So you’ve found yourself blessed with being fully vaxed and ready to get back into the world this summer. There is no better time to put together a pool party.
But not just any pool party…
…a 16 hour Monster Movie Pool Party!
Today we are going to present a rundown for the ultimate summer movie monster marathon.
12:00-1:45pm – Latitude Zero (1969)
No one ever shows up for a party on time; as such, you are going to want to start the party off with a movie that is pretty easy to hop in anywhere. Latitude Zero has a bit of a slower start but once it gets going it really gets going. Submarines, griffins, bat people, and giant rats. This is the perfect energy to start your marathon off with. A glorious look at retro futurism and vibrant effect sequences. There are a few cuts of the film out there and your preferred cut may have up to a 15 minute time difference. Plan accordingly.
2:00-3:40pm – Jaws 3-D (1983)
Look Jaws(1975) is an all time classic but who wants to watch classic movies at a party? I attest that there is no better film to really get the party going than Jaws 3-D. Jaws terrorizes SeaWorld in 3D! Make a game out of it, whether that be drinking or by eating hot peppers whatever the consequence is a game for every shot of 3D will certainly liven up the afternoon. This movie gets a bad rap but with friends I guarantee it will be a blast.
3:50-5:20pm – Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster (1966)
Now that we warmed the party up the fun really begins. Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster, or Ebirah, Horror of the Deep, (whatever name you use) is an absolute blast. Everyone will have the time of their lives sitting down and watching Godzilla fight off fascists and giant lobsters. Around 5pm serve lobster or veggie lobster for supper and cheer on Godzilla as he saves the day with Mothra.
5:30-6:30pm – Ultraman Two Parter: The Prince of Monsters (episode 26/27, 1967)
Time for an Ultrabreak. While everyone relaxes and digests their lovely meal, have them sit back to enjoy some classic Ultraman. One of the best episodes of the original Ultraman series features the first appearance of Gomora. Fantastic set pieces coupled with some classic Ultra action. We’re reaching close to the end of being able to show movies with subtitles as everyone will be getting too wiled up to pay much attention here on out. So good to throw some Ultra on right now.
6:45-8:37pm – Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)
The newest movie in the Monsterverse is sure to defeat the post-dinner sleepies that will begin to creep in at this point. This can even be billed as the main event, the thing that will get people to show up for this party in the first place. After all, for many of us seeing GvK in the theaters was not an option. Why not recreate that in the best way you can with friends of your own. The onset of the night perfectly aligning with the nighttime brawl at the end of the film will be the pinnacle of planning perfection.
9:00-10:25pm – The Crater Lake Monster (1977)
This is almost an anti-party movie. It has slow meandering scenes and is quite truly mind numbing. A movie made at a shoestring budget with post-production seemingly ignored or as some reports say ‘skipped entirely’. This is where the fun really begins because you can start to marvel at the bizarre use of day for night shots that weren’t properly tinted or the extended chase sequence that comes out of nowhere. A movie for the truly inebriated, those who are slightly disconnected from reality. Once the movie’s bizarre nature clicks the party will come back to life with chants of ‘WAIT DID HE JUST CALL IT A BEAUTIFUL NIGHT AND THEN SQUINT AT THE SUNLIGHT?’ and remarks of background oddities.
10:30-11:50pm – Attack of the Super Monsters (1982)
Take the odd nature of Crater Lake and dial it to 11. The amount of energy crammed into this 80 minute movie is staggering which is entirely due to the fact that this is not really a movie at all, it is actually a compilation film of four unrelated episodes of the television show Dinosaur War Izenborg. The people you lose from Crater Lake will be regained and then some by this high energy madness.
12:00-1:30am – Tremors (1990)
At this point you have been going for twelve hours and have introduced a ton of new material to folks. People will start feeling overwhelmed, wanting to head home after this wild night. This is where you crack out an old favorite that no one can say no to: Tremors. Tremors will win everyone back over the twelve hour hump and let you introduce the two final movies of the night. The comfort of Tremors may lull some into sleep, which is actually a good thing. The movie after this will be where you dive into your most dreamlike choice.
1:40-3:00am – Winterbeast (1992)
At this point of the night people are falling in and out of consciousness. No film is better served by this than Winterbeast. I’ve seen the whole thing wide awake and even I can’t be completely sure if I didn’t dream portions of it. The film is best described as a microbudget monster film taking place in the Pacific Northwest. A small town has had the portal to hell opened and the sheer amount of monsters on screen will keep you on your toes. Filmed over a three year period (started in ’86, finished in ’89) the entirety of the film is incredibly disjointed but compelling from start to finish.
3:10-4:50am – Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995)
To finish off the night Godzilla vs. Destoroyah is a perfect choice. High energy, moving, and ending on an upbeat note. To send your friends off into the early morning with the symbol of renewal sets the tone for the future.
