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DVD News Flash:
January 21, 2014 - 1967 may have been the Summer of Love, but
2014 will be the Summer of Godzilla®, and Kraken Releasing is spreading
the kaiju (giant monster) goodness with the first U.S. Blu-ray release
of three classic films featuring the world’s most famous giant reptile.
Also available on DVD, and including both the English dubbed and
original Japanese versions with English subtitles, these are three of
the big G’s wildest adventures ever and showcase why, sixty years after
his atomic birth at Japan’s Toho Studios, Godzilla® is still one of the
biggest names in the entertainment industry!
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The fun begins as 1971’s Godzilla® vs.Hedorah™, released theatrically in
the U.S in 1972 as Godzilla® vs. the Smog Monster, pits Godzilla®
against the forces of pollution in the form of a constantly mutating,
acid-spewing behemoth from outer space. With eye-popping 1970’s “mod”
costumes, hairstyles and psychedelic visuals that include conventional
cel animation alongside the special effects by Teruyoshi Nakano,
Godzilla® vs. Hedoarh™ director Yoshimitsu Banno’s ecologically focused
take on the world’s greatest monster is easily one of the most unique
films in the series and required viewing for any giant monster fan or
cult film enthusiast.
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What happens when three major movie monsters slam dance in the South
Seas? The answer is 1966’s Ebirah™, Horror of the Deep, originally
released in the U.S. in 1968 under the title Godzilla® Vs. The Sea
Monster. Pairing Godzilla® and another of Toho’s most popular kaiju,
the giant moth Mothra™, against a wide variety of adversaries, including
the titular sea monster, giant birds and a mysterious terrorist
organization, the wet and wild widescreen spectacular was directed by
Jun Fukuda.
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Finally, 1972’s Godzilla® vs. Gigan™ ups the giant monster ante once
again with a series of tag team battles featuring four classic kaiju.
Released theatrically in the United States in 1977 as Godzilla® on
Monster Island and again directed by Jun Fukuda with special effects by
Teruyoshi Nakano, the film unites Godzilla® and spiny ally Anguirus™
against two of the series’ most popular opponents: the three headed
monster King Ghidorah™ and the new alien cyborg Gigan™.
About Kraken Releasing: KRAKEN RELEASING is a new international video
distribution label specializing in Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror
genre entertainment for mainstream audiences. Together with sister
labels MAIDEN JAPAN (TOKYO MAGNITUDE 8.0, PAT LABOR, ROYAL SPACE FORCE)
and SWITCHBLADE PICTURES (BIG BAD MAMA-SAN, ATTACK GIRLS SWIM TEAM VS.
THE UNDEAD) Kraken’s goal is to bring the best filmed entertainment from
around the world to our customers.
About Section23 Films: Section23 Films provides home video marketing and
distribution services for a variety of companies, including Sentai
Filmworks, Switchblade Pictures, Maiden Japan and AEsir Holdings. With
its special focus on genre entertainment, Section23 Films distributes
some of the very best anime, martial arts, and horror titles on the
market today.
