The Energon Pub

[quote="oldskooltf]
I read he didn't want her to look too skinny because he wanted her to look more "normal" or realistic or something like that. So... I believe it was meant to be a good thing. Almost like a compliment to her but also what women SHOULD want -- for actresses to not look "anerexic". Having said all that, then Bay has her pose in the those eye-candy ways and totally nullifies any "good" he did with his previous statement. So, I agree with you that it's kind of sad that Bay feels the need to do that in this movie.[/quote]

Not really. I was told once by a talent scout from Egypt that I was too skinny to be a professional belly dancer in the Middle East. It doesn't mean I was a) too skinny (I'm about 165) nor does it mean he WASn't trying to make me a sex object. He was just saying that in Egypt, sex objects were plumper than I was.

You misunderstood what I meant with my statement. I didn't mean women should avoid watching anything. I meant if you're going to single out MOVIES for the purpose of CRITICIZING them for portraying women in a sexist way, then pick on the movies (there's a gazillion of them) that are far far worse than the Transformers movie.

Definitely. I completely agree.

Having said all that. I'm agreeing with you that the TF movies are good enough that they shouldn't "need" Megan Fox doing what she does for tickets to be sold. I agree that women are way too often portrayed in an "eye-candy" manner which makes the average-woman's life harder.

I think it also, though, negatively affects men, don't you? I mean, I don't care how I look, so most of the nonsense just rolls off my back (if I cared about my weight, I'd probably do something about it). But if I were a guy and I was surrounded by images of women as simply stupid, emotionally unstable, constantly sexually available, golddiggers, etc (I'm thinking of the standard stereotypes), well, jeez, what would I, the sensible guy, want to do getting emotionally involved with one of them things? They're all crazy and bitches and hos, right? So why bother trying to actually care. Just use 'em before they use you. THAT doesn't sound like a formula for happiness long term for you menfolk, either, I have to say.

HK, oh, the student whining, it begins!!!!

Wow, it's kind of refreshing to sit back and watch a "fight" going on and not be either the instigator or an active participant. While it has been fun, I guess it's about time for me to get my feet wet soooo...

HK, I'm behind ya 100% as far as the senseless portrayal of Fox's character. I actually found the character of Maggie in the first film to be more "attractive" just because she brought more "cerebral" stimulation to the whole film. A woman in not just a "tech" type position but one that was totally blowing guys out of the water as far as experience and over-all knowledge was just sweet. As for Mikaela, I was more turned on when she was talking "gear-head" than by any "posing" she was doing. Bay and Fox both lost points for the eye-candy crap as far as I'm concerned. I'm a healthy hetero male and I feel there's a time and place for that stuff and these movies are neither. (I'm also against the aneorexic stereotypes. Women should NOT be toothpicks and there's little pleasure in cuddling a stick)
As for the folks hating on Bay's attitude and arrogance, oh well! Like it or not he's in the billion-dollar club and we all helped put him there! You may not like his attitude but attitudes can change over time. I started out a nice guy on here and now I'm sure half the folks would like to kick my ass.
Do I care?...not really. Will I tone it down after awhile? Probably, once I come back around to realizing that my arguments don't mean squat to folks and most are to thick-headed to reason with anyway. If folks are so pissed about Bay's attitude maybe they should waste their time on figuring out why he's like that. Probably the same reason I've been such an a**hole to people on this site lately and have a focused vendetta going. Try thinking on a higher level folks, that's why I've been pushing everyones buttons and being such a jerk, because pissing everyone off has been the only way to get folks to think outside the norm. So far, very few of you have been getting it.

hellkitty wrote:

Having said all that. I'm agreeing with you that the TF movies are good enough that they shouldn't "need" Megan Fox doing what she does for tickets to be sold. I agree that women are way too often portrayed in an "eye-candy" manner which makes the average-woman's life harder.

I think it also, though, negatively affects men, don't you? I mean, I don't care how I look, so most of the nonsense just rolls off my back (if I cared about my weight, I'd probably do something about it). But if I were a guy and I was surrounded by images of women as simply stupid, emotionally unstable, constantly sexually available, golddiggers, etc (I'm thinking of the standard stereotypes), well, jeez, what would I, the sensible guy, want to do getting emotionally involved with one of them things? They're all crazy and bitches and hos, right? So why bother trying to actually care. Just use 'em before they use you. THAT doesn't sound like a formula for happiness long term for you menfolk, either, I have to say.

It does affect men in a negative way, although few will admit or even realize what it does to them. You have a point.


So... getting back to TF -- Bay loses points (along with many other directors) for using the Mikaela character in a stereotypical eye-candy manner [note: the stereotypical college-age guy will likely disagree on that point]. Also loses points for coming off as full of himself in interviews -- but we should recognize that doesn't really affect the quality of the movie. He gains points for his relationship with the military or for at least having his connections to get cool stuff from and in conjunction with them. (We should be thankful he was able to film the F22 for Starscream... for one). He gains points for his expertise in explosions. The jury's out on the plot for this new movie -- we'll have to wait and see.

I don't criticize a guy's work because of his personal life. Marlon Brando was a douche bag, but the Godfather is still one of the best movies ever. Mel Gibson says some antisemitic things when drunk, but that doesn't make Braveheart less awesome. Michael Jackson did all that stuff everyone here already knows about, but Thriller is still awesome. What I mean is that just because someone's a jerk doesn't mean his work is bad.

Pretty much true, no where does it say we can't hate a guy. Truth be said is that's the main reason Bay gets hated for, just being a prick. His movies are good but he's a prick about them in the sense that he's that guy that tries to up everyone else. If Spielberg did the movie it would be just as good (with guns replaced by walkie talkies and the Cons with Ewoks) but dammit he would do a good job with it and not be a jerk until he re-re-releases it in 10 to 20 years or so.

Bay just comes off as too much of a bragger which people tend to hate more because it's annoying to deal with that guy. He still makes good movies but as a person he just irritating, maybe more if it turns out one day he makes a bad movie.

Baha08 wrote:Bay just comes off as too much of a bragger which people tend to hate more because it's annoying to deal with that guy. He still makes good movies but as a person he just irritating, maybe more if it turns out one day he makes a bad movie.

And you know what's completely hilarious?

Bay says one thing.

And thousands cry out in protest.

Who in retrospect, who's really more irritating? The guy proclaiming pride in his work? Or the whiney little fankids who think their opinion will change his attitude?

Burn wrote:
Who in retrospect, who's really more irritating? The guy proclaiming pride in his work? Or the whiney little fankids who think their opinion will change his attitude?

I'm willing to bet cash that he actually gets off on people ripping their heair out over his "awesomeness."

Burn wrote:

Baha08 wrote:Bay just comes off as too much of a bragger which people tend to hate more because it's annoying to deal with that guy. He still makes good movies but as a person he just irritating, maybe more if it turns out one day he makes a bad movie.

And you know what's completely hilarious?

Bay says one thing.

And thousands cry out in protest.

Who in retrospect, who's really more irritating? The guy proclaiming pride in his work? Or the whiney little fankids who think their opinion will change his attitude?

You know what it really is about him? He's an Alpha! He's a type A personality to the hilt, he knows what he wants, how he wants it and he's got the drive and the guts to get it and that scares the hell out of all the insecure little people that see that trait but can't step up to the plate.
It's not that folks are jealous of what he has or what he does, it's what he represents and the fact that they look at themselves, see something lacking and actually have to admit it to themselves and that is what people hate the most. To make themselves feel better they try to belittle him, call him a jerk or an a**hole, whatever it takes to justify not having to see the things lacking in their own character. Sure Bay comes across gruff or abrupt but that's because his mind is always going forward, always pursuing that next big challenge and if you want a piece of that challenge or it's rewards you best be able to keep up. He's human and makes mistakes along the way like all of us but unlike many of us, he doesn't dwell for a second on them which is something else that most folks find unthinkable.
I respected the guy before but never really gave him much thought. It wasn't until reading over some of these last few posts that it really dawned on me how obvious the answer was. I thought back to some of the interviews I've seen of him and it all dropped into place. I respect the fans alot less now than what I did, which is saying something considering how some folks have behaved.
What will be the true test is how folks react to this post...

Micheal bay.......Being Micheal Bay...
enough with this! He likes to talk about himself lol. He does not care about the hardcore, hes trying to sell a movie to "casual america" I bet the star wars boards were quite lit up after phantom menace

SamYarbrough77 wrote:Micheal bay.......Being Micheal Bay...
enough with this! He likes to talk about himself lol. He does not care about the hardcore, hes trying to sell a movie to "casual america"

Of course he did. Casual America is where the money is. Pandering only to the long-time or hardcore fans is a formula for failure.

SamYarbrough77 wrote:I bet the star wars boards were quite lit up after phantom menace

Yes, they were. I don't see how this is at all relevant.

I don't see how relevant any of this is if you look at the thread topic

SamYarbrough77 wrote:I don't see how relevant any of this is if you look at the thread topic

Then read the thread. The story about ROTF cutting it close shifted into a discussion on Michael Bay.

thats ridiculous, ive posted on here since page WON. your like charles barkley, a hater

SamYarbrough77 wrote:thats ridiculous, ive posted on here since page WON. your like charles barkley, a hater

First off, Charles Barkley? Is that the best analogy you can come up with?

Second, maybe didn't notice it, or maybe you didn't read the thread so much as skimmed through it, but the discussion on Michael Bay and his apparent ego has been going on since page one.

Shadowman wrote:

SamYarbrough77 wrote:thats ridiculous, ive posted on here since page WON. your like charles barkley, a hater

First off, Charles Barkley? Is that the best analogy you can come up with?

Second, maybe didn't notice it, or maybe you didn't read the thread so much as skimmed through it, but the discussion on Michael Bay and his apparent ego has been going on since page one.

AND his first post was

SamYarbrough77 wrote:this makes me bad. he is so full on himself. hes always reassuring how awesome he is and how he gets permission like no one else. his films are 1 trick ponys. hes 1 flop away (maybe 2) from making films for scifi network lol

Yeah, you were one of the people who started the "Michael Bay has an ego" club in this thread. So don't get all high and mighty

i_amtrunks wrote:The LATimes have followed up their previous story on Michael Bay and ROTF with a second article.

This second article focuses more on Bay himself, his style of filming, and the processes he uses to get the most out of his cast and crew, while also providing tidbits of information regarding the Transformers sequel.

Just like the first film, it would seem that Bay will be making the final edits hours before the film debuts, with Bay stating "This one, is barely going to make it to theaters."

Bay also discusses his 12 hour days of filming, and being the first director to be given permission to film on the Giza pyramid in 30 years.

To check out the full LATimes article, please click here.

brag brag brag!! Look at me im the first to shut in egypt yaaaaaaaY!!!!

Man this movie is going to suck like Kirby!! I want see it til Oct or Nov, that is when the DVD actually comes out, not seeing it in theaters.

Coolyfett wrote:Man this movie is going to suck like Kirby!! I want see it til Oct or Nov, that is when the DVD actually comes out, not seeing it in theaters.

Yeah, pay $20 to get the DVD, rather than $10 to see it in theaters. That'll show 'em.

Shadowman wrote:

Coolyfett wrote:Man this movie is going to suck like Kirby!! I want see it til Oct or Nov, that is when the DVD actually comes out, not seeing it in theaters.

Yeah, pay $20 to get the DVD, rather than $10 to see it in theaters. That'll show 'em.

Gotta love those DVD burners. I said Id SEE it, not Buy it HA HA HA HA HA H HA HA HAH AHA HAHAHA HAHA HA HA

Coolyfett wrote:

Shadowman wrote:

Coolyfett wrote:Man this movie is going to suck like Kirby!! I want see it til Oct or Nov, that is when the DVD actually comes out, not seeing it in theaters.

Yeah, pay $20 to get the DVD, rather than $10 to see it in theaters. That'll show 'em.

Gotta love those DVD burners. I said Id SEE it, not Buy it HA HA HA HA HA H HA HA HAH AHA HAHAHA HAHA HA HA

better yet, google "watch movies net" and watch it june 26,27th on your home computer screen

Very interesting.

Downloading it illegally shows no respect for all the people who work in the movie industry. Sure you don't like Bay, but there's millions of other people in the industry that aren't Bay.

Why would you download it illegally if you hate the movie-verse??? makes no sense. Avoid the movie and don't watch it if you hate what Bay has done.

OR why would you download it illegally if you could legally borrow it from a friend or pay $1 at redbox?

oldskooltf wrote:Downloading it illegally shows no respect for all the people who work in the movie industry. Sure you don't like Bay, but there's millions of other people in the industry that aren't Bay.

Why would you download it illegally if you hate the movie-verse??? makes no sense. Avoid the movie and don't watch it if you hate what Bay has done.

OR why would you download it illegally if you could legally borrow it from a friend or pay $1 at redbox?

I'm not going to say that I sanction such activities (I let God pass final judgement, I just move people up the docket... ) but I would hope that such activity does not come as any surprise to you. Why do folks do it?
Because we live in a world that is rapidly becoming devoid of morals, values, principles, ethics, standards, decency, whatever you want to call it.
I will say that this is amongst the many battles that you won't win and therefore might not want to pursue further as it will just cause you frustration. In the grand scheme of things, such energies would best be served attacking a more heinous offense. The sense of satisfaction of having at least tried will be far greater, trust me. All my fights on this site have been a waste of time but any time I hit the street and make something...unfortunate...happen to bad people it leaves me feeling much better at the end of the night. (that's just me, I recommend a less...active approach to cleaning up society for most people or a less hazardous pursuit anyways)
As for all the folks doing the Bay bashing, let 'em blow their hot air. Sure it's polluting the air as much as cow fart's or wasting our precious online time, but let's face it, the Internet is basically a vacuous,life sucking void with occasional nuggets of useful information thrown in to justify it's existence anyway. We are all sitting on our butts debating something of NO cosmic importance whatsoever when we should be out mowing our yards.
I don't know Bay personally and if anyone on here does I'd be damned surprised so it's not like ANY of us can make a character judgement anyway. I thought I had it summed up pretty well in my eralier post regarding his Type A Personality but the folks who really needed to read it either passed it by or couldn't wrap their brains around it.