Saturday, April 3, 2021

Godzilla Vs. Kong The Monster is Us


It is finally out, the movie that may be largely responsible for saving the theater going experience, or at the least, getting viewers back into the seats. I've been anticipating this movie since discussions on it started some time ago. The advance trailers made it look terrific and so there I was, at the theater on opening day.

In this world, King Kong and Godzilla can't exist together without trying to kill each other. There can only be one alpha. The two have been separated for years and through a series of events, they come together, engage in battle and one has to question, just how will the world survive? Now while that is the basic premise there are other things going on, in fact, so much it is easy to get lost.

There are various plots and characters to Godzilla Vs. Kong and not all are easy to follow and they don't add to the story. In this regard, I was highly disappointed. There is very little character development and the script is lacking at best among the human characters. While we have had epic battles on screen in the past, such as Batman and Superman, this most epic battle deserved more. I was also disappointed in the special effects. 

Now there are some good themes in the movie that takes place among the two monsters, especially King Kong. This comes about especially with his ability to interact and communicate with a small deaf child. There is more in their connection though than the ability to use sign language. There is an inherent understanding of each other that tends to come between people who are around each other a great deal of time.

I loved the original premise of the original Godzilla movie. The need to take care of the planet, the danger of nuclear war, and so many other characteristics as it was made shortly after the dropping of 2 atomic bombs on Japan. While there are traces of caring for the earth here, they are only traces and fall short from the story line. We do see the obtrusive nature of man in not being satisfied, trying to take power and showing a lack of empathy for the world around him, no matter what the consequence. It is a reminder while not necessarily intended that still hits home for me. Do we care about the destruction and harm that comes to our planet, but to each other. As Kong and Godzilla and others battle in this movie the destruction and loss of life is massive, yet we don't ever get drawn into the characters and it is as if we are numb to the loss of life in the movie. Are we so caught up in this world's political systems and situations that we are oblivious to the impact on people in our world? Is it possible that we as a society are Kong and Godzilla and not giving a rip about the destruction and loss of life around us? 

Without giving too much away, there is hope, but hope only comes when reconciliation takes place. Are we willing to overlook our differences in order to save those being impacted by our own individual or societal wars? 

I was disappointed in this movie to say the least. It's enjoyable and I am glad I saw it but my expectations were too high and it didn't fulfill those expectations for me. I wanted more, and I got less. I still think people will enjoy it though if not going in expecting a great movie, but instead, a fun time at the theater.

While not great. Godzilla Vs. Kong is still better than average so I'll give it on a scale of 1 - 10 a little better than average score of 6.

 To see the trailer for this film click on the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odM92ap8_c0

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There are hundreds of postings so make sure to check out the archives on The Virtual Pew and Mike Furches Reviews. You can also contact me for a free audio book link of The Keystone Kid at mike@furches.org You can visit http://www.thevirtualpew.com/.

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Nobody, But a Trinity of Saviors


Bob Odenkirk is one terrific actor! Known from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul as a kind of wimpy character with issues one would never imagine he would be in such a violent, revenge action movie as the new release of Nobody. I knew I wanted to see it from the first trailers that came out over a year ago prior to Covid. It is one of those movies that had to go to the backburner and be delayed in release due to the restrictions on movie theaters from Covid. Thankfully it was released only in theaters. As a result, the theaters this weekend due to this and the new Kong Godzilla movie was packed, for the first time in over a year on a Friday early afternoon. 

Let's make something clear from the outset, this movie deserves the 'R' rating due to violent content. It is brutal and as violent as anything on screen in some time but the story, because of the characters and Odenkirk's character in particular Hutch Mansell draws the viewer in and it is here that Odenkirk's acting ability shines through. 

Odenkirk plays the part of a family man, going through his daily routines with his family, constantly missing the trash man, eating breakfast with his wife, son and daughter, day after day the routine resembles Groundhog Day. Then through a series of events, we quickly learn that he had a former life, I won't spoil it, but will simply say, his former life involved him doing things that were not so nice and as he puts it, having him meet people who would rather not meet him. He has retired from that life where he was quite good. As a result, after holding back for the duration of his marriage and his family not knowing about his past, he takes offense at some things that has happened in of all places, his most sacred space, his home.

The action in Nobody is constant. Many movies of this nature you see all of the action in the trailers and then at the movie there is a huge let down, not here. The trailers only touch on the action that goes on. Ilya Naishuller does a very nice job at directing this film and keeping the flow going. There is a great soundtrack that adds to the story and virtually everything about this movie is flawless.

One of the themes that comes up is that we all have a past, that past for each of us varies. Some have a dark past, whether or not they have found light and peace in their lives is debatable. One has to be careful to not wake the old beast that was. Of course, there are times that old beast, being a part of who one really is, may be able to be of benefit to a particular surrounding or situation. This is especially true when one has encountered love for their family and sees the potential harm that could come to their family.

Accept it or not, evil exists in the world that would do us harm. In those times, it may be important to rely on others to help, a Father who may be wise that we can speak to and learn from, or a friend, we often may not see but is there for us in a time of need to give direction. Of course these characters all three can resemble the Trinity of God the Father, A Friend who mirrors the Holy Spirit, and one who would deliver to freedom and provide salvation for those he loves and the rejected. While some will see this as a stretch, those similarities are clearly in Nobody and just as in the spiritual world, there is no forgiveness without the shedding of blood. Ultimately, the blood shed on the cross by Christ provided freedom for those who received it.  Hutch Mansell, is willing to shed blood and offer his life to protect and provide salvation for others.

I actually loved this movie, I was anticipating it which gave the huge likelihood that I was going to be let down, I was not disappointed though and this will be a rare one I likely see again. Just like the character who is a savior and deliverer, being pierced in the side, sacrificing himself to save others, and willing to lay down his life for his friends and family I was reminded of the gift offered at Easter.

On a scale of 1 - 10 for the 6 letters in the word Nobody, plus the help of 3 who are there to help, I give a very good, almost perfect but not quite 9.

 To see the trailer for this film click on the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZti8QKBWPo

To Donate via Pay Pal, donate at paypal at mike@furches.org

To Donate via Cash App, donate at $MichaelFurches

You can also always donate to The Virtual Pew at 1249 North Saint Francis, Wichita Kansas 67214

Click here to follow The Virtual Pew on Twitter

Mike Furches on Faceboook.

Click to subscribe to my blog

You can also check out Mike's Musical ventures by searching for Mike Furches and Pastor Mike and the Demon Slayer Blues Band. Mary Jane's album is available online and by contacting Mike and the Pastor Mike and Demon Slayer Blues Band album is available on over 150 download formats.

There are hundreds of postings so make sure to check out the archives on The Virtual Pew and Mike Furches Reviews. You can also contact me for a free audio book link of The Keystone Kid at mike@furches.org You can visit http://www.thevirtualpew.com/.

Hopefully, you will consider a gift to The Virtual Pew.

You can donate via paypal at mike@furches.org or cash app at $MichaelFurches

Now I get asked this quite often, Can we repost your blogs or articles? The short answer to that is, what an honor that you would ask, and by all means, spread the word. Here is our contact information

The Virtual Pew
1249 N. St. Francis
Wichita Kansas, 67214
Email: mike@furches.org

To follow Mike's Band, Pastor Mike and the Demon Slayer Blues Band, click the following link:
To see the video for the trailer of this movie, click on the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5lrkdvEZGg

https://www.facebook.com/TheDemonSlayers 

The Movie Guys

Donations to The Virtual Pew

The Virtual Pew Blog

Reviews With Mike

The Virtual Pew Sermons

The Virtual Pew News