Godzilla. King of the Monsters. Originally a stark commentary on nuclear weapons, the franchise has spun a terrifying spectre of man’s hubris into a lovable goofball, and back to an ominous destructive force. I’m just a dude from Boston, Massachusetts, and not an expert in filmmaking, film history, film criticism, or Japanese culture, so if I’ve got my head up my own ass about something, let me know! But one thing’s for sure, I do have a deep seated love and appreciation for low-budget practical effects, and the “anything goes” attitude of Godzilla films. Each of these movies was made with varying levels of care and craftsmanship. The largest common denominator across nearly 70 years of Godzilla is the drive to create. It comes across on screen in each tiny model car, building, and explosion. With each scream and costume and score, you can tell that everyone involved shares a desire to make movies. Through thick and thin, highs and lows, there’s that radioactive flame that’s never quite gone out, and hopefully never will.