Camp Kaiju: Monster Movie Podcast

Surprise! The mayor of Bloomington, Indiana has decreed it Godzilla Day! All thanks to Beth, who's organized an entire Godzilla Weekend with screenings at the historic Buskirk-Chumley Theater. We're honored to have her talk about this gargantuan celebration, her upcoming panel at G-Fest XXX, her passion for Jun Fukuda, Mothra, kaiju baked goods, and more. Please check out all the details in the links below. Reach out if you have an...

He's a lean, mean, jolly green giant with the powers of... the swamp! Wes Craven delivers a comic book flick with mutants, evil geniuses, and lots and lots of fog. Does this slimy superhero rise from the muck or is he best left in the greenhouse? Plus, discussions on the superhero genre, Wes Craven's career, slime wipes, and the anatomy of a plant man. You know what they say, what happens in the bayou stays in the bayou! Then, Pete...

The debut of that other Big G - Gamera! And that's with one "M", before you forget and wind up on the roasting end of his fire breath. Or maybe you'd prefer the Toshio approach to certain death: ignore every warning and run straight toward the rampaging kaiju. Honestly, who's watching this kid? YOU are! As you thrill at a movie that may have started as a Godzilla knock-off, but proved it had jet legs all of its own. Along the way, ...

You haven't lived until you've seen this erotic, sci-fi thriller about a team of scientists hunting an alien with one thing on her mind: procreating with every hunk she comes across. We ain't sayin' its high class; in fact, we might even use the word tawdry. But it's busting at the cocoon with cheesy lines, campy effects, and questionable decisions. Thrill as you watch an A-list cast battle a most fearsome foe (a poorly written scr...

The Martians are coming! Don't trust anyone! So it goes when a young boy descends into a nightmare of tentacled alien heads, mind-controlled parents, and Martians in green pajamas. And it's all shot in surreal, colorful imagery. Grab your telescopes, get in your tank, and cover your necks - we're digging into this seminal, yet underseen, sci-fi film that influenced the likes of Spielberg, Scorsese, Dante, Cameron, and more. Then, i...

Greetings Beast Folk. Welcome to Dr. Moreau's island. Don't drink the water, kill the rabbits, or even pretend to memorize your lines. Such was the case with this film's two powerhouse leads: Marlon Brando and Val Kilmer. You can literally see their egos taking over and ruining everyone's time. Forbidden Planet anyone? Not to mention the on-set witchcraft, the world’s smallest man (inspiring Austin Powers’ Mini-Me!), and ice bucket...

Surprise! We're teleporting to another time when Matt and Vincent first started talking monster movies. It's their first episode together! We discuss David Cronenberg's The Fly, about a scientist who becomes fused with a housefly with disastrous results. There are also baboons, acid vomit, and extreme arm wrestling. It's a good time. Plus, Vincent gives a rundown on all the other Fly movies out there with the likes of Vincent Price...

Or, Mothra vs. Godzilla; or, Mothra vs. Battra; or, Mothra and Battra vs. Godzilla. No matter the name, it's a kaiju smackdown with Mothra protecting the earth and Godzilla doing what he does best - causing trouble. Enjoy this Heisei flick featuring a beautiful Ifukube score, the delightful Cosmos, and the villainous Battra. It's MOTHRA MARCH MADNESS ya'll! Plus, some extra material from Dracula's Daughter with Naomi, and Peter Lor...

Drac's dead but his daughter very much wants to live. She seeks a cure for her bloodlust but thanks to the terrible men in her life, realizes happiness might lie in embracing her true vampiric nature. If you're thinking this sounds like a metaphor for sexual identity, you are correct. This Universal Monster movie explores LGBTQIA+ themes in groundbreaking, and problematic, ways. Plus talk on cinematic Garths, bow ties, and more. Th...

Leave the pups at home, we're bringing the Hard R to Camp this week. We discuss Kevin Smith's Tusk, about a psycho who turns Justin Long into a heinous meat-suit-wearing walrus. You'll either love or hate this movie and that's part of the fun! Fun? Well, morbidly fascinating at least. Along the way we cover the joys of Smith's filmography, the pains of poutine, and if Johnny Depp's casting was a Cana-do or a Cana-don't. Plus, Peter...

The one where Godzilla goes to space, the one where Godzilla dances, the one where Godzilla and Rodan are mind-controlled by a race of leather-clad aliens from Planet X and, along with King Ghidorah, are sent to destroy humanity. Whoa. It's a sci-fi romp with Ishiro Honda doing his best to keep the wheels on track. Does he succeed? Put on your Xilien visors, hitch up your pants, and climb aboard this little model rocket ship to fin...

Behold the film that smashed its way into pop culture's radioactive kaiju heart, inspiring Godzilla and an entire genre! Not to mention putting Ray Harryhausen and Ray Bradbury on the map - two dino-nerds who changed science fiction forever. Plus, we discuss the Six Degrees of Beast, with its connections to Psycho, Jean Renoir, and the Man with No Name trilogy; then we get into a fight about The Valley of Gwangi. THEN, Peter Lorre ...

An encore presentation of Peter Lorre's dive into the horrors of silent cinema! Revisit the unforgettable moments of this legendary actor's fight for eternal peace after Matthew and Vincent force him into a devil's bargain to review silent movies for a return to the afterlife! You'll relive all your favorite moments - Pierre the wily rodent! The beloved bucket of fish heads! The inexorable descent into madness!

Marvel at Mr. Lorre's...

We're celebrating the past and ringing in the future! Joining us in the ho-ho-horror are past guests Naomi Osborn, Patrick Kozicky, Frank Olson, and Mike Swan. Together we play Camp Kaiju trivia and reveal the SEASON 5 LINEUP! What 12 titanic titles (January-June) will Matt and Vincent choose? Find out now! And thank YOU for your continued support and listenership. If you have any thoughts about our picks, please let us know! We'll...

The holiday monster movie is as much a tradition as mistletoe and holly. But Krampus, Santa Jaws, and Jack Frost can’t hold a candle to Gizmo and Co. Looney Tunes meets It's a Wonderful Life when a small town is overrun by malicious gremlins, plunging our heroes into a winter wonderland of hell. Thanks for joining the conversation as we discuss the legendary cast and crew, perplexing themes, and how the special effects were frighte...

It's inner city vs. outer space when London street urchins battle monsters from another world. Starring John Boyega (in his first feature!), impressive creature effects, and borderline unintelligible slang, this film gives new meaning to the British Invasion. Best of all, Frank Olson returns (see Troll 2, Rodan, and more) to lend his thoughts; plus, Peter Lorre reviews Lon Chaney in The Unholy Three (1925). Thanks for joining us, f...

We give thanks for Godzilla's 70th anniversary! We're talkin' Toho's latest G-flick about war, trauma, family, and how to fall from Godzilla's mouth into the water, dry off completely, and then survive the blast of an atomic explosion. In short, is this already a classic or mere Oscar bait? Plus, Naomi shares her experience hearing director Takashi Yamazaki at Comic Con, including his thoughts on any sequel(!). Then, Peter Lorre re...

Author Shawn Pryor joins us to discuss his new book, and whaddyaknow, he loves talkin' monster movies as much as we do! We get REAL nerdy on this one. Ever hear of the tokusatsu show, VR Troopers? Well, you will. That’s just one example of the rich kaiju legacy in film, comics, toys, video games, and more. Thank you for joining us as we share our passion for Godzilla and all his friends (even Reptilicus gets some love!). As Shawn s...

When New Yorkers go berserk, one cop must unravel the divine alien conspiracy behind it all. Along the way, he'll uncover a mystery that leaves you with waaay more questions than answers. Larry Cohen, the director behind "It's Alive" and "Q", delivers another weird one - mind control, vaginal orifices, Sylvia Sydney, Blaxploitation, and so much more. Plus, the latest monster movie news and a Minya’s Mailbox not to be missed. Then o...