abrams was eventually named director.

Alberto Rodriguez/NBCSlowly but surely, pieces are falling into place for the long-awaited sequel to the cult classic "Trainspotting," and chances are good we'll see the follow-up in time for the 20th Anniversary of the original.

"Trainspotting" star Ewan McGregor recently participated in a special screening of the movie, staged as a fundraiser for the London Film School, with director Danny Boyle, actor Robert Carlyle, and producer Andrew Macdonald in attendance. While McGregor was unable to appear in person, he spoke to the audience via telephone, and said he'd be eager to make a sequel.

"It's funny, Irvine Welsh's novel, 'Porno,' is set ten years after 'Trainspotting', but I wasn't ready to do it then, for lots of reasons," McGregor said. "But now there's talk of it happening in a few years' time, and I'm totally up for it. I'd be so chuffed to be back on set with everybody and I think it would be an extraordinary experience."

Artificial EyeThere are usually one or two family-friendly films that are released on December 25 every year. And there is usually at least one decidedly non-family-friendly film released as an alternative choice, like Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained" (and "Jackie Brown," for that matter). It's safe to say that Lars Von Trier's latest gift to the unsuspecting public, "Nymphomaniac," falls into that latter category.

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Crowdfunding may have worked wonders for “Veronica Mars” and Zach Braff on Kickstarter, but cult filmmaker Kevin Smith (“Mallrats,” “Red State”) says he is having none of it.

Smith, who recently finished the first draft of his “Clerks III” script, would seem like an ideal candidate for a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. Like Braff and the “Veronica Mars” folks, the filmmaker has a rabid and devoted fan base that would almost certainly pony up to help him get a movie made – especially another sequel to “Clerks.”

But while Smith admits he’s toyed with the idea of crowdfunding, the “Jersey Girl” director said he'd feel uncomfortable making his fans pay for a pet project.

During a recent AMA (Ask Me Anything) session on popular social news site Reddit, Smith said using crowdfunding wouldn't be fair to up-and-coming directors who need the money more than he does.

“I'm feeling like that's not fair to real indie filmmakers who need the help,” Smith wrote. “Unlike back when I made 'Clerks' in '91, I've GOT access to money now -- so I should use that money and not suck any loot out of the crowd-funding marketplace that might otherwise go to some first-timer who can really use it.”

Michael Buckner/Getty ImagesJune Carter will reunite with Johnny Cash as Reese Witherspoon is set to join her "Walk the Line" co-star Joaquin Phoenix in "Inherent Vice," director Paul Thomas Anderson's adaptation of Thomas Pynchon's noir mystery mindbender.

"Inherent Vice" follows the exploits of Larry 'Doc' Sportello (Phoenix), an eccentric L.A. private investigator who receives a surprise visit from his ex-girlfriend, Shasta Fay Hepworth, who's now the mistress of real estate mogul Mickey Wolfmann. Shasta asks for Doc's help in foiling a plot conjured by Wolfmann's wife, Sloane, and her lover, Riggs Warbling, to have Mickey thrown in a mental asylum. Complications ensue against the backdrop of the arrest and trial of the Manson Family from the winter of 1969 through the summer of 1970.

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She beguiled Bill Murray in Japan, served as Woody Allen's muse (for a while), and kicked some serious butt as Black Widow. Now Scarlett Johansson is about to tackle a new challenge – proving she's as talented behind the camera as she is on the big screen.

It was announced Thursday that Scarlett Johansson will be making her first feature film as a director with an adaptation of Truman Capote's novel "Summer Crossing." Aldamisa Entertainment are backing the project, and will be shopping the film to foreign markets at the Cannes Film Festival, which opened on Wednesday and will run through May 26.

ABCIf some fans have their way (some of them famous), the 'Star Wars' universe is going to get a whole lot sexier in Episode VII … especially if you're a wookiee.

Well, not really, but when writer and director J.J. Abrams stopped by to talk up "Star Trek: Into Darkness" on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" Wednesday night, he got some unsolicited advice on his upcoming "Star Wars" reboot that had the audience howling with laughter.