Movies Netflix doesn't have

Seeing as Netflix doesn't have every movie under the sun, I've taken it upon myself to give those ratings here on my blog. I'll start with some of the films I've seen in the Gamera series.

大怪獣ガメラ (1965)
(Daikaijuu Gamera)
(Giant Monster Gamera)
(Gammera the Invincible) (US)

The debut film of the Gamera series is enjoyable in its own right, but seemed too much of a Gojira (Godzilla) imitation, and it is a fact that Gamera was originally made to counter Gojira's success. Still, Gamera has a charm of his own, the movie is a classic and a must see for any fan of monster films. Just make sure you see the Japanese version! has Gamera and lots of other rare monster movies, so check it out.



大怪獣決闘 ガメラ対バルゴン (1966)
(Daikaijuu Kessen: Gamera tai Barugon)
(Giant Monster Duel: Gamera vs. Barugon)
(Gamera vs. Barugon) (US)

I've seen the first 5 Gamera films at this point, and this has been the low point of the series thus far. Its greatest short-coming for me is a moderate measure of idolatry and eastern religion. The people of New Guinea in the film believe in gods and curses typical of Japanese films that reference religion and beliefs.
Barugon is a decent first enemy for Gamera, but not highly impressive. Gamera also seems to have many occurrences that are sloppy, inconsistent, and inrealistic even for kaijuu films, such as how Barugon can be harmed by rain, yet when his front end goes into the water while fighting Gamera, he's totally unharmed. Then, when being fully in the water, he's harmed by water again. Only so many things can be blamed on lack of technology and resources available today.



大怪獣空中戦 ガメラ対ギャオス (1967)
(Daikaijuu Kuchu Kessan: Gamera tai Gyaosu)
(Giant Monster Midair Battle: Gamera Versus Gyaos)
(Gamera vs. Gyaos) (US)

The third is so far the best IMO. Gyaos seems like Gamera's Radon (a pteranodon-like enemy of Gojira's) in many ways, but is primarily a bat monster. While its costume is terribly fake-looking, it has been Gamera's most enjoyable, believable, creative, and exciting matchup thus far. Gamera's last fight with Gyaos may go down as one of my favorite kaijuu battles of all time.
I continue to enjoy the Gamera series' kid-friendliness. While not very realistic, I like that Gamera is a wholesome hero for children to enjoy. While Gojira is sometimes the hero, sometimes the villain, and sometimes somewhere in between, Gamera has always been the hero, primarily one that has a particular affinity for children.



More come, let me know your thoughts! God bless!