Animation HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BILBO BAGGINS! (In a way…) draconicverses, November 27, 2011 It was Sunday, November 27, 1977 that I first saw something that amazed me. It opened a new world to me, the likes of which I had no idea existed. Tonight marks the 34th anniversary of the first airing of Rankin-Bass’ animated version of THE HOBBIT. Though nowhere near the… Continue Reading
Movies Happy Birthday, SANTA CLAUS! draconicverses, November 26, 2011 Yep, this is THAT SANTA CLAUS (1959) movie, that you’ve probably heard about. If you think SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE MARTIANS (1964) was trippy, this is a whole different kind of surreal! Santa is assisted by child labor from around the world and Merlin the Magician to spread joy. His… Continue Reading
Japanese Monster Movies HAPPY BIRTHDAY GAMERA! draconicverses, November 26, 2011 46 Years ago today, among fire and ice, Gamera was born. It was on this day that DAIKAIJU GAMERA was released in Japan. Gamera was made as Daiei Studios’ answer to Godzilla. There have been two versions released in the US, one back in the 1960s called GAMMERA THE INVINCIBLE… Continue Reading
Movies Happy 47th Birthday, SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE MARTIANS! draconicverses, November 14, 2011 EVERYBODY SING! S-A-N-T-A-C-L-A-U-S, Hooray For Santy CLaus! Happy anniversary to SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE MARTIANS (1964). Forty-Seven years ago today, the mayhem was unleashed upon an unsuspecting world. Boasting one of movie history’s most outlandish titles, this perennial holiday cult classic still amazes on so many levels. Plain and simple,… Continue Reading
Japanese Monster Movies HAPPY 57th BIRTHDAY, GOJIRA!!!!! draconicverses, November 3, 2011 It was 57 years ago today, that the world was introduced to a radioactive, fire breathing, reptilian engine of destruction in GOJIRA (1954). It was the start of an amazing, near-unparalleled film franchise, spawning 28 sequels, comics, toys, cartoons and an American-produced ‘remake’ in 1998. Directed by Ishiro Honda, Gojira… Continue Reading
Japanese Monster Movies Happy 53rd Birthday, DAIKAIJU BARAN! draconicverses, October 14, 2011 On this date, in 1958, Japanese audiences were first introduced to the third daikaiju (giant monster) to have its own film – DAIKAIJU BARAN. Four years later, American audiences would be introduced to him as VARAN, THE UNBELIEVABLE (1962). The differences between the two versions are staggering. Where GODZILLA, KING… Continue Reading
Movies HAPPY 48th, JASON & THE ARGONAUTS! draconicverses, August 15, 2011 August 15, 1963 – Special effects wizard Ray Harryhausen and his co-producer Charles Schneer released what would come to be known as a masterpiece – JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS. Since its release nearly 50 years ago, this film has been the inspiration for many of today’s film makers from John… Continue Reading
Japanese Monster Movies Happy 45th, DAI MAJIN! Happy 44th YONGARY! draconicverses, August 13, 2011 This year is the 45th Anniversary of all 3 DAI MAJIN films. Today specifically marks the anniversary of the second film, DAI MAJIN IKARU, aka Return of Giant Majin. For some reason, it’s not connected to the previous film at all, as the third is not connected to THIS one…. Continue Reading
Japanese Monster Movies TOHO Anniversaries X 3 Today!!! (and 1 that I missed) draconicverses, August 11, 2011 There are some mighty big Toho anniversaries today! But I would be remiss if I didn’t FIRST mention one that I failed to, back on Monday. August 8 was the 36th anniversary of the release of FURANKENSHUTAIN TAI CHITE KAIJU BARAGON (1965) aka Frankenstein Conquers the World. Sorry about missing… Continue Reading
Japanese Monster Movies Happy Birthday Yog & D.A.M.! draconicverses, August 1, 2011 For the THIRD day in a row, we have Kaiju Anniversaries! 43 years ago today, Japanese audiences thrilled to the BIGGEST monster mash they’d ever seen in Kaiju Soshingeki. The following May, Americans would see that DESTROY ALL MONSTERS had more Kaiju in it then you could believe from headliners… Continue Reading