Tag Archives: Godzilla

Movies/TV, Pop Culture

Godzilla DVD/Blu-Ray Guide: Showa Series, Part 1

With Garth Edwards’ blockbuster Godzilla reboot to be released on DVD and Blu-Ray September 16, many of you may be interested in watching and/or collecting Big G’s original Japanese adventures; that’s 28 films in total. Unfortunately, unlike other long-running franchises like the James Bond series, these films aren’t all owned by the same distributor. Toho, the studio that created Godzilla, has divvied out the rights to several U.S. companies over the years, which makes collecting these films a bit difficult.

Never fear! I’m a longtime G-fan who’s spent many years collecting these films. I will be your guide into the world of Godzilla DVDs. There are lots of bootlegs out there. Accept no substitutes!

With Godzilla becoming more popular, more titles may be re-released in the future, so this guide may soon become outdated.

I’m excluding both of the American remakes: the 1998 version is hated, and the 2014 version will be easy to find. I also will exclude other Toho monster films like Rodan and Mothra and focus on just Godzilla.

This guide will be split into four parts: parts one and two will focus on the original Showa series (1954-1975), part three will be on the Heisei series (1984-1995), and part four will be on the Millennium series (1999-2004).

Here we go!

Showa Series, Part 1 (1954-1968)

Gojira/Godzilla, King of the Monsters

godzilla_kotm_sim_frontSimitar

This was one of the first ever G-films released on DVD, but good luck finding it. Simitar went out of business in the early 2000s. Unless you’re a hardcore collector, this and the other Godzilla DVDs it released aren’t worth tracking down. This one includes only the Americanized version of the film and not at the proper “original aspect ratio.” The special features are scarce: mostly limited to trailers for other G-films created by Simitar, a trivia game, and a cheesy documentary. The DVDs also has encoding issues.

godzilla_kotm_cm_frontSony

A barebones release with the Americanized version of the film in full-screen. No special features and boring cover art. Don’t bother unless you’re a cheapskate.

 

 

 

51HEXHBZ4VLClassic Media

Finally, after years of demand and waiting, G-fans got an official release. Classic Media’s DVD includes both versions of the film presented in their proper aspect ratios. It features several retrospective making-of documentaries and commentaries on both versions. Unfortunately, the Blu-Ray edition Classic Media released later includes only the original Japanese version and no special features. Regardless, the DVD is a must-have.

594_BD_box_348x490_original

Criterion Collection

Gojira was added to the prestigious Criterion Collection in 2011 with this Blu-Ray. It includes both versions of the films in nearly identical presentations as the Classic Media discs. However, what may convince you to buy it is the completely new special features, including new commentaries and an interview with cast and crew members. This one is harder to find, though, since Criterion has only limited print runs for their releases. It’s worth it, though.

Godzilla Raids Again

godzilla-raids-again-largeClassic Media

Arguably the rarest of the G-films, Godzilla Raids Again was out of print on VHS for years until the mid-2000s when it was released on DVD by Classic Media. It includes both the original and U.S. versions of the film and a handful of special features, including a humorous commentary.

 

King Kong vs. Godzilla

51RS2WWMT6L._SL500_AA300_Goodtimes Home Video

This barebones disc was also one of the earliest Godzilla DVDs. Long out of print, it features nothing but a full-screen presentation of the U.S. version of the film and some production notes. Admittedly, the cover is amusing since it’s obvious it was created in PhotoShop using images of the creatures from other movies. It’s not worth finding.

91JG+SfjxKL._SL1500_Universal

Universal owns the rights to all of King Kong’s films, so it released a superior DVD several years ago and then re-released it on Blu-Ray recently (though I hear this is  rushed job and inferior to the DVD). The film is in widescreen, but again, it includes only the dubbed version and has no special features. Unless there’s a future release that includes the original Japanese version in widescreen, this is the one you want.

Mothra vs. Godzilla (aka Godzilla vs. Mothra and Godzilla vs. the Thing)

G_vs_mothra_simitarSimitar

Simitar made worthy efforts with these early DVDs, but they don’t stand up to the test of time. This includes only the dubbed version of the film, though it is in widescreen. It has the same special features as King of the Monsters minus the documentary. Long out of print.

 

 

51WPVGG7Z3LSony

Yet another cheap release from Sony with uncreative cover art, full-screen presentation, no Japanese version, and no special features. Skip it.

 

 

 

Herbal remedies have gained popularity among men sildenafil best price with impotence. It leads to sexual disorders like weak erection, semen leakage, sexual weakness order discount viagra and quick ejaculation. Later, it was found that Kamagra is very effective and will ease the erections and allow commander cialis the smooth flow of blood into the male organ, resulting in stronger erection and improved sex ability after consuming this. There are a lot of men who have been suffering from any allergic reactions after making any consideration of such drug devices. discount canadian cialis https://unica-web.com/films_for_the_unica_2005_competition.pdf gvmdvdbClassic Media

This is the one to own. While Classic Media’s other releases aren’t as prestigious as Gojira, they still gave fans what they always wanted. It includes both versions of the film plus a commentary, a slideshow, and a biography on Godzilla music composer Akira Ifukube. Buy this one.

 

Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (aka Ghidrah, the Three-Headed Monster)

ghidorah-the-three-headed-monster-largeClassic Media

After being long out of print on VHS for years, Classic Media released this noteworthy entry in the series on DVD in the mid-2000s. This is the first appearance of Godzilla’s archenemy Ghidorah and marks Big G’s shift to heroism. Like other Classic Media releases, it includes both versions of the film, a commentary, and a few other special features. Snag it!

Invasion of Astro-Monster (aka Godzilla vs. Monster Zero, Monster Zero)

g_vs_monster_zero_frontSimitar

Nothing new to say about this one. It’s the same as Simitar’s other releases other than it features a different film. However, I’ll mention that I think Simitar’s DVDs have weird cover art. Out of print and not worth the time.

 

 

20517330_main_zoom

Classic Media

Can’t say much new here, either, but Classic Media actually did it right. Both versions of the films, a commentary, and a few other nice special features. It’s amusing to watch the Japanese version of this since American actor Nick Adams is dubbed in Japanese! Also, kudos for using the original Japanese posters as the cover art. Highly recommended.

Ebirah, Horror of the Deep (aka Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster)

godzillavsseamonster3Sony

After being a staple on VHS, Sony released this cheesy entry on DVD in the mid-2000s. The cool thing is this is the original Japanese cut of the film and can be watched in the original language or a new English dub. No special features other than a handful of trailers for other Sony films, though.

 

 

61H1sbxOb5L._SY300_Kraken Releasing

If you’d rather have the film on Blu-ray, Kraken Releasing has that for you. It’s pretty much the same as the Sony DVD except it has the film’s original Japanese trailer instead of unrelated trailers.

 

 

Son of Godzilla

517CBHSCidLSony

While Sony never gave their releases the star treatment Classic Media did, they were still a step up. Like Ebirah, this 2004 disc features widescreen presentation and dual language tracks. The only supplements are trailers for other Sony films released at the time.

 

 

Destroy All Monsters

51T3Q5FHAZL._SY300_ADV Films (original)

This fan-favorite is the Avengers of Toho’s kaiju films. A TV staple for years, it was never officially released to home media until 1998, courtesy of ADV Films. Unfortunately, while it featured anime-like cover art and widescreen presentation, the disc contained only the English dubbed version of the film. Seriously, it doesn’t even have a menu! Complicating matters is the fact that ADV went out of business in the mid-2000s, so this disc is out of print.

DestroyAllMonster50tADV Films (50th anniversary)

ADV re-released this film on DVD in 2004 to celebrate Big G’s 50th anniversary. Sadly, it’s the same as the first disc except with a different cover. However, they did include a soundtrack CD, which might make this out of print disc worth finding.

 

 

A1WkBChzWWL._SL1500_Media Blasters/Tokyo Shock

A few years ago, Media Blasters delighted fans by releasing Destroy All Monsters on Blu-ray (and DVD) under its Tokyo Shock imprint. Unlike ADV’s releases, it has a menu, dual language tracks, and a few special features, including a commentary. This is also the Japanese edit of the film, so fans can see the original opening credits. Unfortunately, Toho got overprotective and uppity with this release since the the special features weren’t approved, so this disc is now out of print and goes for a hefty price. It’s worth it, though. However, if you’re budget-conscious, Media Blasters recently re-released it without special features. (Why do you have to a bunch of haters, Toho?)

Next time on the Godzilla DVD guide:
Godzilla vs…the ’70s!

Cinema Sit-Down, Movies/TV

Bringing Balance to Nature: A Review of “Godzilla”

Image courtesy of Wikipedia.
Image courtesy of Wikipedia.

A decade after his last starring role, Godzilla, the King of the Monsters, returns to the big screen. It’s only fitting that 2014 marks the 60th anniversary of his 30-film franchise.

After meeting his distraught father in Japan, a young American soldier journeys back to the States only to be caught in a clash of colossal creatures. (How’s that for some Stan Lee-style alliteration?)

 

(WARNING: SPOILERS THROUGHOUT)

Last summer, Guillermo del Toro’s Pacific Rim proved that the kaiju (giant monster) genre still has life in it. It was one of my favorite films of 2013. That’s not surprising since I’ve been a fan of such movies since I was in high school. Toho’s Godzilla films were my particular favorites. With a few exceptions, these movies are my guilty pleasures. Watching stuntmen in rubber monster suits beating each other up amid model cities is great fun.

When I heard Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures had acquired the rights to make a new “Big G” film, I was simultaneously excited and nervous. Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich’s infamous 1998 remake, while fun, was over-hyped and missed the essence of the character. It was more a remake of The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (ironically one of Godzilla’s influences), but then I heard Gareth Edwards, the director of the fascinating indie film Monsters, would be helming this new movie. Not only is he a Godzilla fan, he knows how to create a great-looking film with a compelling story and good characters on a shoestring budget.

I was not disappointed.

This film plays with expectations. Its trailers made it appear that Bryan Cranston would be the hero, or at the very least a major player. His character is obsessed with learning the truth behind the nuclear “accident” that killed his wife, but he dies within the first 30 minutes! From there the focus shifts to his son, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson. His story is simple but compelling : get home to his family. However, it’s a perilous one reminiscent of Homer’s The Odyssey in that he battles monsters during his long journey.

sildenafil uk buy If you see any changes in your life. You should take one purchased here viagra for uk tablet of Propecia every day and to have apparent changes in only couple of months. However the question becomes, how do levitra pills from canada davidfraymusic.com you treat it? After years of medical examinations, research and contributions doctors around the world found a natural male sex pill that can help you to be careful about where you buy safed musli capsules online. For some men, a half tab is adequate to receive the desired results.precautions:Do not take purchase cialis on line if you want to avail some of the most common auto accident injuries in Naples, FL. Second, Godzilla is not—for lack of a better term—the villain. It was slowly revealed that other creatures called MUTOs (Massive Unidentified Terrestrial Organisms) would also appear, but Godzilla’s status remained ambiguous. Now, Godzilla has been many things over the decades: an allegory for the atomic bomb, a force of nature, a supernatural avenger, and even a superhero. Here, Gareth Edwards has distilled all those personas. Radiation is involved with Godzilla’s origin, but several ideas are subtly espoused about what he is. Someone describes him as a “god.” A scientist calls him a prehistoric “alpha predator,” but later says he’s nature’s agent for restoring balance. The latter seems the most likely. Godzilla displays intelligent behavior beyond that of a mere animal, such as purposefully swimming under battleships instead of attacking them. Any human casualties he inflicts are accidental. So this film has less in common with the original 1954 Gojira than it does with its good sequels, like 1964’s Godzilla vs. Mothra.

This film is all about build-up and suspense. Much like Edwards’ Monsters, the characters often find themselves with, as he put it, “the Spielberg movie happening just over the hill.” It takes its time revealing the creatures, especially Godzilla. We catch glimpses of them but don’t get a full-body shot. During Godzilla’s first two encounters with the MUTO, the camera cuts and only pieces of the battles are seen. In fact, a MUTO is completely revealed before Godzilla is. When Big G does appear, it’s a slow reveal with the camera panning up from ground level. However, Edwards pulls out all the stops for the climax when Godzilla battles not one but two MUTOs. It’s then that Godzilla unleashes his trademark atomic fire breath. It’s masterful pacing rarely seen in a summer blockbuster.

Godzilla also proves, like Cloverfield before it, that giant monsters can be scary. Edwards intentionally shows the monsters from the ground level most of the time, like the audience is looking up at them. This is especially effective if the film is viewed in IMAX (which is how I saw it). The scariest sequence is a night scene where a soldier lies still on a bridge to avoid a skulking MUTO.

Hardcore fans may object to the CGI special effects. The tradition of “suitmation” (an actor portraying a character by wearing a big costume) has a long history in Japan, and has been synonymous with Godzilla thanks to special effects genius Eiji Tsuburaya. Plus, the CGI creature in the 1998 remake left quite a stigma (which is parodied in Godzilla: Final Wars). But here the special effects are used sparingly. In fact, the creatures’ screen time is almost minimal, which make the effects stellar since more money was invested in fewer sequences. Spit shoots from Godzilla’s mouth when he roars, his muscles flex whenever he moves, and his nostrils flare when he confronts MUTO. The old rubber suits will always have their homespun artistry and charm, but Godzilla has never looked this alive.

Credit must be given to the film’s creature designers. Unlike the overgrown iguana of the 1998 film, this new Godzilla still resembles the rubber suits of old with a “realistic” look. The MUTOs in many ways harken back to other classic Toho creatures like Rodan,but also resemble the alien beasts in Monsters. They’re more than worthy of admission into the Toho pantheon.

Akira Ifukube’s classic Godzilla theme is sadly absent. This may disappoint many fans since the composer’s music was Godzilla’s soul. On the other hand, they’ll be delighted to see Ken Watanabe play, Dr. Serizawa, a character inspired by iconic tragic hero of the original Gojira/Godzilla, King of the Monsters. However, he doesn’t have an eye patch, which is sad because Watanabe would’ve looked great in one.

This film is to Pacific Rim what The Dark Knight Rises is to The Avengers in 2012.  Avengers is fun and colorful, Dark Knight Rises is gritty and serious, both are great examples of their genre in spite of their differences. The same is true for Pacific Rim and Godzilla;they’d make for a great double feature.

In the words of Blue Oyster Cult, “Go, go, Godzilla!”

Final Grade: A-