Transformers: Dark of the Moon 3D Out Today; Trailer & Effects Clips

In the United States, today is the official release day of Transformers: Dark of the Moon3D Combo pack and Limited Edition Trilogy set. To help promote the release, the DOTM twitter and Facebook accounts have released two more clips from the special features disc. The first clip discusses Optimus Prime trailer and the second discusses some of the practical effects (explosives, etc) used in the film.

ATT-ATT | Sentinel Prime Design | Chicago Set Prep | 3D Effects | Sentinel, Chicago Skydiving | Driller, The Moon, Design

Infestation 2: Transformers #1 Preview

Wednesday brings another Transformers comic to the shelves. This time its the return of the Infestation zombies. In the IDW universe the zombies can infect robots. Unlike the previous series which took place during the current TF continuity, this one talkes place in the Hearts of Steel alt-verse. This one 'verse has the Transformers fighting their war during the Industrial Revolution with some often inspired designs that would have been perfect for a toy line. The covers and first 8 pages of the issue can be found here.

Chuck Dixon (w) • Guido Guidi (a) • Livio Ramondelli, Guidi (c)
The Infestation threat has broken the boundaries of time and the Lovecraftian monsters invade the world of Transformers: Hearts of Steel! It's a steam-punk world in the grips of panic as terrifying beings from the depths of the ocean corrupt both humans and Decepticons! Only one man knows how to stop the Infestation, and it's up to him to awaken the Autobots in time to prevent full-scale cataclysm!

Transformers: DOTM Featurette Clips: Driller, The Moon, and TF Design

Below are three more clips to promote the January 31st in US (Feb. 13th in UK) release of Transformers: Dark of the Moon 3D Combo pack and Limited Edition Trilogy set. The clips come from the DOTM twitter and Facebook accounts. The first video is a look at the challenges of Driller, the second is focuses on re-creating the Moon, and the last is designing the Transformers.

Transformers: DOTM Featurette Clips: Casting Sentinel, Chicago, Skydiving

The official twitter account for DOTM has posted three new clips (below) to promote the January 31st release of Transformers: Dark of the Moon 3D Combo pack and Limited Edition Trilogy set. The first clip provides a look at the inspiration and casting for Sentinel Prime, more from filming in Chicago, and a look at the sky diving stuntmen. The clips and links to other released featurette clips below.

ATT-ATT | Sentinel Prime Design | Chicago Set Prep | 3D Effects

Transformers: Prime Season 2 Teaser Trailer, Poster

Coming February 18th is the launch of Transformers: Prime season 2 on The Hub. The first season ended with a depowered matrix used to defeat Unicron resulting in Optimus Prime losing his memories and returning to his Orion Pax identity. The teaser trailer for the premiere episode is called "Orion Pax - Part 1". Based on the description from MTV (with trailer below) it looks like the TF Prime gain is building to a good old reformat of Cybertron, something that has been used in the Marvel comics, IDW comics, and Beast Wars/Beast Machines. Febuary 18th is a kind of Transformers Day on The Hub with return of Transformers: Rescue Bots (noon EST), TF Prime (8:30pm EST) and Transformers: The Animated Movie (9:00pm EST). Images via Collider.

Transformers Limited Edition Pinball Review

The Transformers Limited Edition Pinball machine from Stern is now out and Chris Bucci has posted part 1 of his look at the latest addition to the collection. The $5000 plus machine is based on the movie universe and came out in various limited edition. In the below video he talks about his love of Transformers, unboxing, assembling, along with the various different versions Stern created. If you are a pinball and/or Transformers fan, worth a look.

Transformers: DOTM Featurette Clip on 3D Visual Effects

Engadget has posted the lastest clip to promote the January 31st release of Transformers: Dark of the Moon 3D Combo pack and Limited Edition Trilogy set. In the clip Michael Bay and his team discusses in shooting style and editing that filming in 3D required.

Johnson: Bay's Locked for TF4

Dwayne Johnson sat down with MTV to promote Journey 2 and while doing that he also spoke about filming Pain and Gain with director Michael Bay. While talking about it, he seemed strongly indicate that Bay is locked to film Transformers 4.

...It's an awesome project called Pain and Gain. It’s been with Michael Bay for some time now. ...The goal will be to shoot it this year. Sure. Because, I know, he has Transformers to make. Obviously. That juggernaut. I can't wait for that. Plus I got Fast Six business.

While it’s easy to read too much into his statement, I recommend being cautious. Johnson's statement would be accurate by default simply because Michael Bay will likely retain his executive producer credit regardless if he director Transformers 4 or not. So while Bay's director status remains officially unconfirmed, this strongly indicates that one way or the other, things will move forward on Transformers 4 in 2013. Thanks to Kris J. for the link.

Transformers: The Ride Communique #2

Universal Studios Hollywood has posted the second communique for Transformers: The Ride that is set to officially open Memorial Day weekend. The videos are a re-edit of some of the footage used for the attraction. The previous communique welcomed recruits. This one covers a few battle tactics which quick segment of Bumblebee ripping Ravage's head off. It ends with the reminder that "Game Begins: February 4th, 2012. Enlist now. www.prepareforbattle.com". No idea what the game is but wonder if its an update of an Autobot vs Decepticon web game that was used to promote the first movie.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon Gets 3 Oscar Noms

Today the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the list of nominations for the 84th Annual Academy Awards. Transformers: Dark of the Moon received three Oscar nominations for Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, and Visual Effects. Scott Benza was last nominated for Transformers (2007) and this is the 10th nomination for John Frazier. Congratulations to the visual effects and sound editing crew for Transformers: Dark of the Moon. The winners will be announced on during the live telecast on February 26th, hosted by Billy Crystal. Click here to view the full list of nominations in all Oscar categories.

Sound Editing
Drive - Lon Bender and Victor Ray Ennis
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Ken Klyce
Hugo - Philip Stockton and Eugene Gearty
Transformers: Dark of the Moon - Ethan Van der Ryn and Erik Aadahl
War Horse - Richard Hymns and Gary Rydstrom

Sound Mixing
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce, and Bo Persson
Hugo - Tom Fleischman and John Midgley
Moneyball - Deb Adair, Ron Bochar, Dave Giammarco, and Ed Novick
Transformers: Dark of the Moon - Greg P. Russell, Gary Summers, Jeffrey J. Haboush, and Peter J. Devlin
War Horse - Gary Rydstrom, Andy Nelson, Tom Johnson, and Stuart Wilson

Visual Effects
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 - Tim Burke, David Vickery, Greg Butler, and John Richardson
Hugo - Rob Legato, Joss Williams, Ben Grossman, and Alex Henning
Real Steel - Erik Nash, John Rosengrant, Dan Taylor, and Swen Gillberg
Rise of the Planet of the Apes - Joe Letteri, Dan Lemmon, R. Christopher White and Daniel Barrett
Transformers: Dark of the Moon - Scott Farrar, Scott Benza, Matthew Butler, and John Frazier

Transformers: Robot in Disguise #1 Preview

This Wednesday brings the start of the second new Transformers series, Robots in Disguise. Where More Than Meets The Eye follows Rodimus and his misadventures in space, this one is grounded on Cybertron as the planet its people rebuild. Bumblebee is now the leader of the Autobots, a group despised by the returning Transformers who opted out of the war. The covers and first seven pages of the issue can be found here.

John Barber (w) Andrew Griffith (a) Marcelo Matere x 4, Griffith (c)
The war for Cybertron is over-now the hard part begins!
This first of two new ongoing Transformers series offers an excellent jumping-on point and all-new direction as BUMBLEBEE and his fellow AUTOBOTS struggle to maintain control of a world without OPTIMUS PRIME!
FC 32 pages $3.99

ILM Behind the Magic - DOTM Tilted Building

ILM has posted a video that provides a look at some of the challenges that they overcome in creating the visual effects for the tilted building sequence in Transformers: Dark of the Moon. This is unrelated to the upcoming Blu-ray features, but a nice bonus that ILM occasionally posts.

New Dark of the Moon Featurette Clip

Superherohype has posted a new clip (below) from the extra features that will come with Transformers: Dark of the Moon Limited Edition Trilogy and 3D combo pack. This section focuses on the practical effects and set built for a scene that was used as a devastated Chicago, the part in the movie where Epps and Sam are getting ready to enter Chicago when Prime and company arrive. Both sets will be out on January 31st in the States and Februrary 13th in the UK. Other clips are here and here.

IDW April Transformers Comics

IDW Publishing has released their publishing plans for April that continues the post civil war era for Transformers. A total of two comics and one trade are being released that month. If you are interested in the books, just let your local comic book store know. For the full details of IDW's other books including GI Joe, Star Trek, Locke & Key, and more click here.

Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #4
Written by James Roberts, art by Alex Milne, covers by Alex Milne, Nick Roche.
Danger in space! Investigating the abandoned Autobot facility on Delphi -- one-time home of fan-favorites The Wreckers -- Ratchet uncovers a danger greater than he's ever faced... and the return of a character long thought lost! Will this bring them closer to their goal of finding the Knights of Cyberton -- or kill them?!
• 32 pages, $3.99

Transformers: Dark of the Moon Unboxing, Sentinel Prime Feature Teaser

The proper release of Transformers: Dark of the Moon on Blu-ray is just a little under two weeks ago. The other day, we were introduced to ATT-ATT and today we get a teaser look at the design of Sentinel Prime thanks to MovieWeb. Not sure why, but Paramount decided to gift YouTuber FilmFanPete (yep I am jealous) a copy of the Limited Collector's Edition Blu-Ray trilogy set who posted an unboxing video. The result is the best look yet for anyone still on the fence about buying the expensive set which Amazon is currently selling for $89.99.

DOTM Featurette: ATT-ATT

MTV has posted a sneak preview at one of the special features that will be part of the upcoming release of Transformers: Dark of the Moon 3D set. The video, called ATT-ATT, stands for All The Toys, All the Time which describes all the equipment and tech that production needs ready for whatever Michael Bay needs when inspiration strikes for a scene. The set will be out on January 31st in the States and Februrary 13th in the UK.

Transformers: Autocracy Details, Video

IDW has issued a press release and video (below) to promote the beginning of their 12 part online only comic mini-series called Transformers: Autocracy. Written by Flint Dille (Transformers G1 cartoons) and Chris Metzen (Blizzard Entertainment SVP) with art from Livo Ramondelli (Cybertron portion of Chaos story arc). The series continues a story thread from the "Chaos Theory" storyline from the recently ended Transformers comics. That story detailed the first meeting between Megatron and Orion Pax (later Optimus Prime) as they had a meeting of minds on the corrupt leadership of Cybertron. This series takes place a time after that with Megatron now leading a newly formed group of terrorists called the Decepticons with Orion Pax leading a group of familiar Autobots as they hunt down Decepticons. Only Orion is the leader you expect him to be as he is oddly detached and unnecessarily violent. Each issue will be released bi-weekly for 99 cents each. The first issue is available now.

Stop SOPA and PIPA

Normally I try to keep political stuff off this website but sometimes exceptions must be made. Congress, with the support of members of both parties, is currently in the process of trying to pass two laws called SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (Protect Act). The laws are written by lobbyist to give corporations the ability to protect their copyrights against piracy. Sounds good right?

Here is the problem. The laws as written gives corporations the power to legally censor the internet without due process by blocking any website they feel might have copyrighted or pirated content. Proof is not necessary nor required.

In a day and age when most people agree they want smaller government this is the single greatest expansion of power we have had in nearly a decade and it turns it all over to corporations on the assumption they will not abuse it. Do you trust corporations and the government to make the right decisions on what websites can live and die? DO you trust them to not abuse it? I don't and nor should you.
Graphic | Learn More | Take Action | Contact Congress

Transformers Linkfest - Micro Change

Another year, another linkfest. This one covers a fairly wide range of Transformers news. To start, a walk down memory lane with a look at some of the very first Transformer toys including a line of gun robots. Also news on the return of TF cartoons, more 3rd party toy galleries and a tease of a new Transformers comic. Also there are videos of Kre-O stop motion, Oscar trailer with Transformers cast members and 5 toy reviews of a 3rd party add-on, 4 G1 inspired 3rd party toys and TF Prime toy.

Micro Change Gun Robots and Micro Change Italy
It turns out that Megatron was not the only Transformer to have a gun alt mode back in the G1 era. Takara actually had an entire line of Diaclone (TFs) based on real guns. The link above gives you a little background with a whole lot of images of the various Gun Robos that were produced. Sadly various toy laws make it difficult to re-create this line as I am such a sucker for TFs that are based on actual real world objects. The other link is a kind of part 2 as it expands to other "Micro Change" (aka TFs) that was released in Italy around the same time, most of which should be very familiar to fans.

Transformers: Prime Season 2 Starts February 18th
The Hub has revealed that Transformers: Prime and Transformers: Rescue Bots return on February 18th. Rescue Bots will air at Noon EST while Prime is at 8:30pm EST. No idea how many consecutive new episodes will follow.

Michael Bay Promotes Transformers Ultimate, Limited Blu-ray

In a new video from Michael Bay, the director promotes the January 31st release of Transformers: Dark of the Moon 3D combo set and Transformers Limited Edition Trilogy set (details here). The video provides more info on the special features from DOTM and does the best job yet of showing off the Limited Edition packaging as well as jokes about the 5000 plaques Bay had to sign.

Transformers: The Ride Communique #1

Universal Studios has posted a new promo video (below) for Transformers: The Ride that will officially open Memorial Day weekend (end of May) at Universal Studios Hollywood. The promo has General Morshower welcoming NEST recruits, warning of Decepticon sightings and later saying "Project 101 is a go". It ends with text saying "Game Begins: February 4th, 2012. Enlist now. www.prepareforbattle.com". I am not sure if this is footage created specifically for promo purposes or if they edited in The Ride video in creating the promo.

Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #1 Preview

Tomorrow brings the first issue of Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye to comic book stores. The series, along with Robots in Disguise, acts as a jumping on point as it starts to explore the Transformers universe post civil war for the first time. MTMTE sends Rodimus and a group of Transformers of to explore the universe in hopes of finding the "Knights of Cybertron" who, according to TF lore, can bring about a new golden age for the planet. To view the first issue's wraparound cover and first five pages click here (mirror).

James Roberts (w) Nick Roche (a) Alex Milne x 4, Roche (c)
The ultimate Transformers saga begins here!
This second all-new ongoing Transformers title reunites the fan-favorite creative team behind Last Stand of the Wreckers and sends the Transformers on an epic quest to the farthest reaches of the Transformers Universe and beyond! The adventure starts here!
FC 32 pages $3.99

Transformers: Dark of the Moon Nominated for VES Awards

Today the Visual Effects Society (VES) revealed that Transformers: Dark of the Moon received five nominations for the 10th Annual Visual Effects Society Awards. VES is a society made up of visual effects professionals across all aspects of the field including film, animation, television, video games and so forth. Transformers: The Ride also received a nomination for Special Venue Project. The winners will be announced during a ceremony that will be held on February 7th, 2012. The categories that DOTM is nominated are below, the full list of nominations in all 23 categories can be found here.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon 3D Blu-ray Trailer

Below is the long version trailer for Transformers: Dark of the Moon 3D Blu-ray combo pack that will be released on January 31st in the states. Worth watching for those on the fence about buying as it provides some behind the scenes footage and details on the featurette that will be included.

Transformers: DOTM Remains on Oscar FX Shortlist

Last month, it was reported that Transformers: Dark of the Moon was one of 15 films on the list for a chance at the Achievement in Visual Effects Oscar nomination. The Academy's Visual Effects Branch Executive Committee has announced that DOTM has moved on to another round. To win the FX Oscar there is more or less a 4 step process - 1) make it to the list of 15, 2) remain on the list of 10 (chosen by FX committee), 3) make it to final five finalists (chosen by members of FX branch), and 4) winner on Oscar night (chosen by entire Academy). The Visual Effects branch members will have a chance to view 10 minute excerpts from each film on January 19th and vote for the five which will be announced on January 24th, 2012. Transformers 1 made it to the final five but lost on Oscar night while ROTF did not make the finalists list. The five films cut were Cowboys & Aliens, Sherlock Holmes 2, Sucker Punch, Super 8, and Thor.

The complete list:
Captain America: The First Avenger
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Hugo
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Real Steel
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Transformers: Dark of the MoonThe Tree of Life
X-Men: First Class