Tag: criterion

Roach Infested Alien cockroaches from outer space leave their polluted planet, head to Earth, and build a children’s theme park. That’s kooky material, even by 1970s Godzilla standards. Godzilla …

Smoggy As Godzilla vs Hedorah’s opening credits close, a broken clock floats on ocean sludge. An hour chime sounds. Then a smash cut to a close-up of bright flowers. …

Undervalued Parable At the end of All Monsters Attack, 10 year-old Ichiro (Tomonori Yazaki) fights a bully to earn respect. Then, Ichiro torments a sign maker. It’s an oft …

Do the Monster Mash Set in 1999, Destroy All Monsters conceives an internationally shared space headquarters on Iwo Jima. At Destroy All Monsters’ release in 1968, Iwo Jima remained …

Baby Doll Soaking in island heat, Son of Godzilla wrestles with Japanese idealism. Scientists engage in experiments meant to solve Earth’s forthcoming hunger crisis, seeking to turn weather in …

History in Monsters During World War II’s final days, Okinawa became a pivotal battleground. Prior, Imperial Japan took control of the island, effectively enslaving the native population, using propaganda …

Dirty Stinkin’ Rats Everything the alien Xiliens do is commanded by computers. Their entire society is based on rapid calculations. No one loves and no one marries without the …

Aliens Among Us Were Godzilla real, conspiracies would follow. That’s human nature. As Ghidorah: The Three Headed Monster opens, UFO watchers sit on a rooftop, hoping for an intergalactic …

While following a similar story to the prior Mothra, Mothra vs Godzilla finds a unique tone amid some outstanding action.

Tako’s Folly A US nuclear submarine looses Godzilla from ice that entombed the monster in Godzilla Raids Again. Then, King Kong is brought over to Japan thanks to a …

No Banana Oil Here Godzilla Raids Again’s opening act captures a snapshot of post-war Japan. Rather than Godzilla representing an actual nuclear force, Godzilla Raids Again positions the beast …

Blue Collar Brawl In the ‘80s, Hong Kong underwent an economic boom. That’s visible in Police Story. In the opening scene, a hill of tin squatter homes is backed …