How to Do Kaiju
On Monday I posted a link to Scalzi's review of Godzilla Minus One quoting him about what made the movie work:
Godzilla Minus One is terrific in no small part because its Godzilla is not a friend, it is a force, violent, implacable, unable to be reasoned with or controlled in any meaningful way.
Stories are about conflict, and watching people you care about overcome overwhelming odds makes for a good yarn. That's what Minus One is about.
I was thinking about this review Sunday as I rewatched Cloverfield for the first time in many years.
Cloverfield is a found footage kaiju film. You view the entire film through the lens of a camcorder, beginning with a romantic morning in an apartment, transitioning to a going away party, and then as the protagonists flee the monster attack.
The movie never "cheats." It stays with that handheld camera. It probably plays a fast and loose with the capabilities of a ~2008 camcorder, especially in low light and in terms of battery capacity, but it stays within its self-declared constraints and makes them work. So much so that some people in theaters experienced motion sickness because of the "shaky cam" effect.
It's a marvelous example of showing instead of telling. One camera. One mike. But, we know the main characters within the first 15 minutes and why we should be routing for them.
In this way, Cloverfield and Godzilla Minus One have a lot in common. Watching monsters tear stuff up is entertaining—for a few minutes. But it's emotional investment that makes a story stick.
The Cloverfield monster is barely visible for most of the film. As one reviewer put it, "what you don't see can be the scariest thing of all." The ground shakes. Buildings burn. Cars fly through the air. Hopelessly outmatched soldiers run on and off camera. For all you know, the Stay Puft Marshmallow man is on the rampage. And that's fine. It's the plucky band of erstwhile survivors that you care about.
I don't like spoilers and really don't want to say too much more. Go watch it.
3 Body Problem
I'm watching Netflix's 3 Body Problem. I have to confess the book has been sitting on my shelf for years, but I've managed to put it off until now.
I haven't finished the series yet, so I don't have much to say other than put it on your list. It's a fascinating, multifaceted, story.
Book Sale
Just a quick note: that book sale is still going! Give it a click! And don't forget that the hot new book Shadows of the Past is part of it!
Refer a subscriber to my list from this link, to get a free ebook copy of Shadows of the Past!
Eric Goebelbecker
Trick of the Tale LLC
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