Transformers 3 movie are ready to get into works as I read from this news feed from TFormers.com is going to happen in July, so says Michael Bay. They start the works by July 4, USA’s public holiday for Independence day.

The shooting will start various locations in Chicago along with Moscow, where they will carry out action sequences that will be bigger and louder than the two previous Transformers films.

Here’s another interesting scoop, rumours come as a new Autobot will be introduced as Ferrari!  Hmm… I wonder which Autobot character should play for Ferrari disguise? Wheeljack, Afterburner?  Possibilities are simply endless!!^^

Many of the Hollywood actors are return to the screen for the third time.  So, as expected, Shia  Lebouff and Megan Fox are certainly joining the filming party, reprising their roles Sam Witwicky and Mikaela respectively.

To read more, check it out here.

Source: ReelChicago.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

Astro Boy

Is this for real? I couldn’t believe this! After waiting patiently for several weeks since the New Year’s,  they’re not going to deliver this?!?

How on earth could New Zealand cinemas decide not to have nation-wide release of this film? I was so looking forward to its Australasia release.

BUT IT NEVER HAPPENED?!?

Why?  Could it really be that bad when Imagi had it screened overseas that they had to turn it down? Because it wouldn’t produce enough considerable amount of profit for SkyCity and Hoyts cinemas? It’s just doomed to be super time-waster for cinema goers, as they thought it was?

This is definitely not that cool. And I was really hoping that things would have worked out.

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

Reading the latest news feeds from Animenewsnetwork.com, our favourite hero of the great anime classics is experience a ‘major’ fault with his rocket-powered legs which prevents him from skyrocketing at the top of the USA box office charts.

Astro Boy Movie

The US $65-million film by Imagi earned nearly US $18 million after remaining in the cinemas for almost four weeks now. It’s ranked from its 10th place to 13th last week. Think the American audience’s feedback was generally harsh with it? Don’t know. Hard to say. I heard sources from online reviews saying the film has several cliché themes were overused especially (spoilers!) in the middle and end. That could explain why it contributes to its drop. But I doubted it’s got anything to do with the plot’s weakness in telling its own unique story as compared to the original so one wouldn’t expect too much originality in its perfect form, even for the hardcore fans. It’s an adapted film after all.

Find out more info about its US Box office ranks and its comparison with other films.

Source: ANN.com

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

Whilst the movie is currently under way, with only 22 days to go, I found a little sneak peak preview of all of Astro Boy’s villains in the movie. They are done with impressive state-of-the-art 3D CGI animation which gives the villains the life of the evil character they’re playing, including some of the enemy robots Astro Boy will be facing.

Here’s the link to Astro Boy’s enemies gallery.

Source: IGN.com

Just as things are going to heat up as the world premiere approaches in 7 days time, I might as well present yyou the scoop on Astro Boy’s Hollywood celebrities interviews, starring Kristen Bell and Freddie Alfred Highmore.

Here’s the video clip captured at this year’s Comic Con, held in San Diego.

But WAIT A SEC…. can you recognise those two here? When have we seen them before? And how?

It took me a few eye blinks to readjust my eyeballs position and have a good look at Kristen Bell, and reached conclusion that Kristen Bell played the character heroine in Veronica Mars.

Goodness! It’s been a long while since we had that show running in New Zealand. I thought the series has ended, hasn’t it? At least, that’s what appeared to be for us down-under.

And then we have Freddie Highmore, who used a number of child acting roles, not many of us were fully aware of. According to his filmography, he’s done Finding Neverland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Golden Compass and his latest work The Spiderwick Chronicles.

Here’s some of his brief movie clips trailers.

Freddie Highmore in Finding Neverland, 2002

Freddie Highmore in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, 2005

Freddie Highmore in The Spiderwick Chronicles, 2007

It couldn’t believe it’s been that many years passed since Freddie Highmore played a number of child acting roles. And well!  He’s all grown up! And now playing one of the coolest anime characters of all time!

Are you a big fan of Kristen Bell and/or Freddie Highmore?

Source: YouTube.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