Transformers Poses 14

Yup, it's another round of random shots of various Transformers figures doing various poses!

Generations FOC G2 Blast Off

Prime Dreadwing (Commander)

Kre-O Bumblebee (Basic)

Generations Kup

Masterpiece Optimus Prime (MP-10)

Prime First Edition Starscream

Prime First Edition Cliffjumper

Reveal the Shield Jazz

Prime Rumble

Generations Sky Shadow

Hunt for the Decepticons Sunspot

Animated Wingblade Optimus Prime

See you next time!

Book Review: Vortex

Review:  #321
Title:  Vortex
Series:  The Code Red Adventures - 4th book
Author:  Chris Ryan
Read Before:  yes
My Comments:  Vortex puts Ben into an addictive, but improbable, situation. It makes for a great read and exciting most of the way through. It was confusing when various other side characters’ views were included. It left you wondering how they are connected to the overall plot, and one in particular, disappeared without readers ever knowing what the consequence of his treason was. This book feels different in that the Code Red situation is not a natural disaster, and while you still feel the urgency, it doesn't feel as destructive as we never saw the weapon of mass destruction in effect. I would have preferred if more background story elements were discussed, as the conspiracies were very interesting.
Rating:  6.5/10

Inception

An interesting and thoughtful film, that actually requires the viewer to think and try to make sense of what the film is trying to say.  The concept is simple, you enter another person's dreams (or subconscious?) to try and steal their secrets.  While the film started off a bit slow and confusing, it was built up quite well.  They took the time to explain what they were doing and present the process of getting out of that state.  Sure, some of it probably went over you head (particularly since you're not given much time to ponder over it), but it ended up all making sense at the end.  I was surprised that the movie got intense from around halfway, when the team enters Fischer's mind.  The music suits what's happening onscreen perfectly, dramatizing the scene and elevating it.  I liked how pieces slowly fitted into places as the movie went along, as they revealed important information, making what they were talking about, and what was happening, more sense and easier to understand.  I had heard from people who had watched the film that the ending was ambiguous, and I can see where they come from.  Although if they hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have really taken notice.  One of the better films I have seen recently, as least it provides food for thought and feels more fresh.

Limbo

A unique puzzler that I had some fun with.  It's not the astounding piece of art I was expecting, but it did give me a whole different experience, and it gives me kinda the same feeling Ico did (probably the puzzle part).  For those of you who don't know, Limbo is a downloadable puzzle game.  I think the most striking aspect of the game would be how it is presented.  It's completely in black and white, which is very rare these days.  The visuals gives of a shadow puppet feel, which suits the black and white.  These simple visuals let you focus on the puzzles themselves and appreciate them all the more.  These puzzles start of very simple, and getting progressively harder.  For the bulk of the game, it never gets to the point where it gets too hard.  The earlier ones you will breeze through, while the latter ones will need multiple attempts.  You will die... a lot in this game.  Most of the deaths aren't annoying.  The ones that are usually have the puzzle involve some kind of precision or timed controls.  They don't necessarily feel cheap, but it can get annoying when you know what you have to do, yet you are failing because the margin of error is small.

The last couple of puzzles really stumped me, as they can be finicky.  I would recommend that you go through the game blind first, as it's much more fun and satisfying (that's the nature of puzzle games I guess).  There are around forty chapters in total, each chapter corresponding to a major puzzle.  Don't be fooled though, as it's a fairly short game.  If you're good, you can probably be through in around four to six hours the first time (it will dramatically decrease in your second or third run).  You will fly through the first half of the game and only slow down as it comes to an end.  The PS3 exclusive level was very annoying.  It seemed harder than the rest of the game purely because most of it was in the dark where you can't see anything.  I guess you can rely on sound but some parts I got through by sheer luck as it was slowing me down too much for me to do it properly.  It was a very long level too, taking around ten minutes on a perfect run (which means it'll take you more the first time through).  I don't think I want to go back in there again, the rest of the game is much better though.

There's no music that is playing in the background, but the silence adds to the atmosphere.  The only things you'll hear is yourself running, levers operating or seeing other living beings (the world seems desolate and destroyed, like it's abandoned).  In terms of story, apparently it's about the boy (the main character you're controlling) trying to find his sister (which, along the way, he'll have to solve puzzles to get over the obstacles).  If I didn't read that beforehand, I wouldn't have known.  You're thrust right into the game at the start, with no cutscene or anything.  You just know you have to go right and begin you're journey.  The ending was a bit weird and even then, it didn't answer any questions, just bought along more (which, I guess, was the point of the game).  What's impressive is that the main character only has two actions, jump and interact.  I like this basic scheme and some of the puzzles are quite clever and fun.  It only seems too short because you enjoy it so much (subconsciously finishing one puzzle after another) that you fly through the game.

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Other game reviews can be found on this page.

Book Review: Deltora Quest Volume 9

Review:  #320
Title:  Deltora Quest Volume 9
Series:  Deltora Quest - 9th volume
Author:  Story by Emily Rodda; Illustrator:  Makoto Niwano
Read Before:  no
My Comments:  One of the better volumes. This volume focuses upon the Dread Gnome section of Deltora Quest, in which the protagonists defeat Gellick. The way it happened was changed slightly here, to provide more action; however, this took away the suspense. For once, I thought the design for the guardian was fitting; Gellick was nicely portrayed as that evil giant toad.
Rating:  6/10

Liar Liar

I liked the idea of this plot, in which a lawyer is forced to tell the truth for one day.  While the movie generally is entertaining, I feel that Jim Carey overplayed his part.  He spent most of the time just pulling his faces and overreacting that it can eventually get tiring, especially when the situation does not call for it and he does it just coz he can.  Other than that, I thought the movie would be funnier, it does shine for a few moments, but in general, it felt somewhat bland.  The importance of the lawyer case wasn't pulled off as elegantly as you would want.  I thought Fletcher (the main character) would manage to use a more elegant argument in order to win since that was what I was looking forward to.  You have to feel sorry for Jerry though, since he wasn't a bad guy yet he got the short end of the stick.  The ending was disappointing and way over the top.  Fletcher wouldn't have gotten that far into the airport without being captured by security, let alone actually getting out on the runway.  I liked the part where Fletcher had to tell the truth to everyone at his workplace.

Toy Review: Transformers DOTM Air Raid

Review:  #131
Name:  Air Raid
Brand:  Transformers
Allegiance:  Autobot
Line:  Dark of the Moon
Year of Release:  2011
Size Class:  Deluxe (Wave 5)
Variations:  none as of date

JET MODE:

Air Raid transforms into a plane that bears a resemblance to a Boeing E-767.  This is a really well formed alternate mode and looks realistic.

Air Raid has the best MechTech weapon integration in vehicle, period.  There is no contest, in case you don't know, his MechTech weapon is the radar dish.

There are some minor flaws, the most notable one would be his left robot fist at the back of the plane.  The designer just left it there, in full view, slightly disappointing.

Air Raid features three-point landing gear, all are retractable.  The wheels are molded, thus he doesn't roll.  The radar dish is attached via clip joints.  There MechTech ports (well, they're just standard 5mm peg holes) underneath each wing and just behind the cockpit.

Since he's fairly realistically proportioned, the fuselage is thin, making him feel a bit small.  Never fear, since he still feels your money's worth.

While the sculpting is great (and having some nice details such as transparent cockpit windows), there's a lot of transformation panel lines (in the case of the wings, it breaks it somewhat).

An amazing plane mode.  What I like about Air Raid more than other jet Transformers is the fact that he isn't a fighter jet, and while he's not a passenger aircraft, at least he's shaped more like one.

TRANSFORMATION:

Quite interesting, and he doesn't transform in the way you'd expect.  Detaching the radar dish takes more force than I would like, especially considering that it's only connected via clip joints (so it should have been real easy).  It can be quite complicated going back robot to plane if you don't remember where everything goes.  I thought forming the legs from the fuselage was a nice touch, but that they could have done more for the arms.  The only thing that's disappointing here is how they dealt with the wings, pretty much everything manipulates around the middle of the plane, which forms his torso.

ROBOT MODE:

The first thing you'll notice about Air Raid is his right arm... he has no right fist.  This reminds me back in the days of Beast Wars where the robots had no arms and had some sort of kibble instead.  In this case, it's the tailfin.

The forearms are hollow (which isn't ideal) and he has some really long shins.  I like how the thrusters aim downwards so that you can easily imagine that he'll have flight capabilities in robot mode with no problem.

The head is not pretty but it's far from the worst.  He has a huge gold crest, and clear lightpiping which doesn't work very well.  The head is only on a swivel allowing him to view side to side.

In addition to the wings as kibble, he features the whole front of the plane.  While the panels do move around for clearance in transformation (and not just having the whole front of the plane left untouched), it feels a tad bit lazy just leaving it on his back.

Sadly, the elbows are a problem.  The pictures above is as far as the elbow goes... yes, it does not bend forward very much.  Ironically, the backwards range is way better...

Now let's have a look at his MechTech weapon.  It's painted silver in the middle.

Pushing it in front flips out a tiny gun.  It doesn't look that great as a weapon as it's too round and circular.  It's look way better as a shield instead.

You may store the weapon on his back.

What I like to do is to set it so that it's against his forearm as a shield.  Sure, his fist looks weird, but better that than... (look below)

Better that than... this, since you can't make it stay in gun form thanks to the springs.

Now a size comparison, Air Raid doesn't do too bad.  Only that his torso is quite bulky while his limbs are thin.  I wish they could have bulk up the limbs more.

I can't help but notice how much paint this guy has, it's awesome.  There's the silver stripes on the side of the plane, and the big slab of gold for his torso (not to mention the other silver paint applications on his shield, tailfin and engine turbines).

Articulation is good, as mentioned, the elbows are limited.  The knee joints are situated fairly low.  The tailfin are jointed in a few places.

Not a bad robot mode, although there's a lot to hate and a lot to love.

OVERALL:

For some reason, the lack of a hand in robot mode doesn't urk me, on the contrary, I thought it's a pretty cool flail weapon.  The jet mode is great, and I love the fact that it's not a fighter jet.  The robot mode is good but there are some odd design elements such as the long shins, no right hand and thin spindly limbs.  I think this is a solid toy, Hasbro didn't skimp much on this one (which is surprising), and it's a good mold.

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