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Special Report #7: ‘Ultraman: Rising’ Ft. Jeff Gomez of Ultraman Connection

Published June 24, 2024

Nathan is joined by the CEO of Starlight Runner Entertainment, Jeff Gomez, an “ultra-fan” who presides over the website Ultraman Connection, to discuss Netflix’s new animated Ultraman movie. Is it truly one of the best animated films of the year? We get into that and more!

Watch the video version here: https://youtube.com/live/B_pBsvH7CeE.

Check out Nathan’s spinoff podcasts, The Henshin Men and The Power Trip. Henshin Power V3 coming July 10, 2024 (Ultraman Day)!

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!

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.

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault     #Ultraman            #UltramanRising        #Netflix

© 2024 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

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Jimmy’s Notes on Episode 93: ‘Godzilla vs. Hedorah’ | Ft. Daniel DiManna, Ben Avery, and Giant Monster BS

Published June 5, 2024

Did Marchand think the mobile studio was a TARDIS? Nah, it was more like a clown car with all those goofballs stuffed in there for Episode 93 on Godzilla vs. Hedorah. At least…that’s what I remember. Because seriously, there shouldn’t have been enough room in there for that many guests; let alone ones with their own soundboard. Not to mention, I haven’t seen any call logs for when we contacted Ben Avery. I’m also feeling weirdly drowsy right now. And Kaguya’s been sleeping for a while. What in the actual Christian hell?! Okay, before I lose my mind (again), let’s get into my notes.

  • GMBS does have crazy fans. You should’ve seen the letters we were getting after they helped us quell Godzilla and Kong’s fight after episode 31. The loudest one was named “ET.” He wasn’t an alien, as far as I could tell.
  • I have a restrictive spam folder. It’s like the shield around Death Star II, only it isn’t being projected from an outside source.
  • I’m talking with Raymund about my stolen personal data. And the slander. What I said wasn’t that bad! I won’t stand for this! I’ll sit!
  • Cat wrangling: it’s only slightly easier than kaiju wrangling. Trust me, I know. My mecha has the scars to prove it despite Sir Lexington’s efforts.
  • Ken is, in fact, a street magician now. And he’s being called to the Island for testing to see if he is a descendent of the Venusians. (PTSD…triggered…)
  • Nate missed the pun he made? He’s going “nuts” and losing his touch.
  • I can confirm Ken spent some years in therapy. In fact, he saw a psychologist who worked extensively with us Kenny’s. It’s why most of us turned out mostly sane. Except that Squirrel kid. He’s still a looney.
  • I called Takashi Miike. He denies being the baby in the mud—mostly because he wants to avoid embarrassing G-Fest appearances like with Hiroyuki Kawase.
  • I helped Gamera take down the King (of the Monsters)! (Okay, it was Karl Craig, but still!)
  • For the life of me, I couldn’t find the name of the animator Banno supposedly originally wanted to hire. Did Nate “Mandela effect” that? Did I…?
  • Regardless, Danny has informed me that the name of the actual animator on the film was Hisashi Yasui.
  • I was shocked having two soundboards didn’t lead to more shenanigans. Nate has a reputation for overusing his on the air.
  • I submitted “buses” as unit of measurements to the Island’s scientists, but it was rejected due to the sizes of buses varying between different types. Clearly, no one remembers the “pirate-ninjas” from The Martian.
  • Godzilla did jump over Zigra once, from what the Island’s scientists have told me. In fact, Godzilla was practicing his flying technique again. Zigra tried to bite a chunk out of him by jumping out of the water and narrowly missed. That probably saved his life.
  • Yes, I do have…government contracts… (smile and nod, just smile and nod…).

Next up, we have a bonus episode on War of the God Monsters (aka The Flying Monster), a weird South Korean kaiju film that stole its monster footage from Ultraman shows. It’ll be a solo episode. Then we nervously venture north to capture Pulgasari. Tomi Trembath of Giant-Sized Violence joins us for that one…remotely. Then the Cel Cast claims their annual Patreon episode, and I’m looking forward to this one…sorta. Nate calls it “The Zillo Beast Saga.” They’re covering the two episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars and the three episodes of Star Wars: The Bad Batch that featured that titular monster. I’m notorious for hating the Prequel Trilogy, and I’m a bit torn on these shows. Why? #SaveItForTheShow

Until next time, remember…we shall overcome!

Social media:

#JimmyFromNASALives      #WeShallOvercome                #MonsterIslandFilmVault

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Episode 93: ‘Godzilla vs. Hedorah’ | Ft. Daniel DiManna, Ben Avery, and Giant Monster BS | Godzilla Redux

Published June 5, 2024

Hello, Kaiju Lovers! It’s a full house (“full mecha”?) in today’s Godzilla Redux episode on the infamous but now-popular-to-like G-film, Godzilla vs. Hedorah (aka Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster). Daniel DiManna (Godzilla Novelization Project), Ben Avery (Strangers and Aliens; Welcome to Level 7), and Matt and Gratton of Giant Monster BS all return to discuss the strangest yet arguably most auteur film in the franchise. To say it kicked off the ‘70s G-films with a strange bang would be an understatement. It’s trippy imagery, bizarre monster, and psychedelic pop music all came from the mind of one Yoshimitsu Banno, who despite being rumored for years to have been told he ruined Godzilla, went on to help launch the MonsterVerse. Our panelists unpack that, the film’s subtle-as-a-sledgehammer messages, its co-screenwriter Kaoru Mabuchi/Takeshi Kimura, and much, much more!

Edited by Christopher Riner with Nathan Marchand.

Read “Jimmy’s Notes” on this episode on the MIFV website!

Additional Music:

  • “Return the Sun! (SENTIMENTAL SYNTH COVER)” by Alyssa Charpentier

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 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!

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:

  • Introduction: 0:00-14:05
  • Synopsis and Main Discussion: 14:05-2:45:58
  • Outro: 2:45:58-3:01:38
  • Credits: 3:01:58-end

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault     #Godzilla            #GodzillaRedux          #GodzillavsHedorah   #GodzillavstheSmogMonster             #Hedorah

© 2024 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

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Jimmy’s Notes on Episode 91: ‘All Monsters Attack’ Ft. Neil Riebe and John LeMay

Published May 11, 2024

For once, Mr. LeMay came on the show and we didn’t get into a flame war. But maybe that’s why he left early: he knew he couldn’t win. Regardless, I only took a few notes during this episode, and most of them had to do with Neil Riebe. Nate is right in saying Neil’s been on so much, he may as well be his new co-host. Him or Danny DiManna. Nate, we need to talk about letting other members of your Tourist roster on the show more often! Anyway, for Episode 91: ‘All Monsters Attack’ (aka Godzilla’s Revenge), I wrote:

  • “Traveling intrepid producer.” That has a nice ring to it. I’ll be updating my business cards immediately!
  • Ryder Sound Services in Hollywood recorded the dub for AIP. It was supervised by Riley Jackson.
  • I love how John bails right when Nate asks him a difficult question…about theme songs. Music is an important subject, but really?
  • I checked the Classic Media DVD for the film, which is what Nate was referencing in his original notes, and Ichiro said, “But I’ll be okay by myself.”
  • That was a delicious bone you threw at this “Kenny,” Nate. But yes, Masao and I are the best “Kennys” in Gamera’s history, hands down. But…
  • The hell, Neil! How could you forget I’m the best “Kenny”!
  • The “plant monster” in the film is officially named “Maneater” and isn’t on the Island since it’s a figment of Ichiro’s imagination. That one, anyway. Hence why Dr. Dourif didn’t appear. I’m sure he was disappointed.
  • You mean Godzilla vs. Megalon is a lot like those 1970s toku TV shows, Neil.

Join MIFV MAX on Patreon to see Nate’s full research notes, including what he didn’t use on the show.

Next up, Nate is joined by a not-time-displaced Omni Viewer (and Snazzy Chapeau) to discuss what many would call “peak Korean Kaiju cinema” for The Monster Island World Tour, Bong Joon-Ho’s The Host. Then we enter the 1970s era of the Showa Godzilla series with the bizarre and suddenly popular Godzilla vs. Hedorah (aka Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster)—and it was the most-requested guest host episode of MIFV ever! The list was finalized to Daniel DiManna, Ben Avery, and Matt and Gratton from Giant Monster BS. Finally, with five Wednesdays in May this year, Nate will do a solo bonus episode on War of the God Monsters (aka The Flying Monster), a South Korean kaiju movie that barely qualifies for coverage because it stole its monster footage from Ultraman (among others). It’s a full month!

Until next time, remember…we shall overcome!

Social media:

#JimmyFromNASALives      #WeShallOvercome                #MonsterIslandFilmVault

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Episode 91: ‘All Monsters Attack’ | Ft. Neil Riebe and John LeMay | Godzilla Redux

Published May 11, 2024

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!

Read “Jimmy’s Notes” on this episode !

Additional Music:

  • “Crime Fiction” by Ervin Jereb

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 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!

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.

xr:d:DAF6EXLsG5w:3,j:5779659911910858687,t:24011617

Timestamps:

  • Introduction: 0:00-8:27
  • Synopsis and Main Discussion: 8:27-1:53:38
  • Outro: 1:53:38-2:10:01
  • Credits: 2:10:01-end

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault     #Godzilla            #GodzillaRedux          #GodzillasRevenge    #AllMonstersAttack

© 2023, 2024 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

  • “All Monsters Attack.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Monsters_Attack.
  • “All Monsters Attack (1969).” Wikizilla. https://wikizilla.org/wiki/All_Monsters_Attack.
  • 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.
  • Kaijuvision Radio, Episode 15: All Monsters Attack (1969) (Escapism, Industrial Society, International Bullies). Youtube. https://youtu.be/x03o07OoQPI?si=U5WK8ErZLxp7N-o3.
  • 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.

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Jimmy’s Notes on Episode 87: ‘Yongary, Monster from the Deep’ vs. Neil Riebe

Published March 22, 2024

Marchand’s March (ha!) has been bleeping busy! The show has practically been weekly. I’d complain, but I enjoy the work too much. Balancing that between maintaining Uber-Moguera and trying to make up with Kaguya (she’s still upset with me, despite my best efforts)—there’s no rest for the Jimmy! But hey, I get to travel the world and visit places like Seoul that I’ve never seen before with my best friend. Oh, and Nate, too, I guess. 😛 Anyway, let’s get into my notes on episode 87 (Yongary, Monster from the Deep vs. Neil Riebe).

  • Apex did me dirty! Walter Simmons was a jerk, and his company has more human rights violations than Amazon! (I’m not bitter at all…).
  • You know, if I could get a spy drone into Hannibal Chau’s film library, I could see if he has the Korean cut of Yongary…but I value my drones far too much. The parts are expensive!
  • You don’t understand: I’ve studied the possibilities of A.I. It’s ruining Star Wars films now with those pseudo-deep fakes, but later…Terminator is the least of our worries! Think I, Robot, only worse. Yikes!
  • “China virus.” Don’t worry, I tested all of us before leaving Hong Kong. It’s not that one.
  • I did find Five Marines on the Korean Film Archive YouTube channel.
  • It wasn’t a treaty that ended the Korean War, Nate—it was an armistice. There’s a big difference. That’s why some argue that the war has never ended and could technically reignite at any point. Scary stuff.
  • Our first Gamera episode was number 32.
  • My girlfriend isn’t a computer, Marchand! Nor an android! She just…spent too much time on the Xilien version of the internet…because they had it first!
  • I used to have an itching flashlight. Kaguya threw it out after I used it on her…for reasons.
  • “Bunker in the hill”? There was another one? 😛
  • Good thing you corrected yourself there, Nate. I have trained you well, young padawan. 😛
  • According to Wikizilla, Jet Jaguar was inexplicably renamed “King Kong” for the West Germany release of Godzilla vs. Megalon, but contrary to popular belief, he wasn’t said to be an ape in a robot suit.
  • I seem to remember meeting a Kenichi Nakagawa once. He told me he moonlighted as a special effects technician. What was his regular job? Top secret.
  • I still have no opinion on the butt bleeding. That is all.
  • I approve of Yongary vs. Tofu Fury. I approve of anything vs. Tofu Fury. I will build Tofu Fury!

Join MIFV MAX on Patreon to see Nate’s research notes.

Next week (good grief… “next week”!), we have a Patreon-sponsored episode with executive producer Damon Noyes—and it’s a double feature: Attack of the Crab Monsters and Island Claws. Then Daniel DiManna returns for a bonus episode on Space Monster Wangmagwi. Finally, the “Kong Quest” (ba-dum-tsh!) crosses over with Godzilla Redux when Legendary releases the latest MonsterVerse entry, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.

Until next time, remember…we shall overcome!

Social media:

#JimmyFromNASALives      #WeShallOvercome                #MonsterIslandFilmVault

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Episode 87: ‘Yongary, Monster from the Deep’ vs. Neil Riebe

Published March 22, 2024

Hello, Kaiju Lovers! The South Korea leg of the Monster Island World Tour begins with arguably the first true Korean kaiju film: Yongary, Monster from the Deep. Author Neil Riebe, who might very well be this film’s biggest fan, pays yet another visit to MIFV’s mobile studio in Uber-Moguera to enlighten us with his copious research on the movie. Released in the “Year of the Kaiju,” 1967, it borrows some from Showa Godzilla films but way more from Showa Gamera—complete with a Korean Kenny! Ironically, only the dubbed version of the movie survives. It was once the most expensive film ever made in South Korea (until that record was broken by its remake) and is considered one of the country’s most important films, but does it have the artistic merit to warrant such acclaim, or is it truly just MST3K fodder? Since the film had Japanese technicians from Toei and X Productions working on it, our Toku Topic is Japan-Korea relations.

Read Jimmy’s Notes on this episode on the MIFV website.

Additional Music:

  • “Kuwanga Banga” by PirateCrab
  • “Here We Go” by Chris Classic

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 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!

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:

  • Introduction: 0:00-7:24
  • Entertaining Info Dump: 7:24-15:52
  • Toku Talk: 15:52-1:26:59
  • Ad (Toku Toy Town): 1:26:59-1:28:22
  • Toku Topic (Korea-Japan relations): 1:28:22-1:57:52
  • Outro: 1:57:52-2:23:35
  • Credits: 2:23:35-end

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault     #MonsterIslandWorldTour            #YongaryMonsterfromtheDeep

© 2024 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

Note: This list does not include Neil’s sources.

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Jimmy’s Notes on Episode 86: ‘The Whale God’ vs. Daniel DiManna vs. Elijah Thomas

Published March 14, 2024

We’re getting a lot of impromptu episodes this season. Well, two at the moment. As far as I know, there won’t be any more added to the schedule. I don’t know how much more we can handle, especially when we have to split our time between the show, our regular jobs, and kaiju wrangling. Plus, I have a girlfriend…who’s upset with me. (Damnit!) Anyway, I took a lot of notes on episode 86 (The Whale God), which I’m sure will do nothing but shamelessly promote SRS Cinema’s release of this film. (I need to be paid for all this free publicity).

  • Never question what I know about robots and piloting! I’ve watched every Gundam series five times. (Okay, maybe I’ve watched five Gundam series once…).
  • You goofballs are such SRS shills in this. I hope you got paid for it. Oh, wait….
  • Must you talk about whale racism? We’re going to get letters from the Gorilla Whales…again.
  • “Dickatry.” Someone call Merriam-Webster; we have a new word for them.
  • The shenanigans Alf and I got into…I wish I could talk about them.
  • The puns only got worse after the Entertaining Info Dump. They would kill some people.
  • Don’t forget Warning from Space, Marchand! That was a “kaiju” film before this!
  • That was the weirdest wandering accent I’ve ever heard. How the hell do you go from Davey Jones to Sean Connery?
  • Killing a whale to become Takashi Shimura is freaking weird, man! The sad thing is there are people in the Godzilla fandom who would try it.
  • I might’ve ripped a voice box out of a Five Nights at Freddy’s animatronic. It was my Predator-style prize!
  • What did William Hughes do? I don’t know. I couldn’t find anything on him. I did find other actors named William Hughes on IMDb, though.
  • Toyo’s glaring reminds me of angry Kaguya. That’s all I’ve been seeing for a few weeks now. She’s slowly coming around…I think.
  • The definitions/descriptions I found for jidaigeki films included:
    • “Jidaigeki (時代劇) is a genre of film, television, video game, and theatre in Japan. Literally meaning “period dramas”, they are most often set during the Edo period of Japanese history, from 1603 to 1868. Some are set much earlier—Portrait of Hell, for example, is set during the late Heian period—and the early Meiji era is also a popular setting.” (Wikipedia)
    • So, I hate to disappoint Elijah, but I don’t think his new wife, Godzilla Minus One, counts.
  • I’m the studliest guy in every room I enter. Even Glen admitted that when he trained me at NASA.
  • I do have Twit-X. Perhaps I’ll check on Elijah there. Someone has to keep him in check. Marchand is failing at that. (Although, he did get smacked in the face by Kujira Kami after the show).
  • I downloaded and added a proper drum roll to our soundboard.
  • Sometimes Nate and I have fact check races. He won this time. This time….
  • “Kujira Kami” not “Gami,” Nate.
  • Yes, don’t blow hole my mind. (ba-dum-tsh!)
  • This episode might hold the record for most rimshots and sad trombones.
  • I’m definitely changing that Wi-Fi password. We can’t have randos in Seoul hacking our Wi-Fi. We need the bandwidth to produce the show and catch kaiju.
  • There is, in fact, a Korean Coast Guard.

In our next episode, we start the South Korean leg of our World Tour with Yongary, Monster from the Deep (1967), which will feature special guest Neil Riebe (aka Yongary’s biggest fan). Then we have season four’s first Patreon-sponsored episode (which, as Nate said, could be called “Corman’s Crabs”) with executive producer Damon Noyes—and it’s a double feature: Attack of the Crab Monsters and Island Claws. What Nate failed to mention was Danny will return later this month for a bonus episode on Space Monster Wangmagwi. Another SRS title? We need to start charging for this publicity! Then the “Kong Quest” (ba-dum-tsh!) returns when Legendary releases the latest MonsterVerse entry, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.

Until next time, remember…we shall overcome!

Social media:

#JimmyFromNASALives      #WeShallOvercome                #MonsterIslandFilmVault

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Episode 86: ‘The Whale God’ vs. Daniel DiManna vs. Elijah Thomas

Published March 14, 2024

Hello, Kaiju Lovers! In yet another impromptu episode (because reasons), Nate is joined by Daniel DiManna (Godzilla Novelization Project) and Elijah Thomas (Kaiju Conversation) to discuss the semi-obscure Daiei proto-kaiju film, The Whale God. Released in 1962, it was largely unseen outside of Japan until it was released by SRS Cinema this past January. The boys unpack the tremendous talent behind and in front of the camera–including Takashi Shimura, Kojiro Hongo, and Akira Ifukube, among others–its connections to Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, and how it uses elements of J-horror to create a potent period drama. The Toku Topic, thanks to Danny’s in-depth research, is Japanese whaling. Then stay tuned after the credits to hear Elijah try to touch the Whale God!

Buy The Whale God on blu-ray and VHS from SRS Cinema! (https://srscinemastore.com/)

Read “Jimmy’s Notes” on this episode here: https://monsterislandfilmvault.com/index.php/2024/03/14/jimmys-notes-on-episode-86-the-whale-god-vs-daniel-dimanna-vs-elijah-thomas/.

Post-credit scene suggested by Elijah Thomas.

Additional Music:

  • “For Her Soul” by RoeTaKa
  • “Kuwanga Banga” by PirateCrab
  • “Here We Go” by Chris Classic

Additional sound effects sourced from www.Zapsplat.com.

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 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, and Leon Campbell! 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:

  • Introduction: 0:00-24:20
  • Entertaining Info Dump: 24:20-32:21
  • Toku Talk: 32:21-1:51:42
  • Ad (Toku Toy Town): 1:51:42-1:53:04
  • Toku Topic (Japanese whaling): 1:53:04-2:21:31
  • Outro: 2:21:31-2:43:48
  • Credits/Post-Credit Scene: 2:43:48-end

Podcast Social Media:

www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com

#JimmyFromNASALives       #MonsterIslandFilmVault     #TheWhaleGod            #SRSCinema

© 2023, 2024 Moonlighting Ninjas Media

Bibliography/Further Reading:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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