Do not go see Transformers

Do not watch Transformers: ROTF. It's really as loud, dumb, long and offensive as the critics say.

Instead, go see a Serenity Charity Screening. You'll feel better, really.

We now interupt our hiatus for roboerotic violence.

Ravage! SQEEEE!

I know, I'm a proponent of the laws of robotics, I shouldn't like this stuff. But come on, giant construction equipment that turns into killer robots? I'm there.

Update: The bastards took it off line. I shall attempt to find it again.

Next update. Go here to see it in all it's 'splodey glory

Death of a Henchman (oh how we shall miss thee)

Do not watch this if you don't want to be spoiled for the entire Venture Brothers season:

Oh how we shall miss thee henchfriend. Your well foreshadowed demise was shocking, and hillarius to see. Our loss leaves us poorer in Venture characters, but richer in comedy gold. Rest well animated friend, rest well.

Transformers

(minor spoilers) So yesterday, I got to be 8 for a two and a half hours or so while watching helicopters, tanks, trucks and other such things turn into giant robots and beat the hell out of each other.

Sure it had a few Bayisms (a little to long, some pained dialog, etc), but he kept himself largely in check (Spielberg's production influence at work I suspect). The story wasn't bad, many of the actors actually acted, and then there's the giant robots.

Both Sadimac and I got a little tingly when Optimus Prime made his big entrance, and then made the big announcement of his name in that great original voice (by Peter Cullen) that resonates through my childhood memories.

It's from a kind of corny childhood cartoon, I know, but it's a voice that I associate with (an admittedly larger than life) integrity, bravery, and self-sacrifice. Only one fictional screen character since then (Maximus form Gladiator) has carried that weight for me, and I've always compared him to Prime anyhow.

The action scenes were great. Blackout's attack on a human army base, Ironhide dodging a barrage of Starscreams missles, Prime fighting Bonecrusher on a freeway, and a badly damaged Bumblebee taking on Brawl really stand out, but everything is just such a thrill your favorites will surely vary.

My last bit of praise goes to the use of strong female characters, with no weak ones to "balance it out." Maybe Bay took a cue from Joss Whedon, maybe he went out on his own, but either way it's a welcome sight that we're seeing more, but not nearly enough.

Blow stuff up

Some years, I get thoughtful about the 4th, other years, I want explosions.

This year, I blow things up. I'm an awful person, I know.

I leave you with this:

I know, that has nothing to do with Independence Day, I just think it's funny.

Happy 4th

Let the geek flow

Confession time. I will wake up tomorrow, full of exploding 4th of July holiday spirit, looking forward to hanging out with our friends, drinking, eating, and blowing shit up.

But before any drinking or explosions, I will giddily wake my dearest, summon our roommate from her basement sanctuary, and drag us all to the nearest corporate ubermultiscreenaplex and watch Transformers.

I really don't care if it's good or bad. It being a Micheal Bay movie, I fully expect it to be dumb as a Arkansas educated post, but full of well executed robot on robot (roboerotic?) violence.

It's my perfect storm of geekdom this summer. Pirates are fun, but kind of played out. The Simpsons hasn't been worth watching for years, so why should the movie be any good? All of my current TV shows are over (if you think I waited for the Sci-Fi screenings of Doctor Who you're mad).

It'll have to be D&D as my geek focus for most of the summer. Oh well, nothing like the classics.