Kim Jong-Il Dead At 69

Kim Jong-Il, the North Korean communist dictator and the man who brought Pulgasari (1985) to the daikaiju eiga world, died at age 69.

He allegedly died two days before the death announcement.

Il imported Kenpachiro Satsuma (the Heisei Godzilla suit-actor) and Teruyoshi Nakano (spfx director) from Japan for the Pulgasari project.

Above, Kim Jong-Il's "Pulgasari."

Kim Jong-Il will be succeeded by his son, Kim Jong-Un. Interesting name. Maybe his dad was a fan of 7-Up and named him after it.

You know, the UN-cola?

Tokyo Airfares: L.A. Times Dropped The Ball

Above, a Korean Air Lines jet being prepared for a flight to Japan. Korean Air had the lowest round-trip fare I found. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While reading the listings of airfares in the Los Angeles Times Travel section yesterday, I noticed that the lowest (and only) airfare listed from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Tokyo was $1,064.00 from these airlines: ANA, American, Delta, JAL, Singapore and United.

I thought this price was odd as only a week before they listed the price for a round-trip ticket from LAX to Narita at around $800. Even this was a bit high as fares generally drop during the off-season. So I decided to do some checking on my own.

Through my source, the lowest airfare I found was $360.00 + tax and fuel surcharge from Korean Air Lines. Others (including Continental, ANA and United) averaged at $454.00 + tax + service fee.

The Times checks airfares on Thursdays, the day before the Sunday Travel section goes to press. It appears they didn't check very well since I found fares much lower than they did. And, it only took me a few minutes to do so.

This does not give me much confidence in the paper's travel section staff.

Travel Guide Holiday Sale: 6 Days Left

The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan holiday "stocking-stuffer" sale has six (6) more days remaining.

This is your chance to get the travel guide for $12.00 total (and that include shipping!) for that kaijulogist in your life (or for yourself).

Don't delay, order today!

For details, go here.



Left, Yuu Asakura with "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan." Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan Tourism Industry Optimistic For 2012

Japan's tourist industry is optimistic that 2012 will see a major rebound in tourist numbers.

According to The Star.com:

TOKYO—The Japanese capital is all dressed up for the holidays and people are bundling up to head out and enjoy the sights. Many flock to the brick-lined Yebisu Garden Place to see its solar-powered Christmas tree, hear live music, and marvel at the Baccarat Eternal Lights chandelier. Five-metres tall, three-metres wide, and adorned more than 8,400 crystal parts and 250 lights, it’s a mesmerizing display, symbolic perhaps of the hopes people here have for the future. After the pall that fell over this country following the March 11th disaster, most are looking forward to a brighter 2012.

That includes the folks who work in tourism. The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) says foreign visits dropped 73% in the days after the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear accident. But with time, and thanks to a Herculean effort to salvage a $19.4 billion (CAD) industry, travelers are returning. As of October, visits were only down about 15% overall.

There is one downside that the article omits: the poor rate of exchange between the dollar and yen. The number of American tourists to Japan will rise once the rate of exchange improves.

The article then goes through a list of Japan's regions people should visit.

To view the full article, go here.

Pants Trouble

We did some shopping tonight at Macy's in Woodland Hills. I saw these three mannequins with one with its pants a bit lower than it should be.

This looks like a good candidate for a "write your own caption" for the photo. Go ahead and have some fun!

Odds 'n Ends

Above, yours truly at the Godzilla statue at Toho Studios. I will be having a table at the L.A. Comic Book and Science-Fiction Convention for The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan on January 15.

Almost a month ago, my 1989 Mustang blew a rod on the freeway.

Finally, after having the engine pulled, rebuilt and re-installed, I picked up the car yesterday from the shop. It runs like a champ again! Thank goodness Rent-A-Wreck was nearby with reasonable rates ($140/week for a Toyota Camry).

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As mentioned in a blog a few days ago, I will be having a table at the January 15 Los Angeles Comic Book and Science-Fiction Convention at the Shrine Auditorium Expo Center for The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

Actor Steven Kirk, who will be there participating with the Adventures of Superboy panel, will be interviewing me on the travel guide at the convention.



Speaking of the travel guide, a special holiday discount offer is in progress now through December 24. For details, go here.











Left, Miki Hayashi with "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan." Photo by Armand Vaquer.



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I finally upgraded to HD by purchasing a Samsung HD 37" television and a Sony Blu-Ray player. The prices for both were right.

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My Christmas shopping is about 95% completed. Amber, Jessica and I will be spending Christmas Eve at my cousin's in Wildomar (near Lake Elsinore). I will most likely be working Christmas Day.

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That's it for now.

Traveling To Tokyo

Above, the Fuji TV building in Odaiba, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tokyo, the hotbed of kaiju activity (in the movies), is a great place to visit with many things to see.

AirlineReporter.com has an article on visiting Tokyo with many tips and hints to make a visit more enjoyable and trouble-free.

It begins with:

TOKYO IS BACK TO NORMAL AND LOOKING FOR TOURISTS

When talking about visiting Japan, the elephant in the room is the Tsunami that hit on March 11, 2011. The quick answer is that Tokyo is back to normal operations and are welcoming tourists with open arms.

Tourism was hit hard after the Tsunami. The numbers of visitors dropped over 72% in March compared to the March, 2010. Tourism has continued to slip and in September 2011 numbers were down almost 25% compared to 2010.

I thought that I might feel a little guilty when visiting and having fun, due to the tsunami, but quite the contrary; the city and the country make it very clear that it is safe to return to Japan and there are some pretty amazing deals going on right now.

I've been to Japan six times and spent the majority of time during each visit in Tokyo. From there, I go to other places in Japan, some near, some far.

If you are planning a visit to Tokyo, be sure to read this article and bring along The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan!

To read the full article go here.

One Nice Thing About Advancing Age...

WTTC: Japan Tourism Recovering Faster Than Expected

Above, Harajuku Station in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There's some good news for the Japanese tourism industry.

Breaking Travel News.com posted:

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has announced the launch of the third of four quarterly reports into the recovery of the Japanese tourism industry following the Tohoku Tsunami earlier this year.

According to the report – officially entitled The Tohoku Pacific Earthquake & Tsunami: Impact on Travel & Tourism - Update December 2011 – the tourism industry in the country has rebounded strongly in the second half of 2011 and more rapidly than previously expected.

In the World Travel & Tourism Council’s second Japan report in September 2011, analysis of tourism data showed the recovery was in line with the low impact scenario, and more recent analysis shows that domestic and outbound tourism is now back to pre-March 2011 baseline, with inbound well on the way to recovery.

Inbound travel has yet to fully recover and for 2011 as a whole, foreign visitor arrivals are expected to be around 25 per cent lower than in 2010.

Arrivals continue to be in line with previous WTTC low impact scenario, which states that international tourist arrivals will recover in numbers by early 2012.

This is good news for businesses who cater to the tourism market in Japan. The March 11 earthquake and tsunami along with radiation fears caused a big drop in foreign tourists to Japan.

To read the full article, go here.

Los Angeles Comic Book and Science-Fiction Convention January 15, 2012

To start off the new year, I will have a table at the Los Angeles Comic Book and Science-Fiction Convention Sunday, January 15, 2012 at the Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium Expo Center at 700 West 32nd St., Los Angeles, CA.

I will be selling The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan. The celebrity guests include actor Ron Ely (Doc Savage, Tarzan), actress Yancy Butler (Witchblade) and stars of the Adventures of Superboy.

From the show's website:

REGULAR ADMISSION is only $8.00, five years and under are free. Show Hours: 10:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M. Each attendee receives a Hand Stamp and Ticket which allows all day access to the Convention, so you can go to lunch and come back to continue shopping. EARLY ADMISSION is only $12.00 and shop early like the Dealers starting at 9:10 A.M. PREMIUM ADMISSION is $12.00 and you'll receive a UNDERWORLD AWAKENING MOVIE T-SHIRT AND FULL SIZE POSTER! In addition, the PREMIUM ADMISSION also includes EARLY ADMISSION! GHOST RIDER: SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE (opens in theaters February 17) give-aways might be added, so check back closer to show date for updates.

For more information, go to http://www.comicbookscifi.com/index.html.

Remember: The Los Angeles Comic Book and Science-Fiction Convention Sunday, January 15, 2012! Mark your calendar!

NOTE: Actor Steven Kirk will be moderating the "Adventures of Superboy" panel and will be interviewing me on the travel guide.

Japan Christmas

Above, the Shibuya 109 building all decked out. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For a country with under 2% calling themselves Christian, I found it interesting to see so much of Japan with Christmas decorations.

Last December, I visited Japan with most of my activities confined to Tokyo for The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan-related business and Niigata for rest and relaxation. I stayed at two hotels and both had a Christmas tree in the lobby.

Here's some photos of Christmas decorations I saw:

Above, the Mitsukoshi Department store at Ginza Crossing. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Christmas trees adorn Ginza sidewalks along Chuo Dori. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, yours truly in front of a sushi restaurant near the Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo. Note the Christmas decorations on the restaurant's window.

Above, the Wako Department store in Ginza. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

JAL Dreamliners To Offer Manga To Passengers

Above, the Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion in Kyoto, Japan. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is amazing to see what avenues today's technology are available to travelers.

Japan Airlines (JAL) is going to offer something new to keep travelers occupied during their flights aboard their new Boeing 787 Dreamliners. This'll help make the long trip to Japan seem faster.

Terminal U posted an interesting article:

Japan Airlines (JAL) has announced that electronic manga (Japanese comics) will be the new in-flight entertainment when its first 787 Dreamliner flies into service next year.


From March, manga fans will be able to choose from up to 30 different titles on seatback video screens on board JAL™'s International Dreamliner flights.

The new service comes off the back of a collaboration with Japanese publisher Shogakukan Inc and eBook Initiative Japan Co.

Left, Tokyo Tower in the background. Photo by Armand Vaquer.



Considering that flights to Japan from Los Angeles take eleven hours, any innovation to help pass the time are welcome.

To read the full article, go here.

Zielony Video Travel Picked Up The Monster Japan Travel Guide Slideshow Video

Above, Yuu Asakura with "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan." Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Zielony Video Travel website, originating from Poland, picked up The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan slideshow YouTube video.

To view the site, go here.

Monster Japan Travel Guide Slideshow Video

A slideshow video of some of the kaiju locations covered in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

Monster Madhouse Video Promo For "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan"

Karlos Borloff and the gang of Monster Madhouse in a promo video for The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan:

Obama The Marxist

Following my posting on Rush Limbaugh's analysis of President Obama's speech in Kansas, I received one comment. I rejected it as it does not address the message but attacks the messenger:

Yes, let's listen to a drug addicted racist for confirmation of your own distorted beliefs LOL

This person (who posted as anonymous) doesn't want to engage in the issue at hand, but resorts to attacking Limbaugh instead.

Limbaugh isn't the only one to come to the conclusion that Obama came out of the Marxist closet.

From the Canada Free Press:

Obama’s latest speech showed him for exactly what and who he is. Not as an incompetent, golf-playing fool, but a Marxist whose mission it is to destroy what so many others love.

But the ‘Taking America Marxist Speech’ also shows a huge tactical error on the part of Obama and his global masters: While he may have the Public School Indoctrinated walking zombie-like towards November 6, 2012, the Marxists looking to conquer the USA forgot that you cannot possibly wipe out the generations that came before the indoctrinated—including the ones that went out to the battlefields to keep the word safe from Hitler in World War II.

Those generations and those who were allowed to be born after shall never forget and intend to make Obama’s Osawatomie speech Obama’s Waterloo.

Some people will prefer to keep their heads in the sand and attack the messenger (a Saul Alinsky tactic), but others will see Obama's speech for what it reveals. It reveals a disdain (to put it mildly) for the free enterprise system.

To read the full article, go here.

Monster Japan Travel Guide Holiday Discount Reminder

(This is a re-post of last month's announcement)

Ho! Ho! Ho!

The 2011 holiday season is now upon us. As soon as Halloween ended (maybe even before), the department stores became decked out in Christmas decorations.

Since we are now in the holiday season, I am discounting The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan 20% off the cover price, making the cost of the book $12.00. This special offer is direct from me, not from ComiXpress. So if you want the discount, you'll need to order directly from me.

It is the world's only Japan travel guide tailored to fans of Japanese science-fiction and fantasy films.

Additionally, to even make your holiday dollars go even further, the $12.00 price includes shipping & handling! How's that for getting into the Santa spirit?

Now to December 24 (Christmas Eve), you can get The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan for $12.00 total! Orders postmarked within (and including) those dates will get the discount!

The mailing address can be found here (ignore the price listed on the page).

The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan makes the perfect stocking stuffer for that kaiju fan in your life (or for yourself)!

None of that "politically correct" "Happy Holidays" stuff around here! Here, we say Merry Christmas!

Limbaugh: Obama Announced His Socialist or Marxist Beliefs

"Do you remember how in 2008 he scoffed at anyone who called him a socialist? Do you remember how the media went after Joe the Plumber for reporting Obama told him he just wanted to "spread the wealth around"? Remember how we were mocked for calling Obama a "socialist" during the campaign? Well, yesterday Obama announced to the world in no uncertain terms that he is a socialist if not a Marxist." - Rush Limbaugh, December 7, 2011.

El Rushbo came out swinging yesterday during his review and analysis of President Obama's speech in Osawatomie, Kansas. Essentially, he says that Obama came "out-of-the-closet" as a socialist (or Marxist) with that speech.

In fact, it is, my friend, and don't doubt me, the same speech that Stalin always gave, that Mao Tse-tung always gave, that Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez and Kim Jong-il still give. Communist leaders around the world give this speech constantly. We've heard it all before, because class warfare is the fundamental principle of Marxism. Class warfare is how Marx explained economics and explained history. In fact, class warfare is how Marx explained everything. Now, oddly enough it's how Obama explains everything now. He blames all of the current problems on the rich. And to think some people still say Obama's not a Marxist. They won't even call him a socialist. It's willful blindness on the part of people who, I don't know what kind of state of denial you have to be in to have heard this speech yesterday or to have read this speech and to have not heard a call to arms.

To read Limbaugh's analysis of Obama's speech, go here.

Honda Estate vs. Toho: Some More Information

Here's a few more details (and confirmation that there is a legal action pending) from Godzilla historian Ed Godzisewski (right) that was posted at the Monster Zero message board:

Yes, there is a legal case ongoing in Japan. Has been for a while. I have heard about the case from Ryuji for a couple years. The family has preferred to just quietly pursue the case the way it should be done, in court. It all stems from the Japanese system that gives rights to writers (not directors).

The first ruling is due in February.

Looks like we won't have to wait too long.

Gov. Moonbeam Wants CA Voters To Raise Taxes

California Governor Jerry Brown is banking (pardon the pun) on the stupidity of the state's electorate to pass an initiative to raise taxes.

According to the Christian Science Monitor:

Facing huge deficits despite $10 billion in budget cuts last year, California needs new tax dollars in order to avoid catastrophic cuts to schools and government services for the elderly, Governor Brown said.

His plan includes a 1 percent income-tax-rate increase for individuals making more than $250,000 per year, and a 2 percent rate increase for those making more than $500,000. It would also increase the state sales tax by half a cent to 7.75 percent.

In total, at least 10 initiatives that propose tax increases are vying to qualify for the 2012 ballot in California – a sign that the state that led the national tax revolt with Proposition 13 in 1978 might now be considering at least a partial reversal of course.

Opponents of tax increases plan to counter Brown's initiate.

From CBS News:

Just a day after California Gov. Jerry Brown released his tax initiative proposal, anti-tax advocates announced Tuesday they have filed their own counter measure seeking to restrain government spending.

The California Taxpayers Association, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and Small Business Action Committee said they filed a proposed ballot measure with the state attorney general's office that would limit spending after the state makes a full recovery from the recession.

"We need a mechanism to make sure that the drunken sailor DNA of our Legislature doesn't kick in, and that we put that money away and we use it for debt reduction," said John Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis group.

The measure is just one of many complications Brown faces as he tries to increase taxes on the rich and raise the statewide sales tax.

With the California state government in control by one party hell-bent on spending and caters to labor unions, it would be like giving an alcoholic unlimited money for more liquor if the initiative passes. They would use the revenue to spend even more, not less.

Until the state government learns how to discipline itself on spending, voters would be best served by voting no to tax increases.

Bill McKinney Dies At 80

Above, McKinney in "The Outlaw Josey Wales."

Bill McKinney, one of filmdom's fine character actors, died last Thursday.

CBS News reported:

McKinney's family confirmed his death on Facebook, noting, "Today our dear Bill McKinney passed away at Valley Presbyterian Hospice. An avid smoker for 25 years of his younger life, he died of cancer of the esophagus. He was 80 and still strong enough to have filmed a Dorito's commercial 2 weeks prior to his passing, and he continued to work on his biography with his writing partner. Hopefully 2012 will bring a publisher for the wild ride his life was."

In John Boorman's "Deliverance," McKinney played a mountain man, who uttered the famous line, "I bet you can squeal like a pig," right before he raped Ned Beatty's character.

He co-starred with Clint Eastwood in seven films, including 1974's "Thunderbolt and "Lightfoot." McKinney also appeared alongside Warren Beatty in 1974's "The Parallax View," and later appeared in "First Blood," "Against All Odds," "Back to the Future Part III" and "The Green Mile."

McKinney made appearances on various TV shows, including "The Monkees," "I Dream of Jeannie," "Colombo," "Starsky and Hutch," "Hunter," "Murder She Wrote," "Walker, Texas Ranger" and "Baywatch."

He is survived by son Clinton, along with several ex-wives, according to his family.

Right, Bill McKinney (with horns) in "Every Which Way But Loose."

Although McKinney became famous for his "squeal like a pig" redneck in Deliverance, I remember him in the Clint Eastwood movies. In Every Which Way But Loose and its sequel, Any Which Way You Can, he played a comedic biker member of the Black Widows. In The Outlaw Josey Wales, he played the leader of the Redlegs. And, in The Gauntlet, McKinney played a cop who gets gunned down in his squad car.

Honda Estate vs. Toho: Delving Deeper

Above, the Godzilla statue at Toho Studios. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The story of the alleged lawsuit by the family of late director Ishiro Honda against Toho Co., Ltd. over the Godzilla copyright may have some legs after all.

Over on Facebook, some of us were mulling over the story.

It was asked by one participant: "Couldn't we have somebody in Japan verify if a Complaint has actually been filed? Those are a matter of public record·"

Noted Godzilla historian August Ragone replied that he had looked into it and he is currently "writing up something about this now [for his blog]."

Once he does, I'll post a link to his blog post. This should be interesting!

It appears we may be on the verge of learning something about Japanese copyright law.

Honda Estate vs. Toho Ramifications?

Above, yours truly with the Godzilla statue at Toho Studios.

The story of the alleged copyright lawsuit against Toho by the heirs of Ishiro Honda over the Godzilla character may have some big ramifications if 1.) the story is true or, 2.), they actually win.

The story does not sound Japanese to me. Maybe in America, perhaps (i.e., Bela Lugosi Jr.'s legal actions over his father's image and The Three Stooges).

If the story is true and Honda's heirs prevail and win the Godzilla copyright from Toho, could we see Noriaki Yuasa's estate taking similar action against Kadokawa Pictures (the successor company to Daiei) over the Showa Gamera and Shusuke Kaneko over the Heisei Gamera? Who knows what (or who) may come out of the woodwork?

It will be interesting to see how this plays out, if true.

Ishiro Honda's Family Suing For Godzilla Copyright

Above, yours truly with Toho's (or is it Honda's?) copyrighted Godzilla character.

It has been reported that the family of Godzilla director Ishiro Honda is suing Toho Co., Ltd. for the copyright to the Godzilla character.

According to this article in Ridersrangersandrambles.com:

In a past case, the copyright for Godzilla was supposed to belong to the Honda estate, but Toho insists on having at least the merchandising rights to the character.

Personally, I don't see how Ishiro Honda or his family has any claim to the rights to the character as Honda was a staff director of Toho, unless there is some codicil in his contract with the movie studio giving him some rights. Then again, there may be something in Japanese law or case law that provides this.

To read the full article (with links to Japanese sites), go here.

"GMK" In Japan

Ten years ago (on December 15, 2001, to be exact), Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-out Attack opened in theaters throughout Japan.

The movie was "unveiled" at the 2001 Tokyo International Film Festival the previous month in Orchard Hall at the Bunkamura in Shibuya, Tokyo.

Above, Haruo "Mr. Godzilla" Nakajima is flanked by Richard Pusateri (left) and Armand at the 2001 Tokyo International Film Festival. Photo courtesy of Richard Pusateri.

My old computer took it upon itself to celebrate the anniversary on its own: it started up the old GMK "Battle on Fire" screensaver. I thought it was gone from the hard drive ages ago.

Unemployment At 8.6, But...

It has been reported that the unemployment rate dropped to 8.6% in November.

This sounds great, but it's only because 310,000 people gave up on looking for work.

While any drop in unemployment is welcome, it is still unacceptable.

Haruo Nakajima Turns 83 On January 1

January 1, 2012 will mark a new year and, most importantly, the 83rd birthday of Haruo "Mr. Godzilla" Nakajima.

He was the man in the Godzilla suits starting with the first movie in 1954 to Godzilla vs. Gigan.

Above, Haruo Nakajima takes a break during the filming of "Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster."

It has been an annual tradition for the past several years to have fans of Mr. Nakajima post their birthday greetings on this blog and I, in turn, will pass them on to him through his daughter Sonoe.

So, starting now, you may post on this blog post's comments section below your birthday greetings to Mr. Nakajima.

"The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan" First December Sale

Above, Yuu Asakura with "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan." Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The calendar barely moved into December when the first sale of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan was logged at ComiXpress.com.

To be exact, the sale was logged in at 14 minutes past midnight.

Keep in mind that orders are being made at ComiXpress despite the holiday discount I am currently offering (direct from me).

The holiday special is on through Christmas Eve (December 24).

We're off to a good start!