A tired Nate returns to Uber-Moguera from a film curation trip in Seoul and overhears a conversation between Jimmy and Kaguya. Jimmy sounds uncharacteristically nervous, but not because things have been a little tense between him and his girlfriend the last few months. No, it’s because he pops the question.
Introducing, in her MIFV debut, Rebecca Olivia Hodges as Kaguya.
We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel, Ted Williams, Wynja the Ninja, Brad “Batman” Eddleman, Christopher Riner, The Indiscrite One, Eli Harris, Jake Hambrick, Edwin Gonzalez, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, Leon Campbell, and Michael Watson! Thanks for your support!
For once, Mr. LeMay came on the show and we didn’t get into a flame war. But maybe that’s why he left early: he knew he couldn’t win. Regardless, I only took a few notes during this episode, and most of them had to do with Neil Riebe. Nate is right in saying Neil’s been on so much, he may as well be his new co-host. Him or Danny DiManna. Nate, we need to talk about letting other members of your Tourist roster on the show more often! Anyway, for Episode 91: ‘All Monsters Attack’ (aka Godzilla’s Revenge), I wrote:
“Traveling intrepid producer.” That has a nice ring to it. I’ll be updating my business cards immediately!
Ryder Sound Services in Hollywood recorded the dub for AIP. It was supervised by Riley Jackson.
I love how John bails right when Nate asks him a difficult question…about theme songs. Music is an important subject, but really?
I checked the Classic Media DVD for the film, which is what Nate was referencing in his original notes, and Ichiro said, “But I’ll be okay by myself.”
That was a delicious bone you threw at this “Kenny,” Nate. But yes, Masao and I are the best “Kennys” in Gamera’s history, hands down. But…
The hell, Neil! How could you forget I’m the best “Kenny”!
The “plant monster” in the film is officially named “Maneater” and isn’t on the Island since it’s a figment of Ichiro’s imagination. That one, anyway. Hence why Dr. Dourif didn’t appear. I’m sure he was disappointed.
You mean Godzilla vs. Megalon is a lot like those 1970s toku TV shows, Neil.
Join MIFV MAX on Patreon to see Nate’s full research notes, including what he didn’t use on the show.
Next up, Nate is joined by a not-time-displaced Omni Viewer (and Snazzy Chapeau) to discuss what many would call “peak Korean Kaiju cinema” for The Monster Island World Tour, Bong Joon-Ho’s The Host. Then we enter the 1970s era of the Showa Godzilla series with the bizarre and suddenly popular Godzilla vs. Hedorah (aka Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster)—and it was the most-requested guest host episode of MIFV ever! The list was finalized to Daniel DiManna, Ben Avery, and Matt and Gratton from Giant Monster BS. Finally, with five Wednesdays in May this year, Nate will do a solo bonus episode on War of the God Monsters (aka The Flying Monster), a South Korean kaiju movie that barely qualifies for coverage because it stole its monster footage from Ultraman (among others). It’s a full month!
Hello, Kaiju Lovers! This film was popular to hate and now it’s popular to “reevaluate” it: All Monsters Attack (aka Godzilla’s Revenge). Nate is joined by not one but two fellow kaiju authors to unpack this grossly misunderstood G-film: Neil Riebe (who’s practically Nate’s new co-host) and the most-cited man on MIFV, John LeMay. They get into the cultural contexts that birthed this strange kids’ movie (starring the first Godzilla “Kenny”) set in the “real world” and not the “Showa-verse,” including urbanization, industrialization, and latchkey kids, among other things. To say the dub did this film no favors would be an understatement. Unfortunately, John had to leave early during the episode, but fortunately Neil reads a 2005 e-mail he got from a 19-year-old John for a special listener feedback segment. Prepare to have your mind changed about this film!
We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel, Ted Williams, Wynja the Ninja, Brad “Batman” Eddleman, Christopher Riner, The Indiscrite One, Eli Harris, Jake Hambrick, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, Robert Kidd, Leon Campbell, and Michael Watson! Thanks for your support!
Barr, Jason. The Kaiju Film: A Critical Study of Cinema’s Biggest Monsters.
Brothers, Peter H. Mushroom Clouds and Mushroom Men: The Fantastic Cinema of Ishiro Honda.
Commentary by Richard A. Pusateri. All Monsters Attack Classic Media DVD. Published by Sony.
Galbraith, Stuart IV. Japanese Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films: A Critical Analysis and Filmography of 103 Features Released in the United States 1950-1992.
Kalat, David. A Critical History and Filmography of Toho’s Godzilla Series, 2nd Edition.
LeMay, John. The Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies, Vol. 1: 1954-1982.
LeMay, John. Writing Giant Monsters.
Osbourne, Randall E. (Ph.D.). “Godzilla as a Parenting Tool.” The Official Godzilla Compendium by J.D. Lees and Marc Cerasini. Random House. 1998.
Rhodes, Sean, and Brooke McCorkle. “Chapter 8: “Smog, Sludge, and Hippies: Godzilla vs. Hedorah.” Japan’s Green Monsters: Environmental Commentary in Kaiju Cinema.
Ryfle, Steve, and Ed Godziszewski. Ishiro Honda: A Life in Film, from Godzilla to Kurosawa.
Skipper, Graham. Godzilla: The Official Guide to the King of the Monsters.
Jimmy may have secretly recaptured Yonggary (aka “Double G”) by his sheer awesomeness, but that victory is short-lived. The nefarious (and rubbery) Galaxions return and unleash an upgraded Cykor protected by an energy shield projected by their ship. Now, only the combined might of Jimmy with a jetpack and Elijah’s powers of argumentation can save Seoul and the world!
We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel, Ted Williams, Wynja the Ninja, Brad “Batman” Eddleman, Christopher Riner, The Indiscrite One, Eli Harris, Jake Hambrick, Edwin Gonzalez, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, Leon Campbell, and Michael Watson! Thanks for your support!
In this excerpt from a Patreon-exclusive livestream, Nathan interviews James Santana, a comic nerd and tokusatsu fan who combined his passions by starting his own comic book label, TokUSA Studios. His goal is to bridge the gap between tokusatsu/manga fans and comic readers by offering them books inspired by the likes of Super Sentai and Ultraman, among others. He’s currently spearheading a Kickstarter for The World of Nebulon, a preview book showcasing several of the characters and titles in the works at the studio.
We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel, Ted Williams, Wynja the Ninja, Brad “Batman” Eddleman, Christopher Riner, The Indiscrite One, Eli Harris, Jake Hambrick, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, Robert Kidd, Leon Campbell, and Michael Watson! Thanks for your support!
I made a rare mistake in this episode. I accidentally hit the broadcast button while Nate was finalizing his prep. So, some candid moments were heard by the Kaiju Lovers. He was a little embarrassed, but I’ve heard no complaints. But then Nate messed with me back by spending way too much time in the “green room” with Elijah for way too long. At least the MIFV MAX members on Patreon will be happy. (I just wish Kaguya was happier with me…). Anyway, let’s get into my notes on episode 90 (Reptilian).
Uber-Moguera is my happy place…because Kaguya’s stuck with me! And I built it.
Be glad I even included a green room. It’s cramped in this mecha! (Which I like when it comes to my cabin…heh heh!)
I didn’t correct Elijah at first because I didn’t want to be gatekept.
120,000, Nate. Not 120.
I don’t think Bud Black was a film journalist, Elijah. He was a photojournalist. Unless you’re saying he’s a journalist in a film.
The director of House, Obayashi’s, first name is Nobuhiko.
You two were on it this episode before I corrected you; especially Elijah. Game recognizes game, Littlest Gatekeeper.
No one likes the NSIA. They were always jealous of NASA. Don’t get me started on my counterpart, Jimmy from NSIA, though. I hate that guy! He’s even more annoying than Jimmy From NASADA. (Why are there Jimmys at every space agency?)
Next time, we get to an equally derided film that’s been reevaluated as part of Godzilla Redux: All Monsters Attack (aka Godzilla’s Revenge). Authors Neil Riebe and John LeMay return for that one. Then we get back to The Monster Island World Tour with another returning guest: the quintessential Korean “gwoemul” film, The Host directed by Bong Joon-ho. The Omni Viewer (and Snazzy) join us for that…theoretically before their time displacement. (My head hurts).
Hello, Kaiju Lovers! In what might be the most subversive and inspirational episode of MIFV yet, Elijah Thomas (Kaiju Conversation) joins Nate to discuss the infamous South Korean “kaiju” (notice the air quotes?) movie, Reptilian. This is, in fact, a “remake” of Yongary, Monster from the Deep, and it’s often called “The Room of kaiju films.” But Elijah says it’s more than that. He even goes so far as to say that if it wasn’t for this movie, the world wouldn’t have BTS or Squid Game. How? Listen to find out! Then stay for our Toku Topic, which is something Elijah has become an expert in: Korean kaiju cinema.
Read Jimmy’s Notes on this episode on the MIFV website!
We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel, Ted Williams, Wynja the Ninja, Brad “Batman” Eddleman, Christopher Riner, The Indiscrite One, Eli Harris, Jake Hambrick, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, Robert Kidd, Leon Campbell, and Michael Watson! Thanks for your support!
“Korean Kaiju Chaos! Exploring Korea’s Beloved and Obscure Monster Cinema.” Presented by Elijah Thomas and Daniel DiManna. Uploaded by Daikaiju-fanboy. 20 July 2023. https://youtu.be/GS9YjIHsIn8?si=zW6MOTb6aHYZQN8_.
LeMay, John. The Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies Volume 2: 1984-2017.
Episode 89 (Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire) is likely going to be our biggest episode of the year…and I took surprisingly few notes on it. I guess I was in a good mood during that broadcast. Or Nate and his guests, Donny and Omni (and Snazzy) had an “on day” that day (aside from Omni’s time displacement). Anyway, let’s get these over with so I can keep apologizing to, er, go on another date with Kaguya.
Belvera knows magic, but not tech. That’s why she asks me for help with enhancing Garugaru. But at this point, that little dragon is practically the Ship of Theseus. Poor thing.
This is why I make sure when I travel to the Hollow Earth that I calculate my coordinates exactly—freaking time travel! I hate it!
Nice job correcting yourself about GxK’s Japanese release date before I could, Nate. I’ve taught you well. (By the way, it releases April 26).
I can be a cantankerous pilot, too! “If ya die, do it outside my mecha!” I’m sure WHG3 would love my “dodgy” Scottish accent. Haha!
Again, Kong is an ape, not a monkey, Nate. I don’t even bother correcting you on the air about this now.
According to Wikizilla: “Suko’s name is likely derived from musuko (息子), the Japanese word for ‘son.’”
I remember the Great Flat Earth vs. Hollow Earth Battle. The Flat Earthers lost due to two-dimensional thinking.
Kurt Russell played R.J. MacReady in John Carpenter’s The Thing.
From wat I can tell, Estero, Florida, is doing well for itself. It became an incorporated village in 2014 and has a population of 36,000+. It’s home to the Hertz Arena, where the minor league hockey team Florida Everblades play.
Always listen to your producer, Nate! He knows what he’s talking about…when he wants to talk about it. 😛
Join MIFV MAX on Patreon to read Nate’s research notes, my script for the Entertaining Info Dump, and see the uncut original broadcast version of the episode.
Just like Nate, I’m also relieved that I don’t have a bunch of upcoming episodes I need to promote. Next week, we get back to The Monster Island World Tour with Elijah Thomas (Kaiju Conversation), who makes a heroic defense of the infamous Reptilian (aka Yonggary 2001). Then John LeMay and Neil Riebe join forces to do the same for All Monsters Attack (aka Godzilla’s Revenge) as part of Godzilla Redux.
Hello, Kaiju Lovers! It’s time to unpack the biggest kaiju release of 2024—Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire! For such a momentous occasion, Nate called upon YouTuber Donny Winter (Growing Up with Godzilla) and a “mystery guest”…who didn’t make it. Darn. So, he got the next best option: The Omni Viewer and his monster sidekick, Snazzy! They dive deep into the fifth entry of Legendary Pictures’ MonsterVerse series, unveiling its connections to classic pulp fiction and ‘80s pop culture—all without comparing it to Godzilla Minus One (for the most part) while also coining many memes. You’ll not find a more concentrated dose of positivity (and honesty) toward this escapist movie anywhere else. Since it’s set mostly in the Hollow Earth (and Nate almost researched this for Godzilla vs. Kong), the Toku Topic is Hollow Earth theory.
We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel, Ted Williams, Wynja the Ninja, Brad “Batman” Eddleman, Christopher Riner, The Indiscrite One, Eli Harris, Jake Hambrick, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, Robert Kidd, Leon Campbell, and Michael Watson! Thanks for your support!
Baxter, Rachel. “John Quincy Adams Approved A Mission To Earth’s Interior To Meet The Mole People That Live Within.” IFL Science. 20 Aug. 2020. https://tinyurl.com/2p9vskwf.
“Godzilla x Kong Director Adam Wingard Interview: Easter Eggs, Future Sequels & Elon Musk’s Influence.” YouTube. Uploaded by Collider Interviews. 31 March 2024. https://youtu.be/TrvwHRFfdqE?si=jMqolJj09caN1PDR.
