Podcasts about Decepticon

This Week on the Toy Power Podcast; we get the ball rolling with another Classic Round of The Team. This episode focusing on two unique 80's Toy Properties that are much larger than majority of your other Action-Figures in your ToyBox. Centurions & Bravestarr; join forces to build the Ultimate Good-Guys Crew! Consisting of the stand-out Characters that fit the criteria of: Leader, Muscle, Specialist & Wheelman. Plus an Iconic Vehicle they can get around in! (Spoiler alert, there aren't many characters to pull from this round, so be ready for some clear winners & some heated debate too! Then in our second segment for the episode; we lean on another staple classic topic: Show & Tell. With a VERY mixed bag of Toys to chat towards, its an overall fun round table discussion around what each of us have brought in; as well as why each item is special in it's own right. Enjoy! Support the show: http://patreon.com/toypowerpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Another Pass, Sam and Case are joined by Nic Woolfe to roll out and revisit Transformers: The Movie (1986)! We dig into the film's bold tonal shift, unforgettable soundtrack, and the shocking moments that left an entire generation of kids staring at the screen in disbelief. Does this animated cult classic still have the touch… or does it dare to be stupid? Another Pass Full Episode Originally aired: March 13, 2026  Music by Vin Macri and Matt Brogan Podcast Edited by Sophia Ricciardi Certain Point Of View is a podcast network brining you all sorts of nerdy goodness! From Star Wars role playing, to Disney day dreaming, to video game love, we've got the show for you!  Learn more on our website: https://www.certainpov.com Support us on Patreon! patreon.com/CertainPOVMedia  Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/wcHHer4 PODCAST SHOWS: ▶ Another Pass - https://www.certainpov.com/another-pass-podcast Notes Transformers Movie Overview and Legacy The 1986 Transformers movie remains a cult classic largely due to its bold character deaths and iconic soundtrack despite its flaws (00:00). Cult Classic Status from Bold Choices (00:39) The film's decision to kill most of the original cast early was a major risk that shaped its lasting appeal. This choice was tied to marketing a new toy line, forcing the removal of older characters to introduce new ones. The high character death count was unusual for 1980s cartoons but resonated as a memorable and impactful narrative choice. Sam Alicea emphasized the movie's unique "music video" style and violent tone as key to its charm. Soundtrack as a Defining Feature (00:29) The film features a heavy metal soundtrack with songs like "The Touch" and Weird Al Yankovic's contribution, which remain popular. Sam highlighted the soundtrack's role in making the movie enjoyable even when used as background during chores. The soundtrack's placement sometimes felt forced but added to the overall energetic vibe of the film. The music helped cement the movie's nostalgic value and cultural impact beyond just the story. Animation Quality and Style (00:32) The animation is a mix of highly detailed hand-drawn sequences and inconsistent lower-budget scenes. Key moments like Unicron's introduction and the transformation of Galvatron show impressive craftsmanship. Some sequences, such as Autobot City's transformation, defy logic but maintain visual excitement. The movie's aesthetic reflects typical 1980s animation with a blend of impressive and sloppy elements. Character and Design Highlights (00:14, 00:33) The introduction of new characters like Hot Rod and Cup served marketing goals but received mixed reception; some preferred legacy characters instead. The Dinobots, especially Grimlock, were fan favorites noted for their personality and screen presence. Decepticons like Galvatron and Starscream stood out, with Starscream's treacherous antics praised. New designs leaned toward smoother, rounded shapes compared to the original blockier forms, signaling the toy line shift. Strategic Marketing and Toy Line Impact The movie functioned primarily as a vehicle to launch a new toy line, influencing story and character decisions deeply (00:12, 00:16). Toy Line Rollout Drives Plot and Character Fate (00:12) Killing off legacy characters cleared the stage for a new roster designed to sell fresh toys. Characters like Cup were introduced primarily to support new toy sales rather than story needs, frustrating some fans. Hot Rod's arc was designed to establish a fresh hero while maintaining toyetic appeal. The shift to new designs reflected a strategic move to modernize the brand and stimulate consumer interest. Balancing Narrative and Marketing Needs (00:16) The movie's story and character choices sometimes sacrificed cohesion for toy marketing goals. Legacy characters like Perceptor and the Dinobots were retained to maintain continuity and fan connection. Some characters, like Ultra Magnus, were less favored due to lack of narrative effectiveness but existed for toy continuity. The film's pacing and tone reflected the tension between storytelling and commercial objectives. Voice Cast and Star Power Usage (00:24) Leonard Nimoy's casting as Galvatron was a notable stunt but was not sustained beyond the movie. Orson Welles' last role as Unicron added gravitas despite limited credit and technical challenges with his audio. Voice changes and stunt casting decisions were influenced by budget and potential marketing impact. The cast choices reflect a blend of marketing intent and creative ambition. Narrative and Character Development Critiques The movie's storytelling assumes audience familiarity and presents mixed character arcs, impacting accessibility and engagement (00:38, 00:59). High Barrier for New Viewers (00:38) Nick Wolfe identified the movie as not beginner-friendly, expecting viewers to know extensive Transformers lore. The lack of exposition around key characters and events made it confusing for newcomers. Proposed solutions included adding narrated backstory and flashbacks to ease new viewers into the plot. This gap likely contributed to the movie's commercial failure despite strong fan following. Character Arcs and Roles (00:16, 00:59) Hot Rod's character is a flawed hero whose leadership rise felt unearned, creating mixed audience reception. Cup's role was criticized for being a new character inserted mainly for toy reasons rather than story depth. The pitch suggested replacing Cup with a legacy character like Ironhide to strengthen narrative bonds. Optimus Prime's death remains a pivotal emotional moment but complicates continuity and future storytelling. Supporting Characters and Dynamics (01:06, 01:09) Grimlock's interactions with Hot Rod added needed conflict and character development. Supporting characters like RC and Springer were noted as effective background players without overwhelming the story. Starscream's consistent treachery was highlighted as a strong character trait enhancing the villain dynamic. There was consensus that some Decepticon characters disappeared too quickly, weakening the villain ensemble. Proposed Improvements and Alternate Pitch Nick Wolfe's detailed pitch aimed to make the movie more accessible, coherent, and emotionally resonant without losing core elements (00:39, 00:42). Introductory Narration and Flashbacks (00:42) Suggested opening with Optimus Prime narrating key backstory events to orient new viewers. Including flashbacks to important episodes would provide context for the war, characters, and stakes. This would bridge the gap between fans and newcomers, enhancing story clarity. It also sets up the importance of Energon and Autobot City more clearly. Expanded Character Development and Role Reassignments (00:43, 00:51) Proposed making Cup more like Ironhide or Tanker (an original draft character) to improve narrative depth. Hot Rod would be shown as a capable fighter before his failures, building audience empathy. Grimlock and Hot Rod's relationship would be deepened with conflict and eventual teamwork. Optimus Prime would be critically wounded but kept alive on life support, preserving his legacy. Streamlined Plot and Group Dynamics (00:50) Consolidated the Junkion and Quintesson arcs into a single planet scenario for simplicity. Divided Autobots into clear factions with distinct challenges to create focused narrative threads. Added heroic sacrifices and teamwork moments to raise stakes and emotional impact. The pitch ended with Optimus evolving into Ultra Magnus, aligning with toy line needs while preserving character continuity. Maintaining Cult Appeal While Improving Accessibility (01:03) The pitch carefully retained key emotional beats like Optimus Prime's near-death and Hot Rod's rise. It balanced new viewer guidance with fan service to preserve the movie's iconic moments. Suggested minor tweaks to Unicron's scale and lore to reduce confusion without major changes. The approach aimed to prevent later franchise regrets about character handling seen in season three. Fan and Host Perspectives on Movie's Legacy The hosts and guest expressed strong affection for the movie's nostalgic and cultural value despite its flaws (00:59, 01:00). Embracing the Movie's 1980s Roots (01:00) Sam Alicea stressed the film's authentic 80s vibe, embracing both its high-quality animation and its rough edges. The movie was seen as a time capsule of 80s animation and storytelling norms, including its willingness to embrace trauma. The soundtrack's energy and the movie's unapologetic style were key to its enduring love. There was reluctance to change the movie too much, preserving its unique charm. Appreciation of Character Moments and Humor (01:09) Starscream was praised for his consistent jerkiness, providing comic relief and memorable villainy. The Decepticons' internal conflicts were contrasted with the Autobots' camaraderie, enriching character dynamics. The hosts lamented the disappearance of classic Decepticons when newer ones appeared. The blend of action, humor, and character quirks contributed to the movie's lasting appeal. Community and Ongoing Engagement (01:12, 01:16) Nick Wolfe and hosts highlighted fan communities like the Certain Point of View Media Discord for ongoing discussions. References to other Transformers properties like Beast Wars show layered fan engagement across generations. The show's Patreon and related projects encourage deeper fan interaction and content creation. The continued interest in the movie reflects its significance beyond initial box office performance. Distribution and Community Outreach The podcast promotes broader engagement through Patreon, additional shows, and social media presence (01:16). Patreon Support and Exclusive Content (01:16) The show thanks executive producer-level patrons by name, recognizing their financial support. Patreon offers early episode clips, essays on geek culture, and D&D topics to supporters. Essays like "Never Go Full Ranger" provide added value and deepen listener engagement. This support sustains the podcast's production and community activities. New Shows and Guest Hosting Opportunities (01:17) The launch of "Trade School," a comic book guest-hosted show, expands the network's content diversity. The format encourages fans to share positive takes on trade paperbacks in brief episodes. This initiative fosters community involvement and fresh perspectives. The network invites submissions, broadening participation from listeners. Social Media and Contact Channels (01:13, 01:16) Hosts provide social media handles and highlight the Discord server as a key interaction hub. Nick Wolfe shares his Reddit and Discord activity, emphasizing low-pressure involvement. The Discord serves as a central place for fan discussion and host engagement. Listeners are encouraged to tag hosts for responses and participate in the fan community. Upcoming Episode and Network Branding (01:18) The next podcast episode will cover "Highlander 2: The Quickening," maintaining a focus on cult and flawed films. The show's production credits and branding reinforce a professional and creative identity. The network's website and YouTube presence offer additional access points. This continuity supports sustained audience growth and brand recognition.    

This Week on the Toy Power Podcast; we kick off with some rather sad News, that's hits very close to the Aussie Community, as we morn the loss of Jamie Dunn; the Voice & puppeteer of Agro. A staple of Australian programs & so many laughs! Then we bounce around with other News & Announcements, with everything from Thunder Cats, as well as a few Masters Of The Universe Reveals too. Mondo have another pair of Squads, this time from DC Comics & Lego create a damn near perfect Racecar. Plus Splinter from Mezco, is phenomenal - made more special with the amount of things he comes with. Then we check our Mail-Boxes & celebrate some of our Latest Scores! Samurai Pizza Cats, Mythic Legions Snakes & a slew of SilverHawks are among the praises! Then a round table chat towards 'State Of The Nation.' Our honest insights towards how we are tracking with our collections, plus what we might have planned for the future! All this & more! Enjoy!!! Support the show: http://patreon.com/toypowerpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Week on the Toy Power Podcast; we welcome our first Guest of 2026 - our great Canadian Friend: Colin Betts! Touching on some Latest News Topics, we hit the ground running highlighting an Incredible Custom Project - called: Ultimate Beasts! A re-imagining of the 80's Hasbro / Takara Battle Beasts Toys. (These Newly styled Figures are up for grabs via website bellow.) Then we touch on some of more News & Reveals from New York Toy Fair. First up are the fantastic offering of New Micronauts figures from Super7. Then we go though the Exciting selection of G.I. Joe offerings, boh from Super7 as well as Hasbro's Classified line-up. Then Colin covers some News a lot closer to his home - namely an update on the status & concern of ToysRus in Canada. Unfortunately the Famous Geoffrey the Giraffe, looks like he will be hanging up his hat sooner than later..... Find out more about the custom: 'Ultimate Beasts' Line.Instagram: @UltimateBeasts_ToysWebsite: www.alstoyfarm.etsy.comSupport the show: http://patreon.com/toypowerpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yeah we a bit late to the party but we're ready to party none the less! Some big news dropped before and during New York Toy Fair 2026 and we are here for it. The future of TMNT at Mattel, NECA dropping some great new licenses, and even some more obscure lines like MASK, JEM and ol' mate Toxie get some love here. There's SO much to talk about, we actually leave some big licenses OFF this ep so we can chat about it with a Canadian expert next week! Who had the most Shuttup and Take My Monies? Support the show: http://patreon.com/toypowerpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today Scot spends half the episode standing up - he's just tooo excited to unbox his newest and possibly most expensive toy ever. There is only - DOOM. Hot Toys styles. And as it's Valentines Day, we pay tribute to the pop culture love interests that were a huge part of our childhoods, but never got a figure because, the eighties. Support the show: http://patreon.com/toypowerpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Week on the Toy Power Podcast; we board the Hype Train - as we take a look at all the latest News! Neca with another Sesame Street Figure - this round Big Bird! Then a tease from Neca regarding the upcoming Muppets Toyline. But will they potentially live up to the Palisades offerings from 20+ years ago? Hasbro tease New Collaborations from both Voltron & Street Fighter. Both these franchise have Movies on the way - what can we expect? The Emperor is cashing in on Ben's Wallet - as a Foreign Micronauts figure is teased from Super7. Superman from Mondo - is just OUTSTANDING. But so is the Mondo Man-At-Arms too! Then we continue the MOTU chat as we breakdown the Movie Toy Announcements thus far! Both the Chronicles offerings plus the basic 5inch line too. Then we switch gears & chat towards the Excitement of what is being announced on the Big Screen. 2026 Hit or Shit of Cinema. A fun discussion & further solidifies how exciting 2026 will be for Pop-Culture fans of all different ages & passions! Enjoy this extended recording!!Support the show: http://patreon.com/toypowerpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boo and Evan welcome for a sit down interview, Bob Budiansky. He should be known to our Transformers fan community as the writer who brought to life the personalities of Generation 1 Transformers. He fleshed out the eccentricities, weaknesses and strengths of bot Autobot and Decepticon alike. Please enjoy, as we did. Secondly, if you'd like to see what Bob is doing now, please visit htts://fanwoodrecreation.org If you'd like to contact the guys, they'd love to hear from you! Edhatestransformers@gmail.com https://discord.gg/sKr8jwaAvh If you'd like to toss a buck or more per episode, we'd adore and say nice things about you. You don't have to, as we'll still gladly hang out with you guys and gals every week, but we appreciate any help! patreon.com/user?u=69144181

This Week on Toy Power Podcast; we rewind a little; as we chat about our time off. What did each of us get up-to, over the Xmas Break? Then, with our time away from the Mics, there has been some exciting News Announcements & Reveals! We do our very best to cover the biggest & most exciting topics that have hit our radar. Including, but not limited to: The Cancelation of The TMNT License from Playmates. A Cross-Over tease that no one had on their Bingo Cards: TMNT X G.I. Joe?! MOTU Origins announcements of New Characters. A discussion around the Lego Smart Brick. Then we literally unwrap some Fantastic Gifts from our Amazing Canadian Friend Colin Betts! All this & more! Enjoy this extended recording!!Support the show: http://patreon.com/toypowerpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In lieu of a Decepticon-of-the-week, we give you the world's dumbest tank. Contact John on Bluesky or email Paul and John at transformersnitpickers@gmail.com. Full episode archive

This Week on Toy Power Podcast; we celebrating our return to the Mics with an exciting Trailer Breakdown - Yes, of course its all around the New Official Masters Of The Movie Trailer. What do we all think?Then its time to Celebrate 2025 with our Awards & Celebrations! Our Patreons Voted in Categories & we Opened the voting up for all around our Social Media to vote for The Best Of The Best.Categories we cover are:- Best Movie- Best TV Show- Best Non-Toy Category (Statues, Video Games, Merchandise etc.)- Favourite "pre 2020" toy purchase (did you buy something vintage or something from a few years ago this year? Shout it out; we would love to hear what it was!!)- Best Value Toy (or Toyline)- Toy Most Fun To Play With- Best Looking Toy- Biggest Toy/Franchise Flop of 2025- Biggest Toy Related Surprise of 2025 (That came out of nowhere in your opinion)- Best Oversized/Giant OR BAF Toy- Best overall Toyline (as an entirety of 2025)- "Darren Filsell" Award for the Best Action Figure released in 2025Thankyou for everyone's votes! It created a really diverse list of things; but also made clear some stand-out products too!Support the show: http://patreon.com/toypowerpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new Decepticon, a new challenge, a returning left-arm. Contact John on Bluesky or email Paul and John at transformersnitpickers@gmail.com. Full episode archive

All Hail Unicron: Episode 109: Creatively Bankrupt with an extra Nipple INTRODUCTION Anybody Get Anything? Movie/Show News New Transformers Animated comic coming! https://news.tfw2005.com/2025/12/29/transformers-animated-mirror-mirror-comic-miniseries-first-look-553728 Third Party CT Toys Bayverse MP scale Prime https://news.tfw2005.com/2025/12/31/ct-toys-ct-10-super-leader-masterpiece-scale-bayverse-trilogy-optimus-prime-color-prototype-553771 What, you want MORE Bayverse MP scale Primes? Fine, Magnificent Mecha has you covered with their RoTF and DotM Primes https://news.tfw2005.com/2026/01/01/magnificent-mecha-mm-02a-2007-rotf-mm02b-dotm-optimus-prime-color-prototipes-553802 Dr Repaint hits us with some Sideswipe repaints and Deluxe Insecticons https://news.tfw2005.com/2026/01/02/dr-wu-dw-e68-gansters-dw-e69-rambo-micromaster-scale-early-draft-sweep-g2-sideswipe-color-sketches-553820 Dr Repaint is doing the Datsun brothers and regular Insecticons too (2 links) https://news.tfw2005.com/2026/01/04/dr-wu-dw-e47-smoke-dust-dw-e48-beetle-horn-micromaster-scale-smokescreen-bombshell-color-prototypes-554052 https://news.tfw2005.com/2026/01/04/dr-wu-dw-e45-silver-lightning-dw-e48-claw-worm-micromaster-scale-bluestreak-sharpnel-color-prototypes-554055 https://showzstore.com/drwu-dw-e43-patrolman-prowl-dw-e44-grasshopper-kickback-set-of-2_p6501.html Dr It's My News Week Battletrap reveal https://news.tfw2005.com/2026/01/07/dr-wu-dw-es02-trap-maker-micromaster-scale-battletrap-color-prototype-554273 Rising Force joins the retro WFC/FoC video game releases with their take on Fall of Cybertron Bruticus https://news.tfw2005.com/2026/01/02/rising-force-war-for-cybertron-combaticons-bruticus-prototypes-553826   Unique Toys is going back to the Bayverse with their take on an MP Age of Extinction Bumblebee https://news.tfw2005.com/2026/01/05/unique-toys-r-11-buzz-guardian-masterpiece-scale-aoe-bumblebee-color-prototype-554097 AotP Superion getting a little more super https://news.tfw2005.com/2026/01/06/dna-design-dk-77-upgrade-kit-for-age-of-the-primes-superion-554199 Big ol' sword add-on https://news.tfw2005.com/2026/01/09/dna-design-dk-69r-max-sword-upgrade-kit-554390 Official: Yolopark Stepper coming to BotCon https://news.tfw2005.com/2025/12/29/yolopark-amk-mini-autobot-ricochet-images-553738 Yolopark week continues with reformatting Megatron https://news.tfw2005.com/2025/12/30/yolopark-amk-mini-g1-transformers-wave-3-g1-megatron-clear-purple-version-official-promotional-video-553749 TRA(sh) Core Tiny Turbo Changers first look https://news.tfw2005.com/2026/01/03/tra-core-tiny-turbo-changers-first-look-553947 Transforming Autobot and Decepticon symbols coming? https://news.tfw2005.com/2026/01/04/transformers-autobot-decepticon-symbols-coming-554074 Missing Link Grimlock, MPG Hot Rod, and more coming from Takara (2 links) https://news.tfw2005.com/2026/01/05/new-takara-teasers-mpmn-sideswipes-ml-grimlock-mpg-hot-rod-more-554124 https://news.tfw2005.com/2026/01/09/takara-mpmn-sideswipes-missing-link-grimlock-mpg-hot-rod-new-legends-green-lio-convoy-full-images-554414 40th TF The Movie Anniversary Hot Rod preorders up and gone in a blink! But more preorders coming? (2 links) https://news.tfw2005.com/2026/01/06/transformers-more-than-meets-the-eye-collection-hot-rod-official-images-554168 https://news.tfw2005.com/2026/01/07/new-transformers-more-than-meets-the-eye-collection-pre-orders-coming-in-january-554255 Studio Series TF One Orion Pax https://news.tfw2005.com/2026/01/06/transformers-studio-series-a-level-deluxe-transformers-one-orion-pax-in-hand-images-554216 Bought the five pack just for Hound did ya? GOT 'EM! https://news.tfw2005.com/2026/01/08/studio-series-86-mtmte-collection-hound-first-look-554343 Human Centipede Dino edition 5-pack coming! https://news.tfw2005.comwd/2026/01/07/transformers-swapticons-dino-mission-5-pack-official-images-554261 Questions? Discussion: Email your questions to: Hailunicroncast@gmail.com    Special Shoutouts: Dustmightz for providing the beats for the theme song! Check the Realm of Collectors on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/groups/realmofcollectors   Everyone who followed us from Shattered Cast Uncut, we are grateful to each and everyone of you for joining us on this journey!   Hosts: T2RX6 http://www.youtube.com/user/T2rx6 Rich “Preordered” H. Oscar Alonso https://www.youtube.com/user/oscarnjboy Robert Duyjuy-sabado-gigante

The Decepticon-of-the-week turns Bumblebee into everyone's annoying little brother. Contact John on Bluesky or email Paul and John at transformersnitpickers@gmail.com. Full episode archive

This Week on Toy Power Podcast; we are taking a close look at a few of the New Mondo TMNT Soft Vinyl Figures - namely: Baxter Stockman, Ray Fillet & Mondo Gecko! With close comparisons of how they compare with their Vintage Counterparts & just what makes these figures so unique from anything that has come before! (Plus: a bit of a wish-list too!) Then we take a look at what 2026 has in the space of upcoming Films! Aside from the obvious Sequel Heavy releases, we chat towards what we are most excited for! This is our Final ep of 2025 - see you in the New Year!!Support the show: http://patreon.com/toypowerpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The new Decepticon-of-the-week allows Grimlock to deliver some solid jokes. Contact John on Bluesky or email Paul and John at transformersnitpickers@gmail.com. Full episode archive

It's the last news show of 2025 and boy there is lots to get through! Ghostbusters, TMNT, DC, Marvel, Spawn, Back to the Future, Blokees, Flintstones and even - (drum roll please) Samurai Pizza Cats! There's some silhouette guessing, flocking expensive kitties, a four pack that has Frank in trouble and a figure literally decades in the making. Then, Tis the season of giving as Tealo surprises us with gift box of goodies! And finally, we do the Secret Santa thing to prove that you CAN buy things for the collector with everything! Support the show: http://patreon.com/toypowerpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Layne and Jon watch a growing international incident in The Transformers 10 and then delve into the Decepticon backstory of an Autobot in The Transformers: Drift 1, both from IDW in 2010!

Dr. Wu has more Micromaster scaled G1 figures, we get a fuller look at Age of the Primes Combaticon combiner Bruticus, and Robosen adds another fully transforming Decepticon to their roster. All this and much, much more on this episode of TransMissions! Order our exclusive Skybound Transformers #1 comic with cover art by E.J. Su! Want some TransMissions swag? Check out our online shop, powered by Dashery! Show Notes: If you enjoy TransMissions, please rate us and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify! These ratings greatly help podcasts become more discoverable to other people using those services and is an easy way to help out our show. Contact us: Continue reading The post Episode 672 – Soundwave Superior appeared first on TransMissions Podcast Network.

Dr. Wu has more Micromaster scaled G1 figures, we get a fuller look at Age of the Primes Combaticon combiner Bruticus, and Robosen adds another fully transforming Decepticon to their roster. All this and much, much more on this episode of TransMissions! Order our exclusive Skybound Transformers #1 comic with cover art by E.J. Su! Want some TransMissions swag? Check out our online shop, powered by Dashery! Show Notes: If you enjoy TransMissions, please rate us and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify! These ratings greatly help podcasts become more discoverable to other people using those services and is an easy way to help out our show. Contact us: Continue reading The post Episode 672 – Soundwave Superior appeared first on TransMissions Podcast Network.

In this episode of AwesomeCast 761, Michael Sorg is joined by Intern Mac and Intern Tony for a wildly geeky night of robots, AI, VR, and very silly holiday gifts. We kick things off with the new Robosen Shockwave Transformer robot, a $1,000 self-transforming Decepticon boombox that doubles as a Bluetooth speaker, then fall down a rabbit hole of programmable Transformers, Buzz Lightyear, and WALL-E robots for STEM-minded kids. From there, Mac highlights Apple's latest Apple TV “liquid glass” intro, crafted with real glass panes and practical effects instead of AI – a hopeful sign for human artists in an AI-heavy world. Sorg shares what it's like living with an AI-generated news anchor on his Telly-style TV, including a bizarre “buff Judge Elvis” story that looks nothing like the real judge and points toward a future of AI hosts on gas-station and in-store TVs. The crew then revisits GameStop's “Trade Anything” day, reacting to reports of taxidermy, cans of beans, cursed plushies, and stressed-out employees caught between corporate hype and real-world chaos. On the gaming and VR side, we look at a mod project that brings classic shooters like Quake III, Doom 3, Redneck Rampage, and Quake 4 into standalone VR on Meta Quest headsets and reminisce about the clunky mall-VR rigs of the 1990s. Chachi's Video Game Minute covers the Helldivers movie, Netflix's proposed Warner Bros / WB Games deal, and rumored Japanese studios making design applicants draw by hand to avoid AI shortcuts – which leads into a deeper chat about Netflix potentially owning Mortal Kombat, Batman Arkham, DC Comics, and what that means for movies and games. Tony's Awesome Thing of the Week is pure chaos: the TikTok-viral “Butts on Things” activity books, puzzles, and Cheek-to-Cheek card game – proving once again that everyone finds butts funny and weird gifts win Christmas. We wrap with internship reflections, from Apple sock purses and new Apple gadgets to everything Mac and Tony have learned about podcast production, live streaming, editing, and social media on the Sorgatron Media shows. Stick around to the end for a tease of our Patreon-exclusive segment featuring the creepiest robot dogs you'll ever see.

In this episode of AwesomeCast 761, Michael Sorg is joined by Intern Mac and Intern Tony for a wildly geeky night of robots, AI, VR, and very silly holiday gifts. We kick things off with the new Robosen Shockwave Transformer robot, a $1,000 self-transforming Decepticon boombox that doubles as a Bluetooth speaker, then fall down a rabbit hole of programmable Transformers, Buzz Lightyear, and WALL-E robots for STEM-minded kids. From there, Mac highlights Apple's latest Apple TV “liquid glass” intro, crafted with real glass panes and practical effects instead of AI – a hopeful sign for human artists in an AI-heavy world. Sorg shares what it's like living with an AI-generated news anchor on his Telly-style TV, including a bizarre “buff Judge Elvis” story that looks nothing like the real judge and points toward a future of AI hosts on gas-station and in-store TVs. The crew then revisits GameStop's “Trade Anything” day, reacting to reports of taxidermy, cans of beans, cursed plushies, and stressed-out employees caught between corporate hype and real-world chaos. On the gaming and VR side, we look at a mod project that brings classic shooters like Quake III, Doom 3, Redneck Rampage, and Quake 4 into standalone VR on Meta Quest headsets and reminisce about the clunky mall-VR rigs of the 1990s. Chachi's Video Game Minute covers the Helldivers movie, Netflix's proposed Warner Bros / WB Games deal, and rumored Japanese studios making design applicants draw by hand to avoid AI shortcuts – which leads into a deeper chat about Netflix potentially owning Mortal Kombat, Batman Arkham, DC Comics, and what that means for movies and games. Tony's Awesome Thing of the Week is pure chaos: the TikTok-viral “Butts on Things” activity books, puzzles, and Cheek-to-Cheek card game – proving once again that everyone finds butts funny and weird gifts win Christmas. We wrap with internship reflections, from Apple sock purses and new Apple gadgets to everything Mac and Tony have learned about podcast production, live streaming, editing, and social media on the Sorgatron Media shows. Stick around to the end for a tease of our Patreon-exclusive segment featuring the creepiest robot dogs you'll ever see.

There is some great, weird and just plain crazy news to talk through today. Have Hot Toys jumped the shark? Is Ben about to drop $1500 on a Soundwave? More Mondo, more Blokees and of course, More Todd. Franks TMNT collection lacks a life size element - could this change soon? Then we compare the newly released Origins Fright Zone with the vintage one - which in itself gives Scot the fright of his life! Support the show: http://patreon.com/toypowerpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now on Earth, Bumblebee and his allies must try to capture a dangerous, escaped Decepticon. Contact John on Bluesky or email Paul and John at transformersnitpickers@gmail.com. Full episode archive

This Week on Toy Power Podcast; we once again have Canadian local: Colin Betts present in the studio!! Leaning on Colin's expertise around all things G.I. Joe; we are having another Fun round of THE TEAM! This round specifically targeting The Enemy: Cobra! Narrowing our selection even further, Toy characters released only between the years of 1982 & 1987. Highlighting the Classic Team tributes of: Leader, Muscle, Specialist, Wheelman & of course a Vehicle too. Voting on who makes the cut once all submissions are shouted out. Then we attack our next topic; Toy Catalogues! Another one of Colin's passion projects; & Ben presents him with his own small collection of only Two Australian Catalogues; that funnily enough Colin doesn't own!! A fun discussion around Catalogues in general & what makes them so appealing!Support the show: http://patreon.com/toypowerpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Washington's Senator, Patty Murray is today's featured con artist. She wants you to blame Trump for a 188% increase in the price of yams from last year. A simple net search reveals she's off by 184%.

This Week on Toy Power Podcast; we welcome Canadian local: Colin Betts to our home town; as he celebrates his overseas Holiday trip! Kicking off the episode, we chat towards the Tron HasLab project - that obliviously is drowning. An exciting expansion to our Powers Of Grayskull - Masters Of The Universe Collection - with the addition of the Wolf Character: Red Shadow. Plus an incredible achievement from the crew of 'Yes Have Some' / 'Toy Anxiety' Podcast; as they reveal their much anticipated Kickstarter: Cryptoids - Mothman. The first of hopefully many figures in this unique Toyline. Then we hear directly from Colin about his travels thus far. A interesting comparison on the Retail front of what offerings one finds outside of their own Country too! Then, its a flurry of Gift-Giving! It feels like Christmas Day; with the amount of gifts shared around the table; and we are all incredibly thankful for the genorosity! Thankyou Colin!!Support the show: http://patreon.com/toypowerpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In honor of 420, its time to look at some of the weirdest, and wackiest toys ever designed. You really have to wonder, what were they on when coming up with some of this stuff. From poorly thought out labels to accidental nightmare fuel, child endangerment and even a pre-cursor to Siri - combined with, water? Then it's another edition of The Team from the wonderful world of TMNT - but ONLY the Turtle variants. And the choices are not as simple as you might think! Support the show: http://patreon.com/toypowerpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Middle of Culture, we close out our dive into Transformers with Transformers One, last year's animated prequel that tells the origin story of Optimus and Megatron. We rave about how shockingly good it is—beautiful animation, heartfelt storytelling, and voice performances that actually make you care about robots punching each other. Along the way, we talk about Sanderson's declining prose, the “YA-ification” of modern fiction, the decline of mass-market paperbacks, and why we'll always have a soft spot for dumb robot movies done well.Episode NotesOpening BanterPeter returns from travel (Boise and Napa), happy to be home.Eden vents about a rough week and hostile engineers during digital accessibility training, complete with an on-campus shooting alert mid-meeting.Peter describes an incredible dinner at Bistro Jeanty in Napa (truffle deviled eggs, beef bourguignon, and chocolate croissant bread pudding).Books & ReadingPeter finishes Murder Your Employer by Rupert Holmes (yes, the “Piña Colada Song” guy)—a darkly funny and satisfying story about the McMaster's School of Homicide.Reads Artificial Condition, the second Murderbot novella, and starts Write Your Novel from the Middle.Discussion on how story structure midpoints define theme and cohesion.Critique of Brandon Sanderson's Wind and Truth: great worldbuilding, but noticeably weaker prose since losing his longtime editor.Eden speculates that the issue might extend to the whole fantasy industry—less editing, more aesthetic consumerism, and the death of the mass-market paperback.Broader talk on the “dumbing down” of fiction and the rise of YA and “New Adult” markets catering to comfort rather than challenge.Music & Games CornerPeter dives into rediscovering Psychotic Waltz, Psychonaut, and Oramet—bands that balance progressive creativity with restraint.New release highlight: PowerWash Simulator 2.Eden tests two disappointing gacha games (Duet Night Abyss and Resonance Solstice) and finally uninstalls all HoyoVerse titles.Back to Final Fantasy XIV, excited about the new patch allowing full cross-class glamours.Main Feature – Transformers One (2024)Both agree: it's the best Transformers movie ever made—heartfelt, gorgeously animated, and genuinely emotional.Plot rundown: Orion Pax (Optimus) and D16 (Megatron) rise from the oppressed underclass of “Cogless” robots, uncover Sentinel Prime's corruption, and witness the birth of Autobot vs. Decepticon ideology.Core theme: friendship, betrayal, and revolution—the tragedy of two friends who believe in justice but choose different paths.Voice acting highlights:Brian Tyree Henry's nuanced Megatron is phenomenal.John Hamm nails the duplicitous Sentinel Prime.Scarlett Johansson and Chris Hemsworth have real chemistry, even if Hemsworth is the weakest link.Laurence Fishburne brings gravitas as Alpha Trion.Keegan-Michael Key's Bumblebee is purposefully annoying but fits the tone.Praise for the movie's subtle callbacks to the 1986 film (“You don't have the touch or the power”), strong emotional beats, and sense of earned tragedy.Both lament how poorly it performed at the box office—“we are part of the problem”—and hope it gets a sequel.Brief detour comparing the animated film's depth to the shallow chaos of the Michael Bay series.Closing ThoughtsTransformers One feels like the first time the franchise truly understood its own heart.Recommendation: watch it—it's smart, emotional, and fun as hell.