Comments on: Update: New Guilala Poster

By: Avery

Avery — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 23:05:11 +0000

Oh you can definitely count me in as well!! “Guilala” has always been my favorite kaiju by design. He’s just so absurd and extremely silly so much that he could only have been made by the Japanese. I’ve waited forever for a new film of the this kaiju and couldn’t be more excited about this new one. I never really let the critics deter my enthusiasm. I often don’t agree with them anyways since I generally have different tastes in films and love some good old schlock. However, I find that some reviews such as these do prepare one not to build their expectations up too high and to just take the film for what it’s meant to be; a cheesy fun time.

By: Backbrain

Backbrain — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 22:41:43 +0000

I suspect you’re right, Avery. Minoru Kawasaki’s other films get similar responses and from what I’ve seen of them, they sometimes work and sometimes don’t. I found “Calamari Wrestler” hilarious and “The World Sinks Except Japan” much less so. But despite this, the latter had effective bits and was conceptually interesting overall. Just a little slow and forced in places. It comes down to the individual viewer. There seems to be a growing tendency to compare Kawasaki to Ed Wood. But to me this is totally inappropriate. Wood’s films are (mostly) unintentionally funny and ridiculous, because Wood was being “serious” and the result is so contrary to his intentions. Minoru Kawasaki is deliberately being outre and kitsch. Like most satire, however, he walks a fine line with his material and approach and often it’s not going to work. I’ll be seeing his Guilala whatever critics say.

By: Avery

Avery — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 21:10:54 +0000

I keep hearing very mixed reviews of the film and from what I can gather it’s definitely a parody/spoof that leans more towards infantile humor. It also relies heavily on stock footage I’m told. ‘Sci-Fi Japan’ posted a very negative review of the film: http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2008/09/06/review-monster-x-strikes-back-attack-the-g8-summit/ and then ‘TwtchFilm’ posted a more positive review: http://twitchfilm.net/site/view/sitges-2008-monster-x-strikes-back-attack-the-g8-summit/ Perhaps it’s about understanding this weird director and his “craft” and/or being able to accept it??