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Godzilla Final Wars

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May 24, 2017February 17, 2024

Godzilla Final Wars (2004)

Godzilla Final Wars has been described as a remake of the classic Godzilla film, Destroy All Monsters — and to a degree, this is correct. However, my first impression is that it’s more along the lines of Power Rangers meet Godzilla. Godzilla appears in a flashback during the first few minutes of the film, in a fight with the human combat ship Gotengo, burying him in ice at the South Pole decades before the time of the movie — and he then isn’t seen for the next hour of the movie.

Instead, we see the Earth Defense Force fighting a mostly losing battle against various giant monsters seen in previous movies, including:

by user
May 24, 2017January 9, 2022

It Came from Outer Space (1953) starring Richard Carlson, Barbara Rush, Charles Drake, Russell Johnson

It Came from Outer Space (1953) – After seeing a spaceship crash into the desert, a local writer is treated like an insane person – until people start acting out of character, and heading to the old mine shaft …

by user
May 23, 2017May 10, 2022

Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors (1965) starring Peter Cushing, Neil McCallum, Christopher Lee, Roy Castle, Max Adrian, Donald Sutherland

Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors was Amicus’ first attempt at an anthology of 5 horror stories, with a very good framing device. The entire film takes place on a train, where 5 gentlemen — total strangers — sit together and wait to reach their destination. To pass the time, these passengers each have their futures foretold by a 6th individual; a quiet, mild man named Doctor Sandor Shreck (Peter Cushing) — Shreck being the German word for “terror”. He relies on a deck of Tarot cards to tell the future. The Doctor instructs each reluctant participant to tap the deck three times; after, the first four images dealt tell the listener his fate. While an extra fifth card explains how it can be avoided. The five stories foretold are:

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May 23, 2017May 10, 2022

Them! (1954) starring James Arness, James Whitmore, Edmund Gwenn, Joan Weldon

There are certain movie cliches, and the 1950’s is possibly best known for the science fiction “giant monster” movie (ie. Kaiju). It often served as a morality story, about the dangers of atomic energy, unexpected consequences, and fear of the future, using ordinary animals that have been mutated to giant size to tell the story. It’s been told many times since, but never better than in the first movie of its’ type, Them!

by user
May 22, 2017November 2, 2021

The Cabinet of Caligari (1962), starring Glynis Johns

First off, it needs to be noted that this is not a remake of the classic horror film. It is, instead, more of a psychological thriller. The Cabinet of Dr. Calibari begins with young Jane (played by the lovely Glynis Johns – the mother in Mary Poppins, the heroine in The Court Jester) driving along, and having a tire blowout. She walks for what seems like hours until she happens upon a house. Where she is taken in by the titular Dr. Caligari (Dan O’Herlihy). But the next day, when she wants to leave, she finds she cannot. She is a prisoner in the house, along with several others — and the doctor’s staff.

by user
May 22, 2017May 28, 2023

The Monster and the Girl (1941) starring George Zucco, Ellen Drew, Phillip Terry, Robert Paige, Paul Lukas

The Monster and the Girl is a very good “B” movie, well acted, with a cast that the audience cares about. It begins as a courtroom drama, only to pivot to a horror movie. It begins by telling the story of a small town girl named Susan Webster (Ellen Drew) who yearns for the sights and sounds of the big city. Over the objections of her protective brother, Scot (Phillip Terry). What Susan finds in New York isn’t what she bargained for, as she is romanced by smooth talking Larry Reid (Robert Paige) who’s intentions are not as sincere as they first seem. Going through a sham marriage to Larry, she is forced into a prostitution ring run by gangster W. S. Bruhl (Paul Lukas).

by user
May 22, 2017May 10, 2022

Werewolf of London (1935), starring Henry Hull, Warner Oland, Valerie Hobson

In Universal Picture’s first werewolf film, the 1935 Werewolf of London, there are several themes woven together. One is simply that of a scientist seeking to expand knowledge — Dr. Wilfrid Glendon (Henry Hull), who’s traveling in Tibet, looking for a legendary flower. In his quest, he enters a “forbidden valley” where he’s attacked by a wolf-like creature; but he manages to return alive with the flower regardless.

by user
May 22, 2017September 3, 2023

The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945) starring George Sanders, Hurd Hatfield, Angela Lansbury, Donna Reed, Peter Lawford

The Picture of Dorian Gray is one of the great movies. It’s about a young man who, after an off-hand wish, finds himself unaging, with age — and corruption — affecting his portrait. But he himself is apparently untouched. He is guided down the path of corruption and self-indulgence. He leads, directly or indirectly, to multiple deaths and suicides. Can he find salvation?

by user
May 22, 2017May 10, 2022

The Deadly Mantis (1952) starring Craig Stevens, Alix Talton, William Hopper

Synopsis of The Deadly Mantis

When a giant, prehistoric praying mantis is released from its’ icy grave, it revives. Then, it looks for food. But the only food in the Arctic are the various military people and researchers posted there. It leaves no living survivors to tell the tail. When a paleontologist looks at the evidence, he realizes what’s going on … And has trouble convincing anyone else, until the Deadly Mantis goes where there’s more food–New York.

by user
May 22, 2017May 10, 2022

The Pit and the Pendulum (1961) starring Vincent Price, Barbara Steele

It has been said that Vincent Price often played the role of the tragic monster. And that’s never truer than in The Pit and the Pendulum. Vincent Price plays Don Nicholas Medina, a man whose wife has unexpectedly passed away. And whose brother-in-law has come seeking to find out the truth of his sister’s death.

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