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“Transformers: Last Knight” Reveal Autobot Sqweeks’ Robot Mode & Bio

TransformersTLKHeader By James Robert Shaw
(The Wind up Geek)

The official Transformers movie Facebook site revealed the look and bios of both Autobots Drift and Hot Rod within the last 48 hours. Now, they have revealed the look of Autobot Sqweeks. I’ve been saying the initial photo of Sqweeks, that looks like a cross between M.A.S.K.‘s T-Bob and Challenge of the Gobots‘ Guardian good guy robot, Scooter. But never did I expect anything like this.

Hate it? No. I love the design. The look of Sqweeks is very future dystopian. I can imagine him in a story where humans rely on robots but what is built is scrounged from scrap yards, much like in Yukito Kishiro’s Battle Angel Alita manga series. The full photo of Sqweeks is available for viewing at the bottom of this article.

“We wouldn’t underestimate him.”

Height: 3′ 6″
History: A human’s best friend
Personality: Small frame, Big heart

AutobotSqweeks

Source(s): Udana Senjeewa Wijesuriya, Addicted to Transformers Facebook group, and Transformers: The Last Knight Facebook page.

In Conversation With Actor/Musician Garry Chalk

garrychalk

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

Garry Chalk is one of those actors who created the voice of many of my favourite characters in animation in the 1990’s. As the voice of Turbo and Slash in Mainframe Entertainment’s Reboot and later Optimus Primal in Transformers: Beast Wars / Machines, I really liked how he put his all into those characters. Back then, the Internet was not available and I had to depend on keeping an eagle eye and sharp ear to the credits to recognize what he appeared in. Little did I know he had a vast and rewarding career in film, television and theatre before coming onto the animation scene.

When I spoke to him about his more recent work, especially in O. Corbin Saleken‘s Patterson’s Wager (which is getting screenings in upcoming film festivals around North America and is on VOD), this performer said, “I’m not one of those kinds of method actors who look for characters in other people. I develop what’s within me and who I am and put me in that situation. I know myself better than anyone else. There’s a whole emotional gambit to consider, but in every one of them, there’s a facet of what you’re going to make the character be. So the core essence of any character [I play] is me with a bunch of additional circumstances to shape my response.”

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Shout! Factory to release 30th Anniversary Transformers the Movie w/ New Bonus Material!

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

Updated to include an announcement made June 24, 2016

A new blu-ray release of Transformers the Movie is coming courtesy of Shout! Factory and Hasbro, and if the high definition transfer is not enough to wet fans appetites, a special steel book edition (now available for pre-order on Amazon) is coming! This film will soon be celebrating its 30th anniversary and this company has “The Touch” to churn out quality releases. Stan Bush may well enjoy a bit of a resurgence with his iconic tune when this product arrives on video. His song defined two key moments in this film, namely when Hot Rod becomes Rodimus Prime.

This film was originally released August 8th, 1986 and when I went to see it on opening day, I remember seeing Starscream giving the finger and hearing a few swear words on the big screen. There was an outcry by parents and the print was quickly changed. My big question is if any of those the moments will get put back in. If this title is being released under this company’s Shout! Kids label, it will not. Those pre-ordering through Shout! Factory’s website will find an offer to receive a mini-poster of this release’s cover art while supplies last.

This new release is boasting a new transfer from the prints. For collectors wanting to know what the changes are in store, a full announcement as to what the extra material will be made during San Diego Comic Convention 2016. One confirmed detail is that this release is for region 1 (USA and Canada).

Both editions (regular and steel book) will roll out September 13, 2016. It will also be available across other delivery platforms.

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Transformers Prime: Galvatron’s Revenge Rolls Out with a Teaser

To follow the latest talk about this continuation of Transformers Prime, please visit tfw2005.com’s message boards.

Transformers Prime Galvatron's Revenge Teaser Movie Poster Although Transformers Prime: Galvatron’s Revenge is a failed Kickstarter project from 2015, props has to go to the team still working on bringing this fan film to life. They are making it as a labour of love. On TFW2005’s message boards, the hope is to bring this one-off movie in 2017. The modelling for all the main characters are done, test animations made and render of the introduction sequence posted on YouTube (see below). What’s presented feels more like 1.5

The pacing follows in the style created in the original product, and all it needs is further finessing. Add some more phong shading, patina and some battle scars to these mechs, and this product can roll out.

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Cherry Bomb’s National Toy Museum of Canada in Victoria, BC Brings Heartfelt Memories

1410 Broad St
Victoria, BC Canada
(250) 385-8697

10 am – 6 pm Mon-Sat,
12 pm – 5 pm Sun

After much renovation to Cherry Bomb Toys mezzanine area, the store operators opened their National Toy Museum of Canada. After a few weeks, the guest book is indicating that people are keen on the idea. There were visitors from as far as Manitoba! Entry is by donation or purchasing an item at the store.

In what’s displayed brings plenty of fond memories. From the 1920’s is Meccano (‘Mechanics Made Easy’ was this construction set’s slogan and this product is modernized for today’s youths), during the early 1980’s several Mini-Arcades by Coleco brought video games to the home in a pint-sized package and made in the late 80’s were Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The original toys stood beside their 2010 counterparts to show how these heroes in the half shell evolved with the times. The highlight for me is with the toys from the 70’s, namely the Six Million Dollar Man and the robots who predated the Transformers craze. Plenty of GoBots can be spotted, but for me, Marvel Comics‘ Shogun Warriors (I have the complete run) solidified my nerdiness. I drooled over the display case, wishing I could paw, er play with them like a needy cat.

Other notable items included the catalog from the Propworx Stargate SG-1 auction from 2010. The props donated to this museum came from an anonymous individual and if I could only hold the Zat’ni’katel, the gun used to stun opponents with, I’d truly geek out. Even a panel of a Goa’uld ship and a door switch lays on display. Very rarely collectors give their memorabilia from such a prominent show away, and this operation will display items from private collectors willing to loan them out (I might consider bringing to them my Studio Ghibli stuffed doll collection) so what’s on exhibit can regularly change. Patrons could find something new, if not rearranged, to look at during a visit to this store / museum operation.

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What If…Transformers Was Produced by Saban

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

This recent find on YouTube is a Transformers Generation 1 trailer filmed by Chisel Pixel. According to Assistant Director/Actor Jay Zarecki, the intention is to make a feature-length film but the release date of December 2015 has come and gone. For now one must admire the work that has gone into this. The video looks like Transformers eloped with Saban Entertainment’s Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and this lovechild was conceived. The FX looks great and the voices by Marc DuBos (Optimus Prime) and Zarecki (Megatron and Starscream) are pleasing to this hard-done-by G1 fan.

The full-length feature, according to Zarecki, will involve the Decepticons Megatron, Starscream, Thundercracker and Shockwave. Now one must show patience for it to arrive. But how long, I wonder, can I last before my patience wears thin? With no new date of release mentioned, I wonder when, if ever, this project will roll out.