Godzilla goes Criterion!

[Torgo]

While us Godzilla fans are still waiting for releases of Godzilla 1985 and Godzilla vs. Biollante (though GvB is appearantly VERY CLOSE to a release through Echo Bridge), Criterion is prepping their own release of the first Godzilla film.

Normally I don't get pulled into Criterion's releases, except for a few of their company exclusives like Chasing Amy and Seven Samurai, but I'm going to pick this up. Can't wait to see what all they load it up with.

Fingers crossed for the Italian cut. It sucks beans, but it would be nice to own for us die hards.

[angilasman]

This is very exciting - not just for the HD upgrade, but for the fact that they do extensive restorations and Gojira is badly in need of one. Criterion's own HD restoration of Seven Samurai blows the one Toho did in Japan out of the water!

[Torgo]

Having just watched my CM disc, I know how dark and scratchy the transfer we currently have is.

I didn't invest in the CM Blu though, because I heard it wasn't very good. I'm hoping a good high def transfer will make this film look stunning on Blu-Ray.

[Justin T]

Criterion release of Godzilla? Oh hell yeah!!

I own a good number of Criterion releases (totally agree with angilasman on the restoration job they did on Seven Samurai, that was AWESOME!) mostly Kurosawa, Hitchcock and a few other titles. I've always enjoyed the work they put into films they release.

Thanks for sharing this very cool news

I'm currently looking into buying some of the classic G flicks of the Showa era. I already have Godzilla vs Mothra, i'm thinking of either getting that big box set or getting the ones I want indivdually.

With this news, I'm not sure I want to get the CM release of Gojira/Godzilla just yet. Maybe I should stick to some of the other CM Showa releases.

[Torgo]

It depends on what extras Criterion is going to use. While I'm sure Criterion is going to go all out, if you ask me, if there's even the slightest probability that they aren't going to reuse the commentaries by Steve Ryfle and Ed Godziszewski, then I'd still consider the Classic Media disc a must own.

Ditto on CM's other releases. If you like your Godzilla, the commentaries are must listens. And the Icons of Sci-Fi Toho Collection is a great companion piece for Steve and Ed's commentary on Mothra and Battle in Outer Space.

And don't forget to keep a look out for the new DVD of Destroy All Monsters, which is set to have a Steve and Ed commentary too. Media Blasters is also setting up a Godzilla vs. Megalon disc for November. No word on a commentary for that one, but chances are really good that it's getting one.

[Justin T]

Thanks for the recomendations Torgo. I'll get the CM release just in case.

I'll be keeping an eye out for that new release of Destroy All Monsters.

[angilasman]

augustragone.blogspot.com/2011/08/criterion-finds-us-version-of-godzilla.html

Not only will the original Gojira look better than ever, but Criterion (with the help of some fans) have discovered a 35mm Fine Grain Print of Godzilla, King of the Monsters! I'm not too well-versed with the technical jargon, but it layman's terms: both the original and US versions will look better than they ever have before!

[Justin T]

Man, the good news just keeps coming and coming.

Well, I've thought about buying it for about 2 years now but just never got around to it, so after getting all excited over the possibility of Criterion releasing Godzilla I finally gave in and purchased CM's The Godzilla Collection box set. At first I wasn't sure if I wanted to get the ones I really love individually, but I decided to go for the box set. The only one in there I don't really care for is All Monsters Attack (aka Godzilla's Revenge). I can't wait to finally watch the Japanese versions of these movies, esp Godzilla, Ghidorah and Astro Monster.

So I paid 30 bucks total on Amazon.com for it, not bad for 8 movies

Maybe we should start a new Godzilla movie thread after all.

[Mighty Jack]

^It might be fun to have a Godzillathon thread, we could go through the flicks and gab.

I don't take these films as seriously as the die-hards do, but I have fond childhood/tweenhood memories - I saw a bunch of these at the drive-in with my family.

All this talk has given me a hankering to pick up that Godzilla collection box set. I checked on-line to see if anyone had stock on hand. My local Hastings says there is one on the shelves. Maybe I'll give 'em a call and have them hold it for me?

[Torgo]

Aug 27, 2011 5:56:45 GMT -5 Mighty Jack said:

I don't take these films as seriously as the die-hards do,

Is that a stab at my lecture of the proper use of the term "Godzookie?" If it is, then

[Justin T]

Aug 27, 2011 5:56:45 GMT -5 Mighty Jack said:

^It might be fun to have a Godzillathon thread, we could go through the flicks and gab.

I don't take these films as seriously as the die-hards do, but I have fond childhood/tweenhood memories - I saw a bunch of these at the drive-in with my family.

All this talk has given me a hankering to pick up that Godzilla collection box set. I checked on-line to see if anyone had stock on hand. My local Hastings says there is one on the shelves. Maybe I'll give 'em a call and have them hold it for me?

I say go for it MJ, especially if the price is under 30 bucks.

Well that's another vote for a Godzilla thread, what do you say Torgo?

[Torgo]

I say sure! We haven't had a good Zilla thread lately except for the Legendary Pictures thread.

[angilasman]

Gabbing Godzilla is one of my fav hobbies!

[Justin T]

Awesome, I should have my Godzilla Collection box set by Monday. So once I do we'll get one started. I'll try and squeeze Gojira at least this week, my fall semester classes start Monday too.

It's been a long time since I watched these movies, so I'm looking foward to going through the ones in this box set. Especially watching the original Japanese versions.

[Torgo]

DVD and Blu-Ray hit in January.

Amazing cover art.