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Monday, September 22, 2014

Bryan Cranston's Alter Ego from Breaking Bad Gets Nod In Godzilla 2014 Opening Credits

Godzilla and Heisenberg cross-over--kind of.
Bryan Cranston was just on the heels of finishing his role as the highschool teacher turned meth cook known as Walter White when he was tapped to play Joe Brody in the 2014 Gareth Edwards's Godzilla. Kelly Lawler, an entertainment writer for USA today announced this Godzilla 2014 Easter egg. In the opening credits, Bryan Cranston's name is paired with Walter White a/k/a Heisenberg.

You can see the nod at the 50 second mark in the video below and in the stills following the video.



Click photo to enlarge, You can see red arrows poiting to Walter White

New Details on the 1983 Godzilla Movie that Never Made It.

Storyboard for the 1983 Godzilla Script that was never produced
"This project made it through a lot of development, with Rick Baker brought on board to build a full scale animatronic Godzilla head and Dave Allen to execute the majority of Godzilla's screentime via stop motion."

Eric Vespe a/k/a ”Quint” has a wealth of information on the 1983 Godzilla movie that was never made. It would have been a combination of  animatronic head for closeups with stop-motion animation for wider shots. 

You can read a few exerpts below as Quint describes how he came across the news.
Today the detour was to check out the coolest sounding panel ever: brilliant artist William Stout discussing the almost made 1983 Godzilla film. Genre favorite Steve Miner was to direct a script by the great Fred Dekker. This project made it through a lot of development, with Rick Baker brought on board to build a full scale animatronic Godzilla head and Dave Allen to execute the majority of Godzilla's screentime via stop motion.
Quint continues to describe how the project began and what it had intended to be.
So, Steve Miner was coming off the heels of two genre successes in Friday the 13th Part 2 and 3-D and somehow got the rights to attempt to launch an American version of Godzilla. Pre-Night of the Creeps and Monster Squad Fred Dekker wrote the script and William Stout was brought on to do storyboards and pitch art (and, as mentioned above, eventually was elevated to production designer).

They built a pitch package to try to get a studio to sign on to this ambitious project, which was planned to film in 3-D. Stout ran through the storyboards he had, which covered a goodly amount of the action in the film. I was able to snap a few photos, which I'll pepper into the rundown below.
Similar to the 2014 Gareth Edwards film, this one also takes place in San Francisco. In this version a kid bonds with Godzilla and Godzilla is "destroyed?" by a nuclear warhead shot from a helicopter. Although Rick Baker never made the animatronic head, there was a prototype stop-motion Godzilla made.

Check out more storyboards below and make sure you read Quint's post about the unmade 1983 Godzilla film with more details about this almost-made movie.





Saturday, May 24, 2014

Weatherman Predicts Godzilla Attack for Virginia on Wednesday. True Story.

Richmond, VA, weatherman Aaron Justus
predicts rain with a chance of Godzilla on Wednesday
On WTVR CBS 6 in Richmond, VA, weatherman Aaron Justus provides the last weather forecast you'll ever need. This is the greatest Weather forecast ever! It starts with a Volcano eruption on Monday, hot enough to create temperatures up to 400 degrees, then a super storm on Tuesday that will thankfully be repelled by a Godzilla attack on Wednesday.

Please watch the weatherman's forecast below.

WIRED Magazine Walks us Through the FX and Design of Legendary's Godzilla

They calculated that Godzilla tail was so massive that the tip would reach super-sonic speeds

After Roland Emmerich missed the mark with Godzilla in 1998, we had reason to be skeptical of Gareth Edwards' new remake. Fxguide's Mike Seymour goes inside the special effects behind the latest incarnation, in which effects company MPC designed the largest Godzilla yet, featuring an animalistic appearance with anthropomorphized traits.

See the Video below.


Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Review Compares Godzilla 2014 to Jaws, Close Encounters, and Jurassic Park.

Slate Magazine says Godzilla 2014 Takes it's Cues from Spielberg's Best

As an example of how well Godzilla could belongs to the canon of Spielberg classics, Slate Magazine points us towards two high-quality mashup by YouTuber Zack Preweit. Check them out below back to back. Both videos take the audio from Godzilla 2014 and artfully uses the imagery from the Spielberg classics.




Slate continues with how/why the mashups work:

It’s no coincidence that these mashups blend together so seamlessly. While Godzilla is ostensibly a reboot of the franchise started by Ishiro Honda in 1954, what it really does is break down the DNA of Spielberg blockbusters like Jurassic Park, Jaws, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind and reconstitute it into a kind of successful clone and unofficial sequel.

Most of the comparisons to Jaws and Jurassic Park have centered on the way Godzilla holds off on showing its monster until about an hour in. This comparison is spot on: As I documented (and charted) last week, Godzilla waits about 60 minutes before the big reveal, while Jaws waits 62 minutes and Jurassic Park waits 64 minutes (before showing the tyrannosaur). And Godzilla even teases the monster in a similar way—for the first hour of the film, all we see of him (or her) is his “fins” sticking above the water, just as in Jaws. Director Gareth Edwards himself has acknowledged this bit of inspiration, but this is only the beginning of the movie’s Spielbergian aspects.
Read the rest of the comparisons at Slate.com


Thursday, May 8, 2014

Max Borenstein Reveals 6 Things About Godzilla

Jason Horton and Erin Darling talk to Max Borenstein
Max Borenstein sits down with You Tube sensation Jason Horton and the beautiful Erin Darling.



We talk to Max Borenstein writer of the new Godzilla movie along with Erin Darling. We find out some Easter Eggs to look out for! Subscribe for more: http://tinyurl.com/bahqp5l

Max Borenstein: http://www.twitter.com/maxborenstein

Erin Darling: http://www.youtube.com/thepopfix

This video was made as part of the 'Godzilla Invades YouTube,' production event. Special thanks to Legendary Pictures and YouTube Space LA. Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' "Godzilla" arrives in theaters May 16.

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Legendary Godzilla Poster by Hero Complex Gallery and Patrick Connan


A portion of the Godzilla poster designed by Patrick Connan
Hero Complex Gallery has teamed up with the best artists, elevating pop-culture art to the standard you would expect in a gallery. These commissioned art pieces end up being highly collectible and the proceeds go to great causes. Everybody wins, especially with these must-have new Legendary inspired Godzilla posters. 

You can get all three colored versions

Patrick Connan
"Godzilla" 24"x36" 3 color screenprint
$50 each or $130 for a matched numbered set of all 3 colors 

Timed release runs from May 5th - May 12th Edition to be based on total sales





Monday, May 5, 2014

Godzilla 2014 Screenwriter Pens Graphic Novel Prequel

Artist Art Adams does cover art for Godzilla 2014  Prequel
Max Borenstein is the screenwriter for the upcoming Godzilla 2014 movie. Who better to pen the prequel in comic book form? The comic Godzilla: Awakening, begins ten years before the movie and focuses on the son of  Dr. Serizawa, from the original 1954 film, tying both the original and 2014 film together.

Recently ComicBook.com interviewed Mr. Borenstein and asked how the idea of a comic book prequel got started, and how he filled in the gaps without giving away the movie. 

ComicBook.com: The Pacific Rim hardcover was really well received. Were you able to look to that and see what you thought worked and didn’t to give you a sense for how to flesh out your universe? Or maybe it was just easier than I’m thinking because it’s Godzilla and of course you’re going to have a sense of where you want to take it next…

Borenstein: Nothing’s easy, but certainly we had an idea of what we wanted to do when it was first mentioned, that had to do with filling in certain elements of backstory that had popped up over the course of making the film and so it’s where my mind immediately went when Legendary said they wanted to do it.

I’m a fan of the Pacific Rim graphic novel, I’m a friend of Travis’s and I had seen it, read it and thought it was awesome so when they mentioned the idea of doing something that would tie into our Godzilla universe, I was really enthusiastic and excited to do that.

ComicBook.com: What’s the challenge of filling in these gaps without giving a way too much of the movie’s premise?

Borenstein: The interesting challenge of doing this has been to tell a story that feels coherent and whole in and of itself and that dovetails with the film we’re telling but that is something stnad-alone that you don’t need the film to appreciate and that you don’t need to have read to appreciate the film.
One of the structural challenges of it is that of course it takes place years before the film begins and in the film — it ends, without spoiling it, in such a way where only a small, select group of people are aware of the existence of Godzilla. So one might leap to the conclusion that in the film, only a small handful of people, starting out, are aware of the existence of Godzilla.

I’m not saying that’s the case but obviously one might leap that conclusion. The movie would serve then, obviously, as the world’s introduction to this creature — to this force of nature.
That’s a creative limitation, where we said, “Okay, how can we play in the sandbox of Godzilla before and on the timeline of the events of the film and yet, if you destroy a big city, you’re going to be giving away the ghost. So that was really an interesting challenge and it was really fun to kind of play with solutions.
You can read the rest of the interview at ComicBook.com's post titled "Godzilla writer Max Borenstein On Setting the Stage With Godzilla: Awakening Graphic Novel"

You can also read a great Godzilla: Awakening Graphic Novel Review from GeekoSystem.com 

Godzilla Craves Italian (Cars)

Godzilla eating the Fiat 500L in a New Commercial
Godzilla has been seen cross promoting with Snickers and Duracell. Now a new commercial shows him slinging the Fiat 500L.

Watch the Commercial below. 




About the All-new Fiat 500L

Expanding on the style, efficiency and driving enjoyment that has made the Fiat 500 an icon for more than 55 years, the all-new 2014 Fiat 500L expands the Cinquecento’s appeal by offering 42 percent extra interior space with comfortable seating for five, engaging driving dynamics, a 160-horsepower 1.4-liter MultiAir® Turbo engine and two fuel-saving, six-speed transmission offerings, all wrapped in contemporary Italian design.


About FIAT Brand

The FIAT brand stands for discovery through passionate self-expression. It encourages people to be in charge of their lives, live confidently and celebrate the smallest of things with infectious excitement. That philosophy is embodied by the North American introduction of the iconic Fiat 500 or Cinquecento — a small car that lives big. Italian at heart and rooted in a rich heritage, the Fiat 500 is synonymous with modern, simple design blending form, function and a pride of ownership that is genuine. The FIAT brand portfolio in North America continues to expand. In 2013, the FIAT brand launched the high-performance Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio, the fully electric Fiat 500e, the Fiat 500L and Fiat 500L Trekking.

About “Godzilla”

The world’s most revered monster is reborn as Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures unleash the epic action adventure “Godzilla” from visionary new director Gareth Edwards (Monsters).  Edwards directs Godzilla from a screenplay by Max Borenstein, story by David Callaham, based on the character Godzilla owned and created by TOHO CO., LTD. Thomas Tull produced the film, along with Jon Jashni, Mary Parent and Brian Rogers. Patricia Whitcher and Alex Garcia served as executive producers, alongside Yoshimitsu Banno and Kenji Okuhira. Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures present a Legendary Pictures production, a Gareth Edwards film, Godzilla. Slated to open beginning May 16, 2014, the film will be presented in 3D, 2D and IMAX® in select theatres and distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, except in Japan, where it will be distributed by Toho Co., Ltd. Legendary Pictures is a division of Legendary Entertainment.

Diabolique Magazine Releases Godzilla 2014 Behind-the-Scenes Featurette

With a Movie Camera in Tow a Soldier walks among Destruction
The Good Folks at Diabolique Magazine offers a Godzilla Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Featurette.

The video below not only has behind the scenes footage, but also comments from director Gareth Edwards and producers Thomas Tull and Mary Parent.


Godzilla Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Featurette from Diabolique Magazine on Vimeo.

Godzilla 2014 Stars React to Fat Shaming of Goji

Ken Watanabe and Aaron Taylor-Johnson react to fat shaming of Godzilla
Cinema Blend were the first ones to alert Godzilla 2014 stars that there are some that think Godzilla is too fat. You can read examples of critical weight comments at Time Magazine and at The Independent

Time Magazine writes, "Godzilla fan Fumihiko super-fan Abe told the AFP at a Tokyo exhibition of paintings of the monster. 'It’s fat from the neck downwards and massive at the bottom.'

The Independent reports, "One user of Japanese forum 2ch described it as'pudgy and cute', with another saying it is 'out of shape' and a third noting it has a neck 'like an American football athlete's'.

All of this was news to Ken Watanabe and Aaron Taylor-Johnson who both responded with surprise you can read the responses below.

Reaction from Ken Watanabe:
Cinema Blend: Japan has had a response to our new version of Godzilla. They are calling him an American fatty.
Ken Watanabe: No way! I don't think so. Not really!
CB: It's been on Twitter. They are saying he's gotten fat on cola and pizza. (Watanabe laughs.) What are your thoughts on Godzilla? Is he an American fatty now?
KW: No. He doesn't drink Diet Coke. But no. No way.
CB: He shouldn't be ashamed of his body?
KW: No. No! He's just all (he flexes his shoulders into a muscular hunch and sneers comically, which I took to mean "he's brawny"). I like that. (Scoffs) Please."

Reaction for Aaron Taylor-Johnson:
Cinema Blend: Japan's calling him "an American fatty."
Aaron Taylor-Johnson: Fatty! Who? Godzilla?
CB: Yeah, they said that in this version, he "got fat in America on cola and pizza," "he's SuperSized," [and] "he is couch potato Godzilla."
AT-J: Wow. That’s an interesting critic, that person.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson continued with, "...That's good in a way. Let them have low expectations. It's always nice that way, to go into a movie and be surprised the other way around, you know?"

As far as Everything Kaiju is concerned? We have no doubt that this new Godzilla design will be nothing less than spectacular.


Motley Fools ask "Can the "King of All Monsters" deliver?

Should you decide to invest in Warner Bros based on Godzilla?
The Motley Fool is mostly a hub for the investment community; they cover investment trends, stocks and securities. They also cover entertainment, albeit with an investment bent, but once in a while the talk comics, TV and Movies. Enter, Tim Beyers.

We've covered Mr. Beyers before, back when he admitted he was wrong about Godzilla. Well he's talking Godzilla again with fellow analyst Nathan Alderman. Read an expert of what they both have to say below or jump to the video below.

Tim says that initial reaction to Godzilla appears to be positive. The movie's style also seems to recall the slow and terrifying reveal of director Gareth Edwards' Monsters, an independent movie that vastly out-earned its modest budget. Vulture quotes Edwards as saying he was also influenced by Jurassic Park, which holds off showing the biggest dinosaurs till more than an hour into the movie.

How that will play with audiences is impossible to know at this point. But initial tracking says we can expect a $60 million debut and $500 million to $600 million in worldwide grosses by the time the movie ends its run in theaters. An impressive -- and likely profitable -- performance if those numbers hold, Tim says.

Nathan says that Warner investors shouldn't expect a massive hit. Last summer's giant monsters vs. giant robots epic, Pacific Rim, had trouble appealing to American audiences. Foreign moviegoers helped push the movie's overall tally to better than $400 million in grosses, yet that probably wasn't enough to produce profits after accounting for marketing, distribution, and revenue sharing with theater operators.
"Can the 'King of All  Monsters' deliver?" 1-Up On Wall Street host Ellen Bowman puts this question to analysts Nathan Alderman and Tim Beyers in the video below.

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Godzilla Heisei and Millenium Era Double Features DVDs to be Released

Original theatrical poster for GODZILLA VS. KING GHIDORAH (1991)

August Ragone, author of the must-have book "Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters" (available on Amazon) has some great news. On his blog, "The Good, The Bad, and Godzilla," Mr. Ragone confirmed the release of double feature DVD sets coming May 6th 2014.

The titles have already been listed on Amazon.com by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Below is the list of the four double features with links to Amazon.

GODZILLA FINAL WARS (2004) & GODZILLA: TOKYO SOS (2003)

August Ragone notes, "Conspicuously missing are GODZILLA 2000 (1999), GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK (2001), and GODZILLA AGAINST MECHAGODZILLA (2002). It's unknown at this time if these will follow — I'll keep checking on sources..."

Thanks for the heads-up August Ragone!

MORE ABOUT AUGUST RAGONE

August Ragone was born in San Francisco and is the Rondo Award winning author of the highly regarded "Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters" (Chronicle Books, 2007). August has commented on Japanese film and popular culture on radio, television, in print, online, and at events for more than three decades. While still a teen, he served as "Japanese Film" & "Godzilla Expert" for legendary horror host Bob Wilkins at KTVU TV-2.

From his experience living in Tokyo and meeting Japanese filmmakers, August has written liner notes for numerous DVD releases, edited and authored over 100 subtitle scripts (so far), and has also contributed to periodicals such as the Japanese Fantasy Film Journal, Filmfax, Video Watchdog, Asian Cult Cinema, Henshin! Online, Oriental Cinema, G-Fan, Super7, Otaku USA, Monster Attack Team, and Famous Monsters of Filmland.

The Baghdad-by-the-Bay native has also been an event promoter, starting with the "Japanese Fantasy Film Faire" (1979), the first Anime event held outside of Japan, as well as producing live music and multi-media events including The Sleazefest, Incredibly Strange Wrestling, The Greaseball, Godzillafest, and Shock It To Me!.

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Godzilla 2014 Confirmed to be the Biggest Yet

Godzilla 2014 Director, Gareth Edwards confirms 350ft Godzilla
Yesterday we revealed that Gareth Edwards has confirmed that Godzilla will be 350ft tall in the new Legendary release of Godzilla 2014. Read the quote from "Empire Magazine" below.

He also revealed that it's the biggest Godzilla to hit the big screen. "Technically he's 350ft in our film."

He also noted that they experimented with different sizes, making him small, huge, and dinosaur size. But then they realized that 350ft made him the biggest of all the Godzillas "So we said, 'let's do that.'"
Full version of the Godzilla Size Chart


The larger Godzilla actually follows a 30-year trend among the 27+ Godzilla movies. In fact, "Wired Magazine" actually figured out what the mathematical formula is for this trend.

Graph Plotting Godzilla's Height Over Time

Read an excerpt from this "Wired Magazine" article:

These are mostly guesses for the years.  I could have looked up the actual movie dates, but I’m too lazy.  So, this is just an approximation of Godzilla’s size not the size of the actual and REAL Godzilla.
Actually, I plotted the natural log of height as a function of time. Why? Well, this is a more generic plot that I can then add a linear function to. Otherwise, I am assuming that Godzilla grows linearly with time. Why would anyone think that? And yes, I cheated. You can’t take the natural log of “50 meters”. Really this is the natural log of the height per meter (so that the stuff inside has no units).
Now, when I fit a linear function to this data I get the following (where a and b are the fit parameters from plotly).
La te xi t 1
That’s it. I have a, I have b so I get use this function to get the Godzilla height for any year. Now, let’s just plug in the year of t = 2025 (yes, t is in years). This gives:
La te xi t 1
That is 121.6 meters but I left off the meters because of my mathematical cheat above. Yes, that’s not so big. The reason is that although the 2014 Godzilla is 140 meters, this is bigger than the other trend. Really, it’s too big. A better value would be around 100 meters (this is based on the fit that includes the 140 m height though).
SRC: Wired Magazine, "Godzilla Gets Bigger Each Year"

Friday, February 28, 2014

Total Film Sees Extended Footage of Godzilla 2014 and Shares Spoilers

What kind of horror does a tsunami caused by Godzilla make? 

On the morning of Friday February 28th, Total Film was among a select few that were able to see 20 minutes of extended footage. They share a few spoilers and finished with a few quotes from godzilla 2014 director Gareth Edwards. Read the Gareth part followed by one of the more a harmless spoilers.
Thematically, he wanted to explore: "Man vs nature, the fact that if you mess with nature you're going  to lose."

In the film, "Man is no longer the alpha predator on this planet."

But nature wasn't the only influence on the flick. Edwards said that anime and manga played a part during the storyboard process: "When we got stuck, we'd say 'What would Akira do?'". Which, obviously, was incredibly exciting to hear.

He also revealed that it's the biggest Godzilla to hit the big screen. "Technically he's 350ft in our film."

He also noted that they experimented with different sizes, making him small, huge, and dinosaur size. But then they realized that 350ft made him the biggest of all the Godzillas "So we said, 'let's do that.'"

But there were other reasons: "We wanted him to be big, but also we wanted to be able to hide him, because that's more fun."

You will have to go to TOTAL FILM and read "Godzilla (2014) Extended Footage Reaction" in order to read all the spoilers. We share one of the more harmless spoilers below. It describes a graphic tsunami scene and a description of Godzilla. No plot spoilers here though.

!!! SPOILER !!!
A huge tidal wave starts to build, and we follow a crowd as they flee through the city. This sequence is pretty powerful - almost resonant of news footage, reminding us all of the natural disasters we've been forced to to witness in the real world in recent years.

In one incredible shot, we see bodies caught in the water pass by a glass door, shot from the viewpoint of people safe inside. It's sickening to see the bodies tumble past, caught in the current.

Then we cut to the big guy. Godzilla himself. We see his hands - they look fantastic, ridiculously canon - then his broad midriff, then onto his huge tail as it sweeps through the city. Soldiers shoot, but to no avail.
!! END SPOILER

New Godzilla Trailer with Gareth Edwards Commentary Track

Godzilla 2014 Director, Gareth Edwards, does commentary on new Godzilla Trailer
Now that we have drooled over the new Godzilla 2014 trailer, I think our appetite has been satiated for a while. I mean, in a perfect world we would have the director, Gareth Edwards, himself provide a commentary to the newly released trailer. The world just became perfect.

Those guys at Empire Magazine have all the exclusives, from an awesome collectible Godzilla magazine covers to the alternate Godzilla cover and now they have provided the new Godzilla trailer with commentary by Gareth Edwards. Thank you Empire Magazine! This is definitely a treat to to the fans, watch below. and read Empires excerpt after the vid.




From Empire Online:
Two days ago, the full trailer for Godzilla roared emphatically into our lives. Today, Empire unveils a very special trailer breakdown for it, featuring the director of the film, Gareth Edwards, guiding you though the jaw-dropping footage you've seen.

Discover what Edwards himself makes of fans' guesswork - "Is that a tentacle holding a bomb?" - and try to make your own version of the roar (provided you have a double bass and a leather glove handy). Whether you're a die-hard fan of Toho Studios' finest, or just a passing movie lover, you'll want to watch this - and at the loudest volume possible.

SRC: Empire Online

Godzilla in New Snickers Commercial

Godzilla ready with a high-five at the beach
The Snickers Godzilla video below is making the rounds, we went straight to AdWeek to get the details on the the idea behind the video and we even included the credits. read the blurb from AdWeek:

If only someone would get Godzilla a Snickers, so much urban destruction could be averted.
A new spot for the candy bar brand applies its "You're not you when you're hungry" tagline to the famous Japanese monster, who will return to U.S. theaters this May. When he's not wreaking havoc on entire cities, Godzilla is in fact a monster ladies' man, ping-pong player and water skier—a consummate bro.

BBDO's execution of the ad is more or less genius, complete with cheesy theme music and zippy montage. Godzilla himself is styled as an oversized action figure, more like Bobcat Goldthwait's tiny-town-wrecking incarnation in One Crazy Summer than Hollywood's city-stomping terror lizard.

I suppose we should be glad the "real" Godzilla isn't such a good guy with a sweet tooth for nougat. If he were really that easy to calm him down, it wouldn't make for much of a movie. SRC: AdWeek "Godzilla Is One Hard-Partying Bro, Until He Runs Out of Snickers"


CREDITS
Client: Mars/Snickers
Spot: "Godzilla"
Agency: BBDO New York
Chief Creative Officer, Worldwide: David Lubars
Chief Creative Officer, New York: Greg Hahn
Executive Creative Director: Gianfranco Arena
Executive Creative Director: Peter Kain
CD/Copywriter: Alex Taylor
CD/Art Director: Jason Stefanik
Group Executive Producer: Amy Wertheimer
Executive Music Producer: Loren Parkins
Production Company: Smith and Jones
Director: Ulf Johansson
Director of Photography: Andrejz Sekula
Music House: South/AKM
Edit House: Mackenzie Cutler
Editor: Ian Mackenzie
Visual Effects House: MPC NY
VFX Producer: Camila De Biaggi
VFX Supervisor: Alex Lovejoy
Mix: Heard City
Mixer: Keith Raynaud
Telecine: Company 3
Colorist: Tim Masick

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Operation Castle: Declassified Video of the "Tests" to Kill Godzilla

The 1954 nuclear tests Godzilla 2014 referes to were called Operation Castle 
With a unique take on the new 2nd Godzilla Trailer, The Mother Jones digs up declassified information on the 1954 nuclear tests referred to in the 2nd Trailer. It is appropriate that a a self-described, "politically left-wing American magazine, featuring investigative and breaking news reporting on politics, the environment, human rights, and culture." would pick out a previously classified government operation.

There is now doubt that watching the declassified video below will add to the anticipation and reallness of the new Godzilla movie. read an excerpt from the Mother Jones article below followed by the declassified video of Operation Castle

At about the minute mark, you hear characters explaining how mankind created its own colossal nightmare. Their explanation seems to call out actual American nuclear testing, specifically Operation Castle. Here are some lines of dialogue narrating images in the trailer:

In 1954, we awakened something.

With those nuclear tests in the Pacific.

Not tests...

They were trying to kill it.

And thus Godzilla comes back as a radioactive beast to destroy and rampage.

The nuclear "tests" mentioned in the trailer (and presumably the film) likely refer to Operation Castle, a series of nuclear tests conducted by the United States in early 1954 at Bikini Atoll. The original Godzilla film (Gojira) premiered that same year, and was cleverly critical of that kind of testing. (The critically maligned 1998 Godzilla, directed by Roland Emmerich, blamed Godzilla's wrath on nuclear tests in French Polynesia.)

SRC: The Mother Jones

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

WATCH 2nd Godzilla 2014 Trailer




A hidden easter egg at GodzillaMovie.com/AwakenTheTruth provided a link to the video of a panicked and frustrated Joe Brody. Joe Brody is the character played by Bryan Cranston in the upcoming new Godzilla 2014 movie. During the audio was a simply today's date in red letters and then in white, "10:00 AM PST"

It was a mystery for almost 12 hours, it was thought of as a preview to the second Godzilla trailer. Well, now we know check out what we have been waiting for overnight. read our reaction after the video.



Our first reaction we think it is AWESOME. it definitely generated more queswtions than answers. We were surprised to see scenes from New York and the best part is when they said "those weren't nuclear test, they were trying to destroy it!"

insert video.

Monday, February 24, 2014

Empire Magazine releases New Godzilla Collector Cover and Goji's New Roar

Empire magazine's Godzilla cover (Click image to enlarge)

"Trying to get the face right was the main thing..." --Gareth Edwards' on Godzilla design

When Empire magazine announced their Godzilla cover, they were able to insights into the design of Godzilla from Gareth Edwards. Read a blurb below:

"Trying to get the face right was the main thing," says Edwards. "I guess he's got more of a bear's face, or a dog's. We also used eagle. There's a lot of nobility in an eagle. It made him feel very majestic and noble." Edwards also used London-based motion-capture facility The Imaginarium and its head, one Andy Serkis, on certain sequences to "control the souls" (as Edwards puts it) of his creations.

Godzilla'a new roar has also been released below are two versions for your choosing. We think the Soundcloud has a little better quality.




WWW.TOHOKINGDOM.COM GODZILLA Roar Sound Wave Online Clip-1080P from CSM Films on Vimeo.
Godzilla's waveform roar in 1080p!


Saturday, February 22, 2014

Flame Throwing Mechagodzilla Float at this Year's Mardi Gras

Blueprint of Flame-throwing Mechagodzilla Float
In a nutshell, this is how kaiju gets introduced to Mardi Gras.

The actual word Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday". Fat Tuesday was traditionally the day when you would eat eating richer, fatty foods before you fast on Ash Wednesday. 

In New Orleans Mardi Gras has become more than that,  it has become a time to celebrate creativity and march in parades and exchange beads for a peak at women's breasts. As the Mardi Gras became larger and more commercial (and less accessible), splinter groups, called krewes, began pop up with themes and parades of their own. Enter, Chewbacchus, a sci-fi DIY themed krewe that plans on having a 10 foot flame-throwing, firework-shooting, MechaGodzilla.

Ok, I want one. 
Ars Technica has a great description of all of the Mardi Gras Mechagodzilla:

Chewbacchus’ 2014 theme is “Wrath of Kahn-ival,” and a shot-dispensing Barship Enterprise is being made accordingly. But as a tribute to traditional Mardi Gras flambeaus (kerosene flame carriers that walked with parades so crowds could see), the krewe is building a 10-foot, fire-breathing Mechagodzilla—Chewbacchus’ most ambitious centerpiece contraption yet.

Dreamed up with the help of a kaiju-themed sub-krewe, plans for Mechagodzilla call for firework outlets on its back, flame releases from its head and nose, and a mini New Orleans cityscape to terrorize on the front of its trailer. Ballard says the krewe worked closely with city and fire officials to meet all the necessary regulations, and they’ve programmed this set piece to be Arduino controlled with a killswitch enabled through radio frequencies.

SRC: Ars Technica

Below is a 3D digital model that helped with the planning and construction of the  Mechagodzilla followed by a video that was used to fundraise. If you are in New Orleans you can see the Mechagodzilla tonight (Feb 22nd).

3d model to plan the flame-throwing Mardi Gras Mechagodzilla

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Godzilla is HUGE in New Godzilla 2014 Poster

This New Godzilla 2014 Poster Make G Look Bigger Than Ever
(Click poster to see full screen)

It could be that the Gareth Edwards' Godzilla 2014 version will be the biggest yet. Larger and larger Godzillas is definitely the trend. If this trend keeps up, he will be able to devour planets in a single chomp. 

Check out a couple of info graphics below that illustrate the "growing" trend of Godzilla through the years.

This is a great info graphic that shows Godzilla's growth  through the years (click picture to enlarge)

Below is an even niftier graphic that shows Godzilla size from movie-to-movie.

Click the image above to enlarge



Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Ultraman Kaiju Transformed into Fashion Models

Does Dada were Prada?

In an effort to celebrate the "Ultra" renovation of the Amu Plaza Hakata shopping center, Ultraman characters were recruited and dressed in high-fashion.

Check out each of the characters below followed by a few short advertising clips.




Accessorize with a purse




Thanks to Brian Ashcraft bringing this to our attention at Japanese Kaiju Turned into Fashion Models

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

New 60th Anniversary Godzilla Restoration Poster and Trailer

New poster for the 60th Anniversary Restoration of the original uncut Japanese version of Godzilla
Yesterday we announced the news that the Original Uncut Godzilla is Coming to a Theatre Near You. This is all possible thanks to Rialto Pictures. The restored uncut original Japanese version of Godzilla will screen at  select theaters in America nationwide.

Today we can share more news about this 60th Anniversary restoration. There is a new poster and a new trailer commemorating the new restoration. Check out the trailer below followed by the hi-res poster, followed by dates and links to the event near you!



Hi-Res poster click the poster to enlarge

DATES & THEATERS FOR THE 60th ANNIVERSARY RESTORED ORIGINAL GODZILLA

Rialto Pictures is once again rolling out the uncut Japanese version of the original GODZILLA, boasting a 60th Anniversary DCP (Digital Cinema Package) Restoration, and is now being booked in theaters around the US of A — contact your local cinema to screen it! Now, here's a quick look at the first dates (as of Monday, February 17, 2014):

:: March 11: AUSTIN, TX • Alamo Ritz 1 (SXSW Film Festival)

:: April 18 – 24: NEW YORK, NY • Film Forum

:: April 25 – May 1: SANTA FE, NM • Jean Cocteau Cinema

:: May 2 – 5: PORTLAND, OR • Hollywood Theatre 

:: May 2 – 8: SEATTLE, WA SIFF • Cinema Uptown

:: May 13 - 14: ALAMEDA, CA • Alameda Theater & Cineplex

:: May 23 – 26 HOUSTON, TX • The Museum of Fine Arts

:: May 28: LEXINGTON, KY • Kentucky Theatre

:: July 17: COLUMBUS, OH • Wexner Center for the Arts



Monday, February 17, 2014

Original Uncut Godzilla Coming to a Theatre Near You

The original uncut version of Godzilla coming to a theater near you

Thanks to August Ragone, author of  Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters, for posting this on the Everything Kaiju Facebook Page.

Rialto Pictures is once again rolling out the uncut Japanese version of the original GODZILLA, boasting a 60th Anniversary DCP (Digital Cinema Package) Restoration, and is now being booked in theaters around the US of A — contact your local cinema to screen it! Now, here's a quick look at the first dates (as of Monday, February 17, 2014):

:: March 11: AUSTIN, TX • Alamo Ritz 1 (SXSW Film Festival)

:: April 18 – 24: NEW YORK, NY • Film Forum

:: April 25 – May 1: SANTA FE, NM • Jean Cocteau Cinema

:: May 2 – 5: PORTLAND, OR • Hollywood Theatre 

:: May 2 – 8: SEATTLE, WA SIFF • Cinema Uptown

:: May 13 - 14: ALAMEDA, CA • Alameda Theater & Cineplex

:: May 23 – 26 HOUSTON, TX • The Museum of Fine Arts

:: May 28: LEXINGTON, KY • Kentucky Theatre

:: July 17: COLUMBUS, OH • Wexner Center for the Arts

Stay tuned for more dates... And tell your local theaters that the film is available, as well as the new, paperback edition of my book, EIJI TSUBURAYA: MASTER OF MONSTERS will be out on April 8th from Chronicle Books — and I'm available to introduce the screenings (with a visual presentation on the making of the film)!

This news originated from a post titled, "THE REAL "GODZILLA" IS COMING TO YOUR TOWN: US Theatrical Screenings for the Big G's 60th!" from the website The Good, The Bad, and Godzilla, managed by August Ragone. 

Warner Bros Blocks Godzilla 2014 Toy Fair Images from Photographers

Warner Bros wants to make sure no photographs of the Godzilla 2014 Toys are available 
While we were able to get some photos from the 2014 Toy fair, no toys linked to the upcoming Godzilla 2014 have been available. Prior to the Toy Fair Warner Bros announced, "For the classic monster property that is ready to get a fiery breath of new life May 16, WBCP has tapped Bandai America for a line up of toys. Other licensees on board include Jakks Pacific for large-scale figures and toy products inspired by the “King of Monsters,” NECA for novelty and collector toys and Sideshow Collectibles for authentic statues."

Despite the official announcement, none of these images are allowed to be photographed due to an embargo placed by the studio.

The embargo was confirmed by a representatinve of NECA to CosmicBookNews.com. Read an excerpt below.

Well, it's day two of the NY Toy Fair and still no Godzilla movie figures and toys have hit the net.

That's because photographs of the Godzilla Toy Fair products are not allowed.

A rep for NECA got back to me and stated they are not showing any of the Godzilla items in the public viewing area as the images and products are under embargo until Mid-March.

Read full article: Godzilla 2014 Products On Lock Down At Toy Fair: Under Studio Embargo




Sunday, February 16, 2014

New Godzilla Toy Pics from 2014 Toy Fair Sunday Feb 16th

Diamond Select Toys' Display for Godzilla Toys

More Godzilla Toys from Diamond Select Toys' 2014 Toy fair Display
Thank you to toy nerd Carrie Rocknroll for sending these through her Twitter account @EvilVagenda! please show some appreciation and follow her on Twitter. She has an excellent Twitter feed and is basically live tweeting pics from the 2014 Toy Fair. 

If we get more Pics we will post them here and on the Everything Kaiju Faccebook Page