Godzilla (1954)
Directed By: Ishiro Honda
Starring: Takashi Shimura, Ahihiko Hirata, Akira Takarada, Takashi Shimura
Rated: NR
Run Time: 1h 36m
TMM Score: 3 Stars
Strengths: Theme, Legacy, Soundtrack
Weakness: Pacing, Some Poor Effects Shots
Ships off the coast of one of Japan’s islands are being mysteriously destroyed. When the cause turns out to be an immense fire breathing lizard, all of Japan seems doomed.
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Ikiru (1952)
Directed by: Akira Kurosawa
Starring: Takashi Shimura, Shin’ichi Himori, Minoru Chiaki
Rated: NR (Suggested PG-13 for Some Thematic Elements)
Running Time: 2 h 23 m
TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5
STRENGTHS: Writing, Directing, Acting, Structure
WEAKNESSES: -
An aging bureaucrat reexamines his life after discovering he has terminal stomach cancer.
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Seven Samurai (1954)
Directed by: Akira Kurosawa
Starring: Toshiro Mifune, Takashi Shimura, Keiko Tsushima
Running Time: 3h 27m
Rated: NR (best guess, R)
TMM Score: 5 stars out of 5
STRENGTHS: Character Development, Cinematography
WEAKNESSES: Pacing. Maybe.
Bandit raids have brought a dirt poor village of farmers to the point of starvation. Are there any Samurai of honor who will help because of principle rather than pay?
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