Shin Ultraman | Review

https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/iYqrg724Qwb The latest reboot of a longstanding Japanese franchise (or at least, the latest one to get a wide American release) is Shin Ultraman, helmed by one of the co-directors of Shin Godzilla, Shinji Higuchi. If you're a newcomer to this series and its characters (like me), that doesn't really matter: the plot is so … Continue reading Shin Ultraman | Review

How ‘Frankenstein Conquers the World’ Confronts the Monstrous Legacy of Hiroshima & Nagasaki | Review

Frankenstein Conquers the World marks a departure from Honda's usual kaiju-fare of the mid '60s; however, it also marks a welcomed return to his horror aesthetic. Frankenstein features many graphic images that are intentionally brief and bloody, thereby leaving a lasting impression. The same is true for Honda's use of close-ups, especially on the titular … Continue reading How ‘Frankenstein Conquers the World’ Confronts the Monstrous Legacy of Hiroshima & Nagasaki | Review

Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964)

It may sound like hyperbole, but Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964) is one of the most fun movies I've ever seen: a blast of visual splendor, offhand bizarreness, and kaiju-fighting mayhem from first frame to last. It was Ishiro Honda's sixth Godzilla film (after directing and co-writing the original film that spawned it all) and … Continue reading Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964)

Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973)

Godzilla vs. Megalon epitomizes the "best of times, worst of times" period of Godzilla films in the early 1970s; it exhibits the pure kaiju camp that makes these years so memorable, while also displaying the human snooze-fest that renders them equally forgettable. Jun Fukuda returns as director, having previously helmed Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972), Son … Continue reading Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973)

The X from Outer Space (1967)

The X from Outer Space is another Godzilla-inspired entry in the Japanese kaiju craze of the 1960s. Unlike Gamera however, the kaiju featured in X – dubbed "Guilala" – offers little inspiration. No wonder then, that this represents the lone giant monster outing from Shochiku. Director: Kazui NihonmatsuRuntime: 89 minutesJapan Theatrical Release: March 25, 1967; Shochiku The X from … Continue reading The X from Outer Space (1967)