Transformers One Confusing Retcon Long Time Fans Will Reject

This animated prequel shows why Transformers One shouldn’t retcon what’s previously known as long time fans can find problems.

Transformers One Movie PosterBack when Transformers had a singular continuity, (known as G1), it easy to keep track of what went on. But as it gained in popularity, Hasbro crafted a series bible that future iterations of the franchise had to recognize, despite regular reboots. And all of that is forgotten in Transformers One.

What it doesn’t acknowledge concern how Cybertronians came to exist and why they were used as mostly slave labour by the Quintessons. This alien force conquered this planet and created/mutated the native species to what they are now. And as for how this latest entry to the cinematic universe can transition to The Great War between the Autobots and Decepticons, I’m already scratching my head.

This origin story delves into an era that’s been fully explored in the Prime universe (Amazon Link), featured in IDW’s comic books and detailed in full in Alex Irvine’s novel, Transformers: Exodus. I even reviewed the first two books of the trilogy since I loved it that much. But when considering none of that material matters, I’m rather disappointed the film can’t even acknowledge even an ounce of that past.

Instead, the best moment is seeing the Vehicons rule an untamed land that includes bio-type mechanoids. Everything else is unimportant, like seeing how Bumblebee gets named and that he’s always been there. As for the technology in how to transform, it’s attributed to some lost science Alpha Trion summons up and doesn’t even name. Aside from being like some wise old master and using an age-old Ninjago trope of “accessing your full potential,” I rolled my eyes.

Continue reading “Transformers One Confusing Retcon Long Time Fans Will Reject”

A Player’s Shameless Guide to Breaking Down Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves on Home Video

We take a look at which edition of the home video release of Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is worth picking up and the verdict is….

Dungeons and Dragons Honor Among Thieves SteelbookParamount Pictures and eOne
For the Movie Review,
please visit our original post here.

Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is coming to home video this week! Although what’s offered as bonus content does not differ from the streaming version, I am glad to have a release to hold in my hands. Although I was hoping a store exclusive can come with added goodies, alas the only thing offered (for now) is the steelbook. The case presents the ampersand dragon with the movie cast presented in silhouette and the interior is a gorgeous recreation of the dungeon scene from the film like it was a Mondo art print.

And my appreciation for this film got bumped up a notch. The first segment, “From Dice to Dragons: Honouring the Lore,” finally reveals the details and what kind of love writer-directors Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley put in to adapt the game to screen. Their interview also includes explaining why they went with a pudgy dragon rather than a sleek one. Strangely, they didn’t acknowledge Gary Gygax or the TSR days. Unless it passed by fast, I would’ve liked to hear that Wizards of the Coast/Hasbro did not own and manage the property back then.

Continue reading “A Player’s Shameless Guide to Breaking Down Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves on Home Video”

Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, A Modern Family Comedy than All Out Fantasy

In the long run, Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is more about celebrating the game’s 50th anniversary one year early.

Theatrical Poster for Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among ThievesSpoiler Alert

Thankfully, the adaptation of the granddaddy of all role-playing games to cinema lives up to most expectations. At first I wasn’t sure if I’d like Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves because of the trailers. It had more of a Marvel movie vibe than anything else.

The full presentation should have dialled the laughs down, and made the fantasy setting feel a bit more mediaeval. Thankfully, the horror elements are done right. The undead are real, and they are waiting to conquer the Forgotten Realms. The armies of Szass Tam are the evil dead and living beings are needed to make new ones. And when Edgin Darvis (Chris Pine) crosses paths with them, the trouble only gets worse.

Continue reading “Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, A Modern Family Comedy than All Out Fantasy”

Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves Gets on Tame Impala’s Wings of Time!

Fans of Tame Impala will soon get a chance to listen to his latest tune for D&D: Honor Among Thieves. Wings of Time may well be the closing track.

Theatrical Poster for D&D Honor Among Thieves and Wings of Time Today, Tame Impala (Kevin Parker) has released “Wings of Time,” an original song written for Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves from Paramount Pictures and eOne. The track is out everywhere via Fiction (distributed by Virgin Music Group). Listen to “Wings of Time” and links to where it can be heard is compiled in this collection here.

Alternatively, we’re offering a YouTube link in the middle of this article.

“Being asked to do a track for the D&D soundtrack seemed like an unmissable opportunity to indulge in my long time love of fantasy prog rock,” says Parker. “I recruited my good friend Nicholas Allbrook, who is the person I know appreciates this subject matter the most. We rented a villa in Spain, that kind of felt like a castle, for two nights whilst on tour for Primavera. That location got us in the right frame of mind and it went from there. We stayed up late coming up with weird ideas and song lyrics.”

Continue reading “Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves Gets on Tame Impala’s Wings of Time!”

Fireheart Trailer and When to Expect It

The trailer shows an ambitious work about a young girl aspiring to be the world’s first female firefighter

FirehearteOne Films UK

L’Atelier Animation’s upcoming movie, Fireheart didn’t make my lists because it’s uncertain it will hit theatres or festivals this year. It’ll make its debut in France and other territories are most likely soon to follow come Summer. This news is exciting as the trailer shows an ambitious work about a young girl aspiring to be the world’s first female firefighter, much like how Disney’s Mulan wants to join a certain boy’s club of elite warriors. 

The tale is set in New York during the roaring twenties, and this time was especially tough when women had little rights. Women’s Suffrage was getting started, and for Georgia, the teen heroine, she not only has to deal with her daddy’s opinion but also has to be in disguise if she’s being recruited. 

Continue reading “Fireheart Trailer and When to Expect It”

The Deets on Transformers the Movie 35th Anniversary 4K Edition

Any eagle-eyed fans will have to make plans for finding this release in the wild, as its not likely many will be sold at box stores. This release features striking new key art by celebrated comic artist Matt Ferguson, an all-new 4K transfer of the movie in widescreen with HDR, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, the film in HD full frame on Blu-ray, immersive bonus content including never-before-seen feature-length storyboards

transformersmoviesteelShout! Factory and eOne

Release Dates:
Aug 3, 2021 (Limited Edition Steelbook)
Sept 28, 2021 (UHD+Blu-ray & Blu-ray+DVD combo)

Transformers The Movie is almost 35 years old, and unlike the video games which shows the warring Cybertronians looking dirty and with battle scars, the restoration of the film will be crisp and shiny.  This work has been meticulously re-restored from a cleaner-than-ever, brand-new 4K transfer of the original 35mm film elements and even better for this home video release is the choice of which edition to pick up!

Beloved by legions of fans, this full-length animated adventure boasts the voice talent of Orson Welles in his final voice acting role and an all-star voice cast that includes Peter Cullen, Eric Idle, Casey Kasem, Judd Nelson, Leonard Nimoy, Robert Stack and Frank Welker.

Continue reading “The Deets on Transformers the Movie 35th Anniversary 4K Edition”