Rate/Rank Godzilla movies

[balmakboor]

I've been casually watching an occasional Godzilla movie and finding myself having a good time. Before I continue, is there a general consensus as to which movies are the best and worst? Does this guy at amazon have a clue?

http://www.amazon.com/Godzilla-Movies-Ranked-Best-Worse/lm/2ZI28AQW7OIM9

Also, is Godzilla the only giant Japanese monster worth checking out? How is Gamera?

Btw, so far I've seen:

Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All Out Attack
Godzilla vs Destroyah
Godzilla vs Space Godzilla
Gojira

I'd say All Out Attack and Gojira were my favorites so far.

[D_Davis]

Godzilla (http://www.tohokingdom.com/movies/godzilla_1954.htm) (Godzilla, King of The Monsters) [1954] - 7

Mothra vs. Godzilla (http://www.tohokingdom.com/movies/mothra_vs_godzilla.htm) (Godzilla vs. The Thing) [1964] - 6

Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (http://www.tohokingdom.com/movies/ghidorah_the_three_headed_mons ter.htm) (Ghidrah, the Three-Headed Monster) [1964] - 6

Invasion of Astro-Monster (http://www.tohokingdom.com/movies/invasion_of_astro-monster.htm) (Godzilla vs. Monster Zero) [1965] - 8

Godzilla vs. Hedorah (http://www.tohokingdom.com/movies/godzilla_vs_hedorah.htm) (Godzilla vs. The Smog Monster) [1971] - 8

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (http://www.tohokingdom.com/movies/godzilla_vs_mechagodzilla.htm) (Godzilla vs. The Cosmic Monster) [1974] - 6

The Return of Godzilla (http://www.tohokingdom.com/movies/return_of_godzilla.htm) (Godzilla 1985) [1984] - 3

Godzilla vs. Biollante (http://www.tohokingdom.com/movies/godzilla_vs_biollante.htm) [1989] - 5

Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (http://www.tohokingdom.com/movies/godzilla_vs_king_ghidorah.htm) [1991] - 7

Godzilla vs. Mothra (http://www.tohokingdom.com/movies/godzilla_vs_mothra.htm) (Godzilla & Mothra: The Battle for Earth) [1992] - 10

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla 2 (http://www.tohokingdom.com/movies/godzilla_vs_mechagodzilla_2.ht m) [1993] - 6

Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (http://www.tohokingdom.com/movies/godzilla_vs_spacegodzilla.htm) [1994] - 5

Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (http://www.tohokingdom.com/movies/godzilla_vs_destoroyah.htm) [1995] - 9

Godzilla 2000: Millennium (http://www.tohokingdom.com/movies/godzilla_2000.htm) (Godzilla 2000) [1999] - 7

Godzilla vs. Megaguirus (http://www.tohokingdom.com/movies/godzilla_vs_megaguirus.htm) [2000] - 7

Godzilla, Mothra & King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All Out Attack (http://www.tohokingdom.com/movies/gmk.htm) [2001] - 6

Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla (http://www.tohokingdom.com/movies/godzilla_against_mechagodzilla .htm) (Godzilla X Mechagodzilla) [2002] - 6

Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (http://www.tohokingdom.com/movies/godzilla_tokyo_sos.htm) [2003] - 5

Godzilla: Final Wars (http://www.tohokingdom.com/movies/godzilla_final_wars.htm) [2004] - 8

[balmakboor]

So Final Wars is pretty good. That's one of a few that Best Buy is peddling right now.

[balmakboor]

This may sound nutty, but, when it comes to the action and mayhem in the films, my enjoyment seems inversely proportional to the quality of the special effects. Or, in other words, the more it looks like guys in rubber suits kicking plastic models around the better.

[Kurosawa Fan]

So Final Wars is pretty good. That's one of a few that Best Buy is peddling right now.

FWIW, I thought Final Wars was terrible. Such a promising concept ruined by faux-Matrix fighting in human form. The monsters were background noise, which was a HUGE misstep.

[Russ]

Which one contains the scene of Godzilla being propeled forward, supported only by his tail? Or the one of him jumping up and down, seemingly clapping his hands/claws?

(clips please)



Some of G's antics remind me of Curley in the old Three Stooges. I would particularly like to see him laying on his side on the ground and 'running' around in circles like Curley. Or repeatedly slapping his face with his hands/claws and pulling them down over his face. Maybe that's what Giant Monsters All Out Attack really is, an homage to the Stooges, with (I'm guessing) King Ghidorah as Mo and Mothra as Larry? Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk.

[D_Davis]

So Final Wars is pretty good. That's one of a few that Best Buy is peddling right now.

I love Final Wars. Some people hate it. I don't think there is much in between these two reactions. It is a reduction of money shots. In most G-films, the monster battles last WAY too long, and they really aren't all that exciting. Lots of standing around, flapping their giant rubber arms, and growling. Most of these fights have one or two awesome moments. The monster battles in Final Wars consist only of these moments. They are short, direct, and only focus on the stuff that matters.

From my review:

http://www.genrebusters.com/film/review_gfw.htm



7. Monster’s screen time – This is the number one complaint I hear from most Final Wars haters, but I am here to tell you why they are wrong. First of all, I will not disagree that the big G and the other Kaiju do get less actual screen time in Final Wars. But here’s the kicker – the screen time that is devoted to the monsters is not wasted! Usually in these films minutes of film stock are used just showing the monsters flailing their arms about, beating their chests, and roaring – that is, they are not really doing anything worth watching. In Final Wars however, every time a monster is on screen, he or she is doing something AWESOME! Kitamura went for quality over quantity here and crammed in as much action as possible, and what we see are only the best parts of the monster battles, and not all the slow motion awkward chest pounding.


And the final battle between G and Monster X and Mothra and Gigan II is the best battle ever in a G-film. It rules so hard.

Plus, it has an awesome human versus monster sequence that also rules hard.

Final Wars is two hours of over the top insanity, intentional and unintentional laughs, and pure fun. It was one of the best time I've ever had in a theater, and I like it every time I watch it on DVD.

[balmakboor]

FWIW, I thought Final Wars was terrible. Such a promising concept ruined by faux-Matrix fighting in human form. The monsters were background noise, which was a HUGE misstep.

That does sound troublesome. If I want to see humans fighting, I don't immediately think Godzilla. In fact, I like to have the monsters front and center as much as possible.

[D_Davis]

Godzilla drop kick

http://youtube.com/watch?v=TPn-aweCAN8

[Kurosawa Fan]

That does sound troublesome. If I want to see humans fighting, I don't immediately think Godzilla. In fact, I like to have the monsters front and center as much as possible.

Final Wars is not for you. Godzilla fights nearly every famous monster in the film, but the fights last all of 1 minute apiece and are intercut with "humans" fighting. It was lame.

[D_Davis]

If you hate fun, Final Wars is not for you.

[D_Davis]

That does sound troublesome. If I want to see humans fighting, I don't immediately think Godzilla. In fact, I like to have the monsters front and center as much as possible.

Again - it's quality over quantity. Rather than 15 minutes of slow-motion chest pounding and awkward rubber-suit posturing, Kitamura gives us 5 minutes of only the best. You know all those awesome things you remember about the monster fights in G-films? Like the drop kick? The monster battles in FW consist of only these moments. It's like made a mix-tape of the best of moments.

It's awesome.

[balmakboor]

I think we need a tie breaker here on Final Wars.

[balmakboor]

Again - it's quality over quantity. Rather than 15 minutes of slow-motion chest pounding and awkward rubber-suit posturing, Kitamura gives us 5 minutes of only the best. You know all those awesome things you remember about the monster fights in G-films? Like the drop kick? The monster battles in FW consist of only these moments. It's like made a mix-tape of the best of moments.

It's awesome.

Your enthusiasm IS winning me over.

[Scar]

I think we need a tie breaker here on Final Wars.

It fucking rocks.

[Kurosawa Fan]

You guys are nuts. Without that human sub-plot it would have been great. As it stands, it's lamer than lame.

[D_Davis]

All G-films have a lame human sub-plot, but in FW, Kitamura made it fun, silly, and exciting, rather than dull and lifeless.

The human versus monster battle is awesome.

Plus you get great lines like:

"I thought you were captured?"
"I managed to escape somehow!"

I am not saying the film is brilliant, nor is it my favorite G-film, but I do find it incredibly entertaining, fun, and exciting.

[balmakboor]

Again - it's quality over quantity. Rather than 15 minutes of slow-motion chest pounding and awkward rubber-suit posturing, Kitamura gives us 5 minutes of only the best. You know all those awesome things you remember about the monster fights in G-films? Like the drop kick? The monster battles in FW consist of only these moments. It's like made a mix-tape of the best of moments.

It's awesome.

You keep talking about slow-motion chest pounding and similar posturing in a negative light, but I've always found those moments, dare I say, iconic.

[balmakboor]

Gotta admit. This poster rocks!

http://hollywoodgothique.com/myPictures/godzillafinalwars.jpg

[D_Davis]

You keep talking about slow-motion chest pounding and similar posturing in a negative light, but I've always found those moments, dare I say, iconic.

Sure they're iconic, but they're also kind of dull, and often go on for way too long.

[balmakboor]

Well, I did it. Picked up Final Wars during lunch. $9.99. I figured I couldn't go far wrong. I also noticed it is directed by that Versus guy. I found that film pretty interesting though a bit too stylized for its own good. I don't really remember people moving around much, just striking poses and remaining stationary. Not that that is bad or anything.

Of course, Final Wars is probably directed very differently.

And to briefly derail my own thread, I was looking at two Takashi Miike films -- because the boxes made them look cool -- The Yokai War and Izo. Any thoughts on those?

[D_Davis]

The Great Yokai War is in my top 5 Miike films. Funny, because it reminds me a lot of Final Wars. The two films make a great double feature. It is Miike at his most accessible, and it is simply a fun and entertaining fantasy-action flick.

http://www.genrebusters.com/film/review_spookwar.htm

In somewhat related news, and your new-found interest in kaiju films, you may want to check these out:

http://www.buymytoys.net/picsmisc/daimajin.jpg


http://www.digitalmonsterisland.com/yokai_spook_warfare_front.jpg

http://www.digitalmonsterisland.com/sakuya_front.jpg

http://www.hotmoviesale.com/dvds/6110/1/Kibakichi.jpg

I can vouch for all of these.

[balmakboor]

Are the Miike films I mentioned kaiju films? Does it mean magical fantasy or something similar? All of your suggestions look kinda like The Great Yokai War.

[Ezee E]

They all look alike to me!

[Scar]

Daimajin rocks. It has great build up, and a great pay off. Highly recommended.

[balmakboor]

A quick google and a browse of wikipedia later and I now know a bit more about Kaiju. It covers a lot of different strange beasts and monsters.

[D_Davis]

Are the Miike films I mentioned kaiju films? Does it mean magical fantasy or something similar? All of your suggestions look kinda like The Great Yokai War.

The old Yokai films are often considered Kaiju films, which just means "monster movie."

So in this sense, Miike's Yokai War is a kaiju film - although it doesn't have giant monsters, it has many small ones.

Izo is not at all a kaiju film.

[D_Davis]

They all look alike to me!

The reason is simple:

All of these films focus on yokai, mythological Japanese monsters. Many of these yokai are also seen in Spirited Away.

There are hundred of different yokai, some are scary and demonic looking, while others are silly and funny.

http://www.filmbrain.com/photos/uncategorized/yokai_1.jpg

[D_Davis]

Daimajin rocks. It has great build up, and a great pay off. Highly recommended.

Some of the most atmospheric films I've ever seen.

[bac0n]

Here's my ranking of all Godzilla flicks released to date.

Gojira - 9/10, tho I wouldn't call this a Godzilla movie if you go by the conventions established in what would follow.

Showa Series

Godzilla Raids Again - 6/10. Didn't know whether it wanted to be serious or goofy, but it was fun watching Osaka Tower get trashed.

King Kong vs. Godzilla - 6/10. I've only seen the American version with the stupid narrator. Didn't much care for that stuff. And no, there is no Japanese version where Godzilla wins instead of Kong.

Mothra vs. Godzilla - 9/10. One of the very best of the original run of Godzilla flicks. Required viewing.

Ghidorah the Three-Headed Monster - 8/10. Big goofy fun with a truly epic feel.

Invasion of Astro-Monster - 8/10. Fun alien invasion angle, and some silly monster fights.

Ebirah Horror of the Deep - 7/10. A lot better than it had any right to be. Nice Indiana Jones type vibe to it.

Son of Godzilla - 4/10. Boring monsters, limp plot, and the worst Godzilla costume of all time sink this one.

Destroy All Monsters - 10/10. The Pinnacle of Giant Monster Shenanigans. Required Viewing.

Godzilla's Revenge/All Monsters Attack 5/10. Annoying little bratty kid, over-reliance on stock footage, and a ridiculous villain monster. Meh.

Godzilla vs. Hedorah - 6/10. What a Godzilla film would look like if it were made by hippies.

Godzilla vs. Gigan - 5/10. Gigan is one of the coolest villains in this film, but he was dreadfully underutilized in this film.

Godzilla vs. Megalon - 6/10. Godzilla for the Saturday Morning Cartoon set. Godzilla has nice puffy cheeks and big bright eyes. I wanna give him a hug!

Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla 7/10. A return to a more serious vibe for Godzilla's 20th Anniversary.

Terror of MechaGodzilla - 8/10. Best Godzilla film of the 70s. Which isn't saying much.

Heisei Series

Godzilla 1985 - 6/10 Not a big fan of Godzilla's look in this film, looks like someone smashed in his face with a frying pan, and all the cold war references really dates the film.

Godzilla vs. Biollante - 7/10. Godzilla gets much more badass in this film, and fights a very interesting and unique monster.

Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah - 7/10. Interesting time travel angle, but KG didn't put up nearly good enough of a fight.

Godzilla vs. Mothra - 8/10 Best of the second run.

Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla II - 7/10 Special Effects Overload!

Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla - 5/10 Kinda lame story, bad soundtrack, and an embarrassing looking baby godzilla.

Godzilla vs. Destroyer - 8/10 Godzilla gets a fine "send off" with this one. Nice Aliens type sub-plot and homage to the original movie.

Millenium Series

Godzilla 2000 - 6/10 Godzilla gets a great new look and the production values make a big step forward, but I was disappointed that the movie abandoned all previous plots. Also, the monster fights are too few and far between.

Godzilla X Megaguirus - 5/10 - Kinda meh.

Godzilla Mothra King Guidirah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack - 10/10. A home run. The monsters have pathos, Godzilla is unlike anything seen before, and the humans do more than just sit around and make stupid philosophical statements. Probably my favorite Godzilla film of all time.

Godzilla X MechaGodzilla - 5/10. MechaGodzilla gets a cool new look, but the main protagonist is irritating and the story is kinda bleh.

Godzilla: Tokyo SOS - 6/10 Better than the previous, and with a little fan-service, but still, this movie seemed more like a stop-gap between previous G-flicks and the much hyped finale which would follow than a standalone movie.

Godzilla: Final Wars - 7/10 Movies like this are what DVD players were invented for. That way I can skip the ridiculous rock-stars having karate fights crap and get straight to the awesome monster fights.

[balmakboor]

The reason is simple:

All of these films focus on yokai, mythological Japanese monsters. Many of these yokai are also seen in Spirited Away.

There are hundred of different yokai, some are scary and demonic looking, while others are silly and funny.

http://www.filmbrain.com/photos/uncategorized/yokai_1.jpg

I'm really intrigued by what you wrote here about Spirited Away being part of a larger genre. I've always seen Miyazaki's movie in isolation and as such both beautiful and baffling.

[D_Davis]

I'm really intrigued by what you wrote here about Spirited Away being part of a larger genre. I've always seen Miyazaki's movie in isolation and as such both beautiful and baffling.

Spirited Away is very connected to ancient Japanese mythology, more so than most of Miyazaki's films which seem to be more about his own modern mythology. It this sense, it is probably his most "Japanese" film, and probably why many Japanese fans consider it the best.

It's fun once you start to recognize some of the yokai because you will see them pop up in all kinds of places.

My first experience with yokai was when I was in 7th grade and I was reading Yusagi Yojimbo. In one issue, he fights a Kappa, a turtle demon. The Kappa have a bowl shaped indentation on the tops of their heads in which they keep water. This shallow pool of water represents their life force, and if it spills out they die.

From this point on I've been fascinated with yokai.

[balmakboor]

What movie is that pic from in your previous post? The guy with one eye and long tongue?

[balmakboor]

Spirited Away is very connected to ancient Japanese mythology, more so than most of Miyazaki's films which seem to be more about his own modern mythology. It this sense, it is probably his most "Japanese" film, and probably why many Japanese fans consider it the best.

It's fun once you start to recognize some of the yokai because you will see them pop up in all kinds of places.

My first experience with yokai was when I was in 7th grade and I was reading Yusagi Yojimbo. In one issue, he fights a Kappa, a turtle demon. The Kappa have a bowl shaped indentation on the tops of their heads in which they keep water. This shallow pool of water represents their life force, and if it spills out they die.

From this point on I've been fascinated with yokai.

I'm guessing that Totoro is another of his that relates to ancient mythology.

[D_Davis]

What movie is that pic from in your previous post? The guy with one eye and long tongue?

I think it's from Miike's film, but it could also be from the old Yokai films, I am not completely sure.

This umbrella yokia is also in Sakuya the Slayer of Demons, which is a totally awesome flick.

You should definitely get this - one of my favorite kaiju flicks.

[D_Davis]

I'm guessing that Totoro is another of his that relates to ancient mythology.

This I don't know. I've never seen a Totoro in anything else, but I am also not an expert in the subject.

[D_Davis]

Here is a cool cast pick of Miike's film:

http://crazycatmailo.files.wordpress. com/2007/11/the-great-yokai-war.jpg

http://iamotaku.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/yokai_2.jpg

[balmakboor]

"Godzilla's Revenge/All Monsters Attack 5/10. Annoying little bratty kid, over-reliance on stock footage, and a ridiculous villain monster. Meh."

I also had this in my hand today at lunch, but put it back because it actually said on the box that all the monster battles were lifted from previous movies. Maybe putting it back was a good call.

Gotta give'em credit though for honesty in advertising.

[D_Davis]

http://www.monsterlandtoys.com/video/Yokai%20Monsters%20100%20Monst ers.jpg

http://www.scifijapan.com/yokai/d00a.jpg


These are from the original yokai trilogy.

[balmakboor]

Here is a cool cast pick of Miike's film:

http://crazycatmailo.files.wordpress. com/2007/11/the-great-yokai-war.jpg

http://iamotaku.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/yokai_2.jpg

Damn that looks fun. Looks like my day just got about $15 more expensive.

(Note: I could be renting these, but my next week or two of Netflix is being taken up by Satantango and the next week or two after that by that Daimajin trilogy, thanks to this thread.)

[D_Davis]

A cool old yokai painting:

http://www.mukashibanashi.org/bakemono.jpg

[balmakboor]

I watched Final Wars and it sure has a lot going on. Lots of fighting by people and monsters. Lots of monsters. Pretty high production values compared to the other G films I've seen. I liked it for the most part. It is a LOT more in the style of Versus than I expected. Still trying to decide if that is a good thing or a bad thing. I'll give it another spin in a few days.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I watched Final Wars and it sure has a lot going on. Lots of fighting by people and monsters. Lots of monsters. Pretty high production values compared to the other G films I've seen. I liked it for the most part. It is a LOT more in the style of Versus than I expected. Still trying to decide if that is a good thing or a bad thing. I'll give it another spin in a few days.

Join me. Stop resisting. Don't apologize for the film, just dislike it like you know you should.

*holds out hand*

Join me fas. You won't regret it.

[megladon8]

I don't have time to rate/rank all the films right now, but I will agree with bac0n in saying that Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack is the best Godzilla film out there.

Just fantastic. A good story, great effects, the most genuinely threatening incarnation of Godzilla ever - those white eyes were a great touch.

And if you haven't checked out the trilogy of Gamera films from the mid-90s, those start out great, and get better with each entry.

[Scar]

Join me. Stop resisting. Don't apologize for the film, just dislike it like you know you should.

*holds out hand*

Join me fas. You won't regret it.

Don't listen to him.

Join me, and I will complete your training. With our combined strength, we can end this destructive conflict and bring order to the galaxy.

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/050411/050411_darthVader_hmed2_3p.hme dium.jpg

[bac0n]

Yeah, Megs is right. The Three Gamera flicks put out in the 90s (Gamera: Guardian of the Universe, Gamera: Advent of Legion and Gamera: Revenge of Iris) are the best of the best when it comes to Giant Monster Cinema.

It should come as no surprise that those films are directed by Shusuke Kaneko, the same guy who directed Godzilla Mothra King Ghidorah: Giant Monster All-Out Battle (or GMK as it's usually truncated to).

[D_Davis]

Wonder why I don't really like GMK?

Is because I am not truly a man?

[bac0n]

Wonder why I don't really like GMK?

Is because I am not truly a man?

I dunno. What didn't you like about it? Was it too awesome for you to handle? Were you pissed that Minya wasn't in it?

[D_Davis]

I dunno. What didn't you like about it? Was it too awesome for you to handle? Were you pissed that Minya wasn't in it?

I thought it was really dull.

Maybe I should watch it again, maybe I just wasn't in the G-mood.

[Duncan]

I'm really intrigued by what you wrote here about Spirited Away being part of a larger genre. I've always seen Miyazaki's movie in isolation and as such both beautiful and baffling.
I consider most of Miyazaki's films to be heavily influenced by Shintoism. So, from that perspective, the characters in Spirited Away would be kami. Same with the little white guys in Princess Mononoke. I don't know if he gets his designs from these yokai though. First time I've heard of them.

[D_Davis]

^ good call. The tree spirits in Mononoke are definitely kami.

But aren't kami the spirits that reside in things? So in this sense, I don't think that the dudes in Spirited Away would be kami - they would probably be more like oni or yokai, more demons and ghosts.

I don't know though, I could be misremebering.

I am not and expert on this subject.

I need to read more about Shintoism - the little I know fascinates me. And because of Miyazaki's preoccupation with natural themes, you are probably right.

Although, Nausicaa has post-apocalyptic theme as well, and Mononoke's world is barely saved from an apocalyptic-like destruction. Is Shintoism concerned with the destruction of things? Or is this additional theme just a byproduct of an artist coming from the world's only post-apocalyptic nation?

[bac0n]

Just so you guys know, the word kami is god in Japanese. With that in mind, I wouldn't really think that the little clicking tree spirits could be considered kami.

[D_Davis]

Kami is the Japanese (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_language) word for the spirits within objects in the Shinto (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinto) faith. Although the word is sometimes translated as "god" or "deity," Shinto scholars point out that such a translation can cause a serious misunderstanding of the term (Ono, 1962).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kami


Where's a monk when you need one?

[balmakboor]

This thread has gone places I didn't expect. Please keep it up. Great stuff.

[D_Davis]

This thread has gone places I didn't expect. Please keep it up. Great stuff.

Yeah, from Godzilla to Miike, and from Yokai to Shintoism...quite an eclectic thread.

Who says B-grade genre cinema can't lead to quality discussion?

;)

[bac0n]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kami


Where's a monk when you need one?

Well, howsabout that. Learn something new everyday.

When I was taking Japanese, we learned the kanji for kami, and were told that it meant "god". The teachers never told us its expanded meaning. I want my money back. Anyway, in case you were curious, Japanese refer to the Judeao/Christian God as kami-sama, which is just kami with sama, which is a polite form of san.

[D_Davis]

Well, howsabout that. Learn something new everyday.

When I was taking Japanese, we learned the kanji for kami, and were told that it meant "god". The teachers never told us its expanded meaning. I want my money back. Anyway, in case you were curious, Japanese refer to the Judeao/Christian God as kami-sama, which is just kami with sama, which is a polite form of san.

Well it makes sense. Our western idea of "God" is often monotheistic - we tend to believe in only one deity. Eastern religions often have many "gods", and so a word meaning "god" could really mean many spirits and/or gods.

Kami could mean "god" but there are many kami, and some are probably more important or "bigger" than others, or something like that.

I need to start reading some Japanese mythology again. I have a couple of wonderful books full of stories.

[balmakboor]

I don't often read AICN, but I do agree with this about Final Wars:

"...I haven't seen too many giant monster pictures that *don't* have a boring human part in the middle. Or all throughout.

"In this one, the Section 2 is far more in keeping with the feel of the giant monsters, because it's completely over the top. It's in the future, so everybody wears silly uniforms like out of a japanese cartoon you watched when you were a kid and still think is good because you can't let it go. There's a martial arts battle on motorcycles which alot of people thought shoulda been cut, but I would gladly take that over a pretty young reporter visiting an old man on an island to find out what he learned about Godzilla in the '50s."

All the martial arts and 360 camera tricks and stuff didn't feel very G movie like but at least it was more entertaining than the usual people standing around talking in G movies.

[D_Davis]

I don't often read AICN, but I do agree with this about Final Wars:

"...I haven't seen too many giant monster pictures that *don't* have a boring human part in the middle. Or all throughout.

"In this one, the Section 2 is far more in keeping with the feel of the giant monsters, because it's completely over the top. It's in the future, so everybody wears silly uniforms like out of a japanese cartoon you watched when you were a kid and still think is good because you can't let it go. There's a martial arts battle on motorcycles which alot of people thought shoulda been cut, but I would gladly take that over a pretty young reporter visiting an old man on an island to find out what he learned about Godzilla in the '50s."

All the martial arts and 360 camera tricks and stuff didn't feel very G movie like but at least it was more entertaining than the usual people standing around talking in G movies.

Exactly.

It's the only G-film where the human stuff isn't boring. It may be stupid, pit of place, and absurd, but it is not boring.

[balmakboor]

Well, slight change of plan. Discs 2 and 3 of Satantango suddenly went on Short Wait status, so I'm stuck with only the first disc for now. Instead, I'm being sent The Great Yokai War and Gamera 1.

This may turn out to be a good thing anyway. I started watching Satantango and after about 10 minutes all that has happened so far is some cows walking around and some guy standing by a table looking out a window. I'm not sure if I'm in the mood for this right now.

[D_Davis]

This may turn out to be a good thing anyway. I started watching Satantango and after about 10 minutes all that has happened so far is some cows walking around and some guy standing by a table looking out a window. I'm not sure if I'm in the mood for this right now.

Sounds awesome. And it's only like, what, 7 hours long? Should be riveting.

[bac0n]

Well, slight change of plan. Discs 2 and 3 of Satantango suddenly went on Short Wait status, so I'm stuck with only the first disc for now. Instead, I'm being sent The Great Yokai War and Gamera 1.

Gamera 1 kicks so much ass, it's not even funny. I love that film.

[balmakboor]

I re-watched Final Wars this evening and I definitely fall on the side of those who think it rocks. This time, knowing what to expect in terms of style and content, I sat back and had one of the best times with a movie in a long while. The first go around, it seemed kind of thrown together and overly frenetic. This time just about everything seemed to flow and mesh perfectly. And I think it was a nice touch to have human action and fighting mirror the monster action and fighting.

Just about the best $10 I ever spent.

[D_Davis]

I re-watched Final Wars this evening and I definitely fall on the side of those who think it rocks. This time, knowing what to expect in terms of style and content, I sat back and had one of the best times with a movie in a long while. The first go around, it seemed kind of thrown together and overly frenetic. This time just about everything seemed to flow and mesh perfectly. And I think it was a nice touch to have human action and fighting mirror the monster action and fighting.

Just about the best $10 I ever spent.

Glad to have ya.

This is the correct opinion of Final Wars.

:)

[balmakboor]

I haven't seen the redux of Godzilla with Matthew Broderick, but I notice it can be had on amazon marketplace for $0.01. Now, can it really be that bad? It has gotta be worth more than a penny.

I heard it bears no resemblance in story or character design to the Japanese version. Is that true?

[Scar]

I haven't seen the redux of Godzilla with Matthew Broderick, but I notice it can be had on amazon marketplace for $0.01. Now, can it really be that bad? It has gotta be worth more than a penny.

I heard it bears no resemblance in story or character design to the Japanese version. Is that true?

If you buy it, you have to promise to burn it after you view it.

[balmakboor]

If you buy it, you have to promise to burn it after you view it.

That bad?

[Scar]

That bad?

You know when Godzilla bitch slaps Fake Godzilla in Sydney in Final Wars? Yeah, that makes most Godzilla fans cheer.

[bac0n]

That bad?

There's a reason Godzilla fans refer to the sorry excuse of a monster in that film as GINO (Godzilla In Name Only).

Seriously. Don't bother with it. It's total crap.

[D_Davis]

You know when Godzilla bitch slaps Fake Godzilla in Sydney in Final Wars? Yeah, that makes most Godzilla fans cheer.

Oh yeah. When I saw FW in the theater the audience exploded at this. It was awesome. People actual stood up and pumped their fists in the air and cheered.

[bac0n]

Oh yeah. When I saw FW in the theater the audience exploded at this. It was awesome. People actual stood up and pumped their fists in the air and cheered.

Whoa. You saw Final Wars in the theatre?

[D_Davis]

Whoa. You saw Final Wars in the theatre?

Yeah it played at SIFF a few years ago - back when SIFF was good. Sold out, at a midnight show. It was way awesome, and probably had a lot to do with my overwhelming admiration for this flick.

[balmakboor]

Yeah it played at SIFF a few years ago - back when SIFF was good. Sold out, at a midnight show. It was way awesome, and probably had a lot to do with my overwhelming admiration for this flick.

I used to love SIFF when it was confined to The Egyptian, Pike Place Market (remember that one?), and Harvard Exit. I caught Chinese Ghost Story there. I'm talking late 80s/early 90s. It was so low key and had an almost amateurish, making things up as they went along charm in those days. It all seems so commercialized now. You know, this screening sponsored by Boeing and that sort of crap.

[D_Davis]

Why are things always more awesome back in the day?

:)

Whomever is in charge of the genre offerings at SIFF needs to be fired. Last year, almost every genre film worth seeing was already out on DVD.

WTF?

At least SIFF hasn't turned into some red carpet star watching thing like Sundance.

[balmakboor]

Why are things always more awesome back in the day?

:)

Whomever is in charge of the genre offerings at SIFF needs to be fired. Last year, almost every genre film worth seeing was already out on DVD.

WTF?

At least SIFF hasn't turned into some red carpet star watching thing like Sundance.

I stood in line once with Kevin Bacon. Of course everyone is within like 7 steps away from standing in line with Kevin Bacon.

Why don't they hire you to handle the genre offerings? Have you applied? Shown them your website?

[D_Davis]

Why don't they hire you to handle the genre offerings? Have you applied? Shown them your website?

Good question!

No, I've never applied or even thought of it before.

Could be worth a shot.

[Duncan]

That would be such a cool side job. You should look into it Davis.

[D_Davis]

I always figured these were the kinds of jobs that they gave to people who volunteered for years and years, or to people who were related to someone.

:)

It's worth a shot though. Wouldn't hurt to inquire.

[Sycophant]

It does sound like fun, and I'd imagine you'd do well with it, D. But according to Grady Hendrix, one of the main guys behind the NYAFF, festival programming is the most thankless, stressful task one can take on. He wrote a piece in Slate on it a couple years ago.

[D_Davis]

It does sound like fun, and I'd imagine you'd do well with it, D. But according to Grady Hendrix, one of the main guys behind the NYAFF, festival programming is the most thankless, stressful task one can take on. He wrote a piece in Slate on it a couple years ago.

Yeah. I actually talked to GH about doing a festival a few years ago. And while he didn't set out to discourage me, through the course of many emails that's exactly what he did! Doing my own fest sounds like more work than I am willing to spend on something like that.

And I am sure that being a director for an established fest is also a ton of work - and probably thankless and quite boring.

But I would be lying to say that it doesn't sound somewhat appealing, even if only for a short time.

[balmakboor]

I've been on the selection committee and board of directors of a film society for the past 14 years and, if things are set up right, it doesn't have to be too big of a headache. The one locally owned theater in Bismarck is run by a true film lover and he donates a screen, projectionist, etc. for our 32 screenings (16 movies) each year. He also handles acquiring the prints -- we just give him a list of movies and alternate choices. We print up and sell series tickets and make more than enough each year to cover expenses -- mostly print costs at about $250 a pop. The theater keeps single ticket sales and concessions.

We have run into a similar problem to what SIFF might be facing at times. Most films that distributors are willing to release to a small film society for a single day (2 screenings) are already available on DVD. On the plus side, I review all of the movies for the local newspaper and their being available on Netflix makes this very easy.

[Kurious Jorge v3.1]

Gojira - 9.5

don't really have interest in the rest.

[balmakboor]

Gojira - 9.5

don't really have interest in the rest.

Really? If you rate the first one that highly, I'd think you'd have at least a passing interest in the others. Then again, the first one is a different sort of beast altogether. It took itself more seriously for one thing.

[balmakboor]

I just watched Gamera 1 and it set a new standard by which I rate these giant monster movies. It's just a great, well-crafted, thoroughly entertaining movie by any standard. I'd never heard of Gamera until a while back on this forum. Why isn't this as well known as Godzilla? Gamera deserves to be.

It does seem that the Gamera trilogy is on its way OOP. Netflix has #2 on "Save" status now and amazon is out of stock on the trilogy. Seems like a bad time to be discovering these movies.

[origami_mustache]

I remember watching the Gamera films as a kid...great stuff...I should revisit.

[D_Davis]

Yeah - the recent Gamera trilogy is really good.

[balmakboor]

Yeah - the recent Gamera trilogy is really good.

I wonder if you and origami are talking about the same films. He speaks of his childhood. You speak of recent. Are there kinda sucky older Gamera movies?

Anyway, this is what I saw and it was terrific:

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r73/HARRYMARIA2/gamera_gotu_front.jpg

[origami_mustache]

I wonder if you and origami are talking about the same films. He speaks of his childhood. You speak of recent. Are there kinda sucky older Gamera movies?



Oooohhh yes...there are like 5 from the 60s and a few others I didn't see from 70s.

http://riphoudouso.files.wordpress.co m/2007/11/gamerafly.jpg

[Scar]

I wonder if you and origami are talking about the same films. He speaks of his childhood. You speak of recent. Are there kinda sucky older Gamera movies?



http://gallery.azmaximas.org/albums/gifs/gamera.thumb.gif

[balmakboor]

Oooohhh yes...there are like 5 from the 60s and a few others I didn't see from 70s.

http://riphoudouso.files.wordpress.co m/2007/11/gamerafly.jpg

Are any of those any good? I'm guessing from Scar's post that the answer is no. Or at least that some of them are pretty lame.

[origami_mustache]

Are any of those any good? I'm guessing from Scar's post that the answer is no. Or at least that some of them are pretty lame.

I highly doubt they are good, but honestly my recollection of them is vague at best...I was ridiculously young when I watched them ...I can't even believe my dad would rent these for me hahaha.

[Russ]

Hey, any of you Godzilla fans ever seen Gorgo?

http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/2193/79gorgowo5.jpg

[origami_mustache]

Hey, any of you Godzilla fans ever seen Gorgo?

http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/2193/79gorgowo5.jpg

geez how many ripoffs are there?

[D_Davis]

The old ones are funny - I think 1 or 2 of them were on MST.

[balmakboor]

The Great Yokai War was even more fun than I expected. It has cast Takashi Miike in a whole new light for me. All I'd seen before are Fudoh, Ichi, Audition, and Kutakaris (sp?). I liked all of those to a degree -- I only greatly liked Audition -- but Yokai has me thinking he is a far more versatile and talented director than I previously gave him credit for being.

[soitgoes...]

The Great Yokai War was even more fun than I expected. It has cast Takashi Miike in a whole new light for me. All I'd seen before are Fudoh, Ichi, Audition, and Kutakaris (sp?). I liked all of those to a degree -- I only greatly liked Audition -- but Yokai has me thinking he is a far more versatile and talented director than I previously gave him credit for being.
The one thing that always keeps me coming back to Miike, regardless of whether I think his films are quality or not, is his versatility. It seems every movie I've seen of his is completely new in feel. I know this isn't probably the case over his entire filmography, but more of just me watching the right films and a small sample size. This makes me want to check out The Great Yokai War now.

[balmakboor]

Not exactly sure why, but Final Wars reminded me of Starship Troopers both times I watched it. It definitely has me wanting to re-watch Verhoeven's film. Probably because it features military human forces battling giant monsters.

Then I thought about Spielberg's Lost World. I imagine he had Japanese monster movies on his mind when he made that. It starts off with a monster bang, then becomes people talky and a bit dull, and then starts throwing the monsters at you fast and heavy about halfway through. Just like a lot of Godzilla movies I've seen.

[D_Davis]

The Great Yokai War was even more fun than I expected. It has cast Takashi Miike in a whole new light for me. All I'd seen before are Fudoh, Ichi, Audition, and Kutakaris (sp?). I liked all of those to a degree -- I only greatly liked Audition -- but Yokai has me thinking he is a far more versatile and talented director than I previously gave him credit for being.

Miike's a chameleon, but, what's more, he also maintains his own personal mark on each and every project. There is no denying that Yokai War is a Miike film, but at the same time if viewed next to something like Fudoh, or Ichi, it is almost impossible to believe.

Yokai War is top 5 Miike for me, easily. It's simply a fun film. It's got great action, it looks awesome, and it is still more than a little creepy.

I'm glad you liked it. We seem to be on a similar wavelength with these films. :)

[bac0n]

Takashi Miike has actually directed episodes of Ultraman.

[Winston*]

I checked out The Great Yokai War 'cos of this thread also. Though it was pretty awesome. Enjoyed it muchly.

[Scar]

geez how many ripoffs are there?

I'm guessing not as many as the number of Jaws ripoffs.

[balmakboor]

I checked out The Great Yokai War 'cos of this thread also. Though it was pretty awesome. Enjoyed it muchly.

Cool. I actually still have it out from Netflix along with Gamera 1 (damn good thing for no late fees). I plan to watch both again before sending them back -- loved'em.

All I've watched in the past 11 days is Airplane which I picked up for $5.00 at Walmart. Well, actually I've watched seven days worth of swimming. The North Dakota state championships in Grand Forks (3 days) and the Central Megazone championships in Indianapolis, IN (4 days).

Oh, and that men's relay last night was totally kick ass.

[bac0n]

Are any of those any good? I'm guessing from Scar's post that the answer is no. Or at least that some of them are pretty lame.

Gamera The Invincible is mildly entertaining in a campy sorta way. Probably has the most ridiculous way to defeat a monster ever conceived.

Gamera vs. Barugon is another shlocky campy type film, on par with the Godzilla films from the 70s, but with lower production values.

Gamera vs. Gaos is the same. Kinda bad, but at least you can make fun of it, especially the part where they try to trap Gaos with a giant spinning vat of blood!

All three of those are bad, to be sure, but at least they're watchable. The rest of the 70s Gamera films... keep well clear. They're bloody awful.

[balmakboor]

Gamera The Invincible is mildly entertaining in a campy sorta way. Probably has the most ridiculous way to defeat a monster ever conceived.

Gamera vs. Barugon is another shlocky campy type film, on par with the Godzilla films from the 70s, but with lower production values.

Gamera vs. Gaos is the same. Kinda bad, but at least you can make fun of it, especially the part where they try to trap Gaos with a giant spinning vat of blood!

All three of those are bad, to be sure, but at least they're watchable. The rest of the 70s Gamera films... keep well clear. They're bloody awful.

So, the 90s films kinda took something cheesy and campy and kid-oriented and turned it into something serious. Sort of like the recent Batman movies compared to the original TV series.

[bac0n]

So, the 90s films kinda took something cheesy and campy and kid-oriented and turned it into something serious. Sort of like the recent Batman movies compared to the original TV series.

That's the long and short of it. It's for this reason alone that Shusuke Kaneko has earned his spot as my favorite director of Giant Monster flicks ever.