6.30.2015: Big Man Japan Daikaiju Discussion

Dave and Kyle  tackle the Japanese mockumentary, Big Man Japan (2007).

Dave and Kyle tackle the Japanese mockumentary, Big Man Japan (2007).

This month, we dive into a mockumentary as part of the kaiju genre. Made by Japan’s top comedian, Hitoshi Matsumoto, Big Man Japan (2007) is actually pretty great – in its own right, though, because it’s such a significant and drastic departure from any narrative kaiju fans had previously seen in the genre. Thankfully, I was joined by Dave Helfrey (aka Baron Von Goolo) to watch and then discuss the film with me. We really enjoyed what the listeners sent in as well. Big thanks to Jim Figurski for lending a hand in helping me get a better understanding of Matsumoto and Japanese comedy.

MONSTROUS MUSIC:
1. Godzilla’s Theme by Heavy Melody Music from Godzilla Unleashed (2007)
2. Miyarabi’s Prayer by Masaru Satoh from Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974)
3. Godzilla by The Possum Kingdom Ramblers (2014)
…continued below…

SUGGESTED VIEWING:
Hiroshi Koizumi passes away at the age of 88
The El Rey network begins Kaijuly on Friday, July 3rd w/ Gojira at 10pm followed by more kaiju films!
Godzilla at E3
Scifi Japan’s Godzilla Unmade: The History of Jan De Bont’s Unproduced Tri-Star Film
X-Plus lineup for July
Diamond Comics’ Godzilla in Previews
Ultra Monster Anthropomorphic Project Series (Gomora & Alien Guts)
Ultra Monster Anthropomorphic Project Series (Zetton, Baltan, Garamon)
Ultra Kaiju Remix series by Dunk
Godzilla 2014 Product Update
NECA’s Godzilla 1954

CATASTROPHIC EVENTS:
7/10 – 7/12  G-Fest XXII in Chicago, IL [Full Kaijucast panel schedule below]
7/31 – 8/2  Monster Mania in Cherry Hill, NJ w/Haruo Nakajima, Bin Furuya & Tsutomu Kitagawa
9/19 – 9/20  Rose City Comic Con in Portland, OR [*Booth! *Panel! *Listener Party!]

KAIJUCAST G-FEST SCHEDULE:
Fri 7/10
3pm Kaijucast Remembering Rulers of Earth

Sat 7/11
12pm 50 Years of Gamera
1pm Kaiju-Size Avengers
1pm Hail To The King: 60 Years of Destruction premiere screening
2pm Hail To The King Q&A
3pm Live MONSTER ZERO Commentary
8pm Kaijucast Listener Party

Sun 7/12
12pm Fresh Vinyl Live!
2pm Live Kaijucast In Search Of Monsters
3pm Hail To The King: 60 Years of Destruction – Encore screening

DAIKAIJU DISCUSSION:
Our next film in the discussion list is the 1985 North Korean kaiju flick, Pulgasari. If you’d like to have your thoughts questions and reviews included in the discussion scene, please send in your homework before July 24th.

in memoriam: Hiroshi Koizumi (1926 – 2015)
1. Godzilla Vs. Godzilla by Masaru Satoh from Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974)
2. Battle to the Death by Masaru Satoh from Godzilla Raids Again (1955)
3. A Million And One Matango by Sadao Bekku from Matango (1963)

4. Main Theme (alternate arragement) by Kuniyo Miyauchi (1966)
5. Prelude by Yuji Koseki from Mothra (1961)
6. Mysterious Radioactivity by Akira Ifukube from Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964)
7. Kurobe Valley Theme I by Akira Ifukube from Ghidorah The Three Headed Monster (1964)
8. Dogora’s Offspring Strike Back by Akira Ifukube from Dogora (1964)
9. Undersea Battleship Attacks II by Akira Ifukube from Atragon (1963)
10. Prayer by Michiru Oshima from Godzilla · Mothra · Mechagodzilla: Tokyo SOS (2003)
11. Godzilla Leaves Tokyo by Reijiro Koroku from Godzilla Returns (1984)