Monday, July 21, 2014

Championing Your Story plus Transformers Review

Today's post is over at the IWSG. It's offering tips to help you be your best champion for your stories. I'd love to see you over there.

A quick Transformer's Review:
Yep, I dragged myself out into the cold Aussie winter and checked out Transformers 4. It's a true giggle-fest and all for the wrong reasons.

Sounds and music: awesome

Acting: Hmmm

Dialogue: So bad that I laughed in places I wasn't supposed to laugh.

Special effects: the destruction of anything and everything was impressive. Big thumbs up. However there were some dodgy green screen effects that could've used some attention.

Character development: none

Plot: holier than a holy thing on a holy day.

Final word: Switch off your brain and go see it. Despite its massive flaws, I had a good time. Probably because I expected little except things-go-boom and that's exactly what I got.

Seen any good (or bad) movies recently? Don't forget to pop on over to the IWSG.


97 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Your tips at the IWSG were great.
I'll watch at home on my big screen when it hits NetFlix. Had there been more than explosions and action, I would've been very surprised.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Hmm, not sure I want to see this. I just watched City of Ember and Ender. Both were good.

Optimistic Existentialist said...

I saw the first one but now of the subsequent films. It was the worst acting I'd ever seen in my life :)

Miranda Hardy said...

I'm with Alex, I think I'll wait till it hits Netflix. Lol

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Giggle fest for the wrong reasons - LOL!

DEZMOND said...

Winter? Sweet winter! Can we switch, it's 45*C here today!

Pat Hatt said...

lol yeah the acting in them is awful, but things do go boom

Cathrina Constantine said...

I'll probably wait to giggle until it comes on DVD.

Luanne G. Smith said...

Great post over at IWSG site. And, no, I probably won't go see Transformers. I really hate dialogue that makes me groan. :P

Jemi Fraser said...

I've heard a few people say that as long as you're in it for the fun, it's all good :)

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

It's just the kind of movie my boys love. I'll probably wait to rent it on redbox or ondemand.

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

If you had a good time, that's all I need to know. Thanks, Lynda.

Neurotic Workaholic said...

I saw Chinese Puzzle, which has one of my favorite actresses, Audrey Tautou, in it. I want to see Begin Again, which has Adam Levine and Keira Knightley in it. I like movies that focus on music.

H. R. Sinclair said...

Sometimes just watching those kind of movies can be so delightful!

cleemckenzie said...

I usually avoid the special effects movies, but I think I might need a good escape. Thanks for the suggestion.

Patsy said...

Keep forgetting to pop into IWSG - thanks for the reminder.

S.P. Bowers said...

Expectations can make or break the movie experience. Glad you had a fun time.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

The gaping holes in the plot make it hard to totally switch off and enjoy, but it's still fun in its silliness.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Ooh, I love City of Ember!! I prefer Ender's Game the book, than the movie though, but still enjoyable.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Well, the actors must've struggled with the terrible dialogue... ;)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Good call!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Truly, I was laughing in all the wrong places. I was kinda glad the cinema was almost empty at the time.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

erm... no. 45C is just a wee bit too toasty for me.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

BOOM!! Boom is good! More Boom! --I'm sure that's what the producers say... ;)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

When it does come out on DVD, I'd love to hear what you think of it.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Aw, but you'd miss out on such brilliant lines like, "I'm aware of your icky evil dealings!" The actor should get an award for saying that with a straight face.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Yep, it's mindless fun. Thinking ruins it ;)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

It's very much a boys movie.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Yep, I definitely had a good time ripping the movie apart ;)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I'm not familiar with these movies. I'll have to check them out.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I totally agree

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Just remember not to think ;)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Hope you enjoy

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

So true! The number of times I had high expectations for a movie that everyone raved about, only to come out thinking, meh. I think I enjoyed T4 because I'd heard it was bad before I went in... so I expected nothing from it.

Kelly Steel said...

Thanks for all the suggestions and the tips.

Tonja said...

LOL - "Character development: none."

Anonymous said...

I don't plan on seeing this. I didn't really care too much for the previous films. I recently saw Pacific Rim on satellite and I loved it...so much better if someone wants a robot movie. I hope to see the new Planet of the Apes.

Unknown said...

This movie sounds like a sci-fi channel one! They're dreadful, but I watch anyway - for the giggles. Great thought-provoking post on IWSG! I read and commented. :)

Teresa Cypher said...

Ugh! And I so love Mark Walberg. Dagnabbit. I think I'll folow your advice and go see it, Lynda. Maybe we expect too much, like a deeply meaningful message beneath all of the explosions? ;-) Thanks for the review.

Cynthia said...

I can't wait to see it. Yep! I love movies that go, "Boom!"

emaginette said...

Action flicks are great, but like you said don't over think it. One movie I loved was "Edge of Tomorrow." It was action with a twist or two I really enjoyed.


Anna from Shout with Emaginette

Nana Prah said...

Wasn't on my list of movies to see, but thanks for the review.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Hope they help

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

apparently character development isn't considered that important in blockbusters ;)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Oh yes, I've heard good things about the Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. The special effects look truly impressive.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Hahahaha, good description!
Your comment on the IWSG is just as thought-provoking. In fact, it makes me want to email you...

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

hhaha, trust me when I say there is no meaning. Just enjoy the fanfair and all the pretties (including the explosions and Walberg)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Then you'll love it.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Edge of Tomorrow was GREAT! A thousand times better than Transformers4. I loved the characters, the story, the visual effects. There was even character development. Gasp!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

If you aren't a things-go-boom type of movie-goer, then it's wise to miss this one.

Crystal Collier said...

Oh man. Yeah, that's pretty much what I'd expect after the last one. It's kinda sad since I loved transformers so much as a kid, but I try to pretend it's a completely separate thing. We'll wait until it comes out and spend $1.29 rather than $20 to see it.

Side note: You put my cover on your side bar! Thank you so much. Did I mention I love you for forever?

Carol Kilgore said...

"holier than a holy thing on a holy day"
giggle :)

Anonymous said...

LOL! Oh dear I have to say that does sound dire. Not sure i'll be seeing that one.
For me the plot line for the film 'After Earth' is rather too simplistic to satisfy. There isn't anything much going on to really grip the imagintion or make you care about the characters and I like Will Smith & co.

Chrys Fey said...

I haven't seen this yet, and won't be seeing it in the theaters, but my nephews did and they liked it, especially the dinosaurs. They are 8 and 6. ;)

Michelle Wallace said...

Your IWSG post as really good!

Michelle Wallace said...

*typo*... was really good! *sorry*

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

When you say, "I loved transformers so much as a kid" do you meant the first film in 2007, or the original animations? (giggle, soz, I couldn't resist. No need to answer that).

It's such a gorgeous cover on a book written by an equally gorgeous author. It had to be done.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

...in a holy land while eating swiss cheese. ;)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Oh my, don't get me started on After Earth!! I so wanted to like it. Visually it looked splendid and all that, but sheesh, they needed to work more on the story and characters and, well, believability.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

What eight and six year olds wouldn't like robotic dinosaurs?!! And they looked so cool destroying everything in their path.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Aw, thanks so much, Michelle!

Chemist Ken said...

The family and I will be seeing Guardians of the Galaxy when it comes out in a week from now. I hope it's good because my daughter is so psyched about it, she'll be crushed if it isn't.

Mark said...

I loved the cartoons, but why oh why do they keep making these movies? (sigh)

Unknown said...

This is on my list of things to see on the telly not the theatre. My son wants to see it but he will have to wait. I do like laughing at movies when I'm not supposed to laugh.

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

Thanks for the entertaining review. I think I'll pass. I get too frustrated when I see movies with horrible scripts. It makes me furious with envy that someone got paid (and likely paid well) to write that stuff. Then again, sometimes I wonder if there was any script at all.

Carol Riggs said...

Hahaaa, had to laugh. Holier than a holy thing on a holy day, and things-go-boom. Yep. Some movies are just like that, and sometimes it's just OKAY! Glad you enjoyed the movie!

Blue Grumpster said...

All those millions to spend and still no character development. Robots fighting robots. Am I supposed to get emotionally involved or sympathize? Two out of five stars.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

There's been a lot of hype around Guardians. People are expecting great things for it. The hype makes me nervous. I do love the trailers though.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Because of the BOOM! hehehe

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

You rebel, you. ;)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

It does make one wonder how terrible scripts get signed off.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Yep, it is sometimes okay, but I often think how much better these movies could be if they spent as much time on the script as they do on the special effects.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I'm more than happy for robots to fight robots, as long as the plot is believable and there is at least some character development. I want to cheer for the heros rather than squirm in my seat wondering when the movie will be over so I can go to the loo. (Forgot to mention in the review that the movie is way too long).

Sheena-kay Graham said...

I was sure this Transformers wouldn't give much beyond action so no surprise there.

DWei said...

I'm a moderate Transformer's fan and while I haven't seen the last two, I really want to see this one because of the Dinobots. Oh how I've missed Grimlock.

Tara Tyler said...

sounds like a good movie for ogres to see =)
and thanks for supporting my bbf blog tour!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I think the surprise would be if it was actually good ;)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

The dinobots certainly look good

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Any time, Tara :)

Blue Grumpster said...

A transformer that turns into a giant Dezzy Duck... Now, that would've changed your opinion of the transformer "saga". No?

Blue Grumpster said...

Are you two talking about boom-boom movies? ;)

Blue Grumpster said...

Plus... there's no difference between the movie and the trailer...

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

While terrifying, that would also be awesome... ;)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I'm going to act all innocent and pretend you're talking about the Flintstones. Oh wait, that was Bam Bam.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

The trailer is better...

Crystal Collier said...

*blushes* You're too kind, Lynda. And here's where I confess that picture is a few years old and it's probably time to update it...once I'm moved...and have time to worry about makeup and hair rather than kids and publishing deadlines and home maintenance... Well, maybe it will be my picture for a few more years. =)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Hehe, yeah, my author pic is about 3 years old now. I need a new one too. I might even need makeup this time! gasp ;)

Victoria Marie Lees said...

My daughter loves these movies, Lynda. I, on the other hand, need a good plot, dialogue, and acting with surprising twists and turns. My daughter usually gives me the synopsis as she watches them over and over...and then buys the DVD. Thanks for sharing this.

Blue Grumpster said...

Extremely terrifying. What if it wants to hug you to death? I mean... R rated most definitely

Blue Grumpster said...

Um... It was The Cat's fault.

Blue Grumpster said...

I stand corrected. You're right. It is better. I take your word for it. I never had the guts to watch the movie itself. You're a braver person than I am, Lynda.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

But what a way to go...

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Yep, let's blame the Cat ;)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Brave is my middle name... oh wait, my middle initial is an R... rave? lol.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

You want good plots, dialogue, acting AND surprising twists??? That's a lot to ask for in a movie ;)

But seriously, I totally hear you. I wish they put all those elements in the big explosive type movies then I'd be a happy camper.

Tara Tyler said...

transformers is perfect for my crazy, gadget-loving boys! but i do need a little more plot and acting if i'm paying as much as they're asking - yikes on movie prices these days!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I have to agree there. Movie prices are exorbitant. Even more so in Australia.