Monsterland Ohio

G-FAN # 98: Memory & Anticipation

2012-02-14T15:16:00.001-08:00

These are great times to be a Godzilla fan.

Last week, G-FEST's special guests were revealed, and my expectations were exceeded yet again. Then over the weekend we received the latest G-FAN--issue # 98--and were taken right back to our experience with last year's guests, as we were given the opportunity to spend time with them in downtown Chicago.

The joys and challenges of everyday life can sometimes produce "tunnel vision." Re-reading the article I had submitted and seeing the pictures all together brought back the unique excitement of that day in vivid detail--not that I had forgotten the events, but I had shelved them for a time. Moreover, it gave our family another chance to ask the question, "Did that really happen to us?" Knowing the answer is "Yes, it did" is like a big, happy secret that the three of us will always share--and the remembrance of that secret can transform a humdrum day into something better.

There is lots of great stuff in G-FAN # 98, including another edition of "G-FAN Junior," a concept I heartily endorse and enjoy greatly. I can't wait for the chance to sit back and savor it. These are indeed great times to be a Godzilla fan, with unprecedented access to material and unparalleled opportunities to connect with those who have created the films themselves. That there is a community of like-minded fans to share it all with is the icing on the cake.

Big G-FEST News

2012-02-07T19:01:00.001-08:00

The news has just been released via Facebook that this year's Guests of Honor are Mr. Akira Takarada, who delighted the fans two years ago, and Mr. Bin Furuya, the man inside the original Ultraman suit. What a titanic twosome! No one who met Mr. Takarada could forget his warmth and enthusiasm, and word is that Mr. Furuya has a similar knack for connecting with Western fans. The countdown to G-FEST begins in earnest tonight!

With Mr. Takarada at the G-FEST Awards Luncheon

Re-live the fun with us by clicking here.

Godzilla @ WDW

2012-02-07T14:46:00.001-08:00

Late last month, we packed up and headed south for Andy's first trip to Disney World. While I knew there was a chance of spotting some kaiju-related merch at EPCOT's Japan, my hopes were not high.

I was surprised, then, to discover both S. H. Monster Arts Godzilla and Mechagodzilla for sale, along with at least four varieties of T-shirt and sweatshirt designs. The items were Disney World priced--the going rate for T-shirts was $27.50. (Yet another reason to save your change for the G-FEST dealers room.)

There was also a wide variety of Studio Ghibli souvenirs, including the first Ponyo plush we've seen in person. Once again, cute, but pricey.

Whether or not this is the closest we'll ever get to the real Japan remains to be seen. The illusion was pretty cool--well done, Imagineers!

Jack Kirby Kaiju (?)

2012-01-14T16:18:00.001-08:00

I forget how I ended up with a copy of Marvel Comics' "Devil Dinosaur," but it was around the same magic time that their Godzilla series was being issued. As a kid, all I knew is it had a big red dinosaur as the main character, and that's all it took.

However, the great surprise of the first issue I got my hands on really was twofold: (1) not only were there dinos and cavemen, but there were also robot/aliens from the future and (2) I loved the way the art looked. What I didn't know at the time was that I was getting hooked on Jack Kirby. It was just totally unlike anything I had seen before.

Fast forward to the present, when I am just now finding out that there was a "Devil Dinosaur Omnibus," a hardcover, full-cover collection of the whole nine-issue run. Bad news was it was going for nearly a hundred bucks on eBay. Good news was a Half Price Books in Houston had it for far, far less, and now it's become part of the MO library. All I need is a pack of Bubble Yum and I will truly be seven years old again. I love the Internet.

Kirby got to a point in this series where he started doing these two-page spreads that are nothing short of works of art. If you even just like Kirby, you've got to see them. It's amazing to me what he put into these pages. His was a singular talent, and I sure enjoy his unique vision.

Return to Cosmic Toyland

2012-01-08T13:09:00.001-08:00

Minifigs on Parade

Christmas Break afforded us the chance to return our favorite toy store, the one and only Spaceman Floyd's Cosmic Toys in Madison, Ohio. We were happy to find the place populated by a steady stream of customers with the Spaceman himself on the bridge.

The kaiju checkout shelf

Specializing in vintage toys of all types, Spaceman Floyd's has much more to offer, including books and periodicals (such as back issues of The Monster Times), model kits, board games, posters, postcards, video game systems, and more that I'm probably forgetting. Without a doubt, SFCT is the kaiju capital of Lake County, with many collectibles lining the shelves (especially for the discerning vinylphile).

Spaceman Floyd and Captain Andy

Andy adds: "It was fun! I am glad to see that it has exploded in Spaceman Floyd's. I remember seeing the front window, with the battle scene on Hoth and a LEGO Sandcrawler. I got a Lord of the Rings Prologue Elven Warrior action figure. I like Spaceman Floyd's because of all of the action figures."

Shelf after Shelf of Toybiz LOTR figures

It was great to be back, if only for an hour or two. For the record, Spaceman Floyd's is the only vintage toy store at which the owner has ever offered me an orange (I accepted). It's just that kind of place.

Merry Kaiju Christmas Pt. Three

2012-01-04T07:59:00.001-08:00

This "Godzilla vs. Charles Barkley" poster somehow survived at least six moves intact, so it was time to frame the poor guy.

Cuyahoga Kaiju Christmas

2012-01-02T09:51:00.001-08:00

Deep in the last uncharted territory of Northeast Ohio lies a place where mighty monsters still roam: Cuyahoga Kaiju Club Headquarters. Members of the CKC squad were summoned the week after Christmas for fun and fellowship, and were not disappointed.

The festivities began with--what else--food! While enjoying the tasty treats, we also had the opportunity to examine two of the new S. H. Monster Arts Godzilla figures: Godzilla himself and the 90's Mecahgodzilla. While undeniably cool, CKC members were fairly unanimous in the following observations: (1) Godzilla's head seems too small, especially in reference to the prototype on the box. (2) While heavily articulated, Godzilla is not quite mobile enough, while Mechagodzilla's hip sockets seem too loose to keep him upright. (3) The energy beams included with each figure are a neat touch. (4) Overall, these are nice collectibles, but are a tad pricey for the size. Kaiju Don brought out his Revoltech Legion, which is of comparable size, even smaller than the S.H. figures, and my personal opinion is that it had a bit more pizazz. That's no knock on the S.H. figures, but I will probably not be rushing out to purchase them any time soon.

Soon it was time to enter the CKC theater, and first on the viewing list was "Frankenstein Conquers the World." I've seen this film before, but seeing it again in its entirety brought ought both the strengths and pitfalls of this movie. First, the strengths: FCTW features a classic cast, with fan favorites Nick Adams and Kumi Mizuno in the starring roles. Toho vet Tadao Takashima keeps things interesting as a scientist with a keen interest in the irradiated Frankenstein, and kaiju fans will notice the brief appearances of Yoshio Tsuchiya, Jun Tazaki, Kenji Sahara, and Takashi Shimura. Haruo Nakajima, who is the suit actor inside the Baragon costume, also is seen onscreen as a helicopter pilot.

Another strength of this film is the effects work, though in the same breath it must be said the results are mixed. Some of the sets built for FCTW are so huge and lush one forgets they are sets. Yet this same movie has an extremely fakey-looking horse and chicken feathers that are waaay out of scale, compared to a giant monster, not to mention some rather obviously radio-controlled cars, and a crawling hand that could pass for a Halloween decoration. For the most part, the growth of Frankenstein is handled well, although the question of clothing/animal skins is never really addressed, and probably ought to be ignored altogether if one is going to enjoy FCTW. Although this really isn't a movie to be taken "seriously," it does offer some genuinely creepy moments, most of them having to do with the facial appearnce of the Frankenstein monster.

One more strength of FCTW is simply the audacity of its premise. There is a crazy brillance to the idea of Frankenstein's monster's heart being shipped back to Hiroshima just in time to be exposed to the Bomb.

Unfortunately, the worst part of this monster movie is the monsters. Frankie is just a big, spindly, ugly guy, whom, it is insisted, is obviously Causcasian (!). This led to some great CKC riffing, you can be sure. Baragon, as Frankie's foe, is tragically goofy. With big, floppy ears, a taste for farm animals, and a penchant for leaping about, Baragon just isn't that much of a menace. The closing battle, which should be hugely climactic, is hampered by the fact that you essentially see a skinny human wrestling with a funny looking monster, which is another way of saying that the audience's ability to suspend disbelief is stretched past the breaking point. In the end, the concept of the film is more intriguing than its actual cinematic execution, but it is still worth numerous screenings for any self-respecting kaiju fan.

After a quick intermission, it was on to "Gamera 2: The Advent of Legion," a film that has grown on me over time, to the point where I consider it one of the best kaiju films ever made, even slightly better than "Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris." A few reasons why I hold it in such high regard: (1) The effects work is impeccable, featuring a number of trend-setting scenes like Gamera sliding to a stop in the city. (2) The story of Legion is handled with some intelligence, including Biblical allusion! (3) The Gamera "character" is somewhat complicated; he is not regarded as a clear-cut savior, nor is he always successful in defeating his enemy. (4) The filmmakers had the guts to decimate an entire city and region in the story. (5) Hiroyuki Watanabe has a small but important role in the final third of the film (We chauffered Mr. Watanabe to and from Chicago's Field Museum this past summer at G-FEST.) "Gamera 2" looks great on the Mill Creek Blu-ray edition. These releases are an unbelievable value for monster lovers.

At the conclusion of "Gamera 2" it was time for us to go. Time flies, where the CKC is concerned. It was a great way to close out a very memorable kaiju year, and we here at Monsterland Ohio continue to be thankful that a mutual enjoyment of fantastic cinema has brought such good folks into our lives! Happy New Year!

Merry Kaiju Christmas Part Two

2011-12-30T17:22:00.001-08:00

This 11" x 17" "Destroy All Monsters" reproduction is a real looker!

Merry Kaiju Christmas Pt. One

2011-12-26T07:06:00.001-08:00

Some great stuff found its way to Monsterland Ohio HQ this Christmas, beginning with this full-sized, double-sided G2K movie poster!

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Gigan!

2011-12-15T21:28:00.001-08:00

More work from the mighty Kaiju Modeler--classic design Gigan, cyborg partner of King Ghidorah and Megalon.

More G-FEST Memories

2011-12-06T21:18:00.001-08:00

From the Kaiju Modeler Table, familiar friends, plus Matt's own Xian flying saucer design. Only seven months to go...

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T04:51:00.001-08:00

Oh Happy Day...

2011-11-15T02:46:00.001-08:00

Troll Hunting with the Cuyahoga Kaiju Club

2011-11-07T19:48:00.001-08:00

At an undisclosed location somewhere south of Cleveland, Ohio, the Cuyahoga Kaiju Club recently met for fun, fellowship, and monster flicks. After catching up with our friends, attention turned first to the European release, "Troll Hunter."

Comparisons with "The Blair Witch Project," and "Cloverfield" are inevitable and understandable. The "found footage" approach is definitely in effect. Yet it fits the subject matter well, and a few quick establishing shots sneak into the film in an unobtrusive manner.

All that is secondary to the real attraction: big, mean, trolls. The creatures look ridiculous--like huge, storybook trolls--but within the context if the story, this only enhances their believability. If they're going to be real in the first place, why wouldn't they look exceedingly strange, almost goofy? That's not to say that the effects are lacking; on the contrary, the monsters fit seamlessly into their surroundings, and the final act, featuring a Kaiju-sized troll, is truly gripping.

"Troll Hunter" is a fascinating collision of ancient and modern folklore. On one hand, you have trolls literally lurking beneath bridges, who can smell Christian blood. On the other hand, you have secret government agencies and conspiracies working to hide the truth about such entities. "Troll Hunter" is presented with subtitles, but the real soundtrack was hilarious, good natured riffing provided by the CKC.

Next up was "Godzilla 1985," which is, to put it fairly, not the most action-packed entry in the series. The American scenes, which star Raymond Burr, reprising his role as "Mr. Martin," are almost self-consciously campy. In short, it is a Godzilla movie ripe to be riffed on, which the CKC did in grand style. Having watched it in this setting, I'm not sure I need to see it again--it could not be nearly as entertaining as the treatment it received here!

Other highlights of the evening included getting to see Tom's prototype for next year's Godzilla ornament and an archive of CKC newsletters, photos, and artwork.

The next day, we went to the Lego KidsFest in Cleveland with our friends. It is still amazing to think that a combination of Godzilla and this blog has brought such great, cool people into our lives!

Here's a shot of Lego Harrison Ford with the CKC's own Don Kaiju...

Happy 57th Birthday, Godzilla!

2011-11-03T08:25:00.001-07:00

Phantom Film Festival: The Nightmare Before Christmas

2011-10-24T14:08:00.001-07:00

Tim Burton's stop-motion extravaganza has become a Halloween staple for us, and has been on constant rotation for the past couple days. While it is a technical masterpiece, the music and characters raise it to a greater level. The song "This is Halloween" has become a holiday anthem, and I really enjoy the Cab Calloway-esque "Oogie Boogie Man" number.

Phantom Film Festival: Matango

2011-10-23T16:06:00.001-07:00

"Matango," also known as "Attack of the Mushroom People," is a dark horror film from the storied Toho production team that brought Godzilla to life. It features a who's who of the Toho acting stable, most notably Akira Kubo and Kumi Mizuno.

The movie tells a deceptively simple story of a group of Tokyo natives who are shipwrecked on a desolate island. When their rations run low, loyalties shift and civility wanes. However, there are plenty of mushrooms to eat...at a horrific cost.

There are no cheap scares here; instead, a sense of unrelenting dread builds throughout the story. Neither is there a marauding monster to be found, despite the "attack" of the anglicized title; instead, the evil strikes from within, as lust, greed, and despair drives the course of action taken by the castaways.

"Matango" is ultimately a merciless meditation on human nature, and for that reason, it just may be the scariest movie we'll watch during our film fest.

Phantom Film Festival: Werewolf of London

2011-10-21T19:22:00.001-07:00

Henry Hull stars as a botanist-turned-lycanthrope in tonight's chiller. "Werewolf of London" feels more like a stage play than a film in some respects; there is quite a bit of dialogue in the film, along with scenes that would be more at home on the stage than they are on the screen. In that regard, it bears somewhat of a resemblance to Universal's "Dracula."

Be that as it may, this is an enjoyable werewolf movie--the transformation sequences (which really are the drawing card of such pictures) are good enough to make my 8-year-old son say "cool." It must be said, though, that the titular monster is more than a little Mr. Hyde-esque. That's not a complaint, merely an observation. I enjoyed the plot point involving Tibet, which implicitly brought together werewolf and yeti legends, if only in the imagination of the viewer.

While too civilized to be terrifying, "Werewolf of London" is atmospheric and effective, with a few moments of authentic creepiness. Hull's lycanthropy serves as a thinly veiled symbol of his workaholic tendencies, both of which wreak disastrous consequences on his marriage. Werner Oland also appears in a pivotal supporting role.

Phantom Film Festival: The Creature from Black Lake

2011-10-19T19:33:00.001-07:00

Tonight's movie was 1976's slice of Sasquatch cinema, "The Creature from Black Lake," starring Jack Elam, Dub Taylor and Dennis Fimple. I caught this for the first time years ago on a local independent station and now have it on DVD.

TCFBL is different in style and tone from its thematic cousin, "The Legend of Boggy Creek." Where "Boggy" takes a docudrama approach, "Black Lake" is purely melodramatic, resulting in a less haunting but more purely entertaining viewing experience. Many scenes are played purely for laughs, a nice counterbalance to the final act, which is mostly suspenseful.

TCFBL is the story of two college students from Chicago who take it upon themselves to investigate Bigfoot reports in Louisiana. They eventually find what they're looking for, despite running afoul of local law enforcement and offending the locals. This Sasquatch rather aggressively makes it clear that he'd rather not be found, and minor mayhem ensues.

"Black Lake" benefits from a number of good ingredients: an authentic sense of place, filmed, as it was, on location in Louisiana; plenty of pitch-perfect, scenery-chewing performances from the likes of Elam and Taylor; a believable "buddy" relationship that carries the story and the wisdom to never really show the cryptid in question. Earnest, specific, and totally unheralded, this movie is a personal favorite of mine.

Phantom Film Festival Kicks Off

2011-10-17T16:37:00.001-07:00

Our first annual horror film fest has begun! From now until Halloween, we will watch sixteen genre classics, starting tonight with 1924's "Phantom of the Opera," preceded by the Walt Disney Silly Symphony, "Skeleton Dance."

Lon Chaney's performance and appearance in "Phantom" leave an indelible impression, as he manages to make Erik a horrifying-- yet somehow sympathetic-- character. Despite the conventions of silent film, there are plenty of unsettling moments and images to behold. It was a fittingly creepy start to our monstrous marathon!

Postcards from G-Fest 18: More Models

2011-10-09T19:21:00.001-07:00

Godzilla and Minya got a great layout here at the Kaiju Modeler table at G-Fest. Long live the Son of Godzilla!

G(rampy)-FAN

2011-10-01T16:07:00.001-07:00

What do you get the Grampy who has everything? A Cuyahoga Kaiju Club T-shirt, of course!

G-FEST XIX Dates Released

2011-09-17T11:34:00.001-07:00

The word on the street--OK, on Facebook--is that G-FEST XIX will convene July 13--15, 2012, at the Crowne Plaza in Rosemont. There had been some talk about a possible change of venue, but apparently the deal is done!

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Kaiju Modeler

2011-09-15T09:48:00.000-07:00

Our first G-FEST (XVI, featuring Guest of Honor Kenji Sahara) was punctuated by a raffle win from the Kaiju Modeler booth. It was an awesome Godzilla 1964 from a Paradise kit. However, the best thing to come out of that was making contact with the Kaiju Modeler himself, and learning, to our astonishment, that he lived a mere twenty miles away from us in Northeast Ohio. Matt E.'s been a great friend to us ever since, and we were really happy to see him this year.

Finally...Fake Monsters

2011-09-12T09:46:00.001-07:00

Two years and one new home later, our G-Fantis poster is at last properly displayed!

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Kaiju Kindness

2011-09-09T05:30:00.001-07:00

As the Awards Luncheon was wrapping up, we said a tentative good-bye to our guests. Here's Noriko Higuchi and Andy.

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Lucky Winners

2011-09-08T07:50:00.000-07:00

Door prizes are a part of the fun at the Awards Luncheon, and Andy and I both walked away with some cool stuff this year! As you can see, Andy ended up with a King Ghidorah model kit (which included a Bullmark t-shirt), and I received a Japanese language book about Toho Studios, whose cover was created by Shinji Higuchi, as well as a t-shirt that he had brought for the purpose of giving away. It has as its main feature the formula for a special effects explosion!

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Shinji Speaks

2011-09-05T13:00:00.000-07:00

The Mangled Skyscraper was presented to Shinji Higuchi, special effects wizard and director in his own right. In Mr. Higuchi's remarks, he mentioned that his G-FEST experience had rekindled his desire to make a kaiju film. You can imagine the response those words received.

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Awards Luncheon

2011-09-04T13:00:00.000-07:00

This year's Awards Luncheon was highlighted by the presence of our friends Jake and Tom. The luncheon is a nice part of the weekend--a chance to relax, enjoy a little more standard dinner fare and to let our special guests know how much they are appreciated.

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Android M-11

2011-09-03T13:00:00.000-07:00

Robert Scott Field is known within Godzilla fandom for his role in "Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah," but among G-FEST-goers, he's even better known for being a genuine friend of the fans. With an endless stream of intriguing stories to tell and an affable nature to match, he's become a mainstay of the G-FEST experience and is invaluable for his abilities as a translator and goodwill ambassador. We certainly enjoyed his company on our trip to the Field Museum, and here he is at the CKC Dealer's Room table, with the M-11 t-shirt designed by Tom.

Now Playing: Gamera the Brave

2011-09-02T10:57:00.000-07:00

We're screening "Gamera the Brave" today in Monsterland HQ, and are having a great time. In many ways, this is the perfect "kid's kaiju" movie, as it deals with raising a baby Gamera from the moment it hatches from the egg!

The special effects are exceptional and the story is straighforward and heartfelt. I suppose some might object to the cuteness of the heroic creature, but within the parameters of the story, it just works. The relationship between Toru and Toto/Gamera adds a new layer to the "friend of children" theme, since Toru actually saves Gamera's life early in the film!

A new villainous monster is introduced in "Gamera the Brave," a frilled lizard named Zedus, who has some effective, menacing scenes, like when he tail-whips Gamera into a high rise, then scales the building to finish the job with a hideous tongue-lashing.

"Gamera the Brave" is a winsome meditation on grief, friendship, and the powerful love that children have for their pets, starring a giant flying turtle. If you can read that sentence without rolling your eyes, you owe it to yourself to see this feel-good kaiju film!

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Kaiju Kids

2011-08-29T19:11:00.000-07:00

If you are a Godzilla fan, you either are young or young at heart. It is pretty gratifying to see the "next generation" get excited about Japanese monsters and superheroes. It's even better when friendships develop around said movies and characters. Here's Jake, Jadon, and Andy, also known as the Cuyahoga Kaiju Kids, enjoying a moment in the Dealer's Room.

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Toybox Treasures

2011-08-27T20:00:00.000-07:00

Ever since seeing an Eiji Tsuburaya vinyl figure in the book "So Crazy Japanese Toys," I've wanted to add one to the collection, but never really thought I'd see one in person, much less get my hands on one. Leave it to Linda at Chibi Goji Toys to come through for us! This is far and away my favorite purchase from this year's Dealer's Room--the Eiji Project Bset, featuring Mr. Tsuburaya and Godzilla, Gomess and Jiras. Truly spectacular!

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Mothra!

2011-08-26T19:37:00.000-07:00

It seems to me that the single most heavily attended event at G-FEST is the Costume Parade. Entries such as this spectacular Mothra explain why. Contestants include everything from kids wearing masks and pajamas to suits that are almost indistinguishable from the "real thing."

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Silent Auction

2011-08-24T11:00:00.000-07:00

One unheralded element of G-FEST is the chance to give charitably to good causes. "G-Fans helping G-Fans" collects funds to help families dealing with autism, and this year there was a special collection for Japanese earthquake and tsunami relief. One exciting way this works is through a silent auction, through which we won two really cool items. Kudos to our friend Dave Nunes, who coordinates this part of the Fest!

G-Fans raised nearly $5000 for Japan and over $2700 for North American families this year.

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Tokasatsu Room

2011-08-23T11:00:00.000-07:00

"Tokasatsu" is Japanese for "special effects," and G-FEST now has an entire "thread" devoted to creating self-produced special effects films. This portion of the G-FEST experience evolved naturally from the Costume Contest thread, and now short films have been produced by G-FEST attendees that can be located on You Tube.

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Model Room IV

2011-08-22T11:00:00.000-07:00

Biollante takes on Godzilla in this incredible diorama. If I'm not mistaken, this was voted the "People's Choice" award winner.

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Kaiju Quilt!

2011-08-21T11:00:00.000-07:00

The creativity one encounters at G-FEST is sometimes downright jaw-dropping. Take, for instance, this Godzilla quilt. I stood up on a chair to take this picture, looking down at the quilt that was resting on a table. Wouldn't you love a whole bedroom set like this? Well, I would.

Ultra-Fan

2011-08-20T11:00:00.000-07:00

Andy got this Ultraman bank on eBay from a seller in Hong Kong. Since returning from G-FEST, our Ultraman viewing has gotten a somewhat predictable "bump." We've watched the latest Ultraman Zero movie, the Ultraman Gaia movie shown at G-FEST, and episodes of Ultraman Ace, UltraSeven X and Ultraman Mebius.

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Model Room III

2011-08-19T11:00:00.000-07:00

This wondrous piece captures the conflict at the heart of the very first Ultraman episode. Bemular has risen from the lake, and Ultraman has saved Hayata's life. Now the battle is about to begin.

Video Postcard from G-18 Dealer's Room

2011-08-18T11:00:00.000-07:00

This GMK Godzilla was on display at the Chibi Goji Toys Booth. I don't know if anyone purchased it, but it received a great reaction from everyone who saw it in action.

Postcards from G-FEST 18: The Dealer's Room

2011-08-17T11:00:00.000-07:00

The Dealer's Room continues to be a great draw for us. Walking into it still overwhelms the senses; it's a monster kid's lucid dream. What is really neat is that we've become familiar faces to many of the dealers, and many of them have gone out of their way to be kind to us. Sue spent her volunteer hours this year being the Dealer's Room gatekeeper, and was able to see quite a few people get their "first ever" looks at the place.

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Model Room II

2011-08-16T11:00:00.000-07:00

Another great selection from the model room: Gorgo with the diving bell. I'll never forget watching "Gorgo" under the stars with my Cuyahoga Kaiju Club friends.

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Coloring Contest

2011-08-15T11:00:00.000-07:00

This was Andy's entry in the Minya's Place coloring contest. Rodan was a popular pick among young artists. It was fun to encourage the kids to give it a try.

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Mad About Monsters

2011-08-14T11:00:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, I had the privilege of sitting on a panel called "Humor in Godzilla Films" with a number of super G-fans, including Martin Arlt, who edits and publishes Mad Scientist magazine. I was able to mention my favorite humorous scene ("I'll take a picture, and then we'll run" from GMK), so I considered it a success. It was lots of fun; all the different perspectives expressed were fascinating. Pictured here are Pam and Martin Arlt with Andy and me.

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Model Room

2011-08-13T11:26:00.001-07:00

Later Saturday morning, models were on display. One of my favorites was this Hedorah figure.

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Minya's Place

2011-08-10T18:13:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning is always a happy time at G-FEST; lots of fun has been had and there's lots more on the way. This year I volunteered in Minya's Place on Saturday morning. Minya's Place is an arts-and-crafts Sollgel Island paradise, with all the designs by kaiju artist Ron Lipecky. Here's Andy with just a couple creations available to young crafters. Part of my job was to encourage youngsters to enter the coloring contest, some examples of which will be appear here soon.

Postcards from G-FEST 18: What a Day!

2011-08-09T17:00:00.000-07:00

Can't resist one more shot from Friday's foray to the Field Museum. All the guests of G-FEST 18 are here, from top to bottom: Shinji Higuchi (striking an artistic pose); Horoshi Sagae; Noriko Higuchi; Hiroyuki Watanabe; the M.O. Matzkes; with Robert Scott Field safe at home!

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Allow Me to Introduce...

2011-08-08T17:00:00.000-07:00

Friday evening is traditionally the time when the special guests are introduced at G-FEST. Here you see G-FAN's J.D. Lees (far left) making opening remarks, as (left to right) Robert Scott Field, Shinji Higuchi, and Hiroyuki Watanabe look on. At this point, we were still sort of stunned that we had spent part of our day with the guests of the Fest!

Postcards from G-FEST 18: CKC in the Place to Be

2011-08-07T17:00:00.000-07:00

Tom and Don were on hand in the Dealer's Room, offering new CKC and Android M-11 T-shirts (and other kaiju goodies) to Fest-goers. It is really cool to go to G-FEST knowing that you'll see people you consider your friends there.

Hiroyuki Watanabe on the Drums

2011-08-06T17:00:00.000-07:00

Mr. Watanabe and Mr. Matzke had a little hands-on fun at the Field Museum.

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Backseat Buddy

2011-08-05T17:22:00.001-07:00

This photo, taken with Hiroyuki Watanabe's cell phone, is a fun reminder of the whirlwind Friday we spent with the guests of G-FEST 18. Andy brought out the "Dad" in Mr. Watanabe; one of my penultimate memories of this experience will be the two of them doing Donald Duck voices on the way back to the Crowne Plaza. I'll always be grateful to G-FAN and G-FEST for making this special day possible.

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Fest Guests at the Field Museum

2011-08-02T06:50:00.000-07:00

Talk about making a memory; here's the entire group that enjoyed the Field Museum on Friday. Left to right: Robert Scott Field; Carl, our other driver and Chicago street expert; Hiroyuki Watanabe; master sculptor Hiroshi Sagae; Andy, Mark, and Sue Matzke; Shinji and Noriko Huguchi.

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Explore & Roar

2011-07-31T18:00:00.000-07:00

With about two hours to get around the Field Museum, we had no time to lose. However, Scott and Hiroyuki Watanabe were not low on energy. Sue the T. Rex featured in a number of photo opportunities, with this one being most memorable. The look on Andy's face here says it all.

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Field Fun III

2011-07-30T19:55:00.000-07:00

As usual, Andy became fast friends with everybody he met at G-FEST, including the Guest(s) of Honor, Shinji and Noriko Higuchi. Here they are in the main hall of the Field Museum. All of our guests went out of their way to make him feel special, and, to be candid, we are still amazed that this really happened to us!

Postcards from G-FEST 18: More Field Fun

2011-07-29T19:47:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture taken by Shinji Higuchi of Hiroyuki Watanabe taking a picture of a pteronadon and us with Robert Scott Field. If it looks like we were having a blast, it's because we were.

Postcards from G-FEST 18: Fun at the Field

2011-07-28T19:38:00.000-07:00

I told you Friday wasn't low-key. We had the privilege of taking Special Guests Robert Scott Field and Hiroyuki Watanabe to Chicago's Field Museum for a fun-filled afternoon. The other guests of G-FEST came along in another vehicle. It was a day my family will never forget!

G-FEST 18: Kaiju Film Festival

2011-07-23T15:03:00.000-07:00

This year's G-FEST began Thursday, with a "double-double feature" at the Pickwick Theater in Park Ridge, Illinois. First on the bill was "Gamera: Super Monster," which apparently received its North American big screen premiere with this showing.

"Gamera: Super Monster" is an exceedingly strange movie, but I still found it oddly enchanting. It was made at a time when Daiei Studio was closing, and it shows. New footage of Gamera is almost nonexistent, save for a couple rather static flying shots. All the monster battles (and there are plenty) consist of edited footage from previous Gamera films, which are knitted together by a nonsensical story about spacewomen and kids who use Kawasaki keyboards to save the planet. Oh, and then an evil spacewoman who finds redemption. No, seriously. But it is all done with enough heart to make it something I would willingly watch again. There are a couple of shots (one quite blatant, one recurring) that reveal a clear Star Wars influence (GSM was released in 1980).

Next up was the original "Mothra," (1961) a wondrous film that finds Toho's "dream team" of director Ishiro Honda, writer Shinichi Sekizawa and spfx master Eiji Tsuburaya operating at the peak of their creative powers. Intentional humor, exotic music, an incredible cast, crazily detailed miniature sets and one big moth add up to a moviegoing experience that is still transportative fifty years after its release.

After the dinner break, it was time for the second double feature, beginning with "Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II," which benefitted greatly from being shown on the big screen. Released in 1993, this entry in the Godzilla pantheon is one that I have never seemed to connect with very strongly, but this viewing brought out its strengths. The effects work is actually quite impressive. Godzilla gets his tail handed to him by Mechagodzilla, and it seems possible that he could actually lose the duel. Akira Ifukube returns with a score that is intense and sounds fantastic in the theater. Most of the Heisei films seem about forty minutes too long to me, and this is no exception. In this setting, though, it was undeniably enjoyable, and the crowd, which had grown since the afternoon shows, laughed at the silly parts and cheered in the right places, too. There is nothing like watching a movie at G-FEST when the crowd is really "live."

Last on the list was 1995's "Gamera, Guardian of the Universe," regarded by most fans of the genre as a masterpiece, and you will get no argument from me on that point. A clear, crisp print only enhanced the meticulous effects work created by G-FEST guest of honor Shinji Higuchi, a real treat for all in attendance. The intensity of the day (combined with the shift to the Central time zone) caught up with us, and we returned to the Crowne Plaza before the movie's conclusion. But we perked up once back in the room, thanks to "G-TV," the in-house tokasatsu channel that is the unsung hero of the G-FEST experience, enjoying "Gomess" episodes of Ultra Q and Ultragalaxy.

It was great to be back on the G-FEST scene. It was a fun, exciting, yet relatively low-key day. That was good, because Friday would be anything but low-key!

G-FEST 18: All Kaiju, All the Time

2011-07-20T07:48:00.000-07:00

Another G-FEST has come and gone. I wasn't sure how last year's show could be topped, but it was...at any rate, it will be fun to relive the experience here on the blog.

Three years ago we made it to our first G-FEST. We were rookies, and didn't know anyone else in attendance. This year we were truly among friends, which makes for a richer experience all around. So come along with us as we share virtual postcards from G-FEST 18, which promised "All Kaiju, All the Time," and did not disappoint!

CKC "Kaiju Chat" This Sunday

2011-07-07T07:30:00.000-07:00

Kaiju fans who are on Facebook are invited to chat this Sunday, July 10, at 10:00 P.M. EST. Once you're on Facebook, just search for "Cuyahoga Kaiju Club" and join the conversation! This is a very informal discussion, but chances are there will be some talk about G-FEST, upcoming monster movie releases, and more.

Mad Scientist # 23

2011-07-01T04:00:00.000-07:00

Our copies of the latest Mad Scientist arrived this past Wednesday. Great cover, isn't it? More about the contents in a future post. Order yours today!

June 2011: A Memorable Movie Month

2011-06-29T18:50:00.000-07:00

Thanks in large part to Turner Classic Movies, June has been a banner month for fantastic cinema around these parts!

It all started with TCM's "Toho Night," the kickoff to their Drive-in Double Feature programming. Buried way in the wee hours of Friday morning was "Valley of the Gwangi," which we recorded and watched a day or two later. This solidified Ray Harryhausen's standing in Andy's mind, having previously seen "Clash of the Titans," "Mighty Joe Young," and "Twenty Million Miles to Earth." One thing led to another--Amazon has a great deal on the Harryhausen collection pictured above--and it has been all about the stop motion (or should I say Dynamation) ever since. The book Andy is holding in the picture is a real treat, too (more like a treasure trove, in truth). Andy's favorite of the Blu-ray collection is probably "The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad," which I greatly enjoy as well, but I would have to give the nod to "Twenty Million Miles to Earth," and of all the films that bear the Harryhausen stamp, my absolute favorite is "Mighty Joe Young." A long time ago, I drew a picture of MJY, sent it in to a Detroit-area "monster host" and it was shown on the air for a moment or two. But I digress...

Each Thursday night has been a little monster movie fest, an enjoyable return to the days of old when VCRs and DVRs could not help you view your creature feature of choice. We only "cheated" once, popping in our DVD of "Atragon" instead of "The Giant Claw" or some such thing. I'm very much looking forward to what, for us, will be the double bill of "The Blob" and "The H-Man" tomorrow night.

All of that would've been enough to make it a month for the record books, but then there was a true moviegoing experience to boot. We made it a point to see "The Lord of the Rings: Extended Editions" in the theater over a three week stretch. Each Tuesday night we went to a modern movie palace in Columbus, Ohio to see the trilogy in state-of-the-art picture and sound. These were very special evenings that I hope Andy recalls fondly for a long time. I have the blog http://theonering.net to thank; without reading about this event there, we would likely have missed it altogether.

And, by the way, we saw "Kung Fu Panda 2" also, and I'm not exaggerating when I say that it is a visually breathtaking movie. It will make for a dazzling Blu-ray release. The movie earns extra cool points for getting Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) to voice the part of the Soothsayer.

June was an unforgettable movie month, where doors were opened to new worlds and old favorites were seen with new eyes. It's been quite a ride...and now we're only days away from the Pickwick and G-FEST!

This Thursday: The H-Man on TCM

2011-06-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

This Thursday, June 30th, Turner Classic Movies presents the H-Man at 9:30 p.m. Eastern, starring Kenji Sahara, Yumi Shirakawa and Akhiko Hirata. While there are no giant monsters to be found, this is great fun from the golden age of Toho (1958).

One Month Until G-FEST XVIII

2011-06-14T07:19:00.000-07:00

One month from today, G-FEST 18 kicks off with a double-double feature featuring Gamera, Mothra, and, of course, Godzilla.

It has been a year of many changes for us, so the thought of returning to Chicago for some kaiju fun with our fellow fans and friends holds a lot of appeal.

The design for this year's Fest highlights the diversity of characters that inhabit the tokasatsu universe and reflects the movies being screened. Very nice!

While last year's experience will be nigh unto impossible to top, I'm open to whatever happens this year, and just enjoying the utterly unique setting that G-FEST provides. Can't wait...

G-FEST Movie Update

2011-06-09T18:15:00.001-07:00

After weeks of speculation (at least in this household), the final two G-FEST movies have been announced. Thursday night's last film will be "Gamera 2: Advent of Legion," and Friday night's stand-alone will be "Ultraman Gaia: the Battle for Hyperspace." In light of this year's guests, these are perfect choices. It will be too cool to finally see an Ultraman movie at G-FEST!

G-FAN Magazine # 95: Surprises Inside

2011-06-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

It has been too long since a G-FAN review appeared here. Time to correct that.

What one notices immediately upon opening the distinctive Daikaiju Enterprises envelope is the cover; another remarkable work of art by Rudy Gardea. Two details I really enjoy: Godzilla is about to unleash a blast and "Gardea" appears on the plane in the foreground.

The G-Force news and notes section is highlighted by a number of stills of Tom Tvrdik's next American Greetings Godzilla ornament, and Matt Frank's Mothra artwork for the IDW comic book.

Fabien Mauro, who we met briefly at G-Fest last year, checks in with two offerings, one an interview with the one-and-only Akira Takarada, and the other a meditation on Ishiro Honda's work, focusing on Matango (Attack of the Mushroom People).

Mark Justice's "Save the Earth' continues his consideration of the ecological messages embedded in Toho's monster movies, persuasively demonstrating that these films have been ahead of their time when it comes to sending a "green" message to viewers.

Brett Homenick contributes an interview with West Side Story's George Chakiris, who traveled to Japan for the filming of Flight from Ashiya in 1964. Brett once again manages to glean interesting tidbits about Japanese culture, especially the Japanese film industry, from his famous conversation partner.

G-FAN Junior returns in this issue, always a welcome addition (my eight-year-old son says). An article about monster appearances and locomotion, kid-generated artwork, a discussion of all the alternate movie titles, and a "Spot the Difference" photo game comprise this section of the mag.

Then, just when one thinks that there's not much more to be said about kaiju, G-FAN cracks open a whole new realm. Jolyon Yates files a report about giant monsters in Thai cinema--a subject about which I knew absolutely nothing before reading this article. What an excellent surprise!

Stalwart G-FAN contributors Lyle Huckins and Skip Peel each provide the type of writing for which they are known; thoughful analysis and inventive fiction, respectively.

Stan Hyde gives readers the details on the Revoltech line of extremely posable figures that feature Baragon and Gamera. The toy love continues with James Bond's "Godzilla Vinyl Market Update," a cogent description of what creature figures are going for these days and--most insightfully--why they are fetching those prices. As if that didn't set one's collector's blood a'boilin', Steve Agin throws gas on the fire with his enthusiastic toy reviews (accompanied by copious full color photographs), all of which is more than enough inspiration to pinch those last few pennies before hitting the G-FEST Dealers Room.

G-FAN continues to honor the creativity of kaiju fans, which seems to spring from an endless source. An impressive variety of fan reaction is the calling card of this publication, and articles like "Thai-ju: Giant Monsters in Thai Monsters in Thai Films" keep taking us to new places and unpacking new worlds of imagination!

Cuyahoga Kaiju Club Anniversary T

2011-06-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

As revealed on Facebook, this is the awesome Tom Tvrdik-designed T-shirt that marks the 15th anniversary of the CKC. If you think this front design is cool, wait until you see the back! Shirts should be available at this year's G-FEST. (See www.g-fan.com for info and registration.)

Turner Classic Movies Toho Marathon TONIGHT

2011-06-02T06:20:00.001-07:00

Beginning at 8:00 p.m. Eastern tonight, Turner Classic Movies will show "Godzilla: King of the Monsters," "Rodan," "Ghidorah, the Three Headed Monster," and "Monster Zero" followed by "Dinosaurus" and "Valley of the Gwangi." This is old-school appointment viewing at its best! For more info go to www.tcm.com

Akira Takarada's Autograph

2011-05-22T13:00:00.000-07:00

This is the page of G-FAN #87 that Mr. Takarada was kind enough to sign for us. It was great to watch him leaf through the magazine, finding himself in old stills, and marvelling at the fact that there even was such a magazine to leaf through.

Return to G-FEST XVII: The Final Chapter

2011-05-21T05:54:00.000-07:00

A story so great it took ten months to tell...

The Awards Luncheon is a fun event. Among other things, it means 'sit down' food as opposed to fast food, which is a welcome change come Sunday afternoon. But it meant far more than that to us this past year.

When doors opened, we took a seat near the front podium, and to cut right to the chase, we ended up sitting with Akira Takarada, R. Scott Field, Brett Homenick, Tom Tvrdik, and a couple other lucky G-FANS. I sat next to Brett, and enjoyed getting to know him a little bit better. In fact, while we were eating, he asked me to help him come up with a line for his introduction of Mr. Takarada, and I happily obliged. Brett actually did use it later on, and it got a nice reaction, which was a very cool moment. I also ran Brett's video camera for him while he read some letters of appreciation from colleagues and friends, and participated in the Mangled Skyscraper presentation.

Brett also facilitated Mr. Takarada's signing of our copy of G-FAN # 87. It was fascinating to see Mr. Takarada pore over our issue before signing. Brett's thoughtfulness also meant that we had the rest of the afternoon free, and wouldn't have to wait in a long line to get an autograph. Mr. Takarada also graciously posed for pictures with everyone at our table, and made sure everyone got the shots they wanted before moving on.

It was fun, if more than little surreal, to chat with Mr. Takarada over lunch. He asked about Andy and how he was doing in school. I got the impression that he was surprised by the reception he received from his North American fans, and I am glad to have had the opportunity to convey that same goodwill to him.

What a memory! Ten months on, I am truly amazed that my son and I had lunch with the human face of the Godzilla franchise, who just so happens to be a warm and classy individual (not to mention Android M-11, and our friend Tom, Godzilla artist extraordinaire). I'm grateful to Brett for making sure we had an unforgettable time. It was great day to be a Godzilla fan, among fans and friends.

Two Months from the Fest

2011-05-13T19:12:00.000-07:00

With two months to go before the next G-FEST, anticipation here is beginning to build. Moving has certainly had an impact on our fan activity, as the infrequency of posts here suggests. But the information coming in is beginning to light the old fires of interest, starting with the movie lineup.

It has been announced that Thursday's first film will be the original Mothra, a movie that took me an absurdly long time to see. It is an exciting choice, and I am really looking forward to seeing it on the movie screen. Mothra is considered by many to be a classic of the genre; even so, I believe that it is somewhat underrated. Mothra is thought-provoking, humorous, and amazing to behold! Can't wait!

Following on Mothra's heels will be Gamera: Super Monster, which I have never seen. It is sort of universally panned for basically being a Gamera clip show, but I think G-FEST will be the perfect place to screen it. According to the G-FAN website, this will be its North American theater debut. I find nothing to dislike about any Gamera movie, really, so this should be fun.

Things get rolling Thursday evening with Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla 2. This is a movie that I've always wanted to like more than I do; I can't really put my finger on it...it just never has held my attention like some others. It'll get another chance to make a good impression soon.

The other film announced as of this writing is the classic Gamera: Guardian of the Universe. Lots of ink has been spilled about the excellence of this one. It was a creative reboot of the Gamera franchise, and it proved that, at least in the 1990s, a straightforward kaiju flick was a viable entertainment option. "Guardian" deserves all the props it has received, and it will be introduced by its special effects director, Shinji Higuchi.

On a related note, new Cuyahoga Kaiju Club t-shirts will likely be available at G-FEST. The Tom Tvrdik design can be seen on Facebook--just search for the CKC page.

Time to count the days until G-FEST! It's a great feeling!

Moments with Mothman

2011-05-03T12:08:00.001-07:00

The Mothman statue in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, stands as a tribute to a series of extremely strange events that took place there in the late 1960s. More on this fun little side trip to come...

Blast from the Past

2011-04-11T18:33:00.000-07:00

Godzilla fandom has not only introduced us to some great people, but it has also been a link to renew old friendships.

Just today I received the t-shirt pictured here from my best boyhood friend, who ran across it in a second-hand store and picked it up for me. What's especially great is that in a bit of synchronicity, Andy and I had just been watching this commercial on You Tube and enjoying it tremendously. Thank you, DCV, for your generosity and thoughtfulness!

Tonight Andy and I watched the first hour of GMK, and I just enjoy the heck out of that film. As a one-shot, sort of "alternative history" Godzilla movie, it works for me, and most importantly the visuals are stunning. I've stated this many times already, but that G-suit is in my top three, and the musical score is remarkable too. If you haven't seen a Godzilla movie in a long time, this (Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All Out Attack) is the one to watch!

P.S. Andy recognized G-FEST guest-to-be Hiroyuki Watanabe in this movie. Good eyes, Buddy!

Cyber-Kaiju Roundup

2011-03-28T19:19:00.000-07:00

Most of the monster action going on around here has been of the internet variety as of late. Facebook has provided two cool items. First, as pictured here, is a great site called www.ultrabestiary.blogspot.com by Ben Mackey. Kaiju artist Matt Frank brought it to light. It looks like Ben is going to be posting his interpretations of Ultra monsters in chronological order based on the original Ultraman series.

Next, August Ragone has been posting on Facebook about a Japanese release of Ultra Q on Blu ray. The twist is that it will be released in both black and white and colorized versions! We are fortunate to have the series on DVD in glorious black and white. If you are interested enough to actually be reading this, then you must get your hands on Ultra Q, even though I don't know of any versions that have English subtitles (the new releases included). G-FEST guest of honor Kenji Sahara is great in this, and in the series you can see not only the seeds of what would become Ultraman, but I see connections between Ultra Q and series like The Twilight Zone and even The X-Files.

Finally, one of the best elements of having an iPhone is the fact that I can carry Godzilla films with me anywhere I go! The iTunes store even offers some of them for $4.99 a pop. At this point, I haven't been able to bring myself to spend $9.99, which means no Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla or War of the Gargantuas yet, but it does mean that with a few finger taps, I can watch Godzilla, King of the Monsters, Rodan, Godzilla vs. Mothra, or Godzilla 2000. As someone who used to live for "Godzilla Week" on local TV, this represents a quantum leap into the future!

Pray for Japan

2011-03-15T20:01:00.000-07:00

G-FEST XVIII Guests Announced

2011-03-08T19:03:00.000-08:00

G-FEST XVIII is coming into focus! This year's special guests were announced today on G-FAN's website. The guest of honor is Shinji Higuchi, the special effects mastermind behind the Gamera revival of the 1990s. Here's hoping that one or more of the films from the trilogy will be screened at the Pickwick! For more info go to www.g-fan.com

Now Playing: Saturday Grab Bag

2011-02-19T18:44:00.000-08:00

Life has begun to settle down to the point that we can begin to report on some recent screenings. First, as pictured above, Andy and I have been getting into "The Secret Saturdays," formerly of Cartoon Network. Yes, I know we missed the party, but thanks to iTunes we are getting caught up fast. While there is only one daikaiju (that I know of) in the series, "The Secret Saturdays" dovetails perfectly with my son's burgeoning interest in real cryptids, and features a pretty cool story arc that we are only about a third of the way into. Strangely, we totally backed into this show, happening upon the Wii game for $5 at a local used video game shop and a SS toy at a thrift store. It is sort of old school, sort of new school, with the real draw for me being its reliance on "real" cryptozoological reports, such as Owlman and the Honey Island Swamp Monster.

We also just watched MST3K's skewering of "Mighty Jack." If I'm not mistaken, I spotted both Jerry Ito and Masanari Nihei who played another Ito on Ultraman. Although it was a reaction to what was popular at the time, Mighty Jack was crying out for a superhero who never arrived.

Finally, having joined the iPhone clone ranks, I am downloading podcasts like crazy. One that I am really excited about (and this should come as a surprise to no one) is "kaijucast." I was hooked from the opening bumper music, which combines snippets of Godzilla dialogue and sound effects with the music from "Godzilla Unleashed." It focuses on the fun elements of the fandom and is really worth a listen. Check it out at http://www.kaijucast.com/.

I Heart Godzilla

2011-02-16T19:55:00.000-08:00

To make a long story short, we received G-FAN # 94 on Valentine's Day, strangely appropriate for Godzilla lovers like us. We were pleasantly surprised to be mentioned in J.D. Lees' editorial in reference to Andy's library displays! That was a special moment for us, especially since we've had to put some aspects of G-fandom on hold for a time during our recent move. It served as a reminder of the really great people with whom we've become acquainted thanks to Godzilla, G-FAN and G-FEST.

Scroll all the way to the bottom for a look at Andy's first library display, or explore the previous posts here at Monsterland Ohio.

Going Mad

2011-01-19T04:31:00.001-08:00

I am happy to report two things: (1) we are moved in and getting settled; and (2) I received an early Christmas present this year: publication in Mad Scientist #22. My article on The Legend of Boggy Creek appears in this issue with great supplemental illustrations added by editor Martin Arlt. I also contributed a pointillistically rendered Varan illustration that appears near the end of the main article.

I'm very appreciative that my article was included--thanks, Martin! To order issues of Mad Scientist, click the link on the right and follow the instructions.

Big News...

2010-12-15T11:02:00.001-08:00

Those of you cool people who check in here once in a while may have noticed a marked decrease in posts over the past months. That is because we are moving! However, our move is not out of state, so Monsterland Ohio will continue under the same moniker for the forseeable future. I will get started in a new setting in January, and in time, things should pick up here again. A G-FEST wrap-up and G-FAN review are still in process-so keep checking back. Merry Christmas from the MO crew!

Spaceman's Night at the Library

2010-12-06T08:01:00.001-08:00

Our pal Jason Williams, proprietor of Spaceman Floyd's Cosmic Toys, was invited to give a presentation on Retro Toys last Thursday night at the Perry Library. Although he had quite a bit of information regarding the anthropology of toys ready to use, the presentation went in a different direction, focusing on the toy collections of the participants and the memories they conjure. It was a unique experience, and the Perry Library again deserves thanks for hosting interesting programs such as this.

It's Gorosaurus!

2010-11-28T14:23:00.001-08:00

Matt E. strikes again with everyone's favorite kangaroo-kicking kaiju.

'Battles of Godzilla' Now Includes Kong

2010-11-22T07:47:00.001-08:00

Here is a shot of the models Matt E. has added to the display at the Perry Library. Watch for a future post of the Gorosaurus model which is also included, making a complete representation of the kaiju and mecha from "King Kong Escapes."

UPDATE: "Battles of Godzilla" will be coming down tomorrow, November 23rd, to make way for Perry Library's Lego Club display, so if you want to see the set-up, you'll need to act fast!

Lake County To Host Cuyahoga Kaiju Club Event

2010-11-18T10:49:00.001-08:00

Andy and I are excited to welcome the CKC to the Perry Public Library this Saturday. In addition to viewing some kaiju classics and checking out the "Battles of Godzilla" display, participants will have the opportunity to visit Spaceman Floyd's in Madison to revel in the retro-toy goodness. Join us if you can!

'Battles of Godzilla' Now at Perry Public Library'

2010-11-06T08:44:00.001-07:00

Andy's second Godzilla-themed display is now in place at the Perry Library. This year's showcase, "Battles of Godzilla," puts the focus on kaiju combat, depicting battles from five G-movies as well as the Ultraman episode in which a Godzilla costume is retrofitted with a large frill to become Jiras/Keyra. The collection will be on display throughout November, and on the 20th the PPL will welcome the Cuyahoga Kaiju Club for fun and excitement with the showing of "Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster" and the aforementioned Ultraman episode.

Happy Hallowe'en

2010-10-31T11:33:00.001-07:00

Countdown to Halloween: Thirty-One Days of Godzilla

2010-10-31T11:28:00.001-07:00

Andy entered this Polar Lights Godzilla in the G-FEST Model Contest and was awarded a blue ribbon! A happy and safe Halloween to you and yours.

Countdown to Halloween: Thirty-One Days of Godzilla

2010-10-30T08:48:00.000-07:00

We won this masterpiece at our first G-FEST. Built by Matt E., it is a Paradise Godzilla 1964, from the film "Godzilla vs. The Thing."

Countdown to Halloween: Thirty-One Days of Godzilla

2010-10-29T07:23:00.001-07:00

At nearly a foot tall, this burning Godzilla by X-Plus is really impressive. [purchased at Spaceman Floyd's in Madison]

Countdown to Halloween: Thirty-One Days of Godzilla

2010-10-28T12:36:00.000-07:00

Extra-large "American Bandai" Kiryu and Final Wars Godzilla square off, with alien spacecraft/slow cooker lurking in the background.

Countdown to Halloween: Thirty-One Days of Godzilla

2010-10-26T13:32:00.001-07:00

This 8.5" frosty giant Millenium G was made by Bandai in 2002.

Countdown to Halloween: Thirty-One Days of Godzilla

2010-10-25T09:42:00.001-07:00

This eight-inch 2002 Bandai figure gets the look and proportions of GMK Godzilla just right.

Countdown to Halloween: Thirty-One Days of Godzilla

2010-10-24T09:40:00.001-07:00

Here's one of those "theater exclusive" figures--a crazily colored Godzilla 2000.

Countdown to Halloween: Thirty-One Days of Godzilla

2010-10-23T07:36:00.001-07:00

Banpresto released this 12" Godzilla '54 in 2002. It is probably my favorite "original Godzilla" figure. The combination of size and detail are really enjoyable.

Countdown to Halloween: Thirty-One Days of Godzilla

2010-10-22T07:10:00.001-07:00

Last year's "G-mazing Exhibit" included this Matt E. train-chomper.

Countdown to Halloween: Thirty-One Days of Godzilla

2010-10-21T05:08:00.001-07:00

The Millenium Godzilla suit is faithfully rendered in this 2007 Bandai six-inch figure.

Countdown to Halloween: Thirty-One Days of Godzilla

2010-10-20T10:11:00.001-07:00

Bandai presents: Final Wars Godzilla [2006]

Countdown to Halloween: Thirty-One Days of Godzilla

2010-10-19T10:19:00.001-07:00

Matt Evangelista is responsible for this ferocious GMK Godzilla, currently displayed at Spaceman Floyd's in Madison.

G-FAN # 93 Has Arrived

2010-10-18T14:57:00.001-07:00

G-FAN 93 is in our possession, and it looks to be an excellent memento of G-FEST XVII. Of particular interest is a reprinting of "The Chicago Shimpo," a Chicago Japanese-American newspaper that covered G-FEST and Akira Takarada's visit. Expect a full write-up in the near future.

Countdown to Halloween: Thirty-One Days of Godzilla

2010-10-18T06:12:00.001-07:00

Another super-deformed mini, depicting the infamous flying scene from "Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster."