Episode 99: ‘Godzilla vs. Megalon’ | Ft. Kaiju Kim and Damon Noyes | Godzilla Redux (complete)
Season 4
Monday, October 7, 2024 • Duration 03:21:27
Hello, Kaiju Lovers! In the zaniest (and funniest) MIFV episode yet, Nate is joined by the QUEEN OF THE FABULOUS EMPIRE, Kaiju Kim, and executive producer Damon Noyes to discuss the most notorious G-film ever: Godzilla vs. Megalon. Thanks to an aggressive ad campaign by Cinema Shares, constant play on TV (including a primetime slot hosted by John Belushi), and an endless amount of pseudo-legal home media releases (one of which got the Mystery Science Theater 3000 guys in trouble), this is the most seen G-film in the franchise. For many, this is their definition of Godzilla or their introduction to him—for better or worse. After Nate and company—including Jet Jaguar, who is filling in for Jimmy From NASA as Jimmy makes final prep for his wedding—finish what few “big brain topics” there are for this movie, they cut loose, cracking jokes and nerd-ing out for hours. Strap in, folks!
We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel, Ted Williams, Wynja the Ninja, Christopher Riner, The Indiscrite One, Eli Harris, Jake Hambrick, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, Leon Campbell, Michael Watson, and Sam Allred! Thanks for your support!
Episode 99: ‘Godzilla vs. Megalon’ | Ft. Kaiju Kim and Damon Noyes | Godzilla Redux (Part 2)
Season 4
Saturday, October 5, 2024 • Duration 02:13:42
CONTINUED FROM PART 1: Hello, Kaiju Lovers! In the zaniest (and funniest) MIFV episode yet, Nate is joined by the QUEEN OF THE FABULOUS EMPIRE, Kaiju Kim, and executive producer Damon Noyes to discuss the most notorious G-film ever: Godzilla vs. Megalon. Thanks to an aggressive ad campaign by Cinema Shares, constant play on TV (including a primetime slot hosted by John Belushi), and an endless amount of pseudo-legal home media releases (one of which got the Mystery Science Theater 3000 guys in trouble), this is the most seen G-film in the franchise. For many, this is their definition of Godzilla or their introduction to him—for better or worse. After Nate and company—including Jet Jaguar, who is filling in for Jimmy From NASA as Jimmy makes final prep for his wedding—finish what few “big brain topics” there are for this movie, they cut loose, cracking jokes and nerd-ing out for hours. Strap in, folks!
We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Damon Noyes, , TofuFury, Eric Anderson of , Ted Williams, Wynja the Ninja, Christopher Riner, The Indiscrite One, Eli Harris, Jake Hambrick, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, Leon Campbell, Michael Watson, and Sam Allred! Thanks for your support!
Episode 97: ‘Godzilla vs. Gigan’ | Ft. Daniel DiManna | Godzilla Redux (Part 1)
Season 4
Monday, September 16, 2024 • Duration 01:48:37
Hello, Kaiju Lovers! In the longest MIFV episode ever (of all time), Nate is joined by Daniel DiManna of the Godzilla Novelization Project (no surprise why it’s long) to discuss the most underestimated of G-films: Godzilla vs. Gigan (aka Godzilla on Monster Island). They discuss every possible aspect of this film, from its under-funded production to its quirky yet iconic dub and everything in between—and we do mean everything. But the most surprising part of this epic episode is Nate and Danny’s discussion of the historical context in which it was made—a time of market penetration by foreign corporations and the explosion of the popularity of theme parks—the fascinating unmade drafts of its script written by both Shinichi Sekizawa and Takeshi Kimura, and the brilliant meta commentary it makes on Godzilla as a pop culture icon. “There’s something funny going on” in today’s episode of MIFV!
Hello, kaiju lovers! I’m hard at work catching up on my editing/writing of the next few MIFV episodes, but in the meantime, I thought I’d share something in the podcast feed that’d normally be on MIFV MAX on Patreon. Any and all bloopers are saved and shared with Patrons (starting at the $10/month level), but since I had to cut some great discussions on Faustian deals from episode 67 (Little Shop of Horrors, 1986), I thought I’d publish it publicly so non-Patrons could taste a bit of what they can get for their support. Enjoy hearing me banter and flub with Michael Hamilton, Daniel DiManna, and Damon Noyes!
Episode 69: ‘Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster’ | Ft. Luke and Jason Jaconetti
Season 3
Wednesday, August 17, 2022 • Duration 02:24:01
Hello, kaiju lovers! Today them Jaconetti boys, Luke and Jason, join Nate for the latest entry in “Godzilla Redux”: Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster. This was Toho’s third kaiju film in the momentous year of 1964 and their second Godzilla film that year. As Luke puts it, it’s The Avengers (2012) of Toho kaiju, where several monsters who debuted in solo films come together to face a common alien enemy. It’s a momentous turning point for the franchise: Godzilla and Rodan have their “face turns,” and it’s the first appearance of Godzilla’s archnemesis, the three-headed golden space dragon himself, King Ghidorah. Get ready for a lively, nostalgic discussion riddled with pro-wrestling references!
Before the broadcast, Nate is met by Jessica at his new mega-office. During their argument (what’d you expect?), Gary comes in along with a beautiful mystery woman, whom Jessica immediately hates. Later, Nate returns to his office where he argues with Jessica again, only for Gary to come begging for help—just as the mystery woman reveals herself to be a Bug Lady from the Church of Mothrianity!
“Mothra's Song” (from "Godzilla: King of the Monsters") by FalKKonE
Episode 68: Nick Hayden vs. ‘Cloverfield’
Season 3
Friday, July 29, 2022 • Duration 02:18:38
Hello, Kaiju Lovers! “Ameri-kaiju” jumps ahead 50 years, but as you’ll hear, the (in)famous Cloverfield has a lot in common with the classic 1950s films we’ve been covering. Nate’s longtime friend Nick Hayden drops by to discuss this movie because he’s loved it ever since he first experienced it in a theater—and it is an experience. Too much of one for some people, in fact! While it’s popular to hate on Cloverfield in the kaiju fandom, it popularized the “found footage” genre and launched J.J. Abrams’ studio, Bad Robot Productions. To the shock of some of Nate’s friends, he says this is the closest the United States has come to producing a Godzilla (1954). How and why? The Toku Topic helps explain that: the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Before this, Nate meets with Dr. Nick Tatopoulos on the Heat Seeker to discuss recent events. Nate learns Cameron Winter is covering his tracks, so Nate tells Nick he’s thinking of taking Mr. Gold’s promotion so he can spy on Winter. Afterward, Nate goes to Mr. Gold’s office to discuss the offer—only to be interrogated about Jessica’s shenanigans with the Ymir’s escape on Harryhausen’s birthday.
The prologue and epilogue, “Claws and Cash,” was written by Nathan Marchand.
Guest stars:
R. Villers as Nick Tatopoulos
Michael Hamilton as Mr. Gold
Lemonjolly as Ms. Kawaii
Additional music:
“The Edge Calls Me” by MkVaff
“Pacific Rim” by Niall Stenson
“Chant My Name!” by Masaaki Endo
“This Cowboy’s Hat” (instrumental) by Chris LeDoux
“When Your Mom Mistakes Captain Falcon for Captain America Again” by Vijay van der Weijden
Sound effects sourced from Freesound.org, including those by InspectorJ.
MIFV MAX #12: G-Fest 2022
Season 3
Sunday, July 24, 2022 • Duration 01:13:23
Hear my stories from G-Fest 2022! I met lots of kaiju content creator friends, bought too much stuff in the deal room, saw classic G-films in a theater, and hosted six panels! Join MIFV MAX on Patreon to hear the entire livestream.
This episode is approved by Cameron Winter and the Monster Island Board of Directors.
Chill with Kaiju Kim - G-FEST XXVII: What to Expect (RE-RELEASE)
Season 3
Wednesday, July 13, 2022 • Duration 02:42:19
Episode 68 is unfortunately delayed until next week, but I didn’t want to leave you without “new” content, Kaiju Lovers! Given that this weekend is G-Fest XXVII, the oldest and arguably biggest kaiju convention in North America, it was appropriate that I share the audio from the latest “Chill with Kaiju Kim” livestream. I was one of several guests who discussed the con. You’ll hear me promote the five panels I’ll be on, among other things. If you’re on your way to the convention, this is great listening! Enjoy!
Original YouTube description: “Kaiju Kim is joined by Omni Viewer, Thomas Nicol, Nathan Marchand, and Danny DiManna to discuss what's going down at G-FEST XXVII (July 15-17 2022)!”
You, too, can join MIFV MAX on to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month! ()
Bonus Episode 12: ‘Beware! The Blob’ | Ft. Travis Alexander
Season 3
Thursday, June 30, 2022 • Duration 01:18:14
Hello, kaiju lovers! In this bonus “Ameri-kaiju” episode, Travis Alexander of Kaiju Weekly and Henshin Men finally gets to see the goo—and he’s not happy! That’s mostly because he’s an animal lover and the Blob eats a kitten in the almost-forgotten and incredibly weird 1972 sequel, Beware! The Blob (aka Son of Blob). It’s the most bipolar movie Nate has ever seen for the show, and Travis, a lover of movies both weird and bad, found it borderline incomprehensible. Half of it is disjointed improvisational comedy, and the other half is a scary but inferior rehashing of the original 1958 classic. Strap for a discussion of more 30-year-old “teens,” a “hair sculptor,” and a Naked Turk!
You, too, can join MIFV MAX on to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month! ()
Monster Conversation: Harryhausen Annual #1 – ‘Clash of the Titans’ (1981)
Season 3
Wednesday, June 29, 2022 • Duration 01:38:55
Release the crossover! Nate and his friend Elijah “The Littlest Gatekeeper” Thomas start a new annual tradition for their podcasts, The Monster Island Film Vault and Kaiju Conversation, respectively, by discussing a Ray Harryhausen film every year. Why? Because they both share a birthday with the special effects legend. Also, since these two are weird, they’re going in reverse filmography order, starting with the original Clash of the Titans. This epic adventure was a relic when it came out, but given Harryhausen’s romantic love of the past and love of the classics, it’s not surprising. Your hosts dive deep into this film’s production—Arnold Schwarzenegger was nearly the lead?!—and discuss the many incredible mythological creatures that appear in it. As Harryhausen’s best friend, the author Ray Bradbury, said, Medusa in this film is Harryhausen’s “crowning glory.” Just forgive Elijah for being a bit snobby about it. Happy birthday, Ray!
(This episode is also being released on the Kaiju Conversation feed).
We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Travis Alexander (co-host of Kaiju Weekly); Danny DiManna (author/creator of the ); Eli Harris (); Chris Cooke (host of ); Bex from ; Damon Noyes, , TofuFury, Eric Anderson of , and Ted Williams! Thanks for your support!
We’d like to give a shout-out to our MIFV MAX patrons Danny DiManna (author/creator of the Godzilla Novelization Project); Damon Noyes, The Cel Cast, TofuFury, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel, Ted Williams, Wynja the Ninja, Christopher Riner, The Indiscrite One, Eli Harris, Jake Hambrick, Matt Walsh (but not that Matt Walsh), Jonathan Courtright, Leon Campbell, and Michael Watson! Thanks for your support!
Barr, Jason. The Kaiju Film: A Critical Study of Cinema’s Biggest Monsters.
Brothers, Peter H. Mushroom Clouds and Mushroom Men: The Fantastic Cinema of Ishiro Honda.
Commentary by David Kalat (Classic Media DVD)
Galbraith, Stuart IV. Japanese Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films: A Critical Analysis and Filmography of 103 Features Released in the United States 1950-1992.
Kaijuvision Radio, Episode 10: Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964) (Nuclear China, Japan during the Vietnam War) (https://youtu.be/ScVd3XzKoZg).
Kalat, David. A Critical History and Filmography of Toho’s Godzilla Series, 2nd
LeMay, John. The Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies Volume 1: 1954-1982.
Ryfle, Steve, and Ed Godziszewski. Ishiro Honda: A Life in Film, from Godzilla to Kurosawa.
Hantke, Steffen. “The Return of the Giant Creature: Cloverfield and Political Opposition to the War on Terror.” Extrapolation, Vol. 51, No. 2, The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College, 2010.
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