May 12, 2004  


Got to see the newly restored version of GODZILLA at Film Forum. They added back in the original cut footage (40 minutes of social relavancy and plot that were replaced by newly shot/spliced Raymond Burr in the American release). Of course the movie has so much more impact now and best of all most of the restored footage stars Takashi Shimura who is just awesome. He is the star of IKIRU one of my all time favorite Akira Kurosawa movies (if you haven't seen it go buy the DVD now!). Anyways besides all the anti-war sentiments that have been restored I was just impressed by how UN-Cheezy the original Godzilla was. In its stark B&W some of the effects are pretty darn good for the time and really moody. Seems funny to think how now Godzilla is the i-con for cheezy movies. There are some scenes in the original that are genuinely poignant, especially the focus on the aftermath of all the destruction.

On a sidenote (for those familar with the film), I think it would be cool to start a rock band called the "Oxygen Destroyers" where everyone wears an eye patch!



Speaking of Japanese inspired entertainment...
Don't forget to check out the second all new instalment of my Astronaut Elementary comic strip on Girlamatic.com

2:21 PM

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