Godzilla was once a monster well suited for Cold War symbolism, but times changed. And as written in the book Japan’s Favorite Mon-star, author and film historian Steve Ryfle suggested “the breakup of the Soviet Union and the fading of the global nuclear threat” may have played a part in Toho’s drastic decision to kill off its most celebrated character.” Death wasn’t unheard of for Godzilla; after all, the atomic monster perished in its first two appearances. The only difference in 1995 was Godzilla was no longer a mere metaphor for ruin and despair. So much had changed since Tomoyuki Tanaka’s creation embodied the nuclear horrors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings. Godzilla had somehow become a hero, albeit a complicated one in the ‘90s and onward.
While the last leg of the Shōwa age depicted Godzilla as Japan’s foremost protector, the next installment of movies...
While the last leg of the Shōwa age depicted Godzilla as Japan’s foremost protector, the next installment of movies...
- 12/9/2022
- by Paul Lê
- bloody-disgusting.com
Whether you refer to it as Godzilla or Gojira, Toho's monstrous creature is able to stir fear in the hearts of many just by mentioning its name alone. After all, who wouldn't be intimidated by a massive lizard-like creature with atomic breath? Even when ignoring the poignant anti-war and anti-nuclear weapon messaging that was essential in developing Godzilla as a character, the beast is one scary Sob, and you certainly wouldn't want your city to be the subject of his ire.
Although the creature has firmly established itself as the most well-known kaiju in the world, its name actually has a pretty funny origin legend. We call it a legend for reasons you will soon find out, but Godzilla is not its original name. Rather, it's the American anglicization of Gojira, itself a portmanteau of gorilla and the Japanese term for whale, kujira. I suppose that if you squint, that...
Although the creature has firmly established itself as the most well-known kaiju in the world, its name actually has a pretty funny origin legend. We call it a legend for reasons you will soon find out, but Godzilla is not its original name. Rather, it's the American anglicization of Gojira, itself a portmanteau of gorilla and the Japanese term for whale, kujira. I suppose that if you squint, that...
- 11/13/2022
- by Erin Brady
- Slash Film
Eureka Entertainment’s November lineup was announced yeterday and will feature a classic Japanese monster movie that introduced us to one of the most unique creatures ever seen on film; and two influential sci-fi epics from one of Japan’s inimitable filmmakers.
Mothra (Limited Edition Box Set) (Blu-ray)
Synopsis
One of the most iconic Japanese kaiju, Mothra has appeared in over a dozen feature films. Presented here is her debut, a gloriously vibrant piece of filmmaking that forever changed how kaiju eiga would be produced in Japan.
Following reports of human life on Infant Island, the supposedly deserted site of atomic bomb tests, an international expedition to the heavily-radiated island discovers a native tribe and tiny twin female fairies called “Shobijin” who guard a sacred egg. The overzealous expedition leader kidnaps the Shobijin to exhibit in a Tokyo stage show but soon they summon their protector, hatching...
Mothra (Limited Edition Box Set) (Blu-ray)
Synopsis
One of the most iconic Japanese kaiju, Mothra has appeared in over a dozen feature films. Presented here is her debut, a gloriously vibrant piece of filmmaking that forever changed how kaiju eiga would be produced in Japan.
Following reports of human life on Infant Island, the supposedly deserted site of atomic bomb tests, an international expedition to the heavily-radiated island discovers a native tribe and tiny twin female fairies called “Shobijin” who guard a sacred egg. The overzealous expedition leader kidnaps the Shobijin to exhibit in a Tokyo stage show but soon they summon their protector, hatching...
- 8/29/2020
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
With the dog days of summer still upon us, here are a bunch of new home releases coming out this week that should help keep you entertained from the comfort of your own home. Arrow Video is doing the lord’s work this Tuesday, with a handful of killer collections that genre fans are going to want to pick up, including Flash Gordon in 4K, The Last House on the Left, Pitch Black and Gamera: The Complete Collection.
Scream Factory is also unleashing Frankenstein and the Monster From Hell this week, Cursed Films is being released by Rlje Films, and Alice Lowe’s Prevenge is finally coming home on both Blu and DVD. Other notable releases for August 18th include Open 24 Hours, The Barge People, Cannibal Corpse Killers, and Paramount has put together a Thrills & Chills 4 pack of movies which includes Pet Sematary (2019), A Quiet Place, Overlord and Crawl.
Scream Factory is also unleashing Frankenstein and the Monster From Hell this week, Cursed Films is being released by Rlje Films, and Alice Lowe’s Prevenge is finally coming home on both Blu and DVD. Other notable releases for August 18th include Open 24 Hours, The Barge People, Cannibal Corpse Killers, and Paramount has put together a Thrills & Chills 4 pack of movies which includes Pet Sematary (2019), A Quiet Place, Overlord and Crawl.
- 8/17/2020
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
The original hero in a half-shell returns! For the first time ever worldwide, all twelve tales of the adventures of everyone’s favourite titanic terrapin are collected together in one deluxe Blu-ray boxset.
This limited edition collectors’ set traces the decades-long evolution of Gamera, from the “friend of all children” in his more light-hearted earlier films to the Guardian of the Universe in the groundbreaking 1990s reboot series, often hailed as three of the best kaiju films ever made.
Limited Edition Contents
• Limited collectors’ edition packaging, housed in a large-format rigid box, fully illustrated by Matt Frank
• All twelve uncut original Japanese versions of the films in high definition, with lossless Japanese and English audio
• 4K restorations of the critically acclaimed Heisei trilogy
• Hours of new and archive bonus features, expert commentaries, interviews with cast and crew, and the worldwide Blu-ray premiere of Gammera The Invincible (the American theatrical version...
This limited edition collectors’ set traces the decades-long evolution of Gamera, from the “friend of all children” in his more light-hearted earlier films to the Guardian of the Universe in the groundbreaking 1990s reboot series, often hailed as three of the best kaiju films ever made.
Limited Edition Contents
• Limited collectors’ edition packaging, housed in a large-format rigid box, fully illustrated by Matt Frank
• All twelve uncut original Japanese versions of the films in high definition, with lossless Japanese and English audio
• 4K restorations of the critically acclaimed Heisei trilogy
• Hours of new and archive bonus features, expert commentaries, interviews with cast and crew, and the worldwide Blu-ray premiere of Gammera The Invincible (the American theatrical version...
- 2/23/2020
- by Don Anelli
- AsianMoviePulse
All Hail the Reptilian King! Just in time for the holidays, The Criterion Collection announced that their seminal and hugely-anticipated #1000 spine would be given to the King of the Monsters himself, the indelibly iconic Godzilla and the entire Showa era that his creator, Japanese auteur Ishirô Honda, was directly a part of. The incredible-looking set includes fifteen of his greatest adventures, from the 1954 harrowing debut in Godzilla where he was the ultimate allegory for nuclear annihilation that terrified the post-World War II audiences the world over to his fight with American’s own King of the Monsters in King Kong vs. Godzilla (1963) to the introduction of his iconic indelible foes such as Radon, Mothra, and Ghidorah, and finally, Honda’s final turn behind the camera for Godzilla to face his toughest foe in Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975).
All fifteen films presented in the collection have been digitally restored and filled with...
All fifteen films presented in the collection have been digitally restored and filled with...
- 9/25/2019
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
"Please remain calm." Criterion Collection has debuted a short trailer to promote the epic, glorious arrival of their 1000th release - the Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films box set. This stunning collection contains 15 of the original Japanese Godzilla films, starting with the one that launched everything, Gojira in 1954, continuing all the way through the "Shōwa Era" until Terror of Mechagodzilla in 1975. Criterion went all out for this mega box set, designing special artwork that fills up the box set, packing it with special features galore, along with high definition transfers of 15 of the films (including English dubs for a few of them). It's a must own for every and any cinephile, seriously. This fun trailer throws together some clips of the monster and his foes and the humans who have to watch out for the epic movie monster. It also comes with a lavishly illustrated deluxe hardcover book featuring an essay by cinema historian Steve Ryfle,...
- 9/23/2019
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
As we recently reported, Criterion Collection will release 15 Godzilla films from the Showa era (initially released between 1954–1975) in a Blu-ray box set this October, and we now have a look at a brand new trailer for the release that gives us a tease of the new high-def digital transfers.
"In 1954, an enormous beast clawed its way out of the sea, destroying everything in its path—and changing movies forever. The arresting original Godzilla soon gave rise to an entire monster-movie genre (kaiju eiga), but the King of the Monsters continued to reign supreme: in fourteen fiercely entertaining sequels over the next two decades, Godzilla defended its throne against a host of other formidable creatures, transforming from a terrifying symbol of nuclear annihilation into a benevolent (if still belligerent) Earth protector. Collected here for the first time are all fifteen Godzilla films of Japan’s Showa era, in a landmark set showcasing the technical wizardry,...
"In 1954, an enormous beast clawed its way out of the sea, destroying everything in its path—and changing movies forever. The arresting original Godzilla soon gave rise to an entire monster-movie genre (kaiju eiga), but the King of the Monsters continued to reign supreme: in fourteen fiercely entertaining sequels over the next two decades, Godzilla defended its throne against a host of other formidable creatures, transforming from a terrifying symbol of nuclear annihilation into a benevolent (if still belligerent) Earth protector. Collected here for the first time are all fifteen Godzilla films of Japan’s Showa era, in a landmark set showcasing the technical wizardry,...
- 9/23/2019
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
If seeing Godzilla: King of the Monsters gave you massive monster fever, then you're in luck, because Criterion Collection will release 15 Godzilla films from the Showa era (initially released between 1954–1975) in a Blu-ray box set this October.
Slated to come out on October 29th, Godzilla: The Showa Era Films features high-def digital transfers of all 15 films in the set, with new cover artwork for all of the titles and more than enough special features to keep kaiju fans happy. Read on for additional details, and visit Criterion Collection's website for more information.
"In 1954, an enormous beast clawed its way out of the sea, destroying everything in its path—and changing movies forever. The arresting original Godzilla soon gave rise to an entire monster-movie genre (kaiju eiga), but the King of the Monsters continued to reign supreme: in fourteen fiercely entertaining sequels over the next two decades, Godzilla defended its throne...
Slated to come out on October 29th, Godzilla: The Showa Era Films features high-def digital transfers of all 15 films in the set, with new cover artwork for all of the titles and more than enough special features to keep kaiju fans happy. Read on for additional details, and visit Criterion Collection's website for more information.
"In 1954, an enormous beast clawed its way out of the sea, destroying everything in its path—and changing movies forever. The arresting original Godzilla soon gave rise to an entire monster-movie genre (kaiju eiga), but the King of the Monsters continued to reign supreme: in fourteen fiercely entertaining sequels over the next two decades, Godzilla defended its throne...
- 7/25/2019
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
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