For those who have missed the initial run of Godzilla Minus One or want to see it again, here's your chance to see it on the big screen. Yes, it's the Toho feature that garnered an Academy Award for Best Special Effects.
It will be re-released to U.S. theaters November 1.
Here's the re-release trailer:
| Above, overnighting in Las Vegas during my 2017 Great American Eclipse trip to Idaho. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
The first RV I had was a Starcraft folding camping trailer (or tent trailer). I got good use out of it.
I traded it up for a Gulf Stream micro-mini Class C motorhome on a Toyota chassis. It was big enough for our family of four.
Currently, I have a 2015 Winnebago Minnie Winnie Class C. I figure it will be my final RV since I am now 70. It has been the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned.
Do It Yourself RV has posted an article on the experiences of a couple who transitioned from a travel trailer to a Class C motorhome.
It begins with:
Switching from a travel trailer to a Class C RV was a big step for my husband, Todd, and me. It marked the start of a new chapter in our lives as full-time RVers, one filled with more freedom and less financial burden. Our journey into RV living began back in 2018 when we realized that owning a home wasn’t necessary to fulfill our dreams of seeing the country and enjoying our retirement years to the fullest.
To read the full article, go here.
Earlier, I was cleaning out my refrigerator and came upon the film canister containing the 35 mm film print of the U.S. trailer to Godzilla 2000.
I bought it around 2003. Since I bought it, it was screened only once and that was at G-FEST around 2004 at the Pickwick Theater in Park Ridge, Illinois. It was in great shape, as I was pleased to see.
It is hard to believe that the movie is 25 years old (released in Japan in 1999) and the U.S. release was in 2000. My mom and I went to see it at the Mann Tarzana Theaters.
Here's the trailer:
Today is the official day that Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire opens in U.S. theaters, even though it was playing yesterday.
I will be going to the Red Rock 10 Theaters in Gallup today to see it. I'll likely have dinner in town after the movie.
I don't have high expectations for the movie, especially after Toho's great Godzilla Minus One. As long as I find the movie entertaining, I will be satisfied.
Here's the second official trailer.
Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. has released the official trailer for Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.
Well, it appears there's a baby Kong in the picture (is there a Mrs. Kong?).
The shot of Godzilla and Kong running towards the camera looks like the opening of the 1960s Batman television show. Someone already used that footage and added the Neal Hefti Batman theme.
Godzilla has pink dorsal spikes? Going woke? Egads!
The trailer:
| Above, the Wako Dept. Store clock tower in 2010. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
It appears that in the upcoming Godzilla Minus One movie from Toho Co., Ltd., the Big G will be spending some time in Tokyo's Ginza shopping district. Not to shop, but to trash the district.
The newly released second trailer (covered here) shows the Wako Department Store at Ginza Crossing in various states of destruction.
This isn't the first time the Wako Department Store suffered damage by Godzilla. The first time was in the 1954 original and then in 2016's Shin Godzilla where it got sliced across the middle. It has also appeared in other Godzilla movies.
The Wako Department Store was covered in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan as one of the landmarks fans can visit while in Tokyo.
Godzilla Minus One opens in theaters nationwide on December 1.
Toho Co., Ltd. has released the second trailer for their upcoming feature, Godzilla Minus One. It will open in theaters nationwide December 1.
Here's the trailer:
Last night, I was in the mood for a non-James Bond Sean Connery movie.
I chose The Molly Maguires (1970), a historical drama set in the 1870s in Pennsylvania. Produced in 1969 by Paramount, it was released on January 28, 1970.
From Wikipedia:
The Molly Maguires is a 1970 American historical drama film directed by Martin Ritt, starring Sean Connery and Richard Harris. It is based on the 1964 book Lament for the Molly Maguires by Arthur H. Lewis.
Set in late 19th century Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, this social drama tells the story of an undercover detective sent to a coal mining community to expose a secret society of Irish-American miners battling exploitation at the hand of the owners. Partly inspired by a true story, the film portrays the rebellious leader of the Molly Maguires and his will to achieve social justice.
The film score for The Molly Maguires was by Henry Mancini, a late entry in the production replacing a score by Charles Strouse.
The movie was considered a failure as it cost $11 millon to produce but made $2,200,00 in the U.S. I remember seeing it theatrically with my parents.
I've always enjoyed the movie, it is a good period piece.
My grade: A.
From the fine folks at Toho Co., Ltd., the official trailer of Godzilla Minus One has been posted at YouTube.
Legendary Pictures has revealed the title to the next sequel in their Monsterverse in a teaser trailer.
According to the YouTube posting:
The Monsterverse continues. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, only in theaters, March 15, 2024.
This latest entry in the Monsterverse franchise follows up the explosive showdown of Godzilla vs. Kong with an all-new cinematic adventure, pitting the almighty Kong and the fearsome Godzilla against a colossal undiscovered threat hidden within our world, challenging their very existence – and our own. The epic new film will delve further into the histories of these Titans, their origins, and the mysteries of Skull Island and beyond, while uncovering the mythic battle that helped forge these extraordinary beings and tied them to humankind forever.
It was announced today that the giant fire-breathing turtle Gamera is back!
There hasn't been a Gamera movie produced by Kadokawa since 2006's Gamera The Brave. I was in Japan at the time and attended the premiere.
According to Bloody Disgusting:
Officially announced by Netflix Japan tonight on social media, the kaiju known as Gamera is coming back to life with Gamera: Rebirth, a “new work” that’s coming soon to Netflix!
The project’s official Twitter bio states, “From the Showa era to the Heisei era, the production of the new work “GAMERA -Rebirth” of the giant monster Gamera that has been loved by monster fans all over the world has been decided! Global distribution on Netflix!”
Director Mr. Shusuke Kaneko said in a statement, “When I came up with my own idea for Reiwa Gamera and made a proposal, KADOKAWA has already started a new project, and it’s content that makes me think that’s what happened, so I can expect this too. With that in mind, I would like to support the team from the position of a baseball commentator who has experience as a manager of the Gamera team until they win the championship and pitch again.”
It is not surprising that Kadokawa is getting back into the kaiju game after 16 years with the recent successes of Godzilla in Japan (Shin Godzilla) and in America (Legendary Pictures/Warner Bros. Monsterverse).
Regardless, it will be nice to have the old fellow back!
To read more, go here.
Here's the teaser trailer:
Some enterprising folk unfurled a huge banner on a freeway overpass in Dallas, Texas advertising the movie, My Son Hunter.
It is, of course, about His Fraudulency's son Hunter Biden and was directed by Robert Davi (of Licence To Kill fame).
Just about everyone has been involved in a traffic collision, whether or not it was their fault. Each time one gets behind the wheel increases the odds that they will be involved in an accident. It is just the law of averages at play.
RV Travel has posted a list of the top 12 driver errors that can and do cause accidents on the road.
They begin with:
RVers may spend more time behind the wheel than the average driver. That gives us plenty more opportunities to do something bone-headed and get into an accident. Here’s the Top 12 list of driver errors. Check them out and see if perhaps you need to make any adjustments to keep yourself—and others—safer on the road.
To read more, go here.
| Above, at Lightner Creek Campground in Durango, Colorado. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Before heading out on the road in an RV, it is best to check everything, inside and out, first. This is to ensure that the journey will be as trouble-free as possible.
Digital Journal posted an article on what to check. This applies specifically to trailers, but some of the things to check also can apply to motorhomes.
They begin with:
Taking a road trip to an exciting new destination is always fun. And while it would be great to hop in the RV and go, it isn’t that simple. One of the most important aspects of taking a trip is checking that everything is as it should be before hitting the road. Not only does this ensure a smooth, hassle-free journey, but it keeps passengers safe and prevents problems from occurring along the way.
So, let’s dive in and take a look at what Black Series recommends checking before heading off in a camper trailer!
To read more, go here.
| Above, a Winnebago Class C at the California RV Show. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Finding what is the "best" in anything is a subjective exercise. The more research is done the better off one will be in the long run.
motor1.com has a list of five best RV brands in 2021. They discuss what models each brand has in trailers and motorhomes and why that brand made their list.
They begin with:
Nailing down the best RV brands is a bit of a subjective task. One RVer may appreciate an affordable model that’s easy to maintain, while another RV buyer may prefer a luxury coach that's big on style. Because no RV is perfect, you’ll also encounter issues with whichever brand you choose.
That said, we’ve found RV companies that we consider highly reputable and reliable based on our extensive reach of the industry. In this article, we’ll introduce the five best RV brands, which collectively cover a broad range of products and price points.
The brands they consider to be the best are:
| Above, before heading to Colorado, a stop at a propane dealer. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Here's one that everyone who drives an RV or tows an RV or dinghy vehicle should read.
It is an article by RV Life on safe towing and driving speeds. Until now, I really haven't seen this topic discussed.
They begin it with:
There’s a lot to know when it comes to RV towing. Whether you’re towing a bumper-pull or fifth wheel with a truck, or you’re pulling a little tow car behind a motorhome, knowing the ropes before you hit the road is important. Weight limits, how to hitch up, and how to avoid low-clearance bridges are some of the things newbies need to know.
Another biggie? Safe RV towing speeds.
How fast you’re going can completely change how things go should a high wind catch you by surprise, or should somebody cut you off. Therefore, learning about safe RV towing speeds should be at the top of your list before your first trip.
Lucky for you, that’s exactly what we’re going to discuss below.
To read the full article, go here.
| Above, The Beast at Bravo Farms. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
When I bought my 2015 Winnebago Minnie Winnie 22R six years ago, I was a little intimidated driving it due to its size and weight even though I had a Class C motorhome 30 years previously. That one was smaller, lighter and on a Toyota chassis.
But in a short while, I got used to it and is is just second nature to me.
This brings me to the subject of this blog post. It is on driving tips (8 of them) posted by RV Life that could save your life. The ones that apply to motorhome driving I already do, but it is always worth being reminded of them from time to time.
They begin with:
Driving or towing an RV is an exciting experience, but it’s a totally different ballpark compared to driving a car. You’re dealing with a lot more weight and bulk, which will give you less control and precision on the road.
Many people have been driving RVs for years, so it’s almost like second nature to them. But we should never be too confident in ourselves, because accidents can happen to anyone. The RV driving tips below will help any driver stay safe, whether they’ve been driving for years or are just getting started with their first RV.
To see what they are, go here.
| Above, at Lightner Creek Campground in Durango, Colorado. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Many people are jumping into the RV lifestyle for the first time. Some are buying motorhomes. Some are guying fifth wheels. Some are buying travel trailers.
Since everything is new to them, they need to learn about what to do.
First off, they should have been given a detailed walkthrough at the dealership before driving it off the lot. One cannot emphasize the necessity of paying close attention on what the dealer technician is telling you. It is a good idea to video the walkthrough for future reference as I did when I bought my first motorhome.
But you'd be surprised at what the dealer doesn't tell you during the walkthrough. I found that out last year when a friend and I traveled to Colorado in his new travel trailer. It is his first RV. Don't be afraid to ask questions. You may save yourself a lot of anguish and headaches later on.
RV Life has posted six tips of travel trailer advice for newbies.
They begin it with:
So you’re the proud new owner of a travel trailer. You saved up, researched, and bought your new RV. Now what?
RVing is a great way to see places, meet people, and spend time with friends and family. Owning a travel trailer is not all campfires and hot showers though. There are things you need to know and responsibilities you must accept.
Here is some travel trailer advice for newbies out there.
To read more, go here.
| Above, I store my RV in this metal garage, the "GOCO Beast Barn". Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
When I bought my 2015 Winnebago Minnie Winnie 22R six years ago, I had no storage issues to contend with.
I lived in an apartment in Tarzana, California and had a double parking space. It was enough to park two vehicles. Before buying the RV, I took some measurements of the space and found that I could park a motorhome up to 25 feet in length and bought accordingly. I parked my car in front of it.
Since then, I moved to New Mexico after buying a home on two acres. I built a metal garage for the RV on one acre. So I don't have to pay for RV storage.
For those who can't store their RV (or boat) on their property, either due to space limitations or homeowner association rules, off-site storage is the solution (if one doesn't have a friend or family member with room for storage).
How much does it cost?
RV Life has posted a new article on the cost to store RVs and boats.
They begin with:
If you’re currently in the planning stages to purchase an RV or boat and you can’t park your boat or RV on your property, then factoring the cost of off-site storage into your budget will be just as important as calculating the cost of the vehicle, insurance, maintenance, licensing fees, and taxes. Storage will just be part of your overall ownership cost.
To read the article, go here.