Movie Reviews XX

Gojira X MekaGojira (2002)
C+
Tezuka has improved. Oshima has improved. Unfortunately
whatever Tezuka told Kitagawa to do has ruined his perf-
ormance as Godzilla. He barely moves at all in this film,
which is sad because this revised MechaG is so much
better than what we got in 1993. It's good to see improvement
in the director. It's also interesting to see the subtle
changes for the Kiryu-Goji suit. Worth checking out, especially
if you enjoy MechaGodzilla.


Gojira X Mosura X MekaGojira: Tokyo S.O.S. (2003)
B-
This is by far pinnacle of Tezuka's Godzilla directing
career. This film, along with GMK, and maybe if I'm
particularly in bad judgement, Final Wars do the best
job of mimicking the feeling of the Showa series since
Terror of MechaGodzilla in 1975. Mothra looks amazing,
and quite possibly the best its ever looked. The Godzilla
suit acting is much improved. I do feel the whole "Life
should be lived in the time allowed" thing to be terribly
forced, but it fits with Tezuka's other stuff. It tries too hard
some times. Still a worthwhile fillm to check out.


The Giant Gila Monster (1959)
D
I've known about this movie since I was around five years
old. I just watched it. It's terrible. There's barely any
monster action. The small town feel that they attempt to
recreate is just aggravating and poorly done. I also dislike
how sloppily the few miniatures are. Sorry, I grew up on
Tsuburaya's brand. There are a lot of songs in the film
that are embarassing and...well...just bizarre. Pass this
one up for sure.


Sora no Daikaiju Radon (1956)
B
Rodan was one of the first non-Godzilla monster movies
from Japan that I watched. It was really neat. I enjoyed it.
Well as I grew up I watched it less and less. Now I've re-
watched it and my god is it gloriously underrated in my
mind. The score is quite possibly my favorite from Ifukube.
Rodan looks the best here that it will ever look. How sad/
strange. Still, this movie is just...so well done, on so many levels.
This, along with Mothra are what make the Toho solo effects
films just as great as the Godzilla series.


Notorious (1946)
B
You know...Hitchcock hasn't really impressed me. I mean
not since I watched North by Northwest. Cary Grant is
fun to watch as always, but I can't help but not care
about the characters or the story. Maybe I just have
terrible taste? I dunno, it's highly possible. I'm sure
this is great for true Hitchcock fans, but whatev.