Tag: Min Tanaka

Godzilla Minus Zero Box Office Prediction

Three years after Godzilla Minus One was a critical darling and an Oscar winner for its visuals, Toho looks to post a monster number for follow-up Godzilla Minus Zero starting November 6th. Takashi Yamazaki is back in the director’s chair along with returning cast members Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe, Hidetaka Yoshioka, Yuki Yamada, Kuranosuke Sasaki, Sakura Ando, and Miou Tanka. Newcomers to the franchise (going strong for over 70 years) include Min Tanaka, Masami Nagasawa, and Jun Kunimura.

Zero debuted at the New York Film Festival late last month. The reception was similar to its predecessor’s with 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 78 Metacritic. 2023’s Minus One has had time to build an even bigger following since its theatrical performance. Back in December of that year, it opened with $11.4 million and legged out impressively to $57 million. That made it the highest grossing live-action Japanese feature of all time stateside.

The sequel should surpass that with little trouble. I believe $30 plus million out of the gate is achievable with room to spare.

Godzilla Minus Zero opening weekend prediction: $32 million

For my The Cat in the Hat prediction, click here:

The Cat in the Hat Box Office Prediction

For my Ramayana: Part 1 prediction, click here:

Ramayana: Part 1 Box Office Prediction

For my Wild Horse Nine prediction, click here:

Wild Horse Nine Box Office Prediction

Oscar Predictions: Godzilla Minus Zero

Following up on the 2023’s heralded Godzilla Minus One, writer/director Takashi Yamazaki has premiered his kaiju sequel Godzilla Minus Zero at the New York Film Festival. Set to hit screens domestically on November 6th, Zero counts returning cast members Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minabi Hamabe, Yuki Yamada, Kuranosuke Sasaki, Miou Tanaka, Sakura Ando, and Hidetaka Yoshioka. Newcomers include Jun Kunimura, Masami Nagasawa, and Min Tanaka.

The Toho effort marks the 38th overall entry in the 70 year plus franchise. Many critics claimed Godzilla Minus One was at the very top in terms of quality. It scored 99% on Rotten Tomatoes with an 81 Metacritic. Big Apple reaction to the sequel isn’t far behind with 93% on RT and a 78 MC.

Reviews all praise the visual effects. In 2023, Minus One ended up being a surprise winner in VE over The Creator and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. While its victory on the night wasn’t shocking, few saw it coming in the months prior. I’ve had Zero in and out of my VE quintet over the past few months. I’m far more convinced it’ll make the cut after the festival unveiling.

I’m not expecting a repeat trip to the Oscar stage for Yamazaki and his team. Three years ago, there simply weren’t as many spectacles in contention. Zero will have to compete with Project Hail Mary, The Odyssey, and one would certainly think the unscreened Dune: Part Three (both predecessors won the category). Beyond the visuals, the fiery green giant monster’s latest is a possibility in Sound if it makes the shortlist (One did not). My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…

Oscar Predictions: Kokuho

Japanese drama Kokuho showed up in two shortlists for the 98th Academy Awards released today (expect a few posts covering international and documentary contenders in particular). Being that it’s Japan’s submission for International Feature Film, materializing on that list wasn’t a major surprise. Making the ten possibilities in Makeup and Hairstyling was. Lee Sang-il directs with a cast including Ryo Yoshizawa, Ryusei Yokohama, Mitsuki Takahata, Shinobu Terajima, Min Tanaka, and Ken Watanabe. It was first screened at Cannes in the summer.

The film has bragging rights. In November, it became the highest grossing live-action film in its native country. It also sports a 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating. Japan has seen a handful of their submissions make the Academy’s cut in the 21st century. They are The Twilight Samurai from 2003, Departures in 2008 (which won), Shoplifters in 2018, another victor with Drive My Car from 2021, and Perfect Days from 2023.

That’s a resume that would look darn good in a different year. International Feature Film, however, is packed with other surefire hopefuls including Sentimental Value, It Was Just an Accident, The Secret Agent, Sirât (which had a banner day on the shortlists), and No Other Choice (all Neon titles). There may not be room for Kokuho to shine. It probably stands a better shot at Makeup and Hairstyling as they’ve proven to be a branch capable of unexpected nominations. My Oscar Prediction posts will continue…