Latest news with #GodzillaMinusOne
Time Business News
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time Business News
Godzilla Minus One Blu-ray: A Deep Dive into the Home Release of Toho's Masterpiece
Introduction 'Godzilla Minus One,' Toho's 2023 cinematic masterpiece, has become a cornerstone in the kaiju genre and a global sensation. Directed by Takashi Yamazaki, this film not only revitalized the Godzilla franchise but also reintroduced the King of the Monsters in a darker, more emotionally resonant narrative. With the release of the Godzilla Minus One Blu-ray , fans now have the chance to experience this landmark film in stunning high definition from the comfort of their homes. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the Godzilla Minus One Blu-ray release, exploring its features, historical context, technical details, collector's value, and why it's a must-have for kaiju enthusiasts and cinephiles alike. 1. Overview of 'Godzilla Minus One' 'Godzilla Minus One' is set in post-war Japan, taking place shortly after World War II. The country is devastated, both emotionally and economically, and then comes another catastrophe—Godzilla. Unlike the heroic or morally ambiguous portrayals in some modern iterations, this version of Godzilla is a terrifying force of nature, echoing the creature's original 1954 incarnation. The film's critical success stems from its humanistic storytelling, character development, political themes, and special effects. It blends emotional depth with sheer cinematic spectacle—qualities that translate remarkably well to the Blu-ray format. 2. Blu-ray Release Date and Availability The Godzilla Minus One Blu-ray was officially released in Japan on May 1, 2024, with English subtitles included, delighting international fans. In the U.S., the physical Blu-ray arrived in stores and online platforms like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart in early June 2024. Both standard and limited collector's editions are available, with some special retailer-exclusive bonuses. Editions Available: ● Standard Blu-ray: 1080p video with DTS-HD audio, Japanese and English subtitles. ● Collector's Edition: Includes 4K Ultra HD disc, bonus features disc, art cards, steelbook packaging. ● Digital Edition: Offered via platforms like Apple TV and Vudu. 3. Technical Specifications The technical quality of the Godzilla Minus One Blu-ray is nothing short of superb. The transfer captures every detail from the cinematic release, and in some cases, the home experience even enhances appreciation for the VFX and sound design. Video Quality: ● Resolution: 1920×1080 (Blu-ray), 3840×2160 (4K UHD) ● Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 ● HDR10 and Dolby Vision support (4K UHD) Audio: ● Japanese: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 ● English: Dolby Digital 5.1 (subtitled) ● Immersive surround sound perfectly captures monster roars and destruction sequences The colors are crisp, contrast is excellent, and dark scenes are handled with finesse—a critical element for a film that often relies on shadows and atmosphere. 4. Bonus Features Breakdown One of the major draws of the Godzilla Minus One Blu-ray is the treasure trove of special features included, especially in the deluxe editions. These features offer insight into the making of the film and the vision behind the monster. Key Bonus Features: ● Director's Commentary: Takashi Yamazaki shares his thoughts on creative choices, VFX challenges, and thematic inspirations. ● Behind-the-Scenes Documentary: A 45-minute deep dive into the film's production, including special effects, miniatures, and on-set interviews. ● Monster Design Evolution: A segment exploring the evolution of Godzilla's design and how it pays tribute to the original 1954 creature. ● Deleted Scenes and Alternate Takes ● Storyboard Comparisons ● Cast Interviews Fans and aspiring filmmakers alike will find immense value in these extras. 5. Packaging and Physical Design Aesthetics matter to collectors, and Toho has gone all out with the Godzilla Minus One Blu-ray . The steelbook editions are embossed with Godzilla's monstrous silhouette, rendered in black-and-white to echo the original film's tone. Inside, fans will find: ● An exclusive fold-out poster ● Character cards featuring the main cast ● A booklet of behind-the-scenes concept art For kaiju collectors, this packaging makes the Blu-ray more than just a movie—it's a display-worthy centerpiece. 6. Why It Stands Out Among Godzilla Films The Godzilla franchise spans over 35 films, but Godzilla Minus One stands out due to its: ● Human-centric narrative: The film centers around Koichi Shikishima, a kamikaze pilot struggling with guilt, providing emotional weight rarely seen in monster movies. ● Realistic setting: Post-WWII Japan is shown with haunting authenticity. ● Return to horror roots: Godzilla is terrifying, ruthless, and symbolic. ● Modern yet practical VFX: A mix of CGI and practical effects creates visceral realism. All of this is perfectly preserved in the Blu-ray release, which has become a new benchmark for kaiju home video formats. 7. Critical Reception and Awards Upon its initial release, 'Godzilla Minus One' received widespread acclaim and was even nominated for—and won—an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. The Blu-ray release capitalizes on that acclaim by delivering a pristine home viewing experience. Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98% IMDB Rating: 8.5/10 Metacritic: 84/100 Reviewers universally praised the Blu-ray's audio-visual fidelity and its thoughtful bonus content. 8. Audience Reactions Fans have lauded the Blu-ray on forums and social media, especially for: ● Its emotional storytelling ● Authentic Japanese audio with clear English subtitles ● The incredible visual clarity of Godzilla's destruction scenes ● The deeply immersive surround sound experience Quoting a Reddit user from r/GODZILLA: 'The Blu-ray made me cry all over again. That hospital scene in HD? Devastating. I'm so glad I bought the steelbook.' 9. Comparison to Other Godzilla Blu-rays The Godzilla Minus One Blu-ray stands above other entries in the franchise's home releases. Compared to the 2016's 'Shin Godzilla' or the Legendary Pictures' MonsterVerse films like 'Godzilla: King of the Monsters,' this version offers: ● A more grounded, personal story ● Better preservation of Japanese cinematic aesthetics ● Less reliance on over-the-top CGI ● A more extensive collection of bonus content 10. A Must-Have for Collectors For collectors, the Godzilla Minus One Blu-ray is essential. Whether you're a casual fan, a die-hard kaiju aficionado, or a film historian, this release brings value: ● Display-worthy design ● Rare insights into Toho Studios' production ● Award-winning film preservation ● Limited edition variants that will likely increase in value Many fans are already seeing price hikes on secondary markets for exclusive editions, especially those bundled with theatrical merchandise. 11. Future of Godzilla on Blu-ray With the success of 'Godzilla Minus One,' fans can expect more premium home releases from Toho. There's already buzz around: ● A potential director's cut ● A Godzilla retrospective collection featuring all eras (Showa, Heisei, Millennium, Reiwa) ● Expanded Godzilla Minus One universe material like documentaries or spin-offs Streaming may dominate modern media consumption, but Blu-ray remains the gold standard for collectors and purists. Conclusion The Godzilla Minus One Blu-ray is more than just a home release—it's a cinematic event reborn in high definition. With its technical excellence, rich bonus content, and emotional storytelling, it captures everything that made the original theatrical release so memorable. For fans of monster movies, Japanese cinema, or just high-quality physical media, this Blu-ray is a must-own. Whether you're revisiting the destruction of Ginza or experiencing Koichi's journey for the first time, this release ensures that the legacy of 'Godzilla Minus One' will echo for generations. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Digital Trends
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
5 sci-fi movies on Netflix you need to watch in June 2025
Netflix's sci-fi page is light on new movies in June. Due to the lack of new entries, our recommendations are movies that have been on the streamer for months. One of our picks is Dune, the original movie adaptation from the '80s, not the 2020s. If Dune isn't your speed, try Godzilla Minus One, a masterful monster movie. The Oscar-winning film might even move you to tears. If you don't believe me, then try it yourself along with these other films. Recommended Videos We also have guides to the best new movies to stream, the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Max, and the best movies on Disney+. Godzilla Minus One (2023) The recent Godzilla movies are mindless entertainment. That's a compliment, by the way. Watching Godzilla form a tag team with Kong to take on otherworldly creatures is a satisfying time at the movies. However, Godzilla Minus One is in a league of its own. The Oscar-winning epic follows Shikishima (Ryunosuke Kamiki), a Japanese WWII pilot who defects from his post, only to watch his comrades get wiped out by Godzilla. Plagued by survivor's guilt, Shikishima gets a shot at redemption when he joins a small group of soldiers chosen to defend Japan from Godzilla. Who knew a movie with a giant lizard could include one of the most moving depictions of grief and trauma? Stream Godzilla Minus One on Netflix. The Adam Project (2022) Shawn Levy's last three movies have all been headlined by Ryan Reynolds. The first movie, Free Guy, became a sleeper hit, and the most recent, Deadpool & Wolverine, broke box office records. The movie sandwiched between the two was The Adam Project, a sci-fi adventure and one of the five most popular English-language movies on Netflix. Pilot Adam Reed (Reynolds) travels back in time from 2050 to 2022 when he encounters his 12-year-old self (Walker Scobell) one year after the death of his father. Adult Adam must work with his younger self to prevent the assassination of his wife (Zoe Saldaña). Like most of Levy's movies, there's a surprising amount of heart in this middle-of-the-road sci-fi adventure. Stream The Adam Project on Netflix. Dune (1984) Is Dune bad? The film's director, the late David Lynch, disowned the movie. Two things can be true: Dune is mediocre, and it was ahead of its time. Before Timothée Chalamet became Lisan al Gaib, Kyle MacLachlan starred as Paul Atreides, the heir to House Atreides who must unite the Fremen on Arrakis in their fight against the Harkonnens. Lynch's movie is a fascinating attempt to bring an unadaptable book to the screen. The large amount of exposition forced Denis Villeneuve to split up the source material into two movies. Still, Lynch laid the blueprint for Villeneuve's spectacular adaptations. Stream Dune on Netflix. Time Cut (2024) Time Cut is Scream with a time travel storyline. In the present, Lucy Field (Madison Bailey) still mourns the death of her older sister, Summer Field (Antonia Gentry). The Fields' parents also struggle to cope and neglect Lucy in the process. While exploring a strange light in a barn, Lucy discovers a time machine and travels back to 2003, days before Summer's death. Gifted with this newfound opportunity, Lucy plans to save her sister. Be prepared for some physics because time travel movies have specific rules that must be obeyed. Stream Time Cut on Netflix. Outside the Wire (2021) Anthony Mackie playing a soldier is not exclusive to the Captain America movies. Mackie played an android super-soldier in Outside the Wire. Drone pilot Thomas Harp (Damson Idris) disobeys an order to save nearly 40 soldiers. However, two Marines die from Harp's mistake, so he's sent to combat duty at a base in the Ukraine as punishment. Harp now serves under the command of Harp (Mackie), who is secretly an android disguised as a human. The two reluctantly team up to find a doomsday device before nuclear war breaks out. Outside the Wire is a serviceable sci-fi action movie with two charismatic leads. Stream Outside the Wire on Netflix.
Gizmodo
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
‘Fantastic Four: First Steps' Teases the Debut of Another Classic Villain
James Gunn talks about balancing the human and the alien in Superman. Predator: Killer of Killers shows off its brutal hunter in action. Plus, the Carrie TV series rounds out its cast. Spoilers, away! The Fantastic Four: First Steps During his recent appearance at CCXPMX 25 this past weekend (via Yahoo! Entertainment), Joseph Quinn revealed the Fantastic Four's very first villain, the Mole Man, makes an appearance in First Steps. We've got a lot of fantastic characters in there. There is also Mole Man, who is wonderful in it, but Galactus is the big bad. He's the big, evil, planet-gobbling space god…He's played brilliantly by the wonderful Ralph [Ineson]. And Silver Surfer, played by the brilliant Julia Garner. We were very lucky to work with her, she's excellent in the film. There are lots of brilliant characters in this film, that's for sure. Weapons During a recent interview with Empire Online, Zach Cregger described Weapons as a 'fun' and 'inviting' horror movie that will not be 'a grim, morose slog' like some of its contemporaries. [It's] a fun movie. It's funny, it's scary, it's inviting. It's not a grim, morose slog. And yet the story it tells is really fucked up. Superman Elsewhere, James Gunn compared Superman to Godzilla Minus One in a recent interview with the Japanese news outlet, Cinema Today. My goal was to make a film like Godzilla Minus One, which depicted Godzilla but also had great human drama. There is a human story at the root. Superman and the flying dog (Krypto) also appear in this film, but at its core is a human story. The relationship between Clark Kent, Lois Lane, and (villain) Lex Luthor is at the core of the work. I portray a character with optimism and hope that we associate with Superman, with goodness, kindness, compassion, and an attitude that values human life. However, the world he lives in is one in which these things are no longer as important as they used to be. There is some overlap with the real world we live in. Predator: Killer of Killers The Predator handily defeats some Vikings in a new clip from Predator: Killer of Killers. The Sound Sadieland has released a final trailer for its supernatural rock-climbing movie, The Sound, coming to select theaters and VOD this June 27. Marc Hills, Rachel Finninger, Nicholas Baroudi, Jocelyn Hudon, William Fichtner, Christina Kirkman, Jolene Kay, David Clennon, and Kyle Gass star alongside real-life rock climbers Hazel Findlay, Brette Harrington, Adrian Ballinger, and Alex Honnold. Carrie Starring opposite Summer Howell as Carrie White in Mike Flanagan's upcoming TV series, Deadline has confirmed that Samantha Sloyan will play Margaret White, alongside Matthew Lillard as Principal Grayle, Alison Thornton as Chris Hargensen, Thalia Dudek as Emaline, Siena Agudong as Sue Snell, Amber Midthunder as Miss Desjardin, Josie Totah as Tina, Arthur Conti as Billy, and Joel Oulette as Tommy. My Sad Dead Variety has word Chilean director Pablo Larraín is attached to direct 'a new four-part horror drama miniseries' at Netflix titled My Sad Dead. The story is said to follow 'Ema, a 60-year-old doctor, [who] can see and hear the dead. She calls them 'presences' and has lived her entire life avoiding letting this gift connect her with the suffering of others. But when her niece Julie, a disturbed young woman who can also communicate with the dead, but in a much more intense and sexual manner, arrives at her house, Ema is forced to get involved.' Mercedes Morán, Dolores Fonzi, Alejandra Flechner, Carlos Portaluppi, Germán de Silva, Luz Jiménez and Carolina Sánchez Álvarez are attached to star. The Summer Hikaru Died Netflix has also released a trailer for the second season of The Summer Hikaru Died, premiering this July 5. Peacemaker Finally, a behind-the-scenes 'sizzle reel' reveals a new, blue-and-white incarnation of Robert Patrick's late character, the White Dragon, appears in the second season of Peacemaker.
Geek Tyrant
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
James Gunn Explains How GODZILLA MINUS ONE Helped Shape His Vision for SUPERMAN — GeekTyrant
James Gunn is cooking up something cool and unique for Superman , and one of his sources of inspiration for the film came from Godzilla Minus One . That emotionally devastating, visually jaw-dropping Japanese monster film that tore through theaters last year is, in part, fueling the creative engine behind the launch of DC Studios' new cinematic universe. In an interview with Japanese outlet CinemaToday, Gunn talked openly about the influence Godzilla Minus One had on his upcoming Superman film, which flies into theaters on July 11, 2025. The film stars David Corenswet as the Man of Steel, with Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Nathan Fillion, and Isabela Merced also playing key roles in what marks the official beginning of DC's new 'Gods and Monsters' chapter. When asked about the visual approach to Superman, Gunn gave Toho's Oscar-winning epic credit: 'I was influenced by special effects. I tried to fuse elements like giant monsters, robots, flying dogs, other superheroes.' There's no way you could miss the hulking kaiju stomping its way through Metropolis in the Superman trailers, and no we know that its connected to Gunn's reverence for the spectacle of Godzilla Minus One . For Gunn, the real draw of Godzilla Minus One wasn't just the destruction, it was the emotional core that grounded it all. He explained: 'My goal was to make a film like Godzilla Minus One, which depicted Godzilla but also had great human drama. There is a human story at the root.' That outlook seems to guide how Gunn is choosing to reintroduce Clark Kent to audiences. Even with superheroes, monsters, and robots in the mix, Superman isn't shying away from emotional honesty and sincere storytelling. He elaborated on how he sees the character in today's world: 'I portray a character with optimism and hope that we associate with Superman. However, the world he lives in is one in which these things are no longer as important as they used to be. There is some overlap with the real world we live in.' And that's where Gunn might be doing something special. The story he's looking to tell is not about resurrecting Superman, it's about making his values matter again. In a cultural landscape where hope and kindness often feel like relics, Gunn wants to position Superman as a meaningful counterweight. 'Although there have been many portrayals of Superman, [I focused on] showing Superman with goodness, kindness, compassion, and an attitude that values human life.' Just like Godzilla Minus One used a monster to reflect humanity's trauma, Gunn is using a superhero to explore how goodness can survive in a cynical world. It's heart, hope, and the belief that one person can still make a difference.
