Comments on: Ishiro Honda’s Latitude Zero (1969) http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/12/29/lattitude-zero-1969/ Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:01:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.1-alpha by: Paul Max Waters III http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/12/29/lattitude-zero-1969/#comment-2655 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 05:08:52 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/12/29/lattitude-zero-1969/#comment-2655 I was in this movie as a driver, recruiting people to come to LZ... 30-45 secs ;-) I remember Ceasar Romero and Richard Jeckel... wow... My goodness, after all these years to see I can download myself on the net... Oh well, 3 years from 70 ;-))) but it's been a mega fuuuun run!Now in Kyiv 17 years!! also did Dankon and Nihonkai Daikaisen that year while running the pool as a US army corporal at Camp Zama I was in this movie as a driver, recruiting people to come to LZ… 30-45 secs ;-) I remember Ceasar Romero and Richard Jeckel… wow… My goodness, after all these years to see I can download myself on the net… Oh well, 3 years from 70 ;-))) but it’s been a mega fuuuun run!Now in Kyiv 17 years!! also did Dankon and Nihonkai Daikaisen that year while running the pool as a US army corporal at Camp Zama

]]> by: cinebeats http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/12/29/lattitude-zero-1969/#comment-1226 Wed, 09 Jan 2008 11:59:11 +0000 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/12/29/lattitude-zero-1969/#comment-1226 Thanks a lot for your recent comments Robx69. I'm really glad you're enjoying the blog and have found stuff of interest here. <strong>Latitude Zero</strong> is a great looking and entertaining movie, but it's relatively unknown. I really applaud Media Blasters for releasing so many great Japanese science fiction films lately! Thanks a lot for your recent comments Robx69. I’m really glad you’re enjoying the blog and have found stuff of interest here. Latitude Zero is a great looking and entertaining movie, but it’s relatively unknown. I really applaud Media Blasters for releasing so many great Japanese science fiction films lately!

]]> by: robx69 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/12/29/lattitude-zero-1969/#comment-1224 Wed, 09 Jan 2008 11:51:51 +0000 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/12/29/lattitude-zero-1969/#comment-1224 The pic of the flying lion got me reaching for my credit card!I can't believe i'd never heard of this before. The pic of the flying lion got me reaching for my credit card!I can’t believe i’d never heard of this before.

]]> by: cinebeats http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/12/29/lattitude-zero-1969/#comment-1206 Fri, 04 Jan 2008 11:27:44 +0000 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/12/29/lattitude-zero-1969/#comment-1206 Thanks for the nice comment John and I hope you enjoy the movie once you get the chance to see it. It's a lot of fun. I really enjoy your terrific site as well. Cheers! Thanks for the nice comment John and I hope you enjoy the movie once you get the chance to see it. It’s a lot of fun. I really enjoy your terrific site as well. Cheers!

]]> by: John McElwee http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/12/29/lattitude-zero-1969/#comment-1204 Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:15:09 +0000 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/12/29/lattitude-zero-1969/#comment-1204 I went straight and ordered this after reading your post! What a wonderful site you have as well. Great choice of images always. Love your good taste in movies! I went straight and ordered this after reading your post! What a wonderful site you have as well. Great choice of images always. Love your good taste in movies!

]]> by: cinebeats http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/12/29/lattitude-zero-1969/#comment-1203 Thu, 03 Jan 2008 15:35:11 +0000 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/12/29/lattitude-zero-1969/#comment-1203 I would take what the Japanese crew says with a grain of salt. The Japanese (in particular the older generation) don't exactly express themselves directly and are experts at obfuscation. You really have to read between the lines when you start watching interviews with Japanese filmmakers, crews, etc. I say this from my own personal experience dealing with Japanese people, their culture, etc. and I mean no disrespect to them at all. One problem I often notice with American critics who write about and review Japanese films is that they don't really understand Japanese culture and the way that Japanese people commincate ideas, opinions, etc. But, I still think your ideas are interesting and I hope you'll explore them more! I would take what the Japanese crew says with a grain of salt. The Japanese (in particular the older generation) don’t exactly express themselves directly and are experts at obfuscation. You really have to read between the lines when you start watching interviews with Japanese filmmakers, crews, etc. I say this from my own personal experience dealing with Japanese people, their culture, etc. and I mean no disrespect to them at all. One problem I often notice with American critics who write about and review Japanese films is that they don’t really understand Japanese culture and the way that Japanese people commincate ideas, opinions, etc. But, I still think your ideas are interesting and I hope you’ll explore them more!

]]> by: robertmonell http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/12/29/lattitude-zero-1969/#comment-1202 Thu, 03 Jan 2008 15:05:55 +0000 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/12/29/lattitude-zero-1969/#comment-1202 I think there is an element of clashing cultures about the film, Kimberly. Given what the crew says about the making and the wild shifts in tone it could be TOHO vs Hollywood. I think there is an element of clashing cultures about the film, Kimberly. Given what the crew says about the making and the wild shifts in tone it could be TOHO vs Hollywood.

]]> by: cinebeats http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/12/29/lattitude-zero-1969/#comment-1170 Tue, 01 Jan 2008 12:04:47 +0000 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/12/29/lattitude-zero-1969/#comment-1170 Vanwell - That is fascinating and Robert mentioned it above. I don't think the final script resembled the original play much in the end, since the interviews with the Japanese cast &amp; crew make it clear that they thought the original story was ridiculous and lots of changes were made to it by the Japanese writer Sinichi Sekizawa and the director. I guess half way through the filmmaking process the American writers got so pissed they left the film, only to return a few times and complain about the direction it was taking. It would be fun to read the original play and compare it to the movie! Vanwell - That is fascinating and Robert mentioned it above. I don’t think the final script resembled the original play much in the end, since the interviews with the Japanese cast & crew make it clear that they thought the original story was ridiculous and lots of changes were made to it by the Japanese writer Sinichi Sekizawa and the director. I guess half way through the filmmaking process the American writers got so pissed they left the film, only to return a few times and complain about the direction it was taking. It would be fun to read the original play and compare it to the movie!

]]> by: VANWALL http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/12/29/lattitude-zero-1969/#comment-1169 Tue, 01 Jan 2008 02:07:22 +0000 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/12/29/lattitude-zero-1969/#comment-1169 As an extra fillip of zaniness, this was a tongue-in-cheek NBC radio play in the last great summer of 1941, (No shit!!??!!) with the names the same and a very slightly different plot, but writer Sherdeman's touch was all over it, and this incarnation - no wonder it plays like a super-camp space-opera. As an extra fillip of zaniness, this was a tongue-in-cheek NBC radio play in the last great summer of 1941, (No shit!!??!!) with the names the same and a very slightly different plot, but writer Sherdeman’s touch was all over it, and this incarnation - no wonder it plays like a super-camp space-opera.

]]> by: cinebeats http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/12/29/lattitude-zero-1969/#comment-1168 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 13:13:30 +0000 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/12/29/lattitude-zero-1969/#comment-1168 Jonathan - I hope you get a chance to see it soon because I think you'd really enjoy it. The look of the film is fantastic! It didn't get much TV play in the US at all as far as I know so I'm not surprised you haven't seen it before. And as I mentioned above, it's often dismissed or overlooked. Robert - The look is amazing and I really enjoyed it. As I mentioned above in my piece on the film, Sharp made a couple of films for Hammer. I'm not sure I could agree with an article that tried to frame the film "as a critique of the cultural values of the West(US) vs the East(Japan)" but it would be a great read! I hope you'll write about the film yourself someday. Keith - The English language version is the one that played in American theaters and since it was shot with the Japanese actors trying to speak English, it's probably the closest to the original. I enjoyed the Japanese language version myself since I happen to love listening to the Japanese language and it was fun watching Cotten speak Japanese. I hope you see it soon because I think you'd really like it too. Vanwell - I think all the "diamonds" used for decoration in the film added to the sparkle factor. Cotten is so much fun in this! I shouted "Holy crap" myself when I first saw the lion who looked like King Moonracer from the Island of Misfit Toys. As for The Thunderbirds, there is totally an element of that show in the film. Since The Thunderbirds was hugely popular in Japan, I'm sure it influenced a lot of Japanese sci-fi shows and movies. I also think The Thunderbirds was obviously inspired by a lot of pre-65 Japanese shows and films featuring hero teams, etc. Jonathan - I hope you get a chance to see it soon because I think you’d really enjoy it. The look of the film is fantastic! It didn’t get much TV play in the US at all as far as I know so I’m not surprised you haven’t seen it before. And as I mentioned above, it’s often dismissed or overlooked.

Robert - The look is amazing and I really enjoyed it. As I mentioned above in my piece on the film, Sharp made a couple of films for Hammer. I’m not sure I could agree with an article that tried to frame the film “as a critique of the cultural values of the West(US) vs the East(Japan)” but it would be a great read! I hope you’ll write about the film yourself someday.

Keith - The English language version is the one that played in American theaters and since it was shot with the Japanese actors trying to speak English, it’s probably the closest to the original. I enjoyed the Japanese language version myself since I happen to love listening to the Japanese language and it was fun watching Cotten speak Japanese. I hope you see it soon because I think you’d really like it too.

Vanwell - I think all the “diamonds” used for decoration in the film added to the sparkle factor. Cotten is so much fun in this! I shouted “Holy crap” myself when I first saw the lion who looked like King Moonracer from the Island of Misfit Toys. As for The Thunderbirds, there is totally an element of that show in the film. Since The Thunderbirds was hugely popular in Japan, I’m sure it influenced a lot of Japanese sci-fi shows and movies. I also think The Thunderbirds was obviously inspired by a lot of pre-65 Japanese shows and films featuring hero teams, etc.

]]> by: Jonathan Lapper http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/12/29/lattitude-zero-1969/#comment-1167 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 07:26:21 +0000 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/12/29/lattitude-zero-1969/#comment-1167 Seemed like the Thunderbirds!??!! Each comment makes me want to see it more. How did I miss this movie being obsessed with low-rent sci-fi my entire childhood? And I freakin' love the green silk scarf around Cotton's neck. Seemed like the Thunderbirds!??!! Each comment makes me want to see it more. How did I miss this movie being obsessed with low-rent sci-fi my entire childhood? And I freakin’ love the green silk scarf around Cotton’s neck.

]]> by: Vanwall http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/12/29/lattitude-zero-1969/#comment-1166 Sun, 30 Dec 2007 20:58:50 +0000 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/12/29/lattitude-zero-1969/#comment-1166 Very sparkly movie. I think Cotton and Medina got the better of the deal - the first words outta my mouth when I saw this on TV were, "Holy crap, that's Joseph Cotton!" They deserved a little trip to Japan for sightseeing when they signed on to this one, as it was campy to the max, and so...colorful, almost luscious. Is it just me, or did it seem more like the Thunderbirds than the Thunderbirds themselves? The monsters especially seemed like deliberate puppets, costumed actors or not. I haven't seen it since, but now I'll have to watch it again, just for giggles. Very sparkly movie. I think Cotton and Medina got the better of the deal - the first words outta my mouth when I saw this on TV were, “Holy crap, that’s Joseph Cotton!” They deserved a little trip to Japan for sightseeing when they signed on to this one, as it was campy to the max, and so…colorful, almost luscious. Is it just me, or did it seem more like the Thunderbirds than the Thunderbirds themselves? The monsters especially seemed like deliberate puppets, costumed actors or not. I haven’t seen it since, but now I’ll have to watch it again, just for giggles.

]]> by: Keith http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/12/29/lattitude-zero-1969/#comment-1165 Sun, 30 Dec 2007 19:31:36 +0000 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/12/29/lattitude-zero-1969/#comment-1165 Something I forgot to ask. Which version is better? The Japanese or English? Something I forgot to ask. Which version is better? The Japanese or English?

]]> by: Keith http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/12/29/lattitude-zero-1969/#comment-1164 Sun, 30 Dec 2007 19:29:57 +0000 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/12/29/lattitude-zero-1969/#comment-1164 This is such a great blog posting. I've heard of this film, but never seen it. It sounds awesome. I love science fiction of the 50's through 70's. This film looks beautiful for one thing. I love the coloring and the sets. It has an incredible cast. I'm a huge fan of Cesar Romero so I'd love to see him in this. I like the whole idea of the story. It sounds fascinating, plus I do enjoy watching a film that has a message while entertaining you as well. I definitely am going to have to get this one. It sounds and looks great. Thanks for posting about it. This is such a great blog posting. I’ve heard of this film, but never seen it. It sounds awesome. I love science fiction of the 50’s through 70’s. This film looks beautiful for one thing. I love the coloring and the sets. It has an incredible cast. I’m a huge fan of Cesar Romero so I’d love to see him in this. I like the whole idea of the story. It sounds fascinating, plus I do enjoy watching a film that has a message while entertaining you as well. I definitely am going to have to get this one. It sounds and looks great. Thanks for posting about it.

]]> by: robertmonell http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/12/29/lattitude-zero-1969/#comment-1163 Sun, 30 Dec 2007 00:06:39 +0000 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/12/29/lattitude-zero-1969/#comment-1163 I got mine for 12.99 at Best Buy and there was a third disc intact of trailers. You can't beat the low price on this. I was going to blog on this but you beat me again. I've watched both versions. This looks like it was shot in a psychedelic lounge of the era decored with clashes of OP ART and Flintstone stylistics. Everything seems sprayed in bright plastic. I really love that look. It was based on a 1941 US radio play which was very popular on the West Coast by the writer of THEM!. It's kind of a surrealist daydream or a child's nightmare. The men in monster suits, puppets, etc all added to the entertainment value for me. Is that the same Don Sharp who worked for Hammer? The film could actually be read as a critique of the cultural values of the West(US) vs the East(Japan)and Hollywood was always eager to divert attention from Honda's warnings of environment disaster from GODZILLA onward, that's why radically altered his work so often. I got mine for 12.99 at Best Buy and there was a third disc intact of trailers. You can’t beat the low price on this. I was going to blog on this but you beat me again. I’ve watched both versions. This looks like it was shot in a psychedelic lounge of the era decored with clashes of OP ART and Flintstone stylistics. Everything seems sprayed in bright plastic. I really love that look. It was based on a 1941 US radio play which was very popular on the West Coast by the writer of THEM!. It’s kind of a surrealist daydream or a child’s nightmare. The men in monster suits, puppets, etc all added to the entertainment value for me. Is that the same Don Sharp who worked for Hammer? The film could actually be read as a critique of the cultural values of the West(US) vs the East(Japan)and Hollywood was always eager to divert attention from Honda’s warnings of environment disaster from GODZILLA onward, that’s why radically altered his work so often.

]]> by: Jonathan Lapper http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/12/29/lattitude-zero-1969/#comment-1162 Sat, 29 Dec 2007 22:22:32 +0000 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/12/29/lattitude-zero-1969/#comment-1162 God this movie looks wonderful! I must see it soon! And I love fifties, sixties and early seventies sci-fi having socio-political stances, from <b>Godzilla</b> to this. It was great because they could say what they wanted to say without anyone trying to stop them because no one ever looked for the message in sci-fi. And that look - you probably know I just LOVE that sixties sci-fi look. I mean, really, I love it. From my favorite tv shows like <b>Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea</b> to the Amicus Doug McLure productions, they just make me feel good inside. They're some of my all-time comfort movies. Thanks for the great recommendation. God this movie looks wonderful! I must see it soon! And I love fifties, sixties and early seventies sci-fi having socio-political stances, from Godzilla to this. It was great because they could say what they wanted to say without anyone trying to stop them because no one ever looked for the message in sci-fi.

And that look - you probably know I just LOVE that sixties sci-fi look. I mean, really, I love it. From my favorite tv shows like Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea to the Amicus Doug McLure productions, they just make me feel good inside. They’re some of my all-time comfort movies. Thanks for the great recommendation.

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