Sep 7, 2022From 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 ambivalence at best and outright disdain at worst. Japanese-style special effects films have long been stereotyped as below the quality of Hollywood’s output, particularly with the high concept film renaissance that…Godzilla20 min readGodzilla20 min read
Aug 10, 2021THE 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 resonate a lot more strongly now. A city under lockdown as its infrastructure begins to fray. A coup d’etat seen on live television. Revolutionaries clashing…Batman13 min readBatman13 min read
Mar 22, 2021The Unsung Heroes of Japanese Special Effects CinemaAs the twice-delayed Godzilla vs. Kong approaches its release date, now is a better time than ever to reminiscence about the Japanese monster film genre and the long history of its special effects style. Tokusatsu is the Japanese art of special effects, meaning “special filming”. The luminary Eiji Tsuburaya (1901–1970)…Godzilla21 min readGodzilla21 min read
Jan 7, 2021Days 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 affected by it. In December 1983, the British submarine Nereid arrives in a deserted Tokyo Bay. All life in the city has perished. The submarine’s captain, McCloud (Chuck Connors), sends out a…Covid-1918 min readCovid-1918 min read
Dec 31, 2020Campy 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 continue on with the series. This was albeit with reduced budgets and distributed in Toho’s kiddie matinee program called Champion Matsuri, inspired by rival Toei’s Manga Festival…Godzilla25 min readGodzilla25 min read
Dec 28, 2020The 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 both in their native Japan and abroad in their own countries. Many decided to try their hands at Japanese-style productions. Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, even the…Japan22 min readJapan22 min read
Dec 21, 2020A 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 staff. He, along with six others, had set sail in a yacht for what was meant to be a short boating trip. Only he returned. Another of Godzilla…Japanese Cinema13 min readJapanese Cinema13 min read
Dec 17, 2020Western 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 distinctive, fantastical tone. Mothra also features lavish, near Hollywood tier production values. Director Honda and the film’s writers delve into some interesting subtexts. These include environmentalism, indigenous issues and…Japanese Cinema17 min readJapanese Cinema17 min read
Dec 14, 2020War 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. We then cut to a shot of the sea from the deck of a salvage vessel. The crewmen pass the time by playing a harmonica and guitar on…Godzilla26 min readGodzilla26 min read
