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I loved Ultra-Magnus. He was a cooler version of Optimus Prime.


I always wanted a Springer toy... maybe someday .

I mean they all but shout that he's coming back at the end of the film.

I certainly went into the film with no pre-connections to anything so some of the characters being killed off had no effect on me because they were just background characters at that stage.
Optimus of course got a much more emotional send-off after a very epic fight.

I still enjoy the G1 Transformers run. Galaxy Rangers remains solid and vastly under rated.

He-Man is still camp fun, but isn’t ageing terribly well. I tried to watch M.A.S.K. again a few years ago, and I just couldn’t stand it. Toys still kick ass though.

A lot of the others I dont recall airing in the UK at all. Not even GI Joe, though we got the toys, initially under the Action Force branding.

As a toyline, GI Joe is notable for being around for a long time before it jumped the shark. Sure, it got more futuristic and improbable in terms of designs, especially for vehicles. But it wasn’t until the Eco-Warriors range in 1991 that silliness crept in.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
I still enjoy the G1 Transformers run. Galaxy Rangers remains solid and vastly under rated.

He-Man is still camp fun, but isn’t ageing terribly well. I tried to watch M.A.S.K. again a few years ago, and I just couldn’t stand it. Toys still kick ass though.

A lot of the others I dont recall airing in the UK at all. Not even GI Joe, though we got the toys, initially under the Action Force branding.

As a toyline, GI Joe is notable for being around for a long time before it jumped the shark. Sure, it got more futuristic and improbable in terms of designs, especially for vehicles. But it wasn’t until the Eco-Warriors range in 1991 that silliness crept in.

Basically, in the early 90's the brand started failing hard and they did whatever they could to try and keep it relevant. It's big part of the reason the Street Fighter movie and follow up cartoon is the way it is. Hasbro and Capcom had basically decided that Guile and the gang were going to be the next generation of Joe's with Shadowloo/law/whatever replacing COBRA.

I just found out that [b]Vena: Warrior Princess{/b] is 30 years old today, September 4th 2025.

Yikes, that made me feel old.

Edit" You guys are talking about the big THREE (G.I. Joe, Mask, and Transformers) but have you ever gone back and watched some of the also rans of the time? I am talking shows like Dino-Riders, Inhumanoids, Visionaries, Silverhawks, Bravestar, Centurions, Bionic Six, Defenders of the Earth, and King Arthur and the Knight's of Justice? That takes some doing!

The Changes

BBC sci-fi serial I bought on a whim on DVD, and originally broadcast in 1975.

Premise is a mysterious sound drives Briton’s to destroy all their machines and gadgets and doohickys, reverting us to a pre-industrial state.

Seemingly based on a trilogy of children’s books, this had otherwise escaped my notice. First episode is really good, though given its kind of folk horror, it’s right up my street in terms of appeal. For a kids’ show this has pretty good production values.

 Easy E wrote:
I just found out that [b]Vena: Warrior Princess{/b] is 30 years old today, September 4th 2025.

Yikes, that made me feel old.

Edit" You guys are talking about the big THREE (G.I. Joe, Mask, and Transformers) but have you ever gone back and watched some of the also rans of the time? I am talking shows like Dino-Riders, Inhumanoids, Visionaries, Silverhawks, Bravestar, Centurions, Bionic Six, Defenders of the Earth, and King Arthur and the Knight's of Justice? That takes some doing!

I remember really enjoying Ulysses 31. I am afraid to reopen it in case its bad

I did pick up the Dungeons and Dragons cartoon, but I haven't managed to get my son into it yet. He has recently started playing the game, so maybe that's a way in after we finish Delicious in Dungeon

 Easy E wrote:
I just found out that [b]Vena: Warrior Princess{/b] is 30 years old today, September 4th 2025.

Yikes, that made me feel old.

Edit" You guys are talking about the big THREE (G.I. Joe, Mask, and Transformers) but have you ever gone back and watched some of the also rans of the time? I am talking shows like Dino-Riders, Inhumanoids, Visionaries, Silverhawks, Bravestar, Centurions, Bionic Six, Defenders of the Earth, and King Arthur and the Knight's of Justice? That takes some doing!

Silverhawks is on a crappy local broadcast channel called MeToons at some ungodly hour in the morning. I discovered it once by accident... and much like the Ark of the Covenant in Raiders it's best to keep your eyes closed.

Caught a few episodes of ‘Arrow’ today. Not that far back but I didn’t realise how bad the script, acting and music was. Quite disappointing.

MarkNorfolk wrote:
Caught a few episodes of ‘Arrow’ today. Not that far back but I didn’t realise how bad the script, acting and music was. Quite disappointing.

It gets better... before it gets worse.

Nearly finished The Changes.

Now 50 years old, the overall premise is still solid. Mysterious noise occurs, driving those living in Briton to destroy and subsequently shun technology.

Seen through the life of teenager Nicky, we see that whilst she’s also affected and gleefully joins in smashing up a car? She’s no idea why she did it. Nor can she readily explain why she considers technology Sinful all of a sudden.

We also see community leaders in the aftermath being pretty medieval. Show trials and deciding to stone Nicky to death, just because she was found in the vicinity of a tractor. Raiders kidnapping children to ensure compliance.

Now the plot never gets too deep, as this is a kids’ show. But it feels all the more poignant in the modern age, given how reliant we are on the internet and that. It could certainly withstand a hefty dose of modernisation, and has real potential to be a terrifying show. Though with excellent writers, a lot of the terror could be subtextual in nature for an on-screen family friendly job,

Kicking not quite so old but still pretty old school with The Equalizer

Edward Woodward stars in this not-quite-a-vigilante-but-more-involved-than-a-P.I. televisual thriller series.

A show I used to love when I was almost certainly too wee to be watching it, and one I’ve had on DVD but not really sat down for a proper watch in while.

Soundtrack is superb. It’s a rare example of mature themes presented maturely without shock or camp. It’s not even particularly bombastic.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Oh, that’s William Zabka playing McColl’s son. So that’s nice!

Peacemaker Season 2 Episodes 1-3.

Conflicted. Confused. Its Gunn unfettered and I’m not sure I like it.

First season was so off the wall and different from almost all other DC/Marvel superhero stuff(Deadpool being the closest in tone) that it was kind of charming. This season seems to crank it all up to the next level and it doesn’t entirely land.

The dialogue is more “The Boys” than a DC/Marvel movie, and there’s a fairly graphic orgy which, with this show being billed as part of the Superman continuity, is a wild choice. I’ll probably stick it out and watch the whole thing, but some of the “humor’ is so jarring that I find myself hitting the fast forward button quite a bit. Its cool to see Joel Kinnaman back, and Frank Grillo is always fun too, and the reliable David Denman (who will always be Pam’s ex-fiance from The Office to me) has a role as Peacemaker’s brother in a strangely idyllic alt-DCU.

 nels1031 wrote:
Peacemaker Season 2 Episodes 1-3.

Conflicted. Confused. Its Gunn unfettered and I’m not sure I like it.

First season was so off the wall and different from almost all other DC/Marvel superhero stuff(Deadpool being the closest in tone) that it was kind of charming. This season seems to crank it all up to the next level and it doesn’t entirely land.

The dialogue is more “The Boys” than a DC/Marvel movie, and there’s a fairly graphic orgy which, with this show being billed as part of the Superman continuity, is a wild choice. I’ll probably stick it out and watch the whole thing, but some of the “humor’ is so jarring that I find myself hitting the fast forward button quite a bit. Its cool to see Joel Kinnaman back, and Frank Grillo is always fun too, and the reliable David Denman (who will always be Pam’s ex-fiance from The Office to me) has a role as Peacemaker’s brother in a strangely idyllic alt-DCU.

It's a very strange one, isn't it? I'm really hoping it comes together- the first one was sort of Peacemaker's journey to become a reasonably likable human being. Now, so far he's struggling to find a place in the world, and rapidly discovering that redemption in his own universe isn't possible. The most jarring bit for me is that we've had no suits by Peacemaker or Vigilante. Which I get for Peacemaker, as he's trying to distance himself from that identity... but Vigilante taking a break from casually murdering folks, and lurking behind dumpsters? I'm shocked.

Discovered Industrial Revelations on YouTube, a history show focussing on the Industrial Revolution.

Our host Mark Williams isn’t just clearly and genuinely passionate, knowledgable and engaging? But played Arthur Wesley in the Harry Potter films.

So there’s an element of Hogwart’s TV for Schools covering Muggle Studies. Maybe a good way to trick your kid into watching something edumacational.

Check it.

I didn't watch Neon Genesis Evangelion, but I read the manga.
Hard pass. Every element is horribly dated. Some of the more controversial scenes don't even show up in the manga, but it's still awful.

The Paper (NBC/Peacock streaming/Jiohotstar)

Getting Jiohotstar (Indian streaming service) was the best thing I did in a long time, all of Disney plus most of HBO, Paramount and apparently Peacock too all for like Rs100/$1.20.

Anyhoo, The Paper is a spin off of The Office, same producers one character carried over. This time the documentary crew is following a failing mid-sized city paper the Toledo Truth Teller. Lots of humor about the current state of local news, some cool characters. My only beef is the 'hero' Ned (played by the same Irish dude who played General Hux for what it's worth) is too noble, too pure. And the villain, Esmeralda, too evil. Both are too cartoony.

In the Office the characters felt like real folks most of the time, even Dwight. I just never got why Dwight didn't own like a hundred guns and belong to a militia.

I'll stick with it.

trexmeyer wrote:
I didn't watch Neon Genesis Evangelion, but I read the manga.
Hard pass. Every element is horribly dated. Some of the more controversial scenes don't even show up in the manga, but it's still awful.

I saw the anime and honestly I think the thing that keeps it going is that it basically asks a LOT of questions and doesn't really answer them by the end. IT doesn't help that they ran out of money/the creator loathes the fanbase and the last 2 episodes were recycled "dream/retrospective" and then they wrap the whole thing up with the lamest "it was all a dream" ending. IT's a bit like how Firefly caught in the fanbase mind as well because it ended without a conclusion until the Serenity film.

 Overread wrote:

trexmeyer wrote:
I didn't watch Neon Genesis Evangelion, but I read the manga.
Hard pass. Every element is horribly dated. Some of the more controversial scenes don't even show up in the manga, but it's still awful.

I saw the anime and honestly I think the thing that keeps it going is that it basically asks a LOT of questions and doesn't really answer them by the end. IT doesn't help that they ran out of money/the creator loathes the fanbase and the last 2 episodes were recycled "dream/retrospective" and then they wrap the whole thing up with the lamest "it was all a dream" ending. IT's a bit like how Firefly caught in the fanbase mind as well because it ended without a conclusion until the Serenity film.

Similarly, did you catch the concluding film for Eva? It's significantly more satisfying than the TV ending, though the TV ending explains the movie.

Worth noting that the manga is different in its own way and the remake film series is also dramatically different as well. Neither has quite the same impact of an author dumping his problems on the page as the original. I still have a soft spot for it, but so much of its appeal is in how raw and messy and experimental it was at the time that definitely hasn't all aged well.

Still going through The Equalizer.

I think I may be getting a little extra out of this than the average viewer. Specifically McCall’s efforts to better connect with his son.

Like my Dad and I, there’s no bad blood. Just a father whose career meant in Important Years they weren’t around. Not in a neglectful way, and neither is difficult about it.

Just two grown men acknowledging their relationship isn’t what it could be, and committing to building it stronger.

I think the whole absent father/grudging child thing may be more a 90’s trope. But this still feels refreshing in its more mature, nuanced approach.

Only Murders In The Building

Season 5 of one of my favourite shows has landed.

Disney are planning a Shakespearen prequel …Only Mummers in the Building.

…I’ll get my cloak.

I just lost my mojo on that one at the start of S3. Nothing wrong with the show, but I just lost interest in it for some reason. It is a good show though. I might need to go back and try it again.

Season 3 is one best watched on a binge I feel.

 Souleater wrote:
Disney are planning a Shakespearen prequel …Only Mummers in the Building.

…I’ll get my cloak.

Wow, and I thought my jokes were bad...

Great, now you’ve got that Loreena McKennit song stuck in my head again. What was the TV show that used it for the theme song?

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Only Murders In The Building

Season 5 of one of my favourite shows has landed.

A good start with the first three episodes. The doorman's own episode was quite sweet(they do that quite well). Getting former cast members to pop back for a micro cameo was a nice touch.

 nels1031 wrote:
Peacemaker Season 2 Episodes 1-3.

Conflicted. Confused. Its Gunn unfettered and I’m not sure I like it.

First season was so off the wall and different from almost all other DC/Marvel superhero stuff(Deadpool being the closest in tone) that it was kind of charming. This season seems to crank it all up to the next level and it doesn’t entirely land.

The dialogue is more “The Boys” than a DC/Marvel movie, and there’s a fairly graphic orgy which, with this show being billed as part of the Superman continuity, is a wild choice. I’ll probably stick it out and watch the whole thing, but some of the “humor’ is so jarring that I find myself hitting the fast forward button quite a bit. Its cool to see Joel Kinnaman back, and Frank Grillo is always fun too, and the reliable David Denman (who will always be Pam’s ex-fiance from The Office to me) has a role as Peacemaker’s brother in a strangely idyllic alt-DCU.

It's a different tempo so far and yeah. I can't say if I like or not but I'm at least intrigued.

Also. Please someone tell me I'm not the only one noticing something in the ambiance of the happy-universe. There's something very very conspicuous but I honestly can't tell if it's something I'm just reading into too much or if I'm entirely meant to take notice of the complete absence certain people in every shot of that universe >.>

Yes the absence in people, posters and other references like a happy Dad have the internet convinced its a fascists took over the world type of thing.

 LordofHats wrote:


Also. Please someone tell me I'm not the only one noticing something in the ambiance of the happy-universe. There's something very very conspicuous but I honestly can't tell if it's something I'm just reading into too much or if I'm entirely meant to take notice of the complete absence certain people in every shot of that universe >.>

I know exactly what you mean, and had that same feeling when watching the German show "Dark". Strange to see in a modern production. With the kinds of subversive messaging Gunn has been injecting into the DCU it might turn out to be intentional, or it might just be that the portal opens up in a place with different demographics than your average western city.

IMO while some of the jokes (including the "shock value" orgy scene) have missed the mark, Tim Meadow's character has been hilarious as Economos' new partner. So far I am enjoying the season.