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Post by Giganfan on Aug 9, 2006 11:20:54 GMT -8
Well, which one is it? Personally, I think that Toho's out-put of fantasy films, spanning the 50s, 60s and 70s is the most imaginative and incredible in film history. These guys were genuine storytellers, and brilliant filmmakers. From The Mysterians to Mothra, Frankenstein Conquers The World to The War In Space, the talents of Tomuyuki Tanaka, Ishiro Honda, Eiji Tsuburaya, Jun Fukuda, Akira Ifukube, Shinichi Sekizawa and co. served as the inspiration for countless thousands of dreamers all over the world. So, out of all of the classic movies that they made (excluding the Godzilla films), which one do you feel is the absolute best? Which one is your favorite? Which one do you have a strong sense of sentimental attachment to?
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Post by Xenorama ™ on Aug 9, 2006 15:41:02 GMT -8
overall, i'd have to say MOTHRA (1961) as it is tops in all departments, acting, effects, story. the US dubbing is also great and the score is unusual. just masterful storytelling.
ATTACK OF THE MUSHROOM PEOPLE is a good choice, as are both Frankenstein movies.
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Post by Torgaman on Aug 10, 2006 10:38:35 GMT -8
Ditto on MOTHRA.
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Post by Zone Fighter on Aug 10, 2006 13:16:41 GMT -8
Thanks for the laugh.
Mothra is the second dumbest monster Toho invented (after that absurd part rose, part human, port Gojira, Biolante).
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Post by RedKing on Aug 11, 2006 7:34:44 GMT -8
Zone, hate to disagree, but you're completely wrong about Mothra. Not all monsters  have to be rampaging reptilian behemoths. Mothra is a fantastic creation straight from a fairy tale or a fantasy novel- an ancient goddess both venting her wrath and teaching a lesson to the modern world. However, my favorite non-Godzilla Toho movie is hands-down THE MYSTERIANS for several reasons. It takes the standard "alien invasion" stroy used in so many US movies of the time and gives it a simply huge treatment! What other movie has a spectacle on this scale? Not even George Pal's version of WAR OF THE WORLDS offers as much visual excitement! Nothing until STAR WARS in the US was even close to be quite honest. In the 1984 Enclopedia of Science Fiction Films, as an appendix author Phil hardy had several film critics from various countries compile their lists of the top 10 sci fi films of all time and a French critic(I've packed the book up and can't look it up at the moment) placed not only GOJIRA but THE MYSTERIANS on his list! Other favorites would be MOTHRA though I think some of the miniatures in the ending once Mothra emerges from her cocoon were a bit weak- the adult Mothra wasn't perfected until GODZILLA VS THE THING, THE H-MAN and ATTACK OF THE MUSHROOM PEOPLE. I also have a soft spot for WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS and REBIRTH OF MOTHRA(the first one, I think it's the best kid's monster movie made in years, plus Death Ghidorah is great). |
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Post by Xenorama ™ on Aug 11, 2006 8:42:15 GMT -8
both THE MYSTERIANS and BATTLE IN OUTER SPACE are great movies, which should be included in the list. i hope that someday BATTLE is released on DVD, complete in widescreen glory with the nice US dub.
i'm not the hugest Mothra fan, but the question was about movies, not monsters, and as far as movies go, MOTHRA is tops, completely, like the monster or not. it all works as perfectly as a monster movie can.
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Post by Giganfan on Aug 15, 2006 8:39:38 GMT -8
Mothra is my first choice too. The concept of the "Little Beauties" was brilliant, if you ask me, and entirely original. Next on my list would be Matango, for its great sense of paranoia and claustrophobia (not to mention stellar performances by all). Third would probably be, either The Mysterians or Atragon. Moguera is definately the centerpiece in the former, while Keitei Gunken is perfect from start-to-finish. If I were to round out a top-five, the last one would be Frankenstein Conquers The World, because its fun, it has great actors and it feels like an epic.
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Post by Zone Fighter on Aug 15, 2006 11:24:16 GMT -8
Mothra is nothing but an oversized bug, with no special powers. Its lame.
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Post by Torgaman on Aug 16, 2006 8:54:16 GMT -8
No special powers?!?!?!?!?Hello have you seen GODZILLA VS MOTHRA?!?!
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Post by Shonokin on Aug 16, 2006 12:49:28 GMT -8
Just watched a really nice version of Frankenstein vs Baragon (Frankenstein Conquers the World) and would have to put it towards the top of the list.
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Post by Giganfan on Aug 19, 2006 12:04:10 GMT -8
I'm gonna go ahead, and put in a good word for Rodan too. Either version of the film, it doesn't matter. I just watched the Japanese version, and even though it's an imperfect film, it's still really good. You can tell by watching it where alot of the common traits of later movies came from. And yeah, Rodan is simply the best Toho creation ever, so yeah! ;D ;D ;D
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Post by Xenorama ™ on Aug 30, 2006 22:20:25 GMT -8
i really love the US version of RODAN, it's just great. having seen the Toho one, i thought that was mostly boring, especially without the touching end narration. it would be nice to see a newly struck print though, with great colors.
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