Japanese Monster Movies Happy Birthday, GODZILLA ON MONSTER ISLAND! draconicverses, March 12, 2012 It was an unbelievable 40 years ago today that CHIKYÛ KOGEKI MEIREI: GOJIRA TAI GAIGAN (1972) (in US, GODZILLA ON MONSTER ISLAND & GODZILLA VS. GIGAN) was released in Japan. It wasn’t seen in the US until 5 years later, in August of 1977. Which is ironic, as Gigan’s supporting… Continue Reading
Japanese Monster Movies Sirki’s Summons – February 28: The Kaiju Director & The Eminent Scientist draconicverses, February 28, 2012 Greetings Effendi! Today marks the anniversary of the passing of two very different men – one behind the cameras and one in front of them. It was on this day in 1993 that Prince Sirki reached out to Japan and claimed the director who had guided many giant monsters through… Continue Reading
Japanese Monster Movies Sirki’s Summons – January 25: The Kaiju Master draconicverses, January 26, 2012 Greetings from beyond the veil, effendi. There are innovators, and there are imitators. This particular innovator can be credited with the creation of an entire genre that has endured to this very day, from his humble beginnings in film back in the 1930s. Like so many aspiring film makers, this… Continue Reading
General The 12 Days of Kaiju-mas draconicverses, December 7, 2011 On the first day of Kaiju-mas, Godzilla sent to me – Godzoo-hooky’s head on a stick. On the second day of Kaiju-mas, Godzilla sent to me – 2 Maser Tanks and Godzoo-hooky’s head on a stick. On the third day of Kaiju-mas, Godzilla sent to me – 3 Dead Dorats,… Continue Reading
Japanese Monster Movies DVD Review – Destroy All Monsters from Media Blasters/Tokyo Shock draconicverses, November 23, 2011 2/26/13: Apparently, some knucklehead linked THIS page to a binsearch.info page as a source to download a copy of DAM. Well guess what, would be pirates – IT AIN’T HERE! IT NEVER WAS! Hell, it even SAYS “Review” in this page’s address! So if you ARE here to download… 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
Art & Design Mock-Up For Criterion Gojira – Personal Challenge draconicverses, August 25, 2011 So apparently, from all indications, Criterion is getting set to release a Criterion Collection treatment of Ishiro Honda’s Gojira (1954). I must admit, I’ve been chomping at the bit to try my hand at the ‘Avant Garde’ style of Criterion. They always seem to try to go for a non-traditional… 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