"Back To The Future" Concert In Tokyo In November

Japanese fans of the 1985 hit movie, Back To The Future are in for a treat on November 23. A commemorative concert at the Tokyo International Forum celebrating the movie's 30th anniversary (has it really been that long?) will be held that day.

According to RocketNews24:

2015 marks the 30th anniversary of the classic 80s blockbuster film Back to the Future. And if you consider yourself a fan of the movie series, then you’re in for a treat! In honour of this milestone, a special commemorative Back to the Future concert event is being planned! You’ll have the chance to go back in time and relive the adventures of Marty McFly with a concert featuring a screening of the movie accompanied by a live full orchestra.

The Back to the Future live film concert is making its way around the world with performances throughout America, Australia, the UK, and Japan.

Above, original Godzilla Haruo Nakajima meets Lea Thompson, Back to the Future's
Lorraine McFly, at the Mad Monster Party convention in 2013. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

So, if you happen to find yourself in Tokyo on November 23, you may want to check out the concert.

To read more, go here.

Wall St. Journal: "Godzilla Was A Very Different Beast 60 Years Ago"

Above, the Godzilla 1954 Japanese poster.

Godzilla and The Wall Street Journal. That is an interesting combination, if I ever heard one. But that's what we have as The Wall Street Journal has posted an article on the Big G, "Godzilla Was A Very Different Beast 60 Years Ago."

As we are nearing the 60th anniversary of the release of 1954's Godzilla on November 3, the Journal's article focuses on the making of the original film that includes comments by Eizo Kaimai, one of the few remaining members of the team who created Godzilla.

It begins with:

TOKYO—Godzilla has come a long way in 60 years. 

When the original film opened in Japan on Nov. 3, 1954, Godzilla was made from bamboo, cloth, paper, wire and whatever was available, says Eizo Kaimai, the 85-year-old chairman of Kaimai Productions. 

This was long before digital wizards came along to create a T-Rex or Transformer, before Star Wars, Jurassic Park or Avatar.

Above, Haruo Nakajima with actress Lea Thompson in 2013. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The article also includes quotes from the original Godzilla suit-actor, Haruo Nakajima and the actor who played Hideto Ogata, Akira Takarada.

To read more, go here.

DeLoreans Getting Outfitted To Celebrate "Back To The Future" 30th Anniversary

Above, a DeLorean "Back To The Future" car on display at the Mad Monster Party.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Can it really be 30 years since the first Back To The Future movie starring Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly was released?

Well, it will be in 2015 and many DeLorean owners are having their cars outfitted to look like the one in the 1985 movie.

According to The Japan News:

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (AP)—It may not time travel, but the DeLorean sports car is finding its way into the future. 

People are spending thousands of dollars to have DeLoreans outfitted to resemble the one that starred in the 1985 movie “Back to the Future” starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd.
About 9,000 DeLorean DMC-12 cars were produced from 1981-82 before the original company went bust. About 6,500 are believed to still exist, easily recognizable with their boxy, stainless steel bodies and gullwing doors. 

The current brand owner, DeLorean Motor Co. of Huntington Beach, handles everything from oil changes to full reconstructions. But as the 30th anniversary of “Back to the Future” approaches in 2015, there’s been an increase in requests to re-create the movie’s iconic car, according to the Orange County Register.

Above, Haruo Nakajima with Lea Thompson, who played Lorraine Baines McFly in
 1985's "Back To The Future" at the Mad Monster Party.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last March, a DeLorean outfitted to look like the time-travel car from the movie was displayed at the Mad Monster Party in Charlotte, North Carolina. The original Godzilla, Haruo Nakajima, posed for photos in it and with actress Lea Thompson, who played Lorraine Baines McFly, Marty's mother.

To read the full article, go here.

Mad Monster Party Day Three: A Plus For "Team Nakajima"

Above, Haruo Nakajima with actress Lea Thompson.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Mad Monster Party 2013 is now history.  I had a lot of fun and I met a lot of great people.

First, I have to commend Eben McGarr and Joe Moe for putting on a great show.  I think they exceeded their attendance expectations by a few thousand.

Above, the Nakajima panel.  Photo by Jeff Blanken.

Next, I have to thank the members of "Team Nakajima" (translator Yoko Connelly and our volunteer stiff (staff) Jeff Blanken)  for their help in making everything involving the Nakajimas go smoothly.

Above, Haruo Nakajima with a fan-made Godzilla suit.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As this was the second convention, there were a few bugs that need to be ironed out.  But, learning from experience will greatly aid in making next year's convention even better.

The day began at about one o'clock in the morning with the sound of police vehicle units pulling up to the Blake Hotel or driving nearby.  It was a bit hard to sleep with all the noise from the police sirens.  I found out  this morning that seven units of the Charlotte Police Department responded to a call involving two nude girls at the convention at that time.  I'd bet the police fought over who was going to respond.

Above, Haruo and Sonoe Nakajima going over their flight schedule for tomorrow in the R.I.P. room.
  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After breakfast, I met with the Nakajimas and went over the questions for the panel discussion.  Following this, we migrated over to the ballroom for the session.  I received many words of praise for the session which included slides (when the projector decided to work properly) and roars and music from Godzilla (1954) while people were entering the ballroom.

After the panel, we migrated over to our tables.  The line was already long of autograph seekers when we go to the tables.  I sold more copies of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan today than I did with Friday and Saturday put together (which weren't bad either).  Thanks to everyone!

Above, Haruo Nakajima and yours truly.

The Nakajimas did VERY well with their sales of autographs photos with fans.  It will probably hit them when they convert the dollars into yen when they return home to Japan.  I am very happy for them.

Above, Haruo Nakajima with our volunteer helper Jeff Blanken.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Just before the convention ended, we had a photo session for group shots of everyone who comprised "Team Nakajima."

Above, Haruo Nakajima with translator Yoko Connolly.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After the convention was over, we went over to the V.I.P. room (known as the R.I.P. room) to review everything and to make plans for other future activities.  While there, actress Lea Thompson stopped by to be introduced to Haruo Nakajima.

Above, "Team Nakajima" at Mad Monster Party.  

After we said our goodbyes, I took Jeff out to dinner at the Hickory Tavern.  We relaxed over dinner and beer.

The trip to Charlotte, North Carolina was worth it and I enjoyed what I did manage to see of the city.  Would I return to a future Mad Monster Party?  The answer is a definite yes!

Actress Lea Thompson To Attend Mad Monster Party Convention

Actress Lea Thompson will be joining Haruo Nakajima in the guest line-up for next year's Mad Monster Party convention that will be held March 22-24 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Thompson starred in the Back To The Future trilogy, Jaws 3-D, Howard The Duck, Red Dawn and All The Right Moves.

For more information on the Mad Monster Party convention, go here.