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Blu-ray Review: Gamera Trilogy

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Fifteen years after the last on-screen appearance (and even longer since the last “proper” sequel), the Gamera franchise was rebooted in 1995. It was the first of three Gamera films in what is known as the Heisei series. The trilogy of films were directed by Shusuke Kaneko (whose work was so impressive he scored a gig helming the awesome Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack).

If, like me, you enjoyed Mill Creek Entertainment’s recent Gamera Ultimate Collection Volume 1 and Volume 2, you’ll be happy to know that Mill Creek also released the Heisei trilogy on Blu-ray back in 2011. The set is just as impressive, and the movies are even better.

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Gamera: Guardian of the Universe (1995)

Before the titular monster shows up, Gamera: Guardian of the Universe begins by introducing a trio of Gyaos. The bat-like monster has received quite a facelift since its first appearance in 1967’s Gamera vs. Gyaos. When the three “birds” (as their first referred) are trapped in a baseball stadium, the giant turtle Gamera (also upgraded) emerges from the ocean and causes even more panic for the citizens of Japan. Being the larger creature, Gamera ostensibly poses the bigger threat, but a later attack finds Gamera protecting mankind. When only one Gyaos remains, it grows to Gamera’s size, and the two duke out.

Gamera: Guardian of the Universe has been praised by critics and fans alike for its darker tone. While that’s true that this ain’t your daddy’s Gamera, it’s not quite Christopher Nolan’s take on kaiju either. The film still has a pinch of schlock for the nostalgic. It utilizes many of the same special effects techniques as the original films – it just wouldn’t be Gamera without a guy in a rubber suit smashing miniature buildings – but they’re spruced up with newer technological advancements. Everything looks bigger, better and cooler. CGI is, thankfully, utilized sparingly and effectively. Guardian of the Universe remains as a successful reboot.

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Gamera 2: Attack of Legion (1996)

Gamera 2: Attack of Legion introduces a new adversary to the Gamera canon after a meteorite crashes into earth: an alien species of insect-like monsters, dubbed symbiotic Legions. (They’re reminiscent of the parasite creatures from Cloverfield.) There is also a huge queen Legion that emerges from a pod that lands in the middle of the city. Even with the aid of the Japanese military, Gamera has has hands full with one large monster and hundreds of smaller ones.

Although it was fast tracked after the success of the reboot, Gamera 2: Attack of Legion doesn’t feel rushed. In true sequel fashion, the scope is bigger, the destruction is more grandiose, the plot is more intense; it even gets biblical. There’s also a heavier reliance on CGI, which is admirable for its time, but it hasn’t aged all that well. The final showdown, in particular, feels cartoony; Gamera shows off a new power in the form of a plasma beam shot out of his chest. But it’s a small gripe, as the rest of the film delivers on everything kaiju fans want to see.

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Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris (1999)

Although a few years have passed since the last attack, citizens of Japan continue to live in fear of giant monsters – and with good reason. The Gyaos have evolved into an advanced, mutated species, but they’re still no match for Gamera. What does pose a threat to our turtle friend, however, is yet another Gyaos relative: an ancient creature dubbed Iris. The flying, tentacled beast is equipped with sword-like arms and possesses the ability to fire a sonic beam. As the badass final battle proves, Iris is truly Gamera’s ultimate foe.

While Gamera 2 amped up the action, Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris is more fantastical, more dramatic. It offers its fair share of action, but overall it’s a slow burner; there are long stretches filled with exposition from the human characters. With its talk of the occult, Gamera 3 also feels more like a traditional horror movie. Iris is almost entirely computer generated, and the film could nearly exist without Gamera at all. As such, Gamera 3 is somewhat disappointing if you’re looking for kaiju battles, but it remains an interesting film regardless. It also has an awesome ending.

The trilogy comes as a two-Blu-ray set; the first disc includes the first two installments, while the second disc houses the third movie and special features. There is nearly 3 hours of bonus material, including behind-the-scenes footage from all three, as well as deleted and extended scenes and more. Both the original Japanese versions and the English dubs are available for all three films. The high-definition presentations are crisp and clean.

I wish Kaneko’s Gamera series had continued (as the conclusion of Gamera 3 implies). Consistently impressive and entertaining, the trilogy still holds up well nearly 20 years later. As fun as the original Gamera series was, it always paled in comparison to Godzilla. As far as the Heisei eras go, however, Gamera proves quality pays over quantity. You can find this set insanely cheap, so monster movie fans have no excuse not to own the Gamera Trilogy. Even if you haven’t seen or dislike the original, there’s a good chance you’ll get a kick out of these movies.

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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