On September 25, 2019, Nathan re-entered the world of kaiju podcasting with a new show he wasn’t sure would work. Four years of ups and downs later, this unique blend of film analysis and audio drama is still going strong. Nathan is joined by several guests, including Damon Noyes (guest host, Patron, and actor), Sarah Marchand (his sister and the voice of Crystal Lady Jessica), and Neil Riebe (author, guest host, and super-fan) to discuss what The Monster Island Film Vault means to them. You’ll hear all kinds of behind-the-scenes stories, the “secret origin” of MIFV, and lots of games and giveaways and more! Here’s to many more years of kaiju podcasting!
This episode is approved by the Monster Island Board of Directors.
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! After calling in a favor at the last second to get a replacement guest, Nate sits down with Kaiju Weekly’s Travis Alexander and kaiju author Neil Riebe to discuss one of Gamera’s lowest points: Gamera vs. Zigra. Yes, before Jaws, the Friend to All Children battled a giant alien shark who couldn’t decide if he wanted to enslave humanity or eat them. Ziggy also has a bad habit of recruiting beautiful ladies as hench-people (your new PC term of the day), but they forget everything they knew before being mind-controlled—like that parading around in nothing but a bikini might not be the most inconspicuous disguise unless you’re in an exploitation film for kids. Let’s just say, Nate almost loses his mind in this episode. The Toku Topic is Kamogawa Sea World, because this movie is a terrible, overgrown commercial for the resort.
Afterward, Nate has to pull some Board-mandated overtime and is contacted in secret by Gary, Raymund Martin’s paralegal. Nate thinks he’s found a new friend in Gary in his quest to out the Board.
Flower, James. “A Guide to English Language Gamera” (Arrow Video Gamera: The Complete Collection).
Galbraith IV, Stuart. Japanese Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films: A Critical Analysis and Filmography of 103 Features Released in the United States 1950-1992.
Gamera: The Complete Collection, Disc Four Special Features.
Gamera vs. Zigra Commentary by Sean Rhodes and Brooke McCorkle (Arrow Video’s Gamera: The Complete Collection).
LeMay, John. The Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies Volume 1: 1954-1982.
Macias, Patrick. “A History of Gamera: Gamera vs. Zigra” (Arrow Video’s Gamera: The Complete Collection).
Milner, David. “Interview with Noriaki Yuasa” (Arrow Video’s Gamera: The Complete Collection).
Rhodes, Sean, and Brooke McCorkle. “Chapter 9: Gamera vs. Zigra: A Tale of Space Invaders and the Sea.” Japan’s Green Monsters: Environmental Commentary in Kaiju Cinema.
The third and final panel I participated in was the annual Art of Kaiju Writing, a Q&A with fellow writers Neil Riebe, John LeMay, and Skip Peel. We spent an hour answering all manner of writing questions, and not just ones related to kaiju. In other words, even if you’re not into monsters, there’s plenty you can learn from this video.
Poor Neil, though. He joked that the camera would break at seeing his face, and at first I thought it didn’t record. I discovered later that it had. 😛
Funny story: I got myself on this panel in 2017 (my first G-Fest) five minutes before it started. I’ll explain later. Enjoy!
