538: Transformers: Dark of the Moon Review

Let me start by saying that I feel Michael Bay's best film was THE ISLAND, starring Ewan MacGregor and Scarlett Johansen (as I probably spelled BOTH their names wrong).  That movie just felt like a good movie, though the reviews for it probably weren't stellar.  It also touched upon all the things that make a "good" Michael Bay film...Big explosions, car chases, and a plot that is flimsy at best, but made better or worse by the performances of the cast involved. And this film got the casting choices nailed, was able to keep the explosions down for the most part, and you felt for the poor clones...

So let's get to the meat of my review for the latest Transformers movie, Dark of the Moon. I like the interlude prequel moments where you find out that there was another ship from Cybertron that made it out, and then somehow crashed on the moon. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldren had 21 minutes to check out the wreckage, and began doing so, and then suddenly, in 1972, another trip to the moon was planned but scrapped.

Now, Optimus Prime and his ragtag wannabe Transformers of now (they are not, nor EVER will be the Gen 1 Robots in Disguise that we all know, LOVE and wish this movie was about) end up in Chernobyl and find out that the engine core from that ship was brought to Earth.  Optimus yells at the American Defense Dept for a bit, but then meets Buzz Aldren and suddenly decides that they must go to the moon to get whatever that ship had and try to bring back its captain, former Autobot Leader, Sentinel Prime.

Here's where things go a bit weird, because obviously, they bring in Shia Lebeouf, and he's pointless as a "leading actor," and even more pointless as the cute guy that somehow keeps having MEGA HOTTIES fall for him. No Megan Fox this time, as we're treated with someone who acts about as well as a Victoria's Secret model.  The emotion on her face was clearly an ad for Cover Girl.

So okay, back to where the movie takes a weird turn. We're introduced to Megatron with half a head, who now transforms into a truck and keeps picking robotic bugs out of his half head.  We finally see Lazerbeak, and instead of being a cool bird, comes across as a robotic turkey / buzzard.  And then we get the WTF moments...

Sentinel Prime is brought back to life by "The Matrix of Leadership," which now rests in Optimus, and is supposed to be in the leader of the Autobots...but for some reason, they found it in the last movie from the Ancient times, which means multiple generations of Autobot leaders did not possess it, including Sentinel Prime.  Optimus attempts to give it to Sentinel Prime, who explains he's no longer the leader, Optimus is.

So okay, we find out about a government cover up not only from the Americans, but the Russians as well, we learn how it came about, though I don't understand where the funding for the cover up came from or HOW it's been going for Generations, since Megatron was found in the first movie frozen in a block of ice, and not creating government conspiracies.

Okay...So I'm taking this film for it's own from here on out.  This is my REAL opinion.  The human scenes looked like a Rock Music video for Goo Goo Dolls or some other act, as they were more posed than natural, the girl was definitely flaunted in a "We don't need no Megan Fox" feel, and Shia should NEVER be a leading man. 

All that said, just like Revenge of the Sith, if you can sit through 2 hours and 15 minutes of bad plot that ties horribly to what came before it, can get past the car chases, explosions, and really just cut out the human moments of the movie...the last fifteen minutes of the film is where the meat of the movie is.  And no...

There is no room for another sequel, unless Unicron has now figured out the Space Bridge technology and comes to Devour earth, forcing Autobots and Decepticons to come together, though I'm not sure there ARE any Decepticons left...

What does this review mean?  I enjoyed about 30 minutes of the movie, which breaks down to about 1/5 of the film. I REALLY enjoyed those minutes though. The rest? It wasn't thought out, it was definitely done for a toy line, and it is kind of depressing that all it really made me want was a Transformers vs. Terminator film when you see the destruction of Chicago happening.

If you want to see a good 3D movie, and are just going for visual? Michael Bay gives you THAT. If you want a deep and emotional film...wait for Jim Cameron, who now that I think about it...if they ever reboot Transformers...spare no expense, and give THAT man the keys to the castle, Hasbro...He would give us Generation 1 in a way that we could only HOPE to imagine.

537: Another Speech...Fu and Krysta's wedding...

Some reflection, first...I know I should be coming up with words to describe these two getting married. He's one of my best friends, and she's the best thing to happen to him, so why is this the first time I struggle with the words?  We are all supposed be able to express this stuff, right? No, I know that's not true, but I am, its what I do, it's how I am.  so let's see if i can come up with something...
--

As I struggle to call him "John," for only like the 5th time ever, many more people have come to know him by another name.  No, not Ron from Best Buy, and obviously it isn't by his last name, as no one pronounces J's as H's...He's Fubar, and I've known him longer than most of the people here, except family, I believe. To be up here, saying this, is truly an honor that can't be expressed. You want to go into the embarrassing moments, like the time he slept outside on stairs because we locked the door to the beach house, or drinking games that turned into sharpie on the face drawing contests...or even that one time I told him if he was bleaching his hair that he should bleach the eyebrows, as well...but that isn't what today is about.

Today is about him making the best decision he has ever made. Expressing his love and devotion to the best thing that has happened to him. While I am not sure I understand the connection him and Krysta share, I do know that sometimes the puzzle pieces fit together even when they look like they shouldn't.  He cares for her, she takes care of him. 

I met Krysta at a poker game, where she was determined to win, and when she claimed she was all in, John was determined to see it through, using the sweet nothing..."Sorry, baby, but I call..."  I'm not sure who won that hand,  they may have even chopped the pot, but when they both got knocked out and I got called a "Deusch Bagel with Cream cheese" and they both laughed, I knew I didn't have to understand them for them to understand each other.

Something happened when they got together...While she has always seemed mature, John had finally made a serious step in life to adulthood...marriage, buying a house...pretty soon he'll be buying linens and attending dance recitals...okay, enough of this...

I love both you guys, and with that I salute with our favorite drinking salute...Krysta, Fubar, MA FU HAI!

534: Wednesday night thoughts

Plans like rules are apparently meant to be broken. I can't stay out all night, and the people I was supposed to hang out with all seem to have changes their plans. No big deal, but kinda disappointing.

Game 7 of the Stanley cup finals is on at the bar, and I am assuming that's why the place is as busy as it is...but who really cares about Boston v Vancouver? I don't even think the people originally from these places care about the outcome, which sucks because Game 7 is a blessing from the hockey gods, but a 3-0 score is not.

There's a table not too far from me that seems to be some sort of business outing, otherwise it just doesn't make sense. One guy, sitting at the head of the table and four attractive women all sitting around him, hovered in as if he's talking about the most important thing they will ever hear. Interesting and weird all rolled together.

I decided that I need to start doing something about my stomach and how I have to lose some weight a d hope that corrects my blood pressure Issues. I don't think its crazy out of whack like it used to be but I'd rather not fall over from a heartattack if I can prevent it. I know I need to take better care of myself and all, but I am definitely a lazy shit, so it's extremely difficult for me to motivate myself.

I'm sure more is going on in my head, but someone just bought the entire bar a shot...

533: Post E3 feelings

So I'm back from my trip to LA and everyone knows what I felt about that as I was enjoying myself as I always do but at the same time, disappointed in the feelings I had about being alone, not at the show, but in life in general. No sweat, though, the job keeps me busy enough as I continue to live like a hermit. Lol.

Arriving home, people have explained their jealousy of me and my trip, but otherwise, it is back to business as usual. Try to be successful in a world that doesn't get you laid, but you're the envy of 15 year old guys. Where's the irony there?

The show was amazing, and I saw more video game shit than I would k ow what to do with and of course will spend so damn much money on it. I think what I'll do is find both my facebook and twitter posts and compile them for people here in one or two blobs so they can see how I felt as I was seeing everything. Otherwise, you can look for me on youtube (robpotchak) to get 15 second scoops of what was happening AS IT HAPPENED. Man, I already miss being there, as it was MY ELEMENT. I feel lime that's where I could live like a king and be a success in alls eyes.

I think on my day off tomorrow I have every intention of finishing "Emotional Intelligence 2.0" so I can begin working on my improvement areas and make myself a monster of a manager, and maybe more...high aspirations for a retail store manager. 

I've begun writing about a comic character created by me and someone else, using other tried ideas and spinning them on their ear to try to make them entertaining and different. We'll see how it comes out. I've decided to do what I call "snippet stories" as a way to make them quick, painless and easier on a n artist looking for something to do as they prepare for the next work.

I'll probably post the first script here after completion because it's interesting.

Gonna end this now, suddenly in a fun conversation about how "crew" is pr is not a sport....

532: tactical errors when making trip

Next year, if I decide to come back to E3, I am definitely staying at one of the hotel rooms at one of the sponsored hotels, because the perks of doing so are better...I also need to make sure i'm not flat broke.

While I have had an amazing time, and enjoyed my experiences while here, I disallowed myself to really do anything except be healthier while here...I've walked about 8 miles over two days, had nothing to drink and feel like I may've lost ten pounds...but meeting up with outside people just didn't happen.

I've kept myself out of most bits of trouble, while running my mouth a bit to keep it fun. I had conversations with people both higher and lower on the gaming ladder and it is all fine and good...but...

Something is missing from my world right now...it's really beginning to bother me, too...dunno why, but it's really got me bothered now and I'm not even sure where I need to go with that bothered frustrations...

I look at this show and realize that it was the opportunity I should have taken to meet someone...or someones lol...but I didn't. 

Uggh I feel happy and sad at the same time...how is that possible?

530: Fudged up flights ...

So here we go, beginning my vacation on the wrong note.

Yesterday, my mom who was kind enough to watch my dogs and pick me up for my trip to the airport decided that she wanted to bring me to Durham last night, which she did, but only after a fight with me because she hadn't told me that I was going to see a movie.  It all ended up working out, as the movie sold out, but I could.have had more notice of what she wanted to do before 7pm when I'm trying to go see a 7pm movie...anyway.

Today, I was dropped off at the airport 3.5 hours early, and that was no big deal, until that became 4.5 hours because the plane needed maintenance. I already don't like flying, but this may cause issues with my connectig flight and put into jeopardy the Nintendo conference I'm already thinking I may miss because I haven't gotten my badge holder for the show.

Oh well,  I am actually typin this on the plane and whilebi DID bring my laptop with me, this is on my phone in airplane mode, which is nice because it gives me somethig to do on the flight...though if I'm that late for the connecting, I'm worried my carryon won't have room since I'll most definitely be the last one to board.

So I dropped some bombshells on Twitter today about rumored RAINBOW SIX and how the Kinect works with Ghost Recon and I wasn't even at the show yet. Couple that with that I nailed the BATTLEFIELD 3 release date, and eight months ago told everyone to expect a new Nintendo console at E3, you'd almost think I have an inside source for the biggest game show on the planet...truth is...I don't.  Sure, I have friends in the industry, but they are locked down in NDAs so I just do what Michael Pachter always does...listen to the wind blow, know how the industry rolls and make educated guesses that really make sense.

People saying "expect the next Xbox" are two years off. You have to understand the highs and lows...People ask all the time when to expect DIABLO III? This one is simple... the industry is full of NYSE companies like EA, ACTIVISION and TAKE 2. That means expect DIABLO III when Activision isn't earning the capitol that they need to generate to make their share holders happy...THAT is why Nintendo is announcing a new System...price drops on the Wii haven't made sales happen and the 3DS while.amazing missed its projected sales in its first Quarter.

The industry really is that simple...Why is CALL OF DUTY not Kinect or Move supported? It doesn't have to be to sell buttloads...but Mass Effect 3 will add voice commands from Kinect because it was generally a 360 game and now to keep Microsoft happy, they are adding a reason to keep it on that system. Ghost Recon wants to be relevant? Add features the other shooters don't have and BAMMM cement your place back in people's minds.

I'll probably write more later, but this one basically just trned into a "I know I'm smart with the industry," but I think you already knew that. Lol

It's amazing how lucid one can be at 50,000 ft or whatever we ar up here.  Like I said, I'll probably write more later, but by the time I get to my destination, Sony will have already announced God of War 4 and at least one Move game we weren't expecting...and Kevin Butler will probably make at least one joke about the network outage.

You may've heard it from me first, if I was allowed to tweet from the plane...

531: thoughts on the plane...

So my first thought is that since I have my phone on airplane mode, is it 7:52 or 8:52? I have no idea how long I've been on the plane, but I know my phone is down to half a battery.

I came to a real decision the other day that I will not continue to pursue the single mom I've spent too much time blogging about, and instead I'm going to invest more time in figuring myself out and what I really want. I realized that even when buying a house, a car or any real decisions I've made, I ALWAYS compromised something, and I don't think when it comes to finding someone I want to spend "my life with" that I should compromise on ideals, beliefs or just wants...I mean, as I look back, I remember getting the Gray VIBE car even though I really wanted the blue...I settled for a one car garage on a house instead of the two I wanted, and then when you look at the woman I get most intrigued by seem to have more issues than positive qualities...

I recently learned, speaking of flaws, something I had heard but had no proof before yesterday. It seems my exwife really was pulled over for DUI again, in Hillsborough, and while what she does with her life is no story I care to hear about...how do you allow yourself to continue down the road when you've seen others head down that slippery slope? Karma and luck are crazy hitches, but they are even worse drinking buddies.

I should be excited this week...I'm in my element and the women around are into the same things I am, so why do I feel "blah?"

I obviously don't want to come across as that fork the booth babes have to smile to and then laugh at when you leave, and I legitimately want to meet up with some people that I actually DO know, but I still would like to meet some new life long NORMAL video gamers NOT the folks who only leave mom's basement for this and Star Trek conventions...

30 minutes left on the first flight and then I have to run two gate sections to try to not miss my flight as it will be boarding by the time I'm off here...maybe I can get a ride on one of those carts...

I would say at this rate, expect two more blogs tonight and if I can't sleep maybe I'll cue up a video one when I get to my hotel...man, I'm expecting it to be a dump... so hopefully its ok...

528: I used to write fiction...

It's true, I did. I used to write about plagues taking over and killing off large chunks of the populace to make way for only the strong to survive. I used to write funny books about ebonic speaking X-Men, vampire murderers and a lot of crazy shit, back in the day.  So what the fuck happened? 

I got too wrapped up in crappy ass shit in the "real world."  I stopped going balls out and trying to impress the world with my written word, and every good idea I've had has turned into gobbledygook that never gets finished.  Without deadlines, I'm stale.  Without real possibility it will get published, I don't continue to touch it, and I'm not in a creative place in life to where I can get the good stuff published anymore.

I mean, let's just look at some of my past wonders that were never done:

THIEF, a story about redemption after something horrible created the circumstance.
REHAB, the life of a villain, as he believed it to be a disease and not destiny.
DreadMutt, the story of the interstellar bounty hunting dog, always emasculating guys as he beats sense into them,
ARDY, my 1986 creation that I still wear T-shirts for and still want to see happen as a cartoon someday
LANDIS, my "most famous" story, drawn by Avengelyne's artist, Owen Gieni and even cover work from DC's own Ethan Van Sciver, about an immortal in a super-powered world, and her search for Thor's hammer.
TAGGER, the sequel to Landis, as another immortal actually witnesses a virus turn normal humans into zombies, his attempt to save the remnants of humanity, as he finds himself in the process.

I mean, these are just some of the ideas...there's also, Before the Dawn, the revamp of Scorn and much more, yet, I find myself with no interest to continue any of them, least of all, start another.  I am not sure why, but I believe it's because I feel no motivating factor to get this done.  My artwork is not good enough for anything other than photoref work, and even that, people either like it or not, but it would never be good enough for a 22 page comic or a 96 page graphic novel that I'd shop to Image or anyone else.

I dunno, I find myself dragged down by something that prevents me from doing anything about it, but as you all can read, I definitely have the writing chops to pump this out every so often.  I don't get it...I used to write fiction, now I just seem to write "Woe is me."

527: Numbness and mental anarchy

Before  I really get into a 3am diatribe about myself, does everyone like the new look of the place? I do. I thought about changing the actual blog font, but figured it may be too difficult to read if it was in a silly font, so I just spruced up the rest of the site, felt that I made it easier to read and so forth...The White on black fonts sometimes to me feel easier to read at night than the black on white.

Tonight I saw her. I was at where I always am, and it seemed weird to start. I saw her, she sat down, I sat next to her and started asking about the things in her life, her kids, her dad, etc, and while not trying to be nosey, was asking to show I actually sympathized and wanted to be there to listen, etc for her. Two of her friends showed up and split us up from just the two talking, and I move across the table. Her friend was discussing about how she was inches away from breaking up with her boyfriend over what time she was supposed to pick him up, and she stated, "Had he listened initially, he would know, I told him tomorrow, not tonight..." yada yada yada.  I joked and said that believing he listened was her first mistake, but then I asked, "so this is something big enough to break up over?"

The joke then turned a bit funnier, when her friend said, "You best watch it, Rob, otherwise, she may take you out..." meaning the more literal of beating me up, but I took the moment to make a joke and stated, "Well, that may be good for her...to take me out."

So as the night progressed, I found out that the one I've chatted about at long end about has split from the guy that she started seeing when she stopped any type of "interest" in me.  I started joking with her about a few things, minor adolescent flirts, and then pretty much left that part alone. At the end of the night, we went outside and I walked her to her car, and chat with her, and while she was talking about certain things she seemed really sure about (her son, etc), but then I noticed she stopped making eye contact with me, again, and when I asked her why, she said that only one other person knows why she tries not to, and that since I couldn't read her, good luck trying to figure it out.

It was awkward towards the end.  When she stopped our fiddling around a month ago, she didn't look me in the eye, but she was able to tell me she didn't want it anymore...tonight, she didn't say anything, she just stopped looking at me, and made small talk about how she should probably go. I took this as a "Nothing changed with us, here..." And an awkward pause, while not sure how to rid herself of the loyal stray...

I don't get it. Why am I intrigued by the situation? Why do I push myself into pursuit, when at this point, I'm probably just wasting more time and effort than I should?

I dunno, and because of that, it seemed, that while I know she's going through a whole heckuva lot, she's pushing everything and everyone away from her, at least from my perspective, but mainly, pushing me away because I've actually shown interest in wanting to help her find her smile, again.

The mental anarchist moment I have here is why do I punish myself with this? I've applied more effort for no result, I've attempted to connect with no wireless service, and I even think my intelligence has probably been insulted when all I've done this time is be the nice guy who's trying...

What do I know? I already know where my mental hangup is...if only I could shoot it up, get rid of it and start doing what I need to for me to get back out there and meet the right person for me...or at least for the next couple weeks...

526: Full day...

I told myself I had to get a lot done, today. I had to take my bike down to Durham to get it looked at, and then repaired.  Turns out that the carbeurator had been completely blocked, and thus, needed to get a massive cleaning, and then it worked fine. The trip itself took me an hour and a half to get down to the place to do it, because even though I only live about 25 miles from it, there's no easy way there. I was, however, able to get back from there in an hour and five minutes, I guess less waiting at lights, the bike was running better so it probably was going a tad faster, as well. 

I also had to head to downtown Raleigh to get my travel permit for my E3 trip next week, which while its going to be awesome, looks like it is going to have one crazy snag...I can't use my cellphone, because Verizon thought it nice enough to tell me I may be over my minutes AFTER I went over my minutes. So, here, I'll finish the part about the travel permit, and then write my frustrations about the rest, next.  I had my friend pick me up in Durham, and after a side track, we headed to Raleigh, I waited 15 minutes for my permit, and then she showed up, I signed the sheet of paper and bazinga, I was on my way BACK to Durham, so that she could get her Driver's License renewed, and then we headed back for my bike. So yes, Raleigh, Durham, Raleigh, and Durham again.

The sidestep that we had was to get me fitted for a Tuxedo for a wedding at the end of the month. Man, did I look FAT in it...not to be mistaken, however, I did look damn good for a fat guy...So they are right, I liked the way I looked...and they guaranteed it...for $180. Yeesh.

Okay, so back to the cellphone business. I just sent an email to my boss regarding this measure, because my phone at my store for some reason, the tone on the #3 button does not allow me into our conference call, so I've had, on multiple occasions, to call from my cell phone. So each of these calls made from my personal number should be reimbursable, as they were probably the majority of my minutes, since I almost never TALK on the phone, and I have both unlimited msg and data.  So, I'm hoping that I get reimbursed for this, because I believe its $.45 per minute over and as of this morning, I was already over by 12...

I also checked in on my dog, who hasn't been doing well, and the doctors now know that what she has is "Lung Related," so hopefully they can give her the drugs necessary to boot it out of her system.  Here's hoping, anyway, because I would really like to see her healthy again.

Now to something else:

Over the past week or so, I realized something that I hadn't noticed before...I was getting sentimental about stupid little shit, and it led me to make the distinction that I believe I'm depressed. No, not to the point where I'd go, and someone will find me all David Carradine'd in my bathroom, or anything, but to the point where I'm in a funk that I'm not sure how to rid myself of.

Okay, here's the selfish part, besides friends, family, dogs and work, I don't have a lot going on. I miss the companionship that I once had. No, I do not miss my ex-wife, but I miss the ability to go home, and find myself able to not just talk about my day, but rest next to someone else.  I'm one of those people who actually likes that, and while I like my own thing more often than not, I have recently wanted to just be in that kind of warm fuzzy moment that comes with a relationship...

Therein lies the dilemma...I don't think I want another relationship, though, as after I get comfortable, I tend to take those for granted.  I just kinda want to feel something out, enjoy the moments, and really like someone enough to where it makes me WANT more. I thought I was gaining in that area, and then it just seemed to stall out like a bad moped with a blocked carberator...see what I did there?

I know what my emotional hangup is. I don't take that chance because I typically only bet on the sure thing. Hell, reason I took the chance I did recently was because I knew she was into me, when she made a move while hammered on her birthday, and that allowed me the inch I needed to make the courage thing happen. I need that opening, and I just don't know when its there, and when someone is just being "Nice." I guess I could make my own luck, since that's what so many others do, but I play the numbers game, and it is always logic beating emotion.  It sucks, too, because I'm an emotional cat, and yet I feel as though my rationale prevents me from taking certain risks because they aren't in the "high odds" category.

You can't get this much fodder anywhere else, can you?  I mean, I'd talk about this with almost anyone that would listen, as that's just who I am, but I need something else in my life. Something that will garner me cleaning the apartment, something that will make me will myself to do things on my day off that I'd never consider right now (like going for a WALK), etc. 

I have had a lot of different things that I wanted to do in my life, but I've never felt like I was really told, "You should DO THAT!" and then go out and become famous at it. My family negatively motivates, because they were negatively motivated. They don't always realize that's what they are doing, but they are. I love'm, and wouldn't trade them for a player to be named later, but sometimes, you just have to have that new person that not only do you impress them, but their words impress you...

And its been a long time since I have had someone that I have felt the need to impress with me.