Camp Kaiju: Monster Movie Podcast

Love can make a guy do funny things. Torture, abduction, mass murder... but hey, he's just misunderstood. Right? Grab your backstage pass as we visit a classic classic - Lon Chaney's iconic turn in the film that launched the Universal Monsters.

But do words like "iconic" and "classic classic" still hold true for a silent film? Do we feel obligated to enjoy a 100 year old movie, or does it actually stand the test of time? We're very ...

Ever feel like you're being watched by a lost soul? An interdimensional monster? Or even spooky ol' Bette Davis? What if... all of these were true? From deep within the vault comes Disney's scariest movie of all time. Or so they say. It's been buried so deep that few have actually seen it! But whether you have or not, we hope you enjoy this special episode about the state of Disney AND horror in the late 70s and early 80s. Let's ge...

Can you outrun a giant mutant bear? As long as you're faster than the guy next to you! Prophecy puts the camp in Camp Kaiju, exploring serious themes in very schlocky ways. Good messaging, bad effects; good characters, bad casting; good guy with axe, bad guy with chainsaw. Not to mention giant tadpoles and killer sleeping bags. It's all here in this eco-horror cult classic that you gotta see to believe. Then, Peter Lorre's back to ...

He lives! He loves! He definitely does not laugh - his heart just won't take it! After receiving a new heart, the King finds a queen to fill it... Lady Kong... and together the big apes must survive everything from tank battles to drunken rednecks. But will Kong and his love make it? Will they escape? Will they... live?? There's only one way to find out! So get on your motorcycle and grab an alligator snack - it's time for Kong to ...

An evil alien plots to take over the world by mind-controlling giant sea creatures. Squids, turtles, and even a lobster! No Godzilla, but still plenty of kaiju mayhem from Ishiro Honda, who gives it his all. But does he pull it off? Or will we be opening our bags of melted butter?

Plus, we welcome a special guest - Sierra Parham of Saturn Video and Cafe! She shares big plans for the return of video stores and how you can support. Th...

Wait, there's another shark? You better believe it! Because the town won't... again... So it's up to Chief Brody to shoot guns, fry fish, and save the day! Climb aboard our lil' sailboat as we discuss the troubled production - fired directors, actors' egos, rough seas - and ask, is this a poor Jaws sequel OR a great Jaws rip-off? Then Peter Lorre returns to review Ghosts on the Loose (1943). Amity Harbor Patrol, come in Amity Harbo...

Amy talks, slurps martinis, and just wants to go home. Oh, she's also a gorilla. A movie from the team behind Jurassic Park (well, except for that Steven guy) that begs us to consider who would win: a hundred gorillas or Laura Linney with a laser gun?

Don't let Amy drink alone as we discuss outrageous accents, questionable plot devices, and the very niche subgenre of ape movies - the racially repugnant ones of the 1930s/40s and the...

Horror icon Peter Lorre reviews monster movies of the poverty row studios! Those B-movie scream factories of classic Hollywood churning out some of the best-worst movies ever made. But how is Mr. Lorre? Well, he's moved in with Matt, still subsists off of fishheads, and never comes out of his room... but what is he doing in there? Is that a glowing light emanating from under the door? What are those squaws and hisses? Is Peter okay...

Godzilla's on island time until Ebirah and Mothra crash the party, while a terrorist organization enslaves Infant Island natives for their nefarious plans. But before things get too serious, the jazz music, teen dance marathons, and wise-cracking safecrackers will keep this breezy flick rockin' and rollin'. Plus, discussions on director Jun Fukuda and the film's hidden themes with Godzilla scholar Beth Bredlau! Fresh off her Ebirah...

Disney sold a flick to families about lycanthropy, black magic, Cold War espionage, and a dog literally driving a car - and it worked! Put your paws together for this movie that's so far-fetched, it'll have you howling for more. As the poster says, "a new kind of horror movie! Horribly funny!" Come on, dogs. Now that's a tagline. Thank you Patrick and Gays Do the D for your friendship and thank YOU all for listening! You can find P...

Fairy tales are transformed into wolfish nightmares as a young girl navigates burgeoning adolescence with help from her granny, amorous boys, and lots and lots of floofers. But beware - these pups have plenty of bite! So pull your little red hood tight and join us by the fire to discuss werewolves, severed heads, feminist folk horror and more. Big thanks to Naomi for doing so! Plus, Peter Lorre reviews the vampire film Dead Men Wal...

Giant robots duel in gladiatorial combat to settle world disputes in this epic B-movie. Thrill at dashing heroes, nefarious villains, sick martial arts, and stop-motion effects that’d make Harryhausen proud. But why have so few seen this precursor to Pacific Rim? Put on your shiny jumpsuits and cowboy hats with returning hosts, Shawn Pryor and Sean Childers, as we discuss this cinematic Saturday morning cartoon. Plus, Peter Lorre r...

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...