Skip to content

Tag: kaiju

Jimmy’s Notes on ‘Episode 11: Varan the Unbelievable’ (Mini-Analysis)

Published March 4, 2020

Hello again! It is time once again for another installment of “Jimmy riffs Nathan and publishes his unused notes.” Better known as Jimmy’s Notes.

Last week Nathan covered the nearly forgotten kaiju film Varan the Unbelievable.(He also talked about it on Geek Devotions, using it to discuss how faith and science are not incompatible, which I enjoyed filming). I will just be sharing his unused notes from when he re-watched the film as part of his grad school independent study on Ishiro Honda. He did highlight portions of his sources for that paper, but since he included them in the shownotes, I will not post them. (Besides, my previous Jimmy’s Notes blog was huge, and I already know my next one on Peter Jackson’s King Kong will be as long as that film).

So, without further ado….

Nathan’s Notes on the Film:

  • One of the highlights of this lackluster film is [Akira] Ifukube’s score. It’s quite good and would be recycled later. Music after credits reminds me of destroying the controller in Destroy All Monster. (That control device is on display in a small museum here on the Island, by the way. –Jimmy)
  • Talks about spaceflight but says there are still mysteries on earth; “most mysterious story ever told.” Hyperbole. (I have been to Venus. The mysteries there are far more interesting—like how it is somehow still there despite, you know, exploding during the War in Space. –Jimmy)
  • Villagers think the outsiders are monsters. Ignore them.
  • “It’s too early for monsters.” Did you forget you’re in a Toho movie? (To paraphrase a once-popular meme about video games: “Kaiju are common and frequently fight in public.” –Jimmy)
  • Varan’s intro is actually pretty good. Jaws-like.
  • Yuriko is surprisingly calm considering her brother died. Bold girl reporter. Sekizawa trademark.
  • Bus driver says no one goes to the village. (Probably because Varan kills people over butterflies. You should see how he reacts to other kaiju pestering Mothra. It is not pretty, but the tourists get a kick out of the occasional fights. –Jimmy)
  • Similar to Ainu; Ifukube infuses Ainu music in this score.
  • Dog is named Chibee. Japanese word for small. (Except it is actually spelled “chibi” and is Japanese slang. –Jimmy)
  • These first three characters are entertaining and funny and actually have some vim. Then they disappear halfway in.
  • Varan appears 21 minutes in. (Nathan has clocked the monster’s first appearance in all of these movies since fans complained about Godzilla not showing up for 45 minutes in the 2014 film. He argues this was done in the Japanese films, he seems to be right. Wow. I said something nice. I am losing my touch. –Jimmy)
  • This film has lots of issues, but suit/creature design isn’t one of them. Varan is quite impressive. Too bad he never came back. (Except in Destroy All Monsters, or did you forget that? And he almost came back, along with Anguirus, in GMK. –Jimmy)
  • When they return to the village, the priest is waving branch and chanting by fence as if that will stop Varan. Varan kills him while he chants “Forgive them! Forgive them!”
  • Varan’s rampage through the village is a highlight. Great suit, great destruction. [Haruo] Nakajima being awesome.
  • Another all-knowing dinosaur scientist.
  • “It’s big. You better get yourself a wide-angle lens.” Sekizawa humor.
  • After the village destruction, it starts to feel more padded as it goes. It gets really bad after they leave the village. A little too much detail with military.
  • The gas bomb mortars going into the water do look good. Classic Tsuburaya effects.
  • 34:00: “That’s a lot of fish.” (And all of our readers/listeners groan. –Jimmy)
  • The three best characters get steadily less screen time as film progresses.
  • Professor wastes no time saying to kill monster. The Anti-Yamane.
  • These soldiers have the aim of Stormtroopers. (The Messiah 13 Aliens were not much better from what my War in Space buddies tell me. –Jimmy)
  • Varan coming out of water at 35:00 or so looks quite good.
  • Wind accompanies Varan. Supernatural? Godzilla 2014 with tsunami?
  • The first half of this movie feels unique. Godzilla meets Half Human or Rodan. Second half is run-of-the-mill monster stuff.
  • Varan’s roar is just a remixed Godzilla roar.
  • “Varan is indestructible!” No, you just have bad aim!
  • I see where Son of Godzilla got it with Kumonga getting in cave. Effective scene.
  • Professor just knows that Varan will respond to light. It’s what animals do, apparently. (The scientists here on the Island use some weird stuff—like bird calls—to maneuver the monsters around. –Jimmy)
  • Varan can fly! Cut from US version. Well, he glides. How does he sound like a jet?
  • 47 minutes in, and it gets a heck of a lot less interesting.
  • [Akihiko] Hirata is in this! Barely.
  • This professor just exists to spout exposition and say you can’t kill Varan.
  • 51:00: Varan approaching fishermen is very Jaws-like. The music especially.
  • 55:00: Why would you fly that low and that close?! (A common problem when fighting kaiju. It seems soldiers forget basic tactics when fighting monsters. My military buddies cannot figure it out, either. –Jimmy)
  • Second half is largely action. Feels like a completely different movie. The music is still good.
  • 63:00: Are they playing a miniatures game with a Varan figure? (You would buy that game in heartbeat, Nathan. You already have a few stuffed in your closet. –Jimmy)
  • 65:00: Expertly edited home movies.
  • Super-bomb is weird. How does it explode better inside something? Makes no sense. (I was on a ship that inexplicably had a planet-busting bomb on it. All that to say, I do not get it, either. –Jimmy)
  • Climax is at Haneda Airport. Sky background is lacking. Can see strings pulling tanks. Not meant to be scrutinized. (Or seen in high-def, as you mentioned. –Jimmy)
  • Interesting how soldiers chicken out saying it’s beyond the call of duty, so Kenji the reporter has to drive the bomb to Varan. Sekizawa commentary?
  • Wow, that wasn’t suspenseful. He jogs away unharmed. (This is more common than many people realize. –Jimmy)
  • Rare time Nakajima got hurt on set when bomb explodes under Varan. (#firecrotch –Jimmy)
  • Sometimes Varan stands and sometimes he’s on all fours. Poor editing.
  • Now the military has good aim. 😛 (Varan lost his plot-armor. That is more durable than adamantium! –Jimmy)
  • Varan: “Stop attacking me with stock footage!” (Stock footage is the worst. The Messiah 13 Aliens’ attack on New York looked like The Last War and…my…family…died…).
  • This movie has such truncated time. Bomb explodes in 30 minutes but 15 have already passed.
  • 84:00: Varan becomes Godzilla for a second! (To quote MST3K, “Space is warped and time is bendable!” –Jimmy)
  • What a horrible way to die: exploded from the inside after swallowing bombs. Varan retreats to water. Ambiguous? (Well, he was brought to Monster Island in 1999, so he survived…somehow. I just work here, people! –Jimmy)
  • Announcer declares that mankind has won. (For now…. 😛 –Jimmy)

There you have it!

And now for the moment you have all been waiting for! The winner of the Batman Meets Godzilla T-shirt is Celeste Mora!

Congratulations!

The “Kong Quest” continues in the next episode when Nathan is joined by the creator/author of The Godzilla Novelization Project, Daniel DiManna to discuss the epic 2005 remake of King Kong.

Our next mini-sode will cover another epic: 1959’s The Three Treasures.

Follow me on Twitter: @NasaJimmy

#JimmyFromNASALives
#WeShallOvercome

Comments closed

Episode 11: ‘Varan the Unbelievable’ (Mini-Analysis)

Published February 26, 2020

Hello, kaiju lovers!

In Nathan’s continuing series of mini-sodes on films covered by Bran Scherschel on Kaijuvision Radio after Nathan left the show, he examines Ishiro Honda’s overlooked 1958 kaiju film Varan the Unbelievable (or Daikaiju Baran). While Honda didn’t think much of it (especially after its tumultuous production when the American TV network co-producing it pulled out), it was the first kaiju film written for Toho by the fabled Shinichi Sekizawa. The second half is a by-the-numbers monster movie, but the first half is intriguing because it touches on then contemporary issues with the burakumin, a discriminated social class in Japan. Their name means “village people” (no, not the disco band!), and they were essentially the “untouchables” of Japanese culture for centuries. When seen through that lens, this film offers more than a cool kaiju.

After that, Nathan reads some listener feedback, including a letter from someone who offers some clarification on the (in)famous Batman Meets Godzilla script.

Speaking of which, Batman Meets Godzilla, one of the craziest yet most intriguing lost projects made famous by John LeMay’s book, The Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies: The Lost Films (which now has a new “mutated” edition), is being adapted into a fan-made comic book miniseries!

T-SHIRT GIVEAWAY: Everyone who shares the Facebook and Twitter posts for this episode (or tags the show when they share it themselves) will be entered for a drawing for a Batman Meets Godzilla T-shirt. (One entry per person per social media). Entries will be taken from February 26 to March 4 at 11:59pm (EST). The winner must then send Nathan his/her shirt size, shirt color, and mailing address to be forwarded to the team at Batman Meets Godzilla. Here’s a link to the Tee Public site with this epic shirt.

Here’s the KVR episode: Episode 40: Varan (1958) (Hisabetsu-Buraku) (Discriminated Communities)

This episode featured the song “‘BATMAN’ [OG Theme Song Remix!]” by Remix Maniacs.

Be sure to read Jimmy’s Notes on this episode.

(c) 2020 Nathan Marchand & Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Comments closed

Episode 8: Ben Avery vs. ‘King Kong’ (1976)

Published January 8, 2020

Hello, kaiju lovers!

We’re kicking off 2020 with the Eighth Wonder’s return to Hollywood in a film brought about by Italian producer Dino de Laurentiis. Writer/podcaster Ben Avery joins Nathan to discuss the 1976 remake of King Kong starring Jeff Bridges and Jessica Lange, which is firmly entrenched in its time and was touted as “the most exciting original motion picture event of all time.” What’s interesting is it straddles the gritty cynicism of early ‘70s films like Dirty Harry and the more hopeful films of the late ‘70s like Star Wars (because no MIFV episode is complete without mentioning that franchise). This was the first time Nathan had seen Kong ‘76 in years, and while he didn’t like it as a teen, he softens to it thanks in part to Ben’s love of it. Their discussion also touches upon the weird love triangle between Dwan, Jack, and Kong; the great but sometimes wonky special effects; and how modern audiences may feel about the film’s climax on the World Trade Center post-9/11. The Toku Topic is the 1973 Energy Crisis since it directly influenced the filmmakers’ decision to have the characters’ expedition be about finding untapped oil reservoirs.

Here’s to the big one!

Check out all of Ben’s podcasts:
–Strangers and Aliens
–Welcome to Level 7
–The Comic Book Time Machine
–Supersonic Pod Comics

Timestamps:
Intro: 0:00-3:33
Entertaining Info Dump: 3:33-11:10
Toku Talk: 11:10-1:16:53
Toku Topic: 1:16:53-1:47:11
Outro: 1:47:11-end

Read Jimmy’s Notes on this episode when you finish it.

© 2020 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Comments closed

NOVELLA EXCERPT – ‘Destroyer,’ Chapter 6: Berserk

Published November 6, 2019
Cover art by Tyler Sowles.

Author’s Note: As promised, here’s a chapter from Destroyer, a novella I co-wrote some years ago with Monster Island Tourists Timothy Deal, Nick Hayden, and Nick’s wife, Natasha. It was part of what we called “the pulp fiction project,” where we took turns stories that would be in old pulp magazines or dime store novels. I chose monster story, to which one of my friends said, “That means you could do everything from Frankenstein to Godzilla.” So,I did both. The cyborg dragon, Rex-1, is created to end a future war between the American Alliance and the Russo-Chinese Coalition by famed scientist Dr. Steiner. In this chapter, the cyber-monster has destroyed a Russian military base, but the gung-ho general commanding the operation has ordered it to attack Moscow. Can you guess which Godzilla film inspired this story? Comment below or send me feedback via feedback@monsterislandfilmvault.com. The book is available in paperback and ebook on Amazon.

Rex-1 took flight. The wind from its wings fanned the flames consuming the base. The Nighthawk followed the cyber-monster to stay in the TP helmet’s range. Thousands of Muscovites scurried in panic below them as Rex-1’s shadow passed over them. Streets were clogged with traffic. Police car drones scrambled through the crowds trying to maintain a semblance of order. They were failing. Automated firetrucks hurried to burning buildings to snuff the fires, but panicked crowds either hampered them or started more fires. Chaos reigned supreme.

The Kremlin quickly approached.

“Yamamoto, land Rex-1 in Red Square,” ordered Gunn.

With a thought, Tomo relayed the commands. Rex-1 swooped down and grinded to a halt, leaving a 50-foot scrape on the Square. The pilots made the Nighthawk circle around the Square, always keeping Rex-1 in view.

Dr. Steiner expelled a long sigh and wiped sweat from his forehead.

The Kremlin seemed empty. Tomo had Rex-1 make an infrared scan of the building. Rainbow-colored blips could be seen throughout it. They were the Coalition’s European delegates, all trapped inside. The suddenness of the attack, the panic in the streets, and Rex-1’s arrival on the Square likely prevented them from retreating.

“Target acquired,” reported Tomo.

Eva never looked up.

“Terminate,” commanded Gunn.

Tomo closed his eyes to relay the order.

Rex-1’s mouth opened.

BOOM!

A screaming missile exploded against Rex-1’s back, pieces of burning skin flying in all directions. The cyborg roared in pain and Tomo cursed in surprise. Everyone grabbed their armrests for dear life. A second missile was blocked when the cyber-dragon’s energy shields activated. The pilots started evasive maneuvers as low-flying fighter planes roared over them.

“What was that?” Gunn demanded to know.

“Neo-MIG Shadows,” said O’Brian. “They’re stealth fighters!”

“I don’t care if they’re Santa’s reindeer! Take them out!” barked Gunn.

“I’m working on it!” shouted Tomo.

The Shadows—all twelve of them—circled around for another strike.

Rex-1’s horns glowed, its eyes flared.

The Shadows fired missiles. They all crashed into the cyborg’s shields. Cloaked in smoke, Rex-1 roared in defiance and blasted lasers. The Shadows scattered like frightened bees, but not before three exploded.

Rex-1’s gaze followed the planes to acquire a new target lock. But without warning, plasma shells buffeted its shield from below. It spun and saw a battle group of Coalition Supertanks emerging from a huge underground bunker near the Kremlin. No doubt it was the leaders’ personal defense force. Rex-1 growled as its eyes glowed again and fired. The lasers sliced two tanks in half while the others scattered.

A salvo of missiles exploded on Rex-1’s back. It looked over its shoulder and roared at the Shadows, only to be interrupted but a barrage of plasma shells from the Supertanks below. It roared even louder, enraged.

“You’re pissing me off!” shouted Tomo. He grimaced as he sent more telepathic commands to Rex-1.

Eva grabbed Dr. Steiner’s shoulders. “Dad!”

He turned to her. “What is it?”

“There was a huge spike in autonomous brain activity when Rex-1 was hit by the missiles when its shield was down.”

Dr. Steiner’s fear melted into confusion. “How’s that possible? Our tests said that would be dormant except for essential functions.”

This was a bad time for problems. How could they convince Gunn to call off a key mission for a random anomaly? No, it’d have to wait.

They watched as Rex-1 lunged at the Supertanks with a gaping mouth. It clutched one—twice the size of a normal tank—in its jaws. Its teeth dug into the thick titanium armor, crushing it like a can. Rex-1 thrashed it around a few times, then released its grip. The compacted tank flew into a building half-a-mile away. Rex-1 squatted, grabbing another tank with its teeth and clutched one in each hand. It clapped those two like an angry child breaking its toys. Then it tossed what was left of all three on the remaining tanks.

Just then, a red light flashed on Eva’s monitor. “Dad! There’s another spike! And the shield collapsed!”

There was no time to ask why. Dr. Steiner swiveled his chair to see Gunn. “Get Rex-1 out of there!”

Too late. Before Gunn could argue, they heard Rex-1 bellow in pain on their monitors. They redirected their attentions.

Neo-MIGs flew over Rex-1 as missiles exploded against its back. More skin flew off in flaming clumps. Three surviving Supertanks seized the opportunity, and fired. Plasma shells smashed into the cyborg’s chest, ripping into its grafted flesh. Rex-1’s eyes and horns glowed as it prepared to retaliate, but it was interrupted by another salvo of missiles fired by the Shadows. Finally, Rex-1 threw back its head and arms, and bellowed a primal scream.

A warning screen flashed on Eva’s computer and a siren-like alarm blared. Her eyes widened in terror. “Readings have spiked through the roof!”

Dr. Steiner jumped to his feet, but before he could yell “Abort,” Tomo was screaming.

Lightning-like electricity danced down the wires connecting the TP helmet to the Nighthawk computers. The flyboy’s eyes were wide and white, his facial muscles contorted into the face of a terrified banshee as the power surge electrified him. A white aura enveloped him.

“Get the helmet off before it fries his brain!” yelled Dr. Steiner, pointing at Tomo.

Daniels jumped from his chair, fighting turbulence, and grabbed the helmet. Even with gloves on, his hands burned. He grated a cry through his teeth, and ripped the helmet off Tomo’s head. They both collapsed on the floor. Smoke emanated from the helmet as it dangled from the wires.

Dr. Steiner immediately looked out the windshield.

More missiles and plasma shells hit Rex-1. Screaming in agony, the cyborg’s legs buckled, and it fell against the Kremlin. The building crumbled, burying the cyber-beast under tons of rubble. A thick black cloud of dust flew into the air.

Silence.

Dr. Steiner’s jaw dropped. No! It can’t be…

Suddenly, two red lights flared in the dust cloud, glaring at the Nighthawk. Laser beams fired.

Instantly, the Nighthawk spiraled out of control. The screams of sirens and crewmembers mingled in Dr. Steiner’s ears as inertia and vertigo slammed him against the wall. He forced his eyes open and watched through the windshield as the Moscow streets rushed up to them. There was an ear-shattering crash.

Everything went black.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Comments closed

Episode 2: The Tourists vs. ‘King Kong’ (1933)

Published October 9, 2019

Hello, kaiju lovers!

Our “Kong Quest” begins! 😛 Nathan is joined by his core group of Monster Island Tourists—Nick Hayden & Timothy Deal of the Derailed Trains of Thought podcast and Joe & Joy Metter—to discuss one of the greatest movies ever made: 1933’s King Kong. What’s interesting is none of these Tourists had seen this classic film before coming to the Island, so you’ll hear their fresh reactions, opinions, and analyses to the Eighth Wonder’s first and greatest outing. Listen as each of them compete for best (or worst?) joke of the podcast (“No monkeying around!” says Nick). Along the way Jimmy From NASA gets sassy with the Tourists and has to corral a dog dubbed “Teddy Kong,” who keeps trying to make a cameo during the Toku Talk. The Toku Topic for this episode is the Great Depression since the film was made and released at the height of that period and indirectly mentions it several times.

Be sure to check out the latest episode of Nick and Tim’s podcast, Derailed Trains of Thought, where they visited Monster Island to discuss destruction as a story element with Nathan as a guest host. Their podcast is marvelous, and Nathan has appeared on multiple episodes.

Timestamps
Intro: 0:00-4:42
Entertaining Info Dump: 4:42-12:06
Toku Talk: 12:06-1:21:27
Toku Topic: 1:21:27-1:54:52
Outro: 1:54:52-end

Read Jimmy’s Notes for corrections, riffs, and more info on this episode!

#JimmyFromNASALives

© 2019 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading

“Depression, You Say? Check Those Safety Nets” by Charles Duhigg (The New York Times)

King Kong Wiki Articles:
            –Wikipedia
            –Gojipedia
            –Wikizilla

Kaijuvision Radio, Episode 2: Godzilla Origins – King Kong (1933) and The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953)

King Kong (1933) Review – Kong-A-Thon Episode 1 (D Man1954)

King Kong: History of a Movie Icon from Fay Wray to Peter Jackson by Ray Morton

Kong Unbound: The Cultural Impact, Pop Mythos, and Scientific Plausibility of a Cinematic Legend (edited by Karen Haber)

Kong Unmade: The Lost Films of Skull Island by John LeMay

“Prostitution – The Great Depression”

Tracking King Kong: A Hollywood Icon in World Culture (2nd edition) by Cynthia Erb

Wikipedia Articles:
            –Great Depression
            –Gold Standard
            –Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act
            –New Deal
            –Reflation
            –Roaring Twenties
            –Timeline of the Great Depression

“What Sex was Like During the Great Depression” by Melissa Sartone

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Comments closed

From the Vault: MIFV’s Tentative Season 1 Schedule

Published September 4, 2019
Logo by Tyler Sowles.

With the premiere of The Monster Island Film Vault just a few weeks away, I thought I’d give you a preview of the upcoming (extended) first season. Since I’m starting in September 2019, this season will go until December 2020. Future seasons will start in January and run through the entire year.

The theme for this season is twofold: 1) Cover the other big names in the kaiju genre who aren’t Godzilla, and 2) pick up where I left off on Kaijuvision Radio. To that end, the primary episodes will focus on the likes of King Kong and Mothra, among others, and the minisodes will cover the films discussed in season two of KVR (I’d already the research before I left, so I figure I may as well use it).

September 2019
Welcome…to Monster Island! (minisode)

October 2019
King Kong (1933)
The Godzilla Anime Trilogy (mini-analysis)

November 2019
Son of Kong
John LeMay Presents King Kong vs. Frankenstein and Continuation: King Kong vs. Godzilla (minisode)

December 2019
King Kong Escapes
Half-Human (mini-analysis)

January 2020
King Kong (1976)
King Kong Lives

February 2020
King Kong (2005)
Kong: Skull Island

March 2020
Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) (mini-analysis)
Godzilla vs. Kong

April 2020
The Mysterians (mini-analysis)
Varan the Unbelievable (mini-analysis)

May 2020
3 Treasures (mini-analysis)
Battle in Outer Space (mini-analysis)

June 2020
The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms
The Last War (mini-analysis)

July 2020
Rebirth of Mothra
Gorath (mini-analysis)

August 2020
Rebirth of Mothra II
Matango (mini-analysis)

September 2020
Rebirth of Mothra III
Atragon (mini-analysis)

October 2020
Daimajin
Dogora, the Space Monster (mini-analysis)

November 2020
Return of Daimajin
Frankenstein Conquers the World (mini-analysis)

December 2020
Daimajin Strikes Back
War of the Gargantuas (mini-analysis)

You may have noticed that I’m skipping 1962’s King Kong vs. Godzilla. That’s because I covered it on KVR. My opinions on it are unchanged, and the Toku Topic I would’ve discussed would be the same. I recommend listening to it now or in conjunction with the new show (KVR, Episode 8: King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962) (The Japanese Economic Miracle [The Golden 60s]). In place of that, I’ll have kaiju author John LeMay on to talk about two lost Kong films associated with King Kong vs. Godzilla that he wrote about in his new book, Kong Unmade.

As I said, this is tentative. I’ve already had to change it once to accommodate the new release date of Godzilla vs. Kong (hence why there are several months in a row with full-length episodes followed by several with minisodes). While I intend to keep the main episode schedule set, the minisodes will change depending on how much listener feedback I receive (they’ll be answered on the air) and any interviews/content I get at conventions like G-Fest.

If all goes well, I have a second season planned. What will it be about? Stay tuned!

Comments closed

Discussing Daikaiju: Guest Hosting Other Podcasts

Published August 14, 2019

If you finished binge-listening to my first podcast, Kaijuvision Radio, which I wrote about last week, here some more kaiju content from me!

I’ve appeared on several other podcasts as a guest before, during, and after my time on KVR. I discussed multiple topics, but a frequent one was, of course, kaiju. An almost complete list can be found here on my author website, but below are links to all the episodes I was on to discuss kaiju. Enjoy!

Derailed Trains of Thought
A show on storytelling and creativity hosted by my friends Nick Hayden and Tim Deal.

–Episode 17: Magic, Muggles, and Morals – I read an excerpt from my kaiju novella, Destroyer.
–Episode 50: Guest Starring…Everybody! – In this anniversary episode, I’m one of several returning guests who “audition” in multiple segments to be a third co-host. One of those segments was a discussion of GMK with my future co-host, Brian Scherschel, which ended with Tim joking that we should start our own podcast.
–Episode 100: Journey to Tanner Mountain – Believe it or not, this features both me and Jimmy From NASA! In this huge milestone episode, we cameo as an eccentric Innkeeper and his assistant, respectively. I try really hard to get Nick and Tim to read kaiju novels.

Strangers and Aliens 
A show about faith, fantasy, and science fiction co-hosted by my buddy Ben Avery, who’s a comic writer.

–Episode 127: GODZILLA (Summer Movie Series)* – I review the 2014 Godzilla film with host Ben Avery.
–Episode 255: COLOSSAL Feat. Nathan Marchand – I review another kaiju movie with Ben: the unique indie film Colossal that stars Anne Hathaway.
Episode 315 – GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS – It was only appropriate that I return to review the sequel to 2014’s Godzilla; this time with Ben and co-host Evan David.

Forever Classic Podcast
This is a show that “seeks enlightenment through video games” started by my former colleague Alex McCumbers (from my GigaGeek Magazine days). Here’s their main website.

–Episode 11: Kaiju Games With Nathan Marchand – Remember what I said about being the kaiju guy? Anyway, Alex invited me on to talk about two of my favorite things: giant monsters and video games. We discuss existing kaiju games—past and present—and what we think would make for a great kaiju game. (Little did we know that there would be a G-Fest XXVI presentation on this very subject!)

Redeemed Otaku
A podcast created and hosted by Bex Smith that seeks to “redeem your love for anime by turning to the truth found only in God’s Word.” Follow the show on Facebook and Twitter.

–Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters – Bex has me on to discuss/review part one of the Godzilla anime trilogy. Being that its kaiju and anime, it was the perfect crossover.
–Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle – I return to Redeemed Otaku—this time joined by my friend and fellow Godzilla fan Eric Anderson—to discuss/review part two of the Godzilla anime trilogy (that has a title weirdly similar to a classic Star Trek episode). 
–Godzilla: The Planet Eater – In one of the best English-language analyses of the entire Godzilla anime trilogy, Bex, Eric, and I breakdown part three and put the other films into perspective. It truly is the best episode of Redeemed Otaku yet! (Don’t take my word for it—that’s what Bex said!)

Many of the voices you hear in these episodes will be visiting Monster Island as Tourists to discuss more giant monsters. Not only that, but these analyses will serve as the backbone of what you’ll hear us discuss on MIFV.

September can’t come soon enough!

Comments closed

Episode 0 – Promo Trailer

Published July 12, 2019
Artwork by Tyler Sowles.

A podcast seeking entertainment and enlightenment through tokusatsu.

Join host/curator Nathan Marchand and his intrepid producer, Jimmy From NASA (who miraculously survived the infamous War in Space), as they and a rotating roster of Monster Island’s best and brightest Tourists dive deep into the films starring the Island’s most famous kaiju residents!

This is a film appreciation podcast that chronologically and critically examines films from the kaiju and tokusatsu genres. Episodes rotate between round table discussions that feature the film’s production info and an explanation of its historical and cultural contexts; and “mini-sodes” that will include interviews, comedy sketches, and audio essays, among other things. Episodes will drop the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, starting in September 2019. Listeners have a fun and fascinating journey ahead of them.

First up: The Eighth Wonder of the World!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Comments closed