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Jimmy’s Notes on Episode 80: The Asylum’s ‘Monster Island’ (Ft. Raymund Martin)

Guess who’s back, back again. Jimmy’s back! Tell a friend!

I missed the producer’s booth. It really has become my natural environment. Certainly more so than jail. Although, as prisons go, Ogasawara’s isn’t the worst. How do I know this? Let’s just say this wasn’t the first time I’ve been behind bars. It wasn’t Mayberry, either, though. However, I had the best cellmate. Hot damn, she was a fanboy’s dream come true! Too bad she spent most of her time sleeping…and in the next room…being scrutinized by doctors, security, and at least one Interpol agent. That stressed her out so much, I swear she drank three gallons of water a day. H2O is scarce where she’s from—and no, it’s not Arrakis. But iron bars are no cage for the charm of James Crane! “Lady X” and I got quite close. There was literal hand-holding many nights while she coped with the unwanted attention. Which tells you she definitely wanted attention from ol’ Jimmy! Thankfully, our really good lawyer friends got everyone off her back by blackmailing, litigating them with accusations of racism. I can personally vouch that she’s not trying to conquer anyone—she’s been conquered! Haha!

Anyway, for my first episode back, I took plenty of notes during episode 80 (The Asylum’s Monster Island) featuring that really good lawyer friend. 

  • I finally return, and Nate doesn’t let my ego inflate. Jerk. At least he learned he can’t do the show without me.
  • Jet gets a good report from me. I’d grade him a B+ or A-.
  • I filed that litigation for the season 2 finale. It was for assault.
  • “Bootlegging” meant something different for me as a kid, too. I don’t want to talk about it.
  • I dated a geomythologist once. She couldn’t say “kaiju” right, either.
  • And people think my stories are crazy. Listen to Raymund! At least mine are true! 😛
  • My lawn has mythic lore. (Well, actually I don’t have a lawn. I live in an apartment).
  • I was out-of-practice at interrupting you! Give me a few episodes!
  • I wish I could drink more on the job. The things I have seen and tolerated!
  • You’re always sweet to me, too, Gary. We should get drinks sometime. You like Jack Daniels?
  • You two were right about hypoxia: “Hypoxia is a state in which oxygen is not available in sufficient amounts at the tissue level to maintain adequate homeostasis; this can result from inadequate oxygen delivery to the tissues either due to low blood supply or low oxygen content in the blood (hypoxemia).”
  • You should see the parts I preordered for my next model of drones. They’ll be lava-proof and come with lasers. I’ve nicknamed them the “Fire Rodans.”
  • Nate, you have to be drunk to deal with Jessica? She already hates you!
  • The things I had to do to keep Gary from destroying himself and my equipment! I’d normally correct all of you!
  • I’ve contacted everyone I know at NASA, and all they say is they hate this movie and the “Cheeto rumor.”
  • I need a Rantmaster about weaponized junk food in space!
  • Nate should’ve taken my scotch offer. Apparently, he’s not drunk enough for this job.
  • “Winter” not “Winters,” Raymund.
  • Also, you forgot the direct article in KOTM.
  • “Pursuant” is a great word!
  • New memoir title: “My Life is a Mockbuster.”
  • You said, “blockbuster,” when you meant, “mockbuster,” Nate.
  • The Mouse did indeed defeat Phase 4 Films over “Frozen Land,” which returned to its original title, The Legend of Sarilla. It only took a month, and Disney got $100,000. Raise your hand if you’re surprised. I’ll wait.
  • You should see the notes I trade with Raymund. We know secrets that could topple several governments.
  • I have a lot of side hustles, man. Some of which I can’t discuss, because then I’d have to kill you. 😛

My note-taking definitely didn’t get rusty! But this isn’t my last blog of season three despite it being touted as the finale.

As per my contractual obligations, here are Nate’s leftover notes:

No, Nate has a coda planned; an epilogue, if you will. You see, a certain “lizard king” has a new movie out, and we would be remiss if we didn’t discuss it. That would be Godzilla Minus One (Godzilla -1). In order to, as Nate says, make it the best podcast episode on the film, he’s bringing on the infamous “gatekeeper” Jack “GMan” Hudgens. Between the three of us, your opinion will be invalidated. Then in 2024, season four, “The Monster Island World Tour,” will begin in earnest with the insane Super Infra-Man, which will feature Godzilla Novelization Project creator Daniel DiManna.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a thirsty woman to…satisfy.

Social media:

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Episode 80: The Asylum’s “Monster Island” (Ft. Raymund Martin)

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.

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); 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!

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:

  • Prologue: 0:00-7:37
  • Introduction: 7:37-18:19
  • Main Discussion: 18:19-2:19:21
  • Outro: 2:19:21-2:30:21
  • Credits: 2:30:21-2:31:58

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault     #amerikaiju    #kaiju            #theasylum     #mockbuster   #monsterisland

© 2023 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

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Episode 38: Eric Anderson vs. ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’

Hello, kaiju lovers!

Finally, the “Kong Quest” comes to an end! After months of delays due to avoiding competition and COVID-19, Godzilla vs. Kong has been released. It’s not a fever dream—it’s real! Nate is joined by his friend, Nerd Chapel founder Eric Anderson, to discuss the epic rematch nearly 60 years in the making. They host a special premiere for the Legendary film at the newly opened Denham Theater, an event that’s been delayed and rescheduled as often as the film’s release. A cavalcade of special guests attends, including the little Iwi deaf girl Jia. She is the youngest of “Kong’s Queens,” all the surviving ladies who have captivated the Eighth Wonder over the years. Nate and Eric dive deep into the deceptively simple movie, discussing Kong’s “hero’s journey,” the Jules Verne-ian/Edgar Rice Burroughs-ian world-building, and its theme of mankind trying to control forces greater than themselves. You’ll also hear them compare the movie to Conan the Barbarian, Die Hard, and The Lord of the Rings.

The Toku Topic isn’t about the content of the movie itself but a debate raging around it: movie theaters vs. streaming services. Which do you prefer to see a movie for the first time?

Afterward, Nate and company hear that Kong had too much to drink at the after-party and has gone on a drunken rampage. MIFV’s intrepid producer, Jimmy From NASA, volunteers to handle the situation the best way he knows how: Mechani-Kong Mk. 2. That goes about as well as you’d expect, so Nate and Eric recruit one of “Kong’s Queens” for help so beauty can save the beast for once.

Prologue and Epilogue written by Nathan Marchand with Eric Anderson.

Music:
-“Here We Go” by Chris Classic
-“Pensacola, Florida (Godzilla Theme” by Junkie XL
-“Skull Island (Kong Theme)” by Junkie XL
-“A New Language” by Junkie XL
-“Main Title” by Moscow Symphony Orchestra, composed by Max Steiner

Sound effects sourced from Freesound.org (including some by InspectorJ).

We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX 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); Bex from Redeemed Otaku; and Damon Noyes! Thanks for your support!

You, too, can join MIFV MAX on Patreon to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month!

Check out Nerd Chapel and the 42 devotional books!

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

Timestamps:
Intro/Prologue: 0:00-11:40
Entertaining Info Dump: 11:40-22:24
Toku Talk: 22:24-1:46:55
Ad: 1:46:55-1:47:47
Toku Topic: 1:47:47-2:14:12
Housekeeping & Outro: 2:14:12-2:23:16
Epilogue: 2:23:16-end

Podcast Social Media:
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram

Follow Jimmy on Twitter: @NasaJimmy
Follow the Monster Island Board of Directors on Twitter: @MonsterIslaBOD
Follow the Raymund Martin and the MIFV Legal Team on Twitter: @MIFV_LegalTeam
Follow Crystal Lady Jessica on Twitter: @CystalLadyJes1

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault

© 2021 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

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

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

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Episode 1: Welcome…to Monster Island!

Hello, kaiju lovers!

Listen as Nathan Marchand, co-creator and season one co-host of the Kaijuvision Radio, regales you with the origin story of his new podcast. It includes a vacation to a resort on the fabled Monster Island (formerly Monsterland), where he met his intrepid producer, Jimmy From NASA (who miraculously survived the infamous War in Space), and got a new job as the curator of the Island’s film vault. Between bantering sessions with his detail-obsessed, fact-checking interrupter of a producer, Nathan explains the podcast’s philosophy of film appreciation and lays the groundwork for the upcoming episodes.

And what will Nathan, Jimmy, and their many guests be discussing first? The filmography of Monster Island’s other most famous resident: KING KONG!

Hold onto your butts!

The Monster Island Film Vault: A podcast seeking entertainment and enlightenment through tokusatsu.

Check out the epic three-hour KVR episode on Shin Godzilla:
Episode 37: Shin Godzilla (2016) (Great East Japan Earthquake/Tsunami/Fukushima Meltdowns)

Check out Jimmy’s Notes, the companion blog series to each episode of The Monster Island Film vault!

#JimmyFromNASALives

© 2019 Nathan Marchand/Moonlighting Ninjas Media

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Episode 0 – Promo Trailer

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!

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