Happy New Year, Kaiju Lovers! While I finalize some things for the start of season 4, “The Monster Island World Tour,” here’s a little bonus episode where I catch up on listener feedback since I fell behind responding to it on the air. As you can tell, there was a lot! I also detail some changes being made to the show this season. Enjoy!
We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Travis Alexander; 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, Jake Hambrick, Edwin Gonzalez, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), and Jonathan Courtright! Thanks for your support!
Hello, Kaiju Lovers! There was no way Nate could let Takashi Yamazaki’s Godzilla Minus One—only the most successful live action Japanese film ever released in America—go unanalyzed! So, for this special coda to MIFV season three, he’s joined by everyone’s favorite a-hole/”gatekeeper,” Jack “GMan” Hudgens, to discuss what might be worthy of the “Mount Rushmore of Kaiju Films.” They unpack everything from its rich themes, incredible characters, marvelous special effects, and more! Also, because Godzilla is good for business and worthy of “the Full Marchand,” you get a Toku Topic: kamikaze pilots.
We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Travis Alexander; 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, Jake Hambrick, Edwin Gonzalez, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), and Jonathan Courtright! Thanks for your support!
Hello, Kaiju Lovers! In the (overdue) season 3 finale, Nate is forced to deal with Cameron Winter’s “Christmas gift”: the Asylum’s infamous Monster Island. It’s supposedly a “mockbuster” of 2019’s Godzilla: King of the Monsters, but even by the Asylum’s standards, that’s a stretch. To unravel the legal loopholes and shenanigans that went into making this…movie, Nate brings on the Island’s star lawyer, Raymund Martin, and the man’s paralegal, Gary Steward. Not only do they riff this half-competent (and therefore, boring) “kaiyu” flick into the ground, they give you a crash course in the history of the Asylum and mockbusters. Nate’s contractual obligations are now complete!
Beforehand, Nate delivers his final report as the nonexistent “media master” to Mr. Gold, who reveals a few tantalizing details about what’s been happening on the Island lately.
Guest Cast
Michael Hamilton as Mr. Gold
Damon Noyes as Raymund Martin and Gary Steward
This episode’s prologue, “Heart of Gold,” was written by Michael Hamilton and Nathan Marchand.
Additional music:
“This Cowboy’s Hat” (instrumental) by Chris LeDoux
“Pacific Rim” by Niall Stenson
“Circus Music” (public domain)
“Kaiju Rap” by Jonah Ray
“Chant My Name!” by Masaaki Endo
Sound effects sourced from Freesound.org, including those by Brad Wesson.
We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Travis Alexander; 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, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel, Ted Williams, Wynja the Ninja, Brad “Batman” Eddleman, Christopher Riner, The Indiscrite One, Jake Hambrick, Edwin Gonzalez, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), and Jonathan Courtright! Thanks for your support!
Gamera –Rebirth- is upon us, so Nate invited his resident anime expert, Bex from Redeemed Otaku, to discuss a favorite moment from Gamera the Brave, a film they originally discussed in full back in 2021. In fact, it’s a moment that nearly makes Nate cry. Never underestimate the faith and determination of children! This is part of “One Monstrous Moment: -Rebirth- Edition,” which is being put on by Ryan “The Omni Viewer” Collins. “For Toto!”
We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Travis Alexander; 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, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel, Ted Williams, Wynja the Ninja, Brad “Batman” Eddleman, Christopher Riner, The Indiscrite One, Jake Hambrick, Edwin Gonzalez, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), and Jonathan Courtright! Thanks for your support!
Hello, Kaiju Lovers! In this impromptu but timely “Godzilla Redux” episode that’s technically from the future of the MIFV timeline, Nate sits down and discusses the first true Heisei G-film, Godzilla vs. Biollante, with YouTuber Kaiju Kim and GNP creator/author Daniel DiManna. Why did he move it up and feature them as guests? So they could promote the Kickstarter for their animated tie-in fanfilm! Enjoy this spirited conversation and the best SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION you ever heard on MIFV! In the meantime, you’ll hear about what some fans call the “most poetic” film in the Godzilla franchise; how it was written by a dentist who recycled a script he wrote for Return of Ultraman; how it was the first G-film for writer-director Kazuki Omori and special effects director Koichi Kawakita; how it was affected by both King Kong Lives and Little Shop of Horrors; and how it was the subject of a lawsuit between Toho and Miramax. But all of that is nothing compared to the many crazy unmade scripts to which producer Tomoyuki Tanaka said, “No” (Miki was a cloned sister?! Nate knows that struggle!)
We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Travis Alexander; 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, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel, Ted Williams, Wynja the Ninja, Brad “Batman” Eddleman, Christopher Riner, The Indiscrite One, Jake Hambrick, Edwin Gonzalez, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), and Jonathan Courtright! Thanks for your support!
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.
Godzilla vs. Biollante blu-ray special features (Echo Bridge)
Cloverfield is a film that is gaining more of my interested because of the theories that Clover is a space monster. Or at the very least extraterrestrial. (Contrary to popular belief, those aren’t quite the same things). As for the episode itself, Nick needs to be on the show more often; he’s a pleasant guy. All that to say, I didn’t have many notes on this episode, and none of them pertained to Nick. But correcting the guests is secondary to me keeping Nate honest. Ha! So, here are my additions to episode 68.
Yes, Rob Hawkins was offered a job by Monster Island in 2008. The Island was in the early stages of rebuilding and reopening at the time, and Rob was hired as its first director of public relations. Obviously, that didn’t work out. (By the way, I got this directly from the Board, so take that with a kaiju-sized grain of salt).
I had a MySpace page once. And don’t let Nate fool you—so did he! (Believe it or not, the site still exists!)
Nate, you’re worrying me with that “Yes, quite.” I remember an old…adversary of ours saying it a lot.
“Blue Harvest” was actually a fake working title for Return of the Jedi. And the title of a Family GuyStar Wars parody.
From what I can tell, the tie-in manga, Cloverfield/KISHIN, wasn’t officially translated and published outside Japan, but there is a fan translation available here (ch. 1-3) and here (ch. 4).
Oh, the senseless things Nate does every day. Don’t get me started on the infamous “cockroach” incident involving Elijah Thomas and Daniel DiManna. That audio will stay buried.
Sometimes I don’t want to be Nate’s “people.” Especially at this time with him climbing higher in the Monster Island corporate hierarchy. Just saying.
Speaking of Nate, here are his notes for the episode so you can see what he didn’t get to:
Hey, Kaiju Lovers! To tide you over while I finalize the next few episodes, here’s an abridged version of the 4 ½ hour livestream I did with Elijah Thomas of the Kaiju Conversation podcast. In this excerpt, we talk with Mark Bailey, the editor of Giant Bug Cinema: A Monster Kid’s Guide. This was a collection of essays on B-movies featuring huge insects, to which both Elijah and I contributed. The three of us discuss what we wrote, the origins of the book, and why we wrote it. The most exciting part is the book was nominated for a Rondo Award! And you can help the book win using the link below!
We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Travis Alexander; 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, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel, Ted Williams, Wynja the Ninja, Brad “Batman” Eddleman, Christopher Riner, and The Indiscrite One! Thanks for your support!
I’m giving you a double dose of the Jimbo Notes today since we had a bonus episode right after “Damon Noyes Month.” It’s hard to compete with the Giant Claw episode, but these two were worthy efforts. It’s funny how Damon took a throwaway comment from a livestream and made it into an episode. Little Shop of Horrors remains one of the few kaiju musicals, at least on film. There’s a King Kong Broadway show, but the music is mediocre and you stay for the life-size animatronic ape. So I hear. I haven’t been able to visit home in New York to see it…mostly because I was in jail, and now I’m globetrotting as a kaiju wrangler. Yep, my storied life continues.
I have firsthand experience with alien plants. You know how Biollante dissolved and flew into space? Well, I followed her trail in an FTL ship I’d…borrowed from the Garogas (long story; I don’t want to talk about it). This led me to an unknown planet a few hundred lightyears away. Biollante had since spawned several generations of seedlings and was living peacefully with her “children.” (Don’t tell Dr. Dourif. I refuse to be that weirdo’s space Uber). I landed to take some photos, but some of her offspring attacked me and broke my camera. I barely escaped.
I do a lot of secret tours, Nate…ones I can’t talk about (not “don’t want to”). Double-hush-hush-top-secret stuff. I don’t want to have to kill you. Or maybe I do? 😛
My life is now complete: I gave a badge of honor to Damon. May he wear it well.
You are crazy, Nate. I’ve known this since we met.
I’ve taught you well, Damon, correcting Nate like that. Just call me Jimbo Kenobi.
I have to sanitize the mics after every broadcast. That’s why no one ever gets sick from COVID or Nate’s cooties when they guest host on the show. You’re fine, Damon.
“Frank Oz is frankly…” Ha!
The other optical effect was in the theatrical ending, Nate. It’s when Seymour kills Audrey II.
Apparently, I need to get Nate noise-making toys for him to use on the show for his birthday. But I’m not sure our listeners are prepared for that.
Or are Damon and Raymund the same person?! (Dun-dun-DUN!)
I don’t want anything cooked up by Dr. Dourif, let alone eat it. I’m already a “fun guy.”
Clover makes me and others sick because he’s UG-LY! He might be the worst-looking kaiju on the Island!
And now for my notes on S.O.B., er, Son of Blob, er, Beware! The Blob (Bonus Episode 12).
I still think both of you have cases. For what, I don’t remember. I’ve slept once since this broadcast.
Travis, the original film was shot in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, and the towns of Chester Springs, Downingtown, Phoenixville, and Royersford.
14 years, Travis. That’s how long after the original this was (1958 to 1972).
The kitten’s name is Sam.
Making a citizen’s arrest is both less complicated and more complicated than I thought. Read about it on WikiHow.
Ice rinks are a bit of an engineering marvel, as I read here.
As usual, here are the documents with Nate’s research on both films.
I wasn’t sure, given how Nate barely survived “The Year of Gamera,” if he could handle The Giant Claw for episode 66. But he insisted that its infamy and not its quality necessitated we cover it. Besides, Damon jumped at the chance to discuss it. “Crazy Bernice,” as we call this kaiju, is known for her strange behavior, as you heard when Nate and Damon commentated on H.E.A.T. narrowly escaping the Beta Site with the creature chasing them down. Good thing Zilla Junior is a loyal son…guard dog…. Anyway, here are my follow-up thoughts (finally) on that episode.
I double checked. Dirty Harry said, “Go ahead. Make my day,” in 1983’s Sudden Impact.
Actually, Nate, it’s not Mitch Marrow. The actor’s name is Jeff Morrow, and he played Mitch MacAfee. I know, your alliteration-loving brain conflated the two. This is why you keep me around.
Really, Damon? You’d die defending Reptilicus? Speaking as someone who has died once and seen that movie…there are worse causes for which to give one’s life.
“Protoplastic”? You meant, “Promoplasmic”!
It’s a book, not a movie, Damon. (Now if I could only remember what he was talking about…).
Giant Claws in space? Let me tell you, they’re far more terrifying in their natural environment. Well, in the antimatter galaxy, anyway. You see, a few years ago, I stumbled upon a wormhole between Jupiter and Saturn. It led to the antimatter galaxy. Like the proverbial curious cat, I flew my ship into the wormhole and barely survived my exit into that dangerous part of space because, as you know, I’m made of regular matter, which doesn’t mix well with antimatter. As my ship’s instruments screamed at me, the giant maw of, well, a Giant Claw filled my windshield. I barely dodged its bite and escaped through the wormhole. This is why I don’t visit the Beta Site much.
I looked at a couple sources (Wikipedia and the Romanian Culture Institute) that both discussed the origin of the word/name Nemesis. It’s meaning as a term for an enemy is more a recent development. The Greek goddess did punish mortals for hubris (i.e. arrogance before the gods), but she was also seen as a dispenser of justice; a judge who maintained order in the universe. In other words, she has a dualistic nature. So, Damon was correct.
It’s a good thing I can math. It’s a requirement to work at NASA. That’s another reason Nate keeps me around. He can’t math his way out of a paper bag.
What? I like hot dogs! Antimatter hot dogs! They used to serve them at parties in NASA!
Finally, here’s the obscenely huge file with all of Nate’s notes on this movie. I still can’t believe they spent 2.5 hours discussing it. The antimatter segment was fantastic, though. But again, I’m a NASA guy.
