A tired Nate returns to Uber-Moguera from a film curation trip in Seoul and overhears a conversation between Jimmy and Kaguya. Jimmy sounds uncharacteristically nervous, but not because things have been a little tense between him and his girlfriend the last few months. No, it’s because he pops the question.
Introducing, in her MIFV debut, Rebecca Olivia Hodges as Kaguya.
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, Leon Campbell, and Michael Watson! Thanks for your support!
Hello, Kaiju Lovers! This film was popular to hate and now it’s popular to “reevaluate” it: All Monsters Attack (aka Godzilla’s Revenge). Nate is joined by not one but two fellow kaiju authors to unpack this grossly misunderstood G-film: Neil Riebe (who’s practically Nate’s new co-host) and the most-cited man on MIFV, John LeMay. They get into the cultural contexts that birthed this strange kids’ movie (starring the first Godzilla “Kenny”) set in the “real world” and not the “Showa-verse,” including urbanization, industrialization, and latchkey kids, among other things. To say the dub did this film no favors would be an understatement. Unfortunately, John had to leave early during the episode, but fortunately Neil reads a 2005 e-mail he got from a 19-year-old John for a special listener feedback segment. Prepare to have your mind changed about this film!
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, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, Robert Kidd, Leon Campbell, and Michael Watson! Thanks for your support!
Barr, Jason. The Kaiju Film: A Critical Study of Cinema’s Biggest Monsters.
Brothers, Peter H. Mushroom Clouds and Mushroom Men: The Fantastic Cinema of Ishiro Honda.
Commentary by Richard A. Pusateri. All Monsters Attack Classic Media DVD. Published by Sony.
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.
Kalat, David. A Critical History and Filmography of Toho’s Godzilla Series, 2nd Edition.
LeMay, John. The Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies, Vol. 1: 1954-1982.
LeMay, John. Writing Giant Monsters.
Osbourne, Randall E. (Ph.D.). “Godzilla as a Parenting Tool.” The Official Godzilla Compendium by J.D. Lees and Marc Cerasini. Random House. 1998.
Rhodes, Sean, and Brooke McCorkle. “Chapter 8: “Smog, Sludge, and Hippies: Godzilla vs. Hedorah.” Japan’s Green Monsters: Environmental Commentary in Kaiju Cinema.
Ryfle, Steve, and Ed Godziszewski. Ishiro Honda: A Life in Film, from Godzilla to Kurosawa.
Skipper, Graham. Godzilla: The Official Guide to the King of the Monsters.
Jimmy may have secretly recaptured Yonggary (aka “Double G”) by his sheer awesomeness, but that victory is short-lived. The nefarious (and rubbery) Galaxions return and unleash an upgraded Cykor protected by an energy shield projected by their ship. Now, only the combined might of Jimmy with a jetpack and Elijah’s powers of argumentation can save Seoul and the world!
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, Leon Campbell, and Michael Watson! Thanks for your support!
Hello, Kaiju Lovers! In what might be the most subversive and inspirational episode of MIFV yet, Elijah Thomas (Kaiju Conversation) joins Nate to discuss the infamous South Korean “kaiju” (notice the air quotes?) movie, Reptilian. This is, in fact, a “remake” of Yongary, Monster from the Deep, and it’s often called “The Room of kaiju films.” But Elijah says it’s more than that. He even goes so far as to say that if it wasn’t for this movie, the world wouldn’t have BTS or Squid Game. How? Listen to find out! Then stay for our Toku Topic, which is something Elijah has become an expert in: Korean kaiju cinema.
Read Jimmy’s Notes on this episode on the MIFV website!
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, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, Robert Kidd, Leon Campbell, and Michael Watson! Thanks for your support!
“Korean Kaiju Chaos! Exploring Korea’s Beloved and Obscure Monster Cinema.” Presented by Elijah Thomas and Daniel DiManna. Uploaded by Daikaiju-fanboy. 20 July 2023. https://youtu.be/GS9YjIHsIn8?si=zW6MOTb6aHYZQN8_.
LeMay, John. The Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies Volume 2: 1984-2017.
Episode 89 (Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire) is likely going to be our biggest episode of the year…and I took surprisingly few notes on it. I guess I was in a good mood during that broadcast. Or Nate and his guests, Donny and Omni (and Snazzy) had an “on day” that day (aside from Omni’s time displacement). Anyway, let’s get these over with so I can keep apologizing to, er, go on another date with Kaguya.
Belvera knows magic, but not tech. That’s why she asks me for help with enhancing Garugaru. But at this point, that little dragon is practically the Ship of Theseus. Poor thing.
This is why I make sure when I travel to the Hollow Earth that I calculate my coordinates exactly—freaking time travel! I hate it!
Nice job correcting yourself about GxK’s Japanese release date before I could, Nate. I’ve taught you well. (By the way, it releases April 26).
I can be a cantankerous pilot, too! “If ya die, do it outside my mecha!” I’m sure WHG3 would love my “dodgy” Scottish accent. Haha!
Again, Kong is an ape, not a monkey, Nate. I don’t even bother correcting you on the air about this now.
According to Wikizilla: “Suko’s name is likely derived from musuko (息子), the Japanese word for ‘son.’”
I remember the Great Flat Earth vs. Hollow Earth Battle. The Flat Earthers lost due to two-dimensional thinking.
Kurt Russell played R.J. MacReady in John Carpenter’s The Thing.
From wat I can tell, Estero, Florida, is doing well for itself. It became an incorporated village in 2014 and has a population of 36,000+. It’s home to the Hertz Arena, where the minor league hockey team Florida Everblades play.
Always listen to your producer, Nate! He knows what he’s talking about…when he wants to talk about it. 😛
Join MIFV MAX on Patreon to read Nate’s research notes, my script for the Entertaining Info Dump, and see the uncut original broadcast version of the episode.
Just like Nate, I’m also relieved that I don’t have a bunch of upcoming episodes I need to promote. Next week, we get back to The Monster Island World Tour with Elijah Thomas (Kaiju Conversation), who makes a heroic defense of the infamous Reptilian (aka Yonggary 2001). Then John LeMay and Neil Riebe join forces to do the same for All Monsters Attack (aka Godzilla’s Revenge) as part of Godzilla Redux.
Hello, Kaiju Lovers! It’s time to unpack the biggest kaiju release of 2024—Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire! For such a momentous occasion, Nate called upon YouTuber Donny Winter (Growing Up with Godzilla) and a “mystery guest”…who didn’t make it. Darn. So, he got the next best option: The Omni Viewer and his monster sidekick, Snazzy! They dive deep into the fifth entry of Legendary Pictures’ MonsterVerse series, unveiling its connections to classic pulp fiction and ‘80s pop culture—all without comparing it to Godzilla Minus One (for the most part) while also coining many memes. You’ll not find a more concentrated dose of positivity (and honesty) toward this escapist movie anywhere else. Since it’s set mostly in the Hollow Earth (and Nate almost researched this for Godzilla vs. Kong), the Toku Topic is Hollow Earth theory.
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, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, Robert Kidd, Leon Campbell, and Michael Watson! Thanks for your support!
Baxter, Rachel. “John Quincy Adams Approved A Mission To Earth’s Interior To Meet The Mole People That Live Within.” IFL Science. 20 Aug. 2020. https://tinyurl.com/2p9vskwf.
“Godzilla x Kong Director Adam Wingard Interview: Easter Eggs, Future Sequels & Elon Musk’s Influence.” YouTube. Uploaded by Collider Interviews. 31 March 2024. https://youtu.be/TrvwHRFfdqE?si=jMqolJj09caN1PDR.
In yet another impromptu “bonus” episode, Nate is joined by Daniel DiManna (Godzilla Novelization Project) to discuss a film that was finally unleashed upon the world by SRS Cinema: Space Monster Wangmagwi. As you can see, this one actually fits the season theme of The Monster Island World Tour. As mentioned in the Yongary episode, this was also released in the “Year of the Kaiju,” 1967, beating Yongary by a few months. But like many South Korean kaiju films, the story around this one exceeds its artistic merits. In its case, it was a “holy grail” of a lost film for kaiju fans; a thing of legend that few ever saw. But thanks to the dogged efforts of Ron Bonk, it’s now readily available. Just prepare yourself for a “rantmaster” about Squirrel (not “Spider”), King of the Kennys!
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!
Hello, Kaiju Lovers! Our first Patreon episode of season four—courtesy of executive producer Damon Noyes—is also MIFV’s first double feature and includes our first Roger Corman movie! First, we tackle Corman’s 1957 “classic,” Attack of the Crab Monsters, which could be called a “B-movie to a B-movie.” While it starts off as a typical atomic age creature feature, to Nate’s surprise, it goes full-tilt crazy at the halfway point. Then he and Damon get to Island Claws, a 1980 “pseudo-remake” that is so obscure, the internet barely knows it exists. While it’s technically better than “Corman’s Crabs,” it isn’t as memorable—until Nate and Damon rewrite it live! They top off their discussions with a quick overview of carcinisation…because the future is crabs.
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!
With Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire upon us, friend of the podcast Ryan “The Omni Viewer” Collins is holding another “One Monstrous Moment” series, the “Year of the Dragon Edition.” I’m going about as “on brand” with it as you can with a discussion of the ending of Godzilla vs. Kong (2021). I was struck by it when I first saw it, and I’m struck by it now. It’s exemplifies pacifism, the so-called “sigma male,” and a proper understanding of meekness (strength under control). What say you?
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!
