Category: Podcast

Episode 18: Bex vs. ‘Rebirth of Mothra II’

Published June 10, 2020

Hello, kaiju lovers!

The “Summer of Mothra” continues with Rebirth of Mothra II—the valley between two short mountains in the ‘90s Mothra trilogy. Once again Nathan is joined by Bex from the Redeemed Otaku podcast, and they try their hardest to do a deep dive on a shallow movie. While the first movie had an obvious environmental theme, this one barely gives 20 seconds of screen time to anything substantial. Even Belvera and Elias aren’t as exciting this time around. Then there’s Ghogo/Gogo/Go-Go (aka “Japanese Furby”), the “token cute thing” whose plushy Bex has no interest in buying because, well, magic urine. Yeah….

But nothing can prepare you for the Shyamalan twist at the end of this episode. Nathan and his intrepid producer, Jimmy From NASA, never saw it coming.

Also, Jimmy introduces his new garage assistant, who’s either popular or infamous, depending on who you talk to.

Here’s the Kaijuvision Radio episode Nathan mentioned: Episode 19: Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974) (The Reversion of Okinawa: History and Culture).

Here are the Redeemed Otaku episodes Nathan (and his friend Eric Anderson) appeared on to discuss the Godzilla Anime Trilogy:

Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters
Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle
Godzilla: The Planet Eater

We’d like to give a shout-out to our Patreon patrons Travis Alexander (host of Kaiju Weekly), Danny DiManna, elizilla13, and Joejira! Thanks for your support! (Sorry we didn’t mention you on the air, Joejira. You signed up after the initial broadcast).

Read Jimmy’s Notes on this episode.

Timestamps:
Intro: 0:00-3:57
Entertaining Info Dump: 3:57-8:44
Toku Talk: 8:44-1:17:00
Toku Topic: 1:17:00-1:40:01
Outro: 1:40:01-end

MIFV Social Media:
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
Patreon

Follow Jimmy on Twitter: @NasaJimmy

#JimmyFromNASALives

Bibliography/Further Reading:

The Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies Volume 2: 1984-2017 by John LeMay
Japan’s Green Monsters: Environmental Commentary in Kaiju Cinema by Sean Rhodes and Brooke McCorkle
“Marine Pollution” (National Geographic)
“Marine pollution” (Wikipedia)
“Ocean Pollution” (NOAA)
“Ocean Pollution: 11 Facts You Need to Know” (Conservation International)
“Up From The Depths Reviews | Rebirth of Mothra II (1997)”
Wiki Articles on Rebirth of Mothra II:
- IMDB
- Gojipedia
- Toho Kingdom
- Wikipedia
- Wikizilla

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Episode 17: ‘The Last War’ (Mini-Analysis)

Published May 27, 2020

Hello, kaiju lovers!

Except today’s episode isn’t about giant monsters. Heck, it’s barely about tokusatsu. Nathan is analyzing the criminally underseen 1961 antiwar drama The Last War. While most of the creative team behind the camera aren’t the ones usually followed by kaiju/toku fans, there are several familiar faces in front of the camera: Frankie Sakai (Mothra), Yuriko Hoshi (Mothra vs. Godzilla, etc.), and Akira Takarada (too many to list). This film depicts a middle class Japanese family navigating everyday life interspersed with Japanese government officials and foreign soldiers trying to avoid World War III. It is a perfect snapshot of the Japanese national spirit at that moment in time and, Nathan argues, is the precursor to 1984’s The Return of Godzilla. As part of his analysis, Nathan reads the Bible passage quoted in the film (plus the following two verses that would’ve offered some hope) and a John Bradley poem that would’ve been perfect for the end of the film.

All this plus Nathan opens the mailbag to answer some listener feedback!

This is meant to supplement this episode of Kaijuvision Radio, which featured the fantastic Danny DiManna: Episode 43: The Last War (1961) (NATO) (The North Atlantic Treaty Organization).

I’d like to give a shout-out to our Patreon patrons Travis Alexander (host of Kaiju Weekly), Danny DiManna, and elizilla13! Thanks for your support!

Read Jimmy’s Notes on this episode.

Please donate to David Marshall and his family on GoFundMe.

Podcast Social Media:
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
Patreon

Follow Jimmy on Twitter: @NasaJimmy

#JimmyFromNASALives

Bibliography/Further Reading:

“Explaining Japanese Antimilitarism: Normative and Realist Constraints on Japan’s Security Policy” by Yasuhiro Izumikawa (International Security, Vol. 35, No. 2 (FALL 2010), pp. 123-160)
“The Last War” (Wikizilla)
“Little Prayer on Hiroshima Day” (from Erotica Atomica by John Bradley)
“Long live pacifism! Narrative power and Japan’s pacifist model” by Karl Gustafsson, Linus Hagström & Ulv Hanssen (Cambridge Review of International Affairs, 32:4, 502-520)
“A Pacifist Japan Starts to Embrace the Military” by Motoko Rich (The New York Times)
Terror of the Lost Tokusatsu Films!: From the Files of the Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies by John Lemay
“Three Non-Nuclear Principles” (Wikipedia)
“Yoshida Doctrine” (Wikipedia)

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KAIJU QUARANTINE 2: TRASH MOUNTAIN (Trailer)

Published May 14, 2020

Kaiju Quarantine is back, baby! Join your favorite giant monster podcasters as they climb Trash Mountain and riff ten of the most awesomely awful movies in the kaiju genre! But what mystery movie awaits us at the peak of Trash Mountain? Only Evil Rob knows! Spend an epic and hilarious Memorial Day weekend on the Kaiju Quarantine Discord server. Space is limited! Reserve now! Kaiju Quarantine: Come together right now over kaiju!

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Episode 16: Bex vs. ‘Rebirth of Mothra’

Published May 13, 2020

Hello, kaiju lovers!

Today we’re giving you something you perhaps didn’t know you wanted—a deep dive into Rebirth of Mothra, the first of a trilogy produced by Toho after retiring Godzilla (again). Depending on how you feel about this movie, you may love or hate this episode. What you will love, though, is the Tourist joining Nathan this week is none other than Bex from Redeemed Otaku. Since Nathan appeared on her podcast to discuss the Godzilla Anime Trilogy, he’s having her on three episodes as part of the “Summer of Mothra” while we all await the release of Godzilla vs. Kong (yes, much to anime-loving Bex’s chagrin, she’s filler). Their spirited discussion references and compares this film to a multitude of unrelated media, including The Lion King, Power Rangers, The Neverending Story, Sentinels of the Multiverse (a card game), and Panzer Dragoon(a video game). It’s quite meme-tastic with catchphrases like, “lightning and lasers,” and Nathan’s favorite, “Deus ex Mothrica” (he has issues with the movie’s ending). The Toku Topic is deforestation in Japan. While that may not sound exciting, it has deep connections to the movie and the Japanese national spirit. All this plus some Jimmy From NASA antics and more in the latest episode of MIFV!

Here are the Redeemed Otaku episodes Nathan (and his friend Eric Anderson) appeared on to discuss the Godzilla Anime Trilogy:

Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters
Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle
Godzilla: The Planet Eater

ANNOUNCEMENT: We now have a Patreon! If you’re able to support the show in these crazy times, please do. There are three levels, each with its own perks. Here’s a link. Shout out to our first Patron, Travis Alexander (co-host of Kaiju Weekly), who pledged at the Day Pass Tourist level! Thanks, man!

Read Jimmy’s Notes on this episode.

Timestamps:
Intro: 0:00-5:11
Entertaining Info Dump: 5:11-11:55
Toku Talk: 11:55-1:29:31
Toku Topic: 1:29:31-2:09:11
Outro: 2:09:11-end

MIFV Social Media:
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram

Follow Jimmy on Twitter: @NasaJimmy

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives

Bibliography/Further Reading:

“Afforestation in Japan” (Wikipedia)
“Japan – How Japan Saved its Forests: The Birth of Silviculture and Community Forest Management” by Gerry Marten (The EcoTipping Points Project)
“Japan’s Forests: From Lumber Source to Beloved Resource” by Ishi Hiroyuki
Japan’s Green Monsters: Environmental Commentary in Kaiju Cinema by Sean Rhodes and Brooke McCorkle
Kaijuvision Radio Episodes:
- Episode 3: Gojira (1954) (The Occupation of Japan Part 1: Castle Bravo Test, Cold War, Democracy)
- Episode 4: Godzilla, King of the Monsters! (US) (1956) (Occupation of Japan Part 2: Tokyo Tribunal)
- Episode 7: Mothra (1961) (Renewal of the US-Japan Security Treaty in 1960)
“Learning from the Past: Japan’s Tree-Planting Efforts Provide Lessons for Other Countries” by Nithin Coca (Ensia)
Wiki Articles on Rebirth of Mothra:
- IMDB
- Gojipedia
- Toho Kingdom
- Wikipedia
- Wikizilla

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Bonus Episode #3: An Excerpt from ‘Destroyer’

Published April 29, 2020

Hello, kaiju lovers!

For the final bonus episode of April to help you all survive quarantine, Nathan is reading a chapter from his kaiju novella, Destroyer, which he co-wrote with Natasha Hayden, Nick Hayden, and Timothy Deal (two of whom you’ve heard on the podcast). Specifically, it’s “Chapter 6: Berserk” (a detail he forgot to mention in the episode). You’ll also hear how this book was written as part of a year-long group project that started in a little place called—no joke—Story, Indiana. It was also inspired by a Godzilla film. Which one? Listen to find out!

(Also, forgive Nathan for having a German accent that sounds more like a Russian accent. 😛 ).

Nathan also posted this chapter on the podcast website a few months back.

Buy the book on Amazon in paperback and on Kindle.

This episode features the song “Mechagodzilla Theme (Remade Akira Ifukube Score)” by Phillip Anderson, which is a remake of “Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II Main Titles” by Akira Ifukube.

Cover art by Tyler Sowles.

MIFV Social Media:
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram

Follow Jimmy on Twitter: @NasaJimmy

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives

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Episode 15: ‘Battle in Outer Space’ (with Luke Jaconetti)

Published April 22, 2020

Hello, kaiju lovers!

Today’s episode is a little different. Think of it as an extended “mini-analysis.” It’s also the first film MIFV has covered that features no kaiju. Luke Jaconetti, the host of the Earth Destruction Directive podcast (and owner of an impossible-to-spell surname), joins Nathan to discuss the film featuring everyone not working on The Three Treasures in 1959: Battle in Outer Space. The podcast’s producer, Jimmy From NASA, loves this film because it’s the second entry in what he calls a “pseudo-trilogy.” After Luke recounts his globetrotting adventure getting to Monster Island despite worldwide travel bans, he and Nathan discuss how what this film lacks in character it more than makes up for with showmanship and spectacle. It was a snapshot of the world at the beginning of the Space Race and the Cold War. They connect it to films like Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Earth vs. the Flying Saucers, Star Wars, and even Toy Story 2! They also discuss whether or not the invading aliens, the Natal, could be interpreted as an anti-American commentary.

Are you stuck in quarantine? Enjoy some quality entertainment and enlightenment through this tokusatsu epic!

This was made as a supplement to this episode of Kaijuvision Radio, which featured Danny DiManna as Brian Scherschel’s guest host: Episode 42: Battle in Outer Space (1959) (The Space Race between the US and the USSR).

Podcast Social Media:
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram

Follow Jimmy on Twitter: @NasaJimmy

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives

Bibliography/Further Reading:

Ishiro Honda: A Life in Film, from Godzilla to Kurosawa by Steve Ryfle and Ed Godzisewski
Japanese Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films: A Critical Analysis and Filmography of 103 Features Released in the United States 1950-1992 by Stuart Galbraith IV
“Japanese space program” (Wikipedia)
“JAXA” (Wikipedia)
The Kaiju Film: A Critical Study of Cinema’s Biggest Monsters by Jason Barr
Mushroom Clouds and Mushroom Men: The Fantastic Cinema of Ishiro Honda by Peter H. Brothers
“The Space Race” (History.com)
“Space Race” (Wikipedia)

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Bonus Episode #2: Interview with Eric Elliott (Batman Meets Godzilla)

Published April 15, 2020

Hello, kaiju lovers!

HOLY INTERVIEW, BATMAN! You’ve heard it being promoted for several months on the show, and now you’ll get the full story. In another special bonus episode for all of you in quarantine because of coronavirus, Nathan and his intrepid producer, Jimmy From NASA, are joined by Eric Elliott, the mastermind behind the Batman Meets Godzilla fan comic. As in the Adam West Batman and the Showa Godzilla! Hear Eric talk about the secret origins of this project that’s based on as an unmade film from the mid-1960s with story treatments written by Batman ’66 producer William Dozier and possibly even Shinichi Sekizawa. Then the Dynamic Duo discuss the art of sequential storytelling in comics, the mystery of the Sekizawa treatment, adapting the treatment for a three-issue comic, and who would win a dance-off between Batman and Godzilla.

Tune in next week for a regular episode—same kaiju time, same kaiju channel!

Read the comic on its official website.

Follow the series on Twitter and Facebook.

Read about this unmade film in John LeMay’s book, The Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies: The Lost Films (Mutated Edition).

MIFV Social Media:
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram

Follow Jimmy on Twitter: @NasaJimmy

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives

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Episode 14 – Dallas Mora vs. ‘Kong: Skull Island’

Published April 8, 2020

Hello, kaiju lovers!

We’ve finally reached the MonsterVerse! After surviving in the wilds of Monster Island for two months, Dallas Mora from Geek Devotions joins Nathan to discuss the Eighth Wonder’s latest cinematic adventure, Kong: Skull Island. This pulpy adventure movie directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts took Kong in a whole new direction, dropping his lovesickness and making him a benevolent but savage protector. Nathan and Dallas dive headlong into the film’s rich backstory as explored in its comic book prequel, Skull Island: The Birth of Kong; discuss the colorful cast of characters played by a troupe of Marvel movie actors; and realize that Kong is the Batman of the MonsterVerse. The Toku Topic is the end of the Vietnam War, which leads to a poignant discussion that touches on pacifism, “just war” theory, and the treatment of war veterans (like the podcast’s intrepid producer, Jimmy From NASA).

A quick note: Due to Godzilla vs. Kong’s release being delayed to November, we’ll be taking a detour from the “Kong Quest” (ba-dum-ching) until then by covering films featuring other “kaiju kings.” Listen to find out who’s first!

Check out Jimmy’s Notes on this episode.

Timestamps:
Intro: 0:00-5:08
Entertaining Info Dump: 5:08-13:13
Toku Talk: 13:13-1:13:14
Toku Topic: 1:13:14-2:02:20
Outro: 2:02:20-end

Podcast Social Media:
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram

Follow Jimmy on Twitter: @NasaJimmy

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives

Bibliography/Further Reading:

“The end of the Vietnam War and its cultural legacy” by Kath Bates
“Ending the Vietnam War, 1969–1973” (Office of the Historian)
“How Vietnam Really Ended” by Gideon Rose (Slate)
Kong: Skull Island Blu-ray Special Features: Director’s Commentary (Jordan Vogt-Roberts), “Creating a King: Realizing an Icon,” “Creating a King: Summoning a God,” “Monarch Files 2.0,” “Tom Hiddleston: The Intrepid Traveler,” “Through the Lens: Brie Larson’s Photography,” “On Location: Vietnam.”
Kong Unmade: The Lost Films of Skull Island by John LeMay
“Vietnam Syndrome” (Wikipedia)
“Vietnam War” (History.com)
“Vietnam War” (Wikipedia)
“Vietnam War: End of the Conflict” by Kennedy Hickman
“The Vietnam War: Why it was the conflict that no one wanted to talk about” by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick
Wiki Articles on Kong: Skull Island:
–IMDB
–Gojipedia
–Wikipedia
–Wikizilla

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Bonus Episode #1: Jimmy From NASA Presents ‘Space Kong’

Published April 1, 2020

Hey, guys!

The Vault is now under new management—Jimmy From NASA! Yes, after starting a betting pool during Nathan’s livestream of Override: Mech City Brawl Friday night and cleaning out the Monster Island Board of Directors, Jimmy became the new host of the podcast but kept Nathan on as his producer. Nathan is still a bit sore about that, as you’ll hear, but Jimmy is sure he’ll get over it.

For his first episode, Jimmy is discussing his favorite unmade Kong film: “Space Kong.” This was a wild idea that came about in the 1960s while Merian C. Cooper was corresponding with comic book publisher Western/Gold Key Comics to produce a comic adaptation of original film and a sequel. This would’ve featured the children of the original characters and Carl Denham still young from finding the Fountain of Youth. Cooper suggested setting it on another planet with “King Kong reincarnated.” While Jimmy first learned of this lost project through a book written by his (first) flame war nemesis, John LeMay, he showed up that know-it-all by buying Cooper’s long lost story treatment for this proposed film on eBay using his newfound wealth. Be the first to hear about it in today’s episode!