Tag: special effects

O.G. = Original Gojira

I hope that movie monster Godzilla never becomes a hidden gem, but I feel obligated to blog about the creature all the same. I was born in 1970 and had the privilege to grow up watching reruns of these sci-fi, effects-driven films. Today I watched the original 1954 film “Godzilla”, which was directed and written by Ishiro Honda. (Takeo Murata also shares a screenwriting credit.) There are plenty of other Godzilla films, but this original one most definitely captures the paranoia of post-war Japan. Godzilla is associated with radiation. Then, of course, there’s the musical tribute a la Blue Oyster Cult.

I jammed this song on guitar once with a couple of friends-of-friends during college. It’s pretty catchy in its own way.

Here are some other general observations about the original 1954 film. First, one of the characters was played by actor Takashi Shimura. (While I haven’t seen tons of Japanese films, this dude was in over 20 of director Akira Kurosawa’s films. He must have been like the Tom Hanks of Tokyo.) He also appeared in the 1955 sequel “Godzilla Raids Again.” In case you’re wondering, the Godzilla franchise has spawned close to 40 films total. Apparently, that’s a world record.

What else? The actual origin of the name “Gojira” is a combination of “whale” and “gorilla” in Japanese. While most prehistoric creatures didn’t have vocal cords, Godzilla’s roar was created by using a standup bass, gloves, etc. Eiji Tsuburaya is the special effects guy who was involved in creating Godzilla and the kaiju (“strange beast”) film genre with Ishiro Honda. Well-played on the roars.

Japan boasts a Godzilla museum and theme park. There’s also an attraction called Tobu World Square which features miniature famous buildings in case you want to stomp around like Godzilla….I mean, who doesn’t?

Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!

Swords, Sandals, & Skeletons

I don’t remember exactly how old I was, but I can remember watching the movie “Jason and the Argonauts” on television as a schoolboy.  It was probably a Saturday afternoon special on KPLR Channel 11 in St.  Louis.   I’d never seen ANYTHING like it.   It was like putting an action movie, a mythology book, and a bunch of crazy creatures into a blender.  The basic plot is Jason goes on a quest for The Golden Fleece, but that description doesn’t do it justice.    He and his crew sail away in their ship, The Argo, and have all kinds of colorful adventures.  They have to use brains, brawn, and bravery to conquer epic monsters like Talos.

Is the film cheesy and dated in parts? Sure it is, but, in my humble opinion, there is no other “sword and sandal” movie that comes close to this one.

The 1963 film stars St. Louis, MO native Todd Armstrong as the hero Jason, leader of the Argonauts.   However, the real stars of the film are the monsters created by stop-motion animation genius Ray Harryhausen.   There are hydras, harpies, clashing rocks, and so much more.  The film may be best known for the battle between Jason and The Argonauts, and an army of stop motion skeleton warriors who come out of nowhere.

If you’ve never heard of stop-motion animation, it involves a mind-blowing amount of detail work.  According to Wikipedia, “Stop motion is an animated-film making technique in which objects are physically manipulated in small increments between individually photographed frames so that they will appear to exhibit independent motion when the series of frames is played back as a fast sequence.”  Knowing how it’s made just makes it that much more unbelievable.

In 2000, an updated TV movie version starring Jason London was released.  I’d recommend it.   It’s a two part mini series that lasts 3 hours.  The special effects are digital if I’m not mistaken, but I enjoyed them.  I’d recommend seeing the original first, but as far as remakes go, I give it a thumbs up.   The remake also features Dennis Hopper and Natasha Henstridge.   https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0217579/?ref_=nv_sr_2

You have NOT LIVED until you’ve experienced this world full of mythological monsters,  swords, and sandals.

Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!