Wednesday, March 31, 2021

I saw Godzilla vs Kong...

Ishiro Honda's King Kong vs Godzilla is a childhood favorite, and so despite its men-in-floppy-costumed confinement, a re-imaging was going to be hard to embrace in my sentimental estimation. 

I also feared that the WB/Legendary Films Monsterverse Godzilla vs Kong would play it safe, with mushy attributes, dense double talk and maybe even a superfluous role from the overused Mothra, just to remind us how important a feminine touch is for Cancel Culture action movies. (Gosh, does such a contradiction exist? Oh, yeah, there's that Harry Potter thing.)

However, I'm pleased to report that this new clash of the titans is brutal and virile, an unapologetic triumph on all Hong Kong-crushing counts. 

Scripted by Max Borenstein and Eric Pearson and directed by Adam (You're Next) Wingard, Godzilla vs Kong follows all those insinuations found in its trailers (as well those based on fanboy speculation), with Godzilla acting as a misguided aggressor and Kong performing as Earth's potential savior, even if temporarily contained and not always allowed to finish his fights. As expected, Mechagodzilla (for the record, a knock-off of Toho's mighty Mecha-Kong) intercedes in the titanic collision, much like Doomsday in Batman v Superman, securing an earthquaking alliance against the mega-robot's reckless, Apex puppeteers. 

The Mechagodzilla component is a welcome, if not necessary one, even though the mean machine has been overused as much as Toho's mammoth moth. At least Gojira's steely counterpart prompts callous battles, no matter the movie or its particular quality. The automaton's inclusion in this instance is no different and may be Mechagodzilla's most fulfilling appearance.  

Though the monsters (and there are several) are the focus (thank God), the cast of mortals grants respectable filler: Millie Bobby (Stranger Things) Brown as Madison Russell (reprising her Godzilla King of the Monsters '19 role); Kyle Chandler as Mark Russell (also reprising his King of the Monsters role; while having been a significant costar in Peter Jackson's Kong '05); Rebecca Hall as Irene Andrews (Kong's earnest cheerleader); Alexander (Legend of Tarzan) Skarsgard as Dr. Nathan Lind (a former Monarch geologist and ridiculed, Hollow Earth scholar at Denham University of Theoretical Science); Kaylee Hottle as the pacifying Jia; Demian Birshir as the shady Walter Simmons; Erza Gonzalez as his snarky daughter, Maia; Shun Ogun as cybernetic whiz Ren Serizawa; Brian Tyree Henry as conspiracy-theorist Bernie Hayes; Julian Dennison as nurturing nerd Josh Valentine; in addition to other keen characters and players. 

To amp up the supplemental rumble, Tom Holkenborg (aka Junkie XL)'s score is a huge presence onto itself, charging the monster-brawl sequences with the same Wagnerian (if not Ifukube) roll that he gave Zack Snyder's Justice League and Mad Max: Fury Road.  

There's nothing profound about this Monsterverse chapter (not even its prehistoric backstory), which is a big reason why I dig it. Unlike the convoluted Godzilla King of the Monsters '19, Godzilla vs Kong steps in sync with the unpretentious Kong: Skull Island and the rambunctious Rampage. In other words, it doesn't have to justify itself with an overabundance of climate crap. Shoot, I'll even give its propagandist CNN insert a pass, simply because the film lets its overriding chips fall where they will. 

If cinemas were open to the extent they were prior to the pandemic paranoia, Godzilla vs Kong would be a record-breaking smash. Let's hope its limited, theatrical release and HBO-Max setup is just as successful in its own intimate right, and from there we get that big-budget Destroy All Monsters redux we've been long promised. 

Monday, March 29, 2021

RAFFAELE PEZZELLA PRESENTS THE BLACK STONE: LOVECRAFTIAN INFLUENCES

 

Music maestro, Raffaele Pezzella has branched out into the literary field with an Eighth Tower Publication that pays homage to H.P. Lovecraft. Pezzella's curated offering is in fact, named after Robert E. Howard's famous, Cthulhu offshoot, and as such is called The Black Stone: Stories for Lovecraftian Summonings. (The 374-page extravaganza also stands as a companion piece to Pezzella's various-artists CD/download release, the Black Stone: Music for Lovecraftian Summonings. The CD/download caters to many of Lovecraft's original stories, concepts and inspirations. I will be reviewing the latter in the near future.) 

A heap of superb authors have contributed to Pezzella's literary track: Ramsey Campbell; Brian M. Sammons; Glynn Owen Barrass; Lucy A. Snyder; E.A. Black; Chris Kelso; Andrew Coulthard; Stephen Mark Rainey; Kevin Lewis; Richard Alan Scott; Russell Smeaton; J. Edwin Buja; Made in DNA; David Agranoff; Pete Rawlik; Brian C. Short; John Chadwick; David Voyles; Konstantine Paradias; Love Kolle; Edward Morris; Parry Milton; Phil Breach; Garret Cook; Andrew Freudenberg; and Sarah Walker.

My story, "Tentacled", is also featured. It projects an Outer Limits vibe, because Outer Limits has traditionally projected a Lovecraftian vibe. (I believe that author/Lovecraft historian, Jason Colavito would more than concur with my comparison.) 

The Black Stone: Stories for Lovecraftian Summoning is an amazing anthology that all Lovecraft connoisseurs will adore. To summon its otherworldly contents, one need only visit

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08XWHMHD8?pf_rd_r=9HW7VV3ZS9E9BASTH4Q9&pf_rd_p=5ae2c7f8-e0c6-4f35-9071-dc3240e894a8&pd_rd_r=2f23a623-655c-43d7-8fa9-ccec4a2b7018&pd_rd_w=qxM4g&pd_rd_wg=rtjbn&ref_=pd_gw_unk

and

https://eighthtowerrecords.bandcamp.com/merch/the-black-stone-stories-for-lovecraftian-summonings-book-cd?fbclid=IwAR3v1PU3qT8-66OP810uPdHOLdTjq6kNIpRnkjVKsweUEOWD4WkIzFfiHxI

Thursday, March 25, 2021

THE MASKED RIDER (TALES OF THE WILD WEST): VOL 3 HITS THE ADVENTURE TRAIL

The dauntless Wayne Morgan returns in Airship 27 Production's The Masked Rider (Tales of the Wild West) Vol 3, which spotlights the classic, pulp crusader and his faithful, Yaqui companion, Blue Hawk through victory and peril, embellished by Jason Wren's masterful interiors and Shane Evan's valorous cover.

For this edition, readers are treated to Paul Findley's sprawling "Green Valley: Red Death", where the Masked Rider battles a murderous gang of rustlers, who frame Indians for their deeds. In addition, Gordon Dymowski gives us his powerful novella, "A Town Called Malice", in which the Mask Rider investigates a Calvary officer's death, buffered by some vexing identity theft.  

As a tasty bonus to this volume's Masked Rider entries, there's Thomas McNulty's dandy, Wyatt Earp/Doc Holliday, horse-stealin' submission, "Kings of the Sage". This hard-hitting yarn is flavored with ample Kurt Russell/Val Kilmer seasoning, which will no doubt please all Tombstone fans.  

Some say that the Masked Rider is merely a knockoff of the Lone Ranger. Perhaps they're right, but Morgan's adventures are thrilling all the same, with an ethical edge that can't be beat, as Airship's latest volume proves in spades.

Order the Masked Rider (Tales of the Wild West), Vol 3 at 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1953589022/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=the+masked+rider+vol+3&qid=1616672512&sr=8-3

FILMFAX #158: A NEW FIVE OUNCE TON OF INTELLIGENT FUN

 

Filmfax #158 presents a new, fulfilling compilation of far-out nostalgia, with special focus on the first wave of fantasy pulp fiction.

There's also a continued retrospective on Son of Kong; accompanied by essays on Buck Rogers, John Carradine, Conrad Brooks, Lon Chaney Jr., Marshall Efron, Mr. Wizard and more. 


Get your copy of Filmfax #158 today at your local bookshop, kiosk or favorite online vendor. You're guaranteed a wonderful read. 

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

AIRSHIP 27 PODCAST (MARCH '21): READY FOR LIFTOFF!!!

As the atmosphere turns to Spring, a new Airship 27 Podcast springs New Pulp promise upon us all.

For this episode, Ron Fortier and Rob Davis spotlight I.A. Watson's Incunabulum of Sherlock Holmes, which includes six stories, never before published by Airship. 

The gents also detail such in-production entries as Michael Black and Ray Lovato's next-generation Doc Savage in the Adventures of Doc Atlas, Vol 1; Teel James Glenn's Killing Shadows; Nancy Hansen's the Silver Pentacle, Vol 1; and the Masked Rider, Vol 3 (which I had the honor of co-editing). 

There are also ripe references on this year's Pulp Factory Awards.

Fly on by for a listen/view at

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtZe5atbTfg

TERRIFIC TEAM-UP IMAGE: GODZILLA, GHIDORAH & RODAN (INVASION OF THE ASTRO-MONSTER)

 

R.I.P. GEORGE SEGAL...

You were best known for your comedic and dramatic paths, which included the Owl and the Pussycat; the Mirror Has Two FacesWhere's Papa?; the Dutchess and the Dirtwater Fox; the Hot Rock; Bye Bye Braverman; Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf?; Who's Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?; Act OneShip of Fools; California Split; Carbon Copy; Lost and Found; the New Interns; the Young Doctorsthe Black Bird; Fun with Dick and Jane '77; the Girl Who Couldn't Say No; Look Who's Talking; Three Days to Vegas; the Last Married Couple in America; For the Boys; Born to Win; and for television, Just Shoot Me and the Goldbergs

You also engaged in explosive adventures and taut thrillers: the Longest Day; the Bridge at Remagan; the Last CommandKing Rat; Joshua Tree; the Southern Star; Invitation to a Gunfighter; Russian Roulette; No Way to Treat a LadyStick; the Baby Sitter; Run for Your Life; the St. Valentine's Day Massacre; the Quiller Memorandum; and of course, the Hitchcockian, Rollercoaster.

However, science-fiction buffs hold you in high regard for your starring role as Harry Benson in Mike Hodges'  adaptation of Michael Crichton's the Terminal Man: a '70s favorite that gets ever better with the passing of time.  (And let's not overlook your participation in Dinotopia: Quest for the Ruby Sunstone and Tale of Princess Kayuga: fine, family fantasies for one and all.) 

Thanks for the laughs, the tensions and overall outstanding performances, Mr. Segal. You were one of the best class acts going, with a delightful legacy that's destined to endure. 

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

PIN-UP TIME: NELL MCANDREW..."LARA CROFT" NUDE (PLAYBOY AUG '99)

 

ADARCAH IANQU RETURNS: EXPERIMENTAL FROM THESSALONIKI

Adarcah Ianqu (aka Airktoo tha darkah) returns with a fresh, folkish-phobic ascension: an audio impression that's as austere as any he's cut before, brushed by greasepaint, but weighed by underlying woe. He's calls it experimental from Thessaloniki

The experiment begins with "slothfulness", and like Ianqu's past intros, this one carries a deep, slow-dripping agony. 

The pain then expounds, represented by the nasty "dither" (the latter translated from Greek for the convenience of this post), which tosses one's cognition to the curb--burnt to an emotional crisp.

The mournful intonation of "no cent" follows: One's shell is cast into the crematory flames and thereafter scattered throughout a Grecian poverty line. Low-rent commodities beckon, and by dreaded design, the notes puppeteer one's peripheral eye. Alas, it's only kindred souls that rise.

One dares to bargain with them, engaging in hollow exchanges of "sex for million drachmas", but the souls and their symbiotic sounds push back against one's yearning. 

Perhaps, a meager "five drachmas" will suffice for some touch-and-go delight, but the response is no more than murmuring wind, into which one's essence becomes a myriad of fruitless frowns--forever turned upside down.  

For its sardonic truth, Ianqu's doleful spree proves shocking yet oh-so-satisfying. 

For Ianqu's reckless fling, enter at 

https://www.reverbnation.com/adarkahianqu?fbclid=IwAR11qpWEM6i4hi_mT5G2q23kPxrPTpnrDsn3CytNlCM-gYDITcMLgUBsvBE