The Godzilla Cringe Thread

[Terasawa]

I'm not sure I understand what you're saying.

[_JNavs_]

Just mentioning why others in this thread might have differing thoughts on sensitive topics. But it doesn’t really matter since again this isn’t the thread for it.

[Terasawa]

I vehemently disagree that it's a sensitive topic. To entertain that notion gives credence to the people who (wrongly) think LGTBQ+ people are freaks or just living out some sort of fantasy lifestyle.

[Executive Hamster]

As someone who doesn’t care which way someone else wants to swing on the pendulum, but open to discussing why people might have differing opinions.

If someone watches a Godzilla film and the main character is a woman transitioning with a beard, or something more visual, in a medium specifically focused on the visual, I feel it’s fair to say it’s going to bring attention regardless.

Many people might have upbringings or lifestyles where they see this as unnatural or superficial, and there are discussions to be had regarding that topic.

But this isn’t the thread for any of that.

I agree that the cringe thread shouldn't be the thread for that because, in fact, being trans isnt cringe.

Though I should mention that generally speaking trans women won't have beards. I won't speak for all of them but most of them try to pass as women. Not that it matters much, but worth mentioning that many people do have a pretty stereotyped image of what a trans person looks like in their head, when in fact its often hard to distinguish them.

I also don't think it should be considered a sensitive topic. LGBT people are normal people, and so many aspects of our culture treat them as something of a spectacle, even if the intentions are good. They are either portrayed as freaks by right wing media or portrayed as special and quirky and against the norm by liberal media, and both of those, whether intentional or not, otherize them. They are normal people and should be portrayed as normal people.

[_JNavs_]

As someone who doesn’t care which way someone else wants to swing on the pendulum, but open to discussing why people might have differing opinions.

If someone watches a Godzilla film and the main character is a woman transitioning with a beard, or something more visual, in a medium specifically focused on the visual, I feel it’s fair to say it’s going to bring attention regardless.

Many people might have upbringings or lifestyles where they see this as unnatural or superficial, and there are discussions to be had regarding that topic.

But this isn’t the thread for any of that.

I agree that the cringe thread shouldn't be the thread for that because, in fact, being trans isnt cringe.

Though I should mention that generally speaking trans women won't have beards. I won't speak for all of them but most of them try to pass as women. Not that it matters much, but worth mentioning that many people do have a pretty stereotyped image of what a trans person looks like in their head, when in fact its often hard to distinguish them.

I also don't think it should be considered a sensitive topic. LGBT people are normal people, and so many aspects of our culture treat them as something of a spectacle, even if the intentions are good. They are either portrayed as freaks by right wing media or portrayed as special and quirky and against the norm by liberal media, and both of those, whether intentional or not, otherize them. They are normal people and should be portrayed as normal people.

You’re absolutely right, and I do apologize for calling it a sensitive topic. I just meant that usually in itself it’s a very delicate line of discussion.

[eabaker]

Kenji Sahara's introduction in King Kong vs. Godzilla has Tadao Takashima wipe Fumiko's lipstick off the former's face. That's pretty bold for these movies. Their romance is also the reason both travel all the way across Japan to find each other; Fumiko also vows they'll stick together despite the looming evacuation -- there's an entire scene devoted to Sakurai's frustrations over their relationship (which was pretty progressive for 1962 Japan).

Also, it is Fujita's emotional reaction to Fumiko's peril that inspires a key element of the movie's resolution (by reminding Sakurai of the natives' dancing).

[edgaguirus]

Sakurai also makes me think of Fuji. Both men are overprotective of their sisters and have concerns over their suitors. And then you have Shindo between the two, who seems to enjoy making fun of his sister's possible romance with the scientist.

[Spuro]

It’s not Godzilla specifically, but…

[Thegarbagemonster]

It’s not Godzilla specifically, but…

I don't know much about this game, but I think it's pretty cute.

[godjacob]

It’s not Godzilla specifically, but…

Eh, I see this as more harmless than anything.

[edgaguirus]

It looks like a cute little game. I've seen worse things in this topic.

[LSD Jellyfish]

Also a fun pun. kaiju is monster. Chu is an onomatopoeia for kiss in Japanese. Kaichu is a brilliant name.

[HedorahIsBestGirl]

I think it's pretty cringe when certain old school fans insistently refer to the Showa Godzilla films by their American release names. Pretty much no one still refers to "Godzilla vs. Gigan" as "Godzilla on Monster Island," for example, but I've met some older fans at G-Fest and whatnot who are adamant about it and don't seem to like it when I use the international titles.

Speaking of G-Fest, I went to a panel with J.D. Lees once and someone else kept saying "Invasion of Astro-Monster" and he would immediately "correct" them by saying "Monster Zero." I get doing that once for the benefit of people who don't know the international titles but by the third time it got really annoying. Monster Zero is one of the few cases where I actually prefer the American title but I'm not gonna get irritable when someone calls it by its international name.

[Legion1979]

I think we've moved past needed to use titles like Gigantis the Fire Monster, Godzilla vs the Thing, Godzilla vs the Smog Monster, Godzilla on Monster Island or Godzilla vs the Cosmis Monster.

But I have a really hard time with Invasion of Astro Monster, Ebirah Horror of the Deep and All Monsters Attack. Especially the latter two. The first one wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't so grammatically awful.

Also, I hope whoever picks up the Heisei series next jettisons The Battle For Earth and just simplifies it to Godzilla vs Mothra.

[HedorahIsBestGirl]

But I have a really hard time with Invasion of Astro Monster, Ebirah Horror of the Deep and All Monsters Attack. Especially the latter two. The first one wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't so grammatically awful.

I completely agree on these three, they're the only Showa films where I tend to use the American title (although I often just say "Godzilla vs. Ebirah"). The irony is that "Godzilla on Monster Island" would be a pretty decent title for AMA. I find AMA most confusing because it's so similar to "Destroy All Monsters."

In general, I don't care what titles people prefer to use, it only bugs me when a boomer suddenly gets insistent that it's called "Godzilla vs. Bionic Monster" and not "Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla."

[mikelcho]

I think we've moved past needed to use titles like Gigantis the Fire Monster, Godzilla vs the Thing, Godzilla vs the Smog Monster, Godzilla on Monster Island or Godzilla vs the Cosmis Monster.

But I have a really hard time with Invasion of Astro Monster, Ebirah Horror of the Deep and All Monsters Attack. Especially the latter two. The first one wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't so grammatically awful.

Also, I hope whoever picks up the Heisei series next jettisons The Battle For Earth and just simplifies it to Godzilla vs Mothra.

In the case of the third one, I couldn't agree with you more. IMO, Sony should've called it Godzilla vs. Mothra: The Battle for Earth. That way, everyone would be happy. Unfortunately, we're not playing "should've"s.

[Legion1979]

At least an English language, on screen title for Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla exists. That legitimizes it. But there has never been a movie with an on screen English title called All Monsters Attack. And it clear that's one of the reasons Toho is trying bury the American versions - the erase those titles.

The easiest ways to find these movies are on the Criterion Collection, airing on Comet TV, streaming on HBO Max and watchable legally for free on Youtube. All use the same Toho prints. An entire generation is going to grow up not realizing English language titles and credits for the Showa films even exist.

[JAGzilla]

An entire generation is going to grow up not realizing English language titles and credits for the Showa films even exist.

Eh, I doubt that. The generation in question lives on the internet, and pretty well anyone who becomes an actual fan is going to look into online info on the movies and discover the English titles that way.

[Legion1979]

Perhaps, but will it really matter much to them if those versions aren't actually out there abd easily found? Even if they know about them I wonder if future generations are even going to care.

[JAGzilla]

Perhaps, but will it really matter much to them if those versions aren't actually out there abd easily found? Even if they know about them I wonder if future generations are even going to care.

Most probably won't. I'm not going to lie and say it's a big deal; they have easy access to the original Japanese versions of the movies, and that's what counts. But it's definitely sad that they'll have a diminished experience as fans, never getting to see the movies the way the first generations of American fans did.