Godzilla Criterion Blu-ray Review in Progress

Criterion released, some years ago (on my birthday no less) a beautiful definitive blu-ray release of the original "Gojira" as well as "Godzilla,  King of the Monsters!" on one disc. I will be covering each film in individual reviews as well as the bonus features.

Bonus Features include: (From Blu-ray.com)

• Trailer - the original theatrical trailer for Godzilla. In Japanese, with optional English subtitles. (3 min, 1080i).

• Commentary - a new audio commentary by critic David Kalat, author of A Critical History and Filmography of Toho's Godzilla Series. Mr. Kalat's commentary is informative but admittedly too emotional and ultimately quite difficult to endure. The structural analysis and the examination of the socio-political conditions Godzillarepresents, however, are very good.

• Cast and Crew - four interviews with cast and crew members recalling and discussing their contribution to Ishiro Honda's Godzilla. In Japanese, with optional English subtitles.
  
  -- Akira Takarada (actor). Recorded in 2011. (13 min, 1080i).
  -- Haruo Nakajima (actor). Recorded in 2011. (10 min, 1080i).
  -- Yoshio Irie and Eizo Kaimai (effects technicians). Recorded in 2011. (31 min, 1080i).
  -- Akira Ifukube (composer). (51 min, 1080i). 

• Photographic Effects - a short featurette focusing on some of the unique visual tricks in Godzilla. Introduced by effects director Koichi Kawakita and SFX cameraman Motoyoshi Tomioka. In Japanese, with optional English subtitles. (10 min, 1080i).

• Tadao Sato - in this video interview, Japanese cinema expert and film critic Tadao Sato discusses Godzilla, its production history, and cultural significance. The interview was conducted in 2011. In Japanese, with optional English subtitles. (15 min, 1080i).

• The Unluckiest Dragon - a 2011 illustrated audio essay, featuring historian Gregory M. Pflugfelder of Columbia University, discussing the tragic fate of the fishing vessel Daigo fukuryu maru (Lucky Dragon No. 5), a real-life event that inspired Godzilla. In English, not subtitled. (10 min, 1080p).

• Godzilla, King of the Monsters! - the 1956 feature film codirected and edited by Terry O. Morse. In English and Japanese, with optional English subtitles. (81 min, 1080p). 

• Trailer - the original theatrical trailer for Godzilla, King of the Monsters!. In English, not subtitled. (2 min, 1080p). 

• Commentary - a new audio commentary by critic David Kalat. The audio commentary was recorded exclusively for Criterion in 2011. 

• Booklet - an illustrated booklet featuring an essay by critic J. Hoberman.