<i>Godzilla Minus One</i>: This Is Something!

Godzilla Minus One: This Is Something!

Big recommendation.

The movie is a big hit so it's being added to more theaters and will have a longer US run.

Godzilla Minus One is extending its U.S. theatrical run, giving people more time to schedule a date to see the legendary kaiju on the big screen.
The official X/Twitter account for Toho's Godzilla Minus One announced that the King of Monsters would be running rampant in select theaters for a little longer, with the film's limited run now being extended to include over 2,500 locations in the U.S. and Canada starting December 8 through to (at least) December 14.

There are three audiences here: Godzilla fans, and those who watch a lot of sci-fi and genre content, and those who don't.

I don't have to mention the film to Godzilla fans. It's the best Godzilla movie, I hear. I'm sure they've already seen it.

For those who do watch of lot of sci-fi, superhero, action, heroic fiction genre movies -- this should be an automatic watch. Go see it. This has been a bad year for all movies and there haven't been many good genre movies. Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One is the only good one I can remember off the top of my head. So definitely, if you like that type of blockbuster popcorn-chomper, see this movie. It's very good.

The story is good, the characters are good, the special effects are shockingly good (this movie allegedly cost... $15 million), the destruction is not just spectacular but visceral and impactful -- Godzilla is not a clown, he is a terrifying force of nature.

The other possible audience is those who don't usually watch a lot of genre content and who wouldn't usually even think of watching a Godzilla movie.

Would I recommend it to them, too?

Yeah, I think I would.

First of all, I'm not a Godzilla fan myself. I the Toho (Japanese studio) sixties and seventies movies when I was a kid and all but I don't bother with the eighties and more recent Toho stuff. I've heard that Shin Godzilla was really good, for example, but I never bothered to watch it, because, like, who cares? I'm not a Godzilla guy.

I only half-watched some of the Legendary (American studio) ones. Like, I skipped the Legendary Godzilla, fast-fowarded to the fights in the King of the Monsters one. I did watch Skull Island (didn't like it) and Kong vs. Godzilla (did kind of like it, despite its goofiness).

Anyway, my qualifications as a non-Godzilla fan established, it's a good movie and most non-Godzilla fans will like it. Think of it as a disaster survival movie, where the disaster that must be survived just happens to take the form of Godzilla. If you'd watch a disaster survival movie, then you should consider watching this.

As many have said, it's a very emotional and human movie. The heart of the movie is are a man and a woman who've both lost their families to the American bombing of Tokyo. The woman had a baby pushed into her arms by a dying woman, and has been running around bombed-out Tokyo ever since, stealing powered milk to keep the baby alive. Against the wishes of the male hero, they form an artificial family. It's one you root for and worry for when the destruction comes. I confess that even though I was very aware on an intellectual level that I was being manipulated, I was misty-eyed throughout about half of the movie.

The male hero, Koicho, is a kamikaze pilot first seen landing his Zero on a dirtstrip runway on a jungle island. A caption tells us: The Final Days of the War. He tells the mechanics on the island that he had to abandon his mission due to mechanical problems, but his plane is in perfect condition: He lost his nerve and refused to kill himself for Japan. He loathes himself and thinks he has nothing to offer the world. He has a very bad case of survivor's guilt and thinks he should be dead. And that belief is reinforced when he gets back to Tokyo, where he's told by one woman, "My children died because of your cowardice."

Along with the woman Noriko and the baby Akiko, they get by scavaging in a bombed-out Tokyo.

And then come reports from the American occupying force of a gargantuan sea creature which has sunk a battleship. The movie offers a not-very-convincing reason why the American occupying force won't be handling the sea creature -- "the Soviets will object if they see the Americans making any maneuvers" -- meaning it's up to the disarmed Japanese to handle it themselves.

That explanation isn't very strong, but, shrug, obviously a Japanese movie is going to feature Japanese characters as its main heroes, not American occupiers.

The subtitles are a non-issue; they're on the screen long enough that you can read them easily, then get your eyes back on to the screen. Also, their are barely any subtitles at all in the big spectacular parts where you want to just be looking at the visuals. The subtitles come during the human interaction moments.

The movie takes the human relationships seriously, so when their lives are threatened -- and they are seriously threatened -- it's genuine drama. Much more drama that you'd imagine a Godzilla movie would deliver.

The movie looks pretty realistic. Godzilla is CGI, but I think what they did is film a guy in the classic rubber suit, then put a CGI skin over him and incorporate him into CGI sets of the city and the ocean. It looks good. Even though he moves like the classic rubber-suit monster, that's not a fault of the special effects, that's a choice -- they want to make him look like the classic monster. Just a more realistic version of that.

Sometimes he moves more like a real giant lizard with motion blur, when they want to show his speed.

They also use the very classic Godzilla roar and the very classic Godzilla music.

I do think that people who never, ever thought they would like a Godzilla movie will like this. I can't tell you what a joy it is to see a movie that doesn't undermine every single moment of human emotion with a trash quip. It's not afraid to make you feel.

It's also nice to not see any trash leftwing American Twitter politics in a movie. Oh, I think there's a little politics in it. But they're Japanese politics -- the director seems to distrust the Japanese government -- but I don't care about Japanese politics so this doesn't bother me. And it's not central in the story.

A Note on the Title: They do not explain the title in the movie. I think a commenter explained that there had been prequel to the 1954 original called Godzilla Zero, and this proceeds that, so this is Godzilla Minus One. But it really doesn't mean anything. Because this is supposed to be the first of all Godzilla movies, there is no prior lore. This is his "first appearance," as it were.

I'd like to see the movie do even better than it's doing just to teach Hollywood a lesson. It's doing well, but only well when compared to foreign language releases.

I am sure Hollywood executives are wondering right now about budget, and how they spend $270 million to produce movies that look like hot garbage and the Japanese spend $15 million to make a Godzilla movie where it really looks like Godzilla is stomping through the Ginza district.

I don't know if they'll learn. I'm not sure they're capable of self-criticism or introspection or learning.

One thing I'm thinking: I used to reflexively pass on foreign movies. I was very chauvanistic about not watching foreign films.

But American movies are really just absolute trash. Just terrible. Just absolute brain-dead childish nonsense, and leftwing immoral garbage as well.

Maybe I'll watch more foreign stuff. As well as older American movies, of course.

Maybe even a John Wayne one.

Hollywood won't have many new films to offer in 2024, thanks to their strikes*, so theaters will be hungry for alternative fare. They'll be showing older movies and probably some foreign imports as well. I hope it works out for them better than Hollywood wants it to work out for them.

I didn't want to mention it in the review, but as he mentions, Godzilla's "atomic breath" now really earns its name. It's now a force of nature in itself.

* There's another strike coming up in 2024, too! I didn't catch the details of it. The Film Threat guys mentioned the possibility of another Hollywood guild striking. I don't know which one.

A commenter, Vrag Naroda, says:

*IATSE may be striking next year. We've already had negotiations for the other big 3 (directors, writers, and actors) so the behind the scenes guys would be the next big hit if it occurs.

I think that's hair, make-up, and other services.

Posted by: Disinformation Expert Ace at 04:47 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 A landing strip, you say?

Posted by: andycanuck (krqg6) at December 08, 2023 04:47 PM (krqg6)

2 SPONGE?

Posted by: Inogame at December 08, 2023 04:48 PM (53oGX)

3 So it rates "four claws" up.

Posted by: andycanuck (krqg6) at December 08, 2023 04:49 PM (krqg6)

4 I like kamikazis …

and screwdrivers … and whiskey sours …

Posted by: Adriane is to Grapes, as X is to Wine . . . at December 08, 2023 04:49 PM (4Winp)

5 I really liked the Godzilla, and it was done by Gareth Edwards of all people. I'm looking forward to this. It will be the first time I've been in a theater in years.

It'll be worth it, because the trailers look amazing.

Posted by: Wyatt Earp at December 08, 2023 04:49 PM (d2bW3)

6 >>>So it rates "four claws" up.

I give it one aaaAAAAAAhhh roar.

Posted by: ace talking tough about vitamins at December 08, 2023 04:49 PM (KRtlO)

7 ... it really looks like Godzilla is stomping through the Ginza district.

It's crap. Stomping through DC? THAT would have been something.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at December 08, 2023 04:50 PM (cOq4q)

8 >>>Film Threat guys mentioned the possibility of another Hollywood guild striking. I don't know which one.

The Lollipop Guild

Posted by: Mark1971 at December 08, 2023 04:50 PM (xPl2J)

9 >>>I really liked the Godzilla, and it was done by Gareth Edwards of all people. I'm looking forward to this.

i watched the first twenty five minutes of that, or so, and was unengaged.

Posted by: ace talking tough about vitamins at December 08, 2023 04:50 PM (KRtlO)

10 We must flee! The Otters are coming!

Posted by: andycanuck (krqg6) at December 08, 2023 04:50 PM (krqg6)

11 Godzilla, Party of One

Posted by: Kamala at December 08, 2023 04:51 PM (krQz2)

12 No mothra? trash!

Posted by: Inogame at December 08, 2023 04:51 PM (53oGX)

13 oh in case you're wondering: If Tokyo's already destroyed due to bombing, what does Godzilla stomp?

They mention "the Ginza district was mostly untouched by the raids" and "the reconstruction is really going strong in the Ginza district" so guess where Godzilla makes landfall.

Posted by: ace talking tough about vitamins at December 08, 2023 04:51 PM (KRtlO)

14 * There's another strike coming up in 2024, too! I didn't catch the details of it. The Film Threat guys mentioned the possibility of another Hollywood guild striking. I don't know which one.

Posted by: Disinformation Expert Ace at 04:47 PM

Really? Yay!!

Posted by: hobbitopoly at December 08, 2023 04:52 PM (XPM1I)

15 i really don't like Bryan Cranston so the American Godzilla was not my movie.

Posted by: ace talking tough about vitamins at December 08, 2023 04:52 PM (KRtlO)

16 I'm a somewhat Godzilla fan, because my son is a MASSIVE Godzilla fan.

This was the most surprising movie to me as I expected a fun popcorn movie and instead got a serious drama.

If only western cinema could still tell good stories and not preach THE MESSAGE.

Posted by: Formerly Virginian at December 08, 2023 04:52 PM (JMAcK)

17 cool!

and yeah foreign films!

did you guys see One Cut of the Dead?!?!

holy sheep but that is FANTASTIC

Posted by: BlackOrchid at December 08, 2023 04:52 PM (AcWfM)

18 Eh. I probably won't see it. Just not much of a fan of kaiju movies.

I did see Pacific Rim and enjoyed it immensely, but that was giant robots fighting giant kaiju. What's not to love about that?

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 08, 2023 04:52 PM (7fElN)

19 >>>i watched the first twenty five minutes of that, or so, and was unengaged.
Posted by: ace talking tough about vitamins

The fights toward the end were good though. At least I thought so.

Posted by: Wyatt Earp at December 08, 2023 04:53 PM (d2bW3)

20 The heart of the movie is are a man and a woman who've both lost their families to the American bombing of Tokyo. The woman had a baby pushed into her arms by a dying woman, and has been running around bombed-out Tokyo ever since, stealing powered milk to keep the baby alive. Against the wishes of the male hero, they form an artificial family....

The male hero, Koicho, is a kamikaze pilot first seen landing his Zero on a dirtstrip runway on a jungle island. A caption tells us: The Final Days of the War. He tells the mechanics on the island that he had to abandon his mission due to mechanical problems, but his plane is in perfect condition: He lost his nerve and refused to kill himself for Japan. He loathes himself and thinks he has nothing to offer the world.

To me, this is the draw. It's a very little known part of the war oeuvre, but an interesting one. The Godzilla part is incidental. I'm looking forward to seeing it, but probably not in a theater.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 08, 2023 04:53 PM (CsUN+)

21 >>>The fights toward the end were good though. At least I thought so.

i liked when he opened the thing's jaw wide and gave it the atomic breath down the gullet.

Posted by: ace talking tough about vitamins at December 08, 2023 04:53 PM (KRtlO)

Posted by: Archimedes at December 08, 2023 04:53 PM (CsUN+)

23 it's all right Archimedes

we know you meant it for emphasis!

Posted by: BlackOrchid at December 08, 2023 04:54 PM (AcWfM)

24 i really don't like Bryan Cranston so the American Godzilla was not my movie.
Posted by: ace talking tough about vitamins

Pfftt. He died in the first act …

Posted by: Adriane is to Grapes, as X is to Wine . . . at December 08, 2023 04:54 PM (4Winp)

25 I am sure Hollywood executives are wondering right now about budget, and how they spend $270 million to produce movies that look like hot garbage and the Japanese spend $15 million to make a Godzilla movie where it really looks like Godzilla is stomping through the Ginza district.

=======

Same thing with The Creator (haven't seen it). Supposedly, it looks fantastic and expensive, but it was only made for $80 million.

Big budget spectacle has been taken over by the Disney machine, and the Disney machine is massively inefficient (hence the recent unionization of visual effects artists).

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, celebrating anarchy and 50s B-movies with Joe Dante at December 08, 2023 04:54 PM (GBKbO)

26 There's another strike coming up in 2024, too! I didn't catch the details of it. The Film Threat guys mentioned the possibility of another Hollywood guild striking. I don't know which one.

Obligatory: Oh no! Anyway...

Posted by: Archimedes at December 08, 2023 04:54 PM (CsUN+)

27 >>>To me, this is the draw. It's a very little known part of the war oeuvre, but an interesting one

there's an interesting post-war job, which you can only have in a post-war sea nation, he gets which I didn't mention because I didn't want to spoil it. The movie does take advantage of the post-war environment.

Posted by: ace talking tough about vitamins at December 08, 2023 04:54 PM (KRtlO)

28 I skipped most of the content because I didn't want to know the plot. Should have had a Spoiler Alert?

Posted by: Eddie Spaghetti at December 08, 2023 04:55 PM (MMe0T)

29 This looks like it may be fun, but really noisy. I can't take super noisy movies any more.

Posted by: kallisto at December 08, 2023 04:55 PM (reY9I)

30 hiya

Posted by: JT at December 08, 2023 04:55 PM (T4tVD)

31 I am not a big Godzilla fan at all. I think the only one I actually liked was the 2014 American one.

Shin Godzilla was pretty good too, in retrospect.

I have an eye out for this one at some point, but...childcare, yo.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, celebrating anarchy and 50s B-movies with Joe Dante at December 08, 2023 04:55 PM (GBKbO)

32 What's the Minus One?

Posted by: Eddie Spaghetti at December 08, 2023 04:56 PM (MMe0T)

33 I mentioned the other day that I have never seen a Godzilla movie that was not via MST 3k. but this sounds very compelling. Will watch. Just not in a theater. My TV and sound system are very nice, as is access to the pause button for potty breaks and trips to the fridge for a beer.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Aspiring Codger at December 08, 2023 04:56 PM (T/Lqj)

34 Ah well.

Off to make rum balls for the pah-tee …

Posted by: Adriane is to Grapes, as X is to Wine . . . at December 08, 2023 04:56 PM (4Winp)

35 To me, this is the draw. It's a very little known part of the war oeuvre, but an interesting one

there's an interesting post-war job, which you can only have in a post-war sea nation, he gets which I didn't mention because I didn't want to spoil it. The movie does take advantage of the post-war environment.

My Dad was stationed in Japan during the Occupation, and came back with some pretty cool handicrafts. He was very careful with a nickel, so I know he didn't pay much, but the workmanship was outstanding. Post-war Japanese worked like dogs for peanuts.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 08, 2023 04:56 PM (CsUN+)

36
Waiting for the pro-Palestinian antisemitic Godzilla movie.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 08, 2023 04:58 PM (9mNHV)

37 eddie, they do not explain the title in the movie. I think a commenter explained that there had been prequel to the 1954 original called Godzilla Zero, and this proceeds that, so this is Godzilla Minus One, the first of all Godzillas.

Posted by: ace talking tough about vitamins at December 08, 2023 04:58 PM (KRtlO)

38 This was my issue when I heard about it. Japan had no armed forces, what ships they had left were disarmed. Until the JSDF stood up in the 50's only the US occupation forces were armed. But I can suspend disbelief. I mean it is a giant monster movie...

Posted by: steevy at December 08, 2023 04:58 PM (FQmDC)

39 Ryan O'Neal died.
He was 82.

Posted by: redridinghood at December 08, 2023 04:58 PM (NpAcC)

40
Loved the classic "Bob and Tom" radio show routine where they would calmly pretend interview a group of Japanese about some mundane topic until Bob would drop the name and the response was always "Godzirra? GODZRIRRA!!!!" and the Japs would freak out and scream.

Stupid? Yes. I'm a moron.

Posted by: Auspex at December 08, 2023 04:59 PM (j4U/Z)

41 i really don't like Bryan Cranston so the American Godzilla was not my movie.
Posted by: ace talking tough about vitamins at December 08, 2023 04:52 PM (KRtlO)

It was fine. King of the Monsters was the best of the American Godzilla movies.

But none were really serious movies. They're fun things to watch. (2014 was a little more serious- I think it was trying to be what this one is. It failed, but I think it tried.)

I only hope Toho makes 10X returns on this. Actually, that's too small. Let's go for 50X. ($750M on a $15M budget would be a BIG rebuke. Probably not happening, but what else would people watch this Christmas?)

Posted by: Formerly Virginian at December 08, 2023 04:59 PM (JMAcK)

42 We may have to use Nuclear Force!

Run to the shelter!

Posted by: Cheepnis at December 08, 2023 04:59 PM (QB+5g)

43 I have an eye out for this one at some point, but...childcare, yo.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, celebrating anarchy and 50s B-movies with Joe Dante at December 08, 2023 04:55 PM (GBKbO)
---
Take 'em with you. Sooner or later they need to learn about the dangers of giant kaiju.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 08, 2023 05:00 PM (7fElN)

44 which you can only have in a post-war sea nation,
-----
That's what I said!

Posted by: zombie Alfred Thayer Mahan at December 08, 2023 05:00 PM (krqg6)

45
The Japanese subtitles are a non-issue; they're on the screen long enough that you can read them easily, then get your eyes back on to the screen.

The subtitles are in Japanese?

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at December 08, 2023 05:00 PM (63Dwl)

46 OT
That bus plunging in the river, posted here by Ace? a day or so ago? It didn't say when or where. Here you go
DM
2013
https://is.gd/qouIZI

Posted by: Ciampino - You know, at 29 that's true right? Right? at December 08, 2023 05:01 PM (qfLjt)

47 41 I really enjoyed the first two but the third movie was just too silly. Suspension of disbelief okay but I was rolling my eyes too much to see the movie

Posted by: steevy at December 08, 2023 05:01 PM (FQmDC)

48 >>The subtitles are in Japanese?

hah, no, I goofed.

Posted by: ace talking tough about vitamins at December 08, 2023 05:02 PM (KRtlO)

49 So far I feel like the Monarch series is okay, fourth episode was weakest so far.

Posted by: steevy at December 08, 2023 05:02 PM (FQmDC)

50 .. it really looks like Godzilla is stomping through the Ginza district.

It's crap. Stomping through DC? THAT would have been something.
Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at December 08, 2023 04:50 PM (cOq4q)

That is Larry Correia's Hard Magic series. It will be, one day, turned into a film featuring Margot Robbie.
Most likely produced by Mosfilm.

Posted by: Kindltot at December 08, 2023 05:02 PM (D7oie)

51 As long as the soundtrack is by Blue Oyster Cult.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at December 08, 2023 05:02 PM (lTGtQ)

52 I coulda sworn it was Godzilla Minus Zero the other day.
But still, there should be no Math here.

Posted by: wth at December 08, 2023 05:03 PM (v0R5T)

53 Godzilla is a badass. I wish he were President.

Posted by: Mothra at December 08, 2023 05:03 PM (vFG9F)

54 >>>That bus plunging in the river, posted here by Ace? a day or so ago? It didn't say when or where. Here you go
DM
2013
https://is.gd/qouIZI

thanks. I'm glad to see everyone survived. You know, I didn't even consider that there might have been casualties.

Posted by: ace talking tough about vitamins at December 08, 2023 05:03 PM (KRtlO)

55 I for one dig foreign movies. I am also a meat head. The foreign ones I enjoy are almost exclusively action/martial arts.

*shrug*

Posted by: thathalfrican - The One at December 08, 2023 05:03 PM (FOqm7)

56 Got no plans to see it

Posted by: Skip at December 08, 2023 05:03 PM (fwDg9)

57 No thank you.

Posted by: Ben Had at December 08, 2023 05:03 PM (Vb2T3)

58 "Hollywood won't have many new films to offer in 2024"

Good.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at December 08, 2023 05:04 PM (qPw5n)

59 >>>Ryan O'Neal died.
He was 82.

too bad. Someone keeps telling me to watch Paper Moon.

I really liked him in Zero Effect. He plays a bad man being blackmailed. He really sells the idea of a man being weighed upon by stress and guilty conscience.

Posted by: ace talking tough about vitamins at December 08, 2023 05:04 PM (KRtlO)

60 Godzilla Suare Root of Negative One

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at December 08, 2023 05:04 PM (63Dwl)

61 I did see Pacific Rim and enjoyed it immensely, but that was giant robots fighting giant kaiju. What's not to love about that?
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 08, 2023 04:52 PM (7fElN)

I was told it cheapened the spirit of the genre.

Posted by: Kindltot at December 08, 2023 05:04 PM (D7oie)

62 What's the Minus One?
Posted by: Eddie Spaghetti at December 08, 2023 04:56 PM (MMe0T)

Possibly it is set earlier in history than some Godzilla 0 movie in Japan.

Posted by: Oldcat at December 08, 2023 05:04 PM (eoQWY)

Posted by: Marcel Marceau, screaming at December 08, 2023 05:05 PM (lTGtQ)

64 Posted by: Auspex at December 08, 2023 04:59 PM (j4U/Z)

I never heard this but I believe I'd have enjoyed it

Posted by: kallisto at December 08, 2023 05:05 PM (reY9I)

65 I for one dig foreign movies. I am also a meat head. The foreign ones I enjoy are almost exclusively action/martial arts.

The Koreans and Japanese have a lot of really good sci-fi and fantasy on Netflix / Prime. After awhile, you don't even notice the subtitles or the dubbed over voices. It gives you a taste of what the rest of the world has experienced for the last 100-odd years of American film domination.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 08, 2023 05:05 PM (CsUN+)

66 The subtitles are in Japanese?
-----
はい

Posted by: andycanuck (krqg6) at December 08, 2023 05:05 PM (krqg6)

67 Square Root

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at December 08, 2023 05:05 PM (63Dwl)

68 Maybe I'll watch more foreign stuff. As well as older American movies, of course.

Maybe even a John Wayne one.

———

I’ve been saying for awhile now that there are thousands of good to great movies that I’ve never seen. There is no need for me to see anything new other than to stay up on modern culture.However, I do plan on seeing the new Godzilla movie.

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at December 08, 2023 05:05 PM (++4z6)

69 >>> No mothra? trash!

there's a post-credit scene where there are two dancing girls

Posted by: ace talking tough about vitamins at December 08, 2023 05:06 PM (KRtlO)

70 My Dad was stationed in Japan during the Occupation, and came back with some pretty cool handicrafts. He was very careful with a nickel, so I know he didn't pay much, but the workmanship was outstanding. Post-war Japanese worked like dogs for peanuts.
Posted by: Archimedes at December 08, 2023 04:56 PM (CsUN+)

I'm old enough to remember when Japanese Imports were cheap crap, not high quality stuff.

Posted by: Oldcat at December 08, 2023 05:06 PM (eoQWY)

71 "I did see Pacific Rim and enjoyed it immensely, but that was giant robots fighting giant kaiju. What's not to love about that?
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel"

That was the last movie I saw in a theater that I really enjoyed, so much that I didn't even bother to find fault with it.

Posted by: fd at December 08, 2023 05:06 PM (vFG9F)

72 Now if some group of samurai were out to destroy Godzilla maybe I would want to see it, I like samurai movies.

Posted by: Skip at December 08, 2023 05:06 PM (fwDg9)

73 *IATSE may be striking next year. We've already had negotiations for the other big 3 (directors, writers, and actors) so the behind the scenes guys would be the next big hit if it occurs.

Posted by: Vrag Naroda at December 08, 2023 05:06 PM (JuMV1)

74 I'm old enough to remember when Japanese Imports were cheap crap, not high quality stuff.

That's why I emphasized handicrafts as opposed to manufactured goods.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 08, 2023 05:07 PM (CsUN+)

75 The only thing Hollywood could learn from the Japanese is how to exhibit some dignity in the ritual suicide they're performing right now.

They unanimously endorsed lockdowns for all movie theaters for two years, followed that up by dialing The Message up to 11, went on a months long strike that'll take them more than a year to recover from, then decided to schedule another one immediately after, because they didn't lose enough money and jobs the first time around.

Netflix's and Amazon's New Releases category is going to be the same thing as their International category for the next two years.

So...read any good books lately?

Posted by: Malicious Compliance at December 08, 2023 05:07 PM (OBuuS)

76 Thanks Ace

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo at December 08, 2023 05:07 PM (xcxpd)

77 My son and I have seen it 3 times and once with my wife also. Everyone has loved it - wife wants a second viewing as well. I was choking up emotionally several times and shed a tear at the ending. The Gojira was made to look and feel immensely powerful. The sound design was magnificent. There is a local theater that has something called 4DX where your row of seats moves to the action (there’s heavy seas during the water scenes); wind, water, heat are all blown at you as well. Wife and son went as I get seasick. They were amazed. Honestly, I haven’t been as entertained at the movies this well in a LONG time. Go see this great film!

Posted by: Patrick at December 08, 2023 05:07 PM (bAOGD)

78 >>*IATSE may be striking next year. We've already had negotiations for the other big 3 (directors, writers, and actors) so the behind the scenes guys would be the next big hit if it occurs.

oh okay, I saw a video about that but it was from three months ago. thanks.

Posted by: ace talking tough about vitamins at December 08, 2023 05:07 PM (KRtlO)

79 Post-war Japanese worked like dogs for peanuts.
Posted by: Archimedes

I thought you weren't supposed to give dogs peanuts. Maybe it was chocolate.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at December 08, 2023 05:07 PM (lTGtQ)

80 Ryan O'Neal movies are usually very good.

Posted by: Skip at December 08, 2023 05:08 PM (fwDg9)

81 Now if some group of samurai were out to destroy Godzilla maybe I would want to see it, I like samurai movies.

I recommend Blue Eye Samurai on Netflix. It combines samurai with elements of fantasy and other really dark stuff. It's a wee bit woke, but it isn't obnoxious.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 08, 2023 05:08 PM (CsUN+)

82 He really sells the idea of a man being weighed upon by stress and guilty conscience.
-----
I just watched John Ford's The Informer, speak of the Devil.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0026529/

Posted by: andycanuck (krqg6) at December 08, 2023 05:09 PM (krqg6)

83 I'm not sure I want to have to take Dramamine to go to a movie. I'll take the recliner please.

Posted by: fd at December 08, 2023 05:09 PM (vFG9F)

84 As long as the soundtrack is by Blue Oyster Cult.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at December 08, 2023 05:02 PM (lTGtQ)

I was mentally singing the lyrics as I watched the trailer. I wonder if the filmmakers were aware of that song? Lots of helpless people on subway trains and buses throws around.

Posted by: hobbitopoly at December 08, 2023 05:10 PM (XPM1I)

85 The Koreans and Japanese have a lot of really good sci-fi and fantasy on Netflix / Prime. After awhile, you don't even notice the subtitles or the dubbed over voices. It gives you a taste of what the rest of the world has experienced for the last 100-odd years of American film domination.
Posted by: Archimedes at December 08, 2023 05:05 PM (CsUN+)

My wife really likes watching rom-coms on YouTube, and I noticed that they were dubbed by the voices. I watched a bit of one with her, and asked if it was a Russian film?

She thought it might be. It was well done, and it had no minority actors.

Posted by: Kindltot at December 08, 2023 05:10 PM (D7oie)

86 My son and I have seen it 3 times and once with my wife also. Everyone has loved it - wife wants a second viewing as well. I was choking up emotionally several times and shed a tear at the ending. The Gojira was made to look and feel immensely powerful. The sound design was magnificent. There is a local theater that has something called 4DX where your row of seats moves to the action (there’s heavy seas during the water scenes); wind, water, heat are all blown at you as well. Wife and son went as I get seasick. They were amazed. Honestly, I haven’t been as entertained at the movies this well in a LONG time. Go see this great film!

Now you know what happened to all those Magic Fingers they used to have in motels.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 08, 2023 05:10 PM (CsUN+)

87 >>>
So...read any good books lately?

i'm reading Alfred Bester's short story collection Dark Side of the Earth. It's mostly a miss, but there is one story, The Flowering Thundermug, that's a real hoot. Quite funny.

Posted by: ace talking tough about vitamins at December 08, 2023 05:10 PM (KRtlO)

88 It isn't at a theater anywhere near me. So I will have to wait to see it. But I don't want any spoilers so I didn't read the post or any comments. You guys will have make sure that Ace has the right date, etc.

Posted by: Just Lily at December 08, 2023 05:10 PM (q/T/q)

89 My 80 y/o mother is a Gozilla nut. I might see if I can drag her out of the house to the theater for this.

Posted by: McLurkerson at December 08, 2023 05:11 PM (wNDOJ)

90 Now if some group of samurai were out to destroy Godzilla maybe I would want to see it, I like samurai movies.
Posted by: Skip at December 08, 2023 05:06 PM (fwDg9)

You have never seen ZVP; Zatoichi the blind assassin versus Predator?
it is on Youtube, it is a hoot.

Posted by: Kindltot at December 08, 2023 05:11 PM (D7oie)

91 Thanks Ace, now I have to go see a movie!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 08, 2023 05:11 PM (WSwNN)

92 Personally, a movie with the title "Godzilla Minus One" is a failure on that alone.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 08, 2023 05:11 PM (Q4IgG)

93 "I wonder if the filmmakers were aware of that song? "

I don't see how they could not be. It would be like being unaware of Pearl Harbor.

Posted by: fd at December 08, 2023 05:11 PM (vFG9F)

94 And Ace, if you start looking for non-US, non-woke movies...take a long look at Korean flicks. They are really accessible in a way some foreign films are not. If you want a list of recommendations, I can give you some.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo at December 08, 2023 05:12 PM (xcxpd)

95 >> The sound design was magnificent

oh i should have mentioned

try to see it with a quality sound system

Posted by: ace talking tough about vitamins at December 08, 2023 05:12 PM (KRtlO)

96 I loved it. Not going to lie, I actually cried at the end of Godzilla Minus One. It's It's VERY Japanese, if that makes sense. The hidden anguish that characters suffer in silence with until it comes out screaming and emotional.

Posted by: Max Power at December 08, 2023 05:12 PM (Hucnr)

97 I want to see this and the new Miyazaki movie.
Three cheers for Japan for getting me to go to the theater.

Posted by: Charles Nelson Reilly at December 08, 2023 05:13 PM (h8c/W)

98
After awhile, you don't even notice the subtitles or the dubbed over voices. It gives you a taste of what the rest of the world has experienced for the last 100-odd years of American film domination.
Posted by: Archimedes

I liked the use of subtitles in The Longest Day and Tora Tora Tora. Made it seem more realistic to me.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at December 08, 2023 05:13 PM (63Dwl)

99 >>> Personally, a movie with the title "Godzilla Minus One" is a failure on that alone.

yeah I don't know why they didn't call it "Godzilla Dawn" or whatever for non Japanese markets.

Posted by: ace talking tough about vitamins at December 08, 2023 05:13 PM (KRtlO)

100 I have a three-inch high metal cigarette lighter that looks like Godzilla. When you pull his tail spikes down with your thumb, a small flame comes out of his mouth. Hasn't worked in years but I still keep him around.

Posted by: hobbitopoly at December 08, 2023 05:14 PM (XPM1I)

101 Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo at December 08, 2023 05:12 PM (xcxpd)

*raises hand*

I’m interested

Posted by: thathalfrican - The One at December 08, 2023 05:14 PM (FOqm7)

102 It's your favorite foreign movie.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at December 08, 2023 05:14 PM (Dm8we)

103 I actually was looking for Raymond Burr so I could schlep him around Tokyo while I fucked him in the ass.

Is he around anywhere?

Posted by: Godzilla, Jap Eater and Egg Fertilizer at December 08, 2023 05:14 PM (R/m4+)

104 IATSE may be striking next year.

-
How does Yahtzee strike?

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at December 08, 2023 05:14 PM (FVME7)

105 Dang. This is on my list and because I live in New Mexico, where we are not allowed to have nice things, it isn't playing. New Mexico! It like a 3rd world nation but with better plumbing!

Ace, nice review.

Posted by: lost in space at December 08, 2023 05:14 PM (Lqt5D)

106 I did go see Angel Studio's newest film, The Switch. It was quite good.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at December 08, 2023 05:14 PM (lTGtQ)

107 sorry, the story is "The FlowerED Thundermug" by Alfred Bester.

Posted by: ace talking tough about vitamins at December 08, 2023 05:15 PM (KRtlO)

108 How does Yahtzee strike?

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at December 08, 2023 05:14 PM (FVME7)

IDK, five sixes?

Posted by: Vrag Naroda at December 08, 2023 05:15 PM (JuMV1)

109 G-1 was freaking awesome. Easily the best movie I've seen, better than John Wick 4, which isn't easy. And, while I liked Guarduans 3, it was infuriating in some parts. G -1 was just a joy. A tue heroes journey. And romance. And adventure. And the people acted in rational ways.

I my son, who is a Godzilla fans (even saw the '54 original Japanese version in a rertro theatre this last summer) said it was the best one he's seen.

It is based, and full of male energy.

Posted by: Captain Crunch at December 08, 2023 05:16 PM (4AI6f)

110 Godzilla Dawn, what's that flower you've got on?

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at December 08, 2023 05:16 PM (63Dwl)

111 O/T a little. Heard about the lead Japanese pilot of the December 7 attack on Pearl Harbor. After the war, he converted to Christianity and spent the rest of his life traveling around the world as an evangelist to do penance.

God's Samurai: Lead Pilot at Pearl Harbor

Posted by: PJ at December 08, 2023 05:17 PM (G1dq6)

112 >>>Godzilla is not a clown, he is a terrifying force of nature

He's fucking terrifying. And the eyes, I can't explain how evil they look, filled with hatred and bloodlust.

Posted by: Max Power at December 08, 2023 05:17 PM (q177U)

113 I liked the use of subtitles in The Longest Day and Tora Tora Tora. Made it seem more realistic to me.
------
I wonder what Bitte! Bitte! means??

Posted by: andycanuck (krqg6) at December 08, 2023 05:17 PM (krqg6)

114 I liked the movie very much.

Posted by: Grape Juice Plus at December 08, 2023 05:19 PM (ufJfM)

115 too bad. Someone keeps telling me to watch Paper Moon.

I really liked him in Zero Effect. He plays a bad man being blackmailed. He really sells the idea of a man being weighed upon by stress and guilty conscience.
Posted by: ace talking tough about vitamins at December 08, 2023 05:04 PM (KRtlO)
********
I saw Paper Moon for the first time a few years ago and I enjoyed it.
I think it was on TCM.

Posted by: redridinghood at December 08, 2023 05:19 PM (NpAcC)

116 If it is still in imax see g -1 there. I loved it.

Posted by: Legion of Boom at December 08, 2023 05:19 PM (4AI6f)

117 IATSE workers are actually necessary and the work they do can save actors from injury or death. Especially all the broadway shows where people fly in on cables and such. If they screw up, people get hurt or die. They also don't let accountants push them around to make sets cheaper. Same reason.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at December 08, 2023 05:19 PM (MeG8a)

118 Kindltot found it, will try it

Posted by: Skip at December 08, 2023 05:19 PM (fwDg9)

119 I liked the movie very much.

Posted by: Grape Juice Plus

You might want to add a little padding to your movie reviews around here.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at December 08, 2023 05:20 PM (lTGtQ)

120 {94 / Mark Andrew Edwards re Korean flicks}

... If you want a list of recommendations, I can give you some.

I'm interested in your recommendations.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at December 08, 2023 05:20 PM (qPw5n)

121 IATSE workers are actually necessary and the work they do can save actors from injury or death. Especially all the broadway shows where people fly in on cables and such. If they screw up, people get hurt or die. They also don't let accountants push them around to make sets cheaper. Same reason.
Posted by: gourmand du jour at December 08, 2023 05:19 PM (MeG8a)

Then they should definitely go on strike.

Posted by: hobbitopoly at December 08, 2023 05:21 PM (XPM1I)

122 I’m interested
Posted by: thathalfrican - The One at December 08, 2023 05:14 PM (FOqm7)

Here's a quick list off the top of my head-
I Saw the Devil
Memories of Murder
Train to Busan
Mother (2009)
The Kingdom
Business Proposal
Joint Security Area
The Wailing
White Badge
Operation Chromite

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo at December 08, 2023 05:21 PM (xcxpd)

123 I watched THE TOURIST on YouTube, it's a Russian movie about a new soldier going to Africa to teach locals how to fight, uprising occurs and the Russians have to defend their compound, THE TOURIST is partnered with a grizzled vet that gives him shit every chance he can, I guess Wagner paid for some of the financing because they come to the rescue of the Russian soldiers.

Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at December 08, 2023 05:21 PM (dKiJG)

124 The explanation I read for the title was basically that the War reduced Japan to basically nothing, so when Godzilla arrives, it goes from "barely holding on" to a negative state.

Posted by: Lance McCormick at December 08, 2023 05:21 PM (+6Zao)

125 29 This looks like it may be fun, but really noisy. I can't take super noisy movies any more.

Posted by: kallisto at December 08, 2023 04:55 PM (reY9I)

++++

Same way. I have been dragged to too many movies, especially the one's with "kick-ass special effects" that are so thoroughly loud that they hit my anger nerve. For many years now, the background music has overpowered all the dialogue. I can't stand it.
And the thing is, I would very much like to see this new Godzilla movie.

Posted by: washrivergal at December 08, 2023 05:21 PM (FL9yc)

126 >>>Godzilla is not a clown, he is a terrifying force of nature

I had an idea of what the regular 60s-70s era Godzilla is: he is a drunken sailor who shows up every couple of paydays to wreck your bar, but one good thing, when someone even worse shows up, like a real killer, he'll beat the shit out of that guy and kick him out for you

Posted by: ace talking tough about vitamins at December 08, 2023 05:21 PM (KRtlO)

127 Especially all the Broadway shows where people fly in on cables and such.
------
And steel ball-bearings thrown on stage??

Posted by: andycanuck (krqg6) at December 08, 2023 05:21 PM (krqg6)

128 O/T a little. Heard about the lead Japanese pilot of the December 7 attack on Pearl Harbor. After the war, he converted to Christianity and spent the rest of his life traveling around the world as an evangelist to do penance.

God's Samurai: Lead Pilot at Pearl Harbor
Posted by: PJ at December 08, 2023 05:17 PM (G1dq6)

Fujita has been a bit discredited for a while, and since the big books on the Pacific War in the 60s used him almost exclusively for color from the Japanese side. Jonathan Parshall who wrote a modern treatment with more information tells of writing a Japanese scholar about his book only to get the reply .. "I am sorry to tell you that this book is a pack of extreme lies..."

Posted by: Oldcat at December 08, 2023 05:22 PM (eoQWY)

129 I hope U Penny caves and fires that whore.

But in their shoes, I wouldn't. I'd tell the guy "look, motherfucker, we have a $21 BILLION endowment, so we don't need your pennies, and more importantly - our political faction holds all the power and all the cards in this sham of a country. You ain't shit. We're not going to fire Magill. We're giving her a raise."

Posted by: Yudhishthira Florian Maria Hohenzollern von Schloengishugen, Lichtensteinian Usurper at December 08, 2023 05:22 PM (0FoWg)

130 Thanks for this review; I'm an old time fan of the Toho movies, so I'm sure I'll enjoy this one.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 08, 2023 05:23 PM (i9ffA)

131 They also don't let accountants push them around to make sets cheaper. Same reason.
-------
Unlike accountants on Alec Baldwin films.

Posted by: andycanuck (krqg6) at December 08, 2023 05:23 PM (krqg6)

132 I liked the movie very much.

Posted by: Grape Juice Plus

You might want to add a little padding to your movie reviews around here.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at December 08, 2023 05:20 PM (lTGtQ)
......

Yeah, but at least I read all of this one.

Posted by: wth at December 08, 2023 05:23 PM (v0R5T)

133 Here's a quick list off the top of my head-
I Saw the Devil
Memories of Murder
Train to Busan
Mother (2009)
The Kingdom
Business Proposal
Joint Security Area
The Wailing
White Badge
Operation Chromite

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo at December 08, 2023 05:21 PM (xcxpd)

Oldboy is another good one.

Posted by: Mark1971 at December 08, 2023 05:23 PM (xPl2J)

134 I prefer watching movies at home. The volume you want and you don't have to stifle a fart

Posted by: Ben Had at December 08, 2023 05:24 PM (Vb2T3)

135 Maybe even a John Wayne one.
________________

My family and I watched "Hondo" the other night, and it was actually very good, much better than any of the dreck Hollywood has produced in the last decade or two.

Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara at December 08, 2023 05:24 PM (UD9kD)

136 Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo at December 08, 2023 05:21 PM (xcxpd)

Seen I Saw The Devil. Very messed up. Train From Busan was good as was Operation Chromite.

Posted by: thathalfrican - The One at December 08, 2023 05:24 PM (FOqm7)

137 "you don't have to stifle a fart
Posted by: Ben Had"

Are you supposed to do that?

Posted by: fd at December 08, 2023 05:25 PM (vFG9F)

138

Fire breathing Godzilla model:

https://youtu.be/8-Tnl3b8cQ8

at 1:20

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at December 08, 2023 05:25 PM (63Dwl)

139 Oldboy is another good one.
Posted by: Mark1971 at December 08, 2023 05:23 PM (xPl2J)

I struggle to recommend that. It has one of the best action sequences in movie history. But it also has some pretty squick stuff in it and the twist at the end is nasty AF.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo at December 08, 2023 05:25 PM (xcxpd)

140 Seen I Saw The Devil. Very messed up. Train From Busan was good as was Operation Chromite.
Posted by: thathalfrican - The One at December 08, 2023 05:24 PM (FOqm7)

:fistbump:

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo at December 08, 2023 05:25 PM (xcxpd)

141 Just ordered a couple of Xmas gifts for my 4 year old granddaughter:
I'm an Artist! ultimate easel set
Ladybug's Garden memory game

Posted by: wth at December 08, 2023 05:26 PM (v0R5T)

142 In the immortal words of Dr. House, everybody lies and this is from the BBC who have been known to bend the truth so who knows? On the other hand, Hollywood actors are dumb, dumb, dumb.

Russia tricks US actors into appearing in propaganda videos

By Nadine Yousif
BBC News
Lord of the Rings star Elijah Wood is one of the actors named in the report
Russia has tricked several US actors on the video message platform Cameo into spreading falsehoods about Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky.
The latest propaganda push was outlined in a Thursday report by Microsoft's Threat Analysis Center.
In the videos, celebrities like actor Elijah Wood appear to be sending a personal message to Mr Zelensky asking him to get help with substance use.
Cameo said those videos may violate its guidelines.
The platform, which gained massive popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic, allows users to request recorded messages from celebrities and other public figur

https://tinyurl.com/4fw72t6f

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at December 08, 2023 05:26 PM (FVME7)

143 I saw this just last weekend! 100% on the mark here. Survivor guilt, PTSD, grappling with the aftereffects of their worlds having literally come down around them...and then Godzilla shows up. And Godzilla is a NIGHTMARE in this movie, from first appearance to last.

HIGHLY recommended! (Also, any film where the Shinden fighter shows up is cool in my book.)

Posted by: Brother Tim sez Max Headroom for President! at December 08, 2023 05:26 PM (OUMaO)

144 But in their shoes, I wouldn't. I'd tell the guy "look, motherfucker, we have a $21 BILLION endowment, so we don't need your pennies, and more importantly - our political faction holds all the power and all the cards in this sham of a country. You ain't shit. We're not going to fire Magill. We're giving her a raise."
Posted by: Yudhishthira Florian Maria Hohenzollern von Schloengishugen, Lichtensteinian Usurper at December 08, 2023 05:22 PM (0FoWg)

You know they want to stonewall it - but now it's not just the donors. The Trustees of the Wharton Business School, a part of UPenn, have now also called for her to be fired.

And over at Harvard, President Gay has issued an "apology" which basically ran like "Iz'a sorry, massah, Iz'a jes a poor lil' ol black girl who don' know nothin; bout these big hearings and stuff, and I wuz confused by alla dem white folks there."

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 08, 2023 05:26 PM (i9ffA)

145 Posted by: Mark1971 at December 08, 2023 05:23 PM (xPl2J)

My wife was pissed at me that we saw that movie.

Posted by: thathalfrican - The One at December 08, 2023 05:27 PM (FOqm7)

146 What's the Minus One?
Posted by: Eddie Spaghetti at December 08, 2023 04:56 PM (MMe0T)
______________

Moochelle. She'll be in the sequel, Godzilla vs. Moochelle.

Poor Godzilla.

Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara at December 08, 2023 05:27 PM (UD9kD)

147 sorry, the story is "The FlowerED Thundermug" by Alfred Bester.
Posted by: ace talking tough about vitamins at December 08, 2023 05:15 PM (KRtlO)

I looked up the book because I have a collection of Bester at home but not that one. Its a bit odd, about half to two third are duplicated. Don't recall reading the Thundermug, but your collection doesn't have Fondly Farenheit or Adam and No Eve which are his more remembered stories.

Posted by: Oldcat at December 08, 2023 05:27 PM (eoQWY)

148 Someone mentioned THE Substitute, the old Tom Berenger movie, a mercenary and his Girlfriend gets beaten up by thugs at the school, because drugs and gangs are rampant. Good dumb movie,

Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at December 08, 2023 05:27 PM (dKiJG)

149 Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo at December 08, 2023 05:25 PM (xcxpd)

For me it’s a one and done movie. Once you see it once? You never need to see it ever again.

Posted by: thathalfrican - The One at December 08, 2023 05:28 PM (FOqm7)

150 God's Samurai: Lead Pilot at Pearl Harbor

Thanks, PJ, for the hook recommend. I’ll be looking for this story. Sounds beautiful.

Posted by: Patrick at December 08, 2023 05:28 PM (44R7a)

151 Other dummies.

Microsoft said it has spotted seven such videos since July 2023, featuring celebrities like Priscilla Presley, Breaking Bad actor Dean Norris, The US Office actress Kate Flannery and Scrubs star John C McGinley.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at December 08, 2023 05:28 PM (FVME7)

152 I have a friend who recently moved to Syracuse, NY and is seeing G-1 in a 4dx theater. It this a thing? Not that I will ever get to attend such a theater here in Improved Mexico.

Posted by: lost in space at December 08, 2023 05:28 PM (Lqt5D)

153 For me it’s a one and done movie. Once you see it once? You never need to see it ever again.
Posted by: thathalfrican - The One at December 08, 2023 05:28 PM (FOqm7)

I've watched the first half of Oldboy maybe a dozen times. That hallway fight with the hammer....but I stop right after that. Don't want to go where it's heading.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo at December 08, 2023 05:29 PM (xcxpd)

154 We watched "Escape from Mogadishu" last night. It's about the North and South Korean diplomatic corps trying to escape from riots and civil war in Mogadishu, and ending up cooperating with each other a bit to escape the diversity.

It's not bad; the dialogue is mostly in Korean, with subtitles of course, but it works.

Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara at December 08, 2023 05:29 PM (UD9kD)

155 Russia has tricked several US actors on the video message platform Cameo into spreading falsehoods about Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky.
The latest propaganda push was outlined in a Thursday report by Microsoft's Threat Analysis Center.
In the videos, celebrities like actor Elijah Wood appear to be sending a personal message to Mr Zelensky asking him to get help with substance use.

https://tinyurl.com/4fw72t6f
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at December 08, 2023 05:26 PM (FVME7)

I don't know if its Russia as Russia but there are some well known Russian pranksters who specialize in pretending they are someone famous and record conversations with World leaders to make them look stupider.

Posted by: Oldcat at December 08, 2023 05:29 PM (eoQWY)

156 Barry Lyndon is free on YouTube. Ryan doesn't need to act much, so it's very good.

Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at December 08, 2023 05:30 PM (nnp+f)

157 Same way. I have been dragged to too many movies, especially the one's with "kick-ass special effects" that are so thoroughly loud that they hit my anger nerve. For many years now, the background music has overpowered all the dialogue. I can't stand it.

Not a problem here. (In fact one critical Godzilla-involved moment of extreme violence very deliberately goes silent.)

Posted by: Brother Tim sez Max Headroom for President! at December 08, 2023 05:30 PM (OUMaO)

158 >>> 4dx theater. It this a thing?

oh I heard of that one time and looked it up! but i forget what the heck it was.

Posted by: ace talking tough about vitamins at December 08, 2023 05:30 PM (KRtlO)

159 "I did see Pacific Rim and enjoyed it immensely, but that was giant robots fighting giant kaiju. What's not to love about that?
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel

I was told it cheapened the spirit of the genre.
Posted by: Kindltot at December 08, 2023"

Lol.

I'd have thought it expressed the platonic ideal of the genre, but maybe I haven't watched enough other examples.

I mean, you certainly can't ask things like "So where did they get all the building materials they're using" about it, but that part is a decent shorthand for the hubris of man that tends to be a theme.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at December 08, 2023 05:30 PM (ou9hh)

160 I've watched the first half of Oldboy maybe a dozen times. That hallway fight with the hammer....but I stop right after that. Don't want to go where it's heading.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo at December 08, 2023 05:29 PM (xcxpd)
______________

Is that the Paul Pelosi story?

Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara at December 08, 2023 05:30 PM (UD9kD)

161 seeing G-1 in a 4dx theater. It this a thing? Not that I will ever get to attend such a theater here in Improved Mexico.

Posted by: lost in space

They have them in old Mexico, just down the road.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at December 08, 2023 05:31 PM (lTGtQ)

162 My Dad was stationed in Japan during the Occupation, and came back with some pretty cool handicrafts. He was very careful with a nickel, so I know he didn't pay much, but the workmanship was outstanding. Post-war Japanese worked like dogs for peanuts.
Posted by: Archimedes at December 08, 2023 04:56 PM (CsUN+)

Any item with a label that puts it firmly in the times of "occupied Japan" is worth some good money. I have some porcelain cats made during that time. Could fetch a good deal of cash for them.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at December 08, 2023 05:32 PM (BdMk6)

163 Godzirra!!!

Posted by: tubal at December 08, 2023 05:33 PM (PCK5/)

164 Ace, there are so many great Japanese films:

Kurosawa:
Seven Samurai
Ikiru

Anime:
In This Corner of the World
Grave of the Fireflies

Posted by: Erik L at December 08, 2023 05:33 PM (x/8tY)

165 Posted by: Tom Servo at December 08, 2023 05:26 PM (i9ffA)

Legal Insurrection site reporting that MIT has given it's full and uncondtional support to its President. Dr. Kornbluth. They're obviously getting a lot of money from Arab interests.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 08, 2023 05:33 PM (RSbhh)

166 160 I've watched the first half of Oldboy maybe a dozen times. That hallway fight with the hammer....but I stop right after that. Don't want to go where it's heading.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo at December 08, 2023 05:29 PM (xcxpd)
______________

Is that the Paul Pelosi story?
Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara at December 08, 2023 05:30 PM (UD9kD)

Hammer Time - The Paul Pelosi story is a kiddy tale compared to what happens in Oldboy, especially at the climax. Ugh.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo at December 08, 2023 05:33 PM (xcxpd)

167 We were going to see Godzilla this weekend.

Unfortunately, it's already being pushed of the biggest screens locally for Oppenheimer(what the...? You go home Oppy, you been here too long!!!)

and the new Miyazaki, which I also want to see, but-

Hold your horses, Miyazaki! Lemme see the Big G on the big screen!!!

The best screen left is something called "ScreenX", which I think is just a regular screen with wings screens. Something like the old Cinema process, I guess.

Anyone here see a movie on "Screen X"? What did you think?

Posted by: naturalfake at December 08, 2023 05:33 PM (QzZeQ)

168 Next weeks entertainment.

This week, dishwasher wrestling succeeds Yea!!!

Posted by: DaveA at December 08, 2023 05:33 PM (FhXTo)

169 156 Barry Lyndon is free on YouTube. Ryan doesn't need to act much, so it's very good.
Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at December 08, 2023 05:30 PM (nnp+f

The first half of Barry Lyndon is very good, the second half is depressing and winds down into a disapointing ending. Yeah I know it's supposed to mirror Barry Lyndon's life, but still.

In a way it reminds me of the Taylor/Burton epic Cleopatra. I decided it was extremely good as long as Rex Harrison (Julius Caesar) was on screen. After he dies, halfway through, the rest goes to shit.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 08, 2023 05:34 PM (i9ffA)

170 And and anime fans or fans of animation or just romance stories....'Your Name' is really, really good. Really.

Even has a happy ending which Japanese romances rarely have.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo at December 08, 2023 05:34 PM (xcxpd)

171 No love for Disney? I mean what could be more boring then a male kaiju. Too much testosterone and no racial undertones.

Posted by: Kathleen Kennedy's Front Hole at December 08, 2023 05:35 PM (e1mwr)

172 Ace, there are so many great Japanese films:

Kurosawa:
Seven Samurai
Ikiru

Anime:
In This Corner of the World
Grave of the Fireflies
Posted by: Erik L at December 08, 2023 05:33 PM (x/8tY)

I only dipped a toe in Anime but I liked Noir on a Stephen Den Beste recommendation, and Nadia Secret of Blue Water and Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040.

Posted by: Oldcat at December 08, 2023 05:35 PM (eoQWY)

173 You think they will reboot Mothra or Gamera??

Posted by: tubal at December 08, 2023 05:35 PM (PCK5/)

174 Here's a quick list off the top of my head-
I Saw the Devil
Memories of Murder
Train to Busan
Mother (2009)
The Kingdom
Business Proposal
Joint Security Area
The Wailing
White Badge
Operation Chromite

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo at December 08, 2023 05:21 PM (xcxpd)

"Chaser" is a great Korean movie. Watch it if you get the chance.

Posted by: naturalfake at December 08, 2023 05:36 PM (QzZeQ)

175 54 >>>That bus plunging in the river, posted here by Ace? a day or so ago? It didn't say when or where. Here you go
DM
2013
https://is.gd/qouIZI

thanks. I'm glad to see everyone survived. You know, I didn't even consider that there might have been casualties.

Posted by: ace talking tough about vitamins at December 08, 2023 05:03 PM (KRtlO)
----
Actually 2 kids died. A 12-year-old and five-year-old girl were killed but I don't know if they drowned or suffered mortal injuries. My family, with me included, did something similar in Uganda, in our small FIAT, but not as deep - just a flooded plain running over the slightly raised road.

Posted by: Ciampino - That was hard to believe. at December 08, 2023 05:36 PM (qfLjt)

176 In a way it reminds me of the Taylor/Burton epic Cleopatra. I decided it was extremely good as long as Rex Harrison (Julius Caesar) was on screen. After he dies, halfway through, the rest goes to shit.
Posted by: Tom Servo at December 08, 2023 05:34 PM (i9ffA)

Well that's historical from her point of view. Antony turned out to be not nearly good enough to beat Octavian, and not smart enough to avoid a fight with him.

Posted by: Oldcat at December 08, 2023 05:36 PM (eoQWY)

177 >>> Russia has tricked several US actors on the video message platform Cameo into spreading falsehoods about Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky.

He played the piano with his dick!

FALSE - Zelensky cannot play the piano, but just dragged his dick up and down the keyboard.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at December 08, 2023 05:37 PM (cOq4q)

178 Tom Servo, Good to know I'm not the only one that feels that way about Cleopatra

Posted by: Ben Had at December 08, 2023 05:37 PM (Vb2T3)

179 Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo at December 08, 2023 05:29 PM (xcxpd)

It was a good scene. Still think The Raid 1 has a better hallway fight.

Posted by: thathalfrican - The One at December 08, 2023 05:37 PM (FOqm7)

180 "Chaser" is a great Korean movie. Watch it if you get the chance.
Posted by: naturalfake at December 08, 2023 05:36 PM (QzZeQ)

Thankee

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo at December 08, 2023 05:37 PM (xcxpd)

181 Par for the course for Biden

Head of Org That Partnered With Biden Admin to “Fight Antisemitism” Praises October 7 Hamas Terror Attack

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at December 08, 2023 05:37 PM (FVME7)

182 Thx Oldcat - will check those out!

Posted by: Erik L at December 08, 2023 05:37 PM (x/8tY)

183 165 Posted by: Tom Servo at December 08, 2023 05:26 PM (i9ffA)

Legal Insurrection site reporting that MIT has given it's full and uncondtional support to its President. Dr. Kornbluth. They're obviously getting a lot of money from Arab interests.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 08, 2023 05:33 PM (RSbhh)

Yes, they are - and the Arabs, coming from the oil states, are happy to pay jacked up tuitions which subsidize the rest of the university. That's what has driven the Islamization of a lot of higher ed in the US.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 08, 2023 05:38 PM (i9ffA)

184 Adam and No Eve which are his more remembered stories.
-----
I read that in one of the There Will Be War short story anthologies.

Posted by: andycanuck (krqg6) at December 08, 2023 05:38 PM (krqg6)

185 It was a good scene. Still think The Raid 1 has a better hallway fight.
Posted by: thathalfrican - The One at December 08, 2023 05:37 PM (FOqm7)

Oh! I forgot the Raid series! Those are good. I wasn't sure if they were Korean or not....

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo at December 08, 2023 05:38 PM (xcxpd)

186 169 I think Barry Lyndon is based on a book written back when rogues got theirs in the end.

Each scene is as beautiful as an oil painting from the 18th century.

Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at December 08, 2023 05:38 PM (nnp+f)

187 Completely OT:

fresh untainted wood.

Just how much do we think Hunter spent on getting his taint paddled?

And is there a bonus in town?

Posted by: DaveA at December 08, 2023 05:38 PM (FhXTo)

188 I saw Gojira Minus One in IMAX. I’m a fan that goes back to the time when the first movie was butchered with scenes of Raymond Burr narrarating the action. I have come to dislike that version immensely, especially since see the full movie with sub-titles.

G:MO pays homage to the original with the music, story references and an enhanced Gojira roar. The story telling is top-notch. The only message I got from the anti-government rants is that ultimately, if Japan is to be saved (I thought it alluded to the decline of Japanese culture as well as the rapidly declining birth rate), only the Japanese people can save Japan and not government action.

Every yen spent on production is on the screen. They’re still a little behind on the CGI, but with a few more high-quality movies like this one, Toho studios should begin to rival Hwood in the visuals department.

Posted by: CC Ghostrider at December 08, 2023 05:38 PM (lRsZG)

189 Thanks Ace and commentors.
Looks like it's playing on three theaters here in town.
Definitely going to check it out Saturday.
Wife and I both love just about any Godzilla movies.

Posted by: Bosk of Port Kar at December 08, 2023 05:38 PM (geB2x)

190 Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo at December 08, 2023 05:38 PM (xcxpd)

Indonesian.

The Raid 2 was not as good as the first but it was still excellent.

The Man From Nowhere is SUPER good.

Posted by: thathalfrican - The One at December 08, 2023 05:40 PM (FOqm7)

191 Saw it yesterday. It's fantastic.

First time I've been in a theater in over 10 years.

Saw it in IMAX. SO WORTH THE EXTRA MONEY!

Posted by: comradearthur at December 08, 2023 05:40 PM (lJ0uc)

192 sigh...nood

This was fun tho

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, anti-Marxist, buy ammo at December 08, 2023 05:41 PM (xcxpd)

193 > I only dipped a toe in Anime but I liked Noir on a Stephen Den Beste recommendation, and Nadia Secret of Blue Water and Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040.

I've tried to like anime. I LOVED Totoro, Spirited Away, Cowboy Bebop, and the Avatar: Last Airbender. But I hated so many other ones, even highly recommended ones.

Posted by: bonhomme at December 08, 2023 05:41 PM (Odg76)

194 Anyone here see a movie on "Screen X"? What did you think?
Posted by: naturalfake at December 08, 2023 05:33 PM (QzZeQ)

didn't have a different name before Elon Musk bought it?

Posted by: Kindltot at December 08, 2023 05:41 PM (D7oie)

195 167

Anyone here see a movie on "Screen X"? What did you think?
Posted by: naturalfake at December 08, 2023 05:33 PM (QzZeQ)

---------------

I saw Mission Impossible on Screen X and hated it. Thankfully it wasn't a wraparound the entire movie, just big action scenes. The color and lighting was drab, it's distracting, I didn't think it added anything to the experience, there is no screen, they just project it on the freaking walls. Maybe you'd like it, I don't want to discourage you. But for me, I'll never see anything on that stupid shit format again.

Posted by: Charles Nelson Reilly at December 08, 2023 05:41 PM (h8c/W)

196 Dad was an IATSE member. The union includes, or, included, motion picture projectionists. Can't see a movie without someone to run the projector, although they use the theater managers now, plus it's mostly digital. I operated a few levers in my time when Dad was working. That little circle that blipped in the top right corner told the operator it was time to change to the next reel.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 08, 2023 05:41 PM (Angsy)

197
Yes, they are - and the Arabs, coming from the oil states, are happy to pay jacked up tuitions which subsidize the rest of the university. That's what has driven the Islamization of a lot of higher ed in the US.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 08, 2023 05:38 PM

When my son was at Penn State University, main campus, which has a nuclear program he mentioned the students in the program.

You don't wanna know. Israel doesn't wanna know. But I'm glad they're working on the latest tech to defeat rocketry.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at December 08, 2023 05:42 PM (enJYY)

198 Federal Appeals Court Orders Texas to Remove Razor Wire Border Barriers From Rio Grande - Abbott Promises to Take It to SCOTUS

-
It's in the barbarians over citizens clause.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at December 08, 2023 05:43 PM (FVME7)

199 Adam and No Eve which are his more remembered stories.
-----
I read that in one of the There Will Be War short story anthologies.
Posted by: andycanuck (krqg6) at December 08, 2023 05:38 PM (krqg6)

Bester said that this is the most remembered but forgotten story of his. He's had people come up to him when they find he was an SF writer and say "There's this story I never forgot but don't know what it is named or who wrote it..." and describe Adam and No Eve.

Posted by: Oldcat at December 08, 2023 05:44 PM (eoQWY)

200 173 You think they will reboot Mothra or Gamera??
Posted by: tubal at December 08, 2023 05:35 PM (PCK5/)

I rewatched Mothra with my grandson a couple months ago, and that is absolutely the most surreal of all of the Kaiju movies. Most of it isn't about Mothra at all, but rather the two pint size singing twins in their little golden carriage. It makes you think someone was dropping acid when they made this one.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 08, 2023 05:45 PM (i9ffA)

201 I think Barry Lyndon is based on a book written back when rogues got theirs in the
Each scene is as beautiful as an oil painting from the 18th century.
Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at December 08, 2023 05:38 PM (nnp+f)

This why I enjoyed it. The scene sets and blocking were like stills to be painted.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at December 08, 2023 05:47 PM (BdMk6)

202 I've tried to like anime. I LOVED Totoro, Spirited Away, Cowboy Bebop, and the Avatar: Last Airbender. But I hated so many other ones, even highly recommended ones.
Posted by: bonhomme at December 08, 2023 05:41 PM (Odg76)

Well, they aren't as rigorously homogenized as US equivalents, so you get a lot of variety - even in the same series. It might help to id why you didn't like some of the others and find ones closer to the ones you did like.

Posted by: Oldcat at December 08, 2023 05:57 PM (eoQWY)

203 Oldcat and bonhomme - I loved Avatar: The Last Airbender - and I'm older than 29

Posted by: Erik L at December 08, 2023 05:59 PM (x/8tY)

204
Hari Kiri is my favorite Samurai film, well worth watching.

Are there people of color in this Godzilla film? A lesbian heroine and love story?

Someone should be telling the attendees at Norman Lear's funeral that Hollywood is as dead as he is, and won't be resurrected in 2025.

Posted by: Auspex at December 08, 2023 06:00 PM (j4U/Z)

205 Saw the original (American version) in the movies in 1956 when I was 9 years old. Went back to see it twice more. And in those days, the features played for only three days. Saw it in August 1956 and loved the last two version. I especially like the fact that they used the original "roar" this time. Will be seeing it over the weekend.

Oh, the original was part of a double feature. The 'main" feature? "Anything Goes" with Bing Crosby!

Posted by: thatcrazyjerseyguy now with twice the crazy at December 08, 2023 06:08 PM (iODuv)

206 >>>Ryan O'Neal died.
He was 82.

too bad. Someone keeps telling me to watch Paper Moon.

I really liked him in Zero Effect. He plays a bad man being blackmailed. He really sells the idea of a man being weighed upon by stress and guilty conscience.
Posted by: ace talking tough about vitamins at December 08, 2023 05:04 PM (KRtlO)

Zero Effect is a quirky movie. It's basically a re-telling of the Sherlock Holmes story, "A Scandal in Bohemia."

Posted by: Retired Buckeye Cop is now an engineer at December 08, 2023 06:22 PM (pJWtt)

207 @41
I only hope Toho makes 10X returns on this. Actually, that's too small. Let's go for 50X. ($750M on a $15M budget would be a BIG rebuke. Probably not happening, but what else would people watch this Christmas?)

--------

It's working with two handicaps. The first is the very limited run in theaters. Even with the extension, it's last day in US theaters is the 14th.

The second handicap is that a lot of people are completely unaware of it. I saw a comment elsewhere where someone said he'd brought it up with the guys who run his local comic book shop, and none of them had heard of it.

Posted by: junior at December 08, 2023 06:25 PM (wP/1w)

208 He played the piano with his dick!

FALSE - Zelensky cannot play the piano, but just dragged his dick up and down the keyboard.
Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at December 08, 2023 05:37 PM (cOq4q)
_______________

Thank God we've returned to normalcy and civility, not to mention proper decorum.

Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara at December 08, 2023 06:31 PM (UD9kD)

209 Theaters are already showing lots of retro movies it seems. The shortage of films is already upon us. Not that such a situation is a terrible loss given the garbage being made these days.
As for Godzilla, I saw it last weekend and I absolutely loved it!!! Gonna see it again this weekend just to show my support for something that is actually good. I honestly can't remember the last time I saw a movie in theaters twice and even then, it's a number I can count on one hand and have fingers to spare.

Posted by: Daniel Kunkle at December 08, 2023 06:34 PM (9JdPm)

210 Check out John Wayne's The Alamo. The DVD has a promo by John Wayne, which I can't find on Youtube. Comparing it to Disney's flop remake, it reminds me of Team America, 'you miss her like Michael Bay missed the mark in Pearl Harbor'

John Wayne, "We hope you'll like our version of the events at The Alamo. How do you measure a man's honor?

Posted by: MikeN at December 08, 2023 06:37 PM (XygMV)

211 Foreign movies are where it's at! You can watch the best popcorn movies from Korea, China, Japan and have all the fun with a fraction of the politics.

(And they're usually not bad or anything you have to care about.)

Posted by: Moviegique (buy my books!) at December 08, 2023 06:59 PM (wSxXC)

212 50 Margot Robie as Godzilla.

Posted by: Richard Sean McEnroe at December 08, 2023 09:26 PM (8fxF+)

213 "Red River" is a great one if you're checking out a John Wayne movie.

Posted by: Tony Gaggiotti at December 09, 2023 07:55 PM (mU+i9)

214 >>Field Marshal Zhukov said: I think Barry Lyndon is based on a book written back when rogues got theirs in the end.

>>Each scene is as beautiful as an oil painting from the 18th century.
-----------------------
It's based on a Thackeray novel. And yes it is the most beautifully filmed ever IMO

Posted by: Tony Gaggiotti at December 09, 2023 07:59 PM (mU+i9)

215 Hello, I desire to subscribe for this webpage
to obtain most recent updates, therefore where can i do it please assist.

Posted by: Roderick at December 12, 2023 04:37 AM (Qdkx4)

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