MONSTER PARTY HAS A KAIJU QUERY?
JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD pose a question that speaks to monster kids of every generation! We just gotta know… ARE YOU GODZILLA-CURIOUS?
Since he first stomped onto the screen in 1954, Godzilla has had a lasting presence in pop culture. Over the decades, he has been portrayed in many different incarnations: embodiment of nuclear devastation, charismatic anti-hero, superhero to children, multi-form menace, and finally… Oscar winner!! And although Godzilla may not be everyone’s cup of sake, there are those chosen elite who see those distinctive back fins and hear that iconic roar, and think, “What makes that kaiju tick?”
In this episode, we’ll discuss Godzilla’s unique appeal, the effectiveness of his colorful enemies and allies (Varan, who may not want to listen to this part), and the constantly-changing stylistic choices that delight and enrage his fans. By breaking down the strengths and weaknesses of the various entries in Godzilla’s long filmography, we’ll attempt to shed light on why Godzilla has managed to maintain his worldwide grip on audiences.
Take your pick: from the grim symbolism of Gojira, the swinging ’60s space vibe of Invasion of the Astro Monster, the “Afterschool Special” lessons of All Monsters Attack, the mind-blowing weirdness of Godzilla vs. Hedorah, the “everything but the kitchen sink “splendor of Godzilla Vs. Biollante, the big-budget mainstreaming of the Legendary Godzilla series, the Dr. Strangelove satire of Shin Godzilla, or the grounded historical drama of Godzilla Minus One. Whatever your taste, Godzilla's got you covered.
Joining us for this audio visit to Monster Island are two very special guests making their MONSTER PARTY debut!
First up, we’ve got a celebrated Rotten Tomatoes-Approved film critic, a member of the Hollywood Creative Alliance and the African American Film Critics Association, and a super hardcore Godzilla fan! His work has been featured in VARIETY, WE LIVE ENTERTAINMENT, WHY SO BLU, FIRSTSHOWING.NET, BATTLESHIP PRETENSION, SCREEN RANT, THE CODE IS ZEEK, and the podcast, OUT NOW WITH AARON AND ABE.
We also have an award-winning filmmaker, who is another Rotten Tomatoes-Approved film critic, a member of the Hollywood Critics Association and the African American Film Critics Association, and the owner of LeNoirAuteur.net! And would you believe, he’s very Godzilla-curious?
And fitting to the theme of this episode, our two guests happen to be the hosts of the always entertaining and informative podcast, TWO BLACK GUYS TALK GODZILLA! Please give an atomic breath-warmed welcome to… AARON NEUWIRTH and TERENCE JOHNSON!
DESTROY ALL ILL-CONCEIVED NOTIONS ABOUT GODZILLA! AND GO EASY ON VARAN.
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.