G-FEST XXVII Movies (Archive)
The G-FEST double double feature film festival returned to the Pickwick Theatre: one pair in the afternoon and the second pair in the evening, as well as our regular Friday and Saturday night features.
Pickwick Theatre
5 South Prospect Avenue, Park Ridge, IL 60068
Phone: (847) 825-5800
Godzilla vs. Hedorah (Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster)
Kaiju Eiga Film Fest — Thursday afternoon, July 14th at 1:00 PM
Godzilla vs. Hedorah, directed by Yoshimitsu Banno in 1971, is the eleventh film in the Godzilla series. It portrays a strong environmental message, with the malevolent Hedorah being spawned from pollution. The film is quite divisive among genre fans. Compared to previous entries in the series, Godzilla vs. Hedorah is more original and daring; its unique style at times featuring animation and multi-screen collages.
Godzilla vs. Megalon
Kaiju Eiga Film Fest — Thursday afternoon, July 14th at 3:00 PM
Directed by Jun Fukuda in 1973, Godzilla vs. Megalon is the thirteenth film in the Godzilla franchise. It received a wide theatrical release in the United States alongside a massive marketing campaign in 1976. Due to this and subsequent home media releases, Godzilla vs. Megalon has become one of the most well-known kaiju films in the United States. It also received revived recognition after an appearance on Mystery Science Theater 3000 in 1991.
Godzilla (1954)
Kaiju Eiga Film Fest — Thursday evening, July 14th at 7:00 PM
This is it, the one that started it all. The original Godzilla stands as not just one of the greatest films in the series, but as one of the greatest science fiction films of all time. Released in 1954, it was an allegory to the devastation brought by the dropping of two atomic bombs on Japan, ending World War II. Dark, somber, and laced with symbolism, Godzilla was brought to life by the master team of director Ishiro Honda, effects director Eiji Tsuburaya, composer Akira Ifukube, and producer Tomoyuki Tanaka. After more than sixty years, the original Godzilla is just as powerful and important as it was when originally released. Played in tribute to actor Akira Takarada who portrayed navy diver Hideto Ogata.
Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster
Kaiju Eiga Film Fest — Thursday evening, July 14th at 9:00 PM
While budget constraints at Toho may have disallowed large scenes of city destruction in Godzilla’s seventh entry, it certainly didn’t thwart the film crew’s creativity. Released in 1966, Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster was the first film in the ’island’ trilogy, and marked Jun Fukuda’s directorial debut. Masaru Sato returned to score, as a much more seasoned composer, having not worked in the kaiju genre since Godzilla Raids Again. Excellent human drama and conflicts balance the great action of the monster battles.
Godzilla vs. Kong
Friday evening, July 15th at 10:30 PM
Godzilla vs. Kong is the fourth film in Legendary’s MonsterVerse series; a sequel to 2017’s Kong: Skull Island and 2019’s Godzilla: King of the Monsters. Legends collide as Godzilla and Kong, the two most powerful forces of nature, come to battle each other with humanity caught in the balance.
Terror of Mechagodzilla
Saturday evening, July 16th at 10:30 PM
Terror of Mechagodzilla was released in 1975 as a direct sequel to the previous year’s Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla. The last in the Showa series, it was directed by Ishiro Honda in his final Godzilla film. Arch-nemesis Mechagodzilla returns, paired with fan-favorite Titanosaurs to wipe out mankind. Our special guest, Tomoko Ai, plays Katsura Mafune who holds the key to helping Godzilla defeat the rampaging monsters.