Godzilla Minus One (2023)

Godzilla Minus One is a prequel-like film set in a Mid to Post WWII Japan where a gigantic monster appears off the coast.

Back in 2019, I watched Dragon Quest: Your Story because I'm a big Dragon Quest fan. Even while writing this review, I've paused Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince. Little did I know earlier this afternoon that Takashi Yamazaki had directed both. He did a great job getting material out of the live-action characters but the CGI could have had more of a bake time as there were some noticeable issues but perhaps the average audience member won't notice.

Ryunosuke Kamiki plays the main character and has a large growth and character arc that screams Japanese as he's an insecure and self-conscious beta who has no backbone or the courage to do what's right until the arc is over. It's very relatable to younger audiences. He was in Spirited Away and The Secret World of Arrietty so there's that.

Minami Hamabe plays the love interest in one way or another. It's more of a will they won't they situation. She plays the character written for her well but is absent through a good half of the movie. She's expressive and you want to see her happy by the end.

It's a solid Godzilla movie, it's not as amazing as some people are claiming but compared to much in the theaters right now it's on the top end. Result: B+

Comments

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One has a long name, long runtime, and long action sequences. Christopher McQuarrie has directed Tom Cruise in 4 out of his 5 directorial movies, the first being Jack Reacher . He has much more impressive writing credentials. But to talk about the direction of the movie, he knows how to direct action and chase scenes but when it comes to dialogue there were some issues I had with camera angles. I totally forgot that McQuarrie had written The Usual Suspects, which can explain some of the dialogue choices in this film. He knows how to write so that the audience remembers the characters' names, unlike Tony Gilroy . There's no connection there I just think that's one of my major criticisms of Gilroy. Tom Cruise looks like he's forty years old, but is actually sixty at the time of release. He has some great two-liners which seem to be more of his go-to, not only for adding emotions but for the trailer purpose. There are ...

Scream 7

Scream 7 (2026) marks the return of Kevin Williamson , the original writer of Scream , now stepping back in to write and direct. The result is a sequel that feels closer in spirit to the franchise’s roots. It balances meta commentary with straightforward slasher brutality and, for the most part, it works. Neve Campbell returns as Sidney Prescott and immediately grounds the film. Her presence alone gives the story weight, and the script wisely centers her instead of sidelining her. There are a few cameos from figures in Sidney’s past that longtime fans will appreciate, and while some feel more nostalgic than necessary, they never fully derail the pacing. Also, she's not past her prime. Isabel May , known for 1883 and Alexa & Katie , steps into a major role and holds her own as Sidney's daughter. She brings a modern energy without feeling like a forced replacement, and her dynamic with Campbell adds tension that feels organic rather than manufactured. The violence is tu...

Crime 101 (2026)

Crime 101 (2026) is a crime thriller that checks the basic boxes of what should work, but the writing never tightens enough to make it compelling. It hits familiar beats, runs longer than it should, and never quite earns its tension. It feels like a good movie outline stretched into a full runtime. Bart Layton , known for American Animals and The Imposter , directs, and his uneven filmography shows here. The structure is serviceable, but the pacing drags and the scenes lack urgency. The direction is competent without being memorable, and the film never finds a sharp identity. Chris Hemsworth , known for Thor and Extraction , plays the reclusive criminal at the center of the story. He tries to lean into a quieter, more internal performance, but he does not fully sell the damaged foster child mentality the script is aiming for. The performance feels like an attempt rather than a transformation. Mark Ruffalo , recognized for Spotlight and The Avengers , feels like he is on autopilo...

Movies, Film, and Chili

Search This Blog