Gojira
For the final post of the year, I usually compile my list of the top ten annual streaming shows. But this year, I will make a case for one movie - Godzilla MinusOne. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend it.
The original Godzilla originates from the 1954 film "Gojira," which was released less than a decade after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. The memories of these catastrophic events were still fresh in the minds of the Japanese people, and the film tapped into their fears and anxieties about the destructive power of nuclear weapons.
Godzilla's ability to emit a deadly radioactive breath was a direct reference to the radioactive fallout from nuclear explosions. The radioactive breath was a terrifying and destructive force that could not be controlled, much like the effects of radiation.
Minus One
In its newest incarnation, Godzilla Minus One still serves as a powerful and visceral metaphor for the atomic bomb, offering a way for audiences to confront and process the trauma of World War II and the atomic bombings while also raising important questions about the ethical implications of nuclear weaponry. It makes sense, given today's political climate.
The movie is an excellent example of Social Fiction as the familiar story grapples with what science can do vs. what it should do. The protagonist's journey of guilt and shame - and, ultimately, forgiveness and acceptance - is gut-wrenching and utterly convincing. The story is still told in the era immediately following Japan's defeat in WWII, which adds to the symbolism of how far we haven't come as a global society today. I used to commute to Ginza every month in a past corporate life, and watching it trampled and burned to the ground felt eerily personal.
Bitches, I'm not embarrassed to admit out loud that the movie made me cry. It reaffirmed my commitment to making decisions and taking responsibility. Sometimes (often?), one must go one's own way, even if it means no one is following you. Guilt is an emotion masquerading as repressed anger, so letting it rip and preparing to deal with the consequences is better. It's also okay to pivot. We all make mistakes. The worst thing is to do nothing.
As we close out the year, the message of forgiveness and taking responsibility feels appropriate. 2023 was an excellent year for me, but 2024 promises to be a wild ride. Let's remember to DO and not just THINK. And don't forget to bring others with you for the ride.
To my fantastic Bitchin' community, a happy new year. See you in 2024.
Thank you for the authentic review. Just watched the trailer after reading this and I’m definitely going to see it. Here’s to an epic 2024!