The Best Kaiju Films for General Audiences

Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All Out Attack (2001)

I am not going to lie, the notion of watching movies that feature men dressed in monster suits, stomping through a miniature city and battling other men dressed as monsters, is not an easy pill to swallow for most general moviegoers nowadays who are being constantly being spoiled by big budgeted blockbuster movies that are riddled with tons of CG effects and fast-paced choreographed action scenes. I am not saying that's a bad thing, but it is not bad to take a step back and enjoy something put together practically rather than digitally for a change. That is why I love many of the classic Japanese giant monster (daikaiju) movies. They are crafted utilizing practical effects rather than CGI, and have a sense of physical realism. It might look cheesy sometimes, but there is no denying that it's entertaining as hell!

Today, I wish to put together a list of some of my personal favorite Kaiju films to show newcomers to the genre and the wonderful world of tokusatsu effects! For this list I have taken the level of special effects (tokusatsu), story, and characters into consideration.

S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla [2001]

Bandai has officially pulled the veil off of their latest addition to the S.H. MonsterArts collectible action figure line, Godzilla [2001] from the popular film Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All Out Attack (2001). This is their first *totally brand new sculpt for the series since Gamera [1996] which was released in January/February 2015. Godzilla [2001] is a web exclusive release, coming out in June in Japan, and July in North America via Bluefin Distribution. Preorders open on Friday, January 22nd.

Who else is excited for this particular release? Do you think we'll see more from the GMK roster? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below!

Images From: http://p-bandai.jp/item/item-1000101805/

Original Figure Review - Hasbro Signature Series Cloverfield Monster Action Figure

With 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016), the long awaited sequel (or "blood relative," whatever the means) to Cloverfield (2008), releasing less than a couple of months from now, I feel that it is appropriate to take a look at the mysterious giant monster from the 2008 film. Hasbro's Cloverfield Monster action figure is not new. It has been around since January 2009 and was severely limited upon its release. Whatever figures are available to buy nowadays are highly priced due to its current rarity. Fortunately I've had this one from the very start. Get ready, and pump out Michael Giacchino's ROAR on the speakers, folks. I am going to finally review this puppy!

"10 Cloverfield Lane" Official Trailer

Surprise! Cloverfield (2008) is finally getting a sequel.

10 Cloverfield Lane, releasing in theaters on March 11th is directed by Dan Trachtenberg (Portal: No Escape), produced by J.J. Abrams and stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Gallagher, Jr. and John Goodman. The film's production began back in 2014 and has been kept entirely under wraps, going by the decoy title Valencia (aka The Cellar).

Steven's Toy Reviews - S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla 1964 (Emergence of Godzilla Ver.)

Original Figure Review - Funko POP! Godzilla Vinyl Figure

Today you can't walk anywhere without seeing the presence of the highly popular POP! vinyl figures from Funko. These designer-inspired vinyl figures have sprung into popularity in the past several years with over a thousand figures from hundreds of various properties from films, video games, books, TV shows, and more! I have been familiar with POP! for a few years, but I promised myself that I would not buy into them until if/when they'd ever do a Godzilla figure. It took a while, but at long last, Godzilla was confirmed through a leaked preorder list from Gamestop.

Universal Cancels "Pacific Rim 2" Indefinitely

Legendary Pictures, Pacific Rim, 2013

According to Universal Studios in a recent statement, production on Pacific Rim 2 has been "taken off the table" indefinitely while Guillermo Del Toro goes on to direct the remake of Fantastic Voyage at 20th Century Fox. There is a sliver of hope that the film will be made, but I am betting it will be unlikely that it would ever emerge from the Kaiju graveyard.

To me, that is disappointing!

Godzilla 2016: My Honest Opinion

Out of respect to Toho Studios, I will NOT be posting or sharing links to any of the unofficially leaked images that have surfaced in the past day of the new Godzilla design that will be featured in this summer's Shin Gojira (internationally titled: Godzilla Resurgence.) That being said, I will share my own thoughts and opinions on this particular Godzilla design. If you have seen the images, then what I'll be saying will make sense to you. If you have not seen them, then just use your imagination!

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