Classic Godzilla - Silly but Fun!

A fun shot taken during a break in filming the first Godzilla, "Gojira"

I don't know what it is about Godzilla for me. I was around 8 or 9 when I first saw Godzilla on the big screen. My mother took me to an odd little movie imported from Japan entitled "Godzilla vs the Smog Monster" and I was never the same again. I sat transfixed, fingers clenched tightly to the armrests while I watched Godzilla save Japan from a bizarre creature born of pollution. I stared in complete awe as the Smog Monster changed shape and grew larger as it consumed toxic fumes from smoke stacks and then flew around Tokyo spewing sulfuric acid mist in it's wake. Eventually with the help of Japan's armed forces, Godzilla destroys the Smog Monster by drying it out with massive amounts of electricity (the science in the old Japanese monster movies never made a lot of sense, but they were fun to watch).

Viewed today, the movie can come across as very odd. Made in 1971, it is filled with early seventies psychedelic touches, fast editing, bizarre music, corny dialog, but one of the most endearing performances by the man in the Godzilla suit of all the many movies he was in. Despite the low budget "suit-mation" effects, Godzilla seems to express actual emotions by employing slight head tilts while close ups of his face make him appear to be thinking, or in pain, upset, etc. You don't see this in any other Godzilla movie of that era. For me, those added touches made the movie that much more enjoyable. That's me, though. I never claimed to be normal.

Added note: The photo in the title of my blog "Quetzmusings" is from this movie.

Health Care Reform Debate Rages On

The silliness and game playing in the political arena continues even after Health Care Reform finally passed. We got to see congressmen being called derogatory names, being spit on, and being threatened with violence both directly and indirectly. Some folks on the right tried to deny it until videotaped proof was shown on TV. 


Violent threats leading to arrests. I'm so glad this guy has a permit to carry a concealed weapon: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0410/35455.html


Despite Joe Wilson's idiotic "You Lie" shout out, illegal immigrants really are not going to be covered. However, this does cause other issues:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/9017409


"Pulling the plug on Grandma"? Nope. That's not going to happen either. 


As a civilized society, we have a MORAL obligation to provide access to AT LEAST basic health care services for everyone. Unlike some folks on the right, I am happy to pay taxes to help provide these and other services for those in need. No one should have to go bankrupt trying to pay for needed medical care - despite any of those insane and inane arguments that call such a system "socialism", "communism" and various other terms meant to scare the Republican base into frothing at the mouth until they spout vile racist remarks or shake in their boots, afraid that their precious guns will be taken away, etc.

Is the health care reform law perfect? Not in the least. The insurance companies had way too much influence on it (among other lobbyists) as proven by the rise in their stocks. Still, we will eventually NEED to join the rest of the industrialized nations and at least attempt to make this work. As an admittedly liberal leaning guy, I feel that this law does not go nearly far enough (as I wanted true universal health care), but it's a start.