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Jimmy’s Notes on Episode 93: ‘Godzilla vs. Hedorah’ | Ft. Daniel DiManna, Ben Avery, and Giant Monster BS

Did Marchand think the mobile studio was a TARDIS? Nah, it was more like a clown car with all those goofballs stuffed in there for Episode 93 on Godzilla vs. Hedorah. At least…that’s what I remember. Because seriously, there shouldn’t have been enough room in there for that many guests; let alone ones with their own soundboard. Not to mention, I haven’t seen any call logs for when we contacted Ben Avery. I’m also feeling weirdly drowsy right now. And Kaguya’s been sleeping for a while. What in the actual Christian hell?! Okay, before I lose my mind (again), let’s get into my notes.

  • GMBS does have crazy fans. You should’ve seen the letters we were getting after they helped us quell Godzilla and Kong’s fight after episode 31. The loudest one was named “ET.” He wasn’t an alien, as far as I could tell.
  • I have a restrictive spam folder. It’s like the shield around Death Star II, only it isn’t being projected from an outside source.
  • I’m talking with Raymund about my stolen personal data. And the slander. What I said wasn’t that bad! I won’t stand for this! I’ll sit!
  • Cat wrangling: it’s only slightly easier than kaiju wrangling. Trust me, I know. My mecha has the scars to prove it despite Sir Lexington’s efforts.
  • Ken is, in fact, a street magician now. And he’s being called to the Island for testing to see if he is a descendent of the Venusians. (PTSD…triggered…)
  • Nate missed the pun he made? He’s going “nuts” and losing his touch.
  • I can confirm Ken spent some years in therapy. In fact, he saw a psychologist who worked extensively with us Kenny’s. It’s why most of us turned out mostly sane. Except that Squirrel kid. He’s still a looney.
  • I called Takashi Miike. He denies being the baby in the mud—mostly because he wants to avoid embarrassing G-Fest appearances like with Hiroyuki Kawase.
  • I helped Gamera take down the King (of the Monsters)! (Okay, it was Karl Craig, but still!)
  • For the life of me, I couldn’t find the name of the animator Banno supposedly originally wanted to hire. Did Nate “Mandela effect” that? Did I…?
  • Regardless, Danny has informed me that the name of the actual animator on the film was Hisashi Yasui.
  • I was shocked having two soundboards didn’t lead to more shenanigans. Nate has a reputation for overusing his on the air.
  • I submitted “buses” as unit of measurements to the Island’s scientists, but it was rejected due to the sizes of buses varying between different types. Clearly, no one remembers the “pirate-ninjas” from The Martian.
  • Godzilla did jump over Zigra once, from what the Island’s scientists have told me. In fact, Godzilla was practicing his flying technique again. Zigra tried to bite a chunk out of him by jumping out of the water and narrowly missed. That probably saved his life.
  • Yes, I do have…government contracts… (smile and nod, just smile and nod…).

Next up, we have a bonus episode on War of the God Monsters (aka The Flying Monster), a weird South Korean kaiju film that stole its monster footage from Ultraman shows. It’ll be a solo episode. Then we nervously venture north to capture Pulgasari. Tomi Trembath of Giant-Sized Violence joins us for that one…remotely. Then the Cel Cast claims their annual Patreon episode, and I’m looking forward to this one…sorta. Nate calls it “The Zillo Beast Saga.” They’re covering the two episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars and the three episodes of Star Wars: The Bad Batch that featured that titular monster. I’m notorious for hating the Prequel Trilogy, and I’m a bit torn on these shows. Why? #SaveItForTheShow

Until next time, remember…we shall overcome!

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#JimmyFromNASALives      #WeShallOvercome                #MonsterIslandFilmVault

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Episode 93: ‘Godzilla vs. Hedorah’ | Ft. Daniel DiManna, Ben Avery, and Giant Monster BS | Godzilla Redux

Hello, Kaiju Lovers! It’s a full house (“full mecha”?) in today’s Godzilla Redux episode on the infamous but now-popular-to-like G-film, Godzilla vs. Hedorah (aka Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster). Daniel DiManna (Godzilla Novelization Project), Ben Avery (Strangers and Aliens; Welcome to Level 7), and Matt and Gratton of Giant Monster BS all return to discuss the strangest yet arguably most auteur film in the franchise. To say it kicked off the ‘70s G-films with a strange bang would be an understatement. It’s trippy imagery, bizarre monster, and psychedelic pop music all came from the mind of one Yoshimitsu Banno, who despite being rumored for years to have been told he ruined Godzilla, went on to help launch the MonsterVerse. Our panelists unpack that, the film’s subtle-as-a-sledgehammer messages, its co-screenwriter Kaoru Mabuchi/Takeshi Kimura, and much, much more!

Edited by Christopher Riner with Nathan Marchand.

Read “Jimmy’s Notes” on this episode on the MIFV website!

Additional Music:

  • “Return the Sun! (SENTIMENTAL SYNTH COVER)” by Alyssa Charpentier

Check out Nathan’s spinoff podcasts, The Henshin Men and The Power Trip.

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!

You, too, can join MIFV MAX on Patreon to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month! (https://www.patreon.com/monsterislandfilmvault)

Buy official MIFV merch on TeePublic! (https://www.teepublic.com/user/the-monster-island-gift-shop). NEW MERCH NOW AVAILABLE!

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

Timestamps:

  • Introduction: 0:00-14:05
  • Synopsis and Main Discussion: 14:05-2:45:58
  • Outro: 2:45:58-3:01:38
  • Credits: 3:01:58-end

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www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault     #Godzilla            #GodzillaRedux          #GodzillavsHedorah   #GodzillavstheSmogMonster             #Hedorah

© 2024 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

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Jimmy’s Notes on ‘Episode 31: Space Amoeba (feat. Giant Monster BS)’

Well, that was one hell of an adventure! With shipping being delayed by the pandemic and the holidays (and shady Chinese mech part sellers on eBay…), it took forever for me to get everything I needed to complete Mechani-Kong Mk. 2. But I am not one to waste anything—especially expensive alien and future tech—which is why I used the leftovers to make Uber-Moguera. It was challenging enough making the parts I salvaged from the Mysterian and G-Force models compatible my rebuilt mechanical monkey. I studied Dr. Who’s original blueprints (no thanks to Michael Hamilton for stealing my annotated Godzilla Compendium…) and consulted with some of the Jaeger builders at the Shatterdome. I was surprised to learn that Jet Jaguar, in addition to his size-changing and other abilities, did have some robotics knowledge in his massive cerebral hard drive. He was the best assistant I could’ve asked for.

Sadly, as Nathan, er, Nate and the Giant Monster BS boys learned, Uber-Moguera has some…issues that need ironed out. As in he needs to be finished. Combining Mysterian and pseudo-Futurian tech has proven to be more difficult than I expected. I’ll get it done, though. Having a pair of mechas on the Island for work and defense will come in handy. I’m sure the Board is planning…something to do with them.

Anyway, concerning episode 31:

Here are my notes on the discussion of Space Amoeba:

  • They forgot to mention that the English-language title for this movie was Yog, Monster from Space. I’m guessing “Yog” is the name for the collective of non-corporeal aliens and not the kaiju. I’m not sure which one would have that name.
  • Why didn’t I remind you, Nate, about the hotel aspect of the plot? Sometimes you have to let people fail to learn the best lesson.
  • “Jimothy”? I’ve been called worse. Not “Jimbo,” though. I’m okay with that. Sorta.
  • I have a pile of tires from maser cannons. I was able to get one to fit the Weedmobile.
  • The lobster fighting game is not “Battle Crab.” It’s Fight Crab.
  • As Rev. Mifune would say, “When I was a child, I reasoned like a child, and when I became an adult, I put away childish things.” I now think space is even more preferable to Earth. I mean, have you been on Twitter lately? 😛

These are Nate’s leftover notes on the film:

Space Amoeba Notes:

  • Released in 1970, the year…Kurosawa attempted suicide.
  • This is not to be confused with “The Immunity Syndrome.” (Yes, the Star Trek episode that has a literal giant amoeba in space. –Jimmy)
  • The rocket is clearly a model.
  • Helois 7 is going to Jupiter because we got to the moon. (Jupiter has the famous Great Red Spot, but I can tell you from experience Venus is more fun and safe to visit. –Jimmy)
  • Tsuburaya would’ve been happy because he’d make another octopus-style monster. (Except this one he can’t eat. –Jimmy)
  • Straw hats and cigarettes. There’s a band name for you. (I’ll add it to the list of bands performing at the Island’s next music festival. –Jimmy)
  • He thought the matamata turtle was a monster. Take that, Gamera! (Do not insult the king! –Jimmy)
  • The mark on Rico’s body looks like frostbite…or a hickey. (No kink-shaming. 😛 –Jimmy)
  • Here we go again: eye candy native girl. It’s a staple of these island films. (It’s a trope I can get behind. 😛 –Jimmy)
  • Seriously, what does this guy think he’s gonna do to Gezora with a knife? (I fought a giant squid with a knife once. –Jimmy)
  • Catch it and put it in a show. He sounds like Clark Nelson now.
  • The animated tentacle looks goofy.
  • Gamine and Kamoebas are better-looking suits, but they aren’t as “popular” as Gezora. Kamoebas appeared later as a dead body in Tokyo SOS.
  • Kudo shoots Ganime in more ways than one (gun and camera). (Haha. –Jimmy)
  • Obata is going around burning lots of bats.
  • A man of science says humans have souls. Hot dang! Obata’s soul is fighting the aliens.
  • The bats are circling Ganime and Kamoeba like vultures. Okay.
  • Did they just use the same panning shot of the characters again? (Probably. –Jimmy)

Honda Biography

  • It was originally written in 1966 as part of the deal between Toho and UPA. It was a global story on the scale of Gorath with monsters invading from space and submerging entire continents. When it was revived three years later, it was scaled back to the South Seas. The filmmakers hoped to recapture the old magic, so the film became like a “best of reel.” Tanaka, who was too busy to produce it, thought it was too much of a retread.
  • There was constant pressure to stay on budget. Honda wanted to film on Guam, but that was canceled and he filmed on Hachijo Island, the “Hawaii of Japan,” 170 miles south of Tokyo.
  • The experience on this film was unmemorable for those involved. They spoke and wrote little of it. Regardless, it was the last Toho sci-fi film made on the old studio system.
  • “My nightmares are almost always about war—wandering the streets, searching for something that’s lost forever. But it’s possible for me to will myself to have pleasant dreams. For me, the most wonderful fragrance in the world is new film. You open the canister for the first time and breathe deeply. That night, the same wonderful fragrance fills your dreams. It’s grand.” –Honda, 1992

LeMay – Big Book

  • Originally, Yoshio Tsuchiya was to play Obata, but he let Sahara have the role.

Brothers

  • Possible theme of the destruction of natural beauty but not developed.

And so ends season one of MIFV (not counting the bonus episode, of course).

We just did the live broadcast of the season two premiere, and it was…interesting, to say the least. You’ll hear it next week when “The Year of Gamera” begins with a discussion of 1965’s Gamera the Giant Monster. Then for the first mini-sode of 2021, Nate is joined by podcaster/YouTuber/amateur filmmaker Adam Noyes of AN Productions to discuss the rare but excellent Submersion of Japan from 1973.

Despite everything that happened in 2020, I truly believe we shall overcome!

Follow me on Twitter: @NasaJimmy

Follow the Board on Twitter: @MonsterIslaBOD

#JimmyFromNASALives

#WeShallOvercome

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Episode 31: ‘Space Amoeba’ (feat. Giant Monster BS)

Hello. kaiju lovers!

The end has come…for MIFV’s first season, that is. It was supposed to be an epic episode on Godzilla vs. Kong…but instead Nathan is joined by Matt and Gratton from the “Giant Monster Ben Shapiro,” er, “BS” podcast to discuss Space Amoeba (aka Yog, Monster from Space), a weird lesser classic from the Toho tokusatsu library. Released in 1970, it marked a shift in the Showa era for Toho films. This was the year special effects wizard Eiji Tsuburaya died, the studio contract system was discontinued in Japan, and Ishiro Honda left Toho, just to name a few big changes. Jet Jaguar hung out with the intrepid Jimmy From NASA in the producer booth to act as a “dump button” in case the GMBS boys went full-tilt HBO on a family show. They along with Nathan discuss the film’s quirky characters and plot, its three well-executed but almost forgotten monsters, and the wonders of the “Weedmobile” before Jimmy is called away to quell a rowdy Godzilla and Kong with his newly rebuilt Mechani-Kong. That goes about as well as you’d expect, so Nathan, Matt, and Gratton have to pilot another giant robot to save his intrepidness.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, kaiju lovers!

Read Jimmy’s Notes on this episode.

Listen to Matt and Gratton’s episode on Space Amoeba.

The prologue and epilogue were written by Nathan Marchand.

This episode features sound effects sourced from www.FreeSound.org, Brand Name Audio, and the Pipeworks/Atari Godzilla video games.

The music tracks heard in this episode are “Global Defense Force: Moguera” by Heavy Melody Music (from the Godzilla Unleashed OST) and “King Kong 2 – Main Theme (Metal Cover)” by Sharp Rain Music.

The episode thumbnail was created by Michael Hamilton.

We’d like to give a shout-out to our Patreon 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), and Bex from Redeemed Otaku! Thanks for your support!

You, too, can support us on Patreon and get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month!

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

Podcast Social Media:
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Follow Jimmy on Twitter: @NasaJimmy
Follow the Monster Island Board of Directors on Twitter: @MonsterIslaBOD

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault

© 2020 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

  • The Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies Volume 1: 1954-1982 by John LeMay
  • Ishiro Honda: A Life in Film, from Godzilla to Kurosawa by Steve Ryfle and Ed Godzisewski
  • Japanese Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films: A Critical Analysis and Filmography of 103 Features Released in the United States 1950-1992 by Stuart Galbraith IV
  • Kaijuvision Radio, Episode 53: Space Amoeba (1970) (Japanese Colonialism in Oceania)
  • Mushroom Clouds and Mushroom Men: The Fantastic Cinema of Ishiro Honda by Peter H. Brothers
  • Writing Giant Monsters by John LeMay
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KAIJU QUARANTINE 3 Promo Trailer

Adrift in the Giant Monster Fandom, Travis sends a message to his friends as his passion starts to dwindle. Meanwhile, the remaining Podcasters, Kaiju Groupie, Giant Monster BS, Kaiju Conversations, Monsters vs. Men, and Monster Island Film Vault must figure out a way to bring back their once enthusiastic allies for one more epic live stream of their favorite giant monster movies. But has the feeling of isolation during COVID grown too powerful to be stopped?

Join the Discord server: https://discord.gg/5E3BKc

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