Godzilla Minus One

Godzilla Minus One

If I had a nickel for every post New Century Toho Godzilla film with an inciting incident involving failure to fire an aircraft cannon at a potentially vulnerable early form of Godzilla, I would have two nickels. If I had a nickel for every post 2000 Toho Godzilla film ending with an internally injured Godzilla torn apart by its own atomic breath, only for a remaining piece in the depths of the ocean to show signs of life, I would also have two nickels. Bonus points (pennies?) for criticism of Imperial Japan and a heat ray that recreates the effects of the atomic bombings. Jokes aside, this movie was excellent. A return to basics yet bristling with themes and character depth, not just good kaiju eiga but great cinema in general. If it doesn't take the number 1 spot for best Godzilla films of all time, its definitely in the top 3.

The Frost Vark is the best of the original Monsterverse kaiju in my opinion, but the generic descriptive name does it little justice and it really needs a unique name with more pizzaz. An alternative I was workshopping was Moleran (モッラン, romanized Morran), a portmanteau of mole and Mårran, the Swedish name for The Groke from the Moomins, since both share an insatiable desire for warmth while spreading coldness everywhere they go.

Ok this might make people who've read ATOM laugh, but... I really think Shimo's name would work better as a kaiju name if it has a third syllable.

I knew something was up when I saw 16 new posts on my Dashboard

Congratulations to Takashi Yamazaki and the entire effects time that worked on Godzilla: Minus One. It's amazing what they managed to accomplish with that low a budget, they definitely deserve that Oscar.

I only wish it wasn't confined to the technical awards gulag, but at least it cleared house once more at the Japanese Academy Awards.

I’m listening...

I love the way ebay sellers brains work. Nobody is buying a gappa the triphibian monster poster for 300 dollars no matter how old it is

Shigan

The Japanese fiscal year does start on April 1, and that was also when Toho announced Shin Godzilla with Hideki Anno.

It's not too late for then to announce Shin Gigan

I did find it pretty funny that Showa Gigan's chubby hooks were able to slice cleanly through buildings like an anime sword. While I felt one of Gigan's roar effects was a bit overused, I really dug the overall style of the movie and especially the Rob Roy style ending.

Not to be an insufferable nerd, but the live action Godzilla vs Gigan short is just better than the Gigan Rex short. Thats not to say Gigan Rex is bad. Not at all, Its a terrific film and there's a lot to love about it, but it just does not hit as hard for me.

The sets, the performances and suits, the lighting, the city destruction, the long shot- the live short all feels so crafted, it fills that empty spot in my vfx loving soul that reliance on cgi has carved out. It had me trembling with excitement.