Godzilla (1954)

GOJIRA (GODZILLA [1954]) aka GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS

Directed by Ishiro Honda

Reports of sinking ships swallowed up in a sea of fire near Odo Island attracts the attention of a Japanese research team. Sent to investigate, the group led by Dr. Yamane find high levels of radioactivity and the shocking discovery of a gigantic prehistoric monster the islanders call 'Gojira'. The enormous creature makes its way to Japan and tramples cities under foot while scorching both buildings and escaping civilians with its radioactive flame. Dr. Serizawa, a reclusive scientist, has developed a weapon even more terrifying than the rampaging Gojira--the Oxygen Destroyer. Beseeched by others to use the devastating weapon against the monster, Serizawa must make a decision that will either save, or possibly destroy the planet as we know it.

Evil Dead Trap (1988)

aka SHIRÔ NO WANA

Directed by Toshiharu Ikeda

Evil Dead Trap is an intriguing curiosity that draws on a myriad of western influences, and unusually for a Japanese horror film makes no reference too indigenous traditions. The fact that the screenplay by Takashi Ishii could have been set anywhere gives the film a strange lack of cultural specificity which only goes to emphasise the artifice of the whole proposition. Ishii went on to much more interesting things as a writer and director, films such as the Takeshi Kitano starring Gonin (1995) and the unusual rape/revenge thriller Freeze Me (2000). The director Toshiharu Ikeda remains something of an obscurity in the west, Evil Dead Trap being the only film of his that had reasonable trans-national distribution. It is incredibly easy to see why it achieved this. The title itself is a reference to Sam Raimi’s irreverent gore soaked debut, and the film abounds with the echoes of other filmmakers and films. Perhaps the most notable influence here is the hyper-stylised baroque fantasies of Dario Argento. This imitation includes maggots falling from the ceiling onto an unsuspecting woman’s head, the use of red, green, and blue filters, and the irritating repetition of a central musical theme courtesy of Tomohiko Kira. Unfortunately shoddy prints have lessened the effect of Ikeda’s colour schemes, but despite the derivative nature of the film, Evil Dead Trap is still highly inventive, and perhaps more importantly for cult enthusiasts, incredibly gory.

Five Element Ninjas (1982)



aka REN ZHE WU DI aka SUPER NINJAS aka CHINESE SUPER NINJAS

Directed by Chang Cheh

Two warring clans vie for control of the Martial World through a series of matches. The faction led by Chief Hong is disgraced and in his shame, brings in an evil clan of ninja to avenge his lose of face. Challenging the Alliance to a duel at five separate locations utilizing a mysterious formation known as 'The Five Elements', the Alliance accepts despite their unfamiliarity with the art. The eight chosen fighters are eliminated by the Japanese specialists and their deceptive weaponry. Setting their sights on the Alliance stronghold, the ninjas, led by Kembuchi Mudou (ex kickboxing champion, Chen Hui Min), raze the base and annihilate the remaining fighters. One man survives and seeks out his old teacher who is familiar in the ways of the Five Element Ninjas.