5.23.2017: Colossal Happenings

Consider this a more casual entry than usual, dear listener …not as laid back as a Yak Attack but I was joined by Rachel and Gretchen to discuss some of the monstrous activities and happenings as of late.

Portland recently hosted some screenings of the Independent kaiju-inclusive film, Colossal (2017), so Gretchen and I talk a little bit about the film since we both seemed to like it. See if Colossal is playing in a theater near you.

Gretchen also recently went to Japan, so I’m sure you can imagine that I definitely needed to hear more about that excursion. Just a heads up, she didn’t get to do anything kaiju-related but, believe it or not, there’s more to the country than giant monsters, people!

And in a completely out of character conversation, we actually talk about a few video games on this episode! Rachel is anticipating playing The Last Guardian, Gretchen is anticipating Ni No Kuni II and I’ve been banging my head against the wall trying to make some kind of progress in the Yokai thriller Nioh — clearly I am not a gamer!

Check the links in the show notes to the articles and information we mentioned in this episode – also make sure to get your homework turned in if you want to be part of our Cloverfield discussion!

MONSTER MUSICAL SELECTIONS:
1. Monster Zero Theatrical Trailer (1970)
2. Gojira Ebira Mosura Nankai No Daiketto performed by Makoto Inoue from The Godzilla Legend Chronology (1984)
3. Colossal US Trailer (2017)
4. Ni no Kuni II: REVENANT KINGDOM PlayStation Experience Trailer (2016)
5. Godzilla Vs. Hedorah (Give Back The Sun! Record Version) by Richiiro Manabe from Godzilla vs Hedorah (1971)
6. It Started With Godzilla promo from Scifi Channel
7. Nichiei News by Michiru Oshima from Godzilla X Megaguirus (2000)
8. Ultraseven No Uta performed by Sepultura from Machine Messiah (2017)

SUGGESTED VIEWING:
Legendary’s Godzilla King of the Monsters adds Charles Dance to the cast
RIP Yoshimitsu Banno, creator of Godzilla vs. Hedorah (1971)
Funimation announces Shin Godzilla home video release
Nioh’s Protagonist based on real world explorer
HorrorJapan’s Interview with Matt Alt about his work with Nioh

CATASTROPHIC EVENTS:
5/26 – 5/28 FAMOUS MONSTERS CONVENTION in Dallas, TX w/Shinji Higuchi &
6/30 – 7/2 DAYS OF THE DEAD in Indianapolis, IN w/Haruo Nakajim & Tsutomu Kitagawa
7/14 – 7/16 G-FEST XXIV in Chicago, IL w/Michiru ?shima, Yuji Kaida, Shinji Higuchi, Ryuki Kitaoka, Kiyotaka Taguchi, Robert Scott Field & Tony Isabella
8/26 – 8/27 JAPAN WORLD HEROES in Pasadena, CA w/Bin Furuya & Noburo Kaneko
10/20 – 10/22 GRAND RAPIDS COMIC CON in Grand Rapids, MI w/Haruo Nakajima & Tsutomu Kitagawa
DAIKAIJU DISCUSSION REMINDER:
We’re watching America’s homegrown giant monster from 2008, Cloverfield, for the next discussion. If you’d like to submit your homework (aka thoughts, questions & reviews), please make sure to do so before Friday, May 26th!

 

 

 

BONUS Famous Monsters Convention Special w/Ed Holland & Jorge Marrero

Did you know that the world’s coolest magazine is putting on their own convention this month?

That’s right, Famous Monsters of Filmland is resurrecting an old friend, the FAMOUS MONSTERS CONVENTION and it’s happening this month in Dallas, Texas. In this episode we speak with FM’s Event Manager / Associate Editor Jorge Marrero and Monster Attack Team Magazine’s Ed Holland (editor, producer, co-founder) about this incredible event.

I wanted to help get the word out as soon as possible because this is definitely a convention you should be eyeing.

We’ll be back with another episode soon, but until then enjoy this con-versation! (See what I did there?)

FAMOUS MUSIC OF FILMLAND:
1. EM20_CH_Alterna_03 by Shiro Sagisu from Shin Godzilla (2016)
2. Monsters Over Tokyo Live by Famous Monsters (1999)

Head over to FAMOUSMONSTERSCONVENTION.COM to get your tickets and all the details on what is sure to be an amazing show!

04.30.2017: Demeking Daikaiju Discussion

Oh, wow – what day is it? I should really put my podcast together then!!!  Yes, I know, I just posted episode 200 the other day but things have been crazy busy for me here. No kidding, I produced and edited FOUR different podcasts this week. This particular installment, therefore, is a bit shy of our standard hour plus episode length.

This month we’re looking at a bizarre independent film from 2009 called Demeking. This movie was never part of the original discussion list but was added with the additional titles. I never picked this one up when it was released on DVD here in the States (and I’ll advise you to do the same), and I’m not upset about that decision. When I finally found it and Death Kappa on DVD at our local Japanese bookstore, I chose Death Kappa. And while I may have thought a mistake had been made, I now know that Death Kappa is actually better than another film. That film is Demeking. It just brings up so many questions — and one of those questions: is Demeking really a kaiju movie??

In short, not really, but hopefully you’ll enjoy our discussion of the film!

MUSIC MONSTROSITIES:
1. Main theme performed by Honey Nights, Shounen Shoujo Gasshoudan Mizuumi from Ultraman Ace (1972)
2. Demeking Japanese teaser audio (2009)
3. Every Country Has A Monster by Jonah & The Bots from Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return (2017)

SUGGESTED VIEWING:
Seriously, this is all you need to see of Demeking
If you want to see some sample pages of the Demeking manga, this blog has a few scans.

DAIKAIJU DISCUSSION:
Next month we are tackling an American take on the kaiju genre with Cloverfield (2008). I’m looking forward to seeing how well this film holds up almost ten years after its debut. If you’d like to send in your thoughts, questions and reviews for this film, please do so before May 26th!