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Bonus Episode 12: ‘Beware! The Blob’ | Ft. Travis Alexander

Published June 30, 2022

Hello, kaiju lovers! In this bonus “Ameri-kaiju” episode, Travis Alexander of Kaiju Weekly and Henshin Men finally gets to see the goo—and he’s not happy! That’s mostly because he’s an animal lover and the Blob eats a kitten in the almost-forgotten and incredibly weird 1972 sequel, Beware! The Blob (aka Son of Blob). It’s the most bipolar movie Nate has ever seen for the show, and Travis, a lover of movies both weird and bad, found it borderline incomprehensible. Half of it is disjointed improvisational comedy, and the other half is a scary but inferior rehashing of the original 1958 classic. Strap for a discussion of more 30-year-old “teens,” a “hair sculptor,” and a Naked Turk!

Additional music:

  • “Pacific Rim” by Niall Stenson
  • “Beware! The Blob Theme” by Mort Garson
  • “Chant My Name!” by Masaaki Endo

Check out Nathan’s (and Travis’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 (co-host 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; Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel, and Ted Williams! 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)

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

Timestamps:

  • Intro: 0:00-6:05
  • Main Discussion: 6:05-1:08:34
  • Housekeeping & Outro: 1:08:34-end

Podcast Social Media:

  • Twitter (https://twitter.com/TheMonsterIsla1)
  • Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MonsterIslandFilmVault/)
  • Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/monsterislandfilmvault/)
  • Follow Jimmy on Twitter: @NasaJimmy (https://twitter.com/nasajimmy?lang=en)
  • Follow the Monster Island Board of Directors on Twitter: @MonsterIslaBOD (https://twitter.com/MonsterIslaBOD)
  • Follow the Raymund Martin and the MIFV Legal Team on Twitter: @MIFV_LegalTeam
  • Follow Crystal Lady Jessica on Twitter: @CystalLadyJes1 (https://twitter.com/CrystalLadyJes1)
  • Follow Dr. Dourif on Twitter: @DrDorif (https://twitter.com/DrDoriff)

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault      #BewareTheBlob

© 2022 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

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Monster Conversation: Harryhausen Annual #1 – ‘Clash of the Titans’ (1981)

Published June 29, 2022

Release the crossover! Nate and his friend Elijah “The Littlest Gatekeeper” Thomas start a new annual tradition for their podcasts, The Monster Island Film Vault and Kaiju Conversation, respectively, by discussing a Ray Harryhausen film every year. Why? Because they both share a birthday with the special effects legend. Also, since these two are weird, they’re going in reverse filmography order, starting with the original Clash of the Titans. This epic adventure was a relic when it came out, but given Harryhausen’s romantic love of the past and love of the classics, it’s not surprising. Your hosts dive deep into this film’s production—Arnold Schwarzenegger was nearly the lead?!—and discuss the many incredible mythological creatures that appear in it. As Harryhausen’s best friend, the author Ray Bradbury, said, Medusa in this film is Harryhausen’s “crowning glory.” Just forgive Elijah for being a bit snobby about it. Happy birthday, Ray!

(This episode is also being released on the Kaiju Conversation feed).

Check out Kaiju Conversation: https://redcircle.com/shows/kaiju-conversation. Twitter: https://twitter.com/kaiju_convers.

Music:

  • “Legends of Warcraft” by PSK
  • “The Dark Ages” by Phil Rey

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 (co-host 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; Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel, and Ted Williams! 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)

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

MIFV Podcast Social Media:

  • Twitter (https://twitter.com/TheMonsterIsla1)
  • Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MonsterIslandFilmVault/)
  • Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/monsterislandfilmvault/)
  • Follow Jimmy on Twitter: @NasaJimmy (https://twitter.com/nasajimmy?lang=en)
  • Follow the Monster Island Board of Directors on Twitter: @MonsterIslaBOD (https://twitter.com/MonsterIslaBOD)
  • Follow the Raymund Martin and the MIFV Legal Team on Twitter: @MIFV_LegalTeam
  • Follow Crystal Lady Jessica on Twitter: @CystalLadyJes1 (https://twitter.com/CrystalLadyJes1)
  • Follow Dr. Dourif on Twitter: @DrDorif (https://twitter.com/DrDoriff)

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault      #RayHarryhausen            #ClashoftheTitans

© 2022 Moonlighting Ninjas Media and ET13 Productions.

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Episode 67: ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ (1986) | Ft. Damon Noyes

Published June 23, 2022

Hello, kaiju lovers! Thanks to Damon Noyes’s generous MIFV MAX pledge on Patreon, MIFV is covering its first musical: Little Shop of Horrors (1986)! Nate wanted to cover this as part of Amer-kaiju, but to his disappointment, it didn’t make the cut. That’s when Damon, who’s performed in not one but two stage productions of this, swooped in and got it on the roster. It has a puppet, after all. This story has a complicated history: from several short stories to a low-budget Roger Corman movie in 1960 to a 1982 off-off-Broadway musical to this film, Nate and Damon dive into all of it. You’ll hear discussion of Faustian bargains, debates over its two endings, some singing, and even a candid moment where Damon gets emotional about a song in the film.

Before the broadcast, Nate was checking his e-mail in the KIJU breakroom when Mr. Gold arrives and says Cameron Winter wants to promote him to “media master.” Nate is reluctant, but he wonders if he can use this to discover what the new boss is hiding. Also, Dr. Douif calls as the Island’s kaiju horticulturalist to offer his thoughts on Audrey II.

Check out the movies Damon was in! Maxie, directed by Jarrett Bryant, is on the streaming site Vimeo. One can get $1.00 off the price by using the code: LaneCounty. “Off the Road,” a 13-minute short from Hewlett Artistry, can be viewed on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/ZdJHBY2a4fg.

The prologue, “The Offer,” was written by Nathan Marchand.

Guest stars:

  • Michael Hamilton as Mr. Gold
  • Daniel DiManna as Dr. Dourif

Additional music:

  • “This Cowboy’s Hat” (instrumental) by Chris LeDoux
  • “Finale (Don’t Feed the Plants)” by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman
  • “Chant My Name!” by Masaaki Endo

Sound effects sourced from Freesound.org, including those by InspectorJ, and created by J.P. Gant.

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 (co-host 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; Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel, and Ted Williams! 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)

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

Timestamps:

  • Prologue: 0:00-6:19
  • Intro: 6:19-22:16
    • Dr. Dourif’s Call: 12:10-18:07
  • Main Discussion: 22:16-2:09:08
  • Housekeeping & Outro: 2:09:08-end

Podcast Social Media:

  • Twitter (https://twitter.com/TheMonsterIsla1)
  • Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MonsterIslandFilmVault/)
  • Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/monsterislandfilmvault/)
  • Follow Jimmy on Twitter: @NasaJimmy (https://twitter.com/nasajimmy?lang=en)
  • Follow the Monster Island Board of Directors on Twitter: @MonsterIslaBOD (https://twitter.com/MonsterIslaBOD)
  • Follow the Raymund Martin and the MIFV Legal Team on Twitter: @MIFV_LegalTeam
  • Follow Crystal Lady Jessica on Twitter: @CystalLadyJes1 (https://twitter.com/CrystalLadyJes1)
  • Follow Dr. Dourif on Twitter: @DrDorif (https://twitter.com/DrDoriff)

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault      #LittleShopofHorrors             #MIFVMAX

© 2022 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

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Episode 65: ‘Mothra vs. Godzilla’ | Godzilla Redux | Ft. Daniel DiManna

Published June 11, 2022

Hello, kaiju lovers! Today’s episode is a momentous one. Nate discusses the all-time classic Mothra vs. Godzilla with Daniel DiManna of the Godzilla Novelization Project. Now Nate has come full circle because this was the first film whose episode he recorded first in his previous podcast life. But this episode is better! How could it not be with the living kaiju encyclopedia as a guest? Nate and Danny discuss everything: the Godzilla suit, the Mothra puppet, the script, the characters, and of course, the late great Akira Takarada. This G-film doesn’t do anything new, but what it does, it does to near-perfection. No wonder it’s considered one of the best of the franchise!

Afterward, Nate and Danny are joined by Nate’s pseudo-sister, Jessica, to livestream the sendoff of Mothra’s newly-laid egg back to Infant Island. Unfortunately, the Church of Mothrianity strikes again! The web-splitting Silkworm attacks, and even Jessica’s magical girl persona, Crystal Lady, can’t stop her—until she gets help from a new companion.

The epilogue, “The Coming of Mimo! Crystal Lady vs. Silkworm!” was written by Nathan Marchand.

Special thanks to J.P. Gant for helping to edit this episode! Follow him on Twitter: @Homebrewed_SD (https://tinyurl.com/2jpc36r5).

Guest stars:

  • Sarah Marchand as Jessica Shaw/Crystal Lady
  • Dani Cruz as Silkworm
  • Damon Noyes as Motte-Priester Herzog Jerry Nachtfalter, Gary, and Mimo
  • Hoshiko as Luna
  • Dallas Mora as EDF Mutant

Additional music:

Sound effects sourced from Freesound.org, including those by InspectorJ.

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 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; Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel, and Ted Williams! 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)

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

Timestamps:

  • Intro: 0:00-15:51
  • Main Discussion: 15:51-2:01:53
  • Housekeeping & Outro: 2:01:53-2:23:02
  • Epilogue: 2:23:02-end

Podcast Social Media:

  • Twitter (https://twitter.com/TheMonsterIsla1)
  • Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MonsterIslandFilmVault/)
  • Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/monsterislandfilmvault/)
  • Follow Jimmy on Twitter: @NasaJimmy (https://twitter.com/nasajimmy?lang=en)
  • Follow the Monster Island Board of Directors on Twitter: @MonsterIslaBOD (https://twitter.com/MonsterIslaBOD)
  • Follow the Raymund Martin and the MIFV Legal Team on Twitter: @MIFV_LegalTeam
  • Follow Crystal Lady Jessica on Twitter: @CystalLadyJes1 (https://twitter.com/CrystalLadyJes1)
  • Follow Dr. Dourif on Twitter: @DrDorif (https://twitter.com/DrDoriff)

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault      #GodzillaRedux            #Mothra          #Godzilla

© 2022 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

  • Bogue, Mike. Apocalypse Then: American and Japanese Atomic Cinema, 1951-1967. McFarland & Company. 2017.
  • Brothers, Peter H. Mushroom Clouds and Mushroom Men: The Fantastic Cinema of Ishiro Honda.
  • Commentary on Mothra vs. Godzilla by Steve Ryfle and Ed Godziszewski. (Classic Media DVD).
  • 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.
  • Kaijuvision Radio, Episode 7: Mothra (1961) (Renewal of the US-Japan Security Treaty in 1960).
  • Kalat, David. A Critical History and Filmography of Toho’s Godzilla Series, 2nd Edition.
  • LeMay, John. The Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies Volume 1: 1954-1982.
  • LeMay, John. Writing Giant Monsters.
  • Rhodes, Sean, and Brooke McCorkle. “Chapter 4: “Mothra, Marx, Mother Nature.” Japan’s Green Monsters: Environmental Commentary in Kaiju Cinema.
  • Ryfle, Steve, and Ed Godziszewski. Ishiro Honda: A Life in Film, from Godzilla to Kurosawa.

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Episode 63: ‘King Kong vs. Godzilla’ | Godzilla Redux | Ft. AlyssaGojiGeek

Published June 7, 2022

Hello, kaiju lovers! Godzilla Redux continues! Nate is joined by YouTuber/author/musician/Navy sailor Alyssa Charpentier (aka AlyssaGojiGeek) for a film from his previous podcast life: King Kong vs. Godzilla. While, yes, Nate discussed a pair of related unmade films with John LeMay, today he and Alyssa compare and contrast the original Japanese version and the re-edited U.S. cut. The latter softens the satirical tone of the original and adds pointless scenes with two boring white guys who use a children’s dinosaur book to prove Godzilla is a dumb brute and Kong “is a thinking animal.” This leads to some talk about the subpar Criterion Collection box set—the only way to legally watch the Japanese cut in America—and how the Japanese economic miracle influenced the film. Even Alyssa never learned this stuff in school!

Before the broadcast, Nate meets with Mr. Gold and his assistant, Ms. Kawaii. They try to sweet talk him with the gift of hot chocolate and promises of advancement. Nate feigns gratitude and endures accusations of brown-nosing from Jimmy. Afterward, Nate researches late into the night at the Sekizawa Library, where he tries—and fails—to accost the AWOL EDF Mutant Ozaki. Ozaki tells Nate about the shady operations he’s been investigating the last few weeks.

The prologue, “Secret Business, Part 1” was written by Michael Hamilton and Nathan Marchand. The epilogue, “Secret Business, Part 2,” was written by Nathan Marchand.

Check out Alyssa’s YouTube channels: AlyssaGojiGeek (https://www.youtube.com/c/AlyssaGojiGeek101) and Alyssa Charpentier (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDiBPlvC3ruGkrrjUvbSKmg).

Special thanks to J.P. Gant for helping to edit this episode! Follow him on Twitter: @Homebrewed_SD (https://tinyurl.com/2jpc36r5).

Guest stars:

Additional music:

  • “This Cowboy’s Hat” (instrumental) by Chris LeDoux
  • “Godzilla Vs. King Kong – The Island Natives (FANMADE COVER)” by AlyssaGojiGeek
  • “Chant My Name!” by Masaaki Endo
  • “Final Wars Ending Theme | Piano Tutorial” by Patrick Ledwig

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 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; Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel, and Ted Williams! 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)

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

Timestamps:

  • Prologue: 0:00-3:49
  • Intro: 3:49-9:31
  • Main Discussion: 9:31-1:44:18
  • Housekeeping & Outro: 1:44:18-1:54:07
  • Epilogue: 1:54:07-end

Podcast Social Media:

  • Twitter (https://twitter.com/TheMonsterIsla1)
  • Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MonsterIslandFilmVault/)
  • Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/monsterislandfilmvault/)
  • Follow Jimmy on Twitter: @NasaJimmy (https://twitter.com/nasajimmy?lang=en)
  • Follow the Monster Island Board of Directors on Twitter: @MonsterIslaBOD (https://twitter.com/MonsterIslaBOD)
  • Follow the Raymund Martin and the MIFV Legal Team on Twitter: @MIFV_LegalTeam
  • Follow Crystal Lady Jessica on Twitter: @CystalLadyJes1 (https://twitter.com/CrystalLadyJes1)
  • Follow Dr. Dourif on Twitter: @DrDorif (https://twitter.com/DrDoriff)

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault      #GodzillaRedux            #KingKong     #Godzilla

© 2022 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

  • Barr, Jason. The Kaiju Film: A Critical Study of Cinema’s Biggest Monsters.
  • Bogue, Mike. Apocalypse Then: American and Japanese Atomic Cinema, 1951-1967. McFarland & Company. 2017.
  • Brothers, Peter H. Mushroom Clouds and Mushroom Men: The Fantastic Cinema of Ishiro Honda.
  • 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.
  • “Japanese economic miracle.” Wikipedia. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_economic_miracle)
  • Kaijuvision Radio – Episode 8: King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962) (The Japanese Economic Miracle (The Golden 60s), MITI) (https://youtu.be/BtOw8CkO0jU)
  • Kalat, David. A Critical History and Filmography of Toho’s Godzilla Series, 2nd Edition.
  • LeMay, John. The Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies Volume 1: 1954-1982.
  • LeMay, John. The Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies: The Lost Films (Mutated Edition).
  • LeMay, John. Writing Giant Monsters.
  • Monster Island Film Vault, The. “Episode 5: John LeMay Presents ‘King Kong vs. Frankenstein’ & ‘Continuation: King Kong vs. Godzilla’.” (https://tinyurl.com/MIFV-S1E5)
  • Morton, Ray. King Kong: The History of a Movie Icon, from Fay Wray to Peter Jackson. Applause Theatre & Cinema Books. New York. 2005.
  • Ryfle, Steve, and Ed Godziszewski. Ishiro Honda: A Life in Film, from Godzilla to Kurosawa.

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Episode 61: Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers – ‘Green with Evil’ | Ft. Michael Hamilton

Published April 15, 2022

Hello, kaiju lovers! In our first Patreon-sponsored episode of season three, Nate is joined by his co-host from The Power Trip podcast and frequent guest, Michael Hamilton, for some TV talk. (Although, first they have to resolve longstanding issues from the…“Yeti incident”). In this case, the epic five-part miniseries from Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers, “Green with Evil.” This introduced toku-loving kids to Tommy Oliver (Jason David Frank), the femme fatale Scorpina, and the iconic Dragonzord. But in true MIFV fashion, Nate and Michael have a deeper-than-you-would-expect thematic discussion about this miniseries and how it shows the corruptive nature of evil—and it includes quotations from J.R.R. Tolkien and St. Augustine! Yes, that’s the kind of podcast we are. Strap in, folks! It’s morphin’ time!

Beforehand, Nate receives some voicemails from both Karone and Raymund, with the former giving an update on how she’s coping with life after freeing herself from the Board’s influence, and the latter making excuses for not finding his Gorenger costume. Also, a drunk WHG3 calls into the show to speak with Michael.

This episode’s prologue, “Letters from Rangers,” was written by Nathan Marchand.

Guest stars:

  • Celeste Mora as Karone
  • Damon Noyes as Raymund Martin
  • Michael Hamilton as William H. George III

Additional music:

  • “Go, Go, Power Rangers” by Niall Stenson
  • “Chant My Name!” by Masaaki Endo

Sound effects sourced from Freesound.org, including those by InspectorJ.

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 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; Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel, and Ted Williams! Thanks for your support!

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

Buy official MIFV merch on TeePublic!

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

Timestamps:

  • Prologue: 0:00-3:38
  • Intro: 3:38-12:16
  • Main Discussion: 12:16-1:46:47
  • Housekeeping & Outro: 1:46:47-end

Podcast Social Media:

  • Twitter (https://twitter.com/TheMonsterIsla1)
  • Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MonsterIslandFilmVault/)
  • Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/monsterislandfilmvault/)
  • Follow Jimmy on Twitter: @NasaJimmy (https://twitter.com/nasajimmy?lang=en)
  • Follow the Monster Island Board of Directors on Twitter: @MonsterIslaBOD (https://twitter.com/MonsterIslaBOD)
  • Follow the Raymund Martin and the MIFV Legal Team on Twitter: @MIFV_LegalTeam
  • Follow Crystal Lady Jessica on Twitter: @CystalLadyJes1 (https://twitter.com/CrystalLadyJes1)
  • Follow Dr. Dourif on Twitter: @DrDorif (https://twitter.com/DrDoriff)

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault       #PowerRangers           #GreenwithEvil

© 2022 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

  • Culbreath, Jonathan. “The Shadow Can Only Mock, It Cannot Make: J.R.R. Tolkien’s Catholic Understanding of Evil.” Faith & Fairy Dust. (https://tinyurl.com/mf8u6zev)
  • Higgins, Kyle. Saban’s Power Rangers: Soul of the Dragon. Illustrated by Giuseppe Cafaro and Marcelo Costa. Special consultant: Jason David Frank. BOOM! Studios. Jan. 2021.
  • Higgins, Kyle, and Ryan Parrot. Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: Rise of Drakkon. Illustrated by Hendry Prasetya, et. al. BOOM! Studios. Oct. 2020.
  • Higgins, Kyle, and Ryan Parrot. Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: Shattered Grid. Illustrated by Daniele di Nicuolo & Diego Galindo, et. al. BOOM! Studios. Jan. 2020.
  • Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: The Complete Series DVD special features. Shout!Factory.
  • Petrucha, Stefan, and Ryan Buell. “Going Green.” Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers Archive, Vol. Two. Illustrated by PH Marcondes. BOOM! Studios. Originally published by Papercutz.
  • RangerWiki. (https://powerrangers.fandom.com/wiki/RangerWiki).
  • Tolkien, J.R.R. “On Fairy-Stories.” Oxford University Press. 4 Dec. 1947.
  • Zahed, Ramin, and Jody Revenson. Power Rangers: The Ultimate Visual History. Insight Editions. 8 Nov. 2018.

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Episode 60: John LeMay vs. ‘THEM!’

Published April 7, 2022

Hello, kaiju lovers! We enter the 1950s era of “Ameri-kaiju” to discuss a film that released the same year as the original Godzilla and inspired a subgenre and countless imitators: THEM! (yes, it’s in all caps and has an exclamation point). Who better to join Nate on this than the kaiji film scholar from the state in which the film takes place, John LeMay. Thankfully, John and MIFV’s intrepid producer, Jimmy From NASA, have settled their differences so he could be there. While THEM! has the trappings of a B-movie, as Nate and John explain, it has far too good a production values (it was nominated for the best special effects Oscar!) and acting to be reduced to that. The film is genuinely horrifying at points, but what may surprise many modern viewers is it is strangely progressive with its female lead, who is a competent and professional scientist and not a “scream queen.” While Nate considered researching McCarthyism since this is very much a Cold War film, he instead discusses American nuclear tests in the 1940s and 1950s.

Before the broadcast, Nate gets an e-mail from Dr. Elsie Chapman, a member of H.E.A.T., after receiving an announcement that the Island’s beaches are closed. She says she has something to show Nate. After the broadcast, he meets her, Dr. Mendel Craven, and Monique Dupre on the shoreline and learns the shocking reason why the beaches were closed.

Check out John’s books and magazines on Amazon!

This episode’s prologue and epilogue, “They Might be Gi-Ants,” was written by Nathan Marchand.

Guest stars:

  • Rebecca Hudgens as Elsie Chapman
  • Travis Alexander as Mendel Craven
  • Dani Cruz as Monique Dupre
  • Daniel DiManna as N.I.G.E.L.

Additional music:

  • “Pacific Rim” by Niall Stenson
  • “Chant My Name!” by Masaaki Endo
  • “The Edge Calls Me” by MkVaff
  • “Son of Chaos” by Xaleph

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 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; Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel, and Ted Williams! Thanks for your support!

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

Buy official MIFV merch on TeePublic!

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

Timestamps:

  • Prologue: 0:00-3:29
  • Intro: 3:29-10:32
  • Entertaining Info Dump: 10:32-17:21
  • Toku Talk: 17:21-
  • Promo: 1:08:43-1:09:49
  • Toku Topic: 1:09:49-1:31:34
  • Housekeeping & Outro: 1:31:34-1:48:40
  • Epilogue: 1:48:40-end

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault       #Amerikaiju

© 2022 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

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MIFV MAX #6: Remembering Akira Takarada

Published March 22, 2022

Hello, kaiju lovers. This is the audio from an impromptu livestream held over the weekend that I, Nathan, wish was done under better circumstances. On March 13, 2022, the legendary actor Akira Takarada, star of six Godzilla films among other things, died at age 87. I was joined by several of my friends in the kaiju content creator community—Daniel DiManna (Godzilla Novelization Project), Elijah Thomas (the Kaiju Conversation podcast), and Kaiju Kim—to discuss the life and career of Takarada-san. We share our personal stories about him and discuss out favorite films and performances of his. This is emotional and a bit long, but I hope you enjoy this celebration of a life well-lived. We could all stand to follow Takarada’s example.

Watch the original livestream video on YouTube.

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 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; Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel, and Ted Williams! Thanks for your support!

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

Buy official MIFV merch on TeePublic!

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault       #RIPAkiraTakarada

© 2022 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

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Episode 59: ‘Mothra’ (1961) | Godzilla Redux | Ft. Becky ‘Bex’ Smith

Published March 9, 2022

Hello, kaiju lovers! Our subseries “Godzilla Redux” continues with what some call Toho screenwriter Shinichi Sekizawa’s masterpiece: Mothra (1961). Becky “Bex” Smith of the Redeemed Otaku podcast joins Nate to discuss this film—because apparently Nate can’t talk about a Mothra film without her. While Bex seems weirdly obsesses over the genus names of insects, Nate regales her with kaiju-sized info bombs related to the making of the film, the historical backdrop against which it was made (controversial treaty renewals with the U.S.), and the often crazy interpretations academics and critics have of the film (blackface, anyone?). That’s just some of what you’ll learn about this kaiju classic!

Beforehand, Nate meets with his pseudo-sister, the semi-secret magical girl Jessica, who’s just been promoted to director of tourism on the Island. They discuss her new job and awkwardly talk about her seeming crush on Legal Action Team paralegal, Gary. After the broadcast, though, Nate and company discover “Bex” isn’t who she appears to be—and Crystal Lady has to get involved.

This episode’s prologue and epilogue, “Bexy a Traitor?! The Church of Mothrianity Attacks!”, was written by Nathan Marchand with Becky Smith and Daniel DiManna.

Guest stars:

  • Sarah Marchand as Jessica Shaw/Crystal Lady
  • Becky Smith as Peppermoth
  • Daniel DiManna as “Old Janitor”
  • Damon Noyes as Motte-Priester Herzog Jerry Nachtfalter
  • Hoshiko as Luna

Additional music:

Sound effects sourced from Freesound.org, including those by InspectorJ.

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 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; Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel, and Ted Williams! Thanks for your support!

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

Buy official MIFV merch on TeePublic!

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

Timestamps:

  • Prologue: 0:00-4:57
  • Intro: 4:57-11:31
  • Main Discussion: 11:31-1:34:57
  • Housekeeping & Outro: 1:34:57-1:46:01
  • Epilogue: 1:46:01-end

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault       #GodzillaRedux          #Mothra

© 2022 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

  • Barr, Jason. The Kaiju Film: A Critical Study of Cinema’s Biggest Monsters.
  • Commentary on Mothra by Steve Ryfle and Ed Godziszewski (Mill Creek blu-ray).
  • 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.
  • Kaijuvision Radio, Episode 7: Mothra (1961) (Renewal of the US-Japan Security Treaty in 1960)
  • Kalat, David. A Critical History and Filmography of Toho’s Godzilla Series, 2nd Edition.
  • LeMay, John. The Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies Volume 1: 1954-1982.
  • LeMay, John. The Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies: The Lost Films (Mutated Edition).
  • LeMay, John. Writing Giant Monsters.
  • Ryfle, Steve, and Ed Godziszewski. Ishiro Honda: A Life in Film, from Godzilla to Kurosawa.
  • Rhodes, Sean, and Brooke McCorkle. “Chapter 4: “Mothra, Marx, Mother Nature.” Japan’s Green Monsters: Environmental Commentary in Kaiju Cinema.

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