Democrats Hell-Bent On Political Suicide

Democrats Hell-Bent On Political Suicide

by Armand Vaquer

The House and Senate Democrats are hell-bent on committing political suicide by trying to ram through Obamacare. A majority of American steadfastly oppose Obamacare.

According to the Augusta Chronicle:

The numbers say it's a path to political suicide: a whopping 58 percent of the public oppose the congressional Democrats' health-care proposals; 48 percent strongly oppose, while only 19 percent strongly support it -- and 61 percent say scrap the Democrats' cockamamie plans and start over.

They are considering a complex parliamentary strategy that would allow House Democrats to pass the Senate's health care legislation without actually voting on the bill itself.

This would allow Democrat House members, who don't like the Senate bill, to vote on a rule concerning debate that deems the bill passed once a smaller package of "fixes" also had passed. Republicans are solidly in opposition to the bill.

The pressure is on wavering Democrats as President Obama said he will refuse to make any fund-raising visits during the November elections to any district whose representative did not support the health care bill.

According to the U.K. Telegraph:

By a process known as "reconciliation," Democrats would frustrate Republican filibuster obstruction tactics in the Senate and allow the health care overhaul to be finalised before Congress takes a two-week break on March 26.

The Democrats have been forced to unorthodox tactics after losing their filibuster-proof majority of 60 in the Senate in a Massachusetts by-election.

This is tyranny in action.

UPDATE (3/17/10): Talk show host Mark Levin said that if Obamacare "passes" via Rep. Slaughter's scheme to "deem" that the Senate bill passed the House, he will file suit through the Landmark Legal Foundation. For more on this, go here.

Monster Movie Japan Travel Guide Shipment Expected

Above, Yuu Asakura. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A big batch of copies of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan are expected to be shipped to me on March 18.

Once I receive confirmation that they've been shipped, I will post information on how to directly order from me. This will make it easier for you to get a copy a lot faster instead of waiting for ComiXpress to print up your order. That's the one drawback of print-to-order publishing. Otherwise, it works out pretty well.

So, keep watch on this blog for further details and announcements over the next several days.

Old Newspaper Clipping

While cleaning out my mom's apartment back in January, I came across this old newspaper clipping from the South Bay Daily Breeze from 1978:

Ronald Reagan Billboard In Minnesota

Ed Morrisey of Hot Air.com (see links on this page) posted an article on this billboard in Albertville, Minnesota:



The billboard company said that a group of private individuals paid for the ad.

Karlos Borloff Receives Monster Movie Japan Travel Guide

Above, Karlos Borloff (Jerry Moore) with the original Godzilla, Haruo Nakajima. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Word has been received that Jerry Moore, a.k.a. Karlos Borloff of the Monster Madhouse Show, received his copy of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

This message just came in from him:

JUST GOT IT TODAY !!!!! LOOKS AWESOME....WOW, YOU DID A FANTASTIC JOB ON THIS !!!

And, over at Facebook he posted:

GREAT BOOK !!!

Above, Yuu Asakura. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Ides of March: So Far, So Good!

Above, Yuu Asakura. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today is March 15, commonly known as The Ides of March.

On this day in history, according to Wikipedia:

The Ides of March (Latin: Idus Martiae) is the name of March 15 in the Roman calendar. The term ides was used for the 15th day of the months of March, May, July, and October, and the 13th day of the other months. The Ides of March was a festive day dedicated to the god Mars and a military parade was usually held. In modern times, the term Ides of March is best known as the date that Julius Caesar was killed in 709 AUC or 44 B.C.

Julius Caesar was stabbed to death in the Roman Senate led by Marcus Junius Brutus, Gaius Cassius Longinus and 60 other co-conspirators.

So far, today has been pretty good for me. I received and worked one new insurance claim assignment and received payments for some orders for The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan, one of which was from Australia (for two copies).

As I said, so far, so good!

UPDATE: The day finished on an upward note. Karlos Borloff (Jerry Moore) received his copy of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan today and was very pleased with it. Also, the mailman delivered more checks (non-travel guide-related) and more orders came in at ComiXpress. I wouldn't mind more of these kinds of days!

6.6 Earthquake Rocks Eastern Honshu, Japan

The east coast of Japan was hit by a magnitude 6.6 earthquake today.

The epicenter was in the Pacific Ocean between Sendai and Soma, Japan. The depth was 39 km (24.2 miles) below the surface.

80 km (50 miles) SE of Sendai, Honshu, Japan
95 km (60 miles) E of Fukushima, Honshu, Japan
100 km (60 miles) NE of Iwaki, Honshu, Japan
285 km (175 miles) NE of TOKYO, Japan

Peter Graves Found Dead

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that actor Peter Graves has been found dead:

Actor Peter Graves was found dead Sunday at his home in Pacific Palisades, according to law enforcement sources. Graves, who stared in "Mission: Impossible," "Airplane!" and Billy Wilder's "Stalag 17"--apparently died of natural causes, the sources said.

Graves was 83.

Graves starred in the 1955-1960 television series Fury and was most recently the host of A & E's Biography. He also was in the 1950s science-fiction movies It Conquered The World and Beginning of the End.

Peter Graves was the younger brother of Gunsmoke star James Arness.

"Godzilla 1985" Addendum

Above, the Yurakucho Mullion Buildings.

As an addendum to yesterday's blog about Godzilla 1985 (or Return of Godzilla), it should be mentioned that the main action between the Japanese military forces (with its Super X fighting machine) and Godzilla takes place in the Shinjuku section of Tokyo.

The buildings shown appear to be generic and not easily recognizable. However, Godzilla does take another stroll through Ginza and Hibiya (his first was in 1954).

One main building to note was the Yurakucho Mullion building. There is a scene in the Japanese version of Godzilla approaching the building and his reflection is visible on the side of the building. Unfortunately, this scene was not included in the Americanized version. Both versions do show Godzilla clawing at the side of the building as he loses his balance when his foot collapses the street below him.

The site where the Yurakucho Mullion building stands was where the Nichigeki Theater once stood. It was featured in the 1954 original when Godzilla steps on some electified train tracks, causing his tail to whip about and hit the theater.

The Yurakucho Building was also featured in another Godzilla movie. This is covered in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.



Godzilla eventually meets his "doom" in the crater of Mt. Mihara, on Oshima Island. Today, there is a stone Godzilla statue at the Hamano Hot Springs resort on Oshima Island. Oshima can be seen on clear days from Atami (photo above).

25th Anniversary of "Godzilla 1985"

2010 will mark 25 years since the release in America of the first Godzilla movie of the second (or Heisei) series to theaters.

The summer of 1985 saw the release of the Americanized Godzilla 1985. The movie is known in Japan as Return of Godzilla. It was produced in 1984 by Toho Co., Ltd. and released in America by New World Pictures.

This new series of Godzilla movies ignores all of Godzilla’s adventures from Godzilla Raids Again (1955) through Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975). Essentially, it is a sequel to the 1954 original.

Actor Raymond Burr was tapped to reprise his role from the 1956 Americanized Godzilla, King of the Monsters! as reporter Steve Martin. To avoid confusion (or snickers) with the then-popular comic Steve Martin, Burr’s character was called either “Steven Martin” or just “Mr. Martin.”

The movie opens with a fishing trawler that gets swept near a volcanic island in a storm. As the boat closes in on the island, a menacing, enormous figure bursts (unseen to the audience, though) from the volcanic rock.

Days later, reporter Goro Maki (Ken Tanaka), while out sailing, comes across the fishing boat and he finds it in a damaged condition with seemingly no crew. However, he finds the withered corpse of a crewman and a huge sea louse, which attacks him but is killed by the sole survivor of the vessel.

The survivor relates the story of how they were swept near the island and Godzilla appeared.

Unfortunately, the Japanese government put a clamp on any news of Godzilla’s return to avoid a nationwide panic, so the reporter is unable to have his big scoop published.

As a consolation, the Maki’s editor tells him to do some background on the story and sends him to see Dr. Hayashida (Yosuke Natsuki), who just happens to employ, as his assistant, the sister of the boat's survivor.

Eventually, the news of Godzilla’s return is broken wide open as he attacks a nuclear power station and feeds on the nuclear material in the reactor. But, Godzilla provides a clue to the professor as he is led back to the ocean by a flock of seagulls. Figuring that dinosaurs are distant ancestors of today’s birds, he comes to the conclusion that if a device can emulate the frequency of bird chirping, they can lead Godzilla to his doom.

Return of Godzilla marked the first performance of suit-actor Kenpachiro Satsuma as Godzilla. He would continue to play Godzilla through to Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995).

At the time of the release of Godzilla 1985, I was house-sitting for a friend in Canoga Park, California and on a week’s vacation. One warm summer night, after seeing off my then-girlfriend (and later spouse) home, I bee-lined it to the Van Nuys Drive-In Theater (now demolished) to catch a late screening. This was the first theatrical screening of a Japanese Godzilla movie I went to since King Kong vs. Godzilla in 1963.

Godzilla 1985 was released on August 23, 1985 to 235 North American theaters. It initially wasn’t a hit for New World, but it eventually became a minor money-maker for the company through home video sales.

Although it is somewhat dated and has corny jokes, it plays better today than many of the later entries in the series.

Godzilla 1985 has not been released on DVD as its rights ownership is somewhat in limbo (a long story, believe me). It can be found occasionally on Anchor Bay’s VHS tape through eBay and other sources. It was paired up with the short subject Bambi Meets Godzilla.

It is hard to believe that it’ll be 25 years (this coming summer) that Godzilla 1985 was released.

Famous Monsters of Filmland Convention News

FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND #251 TO PREVIEW AT THE FIRST ANNUAL FAMOUS MONSTERS CONVENTION

FMC Secures Second Ballroom For The Increasing Number Of Attendees

LOS ANGELES, CALIF., March 11, 2010 - Famous Monsters of Filmland announces today the official launch date for the historical Famous Monsters of Filmland Issue #251. The collectable magazine will preview at the official Famous Monsters Convention to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana, July 9-11, 2010.

Thomas (The Mist, Punisher) Jane, Derek Mears and additional cast members from this summer's 20th Century Fox release Predators, a Night Of The Living Dead reunion featuring eight original cast members, and a Nightmare on Elm Street series reunion with Heather Langenkamp and Mark Patton are among the initial line up of guests FM has invited for the first annual FMC. Horror legends Tom Savini, Bill Moseley, and Herschell Gordon Lewis will also be in attendance to celebrate this memorable FM launch. A complete guestlist can be found at www.famousmonstersconvention.com.

To accommodate already increasing demands, Famous Monsters has secured additional convention floor space for our monstrous event. "Friday night's VIP Blood Red Pool Party and the Beauty Pageant sponsored by Girls and Corpses are just a few of the highlights for the weekend," said Philip Kim, Senior Manager of Famous Monsters. "The winner of the beauty pageant will receive a photo spread in an upcoming issue of both Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine and Girls and Corpses magazine."

The Famous Monsters Convention will be held at the Wyndham Indianapolis West, located at 2544 Executive Drive, Indianapolis, IN. Ticket pricing, hotel accommodations, and a schedule of events are available at www.famousmonstersconvention.com.

About Famousmonsters.com

Famousmonsters.com represents the web entity of Famous Monsters of Filmland. Visitors can quickly and easily navigate between op-eds, video, news and reviews from our staff, exclusive interviews and columns from industry insiders and professionals, photo galleries, and much more.

FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND (words and distinctive lettering design) is a registered trademark of Philip Kim. Reproduction or use of the FM name or logo in any manner, including but not limited to internet "tribute" sites without express prior written permission from the trademark owner is strictly prohibited. All contents of website ©2008 Philip Kim. For more information visit: www.famousmonstersoffilmland.com.

The Transam Associates Scam

There's an old axiom: If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

Today, I received an email from a company called Transam Associates. They say they are a medical transcription company. Their email reads as follows:

Job Alert

Hello, Armand

Thank you for your sharing your Job Network resume for this work at home Job Alert! We are a medical transcription company.

After reviewing your resume we are interested.

Transam Associates provides precise medical transcription of voice files that doctors dictate for hospitals, clinics and doctor offices.

Transam Associates also conducts its own training program that prepares individuals for the medical transcription profession. This training is done online in the comfort of your own home. A personal trainer is provided to guide individuals in the training program through a Live Chat environment.

As a recruiter for this national transcription service, I am seeking full-and part-time, home-based medical transcriptionists. We are committed to providing a work environment where medical transcriptionists can grow and be respected for the professionals they are.

This is an entry level opportunity and if you are not yet qualified, we'll provide tuition FREE training and a personal trainer that you'll need to become qualified. Once you meet our criteria, which will be defined for you before you begin, you will be certified by us as an accomplished medical transcriptionist and can begin to work for Transam Associates, Inc.

The pay is good. After completing the training program, people seem to do quite well and as you get more experience, people seem to earn $1,000 to $2,000 a month working about 20-30 hours a week. Some make $3,000-$4,000 a month, full-time 40-48 hours a week (This does not happen overnight). If you want to work more, you'll earn more. If you want to work less, you'll earn less. The choice is yours.

We will provide to you a great working environment where you can make a difference. Our medical transcriptionists start as contractors and are eligible for raises. Whether or not you have experience, you can find rewarding work as a medical transcriptionist.

If you are interested in a job interview please email: XXXXXXX@transamassociates.com

We are looking forward to working with you.

Thank you!
Kimberly Carson
Regional Recruiter

Sounds good, doesn't it? Their email was titled, "Medical Transcription - Will Train - No Experience!"

What they don't tell you that if you "pass" a little transcription test, you will then be able to join their training program.

But there's a catch:

You will need to purchase their MT software at a price of $462.00 and their foot pedal and adapter for $135.00. I checked around and people who have caught on to this scam, after paying, requested their money back but Transam refuses to refund it.

Also, there are complaints that people are forever stuck into the "training program."

If a company is willing to hire you for a job, even as an independent contractor, they shouldn't be asking you to pay for their program. All you have to do is Google "Transam Associates" and the word "scam", you will find plenty of complaints.

Another thing that caught my eye, I never heard of a job website called "Job Network." There may be one, but I have never signed up with it.

Made It!

Well, I made it through today, which would've been my mom's 77th birthday. I wished her a Happy Birthday anyway. I know of a lot of other people who did as well.

I basically spent it working on a art project for Glenn Thornhill and the Platrix Chapter of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus. One thing I noticed, I am way out-of-practice (I used to be an art major and drew all the time). I do doodle, but I haven't done anything for a long time that required a bit more precision, until now.

I guess that was a good way to honor my mom's memory. She was artistically inclined as was my grandfather. I guess I inherited that from them.

One bad note: I had to replace my coffee-maker. The clock on the old one works, but it would not heat up and brew any coffee. So, I had to get a new one.

If that was the worst thing to happen today, I guess I made out pretty good!

Birthdays

One of the toughest things for people who have had an immediate family member pass away is to endure anniversaries, holidays and birthdays that involved that person.

On Thursday, March 11, my mom would've celebrated her 77th birthday. She was born in Los Angeles at the old Methodist Hospital in 1933. This was one day after the Long Beach Earthquake. My great-grandfather (who was a retired doctor) quipped at the time, "It took an earthquake to get her born!"

A funny thing about my mom and her birthday: Back in 1983, there was a bit of a hoopla over the fiftieth anniversary of King Kong. That same year, my mom also turned 50. All the noise in the media over Kong annoyed her. She said at the time, "That just only reminds me of my age!"

I pretty much had the same feeling when Godzilla's fiftieth anniversay was celebrated in 2004. I turned 50 that same year. This year's birthday was somber as it came only weeks after my mom died.

Another oddity that I just found out tonight: Stephanie Shayne Parkin, the daughter of Robert "Inspector Henderson" Shayne (from the 1950s Adventures of Superman), lost her mother Betty last week. This Thursday, March 11, Stephanie also will celebrate her birthday (I won't give away her age here). She's been having to deal with receiving birthday cards that are mixed in with sympathy cards in the mailbox.

It is strange how things work out.

I don't know at this point how I will handle this Thursday. It may be depressing, or it may not affect me at all. I'll just have to wait and see.

UPDATE (3/10/10): I received this nice note from Stephanie:

You are so dear, Armand. Thank you. We’re in it together, friend. March 11 this year will be sad for both of us.

Hugs,
Stephanie

She's exactly right, we're in this together. I know quite a number of people who've lost a parent over the past six months.

World's First and Only Japan Travel Guide For Monster Fans

Above, Yuu Asakura. Photo by Armand Vaquer

The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan is the world's first and only Japan travel guide for tourists who are also fans of Japanese science-fiction and fantasy movies.

And, it is a useful tool for travel industry professionals who can use it to tailor special tours of monster movie locations.

To order, go here.

Amber Dubois Remains Found

Fox News is reporting that skeletal remains of Amber Dubois has been found:

ESCONDIDO, Calif. — Skeletal remains discovered in a rural area of California were identified Sunday as those of Amber DuBois, a 14-year-old San Diego girl who had been missing for more than a year.

Fox News Radio reported the body was identified following a brief press conference.

San Diego County Sheriff Michael Gore said the remains were found in the area of Pala, in East County, Calif.

Dubois was last seen walking alone to school on Feb. 13, 2009.

There has been renewed interest in her disappearance following the murder of another San Diego teen, 17-year-old Chelsea King, of Poway.

Police aren't saying if John Gardner, who is charged with the murder of King, is connected with the Dubois case or the body's discovery. But, it does not seem to be a coincidence that Amber Dubois should be found so soon after Chelsea King was found and her accused killer was arrested.

To read the full Fox News article, go here.

The Photo-Shoot

Above, Yuu Asakura at Lake Balboa with "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan."

The photo-shoot was completed. Although, it didn't go exactly the way I planned.

I had planned on using The Japanese Garden in Van Nuys, but due to the rains over the past 24 hours, the Garden was essentially turned into a "mudhole," according to the guards there. They said this happens all the time when it rains.

So, since my model, Yuu Asakura, was en route, I had to come up with an alternate site. Luckily, Lake Balboa was nearby.

As soon as Yuu arrived, I explained the situation to her and we headed over to Lake Balboa for the shoot.

It turned out pretty well. It was nice and clear out and the storm was a cold one causing the snow level to be lower than usual on the nearby mountains. It made for a nice background.

I would have preferred using The Japanese Garden instead, but one must adapt to changing situations.

Chuck Harter and The Illiad

The Los Angeles Times has an article today on the Illiad Bookshop, a North Hollywood used bookstore which appears to be bucking against the trend of failing bookstores. Famed used book dealers Dutton's and Bodhi Tree permanently closed their doors recently.

Adventures of Superman/George Reeves historian Chuck Harter is featured in the Times' article:

It's that homey feeling and personal attention that has drawn Chuck Harter to the bookstore several times a week for 10 years. The store has four employees and is open seven days a week.

"It's a bit like visiting with friends," said Harter, 56, a writer, actor and musician. "They're all so knowledgeable about the books, and they know their customers."

Employee Bob Johnson recently steered Harter to a book called "Too Young to Die," which includes two pages on the mysterious death of actor George Reeves, best known for his role in the 1950s television series "Adventures of Superman." Johnson knew that Harter was writing a book on the subject.

"It's all about service," Harter said. "There's really not that personal attention at the big bookstores."

Chuck Harter is writing a book on the timeline (about a year or two prior) of the events leading to George Reeves's alleged suicide.

One can get lost (time-wise) in any bookstore, new or used. Chuck said that when he went to the bookstore today, it was crowded. Apparently, a lot of people saw the article.

To read the full article, go here.

Photo-Shoot For "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan"

Today has been spent working on getting a model for some advertising photos for The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan. I also attempted to scout the location for the shoot, but it was closed today. At least the guard gave me a nice 2010 calendar to take with me for ideas.

I plan to do the photo-shoot at The Japanese Garden in Van Nuys, California (Kyoto and Tokyo are just too far and it is only a couple of miles from home). (This picture was taken at home.) I am somewhat limited to when I can use The Japanese Garden as it has certain days and hours when it's open to the public. But it is a nice place with guided and self-guided tours. And it has a gift shop where visitors may buy Japanese gifts.

From The Japanese Garden's website:

Hours and Admission Fees:

We offer docent-led walking tours, by advance reservation only, on Monday through Thursday mornings. Each tour lasts approximately 1-¼ hours and includes an overview of the water reclamation process. (Evening tours are offered during the Summer.)

The Garden is also available for self-guided tours Monday through Thursday from 12:00PM until 4:00PM, and Sunday from 10:00AM until 4:00PM (the last gate entry each day is at 3:15PM). Please call on the day you wish to visit to make sure the Garden is open.

Admission to the Garden for docent-led or self-guided tours is $3.00 per person, $2.00 for Seniors 62+ and Children under 10. (Special Event admission fees are generally higher.)

On the model, I have a couple of "feelers" out. She'll be Asian, naturally! This all should be finalized by tonight, I expect.

UPDATE: Got the model! Here's a clue, she was in Don Glut's The Mummy's Kiss: Second Dynasty.

If Rejected By A Publisher...

Above, Pearl S. Buck.

A Facebook friend with the same last name as mine (we may be related, but I don't know for sure) submitted a novel to a publisher who sent her a really nice rejection letter. It was quite flattering!

Although disappointed, she took the rejection with a good sense of humor by saying, "I'm going in the other room to scream so as not to scare the cats."

I replied with this little gem (source: The Writer's Handbook):

Remember, Pearl S. Buck's next novel after "The Good Earth" became a best-seller was also rejected. It happens to the best of us. Just keep plugging!

I know I've told this to several people over the years who sought a book deal.

Elizabeth M. Shayne - 1921 - 2010

Above, Stephanie Shayne Parkin and her mom Betty with a group of us at the Superman Week ceremony in July 2001. Photo courtesy of Lou Koza.

It is with much sadness to report that Elizabeth "Betty" Shayne passed away early today from complications of lung cancer. She was the widow of Robert "Inspector Henderson" Shayne of the Adventures of Superman television show.

It was my pleasure to meet Betty in July 2001 when we held the 50th Anniversary Ceremony for the Adventures of Superman at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration in downtown Los Angeles. She was a very sweet lady with a great sense of humor. I remarked that she looked 20 years younger than her eighty years. This prompted a laugh from daughter Stephanie who said, "That means she had me when she was ten!"

Top photo, Betty Shayne with Superman historian Chuck Harter. Bottom photo, Betty Shayne and Stephanie Shayne Parkin with Superman historian Jan Alan Henderson at Cafe Pinot.

Betty and her daughter Stephanie Shayne Parkin rode with me after the ceremony to Cafe Pinot for the luncheon that followed.

Betty fought a valiant fight against her illness. Her fighting spirit is an inspiration to all of us.

My condolences to Stephanie and her family.

"Monster Attack Team" No. 8: Kaiju With Flair

Above, the cover of "Monster Attack Team" #8.

by Armand Vaquer

There's a "new" magazine that's just been announced: Monster Attack Team (issue #8). The folks behind MAT describe it as "the seminal magazine devoted to Japanese monsters and super-heros." It is an old 'zine with a fresh perspective.

From the photos at the magazine's website, the graphics and layouts in the magazine shows an exciting flair. There's nothing stodgy-looking about it from what I can see.

Also, the list of articles indicates that the magazine is presenting a variety of topics by different contributors from Godzilla to Ultraman, instead of being dominated by one or a few. Many Japanese science-fiction and fantasy film historians of note are contributors to this issue.

The list of articles (from their website) include:

Go Go Godzilla
Patricia Rodriguez parties kaiju-style in Dallas, Texas.

Monster Toy Madness
Japanese style toys are the big thing for sculptors.

The Last Showakan Picture Show
August Ragone looks back with fondness of the end of a cinematic era.

Big Man Japan
Mini review by Steve Norwood.

Kikaida 01
David McRobie provides an overview and episode guide to the classic Toei tokusatsu series.

Kamen Knowledge
Who was that masked cricket motorcycle man? August Ragone knows!

Godman and Greenman
Mike Bianco explains how Toho kept school children occupied for five minutes at a time in the 1970’s.

Working Among the Monsters
Would you like to have Ultraman as your boss? Brad Warner did, and made it happen.

The Fantastic Cinema of Kinji Fukasaku
M.G. Keller gives an overview of the director’s sci-fi and fantasy films.

The Ultraman That Almost Was
M.G. Keller, Don Glut and Alex Wald provide insight into a fascinating project that never saw the light of day.

The Selling of Japanese Science Fiction
Ed Godziszewski shares knowledge and visuals of fantastic Japanese film posters and advertising.

The Last Dinosaur
Stuart Galbraith IV talks about the latest DVD release of the 1970’s Tsuburaya telefilm.

Tik Tak Talk
Lock up your daughters and brush up on your boxing. Tak Sakaguchi is in town, and M.G. Keller has an exclusive interview with him.

Putting Faces To Names
We enjoy their movies, but could we pick them out in a crowd? David Milner could, and gives us a visual reference to do so.

Wataru Mimura and Hiroshi Kashiwabara
MJ Simpson provides an interview with these two Godzilla screenwriters.

Jail Time
Jail O’Hashi is the guitarist for rock band Seikima-II. Edward Holland has a chat with Demon’s right hand axe-man.

Shut Your Venus Flytrap!
Think you’ve seen it all? How about a Japanese monster movie made by the US military and written by Ed Wood? Dr. Robert Kiss fills us in.

Not Just A Burnt Lizard
Nikkatsu’s Daikaiju Gappa was a monster never seen before and not seen since. Bob Johnson has the lowdown.

Ten Questions With Damon Foster
Edward Holland interviews the enfant terrible of Asian film fandom.

The Taste of Tea
Mini review by Crystal Decker-Norwood.

Monsters, Minatures & Magic
Steve Ryfle gives us an insider’s look at the recent documentary.

Ultraman, Path Towards Resurrection
Edward Holland has a few words about the show that gave MAT its name.

The Green Behemoth
Edward Holland gets some words of illumination and wisdom from August Ragone.

The creators are offering the book (well, it is 132 pages thick) in two versions: full color interior ($23.00 plus shipping & handling) and black & white interior ($9.00 plus shipping & handling). Both versions will have the full color cover. This may seem pricey, but the editors say that the money would be well-spent.

As I mentioned, MAT is an old name, stretching back to the original issues of the 1990s. According to the MAT website:

It started as a small newsletter and blossomed into a full-blown Japanese monster funbag - joining the ranks of similar themed zines such as G-FAN, KAIJU REVIEW and ORIENTAL CINEMA. During its time, Ed Holland was assisted in his editorial role by David May and then Michael Keller, and ran articles by genre luminaries such as August Ragone, Kip Doto, Damon Foster and Ed Godziszewski.

Like The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan, Monster Attack Team is also being published through ComiXpress.

For more information, ordering, and to get a peek at the issue, go here.

"The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan" Arrived!

The shipment finally arrived from ComiXpress and I am pleased with the way The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan turned out.

Archie Waugh's cover came out fantastic!

J. D. Lees's layouts look great in printed form.

NOTE: I will be getting a large shipment of The Guide from ComiXpress in about two weeks. They are expected to be shipped to me on March 18. I will make them available here and, upon request, I will gladly sign them at no extra charge.

First Shipment of Monster Travel Guide

Word has been received that my first shipment of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan had been received by my local post office and is now out in my letter carrier's truck.

So, I will now be able to hold my "baby" in my hands.

One other thing in regards to The Guide, Blogspot has a new feature in which bloggers can set up stand-alone pages on whatever subjects they wish. I set up one for The Guide. The link is just below the Armand's Rancho del Cielo photo at the top of the page (the one of a Zion National Park mountain with "Darth Vader's Helmet" on the mountain wall). Nice little feature!

Things are progressing on my plans for promoting The Guide, including publicity photographs. More to come as things fall into place!

UPDATE: My shipment just arrived! I am very pleased with the results.

Amber Dubois and Chelsea King: Possible Link?

Above, Amber Dubois, missing since February 13, 2009.

The body of missing 17-year-old Chelsea King of Escondido, California was found near a lake not far from the teen's home.

A known sex-offender, John Gardner, had already been arrested based on physical evidence found with him.

According to San Diego television station KGTV:

The man suspected of in the death of Chelsea King was being watched more than a year ago by the family of missing teenager Amber Dubois.

On Tuesday, 10News spoke with Amber's mother, Carrie McGonigle. She said her family asked investigators with the Escondido Police Department to check out 174 registered sex offenders living within the area of Escondido High School where Amber, who was 14 years old at the time, was last seen February 13, 2009.

Family friend Linda Walkup said Chelsea King could have been saved if investigators checked in on people like Gardner.

"Had he been looked at from the beginning maybe, possibly, we could have stopped what's going on with Chelsea right now," said Walkup.

Instead, Amber's family and friends began their own investigation. They located the homes of 147 known registered sex offenders in Escondido, San Marcos, Poway and Rancho Bernardo. They drove by their homes and even staked out some of those homes. One of the stakeouts was almost a year ago, outside an Escondido apartment belonging to Gardner at the time.

Amber Dubois disappeared February 13, 2009 while walking to her school. She hasn't been seen since.

A pick-up truck seen in a video taken near Dubois's school that morning aroused police attention. Could Gardner have owned a similar pick-up? The King and Dubois cases could be linked. The authorities should check the area around the lake and what vehicles Gardner owned or had access to.

Productive Day For The Travel Guide

Today ended up being productive as far as promoting The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

I concentrated on bookstores, Japanese and non-Japanese. The new email address I set up for The Guide will be useful so that any messages that come in won't be buried under the usual & ordinary glop that comes in all the time.

Speaking of The Guide, I received word that my order has shipped. That will help in doing further promotions. I expect it to arrive by the end of this week (at least I hope so).

I have some promotional ideas that are now being formulated. I plan to make this fun. If something isn't fun to do, why bother? I am anxious to get to work on those ideas.

I recently ordered a large batch of copies from ComiXpress so that I can do my own direct sales and for shows. They should arrive about mid-March. The Guide sold enough for me to plow some of the earnings into copies (ComiXpress agreed to my request for payment in copies instead of cash). There's plenty of cash left over in my account with them. I am just going to let the totals build a little more before requesting payment. It is nice not to be cash-strapped for once!

At present, I am considering a trip to Japan around October. But if something should come up that is beneficial, I may go sooner. I'm going to "play it by ear" for now.

Again, here's how to order The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan for your store or for yourself:

Dealers, all you have to do is to go to ComiXpress.com and set up a retailer account. It's fast and easy!

Individuals, to order, go here.

Happy Birthday Shinichi Wakasa!

Above, Shinichi Wakasa (background, third from right with the shades) at work at the Walk of Fame Ceremony in Hollywood in November 2004. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today is March 2, 2010 in Japan (Japan is a day ahead of us).

The significance of today is that it is Shinichi Wakasa's birthday.

Wakasa is the suit-maker of such creatures as Godzilla, Megaguirus, Mechagodzilla (Kiryu), Mothra Anguirus, Gigan, King Seesar, Rodan and many others during the past decade.

Here's a toast for a Happy Birthday to Shinichi Wakasa!

"The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan" Emails

As one might imagine, I get a lot of emails (including spam) on my main email address.

I needed to separate those emails from ones pertaining to The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan. Accordingly, I've set up a separate email address for just the travel guide.

It is: MnsterMovFnGdJP[at]aol.com

To order The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan, go here.