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*Contains mild spoilers common to reviews

“Godzilla Minus One” (Japanese title: ゴジラマイナスワン or  “Gojira -1.0”) is the best Godzilla film to come out since the original 1954 “Gojira.” It’s an emotional ride through post-World War II Japan as that country recovers from devastation, only to be confronted with something even more dangerous and destructive–and uncontrollable. “Godzilla Minus One” is a film about post-war survivor’s guilt and found family that also happens to have a giant kaiju wreaking havoc in the background.

Directed by Takashi Yamazaki from his own script, “Godzilla Minus One” begins on Odo Island, where Koichi Shikishima (Ryunosuke Kamiki, who gives an Academy Awards-caliber performance), a kamikaze pilot, has faked a problem with his plane so he can avoid his death mission. His cowardice makes him anathema to the mechanics on the island even though the war is almost over, with Japan assuredly losing. As they argue with Shikishima, a giant creature the islanders call Godzilla rises from the ocean and attacks. One last act of cowardice allows Shikishima to survive, along with one other person who blames him for all the deaths. It’s a heavy burden that leaves Shikishima a shell of a man.

Shikishima returns to a bombed-out Tokyo after the war. Being a kamikaze pilot who lived renders him a pariah. His neighbor, Sumiko (Sakura Ando), is disgusted to see him. The guilt he carries over the mechanics’ deaths, exemplified in a pile of their family photographs given to him on his journey home, exacerbates his fragile mental state. His parents having perished in the bombings in Tokyo doesn’t help, either.

One day, hubbub at the local marketplace brings Noriko (Minami Hamabe), who was given a baby to care for by a dying woman, into Shikishima’s life. Noriko winds up staying at Shikishima’s; even Sumiko’s hard feelings towards Shikishima soften when she meets the baby. 

As the years pass, we see Tokyo slowly rebuilding. Shikishima takes a well-paying but dangerous job clearing out ocean mines, where he meets the captain Yoji Akitsu (Kuranosuke Sasaki), Kenji “Doc” Noda (Hidetaka Yoshioka), and the “Kid” Shirō Mizushima (Yuki Yamada). The four form a brotherly bond. Meanwhile, Shikishima continues to be haunted by nightmares of Godzilla’s attack and the deaths of all the men he met on Odo Island. He closes himself off to love and basically living. 

Elsewhere, the United States conducts nuclear tests at Bikini Atoll, angering a now-much larger Godzilla, who begins attacking boats. Japan and other world powers keep Godzilla’s existence a secret from the world, but when the U.S. fears Soviet reprisals if they send warships to the area to assist in destroying Godzilla, Japan is on its own dealing with the kaiju menace. Godzilla is an existential threat to humanity that no one wants to take responsibility for.

A lot of political undercurrents pulse through “Godzilla Minus One.” Apart from U.S. imperialism causing a huge problem then peacing out on dealing with it, there’s also the way the Japanese government has been treating its people. There’s a growing discontent among Tokyo’s denizens who are already dealing with the after-effects of a war they apparently didn’t want to fight in the first place, and now a giant monster is on the way? Will the military come in and save the day, or will the people rise up to fight against the growing threat Godzilla poses? The country is already at “zero” because of the war, and Godzilla’s attacks set it back to negative one (hence the film’s title).

“Godzilla Minus One” has callbacks to the 1954 film, including excellent use of Akira Ifukube’s original “Godzilla” score and breathless narration from a reporter watching an attack unfold, as well as other Easter eggs for Godzilla nerds. But the core of the film is Shikishima’s journey through his guilt and his death wish. Kamiki’s acting as Shikishima anchors the film with its sheer emotional force. Shikishima looks haunted because he is haunted–by his cowardice, by his belief that he doesn’t deserve love or even to live, and by Godzilla, the symbol of his trauma. It’s effective and affecting.

Also, “Godzilla Minus One” just looks spectacular. It was made on a $15 million budget, but it seems like they spent much more. Cinematography, especially the sea scenes, is magnificent, and Godzilla himself is a wonder. He looks a little like 1954 Godzilla, a little like Shin, and even has more chonky thighs like Monsterverse Godzilla, with other Godzilla iterations mixed in. He also appears to be in terrible pain just existing, which is part of the original Godzilla’s backstory (his skin resembled keloid scars suffered by the survivors of Nagasaki and Hiroshima). He’s fearsome and awe-inspiring, and his attacks throughout the film are both exhilarating and utterly terrifying, even more so than the main attack in “Shin Godzilla,” which is my personal high mark of modern Godzilla destruction. That the main attack in the film also echoes the horrifying one in the 1954 version only adds to its power.

“Godzilla Minus One” is an epic film boasting stunning visual effects and deep emotional heft, with its central performances from Kamiki, Hamabe, Sasaki, Yoshioka, and Ando keeping you invested in the human saga while waiting for the monster mayhem. Yamazaki has said that he would like to make another Godzilla film. Here’s hoping Toho Studio agrees because “Godzilla Minus One” is amazing.

The post Godzilla Minus One Review appeared first on The Nerd Element.

Amanda McCoy / Pool via AP file

Zion Carr, who witnessed his aunt Atatiana Jefferson’s fatal shooting by police in 2019, will receive a $3.5 million settlement from Fort Worth, according to city officials.

Zion, who was eight years old at the time, was playing video games at Jefferson’s house when an officer shot and killed the 28-year-old while responding to a call for a welfare check. 

According to a federal lawsuit filed by Zion’s mother, Amber Carr, in 2021, he suffered from “anxiety, terror, and agony” from witnessing his aunt’s death, NBC News reports. 

The lawsuit claimed that Zion suffered from “severe and extreme mental and emotional distress” and attributed his trauma to the city. Just two years after the lawsuit was filed, Carr, Jefferson’s sister, passed away from congestive heart failure.

The city announced earlier this month that it had proposed a $3.5 million settlement. The Fort Worth City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the payment.

“I for one, am excited about this opportunity to make sure that he can go to college and do things that his mother and his aunt wanted him to do as they were raising him,” Councilman Chris Nettles said, thanking Mayor Mattie Parker and the council for their efforts to get the settlement approved.

According to NBC News, Parker said the payment was “the right thing to do” in a November 2nd statement. “I hope this can bring a degree of reconciliation and healing for Atatiana Jefferson’s loved ones,” she said.

The $3.5 million settlement will be distributed in various ways to support Zion. The funds will cover living expenses, contribute to a college savings plan, and include scheduled payments to Zion until he reaches the age of 40.

“The city as well as his family were totally on board with each other in providing an amount that would take care of him through 18, making sure that he was able to go to college, make sure that he was incentivized to go to college, and making sure that he was taken care of for a longer period of time,” she said, said Deputy City Attorney Laetitia Coleman Brown.

The post Police Killed A Black Woman In Front Of Her Nephew. The City Has Now Awarded Him A $3.5M Settlement appeared first on Essence.

The villains turned “heroes” of DC Comics’ Suicide Squad are back, only this time, they’re getting an anime makeover. The folks at Warner Bros. Japan/WIT Studio have revealed the trailer, character art, main theme song, and voice cast for Suicide Squad ISEKAI. Directed by Eri Osada, with a screenplay by Tappei Nagatsuki, this is an all-new original anime series. Based on the classic DC characters, it includes icons like Harley Quinn, the Joker, and Peacemaker. You can check out the first full trailer for Suicide Squad ISEKAI, and read the official synopsis for the series, down below:

In the crime-ridden city of Gotham, Amanda Waller, the head of A.R.G.U.S., has assembled a group of notorious criminals for a mission: Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Peacemaker, Clayface, and King Shark. These Super-Villains are sent into an otherworldly realm that’s connected to this world through a gate. It’s a world of swords and magic where orcs rampage and dragons rule the skies—an “ISEKAI”!

With lethal explosives planted in their necks, there’s no running or hiding, and failing the mission means a one-way ticket to the afterlife! Can Harley Quinn and her crew conquer this perilous ISEKAI realm?! Brace yourselves for the pulse-pounding saga of the elite task force known as the “Suicide Squad” as they embark on a jaw-dropping adventure!

The new anime series showcases favorites from the first Suicide Squad film, like Deadshot and the Joker. But also brings in characters used in James Gunn’s sequel, like our boy King Shark and Peacemaker. And then there are new additions to the team, like Clayface. Although there are several Batman characters in this series, and a Gotham City setting, no sign of the Dark Knight anywhere. But we have a feeling ol’ Bats will pop in somewhere. The voice cast includes Anna Nagase as Harley, Yuuichirou Umehara as the Joker, Reigo Yamaguchi as Deadshot, Takehito Koyasu as Peacemaker, Jun Fukuyama as Clayface, and Subaru Kimura as King Shark.

Suicide Squad ISEKAI is set for a global release in 2024.

The post First Trailer for the Anime SUICIDE SQUAD Series Is Here appeared first on Nerdist.

Louis Vuitton By Robyn Mowatt ·Updated November 30, 2023

We would’ve loved to be a fly on the wall for Pharrell’s latest creative venture, the Louis Vuitton Men’s Pre-Fall 2024 runway show. Presented in Hong Kong on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, the experience looked like an immersive one for showgoers. Since this was the brand’s first-ever men’s collection presented in Hong Kong, it provided a significant moment for Pharrell to show the world what he resonates with most. Since he’s from Virginia Beach, Virginia he inherently leaned on the beachy elements of his hometown heavily. But, he also was heavily influenced by the notion of businessmen in Hong Kong who’ve decided to go on a trip to Hawaii–while on their trip their prompted to go back home for a meeting. 

What came from these core inspirations was a lineup of vibrant looks with floral patterns and suiting that felt as if they were equipped for resorts. The presentation also featured oversized leather bags for traveling and berets which were a nod to Louis Vuitton’s Parisian roots. When speaking to Hypebeast, Pharrell shared that he played around with two archetypes for the range: a sailor archetype and a dandy on vacation. To accomplish the former, he showcased tailored suits that might have been uniform-inspired in different hues like white, and black, and there was also a striped variation in white and salmon. For the latter, he hyper-focused on patterned, playful sets and separates that felt like what men would wear on a day cruise or a tropical vacation. 

Aligning with Pharrell, a savant who enjoys color, patterns, and vibrant accessories was a smart choice for Louis Vuitton. The brand’s men’s division is shifting and contorting–and this presentation is proof of that even with two shows down. Despite that, there are large shoes to fill left behind the titan Virgil Abloh who previously held the same role Pharrell sits at (men’s creative director). So we will be sitting tight as we experience the reimagination of house codes and what boundless creativity looks like from the multi-hyphenate.

Below take a quick look at what stood out to most at Louis Vuitton’s Pre-Fall 2024 collection. 

What was ESSENCE.com’s favorite part of the show?

The debut of a 3-D printed, German-made shoe, the Cobra was an interesting addition to the presentation. Made of a soft mesh texture, the shoe features Louis Vuitton’s monogram flower logo. It was seen on the runway in both black and white iterations. 

What were the staple looks?

One look in particular that stood out was an oversized leather blazer styled with a pair of enlarged trousers made of the same supple texture as the outerwear piece. This pushes forward the notion that one can wear whatever they feel comfortable when vacationing or heading to work. Another that felt meaningful was a denim two-piece suit created in a blue hue that felt modern. This set was worn with an enlarged weekender bag, a black beret, and aviator glasses. 

There was also an outfit which was made up of a shirt, a long-sleeved silk overshirt, and a pair of shorts that flowed quite well. These pieces were created with a brilliant oceanside scene emblazoned onto them. What made this look work were brown leather sandals and a pink patterned fanny pack. 

What were the accessories like?

In terms of footwear, there were loafers, closed-toe hook sandals, and leather utilitarian boots nearly up to one model’s knee. There were also a few oversized, logo tote bags–since the collection skewed into the arena of resort wear, there were also some bags that could serve as weekenders in lush leather variations. Jewelry was kept pretty minimal, and some necklaces worn looked like the hand-beaded jewelry found on beaches in countries like Jamaica.

Who was in attendance?

Attendees included Pusha T, Swizz Beatz, Swae Lee, and skateboarder Tyshawn Jones. There was also an assortment of global superstars who are based in South Korea, China, Japan, and more. 

Was Pharrell involved in the music for the show?

Yes. “Airplane Tickets” and  “Airplane Tickets (Ukulele version)” by Pharrell Williams, Swae Lee, and Rauw Alejandro were a part of the show. The arrangement and additional production were by Thomas Roussel. “Hong Kong Night”  composed and produced by Thomas Roussel was also a part of the presentation. 

The post Everything To Know About Pharrell’s Second Louis Vuitton Collection appeared first on Essence.