After many delays, the GODZILLA SOUNDTRACK PERFECT COLLECTION BOX FOUR
is almost here. © 2006 Toho Co., Ltd.

The Long Delayed CD Box Set to be Released at Last
Author: John “Dutch” DeSentis with Robert Saint John
Source: Ark Soundtrack Square, Masao Iwase Blog
Special Thanks to Keith Aiken, Ed Godziszewski, and Larry Tuczynski’s Godzilla Monster Music Website

Back in 2004, amidst the hysteria that was Godzilla’s 50th Anniversary, it was announced that Toho Music would re-release the Godzilla soundtrack series in six special edition boxes loaded with extras such as alternate cues, dialog from the movies, and several bonus discs. The first of these GODZILLA SOUNDTRACK PERFECT COLLECTIONs hit the streets in October that year and the second set followed in December. Strangely, there was quite a delay on the third set as it did not see release until April of 2005. Little did collectors know that the delay of the third box would be nothing compared to the wait they would endure for the next. Now, after nearly a year and a half, the long delayed fourth box is finally set to be released on October 20, 2006.
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Makoto Iwamatsu 1933-2006
Authors: Loren Portillo and Kari Wyatt

Japanese-American actor Mako.

Mako, who passed away July 21, 2006, was one of the most gifted Japanese born film actors to grace the American silver screen. Blessed with incredible screen presence and strength in every role, Mako was always a scene stealer and would often upstage his fellow leading actors. From Bruce Lee to Jackie Chan to Chuck Norris, I have often said, “Mako has worked with everyone”!
Continued…

Rare Toho publicity material from 1954/55 featuring Toshiro
Mifune as the samurai Kikuchiyo. © 1954 Toho Co., Ltd.

Could this be the best presentation of the best movie ever made?
Author: Richard Pusateri
Official Site: Criterion Collection

While SEVEN SAMURAI is not sci fi, it is from Japan and linked to GODZILLA. Both colossal movies were produced by Toho Co Ltd. and must have been in some stages of pre-production nearly simultaneously. They shared many crew and cast members, like Takeshi Shimura who starred in both films. SEVEN SAMURAI’s director Akira Kurosawa and Ishiro Honda, GODZILLA’s director, were colleagues and close friends. Although Godzilla might be the most famous Japanese movie star, SEVEN SAMURAI is widely accepted as the most internationally famous and critically acclaimed Japanese film.

…I think this Criterion Collection release of SEVEN SAMURAI is as good as movies get, and a lot of people agree with me. You need this set. It is indispensable.

The complete review, DVD specs, and an exclusive look at rare Toho English language sales material for SEVEN SAMURAI can be found here.

Classic Media’s latest DVD pairs the original Japanese GOJIRA with the US cut
GODZILLA KING OF THE MONSTERS. © 1954, 1956 Toho Co., Ltd.

Classic Media Releases the Original GODZILLA in a Deluxe Edition on DVD
Author: John “Dutch” DeSentis
Source: Classic Media
Official site: Godzilla on DVD
Special Thanks to Aaron Cooper and James Ballard

September 5th, 2006 is a date that should forever be important to Godzilla fans as the day that the original, unaltered, post-war masterpiece GOJIRA was finally and officially released on DVD in North America. After years of hoping and clamoring, fans finally get their wish and much to our satisfaction the film is given an incredibly packaged and dignified release.

For more of this review, links to recent GODZILLA news coverage, and a list of colleges holding free screenings of Classic Media’s GOJIRA, please go here.