Dad's Genre Lists

Big & Bad (aka Beckham's List)

Everything's bigger in Texas. That's a great phrase and here it's taken to heart.

This list features the biggest and most awesome monsters to ever grace a movie screen.

As a bonus, here's a complete Wiki-List of EVERY giant monster film: CLICK HERE!

1. Jurassic Park
2. Cloverfield
3. Monster Zero
4. The Valley of Gwangi
5. Tremors
6. King Kong (1933)
7. King Kong vs. Godzilla
8. One Million Years B.C.
9. King Kong (2005)
10. Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster
11. Pacific Rim
12. Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah
13. King Kong (1976)
14. The Host
15. Jurassic Park III
16. Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster
17. Godzilla vs. Biollante
18. Rodan
19. Godzilla vs. The Thing
20. Reign of Fire

Starring: William Hopper, Joan Taylor, Frank Puglia, Thomas Browne Henry, John Zaremba, Tito Vuolo, Jan Arvan, Arthur Space

"I've had nightmares in my time, but I've never dreamed of anything like this." - Dr. Judson Uhl

Why watch this? This is one of Harryhausen's early high points. The beast will grow on you.

Dad's Review: Ray Harryhausen always maintained this creature, Ymir, was his most beloved creation. The film centers on a micro-organism from Venus attached to a returned space probe. As "it" quickly grows, it seems harmless, right up to the point where it becomes a rampaging monster! Without taking any steps to understand the beast, the Army rolls in the tanks and uses its arsenal to destroy the scaled behemoth. Like O'Brien's Kong, RH deftly creates an entity that is both menacing and sympathetic to audiences. 

Starring: Kerwin Mathews, Torin Thatcher, Kathryn Grant, Richard Eyer, Alec Mango, Danny Green, Alfred Brown

"From the land beyond beyond. From the world past hope and fear. I bid you, genie, now appear." - Sokurah the Magician

Why watch this? The mythical creatures are a treat, especially the hungry Cyclops!

Dad's Review: This was Harryhausen's first Sinbad film (he made three). I was never a fan of casting a white guy in the role of Sinbad, who would certainly have been Middle Eastern, but I can let that go. The special effects and creatures include a two-headed roc, a huge man-eating Cyclops, and a gigantic fire-breathing dragon! Remember, these fantastical films were my childhood's Harry Potter Series.

Starring: Paul Christian, Paula Raymond, Cecil Kellaway, Kenneth Tobey, Donald Woods, Lee Van Cleef, Steve Brodie, Ross Elliott

"You know every time one of those things goes off, I feel as if I was helping to write the first chapter of a new Genesis." – George Ritchie, referring to Atom bomb tests

Why watch this? This monster is simply a rampaging terror, without intelligence,

remorse or pity.   

Dad's Review: After nuclear testing in the Arctic, a giant carnivorous dinosaur emerges and begins cutting a destructive swath down the east coast of North America. It's identified as a Rhedosaurus. Soon the beast reaches Manhattan and lays waste to everything. It's up to our greatest scientists, the Army, and local police to concoct a way to bring down the Beast!

Starring: Michael Stahl-David, Mike Vogel, Odette Yustman, Lizzy Caplan, Jessica Lucas, T.J. Miller, Anjul Nigam, Margot Farley

"Approximately seven hours ago, uh, some thing attacked the city. I don't know what it is. Um, if you found this tape, I mean if you're watching this, then you probably know more about it than I do. Uh, whatever this thing is, it killed my brother..." - Robert Hawkins

Why watch this? It's "found footage" presentation style adds a fresh take on a stale genre.

Dad's Review: This is a creative take on the giant monster genre. The film consists of video clips filmed by frantic people impacted by the chaos of an immense creature attacking New York City. The destruction is brutal. Even the monster's "fleas" prove deadly to the fleeing humans. Our protagonists are likeable folks, all trying to survive and find the ones they love. This film is intense and scary, so hang on tight. 

Starring: Anne Hathaway, Jason Sudeikis, Dan Stevens, Austin Stowell, Tim Blake Nelson, Dan Stevens, Hannah Cheramy

"Have you ever noticed how it just keeps destroying everything in its path but it never looks down. It’s like it’s being operated by remote control." - Garth

Why watch this? Top-shelf actors pitch in to make this unique monster film work.

Dad's Review: This is hands down the most creative monster films ever made. Gloria, a slacking, hard-drinking, party girl loses her job and is forced to move back home. Simultaneously, the news reports that a giant monster is attacking Seoul, Korea! As she watches the live news footage, she gradually figures out that somehow she is connected to the monster. It appears to mimic her every move! What?! It's a giant-sized mind-trip that will draw you in.

Starring: Yôsuke Natsuki, Yuriko Hoshi, Hiroshi Koizumi, Akiko Wakabayashi, Emi and Yumi Itô, Takashi Shimura, Akihiko Hirata, Kenji Sahara

"The entire human race will perish from the Earth. When the monster Ghidorah passes, only flaming ruins are left." – Princess Mas Selina Salno

Why watch this? This is Ghidorah's memorable film debut; what a destructive adversary! 

Dad's Review: As popularity of giant monster films from Toho Studios grew, Godzilla changed from mankind's destructor to its protector. Ghidorah, a dragon from space, becomes Earth's greatest enemy. In fact, Godzilla must ally with other earth-based monsters to meet the threat. For a curious 10-year-old, I was elated to watch Big G battle alongside Mothra and Rodan.

Starring: Akira Takarada, Momoko Kōchi, Akihiko Hirata, Takashi Shimura, Fuyuki Marakami, Sachio Sakai, Toranosuke Ogawa

"It's impossible! Godzilla absorbed massive amounts of atomic radiation and yet it still survived! What do you think could kill it?" – Dr. Kyohei Yamane

Why watch this? OG Godzilla is a superb and very symbolic film-the cost of evil science.  

Dad's Review: Japan felt the full brunt of the Allied forces wrath as two atomic bombs destroyed the cities of Hiroshima and Najasaski. Ten years later, this film blatantly shows the mental effect that had on Japan as a nation. The menacing monster, Gojira, is a symbol of the perils of mankind's horrible decision to embrace that kind of terrible power. This film classic still has an impact today.

Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Bryan Cranston, Ken Watanabe, C. J. Adams, Carson Bolde, Sally Hawkins, Juliette Binoche, David Strathairn, Richard T. Jones

"Gojira may be the answer. I believe he's here to restore balance. He can defeat them." – Dr. Ichiro Serizawa

Why watch this? This American version of the big guy is wonderfully bad-a$$!  

Dad's Review: This film by Gareth Edwards more than erased our bitter memories of Ronald Emmerich's 1998 G-iasco. When earth comes under attack by two creatures, called MUTO's, Godzilla rises from the sea and kicks some serious creature butt. There is nothing cute about this rendition of our favorite fire-breathing, 400-foot-tall dragon. The CGI effects are outstanding, and I must say the plot is reasonably watchable. Bring on the appetite for destruction!

Starring: Kunihiko Mitamura, Yoshiko Tanaka, Masanobu Takashima, Megumi Odaka, Toru Minegishi, Yasuko Sawaguchi, Toshiyuki Nagashima, Yoshiko Kuga

"So you did do it. You amalgamated one of Godzilla's cells together with the plant's cells. Are you proud of this? What kind science do you call this?" - Kazuhito Kirishima

Why watch this? This late '80s film was very fresh and just downright exciting.

Dad's Review: Godzilla was re-booted in 1984, which started the Heisei period, which re-established Godzilla as a more destructive, meaner threat. It took five years to make the second film, but it was worth the wait. Scientists, desperate to find a way to kill Godzilla, fuse planet genetics with his DNA. The result is a new life-form, that grows into Biollante, a female plant-reptile hybrid that quickly draws the big guy's nuclear-powered attention.

Starring: Takuro Tatsumi, Yōko Ishino, Yasufumi Hayashi, Sayaka Osawa, Megumi Odaka, Masahiro Takashima, Momoko Kochi, Akira Nakao

"There's only one solution. We must kill him, the way we killed the first Godzilla... The Oxygen Destroyer." - Kenichi Yamane

Why watch this? Godzilla is pushed to his limits against a new foe, and he's literally ready to explode.

Dad's Review: This final film in the Godzilla Heisei era pits Godzilla against a creature that has mutated from the original oxygen destroyer. As Destroyah levels the city, Godzilla's nuclear heart is reaching critical levels. We know he's going to blow, and we play he can stop the ever-evolving Destroyah before it's too late for Earth. 

Starring: Kōsuke Toyohara, Anna Nakagawa, Megumi Odaka, Katsuhiko Sasaki, Akiji Kobayashi, Yoshio Tsuchiya, Robert Scott Field

"An H-bomb was tested close by on an island called Bikini, and it's very possible that the radioactivity turned the dinosaur there into Godzilla." - Kenichiro Terasawa

Why watch this? This is the best of the Heisei-era Godzilla films.

Dad's Review: This film gave us the first concrete origin story, featuring a dinosaur, conveniently called a "Godzillasaurus", that mutated into Godzilla by WWII atomic testing in the Pacific Islands. In present day, time-traveling aliens arrive from the future, and "say" they will help Earth by erasing Godzilla's existence. Their true plan is to kill Godzilla, create King Ghidorah, and prevent Japan's rise to power. The scene with Mecha-Ghidorah is awesome!

Starring: Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, John Goodman, Brie Larson, Jing Tian, Toby Kebbell, John Ortiz, Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell

"The myths are real. There was a war. And they're the last ones standing." – Ilene Andrews

Why watch this? This is the BIG ONE! The Battle Royale! Alpha vs. Alpha!  

Dad's Review: The presence of humans in this film is really a distraction. They buzz around like ants, just wasting their (and our) time, frankly. That said, the monster moments, and their bombastically epic battles, are FREAKIN’ AWESOME! CGI capabilities are almost flawless. As a true fan of the original King Kong vs. Godzilla film, I can testify that this movie, though vastly different, successfully captures the spirit of the classic Kaiju battle extraordinaire.

Starring: Akira Yamauchi, Toshie Kimura, Hiroyuki Kawase, Keiko Mari, Toshio Shiba, Kenpachiro Satsuma, Toshie Kimura

"In each creature there's a weakness. Hedorah's only sludge... he can be dried." - Ken Yano, guessing the monster's weakness

Why watch this? This G-film has some of the best monster battles in the franchise.

Dad's Review: This is a Godzilla film that I treasured as a young lad. After several "team-up" films, it was refreshing to have my favorite lizard square off solo against a new, deadly foe. Hedorah rises from the sea, and uses Earth's pollution to grow larger and more powerful. Its main diet is toxic smoke spewed from Japan's many factories. This cautionary tale illustrates the dangers of polluting our world. As a bonus, we learn that Godzilla can fly... What? This famous (more like infamous) moment is so campy, but, hey, I still love it... piano wires and all.

Starring: Akira Takarada, Yuriko Hoshi, The Peanuts (Emi and Yumi Itô), Hiroshi Koizumi, Yû Fujiki, Kenju Sahara, Yoshifumi Tajima, Jun Tazaki

"I understand why you don't trust us, but even as we speak, many are dying because of Godzilla. Many of them are good people, but even bad people have a right to live." - Junko Nakanishi, pleading to the fairy twins for Mothra's help

Why watch this? A mysterious gigantic egg washes ashore, and Godzilla wants an omelet.

Dad's Review: The Japanese love their Mothra. She is their symbol of protection against the outside world and man's constant war-making. In this film, we root for her and her egg. Godzilla, on the other hand, represents the destruction of nature and he immediately attacks. Has he met his match? Watch and see!

Starring: Bill Travers, William Sylvester, Vincent Winter, Christopher Rhodes, Joseph O'Conor, Bruce Seton, Martin Benson

"Bridge is gone! One of London's oldest landmarks smashed like matchwood! Nothing has stopped this beast so far, nothing!" - Radio Reporter

Why watch this? Gorgo is an excellent giant monster film! I will forever remember the beast's eerie shriek!

Dad's Review: This joint film production (UK, US and Ireland) delivers a scary and suspenseful monster tale on the heels of Godzilla's unexpected screen success. A huge creature is captured in a fishing net in the English Channel. It's taken to London, and put on public display! What folks don't expect is that its MOTHER is coming to free her baby, and she's not happy about it! Don't miss this enormous adventure!

Starring: Song Kang-ho, Byun Hee-bong, Park Hae-il, Bae Doona, Go Ah-sung, Oh Dal-su, Ko Asung, Jae-eung Lee

"How could you leave behind your only sister?" – Park Gang-Du

Why watch this? This Korean film was the best, most creative monster film in years.

Dad's Review: Years after repeatedly dumping formaldehyde in the Han River, a large, amphibious creature appears and starts eating people. A young is girl taken by the monster, after her inept father, Gang-du, fails to keep her safe. Gang-du's dysfunctional family is at the film's core, and it's their constant battle with the beast itself that brings them closer together. The cost, however, will prove too much to bear. Hats off to Korean horror film-making - there's a deeper well there to explore.

Starring: Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Bob Peck, Samuel L. Jackson, Wayne Knight

"…your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should." – Ian Malcolm

Why watch this? Ground-breaking film from a superb novel. And yes, DINOSAURS!

Dad's Review: I read Michael Crichton's novel, and immediately thought Steven Spielberg should do the film. Well, two weeks later I got the good news. The original plan was to use life-size animatronic models, however, the special effects team won over the director with their amazing skills. The CGI dinosaurs were jaw-dropping. The rest is history. The film was a smash hit.

Starring: Sam Neill, William H. Macy, Téa Leoni, Alessandro Nivola, Trevor Morgan, Michael Jeter, John Diehl, Bruce A. Young

"Great, just great. We're in the worst place in the world and we're not even being paid." – Dr. Grant

Why watch this? To again feel some of the excitement of the first film.

Dad's Review: Jurassic Park II (1997) just felt like a money grab; so uninspired. It was a wise move to bring back Sam Neill as Alan Grant. The film's plot and pacing are much better. There are lots of run-for-your-life scenes and revelations the audience will love. The difference is better developed characters and motivations. Plus we FINALLY get to see some awesome CGI Pterodactyls make their terrifying appearance!

Starring: Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong, Bruce Cabot, Frank Reicher, Sam Hardy, Noble Johnson

"He was a king and a god in the world he knew, but now he comes to civilization merely a captive - a show to gratify your curiosity. Ladies and gentlemen, look at Kong, the Eighth Wonder of the World!" - Carl Denham

Why watch this? It is a classic. It's the first great monster film, and so fun to watch.

Dad's Review: This is the original Kong created using stop-motion animation by Willis O'Brien. It opened to rave reviews and audiences could not believe their eyes. It's the fantastic tale of a giant ape who falls in love with a girl (the screaming Fay Wray) sacrificed to him. The beast is then captured and transported to New York City. Kong escapes, grabs the girl and scurries to the top of the iconic Empire State building. There we witness the film's tragic aerial finale.

Starring: Jeff Bridges, Charles Grodin, Jessica Lange, John Randolph, Rene Auberjonois, Julius Harris, Jack O'Halloran, Ed Lauter, Dennis Fimple

"You know I had my horoscope done before I flew out to Hong Kong. And it said that I was going to cross over water and meet the biggest person in my life." - Dwan

Why watch this? I watched this film about 50 times. It's a superb modern day Kong origin story.

Dad's Review: This big Dino De Laurentis production features an all-star cast, amazing musical score, and wonderful special effects for its time. Most of this film's Kong is an actor in a very well-done suit. It succeeds in creating suspense and that necessary ingredient: sympathy for the gigantic ape who falls in love with Dwan, eccentrically portrayed by Jessica Lange in her first major motion picture. Jeff Bridges also puts forth a nice performance as her romantic interest.

Starring: Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrien Brody, Thomas Kretschmann, Colin Hanks, Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis

"That's the thing you come to learn about Carl, his undying ability to destroy the things he loves." – Jack Driscoll

Why watch this? A worthy remake of the original 1933 classic.

Dad's Review: Peter Jackson tackled this right after Lord of the Rings, and he went all out. It's a  faithful remakes of the original, and more. He coaxed some wonderful performances out of some fine actors, then turned his CGI gurus loose. They delivered, almost too well (the vine-swinging T-Rexs were a bit much). Regardless, it's a great film as a whole and very enjoyable for a nerdy guy like me. Naomi Watts is a rock-solid actress, and Jack Black kills it as Carl Denham.

Starring: Tadao Takashima, Kenji Sahara, Yū Fujiki, Ichirō Arishima, Mie Hama, Michael Keith, Harry Holcombe

"King Kong could kill us all. You wouldn't care. Publicity's all you want! Publicity!" - Furue

Why watch this? This may have been my first Godzilla experience. I changed that day.

Dad's Review: I recorded the audio on a cassette tape at a drive-in. This film started Godzilla's (and Toho Films in general) popularity in the U.S. It is a huge grudge match between America's giant ape, Kong, and Japan's beloved Gojira. The first third of the film covers the discovery of Kong on Faro Island. He's captured and brought to Japan, just as Godzilla emerges from an iceberg. After two epic battles both behemoths plunge into the sea causing earthquakes and tidal waves. YES!

Starring: Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, John Goodman, Brie Larson, Jing Tian, Toby Kebbell, John Ortiz, Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell

"Kong's a pretty good king. Keeps to himself, mostly. This is his home, we're just guests. But you don't go into someone's house and start dropping bombs, unless you're picking a fight." - Hank Marlow

Why watch this? This wonderful Kong film was made for one purpose: set up a fight with Godzilla!

Dad's Review: After 2014’s American Godzilla hit theaters, rumors of a Kong film surfaced. Oh yea, I knew where they were heading, and it was about time! This is a very good film, with a lot of outrageous action, which is kinda the point. An all-star cast visits a mysterious island and there encounters the mighty sullen Kong. We quickly learn that Kong's most dangerous enemies are subterranean, reptilian creatures that are brutally lethal. The CGI is off the chain.

Starring: Akira Takarada, Nick Adams, Kumi Mizuno, Jun Tazaki, Akira Kubo, Yoshio Tsuchiya

"We need an exterminator, one that would drive away King Ghidorah. We need from your Monster Zero 1 and Monster Zero 2, Godzilla and Rodan."– The Controller

Why watch this? Earth's future depends on man working with two grumpy, destructive monsters.

Dad's Review: This film remains my favorite Godzilla film of the "Shōwa period", as it's called. The plot is actually very interesting as seemingly benevolent alien humanoids offer to rid the Earth of the troublesome Godzilla and Rodan, only to set up a double-cross, when they use the monsters against us! As insurance, the aliens also bring in the three-headed dragon King Ghiidorah. This does not sit well with Earth's monsters, and an epic battle occurs!

Starring: Scoot McNairy, Whitney Able, Mario Zuniga Benavides, Annalee Jefferies, Justin Hall, Ricky Catter, Paul Archer, Kerry Valderrama

"Do you know how much money your father's company pays for a picture of a child killed by a creature? $50,000. Do you know how much money I get paid for a picture of a happy child? Nothing." - Andrew Kaulder

Why watch this? It's a polished, good-looking modern monster flick.

Dad's Review: After a NASA probe crashes on Earth, gigantic, tentacled monsters appear and basically take over Mexico, which is quickly quarantined. This film, in linear time, takes place years after the initial invasion, and life has, sort of, moved on. It is well-done and the creature designs are mesmerizing to look upon. This would prepare director Gareth Edwards to take on Godzilla 2014. 

Starring: Raquel Welch, John Richardson, Percy Herbert, Robert Brown, Martine Beswick, Jean Wladon, Lisa Thomas

"Their laws are simple: the strong take everything. This is Akhoba, leader of the Rock Tribe..." - Narrator

Why watch this? Volcanoes. Dinosaurs. Cave People. Little basis in science... Sign me up!

Dad's Review: This is another of the great Ray Harryhausen's stop-motion animation classics. We are catapulted back in time, when humans were savage, and they shared the world with gigantic creatures. Yea, I know that's not how it really happened, but work with me here! It's epic and quite a wild ride through a time of explosions, lava flows, and creatures of every kind constantly attacking the tribes of fur-clad early humans, including Raquel Welch in a fur bikini. 

Starring: Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day, Ron Perlman, Diego Klattenhoff, Burn Gorman, Max Martini

"Today we face the monsters that are at our door and bring the fight to them! Today, we are canceling the apocalypse!" - Stacker Pentecost

Why watch this? Any fan of Godzilla or King Kong will love this modern kaiju slug-fest!

Dad's Review: From somewhere deep in the sea bottom, gigantic monsters are coming forth to wreak havoc on the world. After years of taking a beating, mankind finally begin to fight back using equally gigantic, well-armed robots, called "jaegers", that can match these monsters in combat. Up to now, humans have held their own. But more keep coming... The plot is fun to follow, the actors are young and good-looking, and the special effects are next-level!

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Christian Bale, Izabella Scorupco, Gerard Butler, Scott Moutter, David Kennedy, Alaxander Siddig, Ned Dennehy

"We have to go on. We have to outlast them. Only one species is getting out if this alive." – Quinn Abercromby

Why watch this? The dragon CGI-effects are amazing in this post-apocalyptic thriller.  

Dad's Review: Years after dragons are unearthed in London, the world smolders as a charred mess, and humans are scarce. The fire-breathing terrors rule the earth and skies. However, there are those who keep fighting on, and have had some luck killing the marauding beasts. This action-packer sports an all-star cast and lots of harrowing, nail-biting chase scenes. This is the first film where I began to like Christian Bale.

Starring: Kenji Sahara, Yumi Shirakawa, Akihiko Hirata, Akio Kobori, Yasuko Nakada, Minosuke Yamada, Yoshifumi Tajima, Kiyoharu Onaka

"Judging from a piece of its eggshell that we discovered, this one, which we've named Rodan, has a wingspan of 270 feet and weights over 100 tons." – Professor Kashiwagi

Why watch this? Rodan, a flying terror, destroys much of Tokyo in this thrilling film.  

Dad's Review: This was Toho Studio's first color film. It begins with a hysterical miner recalling his experience when he was trapped in a cave-in. He had to escape from gigantic car-sized insects. Forced deeper in the mountain's tunnels, he finds a huge egg. He witnesses it hatch! The winged monstrosity within is large enough to consume the insects, as they are mere morsels to it. This film genuinely frightened me as a young child... and I could not get enough of it.  

Starring: Joel Courtney, Elle Fanning, Kyle Chandler, Gabriel Basso, Noah Emmerich, Ron Eldard, Riley Griffiths, Ryan Lee, Caitriona Balfe, Zach Mills

"You listen to me. I've got 12,000 people in this town who are scared out of their mind. They've got one person to rely on. It used to be someone else, but now it's just me." – Jackson Lamb

Why watch this? This has the look and feel of a Spielberg 80's sci-fi classic.  

Dad's Review: There's lots of time spent on developing the back-story about a group of precocious teens who are shooting a home movie. The plot also coincides with a series of super-natural events that have caused some destruction and have the townfolks pretty scared. This early J. J. Abrams flick is full of mysterious, suspenseful revelations. The ending might be a bit far-fetched, but it's a fun ride anyway.

Starring: Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward, Finn Carter, Michael Gross, Reba McEntire, Bobby Jacoby, Tony Genaro, Ariana Richards, Richard Marcus

"Run for it? Running is not a plan. Running is what you do when a plan fails!" - Earl

Why watch this? Underground, giant, man-eating worms! That's a hard YES for me.

Dad's Review: I cannot say enough about Kevin Bacon. I saw Animal House, and hated him, but his role was to be disliked. He has since earned by admiration and more. He certainly is a hard-working actor. This film hits the right blend of horror, action and comedy from start to finish. Scientifically it’s preposterous, so don’t waste your time trying to make it make sense. Just go with it. I really enjoy Bacon's sidekick, Earl, wonderfully hammed up by tough-guy Fred Ward.

Starring: Ine Marie Wilmann, Kim Falck, Mads Sjøgård Pettersen, Gard B. Eidsvold, Pål Richard Lunderby, Eric Vorenholt

" You have to see it to believe it. That's what they say. It's the opposite. You have to believe in something to see it. Can you seen them, Nora? Go on. Try. Look. Not with your eyes. With your heart. Believe." – Tobias Tidemann

Why watch this? There is something fantastical and allegorical about trolls. They appear when humanity needs a reminder or our horrible actions.

Dad's Review: This engrossing Norwegian flick impressed me from its opening scenes. A drilling operation awakens a gigantic troll, who escapes and somehow wanders the landscape undetected. This film eventually gives a great troll origin story, and helps us understand why they were wiped out.

Starring: Otto Jespersen, Hans Morten Hansen, Tomas Alf Larsen, Johanna Mørck, Knut Nærum, Robert Stoltenberg, Glenn Erland Tosterud

"I once saw a troll try to eat its own tail. His head between his legs, he tried to suck down his own tail. He started gagging on it, tipped over, and rolled down a hill like a wheel." – Hans, trolljegeren

Why watch this? This dark, "found footage" film from Norway might just scare you a bit!  

Dad's Review: I am completely interested in the fabled history of Norwegian troll legends. Who knew these creatures live in mountains and woodlands; that they they eat rocks; that they can smell the blood of Christians? This film is a wonderful marriage between the realms of reality and fantasy. It employs impressive, moody special effects that bring these mysterious creatures to life right before your skeptical eyes.

Starring: James Franciscus, Gila Golan, Richard Carlson, Laurence Naismith, Freda Jackson, Gustavo Rojo, Dennis Kilbane, Curtis Arden

"This circle of mountains, jagged peaks, steep cliffs, could be the perfect barrier against man and the elements." - Professor Bromley

Why watch this? Cowboys and dinosaurs! Are you kidding me?

Dad's Review: Some films just immediately touch my soul. It's a personal experience, and Gwangi was that for me. A traveling Wild West show ventures down to Mexico and stumbles upon a hidden valley where dinosaurs still roam the earth. They capture an Allosaurus to become the show's featured act. Wonder how that's gonna work out... The incredible Ray Harryhausen, and his renown stop-motion effects, bring to life some classically Jurassic action sequences.

Starring: Russ Tamblyn, Kumi Mizuno, Kenji Sahara, Nobuo Nakamura, Jun Tazaki, Hisaya Ito, Yoshifumi Tajima

"Doctor, if your theory is right, and the Army should blow them to pieces, we could end up with millions of monsters!" - Dr. Yuzo Majida, after hearing that the creatures grow from individual cells.

Why watch this? No Toto Studio film terrified me like this one - I had nightmares!

Dad's Review: At age 10, I was accustomed to the Shōwa period films where Godzilla was basically man's ally. This movie was much darker and graphic. The first half of the film follows a green, sea-based monster, called Gaira, that destroys everything and consumes humans (Yikes!). When a brown beast, Sanda, arrives, it is more protective of humankind. This sparks an unforgettable battle, good vs. evil, in the middle of the sea, amid and erupting volcano! Brad Pitt credited this film as the first that inspired him to become an actor - I swear that is true! 

Starring: Akira Kubo, Atsuko Takahashi, Yukiko Kobayashi, Kenji Sahara, Yoshio Tsuchiya, Yû Fujiki, Nobutake Saitô, Yûko Sugihara

"Ahhhhhh! Run! It's a monster! Ahhh!" – No idea. Have to find and watch this again to get a quote.

Why watch this? Space monsters, giant turtles, aliens, volcanoes. Just throw it all in!  

Dad's Review: As expected, some of the Toto monster films (and there are a TON of them) are bad. Bad plot. Bad Effects. Bad voice dubbing. This "gem", as we love to say, "Is so bad, it's good." As a 10-year-old, I remember many nightmares of the gigantic squid creature, with those glowing red eyes, chasing me along a deserted beach line. I was luckily rescued by my Mom, shaking me awake and holding me tight.

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