Kaiju Triple Feature In Ohio

This whole post is by KG Member Mecha74 AKA Neal

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At 'The 24 Hour Ohio Science Fiction Marathon'.' Godzilla vs. Mothra 92', the recent short film parody 'Gehara' and even another Toho classic 'Battle In Outer Space'From noon Saturday April 17th to noon Sunday April 18th.

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Drexel Theatre

2254 E. Main Street

Columbus, Ohio 43209

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For more info...

http://www.scifimarathon.com/index.html

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Here is the lineup so far...

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Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)

Gehara

Battle In Outer Space

Moon

Galaxina

Sleep Dealer

Star Trek(2009)

Ink

2010: The Year We Make Contact

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In past years they have shown the following...

Inframan

The Giant Claw

The Mysterians

Ghidrah The Three Headed Monster

The H-man

Them

Gamera Guardian Of The Universe

Mighty Peking Man

Gamera 2 Advent Of Legion

Gamera 3 Revenge Of Irys

GMK

Mothra(1961 original)

King Kong(original)

Godzilla Final Wars

Big Man Japan

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The lineup ain't finished yet but will be soon. Aside from films there are also short films and trailers for both old movies and upcoming summer blockbusters. There are also intermissions between each film for restroom breaks and to attack the concession stand or connecting cafe if need be.

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TICKETS ARE $30 THROUGH APRIL 11; $35 APRIL 12-16; AND $40 AT THE DOOR.

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Then there's the 12 hour halfthon, for those who lack the stamina for the full 24 hours. It will be run in a separate auditorium from the main marathon. Right now though which films will be shown from the full lineup for the halfthon is unknown. If you are worried about missing a certain film, sticking with the full 24 hour shebang is your best bet. But if you don't care one way or the other... HALFATHON TICKETS ARE $15 THROUGH APRIL 16 AND $20 AT THE DOOR. I've been going to the 24 hour marathon for years myself, it's a mere 20 minute drive from where I live and has always been a blast for me!

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WARNING! Film lineup is subject to change due to last second problems with print availability or technical difficulties. Granted it has only happened with 6 films that I am aware of in the marathon's 26 year history.

Teruyoshi Nakano To Be Honored

By the same cinema which lead the 2007 Koichi Kawakita honor. Similar poster and memorabilia produced for the Kawakita festival is to be produced for Nakano-san's. More information to come.

http://www.humax-cinema.co.jp/cinema/special/meigaza/ginza_meigaza4.html

Thanks to Cody Himes for the correction of the "Nakano-san" phrasing (originaly Teruyoshi-san).

Godzilla's Green... Again... For "Godzillabout"

News seems to be going slow this day and age. However, it seems like a new fashion in kaiju merchandise is going on - mostly with cell phones. Enter "GODZILLABOUT". A set of officialy made icons have been produced and are being used on cell phones and jackets (do not know if the jackets are official or fan made though). Check it out!

Check out the link!

http://www.t-entamedia.com/html/pressrelease/2009/rel091119_1.pdf

Monster Attack Team... No Worries

If any of you have tried visiting the official site for the ressurected Monster Attack Team fanzine and found it alarming that the link is no longer working. No worry! I have spoken to Michael Keller and here is where the site is moving to:

www.monsterattackteam.com

Comfirmation: DAM at S.S.S.S.

Well, this topic at Tohokingdom says it all. Better get your bags packed!

http://www.tohokingdom.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=23498

Heisei Film Festival Pics

Guess what props are on display here:

News on Blu-Ray Discs

Has anyone check out the page for the blu-rays? They updated some of them with pics form the new special features:

http://www.toho-a-park.com/tokusatsu-bd/monokuro.htmlhttp://www.toho-a-park.com/tokusatsu-bd/radon.htmlhttp://www.toho-a-park.com/tokusatsu-bd/godzilla1984.htmlhttp://www.toho-a-park.com/tokusatsu-bd/vskingghidorah.htmlhttp://www.toho-a-park.com/tokusatsu-bd/rengoukantai.html

Not only that, but the stats for the third wave's Heisei releases have been updated. It seems like all the Heisei releases are going to have the same "new" special feature: shows exactly where in Japan the kaiju go through. Something simular was done for the Cloverfield blu-ray...

TokusatsuReviewV3's New Episode

The ingenious youtube channel created by Frank Gillen (EarIt41), "TokusatsuReviewV3" - which collects the tallent of the most note-worthy of kaiju fans who make youtube videos - let me do an episode. It is below. It is not the best episode, but there is going to be a fallow up to it. Another thing is scratched off my bucket list. But that doesn't mean that I wouldn't want to do it again! Plus, I think that this is the first video I have done in a long time which exposes my face.

New Toho Blu-Rays

Today, the official Toho Tokusatsu Blu-Ray DVD site revealed the fourth wave of blu-rays being released on March 19, 2010. The films being released are "Mothra vs. Godzilla", "Ghidorah, The Three Headed Monster", and "Godzilla X Megaguirus". For their regular SFX films, "The Mysterians" and "Atragon" are being released. Unlike the third line - which only had one of it's title prevail with newly produced special features, all of the DVDs in this fourth wave have newly made special features - even "Godzilla X Megaguirus". The spects are the same as the other blu-rays. Below is links and translations of what is on the disc other than the film:


"Ghidorah, The Three Headed Monster"
http://www.toho-a-park.com/tokusatsu-bd/sandai.html
Special Features:
-Theatre Notice (HD quality)- making of (8mm film) (SD quality)
- interview with actor Nakashima Haruo (Godzilla) (SD quality)
-"Monster Ghidorah" 8mm Film release + FLEXI (SD quality)
-"Space Monster Ghidorah" DVD Book (from original DVD) (HD quality)
-Tokusatsu Toho University Encyclopedia SF (SD quality) [NEWLY PRODUCED]
-Audio Commentary (Eiko Wakabayashi , interviewed by Toshiaki Sato)

"Mothra vs. Godzilla"
http://www.toho-a-park.com/tokusatsu-bd/vs_goazilla.html
-Theater notice (HD quality)
-Godzilla vs. Mothra 1980 re-release cut (HD Blow-Up)
-"Godzilla attacks Tokyo" 8mm + FLEXI (SD quality)
-"Godzilla attacks Tokyo" DVD Book (HD quality)
-Career of Molding Godzilla (tentative HD quality) [NEWLY PRODUCED ]
-Tokusatsu Toho University Encyclopedia SF (SD quality) [NEWLY PRODUCED]
-Audio Commentary (Kenji Sahara interview by Kurashiki Yasuo)

"The Mysterians"
http://www.toho-a-park.com/tokusatsu-bd/bouei.html
-Theatre notice (HD quality)
-Earth Defense's Soldiers Toho Champion Matsuri Festival Edition (HD quality) [FIRST TIME RELEASED! ]
-SF Encyclopedia Tokusatsu Toho University (SD quality) [NEWLY PRODUCED]
-Audio Commentary (Shinji Higuchi and Koichi Kawakita interviewed by Yasuo Kurashiki)

"Atragon"
http://www.toho-a-park.com/tokusatsu-bd/kaitei.html
-Theatre notice (HD quality)
-1968 edit of Atragon (HD blow up) [FIRST TIME RELEASED ]
-Gotengo Encyclopedia (Tentative HD quality) [NEWLY PRODUCED]
-Tokusatsu Toho University Encyclopedia SF (SD quality) [NEWLY PRODUCED ]
-Audio Commentary (Okiharu Kajita and Takeshi Nuda)

"Godzilla vs. Megaguirus"
http://www.toho-a-park.com/tokusatsu-bd/vs_megagirasu.html
- Theater Notice (HD quality)
- Dispatch (HD Blow-Up)
-TV Spot (SD quality)
- Making (SD quality)
- Shibuya, Tokyo Bay Hen Location Guide Godzilla series (tentative HD quality) [Journal first! ]
- Audio Commentary (Director Masaaki Tezuka / special effects director Kenji Suzuki and Misato Tanaka)
- Audio Commentary (Composer Michiru Oshima and score producer Kitahara Kiyoko)

Gamera's Take Over Of Korea Coverage

As previously reported by SciFiJapan, the 6th annual JMEFF is showing the whole Gamera trilogy. Luckily, one of the members of the Korean "Big Monster Club" organization named "Artgihun" has posted onto his blog some coverage of the event. It is very awesome. The collection, to the pics of Kaneko, to even the revealing of alternate ADV Cover artwork. Take a look/see?

http://blog.naver.com/artgihun/20093335739

http://blog.naver.com/artgihun/20093335561

http://blog.naver.com/artgihun/20093335333

http://blog.naver.com/artgihun/20093426031

http://blog.naver.com/artgihun/20093425373

Hong-Gi Hun's collection looks awesome.

SciFiJapan's report:

http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2009/11/11/gamera-invades-korea/

New Variations of Godzilla Figures Being Released - Not Bandai Though

In celebration of the Kawakita Anniversary (that everything seems to be revolving around), Hazwagumi is releasing accouple of diffrent variations of some older figures which you can get that the Heisei film fest or buy in stores starting Dec. 1. Each figure is 16cm tall. The line-up as fallows:

-3 Mire-Gojis ("G2K" variant, "GXM" variant, "Fire" variant, and "pearl" variants)

-GMK Goji

-2 diffrent "Flying Shi'ie" Daisenso-Gojis

-2 diffrent Mosu-Gojis (head diffrences)

-2 Showa King Ghidorahs (One regular, one fire, both with base)

Good luck looking for these in your local Mandrake shop! And as you can see below, even Koichi Kawakita and company likes the figures!

*Special thanks goes out to ZoneFighter73 for pointing out that these figures are new variations, not just new.

First Look: Godzilla Soundtrack Perfect Collection Box 6

What you see above is one the best chirashi I have seen in some time. On the reverse side it shows off the Koichi Kawakita Godzilla film festival and the advent of Godzilla on the blu-ray format. But it also shows something: we finally get a look at the cover of the much awaited "Godzilla Soundtrack Perfect Collection Box 6". If someone can read the Japanese on the chirashi, please post a comment regarding what is going to be the extra disc in the set (we already know it is film "Godzilla vs. Megaguirus to "Godzilla: Final Wars"). This is awesome!

Humax Theatre Exclusuives: A Closer Look

As previously reported, Japan's Humex theatre is showing all of the Heisei films from "Godzilla vs. Biollante" to "Godzilla vs. Destoroyah" in celebration of Kawakita's 20 years worth of contributions to the Godzilla series - which is still continuing today in the form of the Deagostini's magazines and working on 2006's CT-R Godzilla game and even making some expensive merchandise - and the release of Kawakita's newest publication, "Heisei Godzilla Chronicle". While looking for news on blu-rays - even the posibility of a box set of blu-rays being release (as being done with Toho's Kurosawa films), I found a store selling some theatre exclusive stuff. Links are below for you to behold. Enjoy! (image feature not working right now).

http://www.amiami.com/shop/ProductInfo/product_id/142600;jsessionid=471C5E91B66F6A50CC690DFA336EBA06
http://www.amiami.com/shop/ProductInfo/product_id/142598;jsessionid=471C5E91B66F6A50CC690DFA336EBA06
http://www.amiami.com/shop/?vgForm=ProductInfo&sku=CGD-5140

New Blu-Ray Stand Sighting

Looks like Toho has set up another awesome stand, this time utilizing the Kiryu-Goji suit (2002 varriation w/o scar). This is not in Tokyo, but rather Takasaki which is in the Gunma Prefecture. Take a look!

Advertisement like this can only mean one of two things: the Blu-Rays are going good or Toho needs the extra publicity. Or maybe the last two films of the Kiryu saga will be comming soon to blu-ray? (I say last two since they have already released some films which are in the Kiryu Saga continuity - Gojira, Mothra, and Rodan) Either way, this is the third Godzilla-related happening this month, along with the Kirin's advertisements for their new canned coffee, "Fire", and the celebration of Koichi Kawakita's new book and his 20th anniversary becoming the SFX director of the Heisei Godzilla series. And just for comparison, the one in Akihabara:

Koichi Kawakita's New Book: "Heisei Godzilla Chronicle"

Turns out I may have found the reason for the Heisei film festival that will be going on this November - it is coinciding for a new book Koichi Kawakita has written/assembled on his work on the Heisei Godzilla series. It is aprox. $50 and is comming out this month on the 17th. Contains 272 pages of information! Now time for some pics:

Godzilla/Kawakita Film Festival This Nov. In Japan

The second half of 2009 belongs to one person: Koichi Kawakita. And I am not surprised. He has his own SFX company, he was and probably is still one of the largest stock holders with Toho, and he is now becoming very active with Godzilla again, which hasn’t happened in such a way since he directed the siutmation footage in the CT-R Godzilla game. Currently, DeAgonstini is publishing a magazine which by this time next year will cover the entire Godzilla series plus some other Toho SFX films. Luckily, Koichi Kawakita is writing some of the text for these magazines, which is something awesome since he has been involved with Godzilla since 1962’s "King Kong vs. Godzilla".

Kawakita is also being honored in a way with the Heisei series - a series 6/7 his (SFX wise) - being released on blu-ray. Not only is it the 10th anniversary of which Kawakita became the next "Tsuburaya" or "Nakano" for Godzilla, but the first two movies he worked on ("Godzilla vs. Biollante" and the award winning "Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah") are released this year on blu-ray. While only the 1991 film got a new special feature, it also marks the eternal preservation of the special features which have been passed down from the DVD format which got it from the 3 disc LD sets which were made possible by Kawakita and are rightfully Kawakita’s babies.

All of this good stuff for Kawakita and the Heisei Godzilla series sounds too good to be true. But it is not and there is more. If you are dropping off in Japan in the next month, you would be wise to go by a film festival celebrating Kawakita’s work on the Godzilla series hosted by the Humax Cinema. The films will be the ones Kawakita was the director of special effects for, "Godzilla vs. Biollante", "Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah", "Godzilla vs. Mothra", "Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla", "Godzilla vs. Spacegodzilla", and the dramatic "Godzilla vs. Destroyer". The first image above is actually a scan of the back of the chirashi for the event. Here is a list of dates and times for the event:

11/13(Fri) - 15 (Sun) "Godzilla VS Biollante"
11/14(Sat) - Talk with Koichi Kawakita and actor Koichi Ueda
11/16 (Mon) to 18 (Wednesday) "Godzilla VS King Ghidorah"
11/19 (Thu) to 21 (Sat.) "Godzilla VS Mothra"
11/22 (Sun) to 24 (Tue) "Godzilla VS Mechagodzilla"
11/25 (Wed) - 27 (Fri) "Godzilla VS Space Godzilla"
11/28 (Sat) - 30 (Mon) "Godzilla VS Destoroyah"

The Humax Theatre is located in Ginza, Tokyo, Japan. Ticket price to each day’s event will be around $13 (1,300 yen). Though not said yet, more activities are being planed for the 21st and 28th. More information can be found on the official web site whose link is below:

http://www.humax-cinema.co.jp/cinema/special/gozzira.html

NOTE: THE PARAGRAPHS BEING SO CLOSE TOGEATHER IS BLOGGER'S FAULT, NOT MINE.

Godzilla's Latest Venture in Japan's Economy

Product placement and Godzilla go together like green eggs and ham. Most notably, Godzilla has been used to advertise drinks. He is known in the US to have helped the Dr. Pepper company make some dough in 1985 when the King of the Monsters was featured in accouple of commercials by the Dr. Pepper company and when the US version of "The Return of Godzilla", aptly titled "Godzilla 1985" had most of it’s American scenes having something Dr. Pepper-related in it - from a military smart ass drinking it to the Pentagon having a Dr. Pepper vending machine. But now Godzilla is entering a new age with a new company asking for his pop-culture status as help. Guess who?

It was a company shown in "Gamera: Giant Monster Midair Showdown" and "Gamera 2: Advent of Legion", with the latter being used to more extent. The company is also based on a Yokai-esque entity which was a focal point in the latest remake of "The Great Yokai War". Give up? It’s Japan’s own Kirin beer company. Evidently they have made a new coffee beverage called "fire". But Godzilla is not alone.

Also helping to add star value to the mostly viral advertisement campaign is a person who has been nick-named Godzilla since he came over for a little while to play for the Yankees (and I own the New York Times issue which calls him this; thanks to my grandfather in NY): Hideki Matsui. Many fans know that when he came over here, he was nicknamed "Godzilla" for his Japanese nationality and his skill. Hideki would also gain popularity when he makes a came in the 2002 film, "Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla". In something most probably more than coincidence, the Godzilla suit used for the campaign is in fact the Kiryu-Goji suit (variation unknown).

At the link below, you can easily navigate through the main Kirin beer website to find good of all sorts. There is a commercial, a making of the commercial, and a message from Hideki himself. Also of interest are some exclusive screen savers, which the picture at the top shows what it looks like on my laptop. Better save them onto your hard drive before they are gone!

http://www.beverage.co.jp/fire/index.html

Special Thanks Goes To James Ballard for notifying me that "Fire" is an energy drink...

Godzilla Wins Halloween Award On Yahoo!

http://movies.yahoo.com/photos/collections/gallery/2156/halloween-gallery/fp#photo5

Halloween is a season for slashers, bashers and Universal masters of horror. But Yahoo istead came up with awards for everything that could be associated with Halloween. Some things are the same as every year: Michael Myers is still the ultimate slasher and Freddy Krueger is still the ultimate super-natural boogey man. But one thing is slightly the same: Godzilla is still the King of the Monsters. However, the runner up is not the legendary King Kong or the Rhedosaurus. It is instead the Cloverfield monster that is the runner up. King Kong's days are finaly numbered. The only think keeping the big ape in the public's eyes is the city of New York City, what pop culture refrences come our way through television shows, and the upcoming "King of Skull Island" film. Let's hope that Clover can keep up this kind of dominance over other kaiju. Maybe show JJ Abrams that we need another film?

Happy Halloween to all from JournalismG2KM and us of the Kaiju Galaxy Family!

Mothra for Halloween 2009

http://movies.amctv.com/movie-guide/greatest-movies-of-all-time-with-giant-insects.php

Help show your patriotism for kaiju/tokusatsu eiga by making Mothra go to the top and be voted as the greatest movie with a giant insect!

Silver Scream Spook Show Rumor: DAM!

Today is a good day for fans in and around the Georgia region. While only a rumor, it has been uncovered that one of the possibilities being considered for the Christmas Silver Scream Spook Show is the ever-so-iconic "Destroy All Monsters". This news has been uncovered by Kaiju Galaxy forumer Gojira84, which I give special thanks for notifying me first about this news. In an e-mail to someone associated with the Silver Scream Spook Show, "Not 100% sure, but stay tuned to www.silverscreamspookshow.com." So, time will just tell if we get another kaiju offering from the Plaza Theatre and the Silver Scream Spook Show. Already this year, the gindhouse theatre has showcased the wildly popular "GMK" and hosted an excruciatingly rare showing of "Rodan", which was special because it was film historian Ed Godziszewski‘s print that was shown.

There are some variables to solve out to have this film shown - such as the current copyrights issue due to the ADV fallout and weather or not film collectors will have a print available for the legendary AIP version. But we’ll just see, shall we?

Special thanks again to Gojira84...