Blast from the Past

Godzilla fandom has not only introduced us to some great people, but it has also been a link to renew old friendships.

Just today I received the t-shirt pictured here from my best boyhood friend, who ran across it in a second-hand store and picked it up for me. What's especially great is that in a bit of synchronicity, Andy and I had just been watching this commercial on You Tube and enjoying it tremendously. Thank you, DCV, for your generosity and thoughtfulness!

Tonight Andy and I watched the first hour of GMK, and I just enjoy the heck out of that film. As a one-shot, sort of "alternative history" Godzilla movie, it works for me, and most importantly the visuals are stunning. I've stated this many times already, but that G-suit is in my top three, and the musical score is remarkable too. If you haven't seen a Godzilla movie in a long time, this (Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All Out Attack) is the one to watch!

P.S. Andy recognized G-FEST guest-to-be Hiroyuki Watanabe in this movie. Good eyes, Buddy!

Cyber-Kaiju Roundup

Most of the monster action going on around here has been of the internet variety as of late. Facebook has provided two cool items. First, as pictured here, is a great site called www.ultrabestiary.blogspot.com by Ben Mackey. Kaiju artist Matt Frank brought it to light. It looks like Ben is going to be posting his interpretations of Ultra monsters in chronological order based on the original Ultraman series.

Next, August Ragone has been posting on Facebook about a Japanese release of Ultra Q on Blu ray. The twist is that it will be released in both black and white and colorized versions! We are fortunate to have the series on DVD in glorious black and white. If you are interested enough to actually be reading this, then you must get your hands on Ultra Q, even though I don't know of any versions that have English subtitles (the new releases included). G-FEST guest of honor Kenji Sahara is great in this, and in the series you can see not only the seeds of what would become Ultraman, but I see connections between Ultra Q and series like The Twilight Zone and even The X-Files.

Finally, one of the best elements of having an iPhone is the fact that I can carry Godzilla films with me anywhere I go! The iTunes store even offers some of them for $4.99 a pop. At this point, I haven't been able to bring myself to spend $9.99, which means no Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla or War of the Gargantuas yet, but it does mean that with a few finger taps, I can watch Godzilla, King of the Monsters, Rodan, Godzilla vs. Mothra, or Godzilla 2000. As someone who used to live for "Godzilla Week" on local TV, this represents a quantum leap into the future!

Pray for Japan

G-FEST XVIII Guests Announced

G-FEST XVIII is coming into focus! This year's special guests were announced today on G-FAN's website. The guest of honor is Shinji Higuchi, the special effects mastermind behind the Gamera revival of the 1990s. Here's hoping that one or more of the films from the trilogy will be screened at the Pickwick! For more info go to www.g-fan.com

Now Playing: Saturday Grab Bag

Life has begun to settle down to the point that we can begin to report on some recent screenings. First, as pictured above, Andy and I have been getting into "The Secret Saturdays," formerly of Cartoon Network. Yes, I know we missed the party, but thanks to iTunes we are getting caught up fast. While there is only one daikaiju (that I know of) in the series, "The Secret Saturdays" dovetails perfectly with my son's burgeoning interest in real cryptids, and features a pretty cool story arc that we are only about a third of the way into. Strangely, we totally backed into this show, happening upon the Wii game for $5 at a local used video game shop and a SS toy at a thrift store. It is sort of old school, sort of new school, with the real draw for me being its reliance on "real" cryptozoological reports, such as Owlman and the Honey Island Swamp Monster.



We also just watched MST3K's skewering of "Mighty Jack." If I'm not mistaken, I spotted both Jerry Ito and Masanari Nihei who played another Ito on Ultraman. Although it was a reaction to what was popular at the time, Mighty Jack was crying out for a superhero who never arrived.



Finally, having joined the iPhone clone ranks, I am downloading podcasts like crazy. One that I am really excited about (and this should come as a surprise to no one) is "kaijucast." I was hooked from the opening bumper music, which combines snippets of Godzilla dialogue and sound effects with the music from "Godzilla Unleashed." It focuses on the fun elements of the fandom and is really worth a listen. Check it out at http://www.kaijucast.com/.

I Heart Godzilla

To make a long story short, we received G-FAN # 94 on Valentine's Day, strangely appropriate for Godzilla lovers like us. We were pleasantly surprised to be mentioned in J.D. Lees' editorial in reference to Andy's library displays! That was a special moment for us, especially since we've had to put some aspects of G-fandom on hold for a time during our recent move. It served as a reminder of the really great people with whom we've become acquainted thanks to Godzilla, G-FAN and G-FEST.

Scroll all the way to the bottom for a look at Andy's first library display, or explore the previous posts here at Monsterland Ohio.

Going Mad

I am happy to report two things: (1) we are moved in and getting settled; and (2) I received an early Christmas present this year: publication in Mad Scientist #22. My article on The Legend of Boggy Creek appears in this issue with great supplemental illustrations added by editor Martin Arlt. I also contributed a pointillistically rendered Varan illustration that appears near the end of the main article.

I'm very appreciative that my article was included--thanks, Martin! To order issues of Mad Scientist, click the link on the right and follow the instructions.

Big News...

Those of you cool people who check in here once in a while may have noticed a marked decrease in posts over the past months. That is because we are moving! However, our move is not out of state, so Monsterland Ohio will continue under the same moniker for the forseeable future. I will get started in a new setting in January, and in time, things should pick up here again. A G-FEST wrap-up and G-FAN review are still in process-so keep checking back. Merry Christmas from the MO crew!

Spaceman's Night at the Library

Our pal Jason Williams, proprietor of Spaceman Floyd's Cosmic Toys, was invited to give a presentation on Retro Toys last Thursday night at the Perry Library. Although he had quite a bit of information regarding the anthropology of toys ready to use, the presentation went in a different direction, focusing on the toy collections of the participants and the memories they conjure. It was a unique experience, and the Perry Library again deserves thanks for hosting interesting programs such as this.

It's Gorosaurus!

Matt E. strikes again with everyone's favorite kangaroo-kicking kaiju.

'Battles of Godzilla' Now Includes Kong

Here is a shot of the models Matt E. has added to the display at the Perry Library. Watch for a future post of the Gorosaurus model which is also included, making a complete representation of the kaiju and mecha from "King Kong Escapes."

UPDATE: "Battles of Godzilla" will be coming down tomorrow, November 23rd, to make way for Perry Library's Lego Club display, so if you want to see the set-up, you'll need to act fast!

Lake County To Host Cuyahoga Kaiju Club Event

Andy and I are excited to welcome the CKC to the Perry Public Library this Saturday. In addition to viewing some kaiju classics and checking out the "Battles of Godzilla" display, participants will have the opportunity to visit Spaceman Floyd's in Madison to revel in the retro-toy goodness. Join us if you can!

'Battles of Godzilla' Now at Perry Public Library'

Andy's second Godzilla-themed display is now in place at the Perry Library. This year's showcase, "Battles of Godzilla," puts the focus on kaiju combat, depicting battles from five G-movies as well as the Ultraman episode in which a Godzilla costume is retrofitted with a large frill to become Jiras/Keyra. The collection will be on display throughout November, and on the 20th the PPL will welcome the Cuyahoga Kaiju Club for fun and excitement with the showing of "Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster" and the aforementioned Ultraman episode.

Happy Hallowe'en

Countdown to Halloween: Thirty-One Days of Godzilla

Andy entered this Polar Lights Godzilla in the G-FEST Model Contest and was awarded a blue ribbon! A happy and safe Halloween to you and yours.