Kaiju Battle

Monday, April 7, 2014

Why Japan Couldn't Have Made The New Godzilla Film

From Kotaku.com

Next month, Hollywood's latest take on Godzilla will roll into theaters. Online in Japan, people are saying that this film couldn't have been made in Japan. And for good reason.

Due to the awful job Hollywood did with the last Godzilla film, there wasn't initially much confidence in this effort when it was originally announced.

The movie's new extended trailer, which was recently released, is making an even bigger impact.

Japanese film critic Tomohiro Machiyama tweeted earlier today, "The new Godzilla begins with a nuclear disaster and a tsunami? Hollywood did what today's Japanese films can't."

On Twitter, many Japanese users agreed and pointed out that the first Godzilla was centered around an anti-nuclear theme. The movie summed up the uneasiness many in Japan had towards nuclear weapons in the wake of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. As the series progressed, and time, the weighty issues of the first film were moved further into the background.

Since the Fukushima nuclear disaster, there have been protests in Japan over nuclear power. Last month, for example, over 5,000 people took to the streets in Tokyo as the government looked set to restart two nuclear reactors.

With the earthquake and the nuclear disaster still being touchy issues, film critic Machiyama seems to think that Japanese directors might be uncomfortable turning both into a big budget film.

There are many people who survived the earthquake and the tsunami that are still living in temporary housing. Making a movie like this perhaps feels "too soon" for Japanese filmmakers.

"Even if it's something Japan can't do, I don't think that makes it great," wrote one commenter on popular game site Hachima. Others thought it the way the tsunami was portrayed was "reckless," with some of the movie's scenes allegedly seeming to copy actual tsunami footage.

However, some Japanese twitter users pointed out how timely the new Godzilla film seemed, while others stated they now wanted to see the movie. "This is a return to form," wrote one Hachima commenter. There were those who wondered if the movie will be edited when it's shown in Japan. And when it finally gets its Japanese release this summer, look for it to divide audiences, just like it's already dividing internet comment sections.

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Kaiju Battle Giveaway: Win Gamera: Legacy Collection

Courtesy of Mill Creek Entertainment

In celebration of Godzilla's 60th Anniversary and the new film coming May 16th, Kaiju Battle along with Mill Creek Entertainment are giving away a copy of the Gamera: Legacy Collection on DVD. This is the second, there are more giveaways to come! Good luck Kaiju Fans!

Eleven Amazing Action-Filled Adventures! Over 16 Hours Of Fire-Breathing Action!
Your favorite giant flying turtle returns to Earth leaving no fire-spitting scene behind. Experience eleven-times the turtle terror in this 4-DVD collection from legendary sci-fi monster classic – GAMERA! The eight classic Gamera films are presented in Japanese with English subtitles!

Gamera: The Giant Monster (1965)
The first entry of this Sci-Fi epic takes place midst the peak of the Cold War, as conflict between the East and West transforms into a nuclear disaster! This atomic explosion releases more than massive radiation, it awakens an ancient and long-forgotten legend of – Gamera!

Gamera vs. Barugon (1966)
Once the fear of Tokyo, Gamera returns to Earth to save it from the malevolent monster Barugon who is able to freeze anything its path. This unholy battle between fire and ice challenges the survival of mankind while bringing them an incredible slam-bang, knock-down monster slug-fest!

Gamera vs. Gyaos (1967)
The third entry of this classic monster series continues when a volcanic eruption awakens Gyaos, a gigantic vampire-like bat who has a ravenous hunger for blood. Gyaos is Gamera’s most popular foe, returning in four more films (not counting the stock footage in SUPER MONSTER). Can the fire-spitting terrapin Garmera defeat this nocturnal beast? The eight classic Gamera films are presented in Japanese with English subtitles!

Gamera vs. Viras (1968)
The reign of terror continues when aliens take two boy scouts hostage to blackmail Gamera into aiding their invasion of Earth. When that plan fails the giant alien leader Viras battles the flying turtle in a duel to the death.

Gamera vs. Guiron (1969)
Gamera, the giant flying turtle, spins into action when two young boys board a spaceship and are hijacked to a strange planet on the other side of the sun. While the boys evade the clutches of two brain-hungry alien beauties, Gamera must deal with a knife-nosed monster named Guiron.

Gamera vs. Jiger (1970)
The fire-breathing action continues as Gamera battles one of his greatest foes, Jiger, a horned monster reminiscent of the Triceratops. Drawn to the World Expo in Osaka by an ancient statue, the evil reptile injects Gamera with its parasitic offspring to eliminate the super turtle.

Gamera vs. Zigra (1971)
The shark-like alien Zigra attacks Earth to enslave the human race as food. Aided by spacewoman X-1, Zigra’s wicked plan goes swimmingly until the invaders are challenged by Gamera and confounded by two troublemaking kids.

Gamera: Super Monster (1980)
The final entry of the Showa Gamera series plays as a highlight reel reviving all of the previous evil monsters. When the alien Zanon tries to conquer Earth with an army of monsters, three superwomen enlist the help of Gamera to foil the invader’s plans.

Gamera: Guardian of the Universe (1995)
Gamera is back with a vengeance as he takes on both a misguided military and a trio of hideous, man-eating flying monsters.

Gamera 2: Attack of Legion (1996)
A freak meteor shower brings with it electrical problems, overgrown plant life and a whole slew of rather irritable critters that drop in to threaten the human race. It’s up to Gamera to destroy the bugged-out invaders.

Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris (1999)
The Gyaos have returned along with a new, tentacled super-monster named Iris. Dr. Nagamine and Asagi Kusanagi are reunited to help Gamera in his relentless quest to stop his enemies from overrunning the Earth.

OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES and INFORMATION

Prize:
1. The prize will be shipped to the contest winner so entrants must include a valid mailing address. This contest is only open to participants in the United States and Canada.
2. In the event the winner chooses not to (or cannot) accept a prize, he or she forfeits all claim to that prize, and a new winner will be chosen.
3. One entry per person. Prizes are non-transferable. No substitution of prizes allowed.

Duration of contests:
The Gamera: Legacy Collection giveaway runs from April 6 until 11:59 PM on April 19, 2014.

How to enter:
1. Submit your name, email address, and mailing address for the random drawing.
2. Be sure to write “Gamera: Legacy Collection” in the subject line of your email entry. Kaiju Battle will be running multiple giveaways, so any entries without “Gamera: Legacy Collection” in the subject header will be discarded.

Determination of winner:
1. Only contestants who have submitted the requested information will be entered in the final drawing, and will be randomly drawn from the eligible entries to determine the winner for this contest.
2. Kaiju Battle is not responsible for typographical, electronic or other errors that will affect the offering, outcome, administration of the contest or the announcement of prize. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.
3. The decision of Mill Creek Entertainment and Kaiju Battle is final. Entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and by the decisions of the Kaiju Battle judge, which are final and binding in all respects.
4. The winner will be notified via email.

Just email the following info
“Gamera: Legacy Collection”
Name:
Email address:
Mailing Address:
to kaijubattle@gmail.com (please do not use the contact link on the sidebar) and you’re in the giveaway. Good luck!

About Mill Creek Entertainment
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