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Category: Classics

  • All Monsters Attack (1969)

    All Monsters Attack (1969)

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    While Destroy All Monsters was meant to be the last film in the series, Toho decided to continue forward. Around this time, rival studio Daiei Film was successful with their Gamera series of monster movies directed towards children. In response, Toho tried to target their films more towards a younger audience, such as with Son of Godzilla. Even then, Toho chose to lean further into appealing to kids by having their next entry centered around child characters. Ishiro Honda returned to direct this entry, which would play at the Toho Champion Festival, a program of children’s content. Unfortunately, the filmmakers resorted to stock footage from previous entries like Ebirah, Horror of the Deep due to budgetary constraints. Also, long-time special effects director Eiji Tsuburaya was in failing health, so Honda had to direct those sequences. In 1969, All Monsters Attack, also known as Godzilla’s Revenge, rampaged into theaters worldwide.

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    Synopsis

    Young Ichiro Miki (Tomonori Yazaki) isn’t living in the best of circumstances, especially when his parents are away at work. On top of that, a group of schoolchildren led by Sanko Gabara (Junichi Ito) constantly bully him after school. To escape from his struggles, Ichiro dreams about being on Monster Island with Godzilla’s son Minilla (‘Little Man’ Machan). While on Monster Island, Ichiro and Minilla watch Godzilla fight off Ebirah, Kumonga, and three Kamacuras all at once. Meanwhile, bank robbers Sembayashi (Sachio Sakai) and Okuda (Kazuo Suzuki) are running from the law and end up kidnapping Ichiro. Back in the dreams, Ichiro’s bully manifests as a giant monster called Gabara, who attacks him and Minilla. Godzilla tries teaching Minilla to defend himself against Gabara, much like how Ichiro has to stand up to his bullies. In the end, our real-life bullies might be the actual kaiju.

     

    Review

    Most Godzilla fans say All Monsters Attack is the worst Showa era film, and it’s easy to see why. While the series never had the most incredible special effects, they could make the most out of very little. The fact that they had to use stock footage from previous entries shows how far they’ve gone downhill. It doesn’t help either that the original monster fights we get are not exciting and involve no city destruction. Once again, Minilla is obnoxious with his loud donkey noises, his exaggerated movements, and his weirdly high-pitched voice. I watched the original version, so I didn’t have to listen to whatever voice he had in the American dub. Thus far, Gabara is one of the weaker monsters than Godzilla’s other rivals, though he has his moments. Anytime he uses his electrocution abilities to shock Minilla, it’s pretty funny.

    Supposedly, this was one of Ishiro Honda’s favorite entries, which is hard to believe given his thoughts on previous entries. Considering that he liked mixing serious issues into a monster movie, it’s weird that he’d willingly make something so goofy. Here, it seems he wanted to throw in a message about the importance of family and standing up for yourself. I can see what Honda was going for, but I don’t think the execution worked quite as well. I will say that for a kid’s movie made in the 1960s, it’s not as condescending as many others. Still, I can’t help but feel like this was a major stepdown compared to the dark and grim 1954 Godzilla. Thankfully, the film only clocks in at roughly 70 minutes, but it will feel like the longest 70 minutes ever. Overall, there are worse kaiju films, but All Monsters Attack still isn’t good.

     

    Buy All Monsters Attack on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3EZzNt9.

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  • Halloween II (1981)

    Halloween II (1981)

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    On a meager $325,000 budget, John Carpenter’s Halloween was a smash hit, grossing $47 million at the box office. The critical response was somewhat mixed, but it was clear that the filmmakers had struck gold. Producer Irwin Yablans wanted to make a sequel, but John Carpenter wasn’t interested, feeling the original worked on its own. Carpenter eventually agreed to work on the sequel as a writer and producer alongside his partner Debra Hill. Since he wouldn’t be directing, Carpenter wanted his friend Tommy Lee Wallace to take over, but he declined. Instead, they hired relative newcomer Rick Rosenthal, who impressed Carpenter with his short film, The Toyer. With a budget of $2.5 million, the film was produced under Dino De Laurentiis and distributed through Universal Pictures. On October 30, 1981, Michael Myers returned to slash his way through the big screen in Halloween II.

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    Synopsis

    After being shot out of a window, Michael Myers escapes, much to the worry of Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasance). He teams up with Sheriff Brackett (Charles Cyphers) to find Michael and stop him before he kills more people. Unfortunately, Brackett leaves Loomis after learning that Michael killed his daughter, and Loomis accidentally gets a young man killed. Meanwhile, Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) is taken to the hospital for her injuries, barely surviving Michael. Before long, Michael learns where Laurie is being treated and heads to the hospital to finish the job. As Loomis continues his investigation, he learns more about Michael, including his connection to Samhain and the occult. Marion Chambers (Nancy Stephens) informs Loomis that he must return to Smith’s Grove by the governor’s orders. However, Loomis decides to go to the hospital to save Laurie from Michael after learning the awful truth.

     

    Review

    While John Carpenter’s film wasn’t the first slasher, it was the one that started the trend that would soon follow. If the original was a trendsetter, Halloween II feels like one of the many cash-ins that came afterward. The original did have some brutal kills and some nudity, but this film doubles down on those elements. Admittedly, they were trying to keep up with the emerging slashers at the time, so I can’t blame their decision. Plus, the kills are some of the stand-out moments of the film, even if some of them are ridiculous. Director Rick Rosenthal does try to maintain the same look and feel as the original, which is admirable if derivative. There are some suspenseful moments, and the hospital setting adds some dread and a sense of isolation to the mix. It helps that much of the same crew returned to work on the sequel.

    Like the first film, Donald Pleasance adds plenty of class to the production, even with a few questionable moments. Unfortunately, Jamie Lee Curtis spends much of the movie in bed and doesn’t do much until the third act. Most of the runtime is devoted to the hospital staff, who are memorable in their way, especially Leo Rossi’s Budd. You’ve also got Lance Guest as the likable EMT pining for Laurie, who would later star in The Last Starfighter. Dick Warlock replaces Nick Castle as The Shape, and he does an excellent job with his body language and movements. My only other major gripe is with the film’s twist, where we learn that Laurie is Michael’s long-lost sister. It’s a twist that somewhat undermines the fear from the original and would, unfortunately, taint future installments. Overall, Halloween II is a step down from the first, but it’s an entertaining enough slasher.

     

    Buy Halloween II from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3lSROTo.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at no additional cost, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and make a purchase.

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    Where to watch Halloween II (1981)

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  • Summer Wars (2009)

    Summer Wars (2009)

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    Japanese filmmaker and animator Mamoru Hosoda was inspired to pursue animation after seeing The Castle of Cagliostro from Hayao Miyazaki. After graduating from the Kanazawa College of Art, he got a job for Toei Animation and worked his way up. His work on Digimon: The Movie caught Studio Ghibli’s attention, so they hired him to direct Howl’s Moving Castle. Unfortunately, production stalled when Ghibli demanded something similar to Miyazaki while Hosoda wanted to make it his own. Hosoda left in 2002 and returned to work at Toei before getting hired by Madhouse in 2005. His first film at Madhouse was 2006’s The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, which received critical acclaim. Almost immediately, Madhouse decided to work on an original story since the last was a novel adaptation. With Hosoda returning to direct, the result was the 2009 animated movie, Summer Wars.

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    Synopsis

    High school students Kenji Koiso (Michael Sinterniklaas) and Takashi Sakuma (Todd Haberkorn) are moderators for the VR game OZ. One day, fellow student Natsuki Shinohara (Brina Palencia) asks one of them for a particular job, which Kenji accepts. However, it turns out Natsuki needs Kenji to pretend to be her fiance for her great-grandmother Sakae Jinnouchi (Pam Dougherty). Meanwhile, a rogue AI known as “Love Machine” invades OZ and uses Kenji’s avatar to corrupt the system. The AI can access the public infrastructure, leading to massive traffic congestion and an immediate shutdown of emergency services. Kenji receives the blame, but it turns out Natsuki’s uncle, Wabisuke Jinnouchi (J. Michael Tatum), created the AI. With the help of Natsuki’s extended family, Kenji works to try and find a way to stop Love Machine. Will they be able to stop Love Machine and reclaim the system, or is their society doomed?

     

    Review

    Going into Summer Wars, I didn’t know what to expect since I had never heard of it before this review. That’s probably the best way to go into this because I found myself being thoroughly entertained and even touched. Admittedly, the film uses many familiar tropes in anime, including a nerdy hero, convenient plot twists, and overt melodrama. Still, the filmmakers use those elements to craft an engaging and heartfelt story with some memorable characters. Kenji makes for a decently likable lead who plays the straight man against Natsuki’s very eclectic family. While he’s in over his head at first, he grows closer to Natsuki’s family and helps pull them together. There’s a particularly heartwarming scene between Kenji and Sakae, which might be the best scene from the entire movie. It’s a tranquil and soft moment that makes the film all the more worth watching.

    In terms of animation, it’s a beautiful-looking film, with tons of fluid motion and expressive faces rivaling even Miyazaki’s work. It’s especially prevalent in the OZ scenes, where the animators get to stretch their creative muscles and design something unique. The film does have a similar issue as Thor, where more time is devoted to the real world. However, the real-world scenes are just as engaging, if not more so, than the virtual world scenes. It helps that there are so many memorable characters to get attached to, who never come off as obnoxious. Plus, there’s a great message about the importance of family and how technology only creates the illusion of togetherness. There are some spots where the pacing drags slightly, but it’s still an excellent time for under two hours. Overall, Summer Wars is a beautifully made and engaging animated adventure that any audience can enjoy.

     

    Buy Summer Wars from Amazon: https://amzn.to/39AXOtd.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at no additional cost, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and make a purchase.

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    Where to watch Summer Wars (2009)

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  • Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)

    Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)

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    With a budget of $550,000, Friday the 13th was a massive commercial hit, grossing close to $60 million worldwide. While critics largely derided the film, Paramount still wanted to move ahead with a sequel. Originally envisioned as an anthology series, the producers wanted the focus to be Pamela Voorhees’s’ son, Jason. Director Sean S. Cunningham disagreed with the new direction, so he was replaced by the original’s associate producer Steve Miner. Tom Savini couldn’t return to do the effects because of prior commitments, but he has his disagreements. Miner used most of the same crew and had a $1.25 million budget, more than double the original. Filming lasted from October to November 1980, primarily in New Preston and Kent, CT, with a mostly new cast. After some troubles with the MPAA, Friday the 13th Part 2 was released on May 1, 1981.

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    Synopsis

    Five years after the last film, a new camp has opened up for CITs or Counselors In Training. Said camp is run by Paul Holt (John Furey) and located near the remains of Camp Crystal Lake. Two of the CITs, Jeff Dunsberry (Bill Randolph) and Sandra Dier (Marta Kober), decide to sneak off to Crystal Lake. They’re taken back to their camp by Deputy Winslow (Jack Marks) and are chewed out by Paul that night. Jeff and Sandra, along with some of the other counselors, have to stay behind while the others go out drinking. While Paul and his assistant Ginny Field (Amy Steel) are out, the other counselors have to hold down the fort. Little do they know that a masked killer is lurking about, and they pick off the CITs one by one. It turns out this masked killer is none other than Pamela Voorhees’s son, Jason!

     

    Review

    Friday the 13th Part 2 is almost exactly like the original, which is both good and bad. On the one hand, it’s more of what made the first film work so well, which is a safe bet. On the other hand, it doesn’t do much to differentiate itself to make it stand independently as its own thing. That said, that doesn’t necessarily mean this is a poor entry or has nothing to offer. For one, it was pretty shocking to see the survivor from the first film get killed at the beginning. Also, the film does build up plenty of suspense since you’re unsure if the killer is Jason or not. While he would get the iconic hockey, I think the bag with the one-eye hole is creepier. Combined with the overalls and plaid shirt, it gives Jason more of a reclusive look.

    Though there isn’t anyone nearly as recognizable as Kevin Bacon, the cast still does a solid job. Amy Steel makes for a likable lead, and she has great chemistry with John Furey. When she has to stand toe-to-toe with Jason, she manages to hold her own and kick some ass. While lacking Savini’s effects, future Oscar nominee Carl Fullerton’s work is top-notch, especially when it comes to Jason’s look. You can see glimpses of Savini’s design, but Fullerton manages to make it look realistically older and lived-in. Of course, you need some creative kills to make a good slasher, and this one’s got some memorable kills. Most notably, there’s the couple who gets speared in bed and the wheelchair jock taking a machete to the face. Overall, while not as good as the original, Friday the 13th Part 2 is a solid slasher sequel.

     

    Buy Friday the 13th Part 2 from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4c3mMD1.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at no additional cost, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and make a purchase.

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    Where to watch Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)

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  • Destroy All Monsters (1968)

    Destroy All Monsters (1968)

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    Following the release of Son of Godzilla, the decision was made to end the franchise due to its waning popularity. Ishiro Honda, who was absent from the series following Invasion of Astro-Monster, returned to direct this intended finale. Given that this was meant to be the last film, Toho decided to go all out and include several monsters. In addition to past Godzilla monsters, they also brought in monsters from King Kong Escapes, Atragon, and Varan the Unbelievable. Unfortunately, due to rights issues and budgetary limits, certain monsters couldn’t be used, including King Kong, Gaira, and Sanda. Speaking of, Honda wanted to explore concepts such as undersea farming and hybrid monsters but couldn’t because of the budget. This film also used stock footage from Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster, a trend that would continue in future installments. Destroy All Monsters was released to Japanese theaters in August of 1968.

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    Synopsis

    In the far future of 1999, the United Nations Science Committee has confined all of Earth’s monsters to one location. Said location, an island known as “Monsterland”, is monitored by a team of researchers working to keep the monsters contained. Unfortunately, the island is attacked, and both the research team and the monsters have been kidnapped by a mysterious group. Dr. Yoshido (Jun Tazaki) tasks Captain Katsuo Yamabe (Akira Kubo) with leading a team to investigate the island. Once at the island, they discover that the researchers and monsters are under the control of aliens called the Kilaaks. The Kilaaks send the monsters to attack major cities: Rodan attacks Moscow, Mothra invades Beijing, and Gorosaurus decimates Paris. Eventually, the UNSC regains control of the monsters, but the Kilaaks have another ace up their sleeve: King Ghidorah. It’s an all-out brawl with Earth’s monsters versus the three-headed space dragon.

     

    Review

    Given that this was originally meant to be the last film in the series, Destroy All Monsters is pretty disappointing. While it’s a step up from Son of Godzilla, it doesn’t quite give fans the send-off they were promising. Aside from some brief appearances and quick cameos, there’s hardly any monster footage for a majority of the runtime. Most of it is spent focusing on the human characters, and the monsters take a back seat for their story. Of course, the other films have had side stories focused on the human characters, but those were usually B-plots. Here, almost the first hour of the film is devoted to the humans up until the last 20 minutes. After a while, the human plot starts to get boring as you’re waiting for the monsters to show up. It’s odd considering the film literally has the word “monsters” in the title.

    In fairness, the last 20 minutes are the highlight of the film as the monsters go up against King Ghidorah. Just seeing some of Japan’s most famous monsters duke it out is a treat for any Kaiju fans. Unfortunately, it comes a little too late as you have to sit through an hour of boring human stuff. It wouldn’t be as bad if more monster footage was sprinkled in, but even then, it’s only a few seconds. Granted, the lack of monster footage could be attributed to a lower budget given the dwindling returns. For what it’s worth, the monsters still look good, there are some fun destruction scenes, and the score is great. The movie is fairly brief at 88 minutes, and the last 20 minutes almost make it worth watching. Overall, Destroy All Monsters isn’t the worst, but it had plenty of potential for a solid monster movie.

     

    Buy Destroy All Monsters from Amazon: https://amzn.to/36R6day

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  • Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

    Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]After the blockbuster success of Jaws and Star Wars, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas became household names in the industry. Before working on his epic space opera, Lucas had conceived of a film inspired by adventure serials of the 1930s. He worked with filmmaker Philip Kaufman to further develop it, and Lucas wanted him to direct it, but he declined. While vacationing in Hawaii with Spielberg, Lucas discussed his concepts, which resonated with Spielberg wanting to make a globe-trotting adventure. Spielberg agreed to direct, and Lawrence Kasdan was hired to write the screenplay after working on The Empire Strikes Back. Unfortunately, most studios rejected their proposal to make the film for $20 million, though Paramount agreed to produce. While Tom Selleck and Sean Young were originally sought out, Harrison Ford and Karen Allen were cast in the leads. Raiders of the Lost Ark was released in the summer of 1981.

    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_circle_counter title=”Rating” number=”100″ bar_bg_color=”#7CDA24″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_circle_counter][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    Synopsis

    Famed archeologist Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) is tasked by the US Government to find the Lost Ark of the Covenant. Their intelligence suggests that the Nazis had been looking for Abner Ravenwood, Indy’s mentor, who was researching the Ark’s whereabouts. Indy travels to Nepal to find Abner’s daughter Marion (Karen Allen), who has an artifact that can reveal the Ark’s location. After her bar is set ablaze following a shootout, Marion goes with Indy to Cairo to find the Lost Ark. After visiting his friend Sallah (John Rhys-Davies), Indy learns that his arch-rival Belloq (Paul Freeman) is helping the Nazis. Turns out they were able to replicate the artifact thanks to Gestapo Agent Toht (Ronald Lacey), but only partially. Indy finds the Lost Ark’s location using the full artifact, but the Nazis manage to claim it. It’s up to Indiana Jones to stop the Nazis and recover the Lost Ark.

     

    Review

    Raiders of the Lost Ark is a cinematic masterpiece in every sense of the word and I say that wholeheartedly. While it’s hard for any film to be perfect, this comes closer to being perfect than anything before or since. This is Steven Spielberg at his peak especially considering this came after the critical and financial disappointment of 1941. This is almost a transitional film for Spielberg: going from the chaotic 70s to the more economical 80s. Even with a modest budget of $18 million, this is still an impressive-looking film that still holds up today. Along with that, this is one of those great early PG films where more mature content could slip through. There’s a fair amount of swearing, blood spraying, and a rather explosive finale where the villains meet a terrible fate. It’s truly one of those films that could not be made today as is.

    The cast is outstanding, with not a single actor giving even a subpar performance and everyone having a shining moment. Harrison Ford was practically born for this part: tough, rugged, and intelligent, but sometimes going over his head. Karen Allen, on top of being stunning, makes for a strong female lead and has fantastic chemistry with Ford. Paul Freeman is charmingly nasty as Indy’s arch-rival, acting as his polar opposite while also sharing the same ambitions. Even secondary players like John Rhys-Davies, Ronald Lacey, and Denholm Elliot shine in their small but memorable roles. The action sequences are terrific, the visual effects are impressive, and John Williams’ score is simply breathtaking. Maybe there are some nitpicks you could find if you looked hard enough, but those are really minor at best. Overall, Raiders of the Lost Ark deserves its place as a defining moment in cinematic history.

     

    Buy Raiders of the Lost Ark from Amazon: https://amzn.to/40wvL9R.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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  • Se7en (1995)

    Se7en (1995)

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    While trying to make it as a screenwriter, Andrew Kevin Walker was living in New York City and hated it. Through his experiences, he was able to write a screenplay that he sold to New Line Cinema in 1991. Originally, Christmas Vacation director Jeremiah S. Chechik was hired, but he backed out due to disagreements over Walker’s script. Around this time, up-and-coming filmmaker David Fincher was considering leaving the industry after the disastrous production of Alien³. One day, Fincher was accidentally sent the original version of Walker’s script, and he took an interest in the project. Denzel Washington, Sylvester Stallone, Robert Duvall, Gene Hackman, and Christina Applegate were approached to star, but they rejected the offers. Eventually, Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, and Gwyneth Paltrow were cast, Pitt even standing up for Fincher in disagreements with producers. In September of 1995, Fincher’s Se7en was released to an unsuspecting audience.

    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_circle_counter title=”Rating” number=”95″ bar_bg_color=”#7CDA24″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_circle_counter][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    Synopsis

    Detective Somerset (Morgan Freeman) is set to retire and is partnered with his replacement Detective Mills (Brad Pitt). Their first investigation is the murder of a morbidly obese man who was force-fed until his stomach burst. Later, they investigate the murder of an attorney who bled to death after cutting a pound of flesh from himself. While discussing the case with their Captain (R. Lee Ermey), Somerset concludes that the murders represent the Seven Deadly Sins. Mills’ wife Tracey (Gwyneth Paltrow) confides in Somerset how she hates the city and is pregnant, but Mills doesn’t know. As more and more murders start happening, Somerset and Mills are tricked into investigating various false leads. Eventually, the killer, known only as John Doe (Kevin Spacey), turns himself in and is willing to confess his crimes. Unbeknownst to Somerset and Mills, Doe has something big planned for them that’ll change their lives forever.

     

    Review

    Se7en is an effectively haunting and, at times, disturbing psychological thriller that leaves you on edge of your seat. Given that he was contemplating leaving the industry after Alien³, it’s great that David Fincher bounced back with this. Here, he got to stretch his creative muscles more and make the type of film he wanted without interference. The film has a very gritty and down-and-dirty style that makes it feel real and emphasizes the grislier scenes. Having much of the film take place in the rain adds to the dark, dreary, and somber tone. The cast is terrific, with Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman making for a solid duo that plays off each other. Pitt excels as a young cop who sees the world in black-and-white, while Freeman shines as an older open-minded detective. Their clashing ideologies make for a great pairing and they have some great back-and-forths.

    While she isn’t given much to do, Gwyneth Paltrow has her moments, particularly her scene with Freeman in a diner. There are also some great appearances from character actors R. Lee Ermey, Richard Roundtree, and John C. McGinley. Each of the murder set-pieces is effectively disturbing and grisly but not so gory that they seem ludicrous. The most memorable set-piece is the sloth victim, which has one of the most effective jump scares ever filmed. While there are plenty of slower scenes, it never feels like filler and it’s held together by the strong cast. There are plenty of twists and turns that keep you guessing but never feel needlessly convoluted like many great thrillers. It all builds to an ending that, while bleak, perfectly fits the overall tone and leaves it to your imagination. Overall, Se7en stands as one of the greatest films of the early to mid-1990s.

     

    Buy Se7en from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2RN4f77.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at no additional cost, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and make a purchase.

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    Where to watch Se7en (1995)

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  • Son of Godzilla (1967)

    Son of Godzilla (1967)

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    By this point in the series, the Godzilla series started appealing more kid-friendly than the original. In addition, the budgets were getting smaller and smaller, as evidenced in 1966’s Ebirah, Horror of the Deep. While series helmer Ishiro Honda was off working on King Kong Escapes, Jun Fukuda was hired for the next installment. Toho wanted to introduce a baby Godzilla for this installment to appeal to what they considered the “date crowd”. This would add a father-son dynamic that further humanized the monsters, something Honda had opposed in earlier films. ‘Little Man’ Mancha, a fairly popular dwarf wrestler at the time, was hired to portray the diminutive Minilla. Haruo Nakajima, who normally wore the Godzilla suit, only worked for two scenes due to the size of the costume. In December of 1967, Son of Godzilla was released in Japanese cinemas but wasn’t released in the US.

    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_circle_counter title=”Rating” number=”65″ bar_bg_color=”#EDF000″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_circle_counter][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    Synopsis

    On the remote island of Sollgel, a team of researchers is conducting experiments on a weather-controlling system for the UN. One day, a nosy reporter named Maki Goro (Akira Kubo) who’s looking for a new story despite the project’s secrecy. While investigating the island, Goro runs into Saeko Matsumiya (Beverly Maeda), a young woman who’s living there with her father. Her father, unfortunately, passed away, but he left notes about creatures living on the island, including giant mantises and spiders. The mantises, called Kamacuras, uncover an egg that hatches, revealing a baby Godzilla that they try to kill. Fortunately for the baby, Godzilla shows up to defend his son from the Kamacuras and a giant spider called Kumonga. While the researchers continue their work, Godzilla teaches his son how to roar and use his atomic breath. The King of Monsters fights the biggest monster of all: being a father.

     

    Review

    Son of Godzilla is considered a very divisive entry in the series, and it’s easy to see why. Your enjoyment of this is going to depend on your tolerance for Minilla or Minya depending on who you ask. Personally, I wasn’t a huge fan of him, but apparently, he’s very popular in Japan, so who knows? For me, whenever he was on screen, it felt like the movie halted to focus on his goofy antics. It’s somewhat jarring going from the series’ darker, more serious origins to the goofier, more kid-friendly direction taken here. Admittedly, it is a nice change of pace to have Godzilla fighting monsters that aren’t just guys in suits. The puppets for the Kamacuras and Kumonga are impressive given the amount of articulation and attention to detail. Then again, it starts taking you out of it when you see the wires operating the puppets.

    Despite my issues with Minilla, the movie itself isn’t terrible, but it’s mostly forgettable and fairly run-of-the-mill. The cast all do a decent job, with appearances from veterans Tadao Takashima, Akira Kubo, Akihiko Hirata, and Yoshio Tsuchiya. The story, while original, is pretty dull and the film takes a while for it to get going. Though Godzilla doesn’t show up until roughly 30 minutes in, the inclusion of the giant mantises offers some monster action. When he does show up, he looks noticeably goofy with his cross-eyes and more humanlike appearance, obviously for the kids. At slightly under 90 minutes long, the film does move at a decent pace, though it tends to drag. As I’ve hinted at in this review, this is one I can only recommend to hardcore Godzilla fans. Overall, Son of Godzilla isn’t the worst, but it’s definitely a step down for the series.

     

    Buy Son of Godzilla from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3wZkyMX.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at no additional cost, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and make a purchase.

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    Where to watch Son of Godzilla (1967)

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  • Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)

    Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Special Review” subhead=”This review was requested by Discord user SolidLib. If you’d like to join the server, click the button below.” text_orientation=”center” button_one_text=”Discord is Closed” background_overlay_color=”#8300E9″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”25px||25px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_fullwidth_header][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]In September of 1966, the sci-fi TV series Star Trek, created by writer and producer Gene Roddenberry, premiered on NBC. Despite initially low ratings and being canceled after three seasons, the show went on to establish a huge cult following. Thanks to the show finding an audience in syndication, its success convinced Paramount to pursue a feature film. Unfortunately, the film saw many delays, from numerous scripts getting rejected to Paramount suggesting a new TV series instead. However, after the release of Star Wars in 1977, Paramount decided to revive the project to capitalize on its success. Robert Wise, the Oscar-winning director of West Side Story and The Sound of Music, was hired to helm the project. The original cast was brought back, and the film had a final budget of around $44 million. After many setbacks, Star Trek: The Motion Picture was released in December of 1979.

    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_circle_counter title=”Rating” number=”70″ bar_bg_color=”#EDF000″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_circle_counter][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

    Synopsis

    Starfleet has detected a strange alien presence in the form of a giant energy cloud that’s destroyed three Klingon ships. James T. Kirk (William Shatner), who’s been promoted to Admiral, returns to the USS Enterprise to investigate the cloud. He takes command of the ship from Captain Decker (Stephen Collins), who warns him that he doesn’t know the modifications. Unfortunately, Decker’s proven right as the engines fail while going to warp speed and a malfunctioning teleporter kills two officers. Thankfully, Commander Spock (Leonard Nimoy) arrives to help Mr. Scott (James Doohan) get the engines in working order. They intercept the cloud, which abducts the ship’s navigator Ilia (Persis Khambatta) and replaces her with a robot duplicate. The duplicate explains that the presence is known as “V’Ger” and it’s seeking its original creator to fulfill its purpose. Who or what is “V’Ger” and will its purpose be fulfilled?

     

    Review

    This film is often referred to as Star Trek: The Motion-LESS Picture, and it’s easy to see why. It seems that director Robert Wise was trying to make his own 2001: A Space Odyssey but it doesn’t work. There are so many scenes where nothing happens and no dialogue is spoken that go on for way too long. Granted, the visuals are impressive and they clearly spent a lot on them, but it gets very dull very fast. The film runs slightly over two hours, and at least 30 minutes could’ve been trimmed of the slower scenes. When there is dialogue, much of it is exposition dumping and going on and on about stuff that doesn’t matter. For the first Star Trek movie, the plot is pretty uninspired, given the big threat being a giant space cloud. This would’ve been better suited for an episode of the show.

    That being said, there are plenty of good things here, particularly the impressive visuals and Jerry Goldsmith’s fantastic score. It helps that they had some major talent doing the effects, including John Dykstra, who coincidentally worked on Star Wars. The returning cast from the show, particularly Shatner, Nimoy, and DeForest Kelley, slip back to their roles effortlessly. As problematic as he is today, Stephen Collins isn’t too bad, and he has good chemistry with Persis Khambatta. Also, as silly as a giant space cloud is, once you learn what the entity truly is, it is fascinating. Unfortunately, by the time we get there, it’s been so slow-moving and uninteresting that it’s hard to care. Given how fairly recent the cult following was at the time, the fans deserved a better film than this. Overall, Star Trek: The Motion Picture isn’t terrible, but you’re better off watching the sequel instead.

     

    Buy Star Trek: The Motion Picture from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2T2BsvA

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  • Ghost Rider (2007)

    Ghost Rider (2007)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.5.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Special Review” subhead=”This review was requested by Discord user Mekanikal. If you’d like to join the server, click the button below.” text_orientation=”center” button_one_text=”Visit Discord” button_one_url=”https://discord.gg/sKBSX7u” background_overlay_color=”#8300E9″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”25px||25px||false|false”][/et_pb_fullwidth_header][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”]

    The character of Ghost Rider first appeared in Marvel Spotlight #5, which was published in August 1972. Originally running until 1983, the character was brought back for a limited series in the early 1990s. Around this time, Marvel was looking to produce a film and started talking to various studios about selling the rights. Demonic Toys writer David S. Goyer developed a script, and production was set to start in early 2001. Johnny Depp and Eric Bana were approached to star before Nicolas Cage, a fan of the comics, signed on. Originally to be produced by Dimension, Columbia acquired the rights through turnaround after the success of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man. Shane Salerno was brought on for rewrites, only for Daredevil director Mark Steven Johnson to further rewrite after being hired. After being in production for several years, Ghost Rider was finally released in February 2007.

    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_circle_counter title=”Rating” number=”65″ bar_bg_color=”#EDF000″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_circle_counter][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.6.5″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]

    Synopsis

    Johnny Blaze (Nicolas Cage) is a professional stunt motorcycle rider known for surviving all sorts of ludicrous stunts. Turns out when he was younger, he sold his soul to Mephistopheles (Peter Fonda) to save his dying father. Now, his son Blackheart (Wes Bentley) is on Earth searching for a contract containing 1,000 corrupted souls. In response, Mephistopheles has Johnny go after Blackheart and his crew by turning him into the Ghost Rider. At night, his skin burns off to reveal a flaming skeleton with extraordinary powers that can burn corrupted souls. Along the way, he meets The Caretaker (Sam Elliot), who tells him all about the Rider, Blackheart, and the contract. Johnny also meets up with his old girlfriend Roxanne (Eva Mendes), who Blackheart kidnaps to try and get to him. With his new powers, Johnny must face Blackheart and his elemental demon friends to prevent the end of days.

     

    Review

    With a few exceptions, the 2000s were filled with average-to-mediocre superhero movies, which Ghost Rider fits into. While not as good as Spider-Man 2 or X2: X-Men United, it’s still better than Catwoman or Fantastic Four. In terms of direction, Mark Steven Johnson does a competent job, though he makes good use of shadows and fog. Given how much he was a fan of the comics, Nick Cage clearly is trying to give the character depth. Unfortunately, for the most part, he’s either very morose and broody, or he’s going full-on Nick Cage crazy. As much as I love crazy Nick Cage, the way he shifts between over-the-top and subdued is inconsistent and jarring. While she’s basically the typical damsel in distress, Eva Mendes is ok and has some decent chemistry with Cage. Granted, they worked together much better in Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans.

    Peter Fonda and Sam Elliot make the film worth watching, but you know they’re waiting for the check to clear. Sadly, Wes Bentley makes for a pretty lackluster villain, looking more like the rebellious teen who frequents Hot Topic. Also, his three demon pals, who represent earth, wind, and water, are just as lame given how quickly they’re defeated. Their abilities could’ve made the fights with Ghost Rider more exciting, but they’re over and done within mere seconds. Admittedly, Ghost Rider’s design is pretty cool, and seeing him whip his chain around to fight bad guys is fun. However, at slightly under two hours, the movie has really bad pacing and just drags its way to the end. This movie is enjoyable for maybe 15-20 minutes, but the rest of it is slow, boring, and not worth watching. Overall, Ghost Rider is just mediocre at best and boring at worst.

     

    Buy Ghost Rider from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3aYLrrN

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