kevinxirau

I've seen plenty of werewolf films in my time from "The Wolfman" to "Van Helsing", but none quite like the concept of "Bad Moon" (1996), which is based on the 1994 novel "Thor" by Wayne Smith (no relation to the Norse god). I remember seeing a clip of it on the internet years ago, but only recently decided to see it. Does it hold up?

Plot: Photo-journalist Ted returns home from a trip to Nepal to see his sister Janet, her son Brett, and their faithful dog Thor. However, a series of violent killings have been occurring in the woods that appear animalistic in nature. Though Janet is filled with dread and uncertainty over this whole situation, Thor senses that the threat is closer to home than she fears to admit.

What sets "Bad Moon" (and the novel) apart from other werewolf stories is that the protagonist isn't any of the human characters, but the dog! Before "Courage The Cowardly Dog", Thor stood guard against a supernatural threat. Credit to the film crew for making this dedicated pet very believable as a character without humanizing him, reacting to situations as any dog could. A lot of time is spent seeing things from his perspective and you can't help but root for him when he has the monster in his sights, especially in their vicious clashes. As for the werewolf, it's portrayed via suit acting. The design is rough around the edges, but there's a nice amount of articulation in the face and the body proportions are good, making it threatening enough (though the one transformation scene looks terrible). The film also offers its own take on the lore of the creature in a pretty fun way. Janet's predicament is compelling with her not certain why her dog is acting strange but having her suspicions drawn in multiple directions, so you can understand her reluctance when she has her revelations. Ted has some pathos to him, though there are a couple of cheesy moments that somewhat dampen this aspect. Finally, there's Brett, who's love for his pet and willingness to trust and help him is very much the film's heart. The opening has a gratuitous sex scene, which may leave a bad first impression that is a cheap B-movie, but once you get past that the film does get better. By contrast, the climax is tense, giving a decent sense of claustrophobia as this huge beast targets the family within the confines of their own home and Thor desperately defends them.

Though there are elements that could've been executed better, "Bad Moon" is among the more refreshing takes on werewolves, especially in the approach in having a dog as the central character done in a way that can be taken seriously. Glad I checked this one out.

The famed Godzilla franchise has gone through many changes, but none quite like this. After the disappointment of "Godzilla vs Megaguirus", Toho needed a more surefire hit. As such, they turned to the crew behind the hit 90s Gamera trilogy. The result is an entry that goes for an unconventional interpretation of famous kaiju while presenting thoughtful themes regarding Japan's history.

Plot: Strange disasters have been occurring all over Japan. A mysterious old man warns these are all signs of the impending return of Godzilla, resurrected and possessed by the vengeful victims of the country's aggression during WW2. As such, three ancient guardian beasts, Baragon, Mothra, and King Ghidorah, are awakened to protect Japan. Film documentarian Yuri Tachibana must convince the army to join forces with the guardians to stop this giant-sized nightmare.

Back when I saw this as a kid, I was somewhat put off with the changes to traditional elements of the main kaiju. Originally, Varan and Anguirus were meant to star in this film, but were replaced with Mothra and Ghidorah for marketability, consequently making the latter into a hero, not to mention having all three guardians nerfed drastically. Since then, however, I was able to fully appreciate the film. The guardians sport great designs and display character that make them compelling underdogs, not to mention a backstory steeped in mysticism and mystery. As for Godzilla, this is the one incarnation that is straight-up evil. With his imposing size, blank eyes, and spite, he is a wraith come to harshly punish Japan for its sins and forgetfulness of the past. The battles and destruction have a hard punch to them, unafraid to directly show casualties and chaotic aftermath across different settings from mountains to cities to the ocean. The practical effects hold up fairly well while the CGI varies in quality.

The human characters are actually good, namely protagonist Yuri and her father Admiral Taizo Tachibana. They have a nice relationship, each presenting different perspectives regarding their professions and generational views, which plays a key role in aiding the guardian kaiju. There are some standouts like Yuri's coworkers, who are quirky in an entertaining way. Those who watched the Gamera trilogy will also spot a few nice cameos. The story is told well, emphasizing the need to acknowledge the past and grow from it rather than simply forgetting it. It takes a while to get going, but once it does it's a thrill. I also must mention the music by Kow Otani. I get chills from listening to it, ranging from soothing and spiritual to intense and despairing to just plain epic. Easily one of the best tracks in the franchise.

All and all, GMK is an unusual entry, but nonetheless a solid flick. It has the right balance of story, characters, themes, action, and monsters. Dare I say, this is within the top ranks of Godzilla films. Worth a watch.

Man, I've been looking forward to this one! In the wake of a struggling American cinema, Japan graces us with a brand-new kaiju film that shockingly impressed Western audiences left and right. That, folks, is "Godzilla Minus One".

Plot: A few years after WW2, disgraced kamikaze pilot Shikishima struggles to settle down with his new family and friends. However, a ghost from the past has returned to haunt him as well as the nation, the saurian Godzilla, mutated by nuclear radiation. As the monster vents his rage and plunges Japan in despair, Shikishima and his cohorts face their inner demons and unite to defend their homeland when no one else could.

This film is cinematic in every possible way. The story tackles the trauma the Japanese people had to deal with after the war head-on: failures on top of a crippling defeat, personal loss, government failings, and economic decline. Shikishima is a great protagonist, wracked with guilt to the point of reoccurring nightmares yet deep down wants to make amends and help those close to him towards a brighter future, helped by his lovable bunch of companions with their own distinct personalities and insecurities who also served during the war. The drama and interpersonal conflicts are powerful, really making you feel their turmoil, so much so that even when the monster isn't around for a long stretch, they keep you engaged (I actually heard someone in the audience crying from such scenes!). All this serves to emphasize the theme of living and rebuilding after such harrowing times.

As for Godzilla, he's presented as an aggressive territorial animal. He feels huge yet personal, his mere presence spine-chilling and power very impactful. This is helped by haunting music (though you still get the classic theme) and equally scary imagery and hard-hitting violence (not overtly bloody, mind you, but enough to leave an impression). There were even moments where it felt like "Jaws" in a good way. The times when he uses his atomic breath alone are straight up jaw-dropping. The army's battles with the kaiju are also done well, a good amount of destruction and utter fear, with a climax that's creative in its concept and execution. All this spectacle is done with excellent special effects despite being a fraction of the usual American budget these days; I could practically count every scale on Big G.

All in all, "Godzilla Minus One" is a must-see that is well-deserved of the large amount of praise it's getting. Not only does it present the monster in a scary light that borders on horror, but it also has human characters that keep your attention, not to mention great music, effects, action, and story. My only slight critique is that the second half does drag a little. I should note that, as of the timing of this review, it's in Japanese with English subtitles, though the actors use a lot of facial expressions to convey the right emotions even when not talking. It gets my recommendation to those who haven't seen it. Long live the King of the Monsters!