Everyone says they don’t make movies like they used to; that wokeness‚ diversity‚ and greed have scraped every ounce of creativity from the Hollywood machine. The critique is valid to a point. Hollywood blockbusters are also facing demise from factors as diverse as the rise of streaming services‚ the tastes of Chinese audiences‚ smartphones‚ and myriad other headwinds.Perhaps the bar is extremely low‚ but when a movie comes along that is a triumph of old-school blockbuster action and adventure with heart‚ you can’t help but leave the theater smiling. “Godzilla Minus One” is that type of film. It’s no coincidence a movie with this much skill and drive to entertain is being made by foreigners outside the Hollywood factory. In the case of “Godzilla Minus One‚” the Japanese have picked up the crown for producing an intelligent‚ fun action movie‚ dropped in the mud by the major studios. The movie is a purely Japanese production. Fair warning: it’s two hours of subtitles. However‚ if you can handle the subtitles‚ you’re left with a richly rewarding experience from the first frame to the last. Writer-director Takashi Yamazaki also took charge of the film’s visual effects. “Godzilla Minus One” is a stunning visual film‚ and it makes recent Marvel films look like clumsy video game cutscenes. There is a level of skill with effects and setting that is evident in every frame of the movie. After watching it‚ I was startled to learn that the entire film was made for less than $15 million. This bears repeating: a relatively unknown Japanese director crafted a spectacular‚ special effects-driven action movie for 1/20th of the budget of the average Hollywood blockbuster. It makes you wonder what the hell they’re spending these enormous budgets on. Image courtesy of Toho“Godzilla Minus One” takes place immediately after World War II and follows a Kamikaze pilot‚ Koichi (Ryunosuke Kamiki)‚ who bails out from his death mission out of fear. This dereliction of duty haunts him as he tries to survive in the post-war ruins of Tokyo. Through a series of coincidences‚ he takes care of an orphan infant and a beautiful girl‚ Noriko (Minami Hamabe)‚ who saved the child. These actors are amazing‚ they bring a level of craft and gravitas you would never expect from a monster movie. We see a rare glimpse of this era of Japanese history‚ where people struggled to survive and rebuild a culture reduced to ash. Koichi finds a job clearing mines from the Sea of Japan with a group of side characters‚ and the action begins to build. The movie excels at creating characters and relationships we care about. When the monster arrives‚ it’s terrifying because the audience actually cares about these people. There are obvious nods to “Jaws” and the original 1950s Godzilla movies. Despite being set in the 1940s‚ it’s a movie with a lot to say about modern culture and‚ in many ways‚ harkens to the earliest Godzilla films that dwelt on fear of nuclear energy. But the fear explored here is decidedly modern‚ of failed bureaucracies and societies trying to hold onto tradition. When it comes time to confront the titular monster‚ there is no government to save the day‚ no girl boss of color to explain military tactics to generals. Instead‚ it’s left to ordinary humans to outsmart a monster of modernity. It also explores issues of honor and redemption no modern American movie will touch. In that sense‚ “Godzilla Minus One” is based. If you want an old-school action movie to enjoy over the holiday‚ run‚ don’t walk to catch this flick.

Former Marine Catherine Arnett‚ who spent 113 days in the brig and was eventually discharged for refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine in 2022‚ was arrested earlier this month for attempting to return to her duty station in Japan‚ according to Stars and Stripes. Arnett's case became a cause célèbre when she refused to take the COVID-19 vaccine in 2022‚ citing religious objections to the fact that the vaccine was developed using research that involved fetal tissue cells. Arnett's request for a religious exemption was denied. The Marine Corps notified Arnett that she faced administrative separation due to this decision‚ but Arnett twice refused to board a flight to the United States‚ or indeed to even leave the base‚ which led to her being court martialed. This set in motion a chain of events that led to multiple set trial dates and unsuccesful attempts to discharge Arnett. Finally‚ in June‚ the Corps informed Arnett that charges against her were being dropped without prejudice‚ and that she would be administratively discharged. At the time‚ Marine Maj. Rob Martins‚ a spokesman for the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing told Task and Purpose‚ "This decision was made judiciously while balancing what was best for Lance Cpl. Arnett and the United States Marine Corps."The vaccine mandate was ultimately rescinded on January 10‚ 2023 by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. Arnett‚ meanwhile‚ apparently did not agree that her separation from the Marine Corps was best for her. According to Stars and Stripes‚ Arnett was detained on December 1st while attempting to enter MCAS Iwakuni around 2:30am. She was detained and turned over to local police later that day‚ who finally released her "last week." Arnett did not respond directly to Stars and Stripes in a request for comment‚ but someone purporting to be her secretary claimed that Arnett was re-entering the base as an act of civil disobedience. "Ms. Arnett was solely standing on the principle that since the mandate was unconstitutional from the jump‚ all other actions that transpired as a result were also unlawful orders. She arrived at the base to take the stand and drive home the concept that she refused to take her DD214 and still refuses to comply with any separation orders."According to Stars and Stripes‚ Japanese prosecutors have not yet made a decision on whether to charge Arnett with a crime for entering the base without permission.

Former alderman and long-time political boss Democrat Ed Burke was found guilty on Thursday of 13 criminal counts in federal court. The convictions came after the jury deliberated for nearly a week in the sprawling corruption trial. Burke served on Chicago's city council for an astonishing 54 years‚ during which time he served as chair of its finance committee for 3 decades. In that time‚ Burke became one of the most powerful men in Chicago‚ earning a reputation as an old-school "machine" politician. In spite of the cloud of corruption hanging over him‚ Burke's tenure on the city council only ended when he decided not to run for re-election this year. Burke was finally undone by a scheme that his critics alleged had become commonplace: he attempted to extort Burger King executives by threatening to withhold construction permits on a new location unless the franchise owners signed on as clients at his property tax law firm.Federal agents finally raided Burke's offices in 2018 and charged him with numerous offenses related to corruption in January 2019. Despite this‚ he cruised to re-election in 2019‚ winning by almost 25 points. He finally faced trial this year on 14 counts‚ including counts of racketeering‚ federal program bribery‚ and extortion. He was convicted Thursday by a 12-person jury of all but one count. Burke is not due back in court for sentencing until next year. Even disgraced former mayor Lori Lightfoot shed no tears at his conviction‚ saying that Burke "should rightfully be remembered as a man who elevated personal ambition and greed over doing other people’s work." She also slammed other elected Chicago officials who "looked the other way as Burke systematically monetized the Finance Committee for his own personal benefit."Over 30 Chicago aldermen have been implicated in corruption charges since 1973.

The Epic Records executive‚ who signed the band and produced 3 of their albums‚ talks about their early days and quest for a pop hit. It eventually arrived courtesy of Japan The post Cheap Trick’s Rise: The Inside Story appeared first on Best Classic Bands.

Though it seemed like everyone you knew owned these LPs from Led Zeppelin‚ AC/DC‚ Boston‚ Meat Loaf‚ and others‚ they never hit the top of the Billboard chart The post The 50 Biggest U.S. Albums: Many Never Reached #1 appeared first on Best Classic Bands.

What are the best Christmas games? For many around the world‚ Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. We take a break‚ spend time with the family‚ open presents‚ eat copious amounts of food‚ and dedicate time to tackle at least one game in our bulging backlogs. There's a whole bunch of Christmas games out there if you know where to look. From big open-world games you can play through from morning to night‚ short narrative-driven games to fill the spaces between mince pie feasting‚ or multiplayer games to play with the family‚ whether that be online or together on the couch. From fictional end-of-year celebrations to rescuing plague-ridden cities‚ videogames offer numerous ways to experience the joy of the season. Continue reading The best Christmas games on PC 2023 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Skyrim mods‚ Elder Scrolls 6 release date‚ Games like Skyrim

I always love stumbling across something unexpected that catches my attention‚ and free Steam game Die in the Dungeon Origins is one of my favorite such games in 2023. This prequel to the full Die in the Dungeons can be thought of a bit like an early access look at the upcoming deck-building roguelike that blends Slay the Spire and Dicey Dungeons‚ but it’s available to play for free‚ and centers around a prologue adventure setting up the events of the full game. Now‚ a new update gives it some welcome additional options and items to find‚ along with a helping of bug fixes. Continue reading Great free Steam roguelike Die in the Dungeon Origins gets an upgrade MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best roguelikes‚ Best strategy games‚ Best indie games

Dark and Darker is as active as ever‚ with a bustling community of dedicated competitive players and the RPG's active developer‚ Ironmace Games. With constant balance changes and updates‚ it's showing no sign of slowing down any time soon. A new hotfix has just dropped for Dark and Darker right in time for the holidays‚ with plenty of buffs‚ nerfs‚ entirely new weapons‚ server restrictions‚ and more. Hotfix 25 is one of the biggest updates yet and could be your call to hop back in-game. Continue reading Dark and Darker update buffs Ranger yet again‚ nerfs Wizard MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Dark and Darker release date‚ Dark and Darker system requirements‚ Dark and Darker classes guide

GOP State Lawmakers File to Remove Biden From the Ballot in THREE STATES and Lefties Can't DEEEAL

Santa Claus is famous for transporting a globe full of presents on his magical sleigh‚ but Steam’s Winter Sale is packing more unbelievable discounts than Saint Nick’s entire inventory‚ and these massive savings are sticking around until the New Year to give everyone a chance to bag their wishlist titles.