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My Year with Godzilla

Garp

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As I near the end of my year with Hitch, I'm already planning my next venture. 2019 will be My Year with Godzilla.

OK, so that's not strictly accurate, as roughly 30% of the films I intend to view don't actually feature Godzilla. Maybe 'My Year with Kaiju' would be closer to the mark. But it doesn't sound as good to my ear. So 'My Year with Godzilla' it is.

I have a few guides with me for this journey. The Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies: Vol 1 and it's companion The Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies: Vol 2. These have helped me to collate a list of 52 films that have at least some connection to Godzilla, however tenuous.

I'm forgoing a strict chronology, and instead attempting to find some order in the appearance of the giant monsters themselves, hence the apparently random insertions of 'The Mysterians' and 'Space Amoeba'. I have literally been working on this list for months, and even I can't remember exactly why some of these placements exist, only that they made sense to me at the time. This thread was also useful, as well as others that I don't recall now.

I'm including TV appearances of Godzilla as bonuses, although I will only probably have time to watch a handful of them in the allotted week. Also, I don't intend to review the sources of the films (if they are on blu-ray, I will watch them that way, if at all possible) as I don't expect there to be any great video and audio masterworks here. Instead, I will mention whether I viewed the films 'subbed' or 'dubbed', if relevant. Again, lurking on various Kaiju-related forums has given me an idea of which films are better viewed in each format, but sometimes it may just come down to how tired I feel that day.

My acquaintance with Godzilla is even poorer than that of Hitchcock, before I started that project; from this list, I can safely say I've seen 4 films and some episodes of the 1978 TV show. And 2 of those films are American.

Again, if anyone wishes to join me, jump in at any point. As before, I'll update this thread weekly with each new review, vacations notwithstanding.
 

Garp

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BONUS: War at Sea from Hawaii to Malaya [1942]
BONUS Beast from 20000 Fathoms [1953]
1.1 - 1.6 Gojira [1954]
BONUS Lucky Dragon No. 5 [1959]
1.7 - 1.13 Godzilla, King of the Monsters [1956]
BONUS The Giant Behemoth [1959]
1.14 - 1.20 The Return of Godzilla [1984]
BONUS The Giant Claw [1957]
BONUS Q [1982] 
1.21 - 1.27 Godzilla 1985 [1985]
BONUS Pulgasari [1985]
BONUS Galgameth [1996]
BONUS The Lovers and The Despot [2016]
1.28 - 2.3 Godzilla Raids Again [1955]
BONUS Gigantis the Fire Monster [1959]
BONUS Reptilicus [1961]
BONUS Them! [1954]
2.4 - 2.10 Rodan [1956]
2.11 - 2.17 Mothra [1961]
BONUS Gorgo [1961]
BONUS Gappa [1967]
2.18 - 2.24 Mothra vs. Godzilla [1964]
BONUS Daimajin [1966]
2.25 - 3.3 Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster [1964]
BONUS Return of Daimajin [1966]
3.4 - 3.10 Invasion of Astro-Monster [1965]
BONUS Daimajin Strikes Again [1966]
BONUS Daimajin Kanon [TV] [2010]
3.11 - 3.17 Dogora [1964]
BONUS Agon [1964]
BONUS Mammoth Kong vs Gekko Kamen [TV] [1958]
BONUS King Kong [1933]
BONUS Son of Kong [1933]
3.18 - 3.24 King Kong vs. Godzilla [1962]
BONUS Konga [1961]
3.25 - 3.31 Varan [1958]
BONUS Varan [1962]
BONUS King Kong [1976]
BONUS King Kong Lives [1986]
4.1 - 4.7 Atragon [1963]
BONUS Super Atragon [1996]
4.8 - 4.14 Frankenstein conquers the World [1965]
BONUS Gamera the Giant Monster [1965]
4.15 - 4.21 War of the Gargantuas [1966]
BONUS Gamera vs Barugon [1966]
BONUS A*P*E [1976]
BONUS The King Kong Show  [TV] [1966]
4.22 - 4.28 King Kong Escapes [1967]
BONUS The Mighty Peking Man [1977]
BONUS Yeti: Giant of the 20th Century [1977]
BONUS Gamera vs Gyaos [1967]
BONUS Kong the Animated Series [TV] [2000]
4.29 - 5.5 Son of Godzilla [1967]
BONUS Original Animated Series [TV] [1978]
BONUS Gamera vs Viras [1968]
BONUS Kong, King of the Apes [TV] [2016]
5.6 - 5.12 Destroy All Monsters [1968]
BONUS Pacific Rim [2103]
BONUS Pacific Rim: Uprising [2018]
BONUS: Atlantic Rim [2013]
BONUS: Atlantic Rim: Resurrection [2018]
5.13 - 5.19 Ebirah, Horror of the Deep  [1966]
BONUS The X from Outer Space [1967]
BONUS Monster X Strikes Back [2008]
5.20 - 5.26 All Monsters Attack  [1969]
BONUS Gamera vs Guiron [1969]
BONUS Gamera vs Jiger [1970]
5.27 - 6.2 Godzilla vs. Hedorah  [1971]
BONUS Gamera vs Zigra [1971]
6.3 - 6.9 Godzilla vs. Gigan [1972]
6.10 - 6.16 Godzilla vs. Megalon [1973]
BONUS Ultraman [TV] [1966]
BONUS Voyage into Space [1970]
6.17 - 6.23 Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla [1974]
BONUS Daigoro vs Goliath [1972]
BONUS Attack of the Galactic Monsters [1983]
BONUS Godzilla vs Wolfman [1983]
6.24 - 6.30 Terror of Mechagodzilla [1975]
BONUS Go! Godman/Go Greenman {TV] [1972-4]
BONUS Super Inframan [1975]
BONUS Gamera: Super Monster [1980]
BONUS Zone Fighter [TV] [1973]
7.1 - 7.7 Godzilla vs. Biollante [1989]
BONUS Gunhed [1989]
7.8 - 7.14 Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah [1991]
BONUS Thunder of Gigantic Serpent [1988]
7.15 - 7.21 Godzilla vs. Mothra [1992]
BONUS The Three Treasures [1959]
BONUS Orochi the Eight-Headed Dragon [1994]
7.22 - 7.28 Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla 2 [1993]
BONUS The Magic Serpent [1966]
BONUS Sakuya: Slayer of Demons [2000]
BONUS Forbidden Planet [1956]
BONUS The Invisible Boy [1957]
BONUS The War of the Worlds [1953]
7.29 - 8.4 The Mysterians [1957
8.5 - 8.11 Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla [1994]
BONUS Godzilland [TV] [1996]
8.12 - 8.18 Battle in Outer Space [1959]
BONUS Gorath [1962]
BONUS The War in Space [1977]
8.19 - 8.25 Godzilla vs. Destoroyah [1995]
BONUS Godzilla Island [TV] [1997]
BONUS Zarkorr [1996]
BONUS Kraa! The Sea Monster [1998]
8.26 - 9.1 Rebirth of Mothra [1996]
BONUS Gamera: Guardian of the Universe [1995]
9.2 - 9.8 Rebirth of Mothra II [1997]
BONUS Gamera 2: Attack of the Legion [1996]
9.9 - 9.15 Rebirth of Mothra III [1998]
BONUS Gamera 3: The Revenge of Iris [1999]
9.16 - 9.22 Godzilla [1998]
BONUS The Series [TV] [1998]
BONUS Dragon Wars: D War [2007]
9.23 - 9.29 Godzilla, Mothra & King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack [2001]
BONUS Yongary [1967]
BONUS Reptilian [2001]
9.30 - 10.6 Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla [2002]
BONUS Garuda [2004]
10.7 - 10.13 Space Amoeba [1970]
BONUS The Host [2006]
10.14 - 10.20  Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. [2003]
BONUS Gamera the Brave [2006]
BONUS Godzilla: Battle for Eternity [2019]
10.21 - 10.27  Godzilla: Final Wars [2004]
BONUS Big Man Japan [2007]
BONUS Gerharha [2009]
10.28 - 11.3  Godzilla 2000 [2000]
BONUS Death Kappa [2010]
BONUS Giant God Warrior appears in Tokyo [2012]
11.4 - 11.10  Godzilla vs. Megaguirus [2000]
BONUS Negadon [2005]
BONUS Daikaiju Mono [2016]
11.11 - 11.17  Shin Godzilla [2016]
BONUS Colossal [2016]
BONUS Day of the Kaiju [2014]
11.18 - 11.24  Planet of the Monsters [2017]
BONUS Cloverfield [2008]
11.25 - 12.1  City on the Edge of Battle [2018]
BONUS 10 Cloverfield Lane [2016]
12.2 - 12.8  The Planet Eater [2018]
BONUS The Cloverfield Paradox [2018]
BONUS Monsters [2010]
BONUS Monsters: Dark Continent [2014]
BONUS King Kong [2005]
BONUS Reigo the Deep Sea Monster [2005]
BONUS Deep Sea Monster Raiga [2009]
12.9 - 12.15  Skull Island [2017]
BONUS Mighty Joe Young [1949]
BONUS Mighty Joe Young [1988]
12.16 - 12.22  Godzilla [2014]
BONUS Ultraman the Next [2004]
BONUS Ultraman [TV] [2019]
BONUS Mega Monster Battle [2009]
BONUS Rampage [2018]
12.23 - 12.29  Godzilla: King of the Monsters [2019]
 

TM2YC

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Garp said:
[font=Arial, sans-serif]9.16 - 9.22 Godzilla [1998][/font]

For the love of god don't do it. It's not worth it!
 

Jrzag42

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Good luck with this! I've only seen a handful of these, though it feels like more. My sister has seen more than I have, and says that a majority of them are only actually good in the last 10 minutes, and boring before then. So I wish you luck...

King Kong vs Godzilla is probably my favorite, I love it so much. I can't wait to hear your thoughts on it. Though, I've only seen the English version.
 

Garp

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jrWHAG42 said:
King Kong vs Godzilla is probably my favorite, I love it so much. I can't wait to hear your thoughts on it. Though, I've only seen the English version.

Strangely enough, that's another of the 4 I've already seen...
 

Neglify

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I love this! I've wanted to binge a lot of these for a while. Excellent line-up and I admire the sequence you choose. Here's my Letterbox'd list.

Currently I've seen 6 out of 52. I don't know if I'll watch them all, but I'm down with the challenge.
 

Jrzag42

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Just counted, I believe I've seen 10 films on your list. More or less, around 10.
 

asterixsmeagol

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I just watched all of the Showa era Godzilla movies and it was a blast. Most are terrible but they're so much fun.
 

Omaru1982

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I've watched Gojira 54
Mothra, Godzilla vs Mothra and King Ghidorah (doesn't this also feature mothra and Rhodan?) which are a decent little trilogy.

Then probably 97, 2014 and Shin Gozilla, and Planet of the monsters on Netflix,  I was going to watch the second one but Ive since changed my mind.

It's always been my intention to watch more of the classic TOEI movies but I just end up wasting my days doing nothing lately.
 

Garp

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I'm gearing up for my new year with kaiju, finding more books to expand my knowledge. 'Mushroom Clouds and Mushroom Men: The Fantastic Cinema of Ishiro Honda' is a good one, as is 'Monsters are attacking Tokyo'. I've also discovered a host of documentaries of YouTube which I've saved: 'Hail to the King: 60 Years of Destruction'; 'Directing Godzilla: The Life of filmmaker Ishiro Honda'; 'Godzilla: It came from Japan' and others.

I'm also looking for some more bonus films to watch along the way. Through my reading, it seems that a few early films were inspired by other US films: 'The beast from 20000 fathoms' influenced 'Gojira', 'Them!' influenced 'Rodan' and 'The War of the Worlds' influenced 'The Mysterians'. I've actually seen all of those before, but will rewatch them prior to their Japanese counterparts. I was wondering if anyone knew of other films that may pair well with the Japanese ones on my list. 

Finally, here's a list of books I intend to buy/borrow over the next year. If anyone knows of any other good kaiju-related books/comics, please let me know. Cheers.

The Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies: The Lost Films - non-fiction
A Critical History and filmography of Toho’s Godzilla series - non-fiction
The Sons of Godzilla: From Destroyer to Defender, From ridicule to respect - non-fiction
The Kaiju Film: A critical study of cinema’s biggest monsters - non-fiction
Terror of the lost Tokusatsu films - non-fiction
Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters - non-fiction
Shambling towards Hiroshima, James Morrow - fiction
Godzilla: The Half-Century War comic
Making of Godzilla
Skull Island: The Birth of Kong comic
Godzilla Awakening comic
Godzilla Aftershock comic
 

Jrzag42

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I forget what it's called, but my father told me about a detailed book about the Godzilla franchise that he read a while back, I'll tell you what it is when I get the chance to ask him.

Also, if you want more bonus films, I would propose adding some more King Kong films. Even though only the three already on your list connect to Godzilla, the original is always nice to re-watch, and I've heard the 70s version is fun. 
I believe Ultra Man directly fought a bunch of licensed Kaiju, albeit with slight alterations (I think I read that Godzilla is given a collar?)  You could add some episodes of that to the list.
I can't think of any other movies or shows worth adding, but I'll keep you updated if I think of anything. Also, Frankenstein Conquers the Earth, I watched it not long ago, and it's pretty great.
 

Garp

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Thanks for the tips. 'King Kong' films seems like a good suggestion - I have all of them, I think (the original, 'Son of', the 1976 version, 'King Kong Lives' and the Peter Jackson version, plus the ones already on my Godzilla list). I'll add them in as I go along.

In the meantime, here's my first BONUS film:

'War at Sea from Hawaii to Malaya' [1942]
Is Godzilla in it? No. Godzilla connection: Eiji Tsuburaya did the special effects.
Subbed or Dubbed? Subbed

This Japanese war propaganda film celebrates the first anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor by recreating the run-up to the event through the eyes of a new recruit. The first half covers his training (marching, rowing, sumo wrestling and rugby, surprisingly) and emphasizes the Fighting Spirit of the Japanese soldiers at every opportunity. Going up against superior technology and experience were no excuse - Spirit is the key. As propaganda, this was probably effective at the time as the squad leaders are seen to be firm yet kindly, sort of like tough motivational speakers. Recruitment must have been sky-high.

The second half gets to the attack itself, which is recreated through the use of Tsuburaya's miniatures. The effect is extremely convincing (the later attack on British warships off Singapore slightly less so). In an interesting touch of realism, Japanese commanders listen to the radio, picking up a live US broadcast from an Hawaiian nightclub as the planes advance, gauging whether the attack has been successful. The planes fly to a theme similar to 'The Ride of the Valkyries'. As they search for British warships off Singapore, their fuel is depleted, leaving the option of returning to base or continuing with the mission. No guesses for which they choose.

There is little in the way of story here, but that probably wasn't the point. Even through Western eyes, the characters are sympathetic, although the scene where the pilots are laughing about what is in store for the unsuspecting dancers at the nightclub is disconcerting. As a slice of history (Japan's devastating defeat was still 3 years away) it's a fascinating film, and as an early look at early Japanese special effects equally interesting. I can quite imagine Criterion picking this one up in the future.
 

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I've updated my list, adding in a few more related films/TV shows as bonuses. Looking forward to starting this and hope that some of you might be inclined to join in or at least enjoy some of my reviews.  :)
 

Neglify

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To pump myself up for 'My Year with Godzilla' I rewatched a classic South Park episode. S01E12 "Mecha-Streisand" has always been a personal favorite. When it first aired in 1998 me and my dad went bananas, and we rewatched it a bunch of times. Looking back on it now it still holds up (in my eyes) despite the fact that Season 1 South Park is G-rated compared to current episodes. How can you not love this wacky Kaiju spoof? Barbara Streisand as Mechagodzilla, Leonard Maltin as Ultraman, Sidney Poitier as Gamera and Robert Smith as Mothra. No doubt when I watch some of these Kaiju flicks I'll be thinking of this episode.

P.S.
"Disintegration" is the best album ever!
 

Garp

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BONUS: 'The Beast from 20,000 fathoms' [1953]
Is Godzilla in it? No. Godzilla connection: Cited as inspiration for 'Gojira'

Although not the first giant monster film, 'The Beast from 20,000 fathoms' from the US is often credited as being the direct inspiration for the following year's 'Gojira' from Japan. It's not hard to see why. Nuclear testing in the Arctic by the US government awakens the titular prehistoric beast, which proceeds to cause destruction and mayhem along the East coast. Whereas Japan's film utilizes 'suitmation' (ie. a man in rubber costume), 'The Beast...' features incredible stop-motion animation by Ray Harryhausen, the first film in which he took sole reins of the special effects.

'The Beast...' doesn't waste any time getting to the action, showcasing a nuclear blast, dinosaur and avalanche within the first 15 minutes. The film then sets up what would become a set pattern for monster movies, perhaps, with recognisable characters. There's the dashing leading man, the attractive female sidekick, the older expert/scientist, the military bigwigs, etc. Paul Christian plays the handsome scientist having difficulty persuading his skeptical colleagues that a previously long extinct species is headed for New York. Maybe it's his accent. (Christian was Swiss, and his Germanic tones are explained in a throwaway line of dialogue.) The good Dr. Thurgood Elson (a wonderful Cecil Kellaway) is a little too quick to believe the preposterous scenario on the flimsiest of evidence, but nevertheless rightly stakes his reputation on it.

However, the plot is immaterial as the real star is the dinosaur. The creature moves smoothly, with none of the sometimes jerkiness of stop-motion. The mix of animation and actors is adequate on the whole, and some scenes are incredible for its time, notably the attack on the lighthouse. Like many films of its day, the movie ends rather abruptly on the inevitable climax - were 1950s audiences in such a hurry to head for the exits? Still, it's a highly enjoyable 80 minutes, and the perfect appetizer for 'Gojira' later this week.
 

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Week 1: 'Gojira' [1954]
Is Godzilla in it? Yes
Sub or Dub? Sub

Those more familiar with the later Godzilla movies - bright, colourful spectacles, often poorly dubbed, with increasingly ridiculous foes - may not recognise the sombre tone of the original 'Gojira' as being from the same stable. Although there is plenty of rubber-suited foot-stomping of miniature cityscapes, the film has a surprising depth to it, more concerned with the terrors of nuclear war and its aftermath.

Nuclear testing off Japan's coast unleashes the terrifying monster, which locals fear is the 'Gojira' of legend, one that would deprive their seas of fish and could only be sated by a human sacrifice. When it becomes clear that the beast is immune to regular deterrents due to its irradiated state, opinions divide as to the proper course of action. Dr. Yamane, renowned paleontologist (Takashi Shimura) believes the creature should be studied, despite the obvious devastation it is creating. Others, including his wannabe-son-in-law, feel only a new secret weapon can stop further calamity.

The subtext of the destructive power of nuclear testing and bombs is never far from the surface. The film begins with a ship becoming the unwitting witness to a nuclear test (the real life 'Lucky Dragon No. 5 incident'), and characters later reference the irradiation of tuna (again, factual) and previous evacuations of cities. The fact that this film was made less than a decade after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki gives it a poignancy in these scenes that only a Japanese filmmaker could have achieved.

If you came purely for the effects, you would not be disappointed. Godzilla himself looks pretty good, especially against a burning city. Miniature houses look better than some of the moving models, and the juxtaposition of actors and giant beast are effective. The acting is also good overall, Shimura being a stand-out, but also the young love triangle being handled delicately by the cast.

Atypical of the later giant monster movies, 'Gojira' is a delight - thoughtful, moving, beautifully executed with impressive effects. I wonder, is it mostly downhill from here..?
 

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BONUS: 'Lucky Dragon No.5' [1959]
Is Godzilla in it? No. Godzilla Connection: True life event that helped inspire 'Gojira'
Sub or Dub? Sub

In March 1954, the fishing vessel Lucky Dragon No.5 is caught in the nuclear fallout, known as 'The Ash of Death', following a US H-bomb test at Bikini Atoll. The crew quickly develop symptoms of radiation poisoning and are transported to Tokyo hospitals for treatment. This film recreates the events in a touching manner, highlighting the confusion of a simple community caught up in an international affair.

As expected, the Americans are not depicted as particularly cooperative in this film. The crew at first keep quiet about what they have witnessed, scared that they will be arrested as spies (which they were indeed accused of). As news of their condition leaks, the US government are shown as mostly silent observers, offering help on their own terms and refusing to divulge secrets of the bomb tests that could help the Japanese doctors treat the victims.

The acting is superb, especially Jukichi Uno as the radio operator who is most affected by the fallout. Early scenes aboard ship prior to the explosion highlight the camaraderie, claustrophobia, boredom and teasing amongst the crew, and elements of light humour occur throughout what is otherwise a serious and frankly depressing film. A jaunty theme tune, played often early on, masks the later horrors as the crew suffer blackening of their skin (a point of embarrassment rather than concern to begin with), blisters and loss of hair.

A great anti-nuclear film and perfect accompaniment to 'Gojira'. Highly recommended.
 

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Film #1 - Gojira (1954)
Subbed or Dubbed? Subbed

This is the greatest classic monster film for two reasons. Simplicity and quality. The writing is excellent, with fleshed out characters who speak intelligent dialogue. The story isn't convoluted, the plot is based off real-life incidents and concerns about nuclear radiation. The special effects still hold up after 60 year. This is such a wonderful piece of cinema and I'm glad that I'm finally going through with watching all the sequels, spin-offs, remakes and whatnots. Sadly, it's mostly downhill from here...

5/5
 
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