Geek of Oz

Episode 49! Stu and Billy are back at the flicks having attended the the second week of the Sydney Film Festival , and also managing to watch Transformers: The Last Knight . Transformers: The Last Knight is the 5th installement of the live-action Transformers film series. The films sees Humans are at war with the Transformers, and Optimus Prime nowhere to be found after the events of the previous film. The key to saving the future lies buried in the secrets of the past and the hidden history of Transformers on Earth. Now, it's up to the unlikely alliance of Cade Yeager (Mark Wahlberg), Bumblebee, an English lord (Anthony Hopkins) and an Oxford professor (Laura Haddock) to save the world. Also in this weeks episode we also recap the films we've seen from the second and final week of the Sydney Film Festival. These include: Mifune: The Last Samurai, Graduation, Barbecue, Abacus: Small Enough to Jail, On Body and Soul, Kedi, A Fantastic Woman, Call Me By...

For many geeks, Transformers was their first foray into the world of Japanese cartoons. Whether we realised it or not, this now legendary franchise was equal parts American cartoon, Japanese anime and universal toy selling monster. This collaboration between Sunbow, Marvel, Toei and Takara spawned 4 direct seasons (97 episodes) and a seriously expansive extended universe. Like it or not, the success of Transformers as a franchise was helped along, and no doubt dictated, by the sale of transforming die-cast robots. While some may see this a slight against the integrity of the series, I didn't and still don't particularly mind. Some of my earliest memories are of playing with my Transformers toys while watching early morning cartoons before school. Then I'd pack my school bag and sneak in a couple of the smaller bots like Seaspray, Beachcomber or Cosmos. So, to say that this series will be reviewed through rose-coloured glasses is an understatement. This is where i...

One of the most iconic and enduring cartoon franchises of the 1980s, Transformers and its accompanying universe is as vast as it is awesome but due to its immensity it can be difficult to know where to start.  Sure, you could just start with Gen 1, Season 1 but where to from there?  Unfortunately, not all Transformers series take place in the same universe or continuity so there's no hard and fast rule ,  but we've consulted with the mech-heads at Madman and put together a handy dandy recommended viewing order for their Transformers releases and 100% Bay-free. The Transformers Generation 1 Season 1 This is where it all began, way back in 1984. This was our first introduction to Optimus and the gang who found themselves stranded on "present day" Earth. Also introduced are the majority of main characters who still exist today including Soundwave, Starscream, Megatron and everyone's favourite dim-witted Dinobot, Grimlock. Season 1 weighs in a...

Long time readers of Geek of Oz will know that I'm a sucker for those shape shifting mechs known as Transformers. Ever since I was a kid they've held a special place in my heart so, to be honest, I was bound to enjoy Transformers Rescue Bots. Hell, I even liked the Michael Bay films in spite of how terrible they are!  Optimus Prime issues a call to all operational Autobots for urgent assistance on earth. Answering the call are Heatwave, Blades, Chase and Boulder who arrive in the US state of Maine to the news that they are the last remaining Rescue Bots. Unsure as to whether the new team members are ready to battle the Decepticons, Optimus tasks the Rescue Bots to work undercover, assisting the local townsfolk whenever they're in need.

Of any childhood franchise, Transformers certainly holds a special place in my geeky little heart so the press release below from Madman makes for many of the happies. What makes me even more happy is that these aren't just any releases, they're the perfect accompaniment to Madman's already extensive coverage of Transformers lore. Transformers fans, like myself, are in for a treat and will no doubt relish the bevvy of releases planned up until Michael Bay's next instalment.

Much to the chagrin and/or delight of geeks worldwide, Paramount Pictures and Michael Bay have confirmed details of the next installment in the phenomenally successful Hasbro franchise. While no massive revelations are involved in the press release, a surprising cast member is named as the new front man of the series while Australia's own REBEL WILSON gets a nod! Check out the official press release after the jump!

Transformers have been reinvented countless times since their inception in 1984. It all started with the classic series, best known as Generation 1, back when Bumblebee was a bug and Soundwave a cassette player (ask your parents, kids). Since then we've seen the futuristic Gen 2, Beast Wars and Michael Bay's much maligned movie trilogy and aside from this we've seen numerous animated spin offs and a tonne of comic books.  The Autobots and Decepticons have now returned in an all new animated series of unquestionable pedigree both in terms of production and voice work. One thing is for certain Transformers: Prime - Darkness Rising has this little Transformers fan is excited. 

Every month I go through the same routines. I get excited when I receive my new anime, bummed out when it's all been watched and then excited again when the new releases for the next month are announced. So it should come as no surprise that once again, I'm excited! May was a hard month to beat in terms of anime releases and if June hasn't managed to do so, it comes damn well close. Then again, it's a big challenge when May brings three Studio Ghibli films on glorious high definition Blu Ray! Have a look after the jump and decide for yourself!

So, maybe it's not really anime but it is certainly something that anime fans would be interested in. Madman have announced that they have secured a distribution deal with Hasbro Studios meaning that we will have a local release of Transformers: Prime in June this year. Last week on a Qantas flight I managed to watch 2 episodes of Transformers: Prime and I've gotta say, I'm excited for more!  Check out the full press release after the jump!

The good folks at Paramount have given us a couple of behind the scenes videos to celebrate todays release of Transformers: Dark of the Moon. For your viewing pleasure. a behind the scenes look at the Moscow premiere and an inside look at the "wing suit" operators used in the film.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon is the third in series of the Michael Bay directed Hasbro franchise and is without a doubt the best of all three. The basic outline of the story ties into the cold war era space race. American scientists make a discovery which coerces the United States government into putting a man on the moon. What they discover is a crashed Autobot ship which had fled from the Cybertronian Civil War. The Americans bring back a number of artifacts and lock away their secrets for the next 50 years. The 35 people who knew about the operation are slowly dying in suspicious circumstances. One of the operations most well known collaborators, Buzz Aldrin, meets with Optimus Prime to advise of what they found, what they brought back and why.

The good people at Paramount Pictures have sent through this brand new and extended trailer for the upcoming Transformers 3: Dark of The Moon. The more I see of this movie the more excited I am to see it! Is that the Space Bridge I see? It's good to see a bit of acknowledgement for the original animated series. Autobots, ROLL OUT!

The good folks at Paramount Australia have provided us with a couple of new clips from the upcoming Transformers 3 - Dark of the Moon.This time we get to see a glimpse of our new love interest who gets a surprising nickname from Doctor McDreamy. Do you think "The Duchess" is a reference to co-star Josh Duhamel's beau, Stacy "the Duchess" Ferguson? The second clip is a short snippet from director Michael Bay and James Cameron on the creation and use of visual effects. Enjoy! Read on for more...

If you've read a few of my previous posts, you'll know that Transformers (the original animated) hold a special place in my geeky little heart. So when I see ANOTHER film hitting cinemas I get a little concerned. Following the train wreck that was 'Revenge of the Fallen' we have 'Dark of the Moon'. Here's hoping that Admiral Explosion has learned a lesson and omitted THE TWINS from this latest incarnation. Read more for an all new trailer!