The Kaiju Transmissions Podcast

Them! (1954)

We finally take our first step into the vast "giant bug" subgenre with the granddaddy of them all, 1954's classic Them!  Along with the Beast From 20,000 Fathoms and Godzilla, this film helped kick off a new era of atomic monster film, warning the public about the threat of nuclear weapons.  Written by Ted Sherdeman (Latitude Zero) and directed by Gordon Douglas (Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye), it tells the tale of giant radioactive ants terrorizing New Mexico, as our main characters fight to stop the threat before it spreads around the globe.  This film has gone on to become one of the most influential monster films of the 50s, kicking off a whole subgenre of giant bug films and inspiring films like Rodan and Aliens.  In addition to our review of the movie, we'll talk about its turbulent production history, its far reaching influence and lasting relevance, and how the nuclear bomb has been trivialized by Hollywood in the years since its release.  Tune in and relax!

Power Rangers: Once & Always (2023) + Smoking Causes Coughing (2022)

Byrd, Matt, and guest host Trev (Days of Future Podcast, Failure To Franchise) run through a superhero double feature.  First up is the recent Power Rangers reunion special from Netflix, which sees many of the original Power Rangers team return to face a robotic reincarnation of their arch enemy, Rita Repulsa.  We'll talk about how nostalgia drives the narrative, the lack of certain prominent cast members, and more.  After that we have the French Super Sentai pseudo-parody, Smoking Causes Coughing, directed by prolific surrealist director Quentin Dupieux.  This postmodern send up asks the question "What if a Super Sentai team sucked at their jobs and were ordered to go on a team building retreat where they told each other weird stories around a campfire?"  We'll talk about subverted expectations, the merits of surrealist humor, and more.  

Godzilla vs. The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (2022) Comic Review

For our first comic book review, we are joined by Trev and Tom to talk about IDW/Boom Studio's crossover comic miniseries, Godzilla vs The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, written by Cullen Bunn (Deadpool, The Sixth Gun, Godzilla: Cataclysm) and drawn by Freddie E Williams II (Batman/TMNT).  When Rita Repulsa decides to go to a universe without the Power Rangers, she gets more than she bargained for when she's met by the likes of Godzilla and other Toho kaiju.  When the Power Rangers follow her, they have to deal with both Godzilla and co, as well as Rita and her army of monsters.  In addition to our review, we'll talk about the challenges of adapting kaiju to comics, the conundrum of expectations, and more!  Relax and enjoy the discussion.

Ape vs. Mecha Ape (2023)

We are joined by Tom and Trev to tackle another Asylum movie, this time with the sequel to 2021's Ape vs Monster.  Ape vs. Mecha Ape brings the giant ape Abraham face to face with a mechanical doppelgänger that is carrying nuclear weapons.  Can an ape stop a mecha ape?!  Can Tom Arnold help from the comfort of his desk?  We answer these riveting questions and more.  But first, we have discuss the latest on the upcoming (and newly titled) Monsterverse film, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.  Relax and enjoy the show!

Half Human (1955)

We are joined by our Kaiju Masterclass partner, writer Patrick Galvan (SyFy, Our Culture, Ruan Lingyu: Her Life and Career) to discuss Ishiro Honda's banned 1955 film Half Human (aka The Beastman Snowman).  Made immediately after the original Godzilla, the film tells the story of a mountain expedition to search for the abominable snowman (and a sleazy promoter looking to kidnap the creature).  The film is under a self-imposed ban by Toho due to its offensive depiction of the Burakumin minority group, and can only be watched on VHS rips from a copy that was smuggled out of Toho years ago.  In our discussion we will discuss the making of the film and explore the topic of Burakumin oppression and the very real struggles that the group still faces to this day.  We also give some time to the bizarre and incomprehensible American version of the film starring John Carradine.  Relax and enjoy the discussion!

 

Thai Double Feature: The Lake (2022) and The Beast Below (2022)

We look at not one but TWO recent giant monster films from Thailand.  Although not known for giant monster cinema, last year saw two giant monster movies come from the Land of Smiles.  The Lake is the story of a giant creature terrorizing the rural countryside in search of its missing young.  The Beast Below is a more light hearted fare about a giant lizard under the desert that starts picking off a group of people digging for water to win a contest.  So how do these two recent creature features fare?  We'll give our thoughts, as explore the themes of the movies and their production history.  Relax and enjoy the show!

Diving into THE LAKE with with Director Lee Thongkham!

We are joined all the way from Thailand by a very special guest, film director Lee Thongkham!  Lee takes us behind the scenes of his new independent giant monster film THE LAKE, a Thai/Chinese co-production about a giant creature rampaging the Thai countryside in search of its offspring.  We get the details on Lee's inspirations for the film, the mythical and religious symbolism, working the film for the Chinese market, the importance of revealing monsters slowly, and more!  Tune in and enjoy!

The Lake is now available on VOD on most major streaming platforms via Epic/Dread Central and will be released on Blu-Ray on May 16, 2023!

The Asylum’s Destroy All Monsters! Armageddon 2025 (2022) and Megaboa (2021)

Byrd, Matt, Tom and Trev are back in the Asylum, this time reviewing their 25th anniversary film, 2025 Armageddon!  Aliens invade our world by sending the Asylum's giant monsters to attack Earth.  We have Mega Piranha, Mega Shark, Crocosaurus, Megaboa, Sharknado, Transmorphers, zoombies, and more causing mayhem.  Does this live up to the hype?  Listen and find out!  But first we play a bit of Asylum catch up with a review of 2021's Megaboa starring Eric Roberts.  We'll also spend a good amount of time talking about the state of the Asylum in a post-video store/TV movie special climate and how we think they should adapt to the new market.  Relax and enjoy the conversation!

Shin Ultraman (2022) Giant Size Roundtable

Byrd and Matt are joined by guest hosts Tom (Final Forum - A Dragonball Podcast), Kevin (Maser Patrol), Lux (of metal bands Soulmass and Wraithstorm), Connor (Easter's Kaiju Kompendium blog) for a giant round table discussion on Tsuburaya's recent reboot, Shin Ultraman!  The film was directed by Shinji Higuchi and Hideaki Anno, following up their massively successful Shin Godzilla (2016).  We'll give our full review of the movie as well as talk a bit about how the project came to be.  But first we have a kaiju sized news roundup as we discuss the director announcement for the upcoming Gamera: Rebirth, the news of a THEM remake, a recap of the recent King Kong at 90 exhibit in Michigan, a mini review of the recent documentary Theaters of War, and the recently leaked documents about the United States military's involvement in Godzilla 2014.  This is a super sized, action packed episode, so get comfy and join our conversation!

Troll (2022)

Byrd, Matt, and Kevin are joined by Lux Edwards (of metal bands Wraithstorm and Soulmass) to discuss 2022's Norwegian giant monster film, Troll.  Directed by Roar Uthaug (Tomb Raider 2018) and released by Netflix, the movie follows a giant troll that is awakened from his ancient slumber by a drilling operation in the mountains.  What did the gang think?  Tune in and find out!