Godzilla! "King of the Monsters"

                                           

I think there’s been a lot of good monster movies out there, but what makes a good monster movie? The story line, the characters, or is it explosions and destruction that goes on throughout the film? Well, yes in a way, but no. The real answer I’m looking for is of course the monster itself. There have been a lot of impressive, powerful, and deadly monsters out there, such as the Cloverfield monster from the 2008 film Cloverfeild or even the monsters from the 2013 movie Pacific Rim. But in my opinion there’s only one monster that tops them all. The “King of Monsters,” himself Godzilla. Godzilla is strong, powerful, has a sharp terrifying roar, and has some wicked radioactive breath. No other monster can compare to this giant deadly lizard.

Godzilla has been such an icon that I don’t even think of him as a monster or for most of you out there a man in a rubber suit. No, I actually think of him as an actor. He would be given a role to either play the part of the hero, who saves us from another monster that wants to destroy everything and anything in its path. Or most likely IS the other monster that wants to destroy everything. The original Godzilla film was released in 1954 and has had twenty eight films to follow after it and were all produced by Toho productions. Godzilla has become a house hold name in not just Japan, but all over the world and many people have different opinions on this lizard. For instance whether or not Godzilla is male or female? since in some of the films Godzilla was a parent and is said that he laid the eggs. But there is just one thing I’d like to know. Do you think he’s a ruthless killer that destroys everything and cares only about himself? Or do you believe that deep down he does care and is good, but just doesn’t want to show it? Or is Godzilla just a freak of nature who has no thoughts or feelings and just stomps around a lot while blowing up stuff?

Fun fact, Godzilla was so popular that American monster King Kong wanted in on the fame. So not only did they get to do a film together, but it was also the first time for both of them to be in a movie that was shot in color. And there was actually a rumor going around that Godzilla actually planted itching powder in Kong’s dressing room.

MY FAIR LADY

Have you ever been in that situation where you’re talking to someone and you can’t stand their mannerisms, slang, or even how they speak or pronounce certain words? Well, what if you could change that? What if you were given an opportunity to change that person and everything about them? Well, a man named Henry Higgins was given that chance when he was challenged by a colleague. For six months he had to teach a filthy Cockney flower girl, with a horrendous accent, into a lady.

 Everything in this film is basically dedicated to being classy. The songs and the jokes are clever and brilliant, the gowns and wardrobe in this film are stunning, and the cast... let’s just say these parts were made specifically for these actors and actresses who played them. Only Rex Harrison could portray the character of Professor Henry Higgins, with his cockiness that he uses in most of his films, he could make it look like he was the actual Professor himself.  Not to mention the queen of elegance herself Audrey Hepburn who plays the ill speaking Eliza Doolittle. The Broadway musical of “My Fair Lady” was released in 1956 and the film was released in 1964. The movie and musical was based off of George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion.

QUEEN BEE

Now I know what you’re thinking, but this movie is not a dull documentary talking about bees and their queen. It’s actually based on a novel about a young woman named Jennifer Stewart, visiting her cousin at her luxurious Mansion in Georgia.  When Jennifer arrives to the mansion her cousin isn’t there to greet her, but instead she is met by her cousin’s children. Trissa and her brother Ted. She then meets her cousin’s sister in-law, Carol, who appeared at the time to be in a pretty heated argument between her and her boyfriend Jud. Later she meets her cousin’s husband Avery, who was talking business with a friend. After all that was finished Avery greeted Jennifer in a frightening way by trying to intimidate her with a deep scar on his face that he got in an auto mobile accident.

Finally after meeting everyone else at the mansion, Jennifer’s cousin Eva Phillips arrives. Eva is dressed in fine clothes while also wearing a beautiful pure white minx coat. Her young children run up to her with open arms. She has a sweet tender smile on her face with a soft voice to match, but yet for some reason the other members of her family seemed bitter towards her. Also when they talked to or about Eva they would have a tone of hatred towards her. The only one who didn’t seem to have any hard feelings towards her was Jennifer. And she wondered why no one else liked Eva like she did.

There are a lot of twist and turns in this movie, from the nightmares of Eva’s son Ted, to the death of Eva’s sister in-law, leading up to the drastic ending of the film. The novel was written by Edna. L. Lee and the movie was directed by Ronald MacDougall. The film starred Lucy Marlow as Jennifer Stewart and the “Mommy Dearest” herself Joan Crawford as Eva Phillips.