Transformers, Before and Now

Being a Transformers fanatic as a child, watching the Two thousand Seven adaptation of the classic is mind blowing. I actually cried when Optimus Prime died in the Eighties Movie of the Cartoon and watched the same movie repetitiously for my whole summer vacation. Memorized each line and singing songs from the sound track; the eighties movie has truly engaged my imagination as a child.

Two Decades later the cartoon movie, Producer Steven Spielberg phoned Michael Bay to offer the latest rendition of the classic. However, Michael Bay dismissed the project as a “stupid toy movie”. Michael Bay is the genius behind Armageddon, The Rock and Pearl Harbor. Later, giving the benefit of the doubt, which, he also gave Raiders of the Lost Ark that turned to be a hit classic, gave Transformers the chance it well deserved. Michael Bay applied his film brilliance to making the movie. Special effects, with collaboration with the US Military to authenticate the military roles of the human characters played a special role in making the movie.

The thing that thrilled me the most is Optimus Prime voice actor Peter Cullen playing the Autobot leader. Lines like “One shall stand, One shall fall”, “Megatron must be stopped... no matter the cost!”, and “Autobots, roll out” reminded me of the exact words taken from the old movie. I’m still in wonder while writing this. The moment it started and Optimus Prime explained their origin, I felt childhood delight. Too bad for Frank Welker, who played Megatron in the original was affected by age in his voice that did not fit for the present day Megatron. The effects of the movie is second to none, the robots blended so well with the actors that you couldn’t tell which one is computer generated.

The storyline, action and humor is so entertaining from start to finish. My complain is… I want more! Can’t wait for the sequel to be released in Two Thousand Nine.

Sources: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0418279/trivia, HBO Special: The Making of Transformers

Trip to Bangkok

Just got back from Bangkok this morning… I went there with a friend I met in the June 2006 NLE along with a couple of June 2007 Board Takers/ Passers. The trip became interesting because of the circumstances that we encountered and the people I was with turned our trip into a Reality TV Series. Prior to this trip, I have traveled a lot; in other words, I was on a tight budget.

Day 1 - Left the airport an hour late according to flight plan. Took CebuPacific(Php 10,300) . The flight itself was pleasant, they don’t have on-board snacks and drinks. Arrived at the Bangkok Airport at 1:00am in the morning (Bangkok is one hour behind our time). The airport is nice. Didn’t know exactly how to get to the guesthouse from the hotel, so We asked questions to a fellow Pinoy (He was happy to comply). Took the taxi from the airport (cost about PHP500). Got to our rooms (In Charlie House, they pronounce it as “Cha-lie Hau”), Disappointed about the room itself, but it was still cool considering the amount they charged us (PHP 400 per night!).

Day 2 – Woke up around 8am. Our first day to go around Bangkok. I was happy that I took along my PDA (Lifedrive Palm OS 4 gig) and downloaded a software on how to go around Bangkok using Public Transportation. Took the train to Siam Central (PHP 43). Ate at McDonald’s for breakfast, ordered Fillet-O-fish Meal (PHP121). They have a lot of malls in Bangkok, almost a mall per corner. We met this taxi Driver who agreed to take us around the whole day. The driver charged us PHP 715, not bad considering that he had a Volvo. The Driver’s extremely hospitable, we had a long conversation about Manny Pacquiao and about our country and theirs.
Destination 1 – Jewerly Shop. The biggest of its kind in the world. Before entering, they offered us complimentary drinks and we had one guide per group.
Destination 2 – Temple – Took pictures but were too lazy to go in.
Destination 3 – Pratunam Market; this is the place to buy stuff for pasalubong. In its middle is the famous Bayoke Sky Hotel (Next time I’ll stay here). Found good bargains and Nasty Sales Ladies.
Destination 4 – Restaurant – Really good food but also really hot! If your into spicy food, good for you, as for me, the sweat is all worth it.

Things I learned about Bangkok: Watch out for cars on the street, they won’t slow down to miss you. Always use your ear; Motorcycles might hit you from the back while you’re walking on the
SIDEWALK!

Day 3 – We booked a tour from the Guesthouse. It cost PHP1860 per head (there were 4 of us). We left the guesthouse at 7:30pm.
1st Destination – Brown Sugar making place
2nd Destination – Furniture Expo; they had exemplary wooden carving that were priced at US$210,000 and above. Took nice pictures there.
3rd Destination - Floating Market. The Damn itself has a rich historical background. Back in the day, the King traveled a very long time to visit his Mom, so he made a shortcut, which is the damn that is now the Floating Market.
4th Destination - Lunch
5th Destination – Magic Show, Elephant and crocodile Show
6th Destination – Cultural show ( The only thing that caught my attention was the part about Muay Thai)
Reached the Guesthouse at 7:30pm. We crossed the street to the Night Market.

Day 4 – Our official last day. I never thought that our last day would be full of frustrations, disappointment and Drama.

Frustration – I lost my Digital Camera and PDA!!!! It happened in the Grocery Food court. The authority nearby advised us not to waste our time to go to the police. All I felt was disbelief and denial at first.

Disappointment – After I lost my camera, we went back to the guesthouse. I wanted to go out with the group to Siam Square. I waited upstairs on the room for them to get ready and they just left without us (The two people with us left while we were waiting).

Drama – Beforehand we agreed to share a taxi to the airport. But now out of anger, we planned to leave them behind. The thing is that I couldn’t get to do it to them. Giving them the benefit of the doubt, I tried calling them. On the way downstairs, I asked my friend if I can at least tell them, He agreed that in 5 mins, if I wasn’t downstairs, he would leave me behind as well (I already gave him my share for the taxi ride).

In the end, after a few tears later (Not from me though), we all took the taxi together to the airport. It was an emotional rollercoaster…

Thought or Quote of the Day

June 30
"the reasonable man conforms himself to the world; the UNreasonable man conforms the world to himself; therefore, progress depends on the UNreasonable man." - Dont know the movies title