G-Fest XXVI (2019) Panel: Alien Invasions w/Giant Monster Messages

Posted on July 24, 2019 by Kaijuvision Radio

This is our G-Fest Conference panel, which took place at 12:00pm (CDT) on July 14, 2019 at the Crowne Plaza O’Hare in Rosemont, Illinois. In it, we compare and contrast alien invasion stories in movies from the Godzilla franchise and from American kaiju/sci-fi movies. I connect the stories from the Godzilla movies to events and trends in Japanese history, while Taylor connects the stories from American films to events and trends in American history. I highlight events from World War II, post-war globalization, nationalism, and the Japanese stock market crash in 1989/1990. Taylor highlights events from the Great Depression, the Red Scare, resource management, and technology.

I’d like to send a shout-out to our patrons Kyoei Toshi, Sean Stiff, William Mize, and Eric White. Thank you for your support! I really appreciate it.

MP3:

Co-Hosts: Brian Scherschel and Taylor Hensley

Editor/Director/Video: Brian Scherschel

Video Location: Crowne Plaza O’Hare, Rosemont, Illinois

“Torii Gate” Banners: Kevin Geary (kevincgearydesign.com)

Logos: Nanoparticles (www.fiverr.com/nanoparticles)

Episode 45: Matango (Attack of the Mushroom People) (1963) (Westernization and Globalization)

Posted on December 26, 2018 by Kaijuvision Radio

Hop aboard the Affluenza Maru (or the S.S. Affluenza) for this morality fable. It’s a Kaijuvision Christmas! Coincidentally, I’m doing the movie that decries consumerism during the busiest shopping period of the year. Matango, the most Hitchcockian movie of this season, is a monumental achievement by Ishiro Honda and company. Your band name of the day: Skulking Transitional Matango. Listen as I connect Matango to The Grinch, Gilligan’s Island, The Odyssey, Metropolis, and South Park! The related topics for this episode are Westernization and globalization, which the movie alludes to at the very end.

This episode is dedicated to renowned producer Tomoyuki Tanaka.

I’d like to send a shout-out to our patron Sean Stiff for donating at the Kaiju Visionary level. Thank you for your support! I really appreciate it.

MP3:

Introduction: 0:00 – 2:12

Part 1 – Film Description: 2:12 – 9:52

Part 2 – Opinion and Analysis: 9:52 – 32:45

Part 3 – Related Topic: 32:45 – 54:19

Closing: 54:19 – End

Host/Editor/Director/Scenic Videos: Brian Scherschel

Video Location: PNC Building, Fort Wayne, Indiana

Video Notes: On the side of Fort Wayne’s 2nd tallest building, this large and old display of Christmas lights used to be on the side of the famous Wolf & Dessauer Department Store, which existed until 1962.

Music: Audiophiliac (www.fiverr.com/audiophiliac)

“Torii Gate” Banners: Kevin Geary (kevincgearydesign.com)

Logos: Nanoparticles (www.fiverr.com/nanoparticles)

G-Fest XXV (2018) Panel: Godzilla and the Japanese National Spirit

Posted on July 25, 2018 by Kaijuvision Radio

As promised, here’s the audio and video of our G-Fest Conference panel, which took place at 3:00pm (CDT) on July 13, 2018 at the Crowne Plaza O’Hare in Rosemont, Illinois. We had a larger-than-expected turnout, including several attendees who were listeners and a university professor who was impressed with our presentation. If he was amazed, we know you’ll be, too!

In this, we discuss Godzilla (1954), The Return of Godzilla (1984), Shin Godzilla (2016), and Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972), and the international relations issues that were surrounding them when they were made.

We introduce ourselves, the podcast, and its mission. Then Nate examines the 1954 and 1984 movies with respect to the JSDF, the US-Japan Alliance, and Japanese domestic issues. Brian then updates the audience on what has happened in Japan and the world between 1984 and 2016. Nate examines the 2016 movie across the same issues. Brian analyzes Godzilla vs. Gigan and all that the movie communicates to the audience about globalization. Brian finishes the panel by mentioning what all will happen to Japan in 2019 and 2020, and gives a spirited case for defending democracy.

MP3:

Host: Brian Scherschel

Co-Host: Nathan Marchand

Editor: Brian Scherschel

Video Location: Crowne Plaza O’Hare, Rosemont, Illinois

Video: Brian Scherschel

Music: Audiophiliac (http://www.fiverr.com/audiophiliac)

Episode 17: Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972) (Globalization/Trade/Corporations, 1972 Winter Olympics)

Posted on January 10, 2018 by Kaijuvision Radio

For this week’s episode, we present Brian’s favorite Godzilla movie! Though it’s an underrated movie, it sold the most tickets of any of the late Showa series movies (after 1968). It’s also filmed well, full of action, yet also cerebral. The movie contains a story with multi-layered symbolism, yet it has lots of fire, explosions, and monster fights. Plus it’s infused with the Japanese National Spirit. Listen to Brian and Nate synthesize everything fascinating about this movie. Our related topics are the symbolism of Godzilla vs. Gigan and the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics. Our 4k video for this episode was made at a location much farther away from home than usual: New York state.

We’d like to send a shout-out to our patrons Kyoei Toshi and Sean Stiff for pledging at the Kaiju Visionary level. Thank you for your support! We really appreciate it.

This episode is dedicated to Haruo Nakajima.