MATANGO
Very creepy movie with an excellent ensemble cast. I like how Honda began and ended the film, with bookending shots of a neon-lit Tokyo. And the hallucination scenes are classic! Overall, I'd say this is probably my favorite Toho sci-fi/fantasy/horror movie EVER.
MOTHRA
The original, you idiot!
To me, this film is the very definition of a classic. Pure fantasy, and a great sense of wonder. The greatest thing about all of Ishiro Honda's fantasy films of the 50s and 60s (and Jun Fukuda as well) is that they are not only showcases for fantastic destruction and anarchy, but they're very strong on characterization, something the genre has lacked ever since TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA. Rather than being from a close-knit circle of individuals (military brass, technicians, psychics, etc.), the main characters of each movie are from all walks of life. And MOTHRA has it all. Even a human protagonist! Nelson is the sh*t!
THE MYSTERIANS
I LOVE this movie! It exemplifies everything that a thoroughly Japanese science fiction film is. It has the vintage Toho look. Not necessarily the greatest of all (personally, I think the story drags alot), but those special effects are really fun to watch! And that great march! And MOGUERA!! Yeah, this is definately a favorite of mine.
SPACE MONSTER DOGORA
As with MOTHRA, I've seen both version of this movie, but because the Japanese version is in much better shape picture and sound quality-wise, I went with the title of that one. And besides, the original is a hundred times better anyway, considering the fact that AIP did not employ the genius work of Titra for the dubbing. Once again, here's a movie that's more story-conscience than anything else (Dogora doesn't appear in full until the movie is almost over, and even then it's fleeting). The fact that it's a yakuza-crime drama/kaiju film laced with subtle, but effective comedy only makes it better. And then there's Robert Dunham, who plays Mark Jackson. Quite possibly the coolest character ever in a movie! I think that pretty much sums it up.
ATRAGON
Aside from a select-few kaiju films that were readily available stateside (RODAN, MOTHRA WOTG, etc.), this was the only non-Godzilla Toho movie that I had seen at the time (I was like ten or eleven). Ever since then, it's been my personal favorite. It's such an epic story. The idea of the Mu Empire is entirely original and having the reluctant Naval Officer (played brilliantly by the great, Jun Tazaki) be the only hope for humanity above water was a creative peak for screenwriter Sekizawa. And Atragon (Gotenho[sp?] in the Japanese version) is one of Tsuburaya's most inspired and recognizable creations. And yes, I have to put in a word for Manda. Clearly, producer Tanaka made his influence felt by insisting that a giant monster appear in the movie, without any real relevance to the story. But Manda is a cool creation, and atleast his inclusion doesn't stop the movie dead in its tracks as was the case with GORATH.
Trust me, more is to come!
