Shin Godzilla

2016  NR  SCIENCE FICTION  1h 59min

CAST— Hiroki Hasegawa, Yutaka Takenouchi, Satomi Ishihara

MUSIC— Shirō Sagisu  DIRECTORS— Hideaki Anno, Shinji Higuchi

     Godzilla returns in yet another reboot from Toho Co., Ltd. Here Godzilla returns to his old stomping grounds, Tokyo, yet his reasons for doing so remain unclear. After the Japanese government decides to attack the creature, Godzilla goes on a small scale, yet devastating rampage, firing beams of radiation from just about every part of his body. He then falls into a slight hibernation, during which the government goes into a frenzy of activity, seeking ways to destroy their new friend. Not so much a kaiju destruction derby so much as a socio-political film dealing with governmental policy as to how to evacuate millions while dealing with new theories to deal with this monstrous menace. Seen from the vantage point of politicians and their lackeys, a constant sense of frenzied panic permeates the film. Not your average Godzilla film, for better or worse, but still worth a viewing. In Japanese with English subtitles. AKA Shin Gojira, Godzilla: Resurgence.

OUR RATING— ** ½

     She Wore a Yellow Ribbon

1949  NR  WESTERN  1h 43min

CAST— John Wayne, Joanne Dru, John Agar, Ben Johnson, Harry Carey, Jr., Victor McLaglen, Mildred Natwick, George O’Brien, Arthur Shields, Francis Ford, Noble Johnson, Tom Tyler

MUSIC— Richard Hageman  DIRECTOR— John Ford  BASED ON— The Big Hunt (story), War Party (story), by James Warner Bellah

     Another exciting glimpse of the West told through the eyes of legendary filmmaker John Ford. John Wayne stars as a U. S. Cavalry officer whose retirement is to commence in six days. Yet he still retains an eagle eye for the threat of an Indian attack. Every possible tribe within the region has united to fight the oppressing white man. Now Wayne must leave the post, taking his troops into the dangerous country. An entertaining ride through the harsh terrain is in store for those willing to saddle up and take orders from the Duke.

OUR RATING— ***

Trailer Unavailable

     Sherlock, Jr. 1924  NR  COMEDY  45min

CAST— Buster Keaton, Kathryn McGuire, Ward Crane, Joseph Keaton, Erwin Connolly

MUSIC— Silent  DIRECTOR— Buster Keaton

     Buster Keaton does what he does best: combining clueless innocence with often death-defying stunts to create a memorable comedy treat. This time around Keaton plays a movie projectionist/wannabe detective who is accused of stealing a valuable watch. To overcome his depression he fantasizes about film, placing himself in a detective film where he solves a theft. But all of that’s filler; just wait for the effects and stunt work, all done by Keaton himself, of course. This is one for fans and newcomers alike. Deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the United States Library of Congress National Film Registry.

OUR RATING— ***

     Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

2011  PG-13  ACTION  2h 9min

CAST— Robert Downey, Jr., Jude Law, Noomi Rapace, Jared Harris, Eddie Marsan, Rachel McAdams

MUSIC— Hans Zimmer  DIRECTOR— Guy Ritchie  BASED ON— Characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

     Despite a promising first entry (Sherlock Holmes [2009]) the newest retread of Arthur Conan Doyle’s seminal characters has fallen flat. Sherlock Holmes, now on his own due to Dr. John Watson’s pending nuptials, has uncovered a plot involving bombings, murder and money. All clues point to a most unlikely source: Professor James Moriarty, a quiet author, highly renowned on the lecture circuit. Holmes enlists Watson’s aid once again and, with the help of a beautiful gypsy girl, begin a deadly game of cat and mouse with the scheming Moriarty. Nowhere near as entertaining as its predecessor, this film tries to maintain energy but fails in almost every regard. No matter your opinion of the first film this one is not worth the time.

OUR RATING— **

PRECEDED BY— Sherlock Holmes (2009)

     Sherlock Holmes  2009  PG-13  ACTION  2h 10min

CAST— Robert Downey, Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong, Eddie Marsan

MUSIC— Hans Zimmer  DIRECTOR— Guy Ritchie  BASED ON— Characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

     Robert Downey, Jr. stars as the eccentric consulting detective in an equally eccentric film from director Guy Ritchie. The game is afoot when Holmes and Dr. John Watson (Jude Law) stumble upon a sinister plot involving faux black magic and world domination, masterminded by the cunning Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong). When Blackwood seemingly arises from the dead Holmes and Watson lead a merry chase through Victorian-era London, seeking answers to an increasingly bizarre case. Featuring classic Sherlockian characters including (“The Woman”) Irene Adler and the inept inspector Lestrade, this film should strike a violin string with devotees of Doyle’s detective, even if this version does contain more action than one would expect. And no deerstalker cap either.

OUR RATING— ***

FOLLOWED BY— Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)