From Saperstein to Saban: Hollywood Allies of Japanese Special Effects CinemaIn LA’s Hollywood circles, the general attitude towards tokusatsu (Japanese special effects) cinema and television has been one of…Sep 7, 2022Sep 7, 2022
THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (2012) or How a Superhero Movie Foresaw America’s FallThough Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight (2008) is regarded as a classic in ways its sequel is not, many images in The Dark Knight Rises…Aug 10, 2021Aug 10, 2021
The Unsung Heroes of Japanese Special Effects CinemaThe story of 20 unsung heroes of Japanese tokusatsu (special effects) cinema who built monster suits, crafted miniatures and painted sets.Mar 22, 2021Mar 22, 2021
Days of Renewal: COVID-19 and VIRUS (1980)This article contains candid discussion on the COVID-19 pandemic that may be difficult to read for those personally effected by it.Jan 7, 2021Jan 7, 2021
Campy Silver Age: Godzilla in the 1970sDestroy All Monsters (1968) had been intended to be the last Godzilla movie. Its box office was profitable enough that Toho decided to…Dec 31, 2020Dec 31, 2020
The Greater Asian Japanese Monster InvasionThe giant monster and tokusatsu (SFX film and television) boom didn’t just hit Japan. Its neighbors observed the success of such films…Dec 28, 2020Dec 28, 2020
A Phantasmagorical NO EXIT: MATANGO (1963)A former university professor named Kenji Murai (Akira Kubo) is committed to a mental institution. He tells his story to the hospital’s…Dec 21, 2020Dec 21, 2020
Western Greed and Nature’s Wrath: MOTHRA (1961)Mothra is one of Ishiro Honda and Eiji Tsuburaya’s finest monster films alongside Godzilla. Produced in Toho’s heyday, it boasts a…Dec 17, 2020Dec 17, 2020
War Scars and World Renewal: GODZILLA (1954)Haunting footfalls are heard against a black screen before an iconic roar cuts through the sound mix. Then driving music starts playing…Dec 14, 2020Dec 14, 2020
