Fan-made Transformers Film from Russia is Simply Awesome [with Video]

Michael Bay, you need to be taking notes, because this fan-made Transformers short film is epically cool. Created by 21-year old Alexander Vladimirovich Semenov from Russia, the film doesn't use little white trash GM robots or the ridonkulous SR-71 pirate grandpa; instead, it stars a cool old VAZ 2106...I think...and some dinky little cell phone robots.

Oh and the main guy is someone who ends up driving the VAZ Decepticon. Really, who wouldn't want to drive a little 4-wheeled evil?

Instead of what boils down to plain stupid product placement like Jolt the Volt, how about we make this next Transformers a little more down to earth (as crazy as that sounds)?

I know sponsors are the ones writing your checks, but there comes a time when the movie needs to still be a Michael Bay summer blockbuster and not a two hour GM commercial. Check out the slick vid below.

By Phil Alex

Real-Life Transformer Fulfills All Our Childhood Fantasies

This video of a real-life Transformer snapped rolling on Hollywood Boulevard has been making the rounds on YouTube for a few months. No, it's not a lame viral marketing attempt by Citroen or a trailer for a new shaky cam Michael Bay / Jerry Bruckheimer movie.

It's a guy in a transforming Transformers costume. How cool is that? Remember when you were a kid and you had that cardboard box that you used to hold around your waist, pretending to be a fire truck? This is like that, but a million times cooler.

The video says its Optimus Prime but come on; everyone knows Optimus is a big rig. Binaltech has a Mustang Transformer called Wheeljack, but that's pretty obscure even from a fanboy perspective. It could be Barricade from the 2007 movie but if so, where's the police get up?

The pièce de résistance of course is the vinyl roof. Well, it's either that or a convertible roof, but the former is much funnier.

By Tristan Hankins

Fauxmula 1: Ferrari Virtual Academy gives you the chance to Race F1 Online

Ferrari has announced a virtual simulator to give fans of its Scuderia F1 team something to do between races. Using input from its F1 drivers (Fernando Alonso, Felipe Massa, Giancarlo Fisichella) and engineers, the Ferrari Virtual Academy will be revealed live at Monza in Ferrari's paddock at the upcoming Italian Grand Prix.

The game will evolve and be released in stages, allowing people to race each other online on a variety of tracks. At launch, races will be held at the Fiorano track, followed by Mugello and the Nürburgring at a later date.

According to Ferrari, this is the only simulator to faithfully reproduce the F10 in all its glory. It is derived from Ferrari's own driver simulator, provides gamers with a realistic portrayal of the F10's cockpit, as well as realistic "aerodynamic effects, tire characteristics and behaviour of the chassis-suspension system and engine".

For fans willing to get seriously involved, there will be an online tournament that will track the simulator's top performers and reward them with weekly Ferrari goodies. Not only that, but Ferrari will bring the top five fastest tournament drivers to Maranello to do the Ferrari Driver Academy.

The Fiorano simulator will be released online at a price of €14.90, with Mugello and the Nürburgring set to follow at €9.90.

By Phil Alex

(Link: Ferrari Simulator download)

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Twisted Metal: Transformers Sculptures Built from Recycled Steel

Found over on Robo Steel's website (thank God for the internet), here are some Transformers that you can actually own. Before you read any further, you should know that acting fast is key here, because both versions of the 60-cm Optimus Prime are sold out at €280 each. Don't worry, the €5,500 2.5-meter version is still available (whew).

Now then, these here Irish-built scrap-metal sculptures are based on the Transformers from Michael Bay's awesome movie and his not-so-awesome sequel. Other than that, the big ones come in color and the smaller ones don't.

Of the three remaining figures, two are of the Mr. Roll Out himself (Optimus Prime, fool). They come in two sizes: Large, which is made of spark plugs, car brake pedals, etc. and has officially been ordered by me, and that 2.5-meter version which costs €5,500.

The biggy weighs 550 kg and has been lacquered and smoothed so it ain't gonna cut ya. It consists of car, boat, motorbike, and dishwasher parts.

The last sculpture is a 400 kg, 2.2-meter tall version of Bumblebee that'll run you €5,000; it also comes in color, much like the 2.5-meter real O-P. Interested in seeing some other crazy recycled-metal sculptures? Hit the link below.

By Phil Alex

Source: Robosteel