Episode 51: Godzilla: King of the Monsters (US) (2019) (Eco-terrorism/Climate Change)

A lot of critics know and understand the basics of the 1954 Godzilla, but they have less of an understanding of what makes a great Godzilla sequel. This movie has by far the most Toho magic of any non-Japanese Godzilla movie to date. I address the box office, the critical reviews, and how the way this film was edited is a big reason for the film’s underperformance.  The related topic for this episode is eco-terrorism and climate change.

This episode is dedicated to director Michael Dougherty.

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:

Introduction: 0:00 – 2:16

Part 1 – Film Description: 2:16 – 12:14

Part 2 – Opinion and Analysis: 12:14 – 1:16:53

Part 3 – Related Topic: 1:16:53 – 1:38:49

Closing: 1:38:49 – End

 

Host/Editor/Director/Scenic Videos: Brian Scherschel

Video Location: Lincoln Bank Tower (left), Allen County Courthouse (center), and The PNC Building (right), Fort Wayne, Indiana

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

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

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

Copyright Brian J. Scherschel

All Rights Reserved

 

Episode 35: Godzilla: Final Wars (2004) (Abenomics)

At the midpoint of Road to Shin Godzilla Month, Brian and Nate come to the Millennium Series’ explosive finale, commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Godzilla. Though this is the last entry of the series, it’s the first Internet Age Godzilla movie – and a valentine to G-fans. It resembles live-action anime as well as a live video game. Brian marvels at the redesign of his boy Gigan, and Nate argues that, in some ways, this is a “remake” of Destroy All Monsters that’s better than the original. Since there’s a ten-year gap in the franchise after this, our related topic is Abenomics.

This episode is dedicated to Akira Takarada.

On May 30, our Shin Godzilla episode will be the most in-depth analysis of that film in English.

MP3:

Introduction: 0:00 – 1:38

Part 1 – Film Description: 1:38 – 8:08

Part 2 – Opinion and Discussion: 8:08 – 1:11:59

Part 3 – Related Topics: 1:11:59 – 1:37:13

Closing: 1:37:13 – End

 

Host: Brian Scherschel

Co-Host: Nathan Marchand

Editor: Brian Scherschel

Video Location: Fish Ladder Park (Grand River), Grand Rapids, Michigan

Video: Brian Scherschel

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

Copyright Brian J. Scherschel

All Rights Reserved

Episode 34: Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (2003) (Deflation in Japan)

Road to Shin Godzilla Month marches on with the final entry of the “Tezuka Trilogy,” a film that astonished Brian and Nate on the re-watch.  Nate was surprised that this direct sequel to the previous film—which disappointed him—actually made good use of Kiryu having the original Godzilla’s soul grafted to it.  Brian thinks the special effects are a loving tribute to the artistry of classic tokusatsu.  Also, Mothra has never looked as good as she does in this film.  Much like Mothra vs. Godzilla, this movie doesn’t attempt many new things, but it does them all well.  Our related topic is deflation in Japan.

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.

MP3:

Introduction: 0:00 – 1:44

Part 1 – Film Description: 1:44 – 8:08

Part 2 – Opinion and Discussion: 8:08 – 46:48

Part 3 – Related Topics: 46:48 – 1:12:72

Closing: 1:12:72 – End

 

Host: Brian Scherschel

Co-Host: Nathan Marchand

Editor: Brian Scherschel

Video Location: South Side High School, Fort Wayne, Indiana

Video: Brian Scherschel

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

Copyright Brian J. Scherschel

All Rights Reserved

Episode 32: GMK: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001) (Election of Koizumi,USS Greenville Collision)

Turn of the Millennium Month comes to an end as Brian and Nate discuss an outlier of the Millennium Series and one of the highest-rated films in the franchise.  Directed by Shusuke Kaneko, the mastermind behind the acclaimed Heisei Gamera Trilogy, this is a complex film meditating on deep themes while also featuring incredible kaiju action, special effects, music, and characters.  It dared to make Godzilla purely evil and King Ghidorah a hero along with Mothra and Baragon (who’s sadly left out of the film’s mouthful of a title).  Our related topics are the election of Koizumi, the U.S.S. Greenville collision, and the many events of 2001.

MP3:

Introduction: 0:00 – 1:58

Part 1 – Film Description: 1:58 – 8:39

Part 2 – Opinion and Discussion: 8:39 – 1:05:26

Part 3 – Related Topics: 1:05:26 – 1:21:02

Closing: 1:21:02 – End

 

Host: Brian Scherschel

Co-Host: Nathan Marchand

Editor: Brian Scherschel

Video Location: Trophy Point (Hudson River), West Point, New York

Video: Brian Scherschel

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

Copyright Brian J. Scherschel

All Rights Reserved

Episode 25: Godzilla and Mothra: The Battle for Earth (1992) (Environmentalism, The Lost Decade)

Our trek through the Heisei Series continues!  After watching experimental weirdness and convoluted time-travel, Brian and Nate cover a Godzilla film that’s a bit more “normal”—for this franchise, anyway.  It’s the most successful film in the Heisei Series, and we see more positives than negatives in this 1990s update of the classics.  The movie features Akira Takarada, the return of Mothra, a weaponized Ferris wheel, and scenes ripping off Indiana Jones (the last one drives Nate crazy).  We also compare Battra to Mirror Universe Spock.  Our related topics are contemporary environmentalism and the Lost Decade.

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.

MP3:

Introduction: 0:00 – 1:40

Part 1 – Film Description: 1:40 – 7:01

Part 2 – Opinion and Discussion: 7:01 – 48:51

Part 3 – Related Topics: 48:51 – 1:17:36

Closing: 1:17:36 – End

 

Host: Brian Scherschel

Co-Host: Nathan Marchand

Editor: Brian Scherschel

Video Location: Foster Park, Fort Wayne, Indiana

Video: Brian Scherschel

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

Copyright Brian J. Scherschel

All Rights Reserved