The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • Page 169

VIDEO DISCOVERY Godzilla as One of the Good Guys MORE VIDEOS: "The Patty" (1968), directed by Blake Edwardi. 99 minutes. No rating. Remember-the cocktail party segment of TV's "Rowan Martin's Laugh-ln," In which dancing to "hip" late-'60s music was Interrupted only long enough tor somebody to tell a Joke? Well, that's essentially the plot of "The Party." Starring Peter Sellers. ROBERT ROHWER "The Tin Brum" (1979), directed by Volker Schtondorff.

142 minutes. Rated R. An often quirky look at a society gone mad (Nazi Germany) and a child's way of coping through incessant drumming and high-pitched screams. GUILLERMO TORRES "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai" (1984), directed by W.D. Rlchter.

103 minutes. Rated PG-13. Forget Dick Batman, et al. Buckaroo Banzai Is the greatest comtc-book hero who never was. When not fronting his band of New Jersey rock 'n' rollers, he's busy creating a device to penetrate the eighth dimension.

It might take two or three vlewings Just to figure out what the heck is going on, but the ride Is worth It RANDY LEWIS Rodan who began their careers as societal menaces are cast as more benevolent sorts in this film. What makes "Godzilla Vs. Monster Zero" such riotous adult fun is the whole unintended shoddiness of the film. For instance, the space aliens are hardly alien at all. Decked out in wraparound dark glasses and black leather vests and skin-caps, they look more like offbeat members of the Yakuza (Japanese mafia).

Actually, it's the Japanese who seem like extraterrestrials, thanks to a laughable dubbing job. Many of the Japanese monster films featured an American co-star. In "Monster Zero," Nick Adams is the brash American astronaut who talks tough to the ruthless Invaders. The highlights of "Godzilla Vs. Monster Zero" are undoubtedly the battle scenes involving the three beastly stars.

They spit fire, they wreck cities and, for the umpteenth time, they pummel the always formidable Japanese army. A terrific bad movie. "Godzilla Vs. Monster Zero" 1966), director Inoshiro Honda. 93 minutes.

No rating. JON MATSUMOTO After the success of "Godzilla" in 1956, Japan's Toho Studios cranked out a slew of popular kaiju (monster) films featuring the rampaging lizard king and his gargantuan cohorts. Among the innumerable '60s installments in this series is "Godzilla Vs. Monster Zero." While it's not the best of the Japanese monster flicks (check out "Godzilla" or "Destroy All Monsters" for that honor), it contains most of the elements that made this film form so appealing to the average 5- to 12-year-old boy. As usual, the plot is pretty far-fetched.

Aliens from Planet trick the gullible into trading Godzilla and Bodan (a giant reptilian bird) for a bogus disease-curing formula. Through a mind-control mechanism, the aliens then turn. the two beasts and Monster Zero (a notorious three-headed dragon) against the Japanese. Result: the freedom if not the survival of the human race hangs in the balance. Interestingly enough, bad guys aren't always bad guys in Japanese monster movies.

In character switches worthy of the World Wrestling Federation, Godzilla and t' fir- hi if Riotous adult fun. From Tiananmen Square to the MainPlace Mall in 30 minutes. THINKING ABOUT STAYING YOUNG AT MIND? hen think about Golden West College in Huntington Beach. Golden West College, conveniently located off the 22 and 405 freeways in Huntington Beach, offers classes al $5 per unit, $50 maximum. Parking is free during registration.

Classes start January 22, and registration gets under way January 7. Stop by the Admissions Office or call (714) 895-8306 for registration Information. For the time of your life, enroll In classes and stay young at mind. Art, music and aerobics for seniors are Just a few of the new worlds you can explore. Or, spend some time taking the mystery out of computers and auto repair.

English, math, science and history can also expand your mind. WE'LL GET YOV WHERE YOU WANT TO GO. Watch Orange County :24:54 News on ORAHGECOilNTY CNN Headline News. At 24 and 54 min- BMIiWrTfl utes after every hour. It's the perfect news program foryour busy lifestyle.

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