Netflix’s Troll Honors & Trolls the Genre

From Norwegian studio, Motion Blur, in partnership with Netflix comes a kaiju of the Scandinavian sort. Troll, like the modern classic Trollhunter (2010), exhibits Norwegian folklore on a monstrous scale. Unlike, Trollhunter, however, this new film by aptly-named director Roar Uthaug (Tomb Raider, 2018) is satisfied with the bare minimum - it achieves this surprisingly … Continue reading Netflix’s Troll Honors & Trolls the Genre

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

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

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)

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)