areaseven

We had a great time today. Much thanks to kiririth for hosting an awesome convention, and to Shawn and Graham for keeping the Macross community alive. And props to xstoys and everyone who brought their collections for display. I got tons of pics, and I'm in the process of re-editing them. Here's a teaser. Enjoy!

Gundam toys and kits have come a long way since these commercials aired: Original Clover & Bandai Gundam Commercials '80s Gundam Model Kit Commercial Here's a more recent one. Does anyone know the translation to the dialogue? I can't believe they don't use frickin' clippers to remove the parts off the runners! And here's another one. Holy crap - that thing is huge! 1/400 White Base Commercial

Movie-Car Replica Showdown

Nice try. Robotech II: The Sentinels and Voltron: The Movie are still worse.

Here's another one: PARENTAL ADVISORY: EXPLICIT ENGRISH!

SPOILER ALERT! Do not read unless you've seen the film. Over the weekend, I met up with an old friend and we talked about the movie. He brought up the final moments of Prime vs. Megatron, where

GameTrailers.com has posted their list of the worst movie games ever made. And here's a shocker: E.T. isn't #1. GameTrailers.com: Ten Worst Movie Games

Actually, for some reason, I keep thinking of Escaflowne's dragon mode whenever I see Megatron's alt mode.

Even after 20 years, Jacko's commercial still cracks me up.

I can't wait for the Engrish.com store to release this shirt. PARENTAL ADVISORY: EXPLICIT ENGRISH!

This will probably answer most of the questions you have in mind about Bumblebee.

They're not as conservative as they used to be. I should know, because I lived there until eight years ago. Back then, censors cut the hell out of nearly every R-rated movie that came out. Try watching Basic Instinct and Showgirls without the nudity and sex scenes - and those movies were still rated R18. The government came under heavy fire when they slapped an X rating (which means it cannot be shown on theaters at all) on Schindler's List and considered removing the sex scenes for an R18 rating. After numerous arguments, they gave in to Spielberg's requests and released the film uncut with a PG15 rating, citing historical and educational reasons. My mom was actually part of the Classification Board from 1996 to 1998; hence, I was able to watch any movie for free. She often disagreed with the Board's views on censorship and ratings. One example was The Lost World: Jurassic Park, which was rated PG15 (which means kids under 15 can't watch the film at all). Now that's kind of silly, as the movie was geared towards older children. My mom brought this issue to attention because a few months earlier, The Ghost and the Darkness was released with a GP rating, and that film was obviously more graphic and it mostly involved real lions, as compared to CG dinosaurs in The Lost World. Today, the Philippines seems to be more liberal. For example, their version of FHM magazine has full nude centerfold shots. And from what I've read, R18-rated Tagalog movies now show frontal nudity and other stuff you couldn't see back then.

Apparently, one word makes a huge difference when it comes to censorship. And it's a word you probably least expected in the film. Transformers Given GP Rating in the Philippines

He's around 1:32 scale - between BT and G1 Autobot size.

Here's a preview of the new Bumblebee. More pics to come.

I didn't notice the wave number. Arcee and Dreadwing are the only new ones pictured on the packaging.

I went to Target today and picked up the Deluxe Bumblebee (2008 Camaro edition). Of all the Deluxe toys I've tested, this is, by far, the best of the bunch. Robot mode may not be 100% true to the film version, but the proportions are way better than the old Camaro version. Yes, there are some flaws like a misaligned stripe job on the rear end and an off-center Autobot emblem on the chest (and a lack of one on the forehead), but the Automorph features on the legs and chest are brilliantly engineered. Good luck on finding one, though. I managed to get mine by chance, as one of the salespeople just took it out of a shipping box along with Deluxe Arcee and Dreadwing.

Has anyone read the titles from this company? AK Comics

Transformers Get Blended

Check out this custom Movie Deluxe Bumblebee. The guy made it closer to the real car by adding more scratches, paint fade effects, rust spots and lots of grease marks. He even sawed off the right side mirror. Movie Deluxe Bumblebee WIP

Over at the AnimePunch forums, JsARCLIGHT posted a great review of this movie. Has anyone else here seen Ratatouille?

Sweet cars you guys got there. And I see that you used Axelay's static cling Macross emblems on your suicide doors, Ghadrack.

Insane eBay Transformers Movie Auctions "The Strokes" T-shirt worn by Shia LaBeouf - Currently at $610. My Little Pony Doll - Currently at 425. Capt. Lennox's Dog Tags - Currently at $920. Movie Toy Collection (including the unreleased waves 3-4 set) - Currently at $710. And let's see who in here's got the balls to bid on this one: Masterpiece Optimus Prime Signed by Peter Cullen - Currently at $365.