Most Memorable Scene: The Autobots' Arrival to Earth

I always loved this scene of the Autobots arriving on Earth from the first Transformers movie. From the Autobots fiery crash to Earth to them finding their new vehicular transformation. And not to mention the sheer magnitude of the Autobots compared to Sam Witwicky and Mikaela Banes that truly emphasis their size. I love when they're telling Sam and Mikaela the story how you see a 3D visual of their world Cybertron. I think this is just a really good scene and I also love the score "Arrival to Earth" by Steve Jablonsky that plays throughout.

Trailer: Transformers: Rise of the Beasts

As soon as I saw this trailer for Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, I had to post it. I can't wait to see it, the movie is scheduled to be in theatres June 9, 2023. This looks really interesting and I like that they are slowly continuing this soft reboot with the Transformers franchise.

Favorite Character: Mikaela Banes (Transformers)

When Mikaela Banes first appeared in Transformers she was shown as nothing more than the arm candy girlfriend to preppy dumb jock Trent DeMarco. Thankfully, after dumping Trent, Mikaela was able to move pass that label to become a more well rounded character.

The viewers were then shown a smart, capable and resourceful young woman helping Sam Witwicky and the Autobots take on the Decepticons. It's hard to forget seeing her drive a tow truck in reverse so Bumblebee could stop a Decepticon from attacking. What I like about Mikaela is that she's an expert at fixing cars, however, she downplayed her intelligence and expertise so as not to show up her then boyfriend Trent. Unfortunately, some girls (and women) feel like they have to play dumb to not only fit in but as a way to not intimidate boys so they will like them. Playing dumb only made Trent think that's what she was and he certainly didn't think too highly of her when she wanted to drive his SUV. You can tell he prefers his girlfriends to be nothing more than arm candy.

(Mikaela and Trent        Transformers)

Happy Winter Solstice! (+ a Geeky Winter TV/Movie List)

I wish everyone a happy and wonderful Winter Solstice. No matter how, when or where you celebrate the beginning of winter make sure you're having fun. In case you don't feel like going out, here's a geeky list of winter themed TV shows and movies to watch while you're bundled up warm and cozy on the sofa.


Gilmore Girls

Season 2 episode 10: "The Bracebridge Dinner"

Favorite Fictional Bookworm: Boulder (Transformers: Rescue Bots)

One of my Favorite Fictional Bookworms is Boulder from the Transformers: Rescue Bots animated series. When Boulder isn't working with the other Rescue Bots and the Burns family to protect the small island town of Griffin Rock, he can often be found reading a book from the firehouse library. During the first three seasons of the animated series, the rescue bots had to pretend they were robots so the townspeople wouldn't know they were aliens and since only the Burns family and Dr. Green and his daughter Frankie knew the truth about them, Boulder couldn't go check out books from the Mayor Luskey Library.

However, things changed during the fourth and final season once it was revealed they were aliens. With the townspeople's acceptance, Boulder and the rest of the Rescue Bots no longer had to hide behind a robotic facade and they could simply be themselves. Which allowed Boulder the freedom to go to the library whenever he wanted to and he was able to apply for a library card (and checked out a stack of books). In the 4th season episode Arrivals he also joined the library's book club where they discussed the classic book A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.

What I love about Boulder is that even though he's really smart and inquisitive (his intellect is the equivalent of being an Engineer) but he's also very kind, caring, creative and has a love of art and nature. And not to be forgotten, he's a total bookworm.

(Transformers: Rescue Bots season 4 episode 3 "Arrivals")

DVD Tuesday: Bumblebee and Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase

How come after the first Transformers movie, the sequels kept getting worse and worse? Now the second movie Revenge of the Fallen wasn't that bad, it could have been better. But it was certainly amazing compared to the 3rd (Dark of the Moon), 4th (Age of Extinction) and 5th (The Last Knight) movies which were absolutely terrible. I didn't see Bumblebee when it was in theatres but I heard from a lot of Transformers fans that this 6th movie was good. So, I will definitely be picking this up sometime today.

As a big Nancy Drew fan, I'm a little on the fence about Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase. Yeah, I want to see it but from the trailer and the description, it seems like they made a lot of changes to the story and characters. It seems so weird to see Nancy riding a skateboard especially since she's not a skater punk. But I'm going to give this movie a chance and see if it's better than the trailer.

So what new movies are you picking up this week?


Bumblebee

Description:

On the run in the year of 1987, Bumblebee finds refuge in a junkyard in a small Californian beach town. Charlie, on the cusp of turning 18 and trying to find her place in the world, discovers Bumblebee, battle-scarred and broken.

Art of the Day: Autobot Chase (Transformers: Rescue Bots)

Artwork: Rescue Bot Chase by SolarGirlMina

Lazy Sunday Movie Marathon

I just got back from the store and can now officially say that I have finished my Christmas shopping. Yay! I'll worry about wrapping stuff tomorrow because as of now I'm going to sit back and enjoy the rest of my Lazy Sunday by watching two movies and they are:

Broadcasting Christmas

I have never seen this movie which is why I bought it earlier this year. I had no idea that Melissa Joan Hart had ever starred in a Hallmark movie. Since, this will be my first time watching this, I'm really hoping it will be good.

Starring: Melissa Joan Hart, Dean Cain, Cynthia Gibb, Jackée Harry and more

Description:

Two exes compete for the same co-host position at the nation's favorite morning show in New York City. They'll both do what it take to get ahead, but the fire that burned between them hasn't quite burned out.



Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon 

I know this movie is beyond bad (it's so bad it makes the second movie look good) but I've been rewatching the Transformers movies and I figure I should probably go ahead and continue on with it.

Starring: Shia LaBeouf, John Turturro, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Patrick Dempsey and more

Description:

The Autobots learn of a Cybertronian spacecraft hidden on the moon, and race against the Decepticons to reach it and to learn its secrets.

Weekend Films: Aquaman, Bumblebee and Mary Poppins Returns

This is the weekend before Christmas and it's probably not the best time for me to even think about going to the theatre especially since I still have some last minute gift shopping and wrapping to do. However, there are three really interesting movies that I want to see: Aquaman, Bumblebee and Mary Poppins Returns.

I've already heard good things about each movie from critics and movie goers who seem to be really enjoying these movies and I can't wait to see them as well. Out of these three movies which have you seen or are planning to see?


Aquaman

Starring: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Willem Dafoe, Patrick Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Nicole Kidman, Temuera Morrison and more

Director: James Wan

Description:

Arthur Curry learns that he is the heir to the underwater kingdom of Atlantis, and must step forward to lead his people and be a hero to the world.

Hailee Steinfeld at the Los Angeles Premiere of the "Bumblebee" Movie

I think this is an interesting black and white mini dress that Hailee Steinfeld wore last Sunday (Dec. 9th) to the Los Angeles Premiere of her movie "Bumblebee". The dress is part of Balmain's Spring/Summer 2019 Ready-To-Wear collection and it looks like a cross between a wire/mesh chair and an 1980s fashion and art project. It's definitely something different, very eye-catching. From the pronounced shoulders to the one sleeve not encased in the corded material, it does makes the dress really stand out.

I feel like this is the type of dress that you have to feel confident in wearing because with the unusual silhouette and the 80's artsy aesthetics this is a look you have to own entirely.


Dress

Dylan O'Brien will be the voice of Bumblebee for the 'Bumblebee' Movie

I just saw the news the Dylan O'Brien will be the voice of Bumblebee for the upcoming sixth Transformers movie Bumblebee which will be in theatres December 21. Since the Autobot never really had a voice in all the previous Transformers movies it will be interesting to hear what he will sound like. I think O'Brien is an interesting choice and he does has a distinctive voice which is why I wonder if his voice will be digitally enhanced or not?

So what do you think, is Dylan O'Brien a good choice as the voice for Bumblebee?

Book Review: Transformers: The Veiled Threat

Book: Transformers: The Veiled Threat by Alan Dean Foster

Edition: Paperback

Description:

Life on earth has changed forever as humans and their courageous robotic allies, the Autobots, must work together to protect the planet from the destructive forces of the evil Decepticons. At the headquarters of NEST, Tech Sergeant Epps and Captain Lennox both guard and assist cyberneticist Kaminari Ishihara and the brooding Russian AI genius Petr Andronov as they explore the differences between organics and bots. In the meantime, all around them, alliances fray, distrust grows, suspicions mount, and traitors come out of the shadows.

Optimus Prime, the powerful leader of the Autobots who is also part of NEST, is on the defense as battles flare up from Australia to Zimbabwe. But escalating Decepticons attacks will culminate in a final confrontation from which no one -- man or machine -- will emerge unscathed.

Art of the Day: Sideswipe (Transformers)

Artwork: Sideswipe lines by Dan Khanna and color by ZeroMayhem

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!

I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! I hope everyone has a chance to have a wonderful day. For anyone who has to work today I hope you will have a very good day. And to anyone who will not be spending the day with family for whatever reason or don't have any family, know that someone cares.

Happy Holidays everyone!

~ Book Girl

Artwork: Merry X-Mas by Hallpen

Artwork: Air Raid - Happy Hanukkah by The-Starhorse

Fitness Monday: Fitspiration: Sam Witwicky

Sam Witwicky is not exactly who you would think of for a fitness inspiration. But do you remember the scene in the first Transformers movie, it was near the end when Sam was tasked with getting the Allspark to the roof of the building, so that the military could retrieve it.

During that scene Sam ran nonstop to get to the building and not to mention he ran up numerous flights of stairs. Granted he did have alien robots trying to kill him. Regardless, that was some endurance.

Which leads me to today's Fitspiration post, I was inspired by Sam to start running. Over the last few years, I've attempted it but never stuck with it. But after recently watching Transformers for the umpteenth time, I was inspired to give it another try.

From my research, the best method I found for a beginner such as myself, is to start with walking for 10-30 minutes before trying a one minute or less run. Eventually over time I should be able to increase my run time and gradually build up my endurance. The main thing is to start out slow otherwise I could risk an injury. And aside from running, I have a mini rowing machine that I can use as another form of endurance training.

Interested in running, the only things required are: a good pair of running shoes (they certainly don't need to be expensive) and for the ladies a sports bra (it's very necessary).

Running doesn't require a giant robot chasing you but it was a great motivator for Sam. As with any exercise or workout, please consult your doctor before attempting.

Art of the Day: Optimus Prime and Skyfire

Artwork: Skyfire and Optimus Prime by Dan-the-artguy with color by Josh Perez

Art of the Day: Autobot Prowl

Artwork: Chess in the Park by The-Starhorse

I just love the everydayness of this artwork.

Art of the Day: Starscream

Artwork: Starscream by Seventing

Book Review: Angry Birds/Transformers: Age of Eggstinction

Book: Angry Birds/Transformers: Age of Eggstinction (issues #1-4) by John Barber with illustration by Livio Ramondelli and Marcelo Ferreira

Source: Borrowed from Publisher/NetGalley for an honest review

Publication: May 26, 2015

Publisher: IDW Publishing

Description:

When the Transformers lose their powerful Allspark, it ends up on Piggie Island - and the world of Angry Birds turns robotic! Prepare to meet... the AUTOBIRDS and DECEPTIHOGS!



Rating: 1 star (Did Not Finish)

Review:

The writing for this was so awful that I couldn't finish reading it. With so much of the dialog being off it made it hard to read, for instance when Starscream was telling Soundwave he needs to loosen up and stop being such a company man. That right there, I'm not buying that as something he would have said. From the writing it didn't seem as if the author was familiar with either the Transformer or the Angry Birds characters.

None of theses characters were in character, the writing really made this unbearable to read. This crossover follows the Autobots losing the Allspark after they were attacked by the Decepticons. The Allspark wound up in the world of the Angry Birds.

The Pigs after stealing the birds eggs attempted to cook them when they found the Allspark and after touching it they started to turn into Deceptihogs. Sometime later the birds found the Allspark then turned in Autobirds.

The Angry Birds and The Transformers are usually fun comics to read but this crossover was not good at all.

The only good thing about this was the artwork. It was bright and colorful for the Angry Birds section and dark and dramatic for the Transformers.

Throwback Thursday: Transformers Official Trailer

To me, Transformers (2007) is still the best one out of the movie series. It's just one of those movies that you can watch again and again and never feel bored. Unlike with the sequels which all pale in comparison to the first movie including the last one, Transformers: Age of Extinction.