"Godzilla Minus Zero" Starts Friday

Now that the midterm election is over, I can now look forward to seeing Godzilla Minus Zero that is starting Friday.

According the summary from Allen Theaters Red Rock 10:

War reduced Japan to zero, and Godzilla plunged it into minus. Two years have passed since then, and the country has faced agonizing struggles to achieve recovery and finally reclaim its daily life. Just as humanity managed to cling to a hard-won peace, a new threat strikes, crushing hope in an instant.

Watch Godzilla Minus Zero at Red Rock 10 - Gallup in Gallup, NM. This movie rated R, runs 2h 30m, is listed as Science Fiction, Horror, and Action. Use this page to review current showtimes, choose tickets, check movie details, and get directions to this cinema.

Starring Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe, Yuki Yamada, Kuranosuke Sasaki, Jun Kunimura, Miou Tanaka, Sakura Ando, Masami Nagasawa, Min Tanaka, Hidetaka Yoshioka, Munetaka Aoki, Sae Nagatani, Wes Wing

I was thinking about seeing it after my usual Friday dinner with Bob Weekes, but the times for the showings aren't convenient. So, I will likely see it Saturday instead.

To read more, go here.

"EPiC: Elvis Presley In Concert" Review

Yesterday, I went to the Red Rock 10 Theaters in Gallup to see the new Baz Luhrmann EPiC: Elvis Presley In Concert movie. It is a documentary/concert film. Afterwards, I went to Jerry's Café for dinner before heading home.

The movie focused Presley's early residency at the International Hotel in Las Vegas (circa 1969) and some arena concerts circa 1971-1972.  

Reviews of the movie have been raving and, quite frankly, it didn't disappoint. The only narration was by Presley himself and not any talking heads of commentators. 

Much of the footage I had never seen before. The sharpness and color were great, as if the footage was shot only recently. What really impressed me was the sound. The theater had a great surround system and make one almost feel as if they were in the showroom. 

I was thinking during the movie that it was too bad my mother wasn't alive to enjoy it. She was the big Elvis fan in the family. 

I have to give this movie a strong A+ grade. 

EPiC: Elvis Presley In Concert

The documentary by Baz Luhrmann opens in theaters this week. I have been seeing rave reviews.

The movie features long-lost films found at the Graceland estate and restored.

The Hanford Sentinel posted a review which starts with:

Over the years, countless attempts have been made to resurrect the King, whether it was movies, TV specials or musical ventures celebrating his artistry and legacy, attempting to bring him back and keep him among us.

No single project has done a better job of making Elvis feel present and alive than "EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert," director Baz Luhrmann's dazzling documentary-slash-concert film, which lets us see and feel Elvis on stage, in his element.

It's a pure joy to see, to feel, to behold, as Elvis tells his story, in his own words, and hits the stage to let us bask in his greatness. The movie, meanwhile, helps to reclaim Elvis as a singular force of nature, an otherworldly dynamo, not the parody of himself with which we've come to associate his Vegas years.

The movie will be opening February 27 at the Red Rock 10 Theaters in Gallup. I'll be seeing it there.

To read more, go here.

"Reagan" Trailer

Reagan is playing at the Red Rock 10 Theaters in Gallup. I am thinking about going to the 2:30 screening.

Meanwhile, here's the trailer:

"Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" Review

Above, at Red Rock 10 Theaters. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday afternoon, I went to Gallup to see Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire by Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. We had a full house in the auditorium.

Let me just start off to say that I found it entertaining. We're talking about a Legendary/Warners Godzilla movie, not Shakespeare. There are a few things that I see as flaws. To give any of them away would be spoilers. There was also some shark-jumping. 

The MonsterVerse movies all play like a Heisei Gamera movie, not a Godzilla movie.

It is amazing that Godzilla x Kong had a budget of $135 million. But the money did not show up on the big screen. I saw a number of not-so-good shots. They were on a par with Godzilla vs. Kong, quality-wise. With that amount of money spent and the number of special effects people working on it, it makes the special effects of Godzilla Minus One all the more remarkable, considering the movie cost Toho around $15 million to produce. It is no surprise to me why Godzilla Minus One got a special effects Oscar whereas none of the MonsterVerse movies ever did. I have the feeling Legendary/Warners wanted to rush out a movie.

Right now, Godzilla x Kong is around 60% at Rotten Tomatoes by the critics. It is around 93% by fans. At this same point, Godzilla Minus One was in the upper 90s by fans and the critics. 

Toho should use a paraphrase of Kentucky Fried Chicken's slogan: We do Godzilla right!

My grade: B+

Following the screening, I headed to Jerry's Cafe in Gallup for a great chile relleno/enchilada combo dinner. 

Considering we're to get another round of snow, I am glad to get out of the house to see a movie and go out to dinner.

"Godzilla x Kong" Today

Today is the official day that Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire opens in U.S. theaters, even though it was playing yesterday.

I will be going to the Red Rock 10 Theaters in Gallup today to see it. I'll likely have dinner in town after the movie.

I don't have high expectations for the movie, especially after Toho's great Godzilla Minus One. As long as I find the movie entertaining, I will be satisfied. 

Here's the second official trailer. 

Happy New Year!

Above, yours truly at the Red Rock 10 Theaters in Gallup.

As previously mentioned, I decided to give Godzilla Minus One another viewing. This time, it was at the local Red Rock 10 Theaters in Gallup. The first time I saw it was in Albuquerque at the beginning of the month. 

It was as enjoyable as the first time. The theater was about half full. It was a nice way to close out the year.

Godzilla Minus One is doing great business worldwide. It is closing in on $80 million! I would surmise that this will be the most successful Japanese Godzilla movie in history. I am certain that Toho is quite happy.

Above, the chicken enchiladas (the Rita Moreno on the menu). Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Following that, I headed over to the Silver Screen restaurant at the El Rancho Hotel. I had chicken enchiladas. 

Above, yours truly about to have dinner under the watchful eyes of The Duke.

Now, I am going to sit at home and relax. I will likely be asleep in bed by midnight. If that's the case, Happy New Year to all!

New Year's Eve and The Big G

To finish off 2023, since there really aren't too many New Year's celebration options to attend, I figure on going to see Godzilla Minus One this afternoon at the Red Rock 10 Theaters in Gallup.

Their schedule for today:

This will be my second viewing of the best theatrical movie I've seen this year.

Following that, I will head over to the Silver Screen restaurant at the El Rancho Hotel. 

"Godzilla Minus One" Starts Tomorrow In Gallup

 

IGN posted at Facebook:

After scoring the record for highest-grossing opening of a live-action Japanese film in U.S. theaters, Godzilla Minus One is expanding to over 2,500 locations across North America.

I was talking earlier with friend Nandoh and he said that Godzilla Minus One will be playing in Gallup.

Sure enough, starting tomorrow, Godzilla Minus One will be shown at Allen Theaters Red Rock 10 in Gallup. It will be one of the 2,500 locations across North America.

"No Time To Die" [Some Spoilers]

Above, Lea Seydoux and Daniel Craig in No Time To Die. Eon Productions.

Just a little while ago, I got home from seeing No Time To Die and then having dinner at the El Rancho Hotel in Gallup. 

Russell Azbill and I went to the 1:30 screening at the Red Rock 10 Theaters.

First off, do not drink a lot of fluids before going into the movie auditorium for it is a longer than usual Bond movie and you may have need to pee during the movie. It is about about 2 3/4 hours long.

As for the movie, it is the best James Bond movie since Skyfall (not that Spectre was bad),

I was disappointed that Bond's assistant Paloma (Ana de Armas) in Cuba had such little screen time. She's gorgeous. I was pleased to see the return of Lea Seydoux from Spectre. Not only does she return, she also has a four-year-old daughter (you can guess the rest).

The synopsis of the plot is as follows (from Rotten Tomatoes):

James Bond is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica after leaving active service. However, his peace is short-lived as his old CIA friend, Felix Leiter, shows up and asks for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond on the trail of a mysterious villain who's armed with a dangerous new technology.

There's a lot of action throughout the movie, which is what Bond fans have come to expect. The villain Safin (Rami Malek) has to be the creepiest Bond villain ever. The melody of "We Have All The Time In The World" from On Her Majesty's Secret Service plays in the movie and Louis Armstrong's version plays during the end credits. 

Former James Bond George Lazenby (On Her Majesty's Secret Service) posted on Facebook September 28:

Since it wasn't feasible for me to be in London for the World premiere I got to see the new Bond here in LA. Interesting choices of music I must say

I was hoping to see the movie dedicated to Sean Connery, but it didn't happen (even though the movie was completed before Connery's death, they still could have tacked it on). They didn't do one for Roger Moore either.

As this is Daniel Craig's last outing as James Bond, the shocking ending makes perfect sense. If you want to avoid a major spoiler, you can stop reading here. 

Major Spoiler Follows

At the end, he signals M to have missiles launched against Safin's island headquarters to destroy the biological poisons that are stockpiled there. Bond, wounded from his last encounter with Safin, cannot get off the island and is engulfed in the explosions from the missiles. It appears that James Bond was killed in the conflagration (rather Flemingesque).

However, the usual, "James Bond Will Return" pops up after the end credits. 

The likely scenario for the next movie will be that Bond, barely alive, is found and is hospitalized. When the bandages wrapped around his face are removed, the new James Bond will be revealed. We shall see.

My grade: A. 👍👍👍👍👍

"Godzilla: King of the Monsters" Blu-ray

Finally, today I bought the Blu-ray of Godzilla: King of the Monsters.

I had to go into Gallup anyway to pick up a new television antenna as the one I had crapped out. The new one works great!

The package contained the Blu-ray, a DVD and the Digital Code.

While having dinner, watched the movie and was impressed with the picture and sound quality. One thing I found annoying was that not all of the extras are included in the Blu-ray disc. One extra was in the Blu-ray and the others were in the DVD.

This was my second viewing of the movie. The first was in 3D in Gallup at the Red Rock Theaters. I apparently missed a few things during my first viewing, but caught them this evening.

"Godzilla: King of the Monsters" In 3D

Above, yours truly with the "souvenir" 3D glasses.

Just a little while ago, I got back home from the Red Rock 10 Theaters after seeing Godzilla: King of the Monsters. I watched the 3D version.

Since not everyone has seen the movie yet, I will be a nice guy and not post any spoilers. How's that for public service?

Anyway, ahem, I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. If there is an adjective to describe it, I would say spectacular! The monster battles were well done and I don't think there's been this many in a Godzilla movie, Japanese or American, since Godzilla Final Wars.

A few good things that stood out for me:

1. The 3D was better than I would have expected. I recommend seeing this version.
2.  Memorial Tributes for Yoshimitsu Banno and Haruo Nakajima at the tail end of the end credits was a classy touch!
3. The monster designs were top-notch. The tweaking of Godzilla's spines to resemble those of the 1954 Godzilla was a great touch. Rodan looked like the Rodan we all know and love as was King Ghidorah. This Mothra was the best ever. 
4. Familiar music cues from the Toho series were sprinkled throughout. Another nice touch!
5. Fully reclining seats! If one is not careful, they can easily nod off to sleep as they are so comfortable!
6. Clues or "easter eggs" for the next movie. Skull Island references dominated them. Stay for all of the end credits!

Bad things:

1. Obese mothers with kids have to get up in the middle of the movie with their charges to go to the restroom or the snack bar. Annoying!

Some "critics" complained about the lack of a plot for the human characters. I didn't notice any lack of plot. It was fine to me. One doesn't go to giant monster movies for "a plot", they want gratuitous monster mayhem! That said, fanatical "environmentalist wackos" got a good jab in the plot.

My grade: A.

"Godzilla: King of the Monsters" Opens Tomorrow

Tomorrow's the day that Godzilla: King of the Monsters is released to worldwide theaters.

Yesterday, after our regular group coffee gathering in the morning, I headed over to Red Rock 10 Theaters in Gallup, New Mexico to purchase my movie ticket.

Above, the ticket. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I decided to try the 3D version. I have not seen any 3D movie with the new digital technology, so I figured I'd give it a whirl.

If I am unimpressed (provided the movie is a good one) with 3D, I can always go back to see the standard release.

After buying my ticket, I headed back home on Historic Route 66 until it ended at the Iyanbito on-ramp for the fun of it. 

"Godzilla: King of the Monsters" At Red Rock 10 In Gallup

Finally, Allen Theaters has posted their May 31 movie schedule and Godzilla: King of the Monsters will be playing at the Red Rock 10 Theaters in Gallup.

Red Rock 10 is on the eastern side of Gallup, so I won't have to into town to the theater.