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Jimmy’s Notes on Episode 87: ‘Yongary, Monster from the Deep’ vs. Neil Riebe

Published March 22, 2024

Marchand’s March (ha!) has been bleeping busy! The show has practically been weekly. I’d complain, but I enjoy the work too much. Balancing that between maintaining Uber-Moguera and trying to make up with Kaguya (she’s still upset with me, despite my best efforts)—there’s no rest for the Jimmy! But hey, I get to travel the world and visit places like Seoul that I’ve never seen before with my best friend. Oh, and Nate, too, I guess. 😛 Anyway, let’s get into my notes on episode 87 (Yongary, Monster from the Deep vs. Neil Riebe).

  • Apex did me dirty! Walter Simmons was a jerk, and his company has more human rights violations than Amazon! (I’m not bitter at all…).
  • You know, if I could get a spy drone into Hannibal Chau’s film library, I could see if he has the Korean cut of Yongary…but I value my drones far too much. The parts are expensive!
  • You don’t understand: I’ve studied the possibilities of A.I. It’s ruining Star Wars films now with those pseudo-deep fakes, but later…Terminator is the least of our worries! Think I, Robot, only worse. Yikes!
  • “China virus.” Don’t worry, I tested all of us before leaving Hong Kong. It’s not that one.
  • I did find Five Marines on the Korean Film Archive YouTube channel.
  • It wasn’t a treaty that ended the Korean War, Nate—it was an armistice. There’s a big difference. That’s why some argue that the war has never ended and could technically reignite at any point. Scary stuff.
  • Our first Gamera episode was number 32.
  • My girlfriend isn’t a computer, Marchand! Nor an android! She just…spent too much time on the Xilien version of the internet…because they had it first!
  • I used to have an itching flashlight. Kaguya threw it out after I used it on her…for reasons.
  • “Bunker in the hill”? There was another one? 😛
  • Good thing you corrected yourself there, Nate. I have trained you well, young padawan. 😛
  • According to Wikizilla, Jet Jaguar was inexplicably renamed “King Kong” for the West Germany release of Godzilla vs. Megalon, but contrary to popular belief, he wasn’t said to be an ape in a robot suit.
  • I seem to remember meeting a Kenichi Nakagawa once. He told me he moonlighted as a special effects technician. What was his regular job? Top secret.
  • I still have no opinion on the butt bleeding. That is all.
  • I approve of Yongary vs. Tofu Fury. I approve of anything vs. Tofu Fury. I will build Tofu Fury!

Join MIFV MAX on Patreon to see Nate’s research notes.

Next week (good grief… “next week”!), we have a Patreon-sponsored episode with executive producer Damon Noyes—and it’s a double feature: Attack of the Crab Monsters and Island Claws. Then Daniel DiManna returns for a bonus episode on Space Monster Wangmagwi. Finally, the “Kong Quest” (ba-dum-tsh!) crosses over with Godzilla Redux when Legendary releases the latest MonsterVerse entry, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.

Until next time, remember…we shall overcome!

Social media:

#JimmyFromNASALives      #WeShallOvercome                #MonsterIslandFilmVault

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Episode 87: ‘Yongary, Monster from the Deep’ vs. Neil Riebe

Published March 22, 2024

Hello, Kaiju Lovers! The South Korea leg of the Monster Island World Tour begins with arguably the first true Korean kaiju film: Yongary, Monster from the Deep. Author Neil Riebe, who might very well be this film’s biggest fan, pays yet another visit to MIFV’s mobile studio in Uber-Moguera to enlighten us with his copious research on the movie. Released in the “Year of the Kaiju,” 1967, it borrows some from Showa Godzilla films but way more from Showa Gamera—complete with a Korean Kenny! Ironically, only the dubbed version of the movie survives. It was once the most expensive film ever made in South Korea (until that record was broken by its remake) and is considered one of the country’s most important films, but does it have the artistic merit to warrant such acclaim, or is it truly just MST3K fodder? Since the film had Japanese technicians from Toei and X Productions working on it, our Toku Topic is Japan-Korea relations.

Read Jimmy’s Notes on this episode on the MIFV website.

Additional Music:

  • “Kuwanga Banga” by PirateCrab
  • “Here We Go” by Chris Classic

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, Edwin Gonzalez, 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: 0:00-7:24
  • Entertaining Info Dump: 7:24-15:52
  • Toku Talk: 15:52-1:26:59
  • Ad (Toku Toy Town): 1:26:59-1:28:22
  • Toku Topic (Korea-Japan relations): 1:28:22-1:57:52
  • Outro: 1:57:52-2:23:35
  • Credits: 2:23:35-end

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault     #MonsterIslandWorldTour            #YongaryMonsterfromtheDeep

© 2024 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

Note: This list does not include Neil’s sources.

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Jimmy’s Notes on Episode 86: ‘The Whale God’ vs. Daniel DiManna vs. Elijah Thomas

Published March 14, 2024

We’re getting a lot of impromptu episodes this season. Well, two at the moment. As far as I know, there won’t be any more added to the schedule. I don’t know how much more we can handle, especially when we have to split our time between the show, our regular jobs, and kaiju wrangling. Plus, I have a girlfriend…who’s upset with me. (Damnit!) Anyway, I took a lot of notes on episode 86 (The Whale God), which I’m sure will do nothing but shamelessly promote SRS Cinema’s release of this film. (I need to be paid for all this free publicity).

  • Never question what I know about robots and piloting! I’ve watched every Gundam series five times. (Okay, maybe I’ve watched five Gundam series once…).
  • You goofballs are such SRS shills in this. I hope you got paid for it. Oh, wait….
  • Must you talk about whale racism? We’re going to get letters from the Gorilla Whales…again.
  • “Dickatry.” Someone call Merriam-Webster; we have a new word for them.
  • The shenanigans Alf and I got into…I wish I could talk about them.
  • The puns only got worse after the Entertaining Info Dump. They would kill some people.
  • Don’t forget Warning from Space, Marchand! That was a “kaiju” film before this!
  • That was the weirdest wandering accent I’ve ever heard. How the hell do you go from Davey Jones to Sean Connery?
  • Killing a whale to become Takashi Shimura is freaking weird, man! The sad thing is there are people in the Godzilla fandom who would try it.
  • I might’ve ripped a voice box out of a Five Nights at Freddy’s animatronic. It was my Predator-style prize!
  • What did William Hughes do? I don’t know. I couldn’t find anything on him. I did find other actors named William Hughes on IMDb, though.
  • Toyo’s glaring reminds me of angry Kaguya. That’s all I’ve been seeing for a few weeks now. She’s slowly coming around…I think.
  • The definitions/descriptions I found for jidaigeki films included:
    • “Jidaigeki (時代劇) is a genre of film, television, video game, and theatre in Japan. Literally meaning “period dramas”, they are most often set during the Edo period of Japanese history, from 1603 to 1868. Some are set much earlier—Portrait of Hell, for example, is set during the late Heian period—and the early Meiji era is also a popular setting.” (Wikipedia)
    • So, I hate to disappoint Elijah, but I don’t think his new wife, Godzilla Minus One, counts.
  • I’m the studliest guy in every room I enter. Even Glen admitted that when he trained me at NASA.
  • I do have Twit-X. Perhaps I’ll check on Elijah there. Someone has to keep him in check. Marchand is failing at that. (Although, he did get smacked in the face by Kujira Kami after the show).
  • I downloaded and added a proper drum roll to our soundboard.
  • Sometimes Nate and I have fact check races. He won this time. This time….
  • “Kujira Kami” not “Gami,” Nate.
  • Yes, don’t blow hole my mind. (ba-dum-tsh!)
  • This episode might hold the record for most rimshots and sad trombones.
  • I’m definitely changing that Wi-Fi password. We can’t have randos in Seoul hacking our Wi-Fi. We need the bandwidth to produce the show and catch kaiju.
  • There is, in fact, a Korean Coast Guard.

In our next episode, we start the South Korean leg of our World Tour with Yongary, Monster from the Deep (1967), which will feature special guest Neil Riebe (aka Yongary’s biggest fan). Then we have season four’s first Patreon-sponsored episode (which, as Nate said, could be called “Corman’s Crabs”) with executive producer Damon Noyes—and it’s a double feature: Attack of the Crab Monsters and Island Claws. What Nate failed to mention was Danny will return later this month for a bonus episode on Space Monster Wangmagwi. Another SRS title? We need to start charging for this publicity! Then the “Kong Quest” (ba-dum-tsh!) returns when Legendary releases the latest MonsterVerse entry, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.

Until next time, remember…we shall overcome!

Social media:

#JimmyFromNASALives      #WeShallOvercome                #MonsterIslandFilmVault

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Episode 86: ‘The Whale God’ vs. Daniel DiManna vs. Elijah Thomas

Published March 14, 2024

Hello, Kaiju Lovers! In yet another impromptu episode (because reasons), Nate is joined by Daniel DiManna (Godzilla Novelization Project) and Elijah Thomas (Kaiju Conversation) to discuss the semi-obscure Daiei proto-kaiju film, The Whale God. Released in 1962, it was largely unseen outside of Japan until it was released by SRS Cinema this past January. The boys unpack the tremendous talent behind and in front of the camera–including Takashi Shimura, Kojiro Hongo, and Akira Ifukube, among others–its connections to Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, and how it uses elements of J-horror to create a potent period drama. The Toku Topic, thanks to Danny’s in-depth research, is Japanese whaling. Then stay tuned after the credits to hear Elijah try to touch the Whale God!

Buy The Whale God on blu-ray and VHS from SRS Cinema! (https://srscinemastore.com/)

Read “Jimmy’s Notes” on this episode here: https://monsterislandfilmvault.com/index.php/2024/03/14/jimmys-notes-on-episode-86-the-whale-god-vs-daniel-dimanna-vs-elijah-thomas/.

Post-credit scene suggested by Elijah Thomas.

Additional Music:

  • “For Her Soul” by RoeTaKa
  • “Kuwanga Banga” by PirateCrab
  • “Here We Go” by Chris Classic

Additional sound effects sourced from www.Zapsplat.com.

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, Edwin Gonzalez, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, Robert Kidd, and Leon Campbell! 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: 0:00-24:20
  • Entertaining Info Dump: 24:20-32:21
  • Toku Talk: 32:21-1:51:42
  • Ad (Toku Toy Town): 1:51:42-1:53:04
  • Toku Topic (Japanese whaling): 1:53:04-2:21:31
  • Outro: 2:21:31-2:43:48
  • Credits/Post-Credit Scene: 2:43:48-end

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault     #TheWhaleGod            #SRSCinema

© 2023, 2024 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

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BONUS – MIFV MAX #27: ‘Godzilla Minus One/Minus Color’ | Ft. Damon Noyes, Daniel DiManna, Christopher Riner, and Elijah Thomas (Abridged)

Published February 2, 2024

Hello, Kaiju Lovers! In this excerpt from the latest episode of the (usually) Patreon-exclusive livestream podcast, Nathan invites his creative team (plus Elijah Thomas, who crashes the show later) on to discuss the new black-and-white edition of Godzilla Minus One. Is it a different enough experience from the original—or is it even better? These questions are answered in yet another Minus One-fueled blockbuster episode of MIFV!

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, Edwin Gonzalez, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, and Robert Kidd! 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.

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault     #Godzilla            #GodzillaMinusOne   #GodzillaMinusColor

© 2024 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

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Jimmy’s Notes on Episode 83: ‘Son of Godzilla’ | Ft. Neil Riebe

Published January 25, 2024

Two episodes in, and I’m already annoyed with my new mic. I spent too much money to replace it, and unfortunately, the eBay seller I bought it from doesn’t do returns beyond 30 days. Plus, I purchased it just before I was wrongfully imprisoned. Oh well. Kaguya doesn’t think I sound as “sexy” on it (she’s still learning what that means). Given that we’re on the road in Hong Kong and I’m the only one with the technical knowledge and skills to maintain my “patchwork mecha,” as Nate calls it, I’m too busy to do anything about it.

But I do have time to share my notes on episode 83, the “Godzilla Redux” on Son of Godzilla with Neil Riebe.

  • I just can’t win with my mics (as I explained above).
  • I’ve avoided a colonoscopy for years. I keep telling doctors they won’t find anything up there. I doubt I brought anything back with me from Venus…I think.
  • “This Island Indiana”? Wasn’t that a mockbuster made by the Asylum about 65 years too late?
  • I love the A-Team! It was my favorite show back when I was moonlighting as a substitute Blue Bioman! I may have even modeled my gunplay after the show…which explains why my marksmanship was terrible.
  • King Kong Escapes was episode six.
  • Plural of Kamacuras is…Kamacuri, according to Dr. Hermann Gottlieb.
  • I’ll submit Neil’s theory about the glacier and Solgel and Skull Islands to the Monster Island scientists. He might get a Nobel Prize in Kaijuology.
  • I’ll also submit Nate’s “Rip Van Minya” theory to them. He probably won’t get a Nobel Prize…because Minya.
  • Nate is basic. Who knew?
  • “Momzilla”? “Dad bod”? I’m confused. But so are the people who think Godzilla is female.
  • And the Japanese think Americans made Godzilla fat…have you seen the suit in this?!
  • Jar Jar?! WHY DID YOU SAY THAT NAME?!
  • This is the episode of crazy fan theories! I should’ve offered one. Hmm…Oh! Minya is the Antichrist. (Well, that’s what some fans think…).
  • I’d have preferred Kumi Mizuno in this, obviously. I mean, have you seen my girlfriend? Hubba-hubba!
  • “Height” not “heighth,” Neil!
  • Psycho released in 1960, seven years before this, Nate! Do your research!
  • Come on, Marchand, have you seen Brooke Shields in The Blue Lagoon? (Just don’t tell Kaguya I said that).
  • Kazue Kiba gets second billing as a screenwriter in the credits.
  • Danny already made the Tofu Fury Jaeger joke last episode. I still like Neil’s idea that it should be ¾ the size and two-times the firepower, though. I’ll get on that once we return to the Island.

Check MIFV MAX on Patreon to read Nate’s leftover research notes!

Our next episode is actually an impromptu bonus episode sponsored by Matt Walsh (no, not that Matt Walsh). Since he’s a madman who jumped to the $100 joke Patreon tier called “Jimmy’s Intern,” I have the day off for that recording. Nate should be able to manage…maybe. Kaguya and I will go sightseeing in Hong Kong. Then we get back to the World Tour in episode 84 with Shaw Bros.’s infamous Kongsploitation movie, Mighty Peking Man (aka Goliathon). There’s a huge ape-man in it? I only remember a hot blonde. (Again, don’t tell Kaguya I said that). My former nemesis John LeMay joins us for that. Then we get back to “Godzilla Redux” in episode 85…but not with Destroy All Monsters (because reasons). No, it’s Godzilla: The Series – “Monster Wars” with The Cel Cast.

Until next time, remember…we shall overcome!

Social media:

#JimmyFromNASALives      #WeShallOvercome                #MonsterIslandFilmVault

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Episode 83: ‘Son of Godzilla’ | Ft. Neil Riebe | Godzilla Redux

Published January 25, 2024

Hello, Kaiju Lovers! Neil Riebe makes a dangerous journey to Hong Kong to join Nate for another “Godzilla Redux” with Son of Godzilla. This film was made in the “Year of the Kaiju,” 1967, and along with King Kong Escapes, was Toho’s big contribution to it. The studio’s “B team,” led by director Jun Fukuda, returned to helm this island adventure…that infamously introduced fans to “the Jar Jar Binks of the Godzilla franchise,” Minilla (aka Minya). But it also has some impressive insect kaiju. Believe it or not, this was made as a date movie…for very Japanese reasons! All this and more in the latest MIFV!

Listen to this episode’s epilogue, “Kung Fools.”

Check out “Jimmy’s Notes,” the official follow-up blog to this episode!

Sound effects sourced from Freesound.org.

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, Edwin Gonzalez, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, and Robert Kidd! 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: 0:00-5:51
  • Main Discussion: 5:51-1:43:19
  • Outro: 1:43:19-1:54:03
  • Credits: 1:54:03-end

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault     #Godzilla            #SonofGodzilla          #GodzillaRedux

© 2023, 2024 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

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MIFV Season 4 Prelude: “Jailbreak”

Published January 13, 2024

Nate survived another harrowing year on Monster Island, and now it’s time to renegotiate his contract. But he’s shocked to learn that, while he was sleeping, the Island’s security systems failed, allowing multiple kaiju to escape back to their home countries. Even with the Legal Action Team on his case, Nate and Jimmy can’t avoid having the Board mandate that they spend a year chasing down these monsters in Uber-Moguera and return them to the Island. Indignant and obsessive, Nate goes to confront the Island’s “zookeeper,” whom he suspects is on the Board’s payroll—and things don’t go how he expected.

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); executive producer 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, Bex from Redeemed Otaku; Jake Hambrick, Edwin Gonzalez, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), and Jonathan Courtright! 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.

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault    #MonsterIslandWorldTour

© 2023, 2024 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

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Interlude: Catching Up on Listener Feedback

Published January 3, 2024

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!

Sound effects sourced from Freesound.org.

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 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!

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.

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault     #listenerfeedback

© 2023 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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