TCM Strikes Again!

Turner Classic Movies is coming through again for monster fans. In June, they will be showing the original Godzilla, Rodan, and Mothra movies, along with some other treats such as "The Manster."

For a full report, posted as Sci Fi Japan, go here.

Godzilla: The Criterion Collection

The booklet cover art from the Criterion Collection's "Godzilla"

The news that the Criterion Collection would be releasing a remastered version of Godzilla (54) along with "Godzilla, King of the Monsters" was extremely satisfying, to say the least. While I was a big fan of the Classic Media DVD release, and still think it is one of the best in terms of picture quality and extra features, I was underwhelmed by Classic's Blu ray release. So the idea of Criterion "doing it right" made me very hopeful for a definitive version of this classic film on Blu ray.

Having explored most of the features of the Criterion release, it is my opinion that they have delivered on that hope. Both versions are included, and they look and sound wonderful. I'm not one to pay extremely close attention to the technical specifics, so all I can tell you is that the team at Criterion has done an excellent job tweaking the film for this particular format. In many ways it reminds me of the print that was shown at G-FEST a couple years ago, when Mr. Akira Takarada was in attendance.

The thing I enjoy the most about this release, however, is the audio commentary provided by David Kalat. He turns in two commentaries--one for each film--and they simply are two of the most engaging audio commentaries I've ever heard for any cinematic work. Since the Classic release had audio commentaries of their own, Mr. Kalat did not mine the same territory, but took his thoughts in different directions, to outstanding effect. For example, for the original Japanese film, he delves into the cultural context of Godzilla, applying the "Lucky Dragon" incident to the opening scenes in a way that makes the history come alive. His commentary on the American release gives a highly detailed account of the process through which "Godzilla" went before it was presented to Western audiences. I was fascinated to learn that at the time of its release, dubbing was only done to films that distributors thought had a chance of making a dent at the box office. Today there is a perception that dubbing equals "cheap hack job," but according to Kalat that is certainly not the case with "Godzilla."

Not only is Kalat's commentary literate and substantive from a content standpoint, but it is also delivered with polish and enthusiasm. To put it tactfully, audio commentaries do not always live up to their potential; Kalat's efforts on this release demonstrate that an excellent commentary track can not only enhance the viewing experience, but also be enjoyable on its own terms.

Other fantastic extras are included, such as interviews with Akira Takarada and Haruo Nakajima, which are very well produced and presented in high definition. A concise documentary about the "Lucky Dragon" incident is informative and well worth watching, as is the longer-form interview with composer Akira Ifukube, whose musical themes are synonomous with the character of Godzilla. There is even more included that I have yet to explore, such as featurettes on the special effects of Godzilla. Even the packaging itself is worthy of comment, with part of it folding out into a Godzilla pop-up image! I am admittedly a sucker for this kind of attention to detail--and Godzilla, in both of these incarnations, deserves it.

By its own reckoning, the Criterion Collection is "a continuing series of important classic and contemporary films." To see "Godzilla/Godzilla: King of the Monsters" regarded as such is not just exciting, but also is a vindication of sorts for those who have long thrilled to its dark, visceral vision. Moreover, it is gratifying to see names such as Honda, Tsuburaya, Ifukube, Takarada, and Shimura where they belong--among the best of world cinema.

Three Generations at G-FEST

This summer's G-FEST was already highly anticipated, with the recent announcement of stellar guests Akira Takarada and Bin Furuya. But we have learned that another special guest will be attending: my dad and Andy's grandpa.

It's only appropriate that he should come to G-FEST; after all, his dad took him to see "It Came From Beneath the Sea" when it was in the theaters. Years later my dad would take me to see "Star Wars," "Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla," and "Godzilla vs. Gigan" at the movies. So now, the chance to share his first G-FEST experience with him will be pretty special. Hopefully, these next four months go fast!

Monsterland Ohio Finds Bigfoot

Face to face with the cast of "Finding Bigfoot"

In mid-January, Andy and I had an unusually unique experience: we participated in the filming of an episode of Animal Planet's "Finding Bigfoot" that took place less than an hour from our home. It was a remarkable day--one that we will not soon forget.

I found out about the filming session through a notice in our local newspaper that I happened to see about two weeks in advance. I kept it quiet until the day before it happened, so that Andy wouldn't get overexcited, or let his hopes get too high, lest fate intervened, and we could not go.

And that is almost what happened; the night before the taping we got one of the worst ice storms of the year--not much, but enough for the local sherriff's office to issue a Level One Snow Emergency that morning. We seriously contemplated not making the 45-minute drive, but then decided to give it a try, rather than not. It was a great decision. Once we got to the expressway, it was relatively smooth sailing, and we soon found ourselves pulling into the parking lot of Deerasic Park, a nature preserve near the entrance to Salt Fork State Park.

James "Bobo" Fay and Andy

We had given ourselves plenty of extra time to get there; so much so that we were probably the first audience members to arrive. What this meant for us soon became clear, when Ranae Holland approached us, noticed Andy's "I Believe" Salt Fork T-shirt, and generally made us feel very welcome. It was a cool precursor to the day's activities.

Within minutes, the other members of the cast trickled in, and we were able to meet and speak with Cliff Barackman and Bobo. Andy, in particular, got to spend some quality time with Cliff, as they talked about what makes for good Sasquatch habitat and places in our region where they have been sighted. Bobo was just as approachable and laid-back as he appears on camera; in fact, one thing that stood out is that the stars of FB aren't acting. They truly seem to just be themselves whether the cameras are rolling or not.

Cliff Barackman and a young bigfooter

As the crowd began to swell, we found good seats near the front and got to know some of the folks around us. I was surprised to see a couple who had appeared in the "Ohio Grassman" episode of MonsterQuest, and got to talk with them at length about their experiences. Folks brought in artwork, alleged Bigfoot casts and photos. It was a festive atmosphere. Then we started to learn some of the trade secrets of "reality television."

This episode of FB was to be a "clip show," or a "best-of," so the cast would be introducing and commenting on footage from Season Two episodes, some of which had not yet aired. If you've seen the show, then you know that one element of FB's formula is the "town hall meeting," during which people share their opinions and encounters. However, to prompt the best responses from the cast, the production crew handed out index cards with questions already printed out, and asked members of the audience to ask them as if they were their own. Our excitement reached a new level when both Andy and I were invited to participate. My question was in reference to the "Baby Bigfoot" episode, and Andy's was about the "Canadian Rockies" expedition. We did our best, and could only wonder if we would make it into the final cut.

BFRO Founder and former Ohio resident Matt Moneymaker with Andy

All told, the recording took about five hours, which was whittled down to about 20 minutes of footage once the episode summaries/previews were added. So much interesting stuff was left on the cutting room floor, including Bobo's in-depth description of a controversial Bigfoot kill and the cast's candid opinions of Todd Standing, whose Slylvanic project purports to have clear footage of Bigfoot. (Matt made it pretty clear that he thinks Standing is a charlatan.) As someone who is a public speaker by vocation, I must say that I came away from this experience very impressed by the entire cast's ability to speak extemporaneously. Even Bobo, who some might consider the least polished of the foursome, is, in his own way, a master storyteller--someone to whom you can't help but listen, and his natural humor endears him to his fans. This series benefits tremendously from the cast's success at articulating their viewpoints, whether you agree with them or not.

Ranae Holland with Andy

Once the filming was done, the cast members stayed until every last hand had been shaken. Ranae Holland had special promo cards made up especially for young fans, and Andy got the signatures of the Big Four. We shared a really nice moment with her, as our father/son connection brought to mind memories of her father, who is repsonsible for her interest in the Bigfoot phenomenon. More than anyone, I think she understood what we were doing there.

Did I mention the catered meal? We were served pizza, hot Italian subs, salad, just for showing up!

And in case you were wondering, "Finding Bigfoot: Secrets of the Search" aired February 26th, and Andy and I both appeared on screen, asking our respective questions. Thank you, "Finding Bigfoot," for the legendary memory!

The Crypto-Kaiju Connection

Alleged Sasquatch foot and handprint casts

photographed at Finding Bigfoot recording near Cambridge, Ohio

It's pretty interesting when two worlds collide.

I have been a fan and highly interested devotee of both Japanese sci-fi and cryptozoology since childhood, and they recently came together again in a fascinating way.

Preeminent cryptozoologist Loren Coleman posted on his Cryptomundo blog today, reminiscing about the Toho feature "Half Human," and how it inspired him to explore the legend of the Yeti, propelling him down a path that he is still traveling. A prolific author in a variety of disciplines, Coleman's "Mysterious America" remains one of my absolute favorite books.

In his post, Coleman also references the interview he gave Brett Homenick for G-FAN magazine with regard to "Half Human" and its influence on his life's trajectory. It is gratifying to see his kind words for both Mr. Homenick and G-FAN. Could the possibility of meeting the star of this seminal film (Akira Takarada) lure Loren Coleman to G-FEST XIX this year? We'll have to wait and see. What a photo opportunity that would be!

To read Loren's Coleman's post, go here.

To see Brett Homenick's reaction to the Cryptomundo post, click here.

And yes, there is more to the story of the photo and it's caption which you see above. All will be revealed soon!

G-FAN # 98: Memory & Anticipation

These are great times to be a Godzilla fan.

Last week, G-FEST's special guests were revealed, and my expectations were exceeded yet again. Then over the weekend we received the latest G-FAN--issue # 98--and were taken right back to our experience with last year's guests, as we were given the opportunity to spend time with them in downtown Chicago.

The joys and challenges of everyday life can sometimes produce "tunnel vision." Re-reading the article I had submitted and seeing the pictures all together brought back the unique excitement of that day in vivid detail--not that I had forgotten the events, but I had shelved them for a time. Moreover, it gave our family another chance to ask the question, "Did that really happen to us?" Knowing the answer is "Yes, it did" is like a big, happy secret that the three of us will always share--and the remembrance of that secret can transform a humdrum day into something better.

There is lots of great stuff in G-FAN # 98, including another edition of "G-FAN Junior," a concept I heartily endorse and enjoy greatly. I can't wait for the chance to sit back and savor it. These are indeed great times to be a Godzilla fan, with unprecedented access to material and unparalleled opportunities to connect with those who have created the films themselves. That there is a community of like-minded fans to share it all with is the icing on the cake.

Big G-FEST News

The news has just been released via Facebook that this year's Guests of Honor are Mr. Akira Takarada, who delighted the fans two years ago, and Mr. Bin Furuya, the man inside the original Ultraman suit. What a titanic twosome! No one who met Mr. Takarada could forget his warmth and enthusiasm, and word is that Mr. Furuya has a similar knack for connecting with Western fans. The countdown to G-FEST begins in earnest tonight!

With Mr. Takarada at the G-FEST Awards Luncheon

Re-live the fun with us by clicking here.

Godzilla @ WDW

Late last month, we packed up and headed south for Andy's first trip to Disney World. While I knew there was a chance of spotting some kaiju-related merch at EPCOT's Japan, my hopes were not high.

I was surprised, then, to discover both S. H. Monster Arts Godzilla and Mechagodzilla for sale, along with at least four varieties of T-shirt and sweatshirt designs. The items were Disney World priced--the going rate for T-shirts was $27.50. (Yet another reason to save your change for the G-FEST dealers room.)

There was also a wide variety of Studio Ghibli souvenirs, including the first Ponyo plush we've seen in person. Once again, cute, but pricey.

Whether or not this is the closest we'll ever get to the real Japan remains to be seen. The illusion was pretty cool--well done, Imagineers!

Jack Kirby Kaiju (?)

I forget how I ended up with a copy of Marvel Comics' "Devil Dinosaur," but it was around the same magic time that their Godzilla series was being issued. As a kid, all I knew is it had a big red dinosaur as the main character, and that's all it took.

However, the great surprise of the first issue I got my hands on really was twofold: (1) not only were there dinos and cavemen, but there were also robot/aliens from the future and (2) I loved the way the art looked. What I didn't know at the time was that I was getting hooked on Jack Kirby. It was just totally unlike anything I had seen before.

Fast forward to the present, when I am just now finding out that there was a "Devil Dinosaur Omnibus," a hardcover, full-cover collection of the whole nine-issue run. Bad news was it was going for nearly a hundred bucks on eBay. Good news was a Half Price Books in Houston had it for far, far less, and now it's become part of the MO library. All I need is a pack of Bubble Yum and I will truly be seven years old again. I love the Internet.

Kirby got to a point in this series where he started doing these two-page spreads that are nothing short of works of art. If you even just like Kirby, you've got to see them. It's amazing to me what he put into these pages. His was a singular talent, and I sure enjoy his unique vision.

Return to Cosmic Toyland

Minifigs on Parade

Christmas Break afforded us the chance to return our favorite toy store, the one and only Spaceman Floyd's Cosmic Toys in Madison, Ohio. We were happy to find the place populated by a steady stream of customers with the Spaceman himself on the bridge.

The kaiju checkout shelf

Specializing in vintage toys of all types, Spaceman Floyd's has much more to offer, including books and periodicals (such as back issues of The Monster Times), model kits, board games, posters, postcards, video game systems, and more that I'm probably forgetting. Without a doubt, SFCT is the kaiju capital of Lake County, with many collectibles lining the shelves (especially for the discerning vinylphile).

Spaceman Floyd and Captain Andy

Andy adds: "It was fun! I am glad to see that it has exploded in Spaceman Floyd's. I remember seeing the front window, with the battle scene on Hoth and a LEGO Sandcrawler. I got a Lord of the Rings Prologue Elven Warrior action figure. I like Spaceman Floyd's because of all of the action figures."

Shelf after Shelf of Toybiz LOTR figures

It was great to be back, if only for an hour or two. For the record, Spaceman Floyd's is the only vintage toy store at which the owner has ever offered me an orange (I accepted). It's just that kind of place.

Merry Kaiju Christmas Pt. Three

This "Godzilla vs. Charles Barkley" poster somehow survived at least six moves intact, so it was time to frame the poor guy.

Cuyahoga Kaiju Christmas

Deep in the last uncharted territory of Northeast Ohio lies a place where mighty monsters still roam: Cuyahoga Kaiju Club Headquarters. Members of the CKC squad were summoned the week after Christmas for fun and fellowship, and were not disappointed.

The festivities began with--what else--food! While enjoying the tasty treats, we also had the opportunity to examine two of the new S. H. Monster Arts Godzilla figures: Godzilla himself and the 90's Mecahgodzilla. While undeniably cool, CKC members were fairly unanimous in the following observations: (1) Godzilla's head seems too small, especially in reference to the prototype on the box. (2) While heavily articulated, Godzilla is not quite mobile enough, while Mechagodzilla's hip sockets seem too loose to keep him upright. (3) The energy beams included with each figure are a neat touch. (4) Overall, these are nice collectibles, but are a tad pricey for the size. Kaiju Don brought out his Revoltech Legion, which is of comparable size, even smaller than the S.H. figures, and my personal opinion is that it had a bit more pizazz. That's no knock on the S.H. figures, but I will probably not be rushing out to purchase them any time soon.

Soon it was time to enter the CKC theater, and first on the viewing list was "Frankenstein Conquers the World." I've seen this film before, but seeing it again in its entirety brought ought both the strengths and pitfalls of this movie. First, the strengths: FCTW features a classic cast, with fan favorites Nick Adams and Kumi Mizuno in the starring roles. Toho vet Tadao Takashima keeps things interesting as a scientist with a keen interest in the irradiated Frankenstein, and kaiju fans will notice the brief appearances of Yoshio Tsuchiya, Jun Tazaki, Kenji Sahara, and Takashi Shimura. Haruo Nakajima, who is the suit actor inside the Baragon costume, also is seen onscreen as a helicopter pilot.

Another strength of this film is the effects work, though in the same breath it must be said the results are mixed. Some of the sets built for FCTW are so huge and lush one forgets they are sets. Yet this same movie has an extremely fakey-looking horse and chicken feathers that are waaay out of scale, compared to a giant monster, not to mention some rather obviously radio-controlled cars, and a crawling hand that could pass for a Halloween decoration. For the most part, the growth of Frankenstein is handled well, although the question of clothing/animal skins is never really addressed, and probably ought to be ignored altogether if one is going to enjoy FCTW. Although this really isn't a movie to be taken "seriously," it does offer some genuinely creepy moments, most of them having to do with the facial appearnce of the Frankenstein monster.

One more strength of FCTW is simply the audacity of its premise. There is a crazy brillance to the idea of Frankenstein's monster's heart being shipped back to Hiroshima just in time to be exposed to the Bomb.

Unfortunately, the worst part of this monster movie is the monsters. Frankie is just a big, spindly, ugly guy, whom, it is insisted, is obviously Causcasian (!). This led to some great CKC riffing, you can be sure. Baragon, as Frankie's foe, is tragically goofy. With big, floppy ears, a taste for farm animals, and a penchant for leaping about, Baragon just isn't that much of a menace. The closing battle, which should be hugely climactic, is hampered by the fact that you essentially see a skinny human wrestling with a funny looking monster, which is another way of saying that the audience's ability to suspend disbelief is stretched past the breaking point. In the end, the concept of the film is more intriguing than its actual cinematic execution, but it is still worth numerous screenings for any self-respecting kaiju fan.

After a quick intermission, it was on to "Gamera 2: The Advent of Legion," a film that has grown on me over time, to the point where I consider it one of the best kaiju films ever made, even slightly better than "Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris." A few reasons why I hold it in such high regard: (1) The effects work is impeccable, featuring a number of trend-setting scenes like Gamera sliding to a stop in the city. (2) The story of Legion is handled with some intelligence, including Biblical allusion! (3) The Gamera "character" is somewhat complicated; he is not regarded as a clear-cut savior, nor is he always successful in defeating his enemy. (4) The filmmakers had the guts to decimate an entire city and region in the story. (5) Hiroyuki Watanabe has a small but important role in the final third of the film (We chauffered Mr. Watanabe to and from Chicago's Field Museum this past summer at G-FEST.) "Gamera 2" looks great on the Mill Creek Blu-ray edition. These releases are an unbelievable value for monster lovers.

At the conclusion of "Gamera 2" it was time for us to go. Time flies, where the CKC is concerned. It was a great way to close out a very memorable kaiju year, and we here at Monsterland Ohio continue to be thankful that a mutual enjoyment of fantastic cinema has brought such good folks into our lives! Happy New Year!

Merry Kaiju Christmas Part Two

This 11" x 17" "Destroy All Monsters" reproduction is a real looker!

Merry Kaiju Christmas Pt. One

Some great stuff found its way to Monsterland Ohio HQ this Christmas, beginning with this full-sized, double-sided G2K movie poster!

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Gigan!

More work from the mighty Kaiju Modeler--classic design Gigan, cyborg partner of King Ghidorah and Megalon.