Issue 22: Summer edition ☀️

Less Minus One is definitely more

“They’re happy. This time they’ll make a difference.” -Godzilla Minus One

Moving Forward is back! As we’re in summer, the newsletter will be shorter and syncing up to the podcast, which is now underway with the 2024 Summer movie series.

If you’re new to this part of the podcast, this is where I take a break without taking a break. Instead of the regular Thursday content, I share movies that I enjoy: some old, some recent, or in the case of this week’s film, a new movie that looks old … but in a good way (calm down there! 💥🦖). These episodes will air on Friday since they’re casual and more suited for weekend listening. The regular part of the season will resume sometime in September.

-John

Moving Forward

Episode 471: Summer movie series: Godzilla Minus One (2023)

Catch this week’s episode on Spotify.

Moving Forward is also available on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeart, CastBox, Pocket Casts, Spotify for Podcasters (formerly Anchor), and Audible.

2024 Summer movie series

Godzilla Minus One (****1/2)

Recently, there have been many articles, YouTube videos, and social media posts about the “death of movie theaters.” I’ve been theorizing for a while that streaming, homebody habits ingrained during the pandemic, inflation, and an explosion of entertainment choices are all whittling away at moviegoing. That said, I’m not ready to declare theaters dead just yet.

If there is hope, it can seen in the beady eyes of a giant mutant green lizard that wreaks havoc on a post-WWII Japan. I’m talking about Godzilla Minus One, last year’s surprise hit produced by Toho Studios, creators of the Godzilla franchise.

There are many marvels to behold with this film, both on screen and behind the scenes. For one, it was made on a reported $15-$20M budget, grossing $115.8M worldwide. This fact alone puts most of Hollywood’s recent fare with its bloated 9-figure budgets, gummy special effects, and forgettable characters to shame. Second, the movie features strong writing and memorable characters; punctuated by great actors who can carry the story even without the big green guy. Ironically, despite being the titular character, Godzilla Minus One isn’t really about Godzilla. It’s an allegory about the aftermath of war and how ordinary citizens can find hope, purpose, and even love amidst devastation. Amazingly, there are moments when you forget you’re watching a Godzilla movie but not just because he’s used sparingly (a wise decision taken from the Jaws playbook) but because the human characters are so well developed that you get invested in them. Despite this, you never feel hoodwinked since when Godzilla does appear, it’s all the more impactful. You feel genuine fear for the characters as they’re thrown into unimaginable chaos and devastation that takes Japan from zero to “minus one.”

The movie wisely sidesteps the politics of the era, putting the characters and their relatable dilemmas front and center. This includes a former kamikaze pilot who “failed” in his wartime duty to sacrifice himself during the war. In one of the film’s biggest surprises, we come to understand him as he questions his ingrained sense of duty, which is at odds with his newfound desire to live.

There’s a lot about Godzilla Minus One that makes it worth your viewing: strong characters, compelling story arcs, wonderful set pieces, and breathtaking visual effects. Watching it, you can tell this was made with the utmost care and love for the story it’s trying to tell. That it succeeds on all fronts will make this a classic that will be able to withstand earth shattering stomps, atomic laser breaths, and the most destructive force of all: age. Hollywood should be taking notes. This is a shining example of what can be achieved on a modest budget; when special effects are used as a garnish rather than a centerpiece. Moreover, this is the blueprint for winning back the hearts and minds of moviegoers. Godzilla Minus One works because it uses “new math” based on an old formula that puts it far ahead of the pack.

Godzilla Minus One was directed by Takashi Yamazaki who also wrote the screenplay and worked on the Academy Award winning special effects.

Cast:

• Ryunosuke Kamiki as Koichi Shikishima

• Minami Hamabe as Noriko Oishi

• Yuki Yamada as Shiro Mizushima

• Munetaka Aoko as Sosaku Tachibana

• Hidetaka Yoshioka as Kenji Noda

• Sakura Ando as Sumiko Ota

• Kuranosuke Sasaki as Yoji Akitsu

• Sae Nagatani as Akiko

Godzilla Minus One is currently streaming on Netflix. You can also rent or purchase it on Amazon Prime streaming (affiliate paid link).

Available now at my bookstore on Pangobooks

Speaking of famous characters that cause mayhem and havoc …

Quirky reads 📚

Some great books to fill your summer hours. 

[Affiliate disclosure: these are affiliate links to Amazon through which I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.]

• City in Ruins by Don Winslow (****)

Follow me on Goodreads for book recommendations and to see what else I’m reading.

Upcoming

Learn how to declutter your closet and drawers while starting a side business at the same time!

Resources

Teach a man to fish, you know the rest (if you don’t, check these out).

• Book a coaching call with me on Clarity.

• Follow me on Goodreads for book recommendations.

• Check out one of my favorite daily newsletters Morning Brew (affiliate referral link).

Books

I wrote most of these so spruce up your home library and look smart in the process.

• The Poshmark Guide for Individuals and Small Businesses (Paperback, Kindle, Audible) 

• The Poshmark Guide for Individuals and Small Businesses (Apple audiobooks)

• The Poshmark Journal for Individuals and Small Businesses

• The Corporate Cliches Adult Coloring Book

• I Am a Professional Metalhead (audiobook) (Audible affiliate link) written by Angelo Spenillo, narrated by John Lim

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Affiliate disclosure

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