Well. Well.

Looks like I was wrong with Heidi Montag after all. Thanks for the rumours that spread across the internet about her so-called audition.

I suspected the video link she personally worked on wasn’t really  ’star-quality material’.  The more I look at her taped audition closely, the more I realised how stupid I was to think someone of that kind of personality would ever want to take up Megan Fox’ replacement for upcoming Michael Bay’s project ‘Transformers 3′.

Instead, (now it’s officially confirmed) we have a hot runway fashion model from Victoria Secret that’s pitched in to be better contender for the Sam Witwicky’s new girlfriend.  After finding out a little bit about  her profile and looking at the picture below, it’s easy to see why she’s best picked out of the the other contenders.

Megan Fox's replacement

Her name is Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.  A young English model at the age of 23, whose career success always been in the fashion business, was a deemed as the ‘new Kate Moss’ as some people say. And for a young girl to work for many best-selling cover magazines like Vogue, it would be hard for Michael Bay to turn down such a pretty-faced girl to audition for such action-hyped film.

So congratulations to her!

Here’s the congratulatory footage (done by Victoria Secret) of her accepting the role in Transformers 3!^^

Source: The Independent

Well this is a first! I was just wondering what’s this all about after Evangelion 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance went live almost a year ago.

And now I heard that its official DVD/Blueray discs have extended and uncut editions of the second Evangelion film (hence titled Evangelion 2.22!), which is about to be released on 26th May 2010, for Japan. While in Germany, it’s expected to be released by July.

Interesting to note there isn’t gonna be any US release anytime soon… So if you travelling anywhere in Japan or Germany around those months, do getyourself a nice copy in one of their DVD stores.  Or go to their Amazon Japan or Amazon Germany online to order one!^^

Source: ANN.com, AsianBlueRayGuide.com

Sorry for no posts for the past couple of weeks.

You probably got my last twits mentioning I was waffling through mountains of paperwork I need to do for my travel visa to find work in Australia.  Their visa requirements are horribly insane!!  Just seem more bureaucratic cr$p to me!  And it’s still aint over.  Sigh…..

Anywho, had enough of my own personal cirumstances, I’m posting on the new Gaiking movie trailer that’s just been released.  Here’s the video below.

Thanks to everyone’s contribution on my Facebook fan page, many concluded rumours that it’s set to released in 2012 for Europe, 2011 for USA and 2010 for Japan. (Oh wait…. The last makes more sense. Needs no intro. D’uh!)

Whatever the case it may be, this is one of the next best giant robot shows that’s highly anticipated to arrive at the big screens!! Here’s another link for those who’s interested to know why and how this project got started and what’s in it for the producers.

What do you think guys? Are you all excited or what??

Source: GeekTyrant.com

Speaking of Transformers, Heard that Dreamworks are setting their sights for making Transformers 3 a reality on the 21s July 2011 and they’re keen to hire more people on board to get the ball rolling!

Rumours been circling around that they’re going to pay $200 a day for someone’s time to be part of the movie set. Isn’t that a great part of the deal of what?!? So for those who are living in Los Angeles City and you’re a die hard Transformers fan, what are you waiting for???

Go for it!!!!

Source: Tformers.com

After watching the previous trailers, I went on to uncover further scoop trailers on the cast and crew behind the production.

After reading this from offical Gundam Unicorn page, I went ahead and found the footage video of the voice cast interviews.

They’re certainly very energetic and enthusiastic young bunch! All looking hyped-up for the movie Spring release!

The Japanese UC Voice Cast Crew – Part 1

The Japanese UC Voice Cast Crew – Part 2

BTW, these footage videos are pretty old BTW, dated like back in August when I was away on Europe holidays. The interviews come into two parts. Each ran for about 5 – 6 minutes long. Why didn’t the author just record the entire thing into one stream… I have no idea. But that’s no longer relevant as long as they’re available to view online.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with any subtitles. You might as well enjoy the whole thing while you’re here. Maybe good for those who wish to brush up their Japanese language without the need of subtitles? ;-)

Source: Gundam-Unicorn.net

A week so ago, Sunrise made a big announcement that they’re planning to bring Gundam Unicorn into the big screen at the world premiere in Hong Kong on 6th Feb 2010 (in three days time).

Several online (and offline) comic and manga publishers throughout the Asian region are keeping a keen eye on that, especially with helping out the ticket sales. Expecting that it’s going to be massive on the day of its worldwide release.

This is so fantastic! After watching the trailer (short version) below, I feel so looking forward to book a plane ticket to HK and stay there for overnight accommodation to just watch the film.

All that effort for 2 hour+ film! (Yeah I wish)

Crazy. I know.  But at least, I won’t be only one who’s that excited to look into this!!!^^

Source: ANN.com, Youtube.com

Macross Frontier (MF) are at it again.  Now with their new film that’s just been released a few weeks ago, according to this blog,  it’s come to dazzle the audience with incredibly stunning cutting-edge animation, wide array of VF-fighter jets flying all over the cinematic screens with its impressive air dog-fight sequences and the mesmerizing story-telling elements by none other than Shoji Kawamori, our legendary Macross director, himself.

Lots of character casts were there for the glorious evening. Shoji Kawamori is amongst the crew.

Following this anime fan’s blog, the entire MF gang were there to enlighten the MF-crazed crowd. You can see them performing the PR stage from the beginning to the every end.

What’s interesting of this blog, as you scroll down the pages while skim reading, you are reading the translated script of the individual voice actors (and Shoji Kawamori) who presented their speeches in front of large audience.  This way, you get the rough sense of what they were truly saying while the premier was going on.

It’s sure was a major hit for the crowd during that day!

As you slowly get to know the main voice actors of MF representing the film, there’s one particular (how should I say) star of the show really wowed the audience! And it’s this person’s cosplay as Ranka Lee.

And… IT’S NOT A GIRL!

I just dropped myself dead on the floor laughing hard out how hilarious this turns out to be!!! :)

Apparently, this ‘gentleman’ is a Japanese kickboxer who’s well known in the boxing community, hence he’s pretty butch.  And he likes anime too.  One of his obvious favourite category in anime is the cosplay.   Looking at the above pictures, he’s certainly knows how to get in touch with his feminine side so acutely… :)  (He’s also got his own personal blog, if you’re keen to find more about his secondary life as an otaku)

So there you have it folks.  The MF movie premier for ya!

Source:  Networkedblogs.com, Gigazine.net

Astro Boy

It sure has been pretty busy week for me. Not much posting going on as I recently got a new job last week since my last job at my last company was made redundant some weeks ago. So plenty of time has been put focus in getting used to my new work environment, learning to get to know your new work colleagues, getting used to having a public transport to get to work (takes about 90 minutes by car, that doesn’t even include the time to find a car park!!!)

Which now brings me back to my attention on what’s been going in the anime world since my absence.

Yes! As you probably know by now, Astro Boy has finally made into the cinemas worldwide just almost three days ago. And in the USA, it sure did get a positive reception after reading this page from SkyNews.

I just read its movie review, done by an American writer, who’s clearly a movie-junkie if you traceback his review source, and (SPOILERS ALERT) I find his final conclusion on Astro Boy being less disingenuous than its orginal TV series run seemed a little harsh to deserve such a low grade. Though I yet to see the film to find his comments are fair justifiable, I would think the movie have a different emphasis on the importance of family bonds and how this film challenges that due to Dr Tenma, father of Astro Boy, rejecting him as his son despite his compassionate efforts in reviving his dead son he used to dearly love(which gives the reason for Astro Boy’s existence in the first place!). At least, that’s what Nicolas Cage mentioned in his comments from this LA Times’ post.

So there are different intangible things people look for when watching this 50-year iconic character on the silverscreens. Whether it’s fun for kids or getting to know the character in depth, I’m sure for all the while, it’s definitely entertaining to watch.

Guess, I have to wait till early January (New Zealand’s release date is 21st Jan) next year to write up my take on this.

Source: SkyNews, SeattlePi, LA Times

Well… Isn’t this turn out to be quite of a sudden move.

If rumours proven to be true…

Astro Boy Worldwide Movie Poster

With only barely a little over 7 days to go before its worldwide release, there’s been some talks from Imagi’s making plans to have a sequel for the Astro Boy film, whether or not the film will be a big success or not in the USA. Which begs the question, are they willing to gamble everything on the table to see the things fly.

Here’s an excerpt from MTV.com’s post.

The Imagi Animation Studios-produced “Astro Boy” hasn’t even hit theaters yet, but watchdogs are waiting with bated breath for the movie’s upcoming release—because the success or failure of the movie will have an immediate impact on the franchise’s future.

The Hollywood Reporter runs down a veritable laundry list of reasons why the success of “Astro Boy” is so important both for Imagi and other studios, particularly noting that a strong showing for the manga adaptation could lead to “Astro Boy II” launching into production shortly after the first movie’s release on October 23, 2009….
Source: MTV.com

Read here for more info.

Source: MTV.com

Astro Boy - Up, Up and Away!

I just went over to make a complete review of this week’s development of our favourite 50-year-old anime icon, Astro Boy, and found there are other movie release dates recently been announced. And I thought I should inform you in advance so you won’t miss the important scoop as September 2009 is coming to a close in 5 days time.

According to Imagi, they’re going to have a world premiere on the 5th October, held in Japan.  The production including director, David Bowers, producer, Maryan Garger, along with Japanese voice actors, Aya Ueto and Koji Yakusho are expected to attend the premiere.  The Japan’s release is set for 10th October, if you do not know that already.

In Hong Kong, where IMAGI’s headquarters are based, they’re going to have their own premiere on 17th October. Hong Kong voice actors, Aaron Kwok and Goum Ian Iskandar will be attending there along with IMAGI’s production crew.

And then, across the Pacific ocean, we have the North American counterpart, where Los Angeles is having their USA premiere, which is held on 19th October.  Hollywood celebrities that are casted for the film’s voice acting include Freddie Highmore, Kirsten Bell and Nicolas Cage are expected to attend.  Though, after reading its list of cast on this link, I couldn’t understand why the other big celebrities were not mentioned to attend like Donald Sutherland and Samuel L Jackson. Very odd.  Nevertheless, I certainly hope they’d still go since they are just as important as any other voice actors in the film.

The worldwide release is set on 23th October.

Only 29 nights of sleep to go…

Source: Cinemarx, Ainiticool, BlastMagazine, ANN.com