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Category: Film Discussion

Episode 55 – ‘Yeti: Giant of the 20th Century’ (feat. Travis Alexander and Daniel DiManna)

Welcome to MIFV’s season finale, kaiju lovers—it wasn’t what it was supposed to be! No, after the Board’s envoy, William H. George III, stunguns the ever-intrepid Jimmy From NASA, he takes over as producer and forces Nate, Travis Alexander (co-host of Kaiju Weekly and Henshin Men), and Daniel DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project) to watch the infamous 1977 Canadian-but-actually-Italian kaiju movie, Yeti: Giant of the 20th Century. Though Nate survived watching it during Kaiju Quarantine, he’s still unprepared for inflatable abominable snowman nipples and deadly “toe-fu.” The riffs and jokes abound amidst actual research as WHG3 gets drunker—and more Scottish?!—as the episode progresses. God(zilla) help Nate!

This episode’s prologue, “The Board’s Revenge,” was written by Nathan Marchand with Travis Alexander, Michael Hamilton, and Daniel DiManna.

Guest stars:

  • Michael Hamilton as William H. George III

Additional music:

  • “Opening the Way” by Pablo Coma

Sound effects sourced from Freesound.org and Toho foley.

Listen to Nathan Marchand and Travis Alexander’s spinoff podcast, The Henshin Men, on Redcircle.

We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Travis Alexander and Michael Hamilton (co-hosts of Kaiju Weekly); Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Eli Harris (elizilla13); Chris Cooke (host of One Cross Radio); Bex from Redeemed Otaku; Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, Elijah Thomas, and Eric Anderson! Thanks for your support!

You, too, can join MIFV MAX on Patreon to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month!

Buy official MIFV merch on TeePublic!

This episode is approved by the Monster Island Board of Directors…maybe.

Timestamps:

  • Prologue: 0:00-5:15
  • Intro: 5:15-11:28
  • Main Discussion: 11:28-1:39:36
  • Housekeeping & Outro: 1:39:36-1:52:25
  • Epilogue: 1:52:25-end

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault

© 2021 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

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Episode 54: Bex vs. ‘Gamera the Brave’

Hello, kaiju lovers! With this episode, we reach the end of the “Year of Gamera.” Depending on who you talk to (like Nate), it’s a bittersweet occasion because, on one hand, many bad movies were endured, but on the other hand, today’s subject is 2006’s Gamera the Brave. Becky “Bex” Smith from the Redeemed Otaku podcast and YouTube channel joins Nate to discuss what is, as of now, the last Gamera film. It is sadly overshadowed by everything that came before it. It’s a shame because this is a Showa Gamera movie—except good! Think of it as a Gamera film made by Pixar. So, it’s emotionally honest and will make you cry. Even Nate had to summon all of his manly discipline to keep control. Bex, on the other hand, did not. The Toku Topic, since much of the movie takes place at a restaurant, is Japanese ramen culture.

Before the broadcast, Nate was…graced with the return of his pseudo-sister, Jessica. Unfortunately, he didn’t appreciate her bone-crunching glomp and told her off. That got him a lecture from Jessica’s bestie, Bex. Afterward, Nate is all but forced to indulge Jessica and let her sing a karaoke of a popular anime theme song. You can probably guess which one.

Check out the Redeemed Otaku podcast and YouTube channel.

This episode’s prologue and epilogue, “Jessica Returns,” was written by Nathan Marchand with Becky Smith.

Guest stars:

  • Sarah Marchand as Jessica Shaw

Additional music:

Sound effects sourced from Freesound.org.

Listen to Nathan Marchand and Travis Alexander’s spinoff podcast, The Henshin Men, on Redcircle.

We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Travis Alexander and Michael Hamilton (co-hosts of Kaiju Weekly); Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Eli Harris (elizilla13); Chris Cooke (host of One Cross Radio); Bex from Redeemed Otaku; Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, Elijah Thomas, and Eric Anderson! Thanks for your support!

You, too, can join MIFV MAX on Patreon to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month!

Buy official MIFV merch on TeePublic!

This episode is approved by the Monster Island Board of Directors…maybe.

Timestamps:

  • Prologue, “Jessica Returns (Part 1)”: 0:00-5:10
  • Intro: 5:10-16:15
  • Entertaining Info Dump: 16:15-23:19
  • Toku Talk: 23:19-1:25:32
  • Ad: 1:25:32-1:26:58
  • Toku Topic: 1:26:58-2:10:30
  • Housekeeping, Epilogue (“Jessica Returns, Part 2”), & Outro: 2:10:30-end

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault

© 2021 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

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Episode 53: ‘Godzilla Raids Again’ | Feat. Michael ‘The Kaiju Groupie’ Hamilton | Godzilla Redux

Hello, kaiju lovers! Nate gets back to his new subseries, “Godzilla Redux,” with the first of the many sequels to Godzilla (1954), Godzilla Raids Again. Strangely, it was the first G-film his guest, Kaiju Weekly co-host Michael “The Kaiju Groupie” Hamilton, ever saw. This somewhat forgotten 1955 cash-grab sequel, which was produced and released within six months, isn’t much to write home about—except it features the first appearance of fan-favorite kaiju Anguirus and the first ever kaiju fight in a Godzilla film. Nate and Michael discuss these as well as the hilarious dubbed version, “Gigantis, the Fire Monster,” and the JSDF (Japanese Self-Defense Forces)—all while dodging Jimmy’s badgering of his “former” nemesis.

Before the broadcast, Nate and Jimmy get an unexpected visit from a “not-quite-dead-yet” man—Gary! After months of hiding since his near-fatal encounter with an escaped Gyaos, he’s decided to reveal himself to Nate and share his harrowing story of survival. After the broadcast, Raymund Martin arrives with legal papers for a class action lawsuit against the Board for Nate and Jimmy to sign and has a happy reunion with his long-thought-consumed paralegal.

Listen to Nathan Marchand and Travis Alexander’s spinoff podcast, The Henshin Men, on Redcircle.

This episode’s prologue and epilogue, “The Exaggerated Reports of My Death,” was written by Nathan Marchand.

Guest stars:

  • Damon Noyes as Raymund Martin & Gary

Additional music:

Sound effects sourced from Freesound.org.

We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Travis Alexander and Michael Hamilton (co-hosts of Kaiju Weekly); Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Eli Harris (elizilla13); Chris Cooke (host of One Cross Radio); Bex from Redeemed Otaku; Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, Elijah Thomas, and Eric Anderson! Thanks for your support!

You, too, can join MIFV MAX on Patreon to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month!

Buy official MIFV merch on TeePublic!

This episode is NOT approved by the Monster Island Board of Directors.

Timestamps:

  • Prologue – “The Exaggerated Reports of My Death, Part 1”: 0:00-5:31
  • Intro: 5:31-17:07
  • Main Discussion: 17:07-1:31:00
  • Listener Feedback, Housekeeping, & Outro: 1:31:00-1:55:02
  • Epilogue – The Exaggerated Reports of My Death, Part 2”: 1:55:02-end

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault

© 2021 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

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Episode 52 – Kaiju Kim vs. ‘Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris’

Hello, kaiju lovers! After nearly a year of surviving inane MST3K fodder and watching the first two entries of a fantastic trilogy, Nate reaches one of kaiju eiga’s zeniths with Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris. He’s joined by YouTuber and (ironically) Godzilla enthusiast Kaiju Kim to discuss this masterpiece. As Nate puts it, this is one of the rare trilogies where each entry gets better—in fact, everything gets cranked to 12 in this. They discuss the amazing story, incredible characters, impressive special effects, absolute badassery, and the many, many cultural elements that may go over western fans’ heads as crazy fantasy. Speaking of which, choosing a Toku Topic was difficult, but Nate landed on the Four Symbols and mana, because they play the big roles in this film and the rest of the trilogy.

Check out Kim’s video on Gamera 3 here.

Listen to Nathan Marchand and Travis Alexander’s spinoff podcast, The Henshin Men, on Redcircle.

We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Travis Alexander and Michael Hamilton (co-hosts of Kaiju Weekly); Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Eli Harris (elizilla13); Chris Cooke (host of One Cross Radio); Bex from Redeemed Otaku; Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, and Elijah Thomas! Thanks for your support!

You, too, can join MIFV MAX on Patreon to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month!

Buy official MIFV merch on TeePublic!

This episode is approved by the Monster Island Board of Directors…maybe.

Timestamps:

  • Intro: 0:00-9:09
  • Entertaining Info Dump: 9:09-18:11
  • Toku Talk: 18:11-1:25:42
  • Ad: 1:25:42-1:26:34
  • Toku Topic: 1:26:34-1:54:13
  • Listener Feedback, Housekeeping, & Outro: 1:54:13-end

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault

© 2021 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

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Episode 51 – Dallas Mora vs. ‘Gamera 2: Attack of Legion‘

Hello, kaiju lovers! After a harrowing and riff-tastic adventure in space, Nate and Jimmy return to Monster Island to find the podcast in chaos. Not only did their nemesis WHG3 try to replace MIFV with his own podcast, he canceled all of their guest invitations. Thankfully, Jimmy was able to get Geek Devotions co-founder Dallas Mora to come on to continue the “Year of Gamera” with Gamera 2: Attack of Legion (or “Attack of the Legion” or the much-cooler-title-that-should’ve-been-kept “Advent of Legion”). Nate and Dallas discuss its amazing traditional tokusatsu effects and Christian symbology, among other things. Did you know Gamera is a Christ-figure? Find out how in today’s episode! Along those lines, the Toku Topic is the exorcism of the Gerasene demoniac, the Bible story that gave Legion her name.

After the broadcast, Nate goes to the Monster Island Chapel, where he’s greeted by Rev. Mifune. The chaplain tells Nate that Karone—the former “Miss Perkins”—had been hiding in the chapel since before Nate was shot into space. Nate then has a heart-to-heart talk with the former supervillainess and Power Ranger.

Listen to Nathan Marchand and Travis Alexander’s spinoff podcast, The Henshin Men, on Redcircle.

This episode’s prologue and epilogue, “Moving Forward,” was written by Nathan Marchand.

Guest stars:

  • Daniel DiManna as Dr. Dourif
  • Nate Chen as Rev. Mifune
  • Celeste Mora as Karone

Additional music:

  • “A Maiden’s Prayer” by RebeccaETripp

Sound effects sourced from Freesound.org.

We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Travis Alexander and Michael Hamilton (co-hosts of Kaiju Weekly); Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Eli Harris (elizilla13); Chris Cooke (host of One Cross Radio); Bex from Redeemed Otaku; Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, and Elijah Thomas! Thanks for your support!

You, too, can join MIFV MAX on Patreon to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month!

Buy official MIFV merch on TeePublic!

This episode is NOT approved by the Monster Island Board of Directors.

Timestamps:

  • Prologue, “Moving Forward, Part 1”: 0:00-3:21
  • Intro: 3:21-13:06
  • Entertaining Info Dump: 13:06-21:49
  • Toku Talk: 21:49-1:37:55
  • (Dr. Dourif’s Call: 24:04-30:41)
  • Extra Life 2021 Charity Stream Promo: 1:37:55-1:39:13
  • Toku Topic: 1:39:13-2:02:47
  • Listener Feedback, Housekeeping, & Outro: 2:02:47-2:18:20
  • Epilogue, Moving Forward, Part 2”: 2:18:20-end

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault

© 2021 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

Comments closed

Episode 50: ‘The War in Space‘ | 2nd Anniversary Riff Track Spectacular!

(FYI: THIS EPISODE IS BEST EXPERIENCED WHILE WATCHING THE WAR IN SPACE. See the link below for a website to stream it). With the KIJU studio in Earth orbit, Nate is awakened by WHGIII via video chat. But the “union jackwagon” defers to his bosses, the president and vice president of the Monster Island Board of Directors—who are none other than Commander Hell and the Kilaak Queen! After they and the rest of the Board gloat over shooting Nate into space, they unveil their plan to finally break MIFV’s noble host—make him watch Toho’s Star Wars knockoff, The War in Space! In a desperate attempt to get himself home, Nate makes a bet with the Board: if he survives the movie, they bring him back to Earth. He then invokes his contract and requests two guest hosts: Joe Metter—and MIFV’s intrepid producer, Jimmy From NASA! What follows is a riff track of Mystery Science Theater 3000 proportions! Can Nate survive bootleg Star Wars with two of his best friends? Find out in MIFV’s second anniversary riff track spectacular!

Stream The War in Space here.

Listen to Nathan Marchand and Travis Alexander’s spinoff podcast, The Henshin Men, on Redcircle.

This episode was written by Nathan Marchand and friends.

Guest stars:

  • Michael Hamilton as William H. George III
  • Joe Metter as Joe
  • Joy Metter as Board Vice President Kila
  • Luke Jaconetti as Board President Hell
  • Jimmy From NASA as Himself
  • Cameos
    • Travis Alexander
    • Michael Hamilton
    • Becky “Bex” Smith
    • Ryan “The Omni Viewer” Collins
    • Brandon “Up From the Depths” Jacobs
    • J.R. Villers
    • Damon Noyes
    • Eli Harris
    • Daniel DiManna

Additional music:

  • “MST3K Love Theme” by Joel Hogdson
  • “Main Title” (The War in Space) by Toshiaki Tsushima

Sound effects sourced from Freesound.org.

We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Travis Alexander and Michael Hamilton (co-hosts of Kaiju Weekly); Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Eli Harris (elizilla13); Chris Cooke (host of One Cross Radio); Bex from Redeemed Otaku; Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, and Elijah Thomas! Thanks for your support!

You, too, can join MIFV MAX on Patreon to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month!

Buy official MIFV merch on TeePublic!

This episode is NOT approved by the Monster Island Board of Directors.

Timestamps:

  • Intro & Host Segment #1: 0:00-17:32
  • Riff Track: 17:32-1:47:57
  • Host Segment #2 & Outro: 1:47:57-end

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault

© 2021 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

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Episode 49: ‘The Magic Serpent’ (feat. Damon Noyes)

Hi, kaiju lovers. This is MIFV’s intrepid producer, Jimmy From NASA. You might be wondering why I’m writing the shownotes for this episode. I had to prep it for the podcast feed instead of Nate, because…well, Nate’s not terrestrial anymore. He had a great discussion with MIFV MAX member Damon Noyes, who sponsored this episode on the 1966 Toei tokusatsu fantasy film, The Magic Serpent. Hell, even I liked the film because, as they pointed out, it’s basically Star Wars. It’s based on a Japanese folk tale and features characters—like Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru—that Naruto fans would be familiar with. Not to mention kaiju fans would love the weirdo giant toad and the dragon the hero and villain transform into during the climax. The broadcast was riddled with MST3K-style riffs that compared the film to Lord of the Rings, a classic Budweiser commercial, and a game show (because Jiraiya fights killer doors).

Before the broadcast, Miss Perkins—better known as Galaxy Pink Ranger Karone Khaymanlee—visited the KIJU studio to tell Nate she’d broken the Board’s influence on her. Then at end, Nate had to read some Board propaganda pertaining to the late Gary…and he just couldn’t do it….

Here’s the IMDB page for Maxie, the film Damon is in.

Listen to Nathan Marchand and Travis Alexander’s spinoff podcast, The Henshin Men, on Redcircle.

This episode’s prologue and epilogue, “Contract Violations,” was written by Nathan Marchand with Damon Noyes. 

Guest stars:

  • Celeste Mora as Miss Perkins/Karone

Additional music:

Sound effects sourced from Freesound.org.

We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Travis Alexander and Michael Hamilton (co-hosts of Kaiju Weekly); Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Eli Harris (elizilla13); Chris Cooke (host of One Cross Radio); Bex from Redeemed Otaku; Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, and Elijah Thomas! Thanks for your support!

You, too, can join MIFV MAX on Patreon to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month!

Check out MIFV MAX #4 to learn how you can help make Episode 50—MIFV’s second anniversary special—possible!

Buy official MIFV merch on TeePublic!

This episode is approved by the Monster Island Board of Directors. (Screw them!)

Timestamps:

  • Prologue: 0:00-1:13
  • Intro: 1:13-8:00
  • Main Discussion: 8:00-1:24:45
  • Listener Feedback & Housekeeping: 1:24:45-1:37:09
  • Epilogue & Outro : 1:37:09-end

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault

© 2021 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

Comments closed

Episode 48 – The Tourists vs. ‘Gamera: Guardian of the Universe’

Hello, kaiju lovers! Though still grieving the loss of Gary, Nate soldiers on—without his intrepid producer, Jimmy From NASA, as mandated by the Board—because he’s finally made it to the good part of “The Year of Gamera”! He’s joined by three of the original MIFV Tourists, Nick Hayden, Timothy Deal, and Joe Metter, to discuss Gamera: Guardian of the Universe, the first of the famed Heisei Trilogy directed by Shusuke Kaneko. While the Tourists have never seen it, they have a deep appreciation of storytelling, drama, and anime, so Nate was certain they would enjoy it. Did they? Listen to find out! The Toku Topic is the legend of Atlantis since it factors heavily into this film and the rest of the trilogy.

During the broadcast, Nate finally conducts his overdue interview with Spacewoman Kilara, who is much nicer about the whole thing than Nate expects. Unlike Miss Perkins, about whom Nate and Jimmy were messaged about by Jessica before the show with a bombshell revelation. Then after the broadcast, he visits the Board’s executive assistant at her office to confront her—with electrifying results.

Listen to Nate and Travis’s spinoff podcast, The Henshin Men Podcast, on Redcircle.

This episode’s prologue and epilogue, “Revelation of Power,” was written by Nathan Marchand. “An Interview with Spacewoman Kilara” was written by Nathan Marchand.

Guest stars:

  • Amy Summers as Spacewoman Kilara
  • Celeste Mora as Miss Perkins

Additional music:

Sound effects sourced from Freesound.org.

We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Travis Alexander and Michael Hamilton (co-hosts of Kaiju Weekly); Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Eli Harris (elizilla13); Chris Cooke (host of One Cross Radio); Bex from Redeemed Otaku; Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, and Elijah Thomas! Thanks for your support!

You, too, can join MIFV MAX on Patreon to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month!

Check out MIFV MAX #4 to learn how you can help make Episode 50—MIFV’s second anniversary special—possible!

Buy official MIFV merch on TeePublic!

This episode is approved by the Monster Island Board of Directors.

Timestamps:

  • Prologue: 0:00-3:01
  • Intro: 3:01-17:15
  • (Kilara Interview: 4:37-9:29)
  • Entertaining Info Dump: 17:15-26:07
  • Toku Talk: 26:07-1:27:53
  • Promo: 1:27:53-1:28:31
  • Toku Topic: 1:28:31-1:49:29
  • Listener Feedback, Housekeeping & Outro: 1:49:29-1:59:29
  • Epilogue: 1:59:29-end

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault       #Godzilla        #GodzillaKingoftheMonsters

© 2021 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

Comments closed

Episode 47: ‘Godzilla, King of the Monsters’ (1956) (feat. Elijah Thomas)

Hello, kaiju lovers! “Godzilla Redux” continues with Godzilla, King of the Monsters! (the original and not the 2019 film covered on MIFV a few months ago). Elijah Thomas (aka “The Littlest Gatekeeper”) from the Kaiju Conversation podcast joins Nate to discuss this Americanized version of the original 1954 kaiju classic. While it’s often been derided by both fans and critics alike, Nate and Elijah argue that it’s not only an important time capsule commenting on American-Japanese relations in the mid-1950s, but it just might be more culturally significant than Ishiro Honda’s original film! You read that right! If it wasn’t for Raymond Burr playing reporter (not comedian) Steve Martin in this version, the Godzilla franchise may have stalled and faded into the arthouse ether. That’s just a taste of these boys’ defense of the film!

Before the broadcast, Nate gets a call from Legal Action Team paralegal Gary, who says he’s meeting with a private investigator concerning their case against the Board—just when William H. George III, the Board’s special envoy, pays Nate a visit to make some veiled threats. After the broadcast, which includes several reports about an escaped Gyaos, Raymund Martin comes demanding to know if Nate has seen Gary that day—and tells Nate and Jimmy about a tragedy on the Island.

Listen to Nate and Travis’s spinoff podcast, The Henshin Men Podcast, on Redcircle.

This episode’s prologue and epilogue, “Gary and the Gyaos,” was written by Nathan Marchand with Michael Hamilton and Damon Noyes. 

Guest stars:

  • Michael Hamilton as William H. George III
  • Damon Noyes as Gary & Raymund Martin

Additional music:

Sound effects sourced from Freesound.org.

We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Travis Alexander and Michael Hamilton (co-hosts of Kaiju Weekly); Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Eli Harris (elizilla13); Chris Cooke (host of One Cross Radio); Bex from Redeemed Otaku; Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, and today’s guest host, Elijah Thomas! Thanks for your support!

You, too, can join MIFV MAX on Patreon to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month!

Check out MIFV MAX #4 to learn how you can help make Episode 50—MIFV’s second anniversary special—possible!

Buy official MIFV merch on TeePublic!

This episode is approved by the Monster Island Board of Directors.

Timestamps:

  • Prologue: 0:00-4:37
  • Intro: 4:37-16:30
  • Main Discussion: 16:30-1:28:59
  • Listener Feedback, Housekeeping & Outro: 1:28:59-1:39:13
  • Epilogue: 1:39:13-end

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault       #Godzilla        #GodzillaKingoftheMonsters

© 2021 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

Comments closed