Hail To The King: 60 Years Of Destruction

After watching that new trailer so many times and rewatching some Godzilla films lately, this popped into my head and I really wanted to spread the word about it.

I think, and this seems pretty definitive, this is my favorite documentary ever. And I've seen my fair share, I've seen Woodstock, 101 Biography Channel presentations, many making of film documentaries but this one really hit a chord with me. It's told from the perspective of a podcaster Kyle Yount, hardcore kaiju fan and Godzilla connoisseur as he treks to Tokyo to see how the japanese population is celebrating the then 60th anniversary of Godzilla. 65 years now and still going damn strong. And I think the reason why this is my favorite documentary like ever is the fact that, it doesn't just state facts for the record. It isn't a seminar on how the 1954 movie came to be and the subsequent impact on culture throughout the decades this series has made. It has passion to it, it's done in a loose but still highly professional manner and showcases both fans and creators in nothing short of a loving, respectful, and engaging fashion. It's not trying to be anything else than what it is and show the dedication and immense love held by the fans of this genre, tokusatsu. And the amazing part is not only does he interview and spend time with fans in a restaurant, or talk with an independent film director, he somehow...I don't know how got to sit with Godzilla acting alumni and talk with them about their involvement and appreciation for the films. That, is incredible. I was seriously shocked when I first saw it and are still just stunned watching it now. And this was not an official documentary. This was fan funded, independent, limited number of cameras, but because of the participation of fans in the production it grew into more. It's such a strange example because you have so much Toho material here, on YouTube 100% free, and yet it isn't officialy made by a television or news company, though I'm sure Toho gave it a stamp of approval. That just never happens. But they do it admirably and shine a light on various bits of culture peppered throughout, and not just focus on the monsters. Hell it could be argued it's as much a love letter to super sentai as well as kaiju, there's some love to your Ultraman's and Kamen Rider's. It really is a celebration of the whole genre as much as this film series. It's very genuine, you can tell there's a lot of passion, a lot of commitment, a lot of enjoyment, and man you just can't beat that. I know documentaries have as much production as movies, Christ even more than movies but it still feels real and free of bullshit. Big thumbs up from me, 4 stars, 9/10! Whether you just like Godzilla or have more than just your toes dipped in the water, give this a watch. At just a smidge over an hour, you can't lose much.

Kingsman: The Secret Service

This was a blast! You want a different sort of spy movie? Look no further.

Kingsman is a great, fun, and very entertaining spy movie that revels in the absurdity and all things awesome that we have come to know and love in the spy genre from the 60s and 70s. Our main hero Eggsy had a father who worked with a completely top secret institute known as Kingsman, he dies on a mission and about 10 years later Eggsy comes in contact with his father's partner Galahad who takes him under his wing and trains him to fight Samuel L. Jackson from killing the world with Suicide Squad bombs implanted in people's heads. Sounds ridiculous? Well, there's a reason. I love the fact that this movie totally says it's a spy movie, unashamedly having fun with the classic James Bond archetypes of megalomaniacal villains, bizzare assassins, ridiculously awesome gadgets, and always cool looking secret agents. I expected a decent movie and I got a really good one! There's many good things to say about it and very little bad things, so I'll keep it short and sweet. First off, bitching cast right off the bat. In one instance we have Mark Hamill, Sam Jackson, and Sofia Boutella in a scene together. Need I say more? All actors are outstanding across the board, the action is absolutely insane in terms of choreography and really creates a spectacle that I haven't felt in a movie in ages. And that's a great word to describe this movie, a spectacle! A spectacle of action, humor, and espionage blended perfectly and poured in a martini glass. This is a movie that deserves the praise and the viewings from people all over the world, and more than worthy enough to buy. So now, I'm stoked for the sequel like mad! I expect it to be a good sequel, with a lot of fun in it, so I will see you there and remember that manners maketh man.