GeekMatic!: December 2013

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

The Wolverine Powered by V Energy!

12.31.2013– 20th Century Fox, Marvel and V Energy teams up to bring you The Wolverine Edition V “Graphite,” which will keep you on the go. V stands for vitalise, this is an energy drink which have ingredients includes guarana and caffeine developed by Frucor Beverages.

In groceries in Australia this is sold in 250 ml in cans each packed in 24 promoting The Wolverine in cinemas. Currently the movie has been released in Blu-ray and DVD home editions. You can’t get enough of The Wolverine when you drink the V energy edition…

12.31.2013– A few months back after the popularity of the minions followed The Smurfs 2 promotion, which where available in variations in some markets. When it was released in Australia there were only minor differences from the Asian release.

The Happy Meal Smurfs 2 released in Australia produced four additional character variations and here are those three that was never available in Asia. Plus the difference between the Smurfette in the US as well as the one sold in Asia…

Toy Factory and the Biggest Rocking Horse!

12.30.2013 – The Toy Factory in Gumeracha in South Australia has a rich history and what makes this place is a welcoming sight is the Big Rocking Horse that stands at 18.3 metres tall, which was built in 1981 by David Macintosh and John Twopenny.

It’s the biggest rocking horse of its kind as a Guinness Book of World Records holder. The Toy Factory has been around since 1973 which produce wooden toys and collectible items, which expanded into a tourist destination in Australia.

12.30.2013 – The Minions may have taken the spotlight on the Despicable ME movies, but the original star of the show will always be Gru. A reformed super villain who had grand designs to steal the moon in the first movie until someone beat him to it.

The first movie changed the way he thinks as a villain after adopting three little girls, that would evolve him to be the true hero that he was destined to be. In the second film he is shown being a caring father and parent.

Happy Meal Spotlight: DM 2 Aussie Minions!

12.29.2013 – The popularity of Gru’s henchmen aka The Minions has made 2013 their year.

There were several varieties that were released all over the world, which is a total of NINETEEN assortments that was released for the McDonald’s Happy Meal.

A few months back during the height of its release the Minions made its Asian debut collecting NINE versions followed by Australia coming out with FIFTEEN, which SIX of those are new additions and then the US followed with two more.

New Thundercats: Lion-O! (6" Inch Scale Series)

12.28.2013 – The lord of the Thundercats doesn’t need any further introduction.

The classic character was raised on planet Thundera, which eventually exploded and was aged into an adult but still have the mind of a child.

He’s younger than WilyKit and WilyKat due to the malfunction on his stasis.

The 2011 version was raised in the kingdom of Thundera on 3rd Earth.

New Thundercats: Tygra! (4" Inch Scale Series)

12.27.2013 – The Thundercats series may have come and gone while the toys went on clearance.

But even though everything is said and gone the toys would become nostalgic in its own right being popular for reviving one of the well-known cartoons of the 1980s.

Though the 2011 iteration of the show didn't see much of the classic characters brought back to the modern times. Surely the primary cast deserved its own spotlight.

12.27.2013 – The German Village Shop located in the little town of Hahndorf, South Australia not only have the collectible wooden toys. But they also have other useful things and gift items that you might bring home to family and friends as souvenirs.

What make their shop stand out at 50 Main Street in Hahndorf are their wooden cuckoo clocks. But they also have wooden ornamental nutcrackers, wooden olden day toys, wall plates, decors, Tin collectible toys, and many more...

37 Christmas Themed Toy Photography!

Photo By Ethan Ku

12.26.2013 – There are talented individuals out there that excels through using a digital camera to bring their artistry to life.

A local community from Toy Photography has shared the passionate ones that show their true potential in bringing toys to life.

The community has expanded not only in the Philippines but throughout the world. Some have been featured having their own exhibits.

Happy Meal Australia: Furby Boom & Hot Wheels!

12.25.2013 – McDonald’s Australia has their latest Happy Meal which has been around up to this month of December that is a few months behind the US release of Furby Boom, and Team Hot Wheels which was released in the Philippines a few months back.

You collect all six Furby Boom creatures, and four Team Hot Wheels vehicles that appear made of plastic which is oversized compared to the actual cars. The Furby Boom is the most sought after in this latest Happy Meal offering and they are getting sold out.

Marvel Universe: Psylocke!

12.24.2013 – Psylocke has been one of the popular X-Men characters in the 1990s as a member of the X-Men Blue Team. Originally her appearance was British until her mind and soul was swapped to another in the former Kwannon for the reason she looks Asian.

Over the years the character has evolved inheriting the leadership of the Uncanny X-Force from Wolverine with a brand new roster when Marvel Now was launched early this year. Several iteration of Psylocke action figures were released but this one is a looker.

PRESS RELEASE: Go Behind Need for Speed!

12.24.2013 – Need for Speed a popular racing video game makes the jump to the big screen. The iconic racing video game has established itself as one of those longest running franchise that has been released in game consoles making it to the movies.

The adaptation of the game into the live action film would certainly boost interest now that there have been a lot of movies that has to do with fast cars. Certainly another film based from the video games will spark up interest with this new update about the movie.

Tintin Sightings at WH Smith!

12.23.2013 – Tintin is a popular graphic novel that established itself as one of the iconic franchise that expanded to animation and most recently a feature length CG film. It also has a lot of merchandise down to its collectible figurines and dies cast cars.

But what made Tintin popular are the stores and adventures that have been told in numerous books that have been reprinted in different forms and language all over the world. Anywhere in the world you can spot a Tintin book from a far and there was one sighted at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport featuring all the books.

12.23.2013 – The creature named Groot who first appeared on Tales to Astonish #13 published on November 1960 was created by Jack Kirby, Stan Lee and Dick Ayers. He is also known as Monarch of Planet X, an extraterrestrial sentient tree-like creature.

If you have come to read the current Guardians of the Galaxy series you’ll see him part of the team who mostly blurts “I’m Groot,” who happens to be Rocket Raccoon's closest friend which was originally a villain back then retconned into a noble heroic being.

Deluxe Lion-O's Sword of Omens!

12.22.2013 –The Sword of Omens is the primary weapon of Lion-O who would be Lord of the Thundercats. Back then toy manufacturer LJN was the original maker of the action figures and role playing toys which include the Sword of Omens.

The vintage version didn’t appear to be accurate to the one Lion-O wields in the show every Saturday mornings. Back in the day it looked cool enough to own that every neighborhood kid would want to wield but it was too small and very short.

12.22.2013 – Walking with Dinosaurs has great visuals that pushed the level of realism through 3D animation. The visuals are astounding with its crisp detail and you can never find such wonder if these creatures would be alive today.

But for every animation like this is what makes it come alive is through their voice actors. They are the element that makes the animation looks authentic and at the same time a good film to see in cinemas. Any curiosity about how these creatures roamed the earth can definitely be seen in Walking with Dinosaurs…

HW City 86 of 250: Max Steel Turbo Racer!

12.21.2013 – The new Max Steel TV series is now airing on Toonami Asia and several toys have already been sighted. Originally Max Steel has his motorcycle that looks like an inspiration from TRON’s Lightcycle.

If you haven’t seen the new show it progress from the new beginning, which is an entirely a reboot of the series. This version of Maxwell McGrath’s origins was retconned to activate his powers he teams up with an alien technology upon merging via “ultra-link” you've got Max Steel a new superhero for this generation.

12.21.2013 – Paul Rudd known for comedy films like Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and The 40 Year Old Virgin was already in talks to join the cast of Marvel’s upcoming superhero film in Ant-Man.

There was no doubt that Rudd would be Ant-Man his personally is way to portray a character like Dr. Henry “Hank” Pym who in the comic books is a founding member of the original Avengers along with his wife Janet Van Dyne aka The Wasp.

Rouruni Kenshin ( 映画『るろうに剣心』) Teaser Revealed!

12.20.2013 – The success of the first live action film based on the Rurouni Kenshin (Samurai X) manga series has cultivated huge success. It earned big in the box office not only Japan but the rest of the world.

Warner Bros. Japan produced the film and there was already news that they planned to produce two more sequels. The second film has been in the news for months revealing still images of additional characters based from the manga series.

12.20.2013 – Dawn of the Planet of the Apes might be a mouthful title but adds another film one of the longest franchise from 20th Century Fox. The studio previously revealed the one-sheet theatrical teaser poster featuring Caesar.

The film is set eight years after the events from the first film. Caesar leads a growing nation of genetically evolved apes which is threatened by a band of human survivors...

Happy Meal Spotlight: Beware The Batman!

12.19.2013 – Beware The Batman is McDonald’s Philippines Happy Meal for December 2013. It was accompanied by Sketcher’s Twinkle Toes light-up sneaker danglers. But most of the promotion was dominated by Beware the Batman collectibles.

Originally when it was launched in the US it released five items with the exception of Batman in an action pose shooting a projectile weapon. McDonald’s Asia has a maximum of 8 toys to release each month with the exception of the Minions & Smurf…

12.19.2013 – The highly anticipated American production of Godzilla reels its ugly head when Legendary and Warner Bros. Picture Studios revealed the official teaser trailer. The iconic monster from Japan won’t hit theaters until 2014.

There have been teaser posters and exclusives promotions when Godzilla made its way to US conventions the past months. This time around the same company that brought you the successful Pacific Rim returns and gives you the original kaiju himself about to stomp its way to the international scene…

Secret Fresh x Imagine Nation Studios: #TrooperBoy

12.18.2013 – Secret Fresh next launch is featuring another exclusive this time collaborating with INS (Imagine Nation Studios) the same toy designers who brought you the limited edition Blue Bustamante action figure.

They have become the design studio founded in the Philippines specializing in art toys, and has become known having international clients as well...

Lumpen Culturati: Talks w/ Francis Quina on Morning Glories!

12.18.2013 – When you talk about “Morning Glories” it doesn’t sound like a mystery comic book, but rather something you remove from your eyes upon waking up. Carljoe talks about the Image Comics published series with Francis Quina on Lumpen Culturati.

The ongoing series by Nick Spencer and Joe Eisma is a mind-blowing ride, and Francis and Carljoe talk about what makes this great. A good deal of that is how it's a lot like one of their favorite shows, Lost, but it's also a mix of teen drama and high school stuff...

"Ang Maskot" to be shown in Cinemanila!

12.17.2013 – Rarely you’ll see a Filipino comic book adapted into a movie, and the last time there was based on pop culture nostalgia was Blue Bustamante. Mostly these films won’t be made if not through independent production.

“Ang Maskot” is an original indie komiks by Macoy Tan, which is now adapted into a live action feature film that has a cast of well-known Filipino actors…

12.17.2013 – Rio 2 has previously released an official poster which featured the merriest of the cast, where they now head off to the Amazon from the vibrant city of Rio De Janeiro as revealed in the latest poster.

Now 20th Century Fox proudly release the international trailer giving more details…

12.17.2013 – MythBusters the flagship science entertainment show from Discovery Channel now on its eleventh season hosted by Jaime Hyneman and Adam Salvage with Tori Belleci, Grant Imahara and Kari Byron.

Discovery Channel has released the official trailer for the upcoming season which features a special for Star Wars. There’s a scene where Jamie battle a horde of Stormtroopers…

PRESS RELEASE: Mr. Peabody & Sherman Trailer!

12.17.2013 – Mr. Peabody & Sherman a classic cartoon based from Peabody’s Improbable History a segment in the 1950s and early 1960s is introduced in the upcoming Dreamworks Animation.

Previously revealed some scenes from the CGI animated film featuring the dog Mr. Peabody and his adopted son Sherman originally appeared in the “Rocky and Bullwinkle Show” that also had a revival in the mid-1990s. 20th Century Fox reveals the official trailer of the film reveals more of the two reluctant heroes…

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Movie Review

If you follow me on Twitter you would have probably seen me literally 'begging' for invites and passes for the premiere of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug well it's actually because of a number of reasons- first since Paul and I are big Tolkien fans. When we were boyfriend and girlfriend we spent so many hours watching the Lord of the Rings on DVD (the extended version, with commentary and of course the special features and all the behind the scenes that come with the DVD). We also have (of course) The Hobbit: The Unexpected Journey on DVD :)

12.16.2013 – The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug may be the movie for 2013 in the Philippines as a lot of viewers where definitely excited to see this film when it was first shown on December 11, 2013 and reviews has been positive.

But the star for this chapter belongs to Smaug the dragon with his fire breathing flying prowess he literary toasted the competition. In reality the film desolated the box office this past weekend and proven that Peter Jackson has brought back the world of Middle-Earth to Tolkien fans as well as viewers in the country…

12.16.2013 – If you’re a comic book reader and probably lives in the area of San Juan in Metro Manila, chances are your options to pick up a new title has not been limited for the need to travel great distances. The options to picking up your pull list have been closer to home now that Comic Odyssey has finally opened its fifth branch at Fully Booked.

It’s the third shop opening inside Fully Booked this time at Promenade in Greenhills. The store opened last Friday and still filling up stocks of neat stuff at the new location. It’s an early Christmas treat to regular customers who lives in the area.

12.16.2013 – Space is the human’s final frontier and dreamed to travel beyond the stars. I have been told in books, comics, radio series, and movie for most of mankind. There’s one story Christopher Nolan is looking forward to share in his vision.

He’s been known to have directed films that challenge everyone’s perspective or even defy the laws of physics. But Interstellar maybe something that you might want to see…

PRESS RELEASE: Walking with Dinosaurs 3D Movie!

12.15.2013 – Technology in making films has proved the impossible can be possible by leaps and bounds. Computer generated imagery has revolutionized the way films are made and it is everything can now be done with outstanding visual concept.

“Walking with Dinosaurs: The 3D Movie” is one of those films that incorporate CGI with photo realistic textures that seems so real. But it’s entirely generated by visual special effects by powerful computers and this film certainly delivers that idea…

12.15.2013 – Better Living Through Xeroxography or simply BLTX is a small press expo on its fourth year. The organizers team up with Lopez Musuem to bring the event to a wider audience and there’s now open to the public.

What once an event held at Ilyong’s Bar & Restaurant for the past three years is now caters to introduce everyone to a community not only about local comics, but also through other aspects of art from the independent scene.

Amazing X-Men #2: The Quest for Nightcrawler 2!

12.14.2013 – How Amazing is the new X-Men series? It’s enough to stand its own without even connecting to the other X-Men titles. Marvel has enough world for the merry mutants and 2014 is about to get some more of that “Mutant Genesis.”

These days you can’t collect all of them, and you just have to find one certain title that would be the one to read without the need to collect all the x-titles. The same thing goes with the Avengers have to read them, but Amazing X-Men is all about Nightcrawler.

12.14.2013 – The mid-season finale for Agents of SHIELD “The Bridge” has given more questions than what really was supposed to happen. Mike Peterson returns to add support for the SHIELD team led by Agent Coulson.

Now Marvel and ABC reveal a teaser for “The Magical Place,” which would possibly reveal what those who have followed the story of Agent Coulson since The Avengers…

12.14.2013 – When you talk about Star Wars the first things the older fans would recall is either Darth Vader or Luke Skywalker. But when you talk about the last Jedi it would be Luke, the son of the former Anakin Skywalker.

Luke Skywalker who grew up as a moisture farmer in the desert lands of Tatooine, who would become the hero from the original Star Wars Trilogy portrayed by Mark Hamill. LEGO® has released several versions of the character but this one comes with a watch…

12.14.2013 – The Planet of the Apes franchise has been science fiction films that still continue to produce new stories. The Prequel Rise of the Planet of the Apes explains Caesar’s evolution of what his role will in the original films.

Now 20th Century Fox reveals a teaser poster featuring Caesar, who would become the leader in the upcoming Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. The sequel to “rise” is a completely a new series that starts with the story from the beginning…

Vinyl on Vinyl: Step Into My World!

12.13.2013 – Bandung, Indonesian-based artist Arkiv Vilmansa returns to Vinyl on Vinyl for his fourth solo exhibit in the Philippines. The ever talented Arkiv came from “Out of Nothing” shared you his “Relics” and it was “All in the Mind” for the past since 2010.

Now he comes back to share “Step in My World” his latest work and fourth solo show for Vinyl on Vinyl. The Chicken Joy loving artist couldn’t get enough with Jollibee, and continue to inspire others with his ever evolving vibrant creations that screams rainbow!

12.13.2013 – What makes this year’s New Year’s Eve Countdown so special? Every New Yorker is missing Dick Clark’s presence for the annual Rockin’ New Year’s Eve countdown, which was succeeded by Ryan Seacrest as the host.

For this year why this year is special is because a certain wall crawler is about to make a visit. As early as now Sony Pictures promotion for the next Spider-Man film is in full swing, which makes Peter Parker is going to celebrate New Year with a bang!

Pacific Rim Main Theme 8-Bit Arrange!

12.12.2013 – A few months back during the height of Pacific Rim there were a lot of tributes, viral videos and memes dedicated to the sci-fi film directed by Guillermo Del Toro that introduced everyone to the battle savvy Jaegers and Kaiju.

Some would think out worldly what if the film was originally inspired by an 8-bit game? But in reality it’s an original film though there are fans from Japan would make it as it was actually from the 1980s…

12.12.2013 – Tom Cruise has been to the future recently that did not turned well in Oblivion. This time he’s in a far flung future that reminds you of a cross between “Ground Hog Day” and “Iron Man” that was based from a Japanese novel.

Edge of Tomorrow has been in the news about Tom’s next film this time with co-star Emily Blunt. The trailer finally released by Warner Bros. Picture Studios has very apocalyptic theme that also reminds you of “Alien” and countless Sci-Fi films before…

12.12.2013 – 371 Art Space is becoming a place to see new talent when it comes to contemporary art. For this month the art gallery’s theme is “Royal Zoo” featuring thirteen artists with their own rendition of personalities or characters wearing a crown.

The collaborative theme has the elements of popular culture, and features well known personalities. You enter the world where everyone is royalty with a different mix of real and reel characters you might not heard or seen before.

12.12.2013 – Ian McKellan had resurgence in his career when he was cast as the mutant known as Magneto in the X-Men franchise. At the same time taken the role of Gandalf, the wizard who became known in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

Now the elder McKellan is doing double duty once again with the upcoming X-Men Days and Future Past set in 2014, and recently with Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit films. It’s an Unexpected Journey for Ian to return and have the chance to do both movies…

Movie Review: The Desolation of Smaug!

12.11.2013 – The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug takes up the adventure after Unexpected Journey, and Peter Jackson stays consistent with the narrative heading to the next big chapter.

In this second chapter Bilbo’s quest continues, and the epic visuals are not but another part of why these films become so popular. The Philippine premiere was welcomed with pageantry similar to last year, but the star will always belong to the film itself...

PRESS RELEASE: Godzilla Teaser Revealed!

12.11.2013 – Godzilla who has been Japan’s iconic Kaiju has been previously announced to return to Hollywood in 2014, and this is not the tuna-fish-eating monster from 1997.

This is the classic creature that everyone outside of the US grew up to see, where it was also inspired by the monsters that appeared in the recently successful Pacific Rim. Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures have just revealed the teaser trailer for their upcoming spectacular adventure…

12.11.2013 – Green Lantern: The Animated Series aired last Saturday on Toonami Asia, which first aired in the US on August 28, 2012. The series is now being computer-animated compared to previous hand drawn animation based from Bruce Timm’s design.

It was the latest Animated Series that focus on the Green Lantern. The concept for the show first appeared during a panel in New York Comic Con 2010, which starts without going with Hal Jordan’s origin and more focused on his adventures with Kilowog…

12.11.2013 – Jupiter Ascending is the next big epic film for the Wachowski, the same directors who brought you The Matrix Trilogy, Speed Racer and Cloud Atlas.

It’s been a while since The Wachowski had a great film since Matrix and Jupiter Ascending might be the next film to see.

Kids Meal Spotlight: Green Lantern Force Collection!

12.10.2013 – The Green Lantern: The Animated Series was launched last Saturday on Toonami Asia, and to support the show here’s a spotlight on the Emerald Warrior. The most popular among the Green Lantern is Hal Jordan.

For those casual viewers who spent watching Justice League Animated, who have known John Stuart as the Green Lantern would be familiar by now with Hal Jordan due to the live action film from 2011. Jollibee a fast food chain in the Philippines has a promo that had Green Lantern as their Kids Meal toy in 2012…

12.10.2013 – It’s been a while since you’ve heard the news of the upcoming sequel in Rio 2 and previous trailer was revealed. The sequel appears to be bigger now that there will be new characters appearing and having an ensemble voice cast.

It’s going to be a jungle party alright now that the main casts of characters are back now that Blue and Jewel are proud parents. There will be new challenges since having new kids is quite as handful as what the trailer revealed a few months back…