Godzilla vs. Mothra/ゴジラvsモスラ (Gojira tai Mosura) (1992) - Toho's oddball kaiju turkey

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Several incongruous elements clash on this packed poster for Takao Okawara's Godzilla vs. Mothra

A meteor strikes down and awakens Godzilla. But it also carries alien life: A larvae which becomes the giant butterfly Mothra and the dragon moth Battra.

Godzilla vs. Mothra is written by Kazuki Ohmori (Shoot (1994)) and directed by Takao Okawara (Chô shôjo Reiko (1991)).
A truly odd film, Godzilla vs. Mothra has two cosmos mini-girls that sing of their alien civilization, (see them in the bottom right corner of the poster above.) But mainly it consists of the three kaiju monsters fighting and destroying buildings in long battle scenes that are dreadfully boring.
Godzilla vs. Mothra lacks taste, intellect, filmmaking skills (the sound, music, editing and acting is preposterous) and a compelling narrative.

Related posts:

Godzilla franchise:  Shin Godzilla/シン・ゴジラ (Shin Gojira) (2016) - A sensational Japanese comeback
Godzilla (2014) - The best US Godzilla  
Godzilla vs. Destoroyah/ゴジラvsデストロイア (Gojira tai Destoroyah) (1995) - The king battles crab monster in effects-primed entertainer  Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah/ゴジラvsキングギドラ (Gojira tai Kingu Gidora) (1991) - A future-sent monster needs defeating in bombastic entry
Godzilla vs. Biollante/ゴジラvsビオランテ (Gojira tai Biorante) (1989) - The king battles rose monster in franchise low
Godzilla/ゴジラ (Gojira) (1954) - A Japanese king is born ...

Watch a trailer for the film here

Cost: Unknown
Box office: 2.2 - 3.7 bil. ¥ (different accounts), approximately between 20 - 35 mil. $
= Uncertain
[Godzilla vs. Mothra was released 12 December (Japan) and runs 102 minutes. It is the 19th film in the Godzilla franchise and the 4th in its Heisei period. Revamping Mothra as the central enemy monster was chosen, when a poll showed that it was popular among women. Fantasy and child-friendly elements were also incorporated to excite women and children. 4.2 mil. paid admission to it in Japan, the biggest Godzilla audience there for nearly 3 decades. It was the 2nd highest-grossing film of the year in Japan, following Jurassic Park. Internationally it is only noted that it was released in Portugal in 1992. In North America it was released on home video in 1998. Without a more definite world gross and budget for the film, (its predecessor was made for 12 mil. $), it is impossible to accurately rank the film's theatrical performance, which might be anywhere from 'big flop' to 'box office success.' It won 1 of 3 nominations from the Japanese Academy. Godzilla returned in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993). Okawara returned with Bloody Scary Horror (1992). 3,953 IMDb users have given Godzilla vs. Mothra a 6.2/10 average rating.]

What do you think of Godzilla vs. Mothra?

Godzilla vs. Destoroyah/ゴジラvsデストロイア (Gojira tai Destoroyah) (1995) - The king battles crab monster in effects-primed entertainer

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The frightening Destoroyah monster chomps out of a Tokyo with a burning Godzilla and Godzilla Junior already under attack on this fiery, action-promising poster for Takao Okawara's Godzilla vs. Destoroyah

Once again reckless science produces a catastrophe, as micro-oxygen research fails, causing a veritable army of crab-like monsters to develop. These beasts melt together into one giant Destoroyah monster, who fights a red-glowing, meltdown-nearing Godzilla.

Godzilla vs. Destoroyah is written by Kazuki Ohmori (Totto Channel (1987)) and directed by Takao Okawara (Chô shôjo Reiko (1991)), with clips used from previous franchise entries directed by Ishirô Honda (Godzilla/Gojira (1954)), Koji Hashimoto (The Return of Godzilla/Gojira (1984)), Kazuki Ohmori (Godzilla vs. Biollante/Gojira vs. Biorante (1989)) and Kenshô Yamashita (Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla/Gojira vs. Supesugojira (1994)).
SPOILER Advertised in Japan as the film in which 'Godzilla dies!', Godzilla vs. Destoroyah also has a 'heart-rending' prolonged scene in which Godzilla loses his adopted son Godzilla Junior.
The films' major popularity in Japan is really felt in Godzilla vs. Destoroyah, where a whole lot of money is obviously spent on the film's great wealth of special effects. It is furthermore interesting to see the economic transformation in the country since the 1954 original, which is very evident.
The Destoroyah monsters are highly reminiscent of alien creatures, but the general storytelling recipe used here is pretty familiar, and the result with Godzilla vs. Destoroyah is great entertainment, for example for a lovely Sunday afternoon time on the couch.

Related posts:

Godzilla franchise:  Shin Godzilla/シン・ゴジラ (Shin Gojira) (2016) - A sensational Japanese comeback
Godzilla (2014) - The best US Godzilla  
Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah/ゴジラvsキングギドラ (Gojira tai Kingu Gidora) (1991) - A future-sent monster needs defeating in bombastic entry
Godzilla vs. Biollante/ゴジラvsビオランテ (Gojira tai Biorante) (1989) - The king battles rose monster in franchise low
Godzilla/ゴジラ (Gojira) (1954) - A Japanese king is born ...

Watch an explosive trailer for the film here

Cost: 1 bil. ¥, approximately 10 mil. $
Box office: Reportedly 3.4 bil. ¥; accounts differ and rank from 18 mil. $ to 42 mil. $ (the first probably a domestic figure and the latter a worldwide total)
= Box office success; some uncertainty - could be a big hit
[Godzilla vs. Destoroyah was released 9 December (Japan) and runs 102 minutes. The 22nd film in the franchise, Godzilla vs. Destoroyah is also the 7th and last in its Heisei period. Toho wanted to beat the preceding two theatrically disappointing entries and marketed the film as Godzilla's last, in which he would die. This successfully boosted publicity, and Toho soothed upset fans by saying that they were planning to reboot Godzilla again in 2005. Ohmori's initial idea to have Godzilla go up against a ghost Godzilla was scrapped. Godzilla actor Kenpachiro Satsuma reportedly nearly suffocated six times due to the carbonic acid gasses emitted by the heavy suit. Original Godzilla composer Akira Ifukube returned and scored the film as his last in the franchise, saying he approached writing the theme to Godzilla's death as if he was writing a theme for his own death. 4 mil. paid admission in Japan; the film was also released in Portugal in 1995, and in Finland, France and Hong Kong in 1996. In North America the film was released straight-to-DVD in 1999. It was nominated for 2 awards from the Japanese Academy. Godzilla returned in the first Hollywood film Godzilla (1998) and then in Toho's much sooner than announced reboot Godzilla 2000: Millennium (1999), beginning the franchise's 1999-2004 Millennium period. Okawara returned with Yukai (1997). 5,118 IMDb users have given Godzilla vs. Destoroyah a 7.0/10 average rating.]

What do you think of Godzilla vs. Destoroyah?

Top 10: Best drama-thrillers reviewed by Film Excess to date

1. Anatomy of a Murder (1959) - Otto Preminger

2. Hidden/Caché (2005) - Michael Haneke
 

3. The Crossing Guard (1995) - Sean Penn  

4. Collateral (2004) - Michael Mann

5. Zentropa/Europa (1991) - Lars Von Trier

6. Children of Men (2006) - Alfonso Cuarón

7. Mud (2012) - Jeff Nichols

8. The Place Beyond the Pines (2012) - Derek Cianfrance

9. A Hijacking/Kapringen (2012) - Tobias Lindholm

10. Kill List (2011) - Ben Wheatley

Chosen out of 32 reviewed titles labeled 'drama-thriller'

Previous Top 10 lists:

Best action movies reviewed by Film Excess to date
Best adapted movies reviewed by Film Excess to date
Best adventure movies reviewed by Film Excess to date
Best big flop movies reviewed by Film Excess to date
Best B/W movies reviewed by Film Excess to date
Best true story movies reviewed by Film Excess to date
Best big hit movies reviewed by Film Excess to date
Best biopic movies reviewed by Film Excess to date
Best 'box office success' movies reviewed by Film Excess to date
Best car chases in movies reviewed by Film Excess to date
Best comedies reviewed by Film Excess to date
Best cop movies reviewed by Film Excess to date      
Best crime movies reviewed by Film Excess to date        
Best debut movies reviewed by Film Excess to date    
Best Danish movies reviewed by Film Excess to date
Best Disney movies reviewed by Film Excess to date   
Best documentaries reviewed by Film Excess to date 
Best dramas reviewed by Film Excess to date

What do you think of the list?  
Which drama-thrillers would make your personal Top 10?

Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah/ゴジラvsキングギドラ (Gojira tai Kingu Gidora) (1991) - A future-sent monster needs defeating in bombastic entry

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Godzilla handles the three-headed opponent before a nuclear missile launched out of the sea on this awesome poster for Kazuki Ohmori's Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah

Three people arrive from the future to Japan in a time machine but have evil ulterior motives: They want to destroy Japan with the three-headed monster they brought along with them, because the country will become all-powerful in 2207. - But they hadn't counted on Godzilla!

Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah is written and directed by returning Godzilla filmmaker Kazuki Ohmori (Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)).
It is a film that may heighten fear of Asians among Westerners, (the film was in fact controversial for perceived anti-Americanism), and it is certainly ripe with Japanese nationalism to the point where it seems more military parade than motion picture; however, everything explodes!
The filmmakers and their characters here may be good-hearted and technical wizards or not, but the grasp of narrative and creativity leaves a lot to be asked of. Suit-wearing men spout lines like; "Emmy, pull the Godzilla handle!"
Still this all has a certain charm to it. And the three-headed Ghidorah monster from the future rocks.

Related posts:

Godzilla franchise:  Shin Godzilla/シン・ゴジラ (Shin Gojira) (2016) - A sensational Japanese comeback
Godzilla (2014) - The best US Godzilla  
Godzilla vs. Biollante/ゴジラvsビオランテ (Gojira tai Biorante) (1989) - The king battles rose monster in franchise low
Godzilla/ゴジラ (Gojira) (1954) - A Japanese king is born ...

Watch a TV recording of a trailer for the film with English subtitles here

Cost: 1,500 mil. ¥, approximately 12 mil. $
Box office: Reportedly 11 mil. $ (Japan only)
= Some uncertainty but looks like a huge flop (returned in excess of 0.91 times its cost)
[Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah was released 14 December (Japan) and runs 103 minutes. The film is the 18th in the Godzilla franchise and the 3rd in its Heisei period. It was decided to revive Godzilla's archenemy King Ghidorah, when a poll showed that it was the monster most male audiences would like to see return. A more child-friendly and fantasy-based approach was taken after the lackluster reception of Godzilla vs. Biollante's biotechnology focus. Ohmori thought that time-travel was what the public wanted (following major hit Back to the Future Part II (1989)) and incorporated this in the story. Shooting took place in Japan, including Tokyo. Real octopus blood was used during a bombardment scene. 2.7 mil. $ paid admission in production country Japan, up from 2 mil. for the previous film. - But as Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah budget was more than double in size, it ranks as a bigger flop. The film was also released theatrically in Portugal in 1991 and in Germany and Spain in 1993, though regrettably the gross numbers are unavailable. In North America it was only released on DVD in 1998. Godzilla returned in Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992). Ohmori returned with Mangetsu: Mr. Moonlight (1991). 5,312 IMDb users have given Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah a 6.6/10 average rating.]

What do you think of Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah?

Godzilla vs. Biollante/ゴジラvsビオランテ (Gojira tai Biorante) (1989) - The king battles rose monster in franchise low

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The well-known nuclear monster is up against something like a thorny rose monster on this vivid poster for Koji Hashimoto and Kazuki Ohmori's Godzilla vs. Biollante

Some genetical scientists accidentally create a plant monster in their attempt to form an anti-atom Godzilla-weapon, and soon both Godzilla and the new monster rack through Tokyo.

Godzilla vs. Biollante is written by co-writer/co-director Kazuki Ohmori (Shinuniva maniawanai (1969)), with Shinichirô Kobayashi (Betterman, TV-series (1999), producer) contributing story elements, and co-directed with Koji Hashimoto (Bye Bye Jupiter/Sayônara, Jûpetâ (1984)).
It is a classic kaiju movie of the 'versus' variety, where the human characters involved are mostly resigned to standing on the sidelines and tremble, while the monstrous rulers collide.
Regrettably this film is made with a minimum of aptitude for writing and directing a compelling narrative. Godzilla vs. Biollante is an extremely poor film. It gets its one heart simply for an almost mythical shot of the Biollante monster, the film's alleged Nordic mythology-bound rose monster.

Related posts:

Godzilla franchise:  Shin Godzilla/シン・ゴジラ (Shin Gojira) (2016) - A sensational Japanese comeback
Godzilla (2014) - The best US Godzilla  
Godzilla/ゴジラ (Gojira) (1954) - A Japanese king is born ...

Watch an original Japanese TV spot for the movie here

Cost: 700 mil. ¥, approximately 5 mil. $ - reportedly the highest up to its point in the franchise
Box office: 1,040 mil. ¥, approximately 7 mil. $ (Japan only)
= Big flop (returned in excess of 1.48 times its cost)
[Godzilla vs. Biollante was released 16 December (Japan) and runs 104 minutes. It is the 17th film in the Godzilla franchise and the 2nd in the Heisei period, which started with the financially disappointing The Return of Godzilla (1985). A public story contest resulted in the focus on biotechnology. Main director Ohmori (Hashimoto was uncredited) openly admitted his directing a Godzilla movie was secondary to his great wish to make a James Bond film, (this never happened.) He was given considerably freedom with the film, which Toho staff later reportedly considered a mistake that resulted in a film with a narrow audience. Shooting took place in Japan. Godzilla actor Kenpachiro Satsuma wore the improved Godzilla suit, which now had dorsal light bulbs incorporated, which electrocuted Satsuma the first time used. Biollante's vine tentacles needed 32 wires to be operated, apart from the actor inside the monster's hull. This is the first Godzilla film to use CGI effects, though limited to computer-generated schematics. The film reportedly sold 2 mil. tickets in production country Japan, less than the preceding film's 3.2 mil. and the subsequent film's 2.7 mil.. The film was released in Portugal, Taiwan and South Korea, but gross numbers are regrettably unavailable. Toho sued Miramax over an oral agreement of North-American distribution for 500k $ in 1990 and settled out of court, resulting in an HBO straight-to-video release in the market in 1992 in an English-dubbed version. Godzilla returned in Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991). Hashimoto returned with that same film; Ohmori with The Reason Why I Became Ill/Boku ga byôki ni natta wake (1990), prior to also co-directing Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah. 6,564 Rotten Tomatoes users have given Godzilla vs. Biollante a 3.76/5 average rating.]

What do you think of Godzilla vs. Biollante?

Godzilla/ゴジラ (Gojira) (1954) - A Japanese king is born ...

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An original, text-heavy poster for Ishirô Honda's Godzilla

Two battleships mysteriously sink, and soon after the 'superstitious' are proven to be right: An ancient monster named Gojira has been reawoken to life by nuclear bombs after two million years of hibernation, and he is ready to trash Tokyo!

Godzilla is written by Takeo Murata (A Man in the Storm/Arashi no naka no otoko (1957)) and co-writer/director Ishirô Honda (Aoi shinju (1951)), with Shigeru Kayama (Half Human (1958)) contributing story elements.
The acting is sometimes overdone in a silent film kind of way, but it has charm just like the rest of the film. And because Godzilla comes out of the Japanese seas, where the Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear attacks wrought previously unimaginable death, destruction and havoc, which helped end WWII just under a decade prior the film's release, the film's coupling of the timely theme of weapons of mass destruction with the metaphoric title monster never rings false.
The effects are many and exciting, and the iconic theme by Akira Ifukube (Yôsô (1963)) is effective. Godzilla is a classic of profound meaning and a film that I can't wait to rediscover again some day.

Related posts:

Godzilla franchise:  Shin Godzilla/シン・ゴジラ (Shin Gojira) (2016) - A sensational Japanese comeback
Godzilla (2014) - The best US Godzilla

Watch a trailer for the 2014 re-release of the film here

Cost: 60 mil. ¥, approximately 165k $
Box office: In excess of 4.1 mil. $
= Mega-hit (returned at least 24.84 times its cost)
[Godzilla was released 3 November (Japan) and runs 96 minutes. About the monster Honda 
said that he "took the characteristics of an atomic bomb and applied them to Godzilla." The 
original Japanese name for the monster, Gojira, comes from welding together gorira [gorilla] 
and kujira [whale]. Honda asked 30 crew members prior to production to read the script and 
decide if they believed in it or not, as he only wanted to work with those with confidence in the
film. A stop motion approach as utilized in King Kong (1933) was scrapped in favor of 
suitmation, as the alternative would have been too time-consuming. The first version of the 
Godzilla suit weighed 100 kg (220 pounds). The main Godzilla actor Haruo Nakajima could 
spend only 3 minutes inside the suit before passing out, and he lost 20 pounds during filming. 
Still Nakajima went on to portray Godzilla and other monsters until his retirement in 1972. 
The monster's roar was created with instruments; a leather glove and a contrabass, altering 
the pitch and speed of the noise created. Principal photography took place in Japan, including
Tokyo, lasting 51 days. Honda would usually work shirtless in hard weather and suffered 
sunburns that left permanent scars on his back. Special effects photography took 71 days. 
The film  sold 9.6 mil. tickets in Japan, grossing 1.6 mil. $ there as the year's 8th highest-
grossing film in Japan. It sold 835k tickets in France in 1957,  probably in the same trimmed 
and cut Americanized version with US actor Raymond Burr, which was released in North 
America in 1957 as Godzilla, King of the Monsters!, and which grossed 2 mil. $ in North America. It 
has made another 562k $ in North America  in 2004 and 2014, as the original version was 
reportedly shown for the first time in the West. Roger Ebert gave the film just 1.5/4 stars, 
translating to three notches lower than this review. Godzilla started the longest-running 
franchise in movie history, spanning to date 36 movies, 32 of them from Japanese Toho and 
4 from Hollywood. Godzilla returned in Godzilla Raids Again/Gojira no gyakushū (1955).  
Honda returned with Koi-gesho (1955). Godzilla is certified fresh at 93 % with a 7.67/10 
critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of Godzilla?

Ghostbusters II (1989) - Reitman's unjustifiably maligned sequel

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The 4th Ghostbuster, played by Ernie Hudson, gets to be on the poster for Ivan Reitman's sequel Ghostbusters II here, - but still without a starring poster credit

Five years after the events of the first Ghostbusters, the four guys have nothing to do anymore; New York is cleansed of evil spirits. But then a portrait of an old crook at the museum where Dana (Sigourney Weaver (Ghostbusters (1984))) works wakes to life, and he wants her child!

Ghostbusters II is written by co-writer/stars Dan Aykroyd (The Blues Brothers (1980)) and Harold Ramis (Analyze This (1999)) and directed by returning filmmaker Ivan Reitman (Foxy Lady (1971)).
Incredibly enough the sequel to the sensational 1984 original hit is as wacky as the first time around. It is predictably bigger in scale and still seems to have an anarchistic reckless attitude towards what was possible effects-wise at the time of production.
Ghostbusters II has some new, fun supporting actor performances, including Peter MacNicol (Tangled: The Series (2017-20)) in a very silly, spasmic performance as Dana's boss, who becomes a pawn of the evil Vigo. Bill Murray (The Lost City (2005)) continues to be a treasure here, and I love the revamped version of the beloved title song by Ray Parker Jr..

Related posts:

Ivan Reitman: Evolution (2001) - Reitman's sci-fi crazy-comedy is thoroughly entertaining
Ghostbusters (1984) - Reitman and Co. conjure up the gleeful pomp and circumstance of the 1980s 

 Watch a teaser for the movie here

Cost: Estimated 37 mil. $
Box office: 213.3 mil. $
= Huge hit (returned 5.76 times its cost)
[Ghostbusters II premiered 15 June (Hollywood) and runs 108 minutes. The long gestation of the movie was mainly due to reluctance by the film's stars. Reitman, Murray, Ramis and Aykroyd negotiated "low" upfront salaries, (Murray though reportedly was paid 7 mil. $) in exchange for box office profit percentages, lower than 10 % each but reportedly still "high". Animated spin-off series The Real Ghostbusters (1984-91) had spun a large child fan base for the franchise, necessitating that the sequel be more family friendly, - less scary, without smoking etc.. Reitman hired ILM for the film's effects, as he had been unhappy with the effects done by Richard Edlund for the first film. Shooting took place from November 1988 - March 1989 in New York and California, including Los Angeles. New York City authorities were cooperative to the point of allowing shooting on Manhattan's Second Avenue while the Soviet Union's president Gorbachev was in town, which already closed down 40 blocks. Reshoots took place in March and April, including on location in New York, as its ending needed changing, while the premiere was pushed forward to avoid clashing with Batman (1989), making the finalization of the film highly stressful. The film opened #1 to a 29.4 mil. $ first weekend in North America, where it stayed in the top 5 for another 4 weekends (#3-#4-#2-#4) and grossed 112.4 mil. $ (52.7 % of the total gross). The film made less than half of its original in North America but almost double of the first film's international gross and was the 8th highest-grossing film worldwide of the year. Murray's disappointment with the film made another sequel impossible for the coming decades. Following Ramis' death in 2014, Reitman sold his, Ramis, Murray and Aykroyd's creative control of the franchise to Sony for an undisclosed, large sum. Their 2016 female reboot Ghostbusters flopped. Reitman's son Jason Reitman directs a second direct sequel, Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2020). Reitman returned with Kindergarten Cop (1990). Murray returned in Quick Change (1990); Aykroyd in Michael Jackson's music video Liberian Girl (1989) and theatrically in Driving Miss Daisy (1989); and Weaver in Alien 3 (1992). Ghostbusters II is rotten at 53 % with a 5.32/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of Ghostbusters II?

Ghostbusters (1984) - Reitman and Co. conjure up the gleeful pomp and circumstance of the 1980s

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Something fresh that's funny and ominously spooky at the same time is promised on this effective poster for Ivan Reitman's Ghostbusters

Three guys who are fired from university paranormal scientist positions instead begin hunting ghosts in the Big Apple. More specifically an evil entity by the name of Zuul, which comes out of sexy New-Yorker Dana's (Sigourney Weaver (Alien (1979)) refrigerator.

Ghostbusters is written by co-writer/co-star Dan Aykroyd (Dragnet (1987)) and co-writer/co-star Harold Ramis (Bedazzled (2000)) and directed by Ivan Reitman (Foxy Lady (1971)).
It is a delightful 1980s horror-comedy bonanza with a hilarious Bill Murray (Rock the Kashbah (2015)) at the film's front and center. Rick Moranis (SCTV (1980-81)) as Dana's neighbor is also a riot.
Ghostbusters is a throw-back to a fantastic era where experimentation such as an FX-heavy comedy with no intellectual property behind it, - a costly, unproven and original concept, - enjoyed full studio support. It is a colorful, highly entertaining and damn good time.

Related post:

Ivan Reitman: Evolution (2001) - Reitman's sci-fi crazy-comedy is thoroughly entertaining

Watch an original trailer for the film here

Cost: Estimated 30 mil. $
Box office: 295.7 mil. $
= Blockbuster (returned 9.85 times its cost)
[Ghostbusters premiered 7 June (California) and runs 105 minutes. Aykroyd was inspired by his family's fascination with ghosts and with ghost comedies of Hollywood yore. The studio paid Universal Pictures 500k $ for the rights to the Ghostbusters title. Reitman requested the 25-30 mil. $ budget by simply tripling the budget of his preceding film Stripes (1981). John Candy was sought for the neighbor Tully role but turned it down; Eddie Murphy was meant to be the 4th ghostbuster Winston but turned it down, and the role was diminished prior to filming to the regret of its eventually star Ernie Hudson, who goes unrecognized on the film's poster. Shooting took place in New York and Los Angeles from October 1983 - January 1984. Production shut down streets in New York during rush hour, angering residents including writer Isaac Asimov, and necessitating an officer pull his gun on a taxi driver refusing to comply. With Hollywood's major special effects companies already busy on other projects, Columbia Pictures supported Richard Edlund, fresh off Poltergeist (1982), with 5 mil. $ to open a new SFX company named Boss Film Studios and create the effects for Ghostbusters. The effects cost 700k $ more to complete and included Steve Johnson's 300k $ Slimer ghost, created with inspiration from the late John Belushi while taking cocaine. Columbia spent an additional 10 mil. $ on prints and marketing. One trailer included a toll-free number with a pre-recorded message from Aykroyd and Murray, which reportedly got more than a million calls in 6 weeks. The film opened #1 to a 13.5 mil. $ first weekend in North America, where it stayed #1 for another 14 weekends and was in the top 5 for another 7 weekends, grossing 229.2 mil. $ in its first release there (81.2 % of the total initial gross). It has made more in subsequent re-releases. It was the 2nd highest-grossing film of the year in North America, behind Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and Ghostbusters is the highest-grossing comedy of the 1980s. Ray Parker Jr.'s Ghostbusters #1 Billboard Hot 100 theme is thought to have contributed 20 mil. $ to the film's success, but Parker was sued by Huey Lewis for plagiarizing the bass line in his I Want A New Drug (1983): The two settled out of court, and Parker sued Lewis for saying that Parker "stole the song" in a 2001 VH1 episode, leading Lewis to then pay him an undisclosed sum. While Hudson worked for half his fee to get the role as Winston, the real stars received gross profit percentages; Murray at top reportedly earned 20-30 mil. $ from the film. Tons of merchandise were sold, as well as 400k VHS copies initially in North America, at the incredible unit prize of 79.95 $, accruing a further 32 mil. $. The film was nominated for 2 Oscars: Best Effects, lost to Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and Best Song (Ray Parker Jr.'s Ghostbusters), lost to Stevie Wonder's I Just Called to Say I Love You from The Woman in Red. It was also nominated for 3 Golden Globes, won 1/2 BAFTA nominations and was nominated for a Grammy, among other honors. Roger Ebert gave the film a 3.5/4 star review, translating to a notch higher than this one. The film inspired an animated TV-series (The Real Ghostbusters (1986-92)) and a sequel series, as well as a less successful (still majorly successful though) movie sequel, Ghostbusters II (1989) with the filmmakers and cast back, which disappointed Murray, impeding a second sequel: Instead the female reboot Ghostbusters (2016) was made to financial mire: A new sequel with a new cast, directed by Reitman's son Jason Reitman, is set for release this summer as Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Reitman returned with the music video for Parker's Ghostbusters (1984) and theatrically with Legal Eagles (1986). Murray enjoyed a 6-year hiatus after the smash before returning as a leading star with Scrooged (1988); his first role was, however, in Nothing Lasts Forever (1984); Aykroyd in the same film; and Ramis in Baby Boom (1987). Ghostbusters is certified fresh at 97 % with an 8.14/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of Ghostbusters?

Groundhog Day (1993) - Rubin, Ramis and Murray's irresistible comedy masterpiece

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+ Best Comedy of the Year + Most Deserved Hit of the Year + Best Pennsylvania Movie of the Year

Star Bill Murray is literally caught inside a clock on a beautiful morning - with attractive co-star Andie MacDowell looking sweetly skeptical in the right corner, on this poster for Harold Ramis' Groundhog Day

A weather man with big city egocentric proclivities, - which is understating the fact, - is sent to cover the annual Groundhog Day phenomenon in the small town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. He hates it there. And his loathed day then mysteriously repeats itself the next day. And the next day ...

Groundhog Day is written by Danny Rubin (Stork Day (2004)) and Illinoisan master filmmaker, co-producer/co-writer/director Harold Ramis (Caddyshack (1980)).
Bill Murray (Cradle Will Rock (1999)) is wonderfully sarcastic and at the same time touchingly real as Phil Connors, on the cusp of another chapter of his career here. Andie MacDowell (Happiness Runs (2010)) adds sweetness, and Stephen Tobolowsky (Miss Congeniality 2: Armed & Fabulous (2005)) is hilarious as hearty local Ned 'Bing!' Ryerson.
Groundhog Day is a perfect film, which shows the potential height for a high-concept fantasy comedy and is both really funny and equally thought-provoking. The movie's main idea is that life is what you inject it with personally on a daily basis; a simple dictum that is nevertheless rendered highly evocative and with a depth that is normally not found in a mainstream comedy. This is also why Groundhog Day rightly ranks among the absolute best comedies of all time.

Related post:

Harold Ramis: 1993 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess

Top 10: Best fantasy movies reviewed by Film Excess to date

Caddyshack (1980) - And you thought golf was boring?

Watch an original trailer for the film here

Cost: Reportedly 14.6 mil. $
Box office: 70.9 mil. $ (North America alone)
= Big hit with domestic gross, but overall more likely a huge hit (returned 4.85 times its cost in North America alone)
[Groundhog Day premiered 4 February (California) and runs 101 minutes. Rubin and Murray attended Groundhog Day in secret to prepare for the filming. Shooting took place mainly in Woodstock, Illinois, some distance from the real Punxsutawney, as well as in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and in California from March - June 1992. Murray was bitten by groundhogs twice during shooting, requiring him to get a rabies shot. He was going through marital problems at the time and continued working on the script with Rubin while alienating himself from long-time friend and director Ramis. The two broke their relationship after the movie and didn't speak again for over 20 years; not until Ramis was on his deathbed did they reconcile. Murray was reportedly paid 10 mil. $ for Groundhog Day, an overwhelming share of the film's cost. Several religions have embraced the film and claimed it for their beliefs. The length of Connors' repeated Groundhog Day has been calculated by one Internet site to last around 34 years. The film opened #1 to a 12.5 mil. $ first weekend in North America, where it stayed #1 for another 2 weeks and then managed another 5 weeks in the top 5, grossing 70.9 mil. $. The international gross numbers are not public information, but even if the film was met with a very muted international reception (15 mil. $ for instance), it would rank the film as a huge hit. Roger Ebert gave it a 3/4 star review, but later elevated it to his list of Great Movies. The film won a BAFTA but otherwise went under the major awards radar. IMDb's users have voted it in at #248 on the site's Top 250, sitting between Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) and Drishyam (2015). The film was adapted into a musical for the London stage in 2016 and later Broadway. Ramis returned with Stuart Saves His Family (1995). Murray returned in Mad Dog and Glory (1993). Groundhog Day is certified fresh at 96 % with an 8.05/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of Groundhog Day?