Showing posts with label Godzilla. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Godzilla. Show all posts
Saturday, 9 April 2016
Tuesday, 15 March 2016
Godzilla vs. Kong: My Thoughts
Written by Arlo Hansen
This article is several months late, but please humor me...
Last October, the Internet was set ablaze with the astonishing news that movie monster giants, Godzilla and King Kong, will once again clash in an epic crossover in 2020's Godzilla vs. Kong. The possibility of King Kong intertwining with Godzilla was foreshadowed several weeks earlier when news broke out that Legendary Pictures, currently partnered with Universal Studios, will release Kong: Skull Island (2017) alongside Warner Bros., which was rather shocking. Almost everyone knew that Legendary and Warner Bros. are still partnered for the currently untitled Godzilla sequel set for 2018, so the chances of a crossover were significantly increased. Then sure enough, BAM! Confirmation in the form of a sudden press release from Legendary Pictures.
Friday, 26 February 2016
Collect For Yourself!
Written by Arlo Hansen
This is a topic I have been wanting to write about for a long time, but I never seemed to have the right motivation to do so. Lately, however, after seeing so many people complain and whine about S.H. MonsterArts and NECA, I think it as good of a time as ever to finally bring it up.
Ask yourself this question: Why do you collect?
Sometimes it may be an easy question to answer. At other times it may be pretty hard. I started collecting when I was nine years old because I just wanted Godzilla toys. It is as simple as that! Over the years my preferences of what I collect certainly have changed. However, even though I gravitate towards figures that tend to be more movie accurate and less stylized, I do not go out of my way to bash on other people because they like what I don't like. Unfortunately that is what I have been seeing lately whenever I enter a forum or Facebook group. Adults engaging in heated arguments about what toy is better. When you look at such an argument unfold with an outside perspective, it is incredibly embarrassing for both parties. They make figure collectors look bad. With that being said, everyone is entitled to their opinions. People should have their own thoughts about things for better or worse and share them civilly. However, a line must be drawn somewhere. Collectors who are fans of the same franchise should not tell another collector that they are stupid for buying a particular item they don't like. No. That is utterly disrespectful and only makes you, the accuser look bad. Do not be a Zoidberg!
Newsflash, people. No one likes dealing with pointless petty arguments about toys! We are collectors. We are going to prefer different things that aren't necessarily your cup of tea. Instead of fighting about it, embrace it! Think about it. That is what makes collecting Kaiju figures so great. There is practically something for everyone!
This is a topic I have been wanting to write about for a long time, but I never seemed to have the right motivation to do so. Lately, however, after seeing so many people complain and whine about S.H. MonsterArts and NECA, I think it as good of a time as ever to finally bring it up.
Ask yourself this question: Why do you collect?
Sometimes it may be an easy question to answer. At other times it may be pretty hard. I started collecting when I was nine years old because I just wanted Godzilla toys. It is as simple as that! Over the years my preferences of what I collect certainly have changed. However, even though I gravitate towards figures that tend to be more movie accurate and less stylized, I do not go out of my way to bash on other people because they like what I don't like. Unfortunately that is what I have been seeing lately whenever I enter a forum or Facebook group. Adults engaging in heated arguments about what toy is better. When you look at such an argument unfold with an outside perspective, it is incredibly embarrassing for both parties. They make figure collectors look bad. With that being said, everyone is entitled to their opinions. People should have their own thoughts about things for better or worse and share them civilly. However, a line must be drawn somewhere. Collectors who are fans of the same franchise should not tell another collector that they are stupid for buying a particular item they don't like. No. That is utterly disrespectful and only makes you, the accuser look bad. Do not be a Zoidberg!
Newsflash, people. No one likes dealing with pointless petty arguments about toys! We are collectors. We are going to prefer different things that aren't necessarily your cup of tea. Instead of fighting about it, embrace it! Think about it. That is what makes collecting Kaiju figures so great. There is practically something for everyone!
Sunday, 14 February 2016
Toy Fair 2016 - NECA Ultimate Gipsy Danger, X-Plus Godzillas, & More!
Toy Fair is currently underway in New York right now, and we were treated to some very new unveils!
From NECA, nothing majorly new was shown. A new Godzilla prototype was to be revealed, but NECA didn't get Toho's permission in time (more on that in the next post!) However, we were treated to views of NECA's Pacific Rim Ultra Deluxe Mutavore and Hardship Kaiju figures and their Ultimate Striker Eureka, which was recently released. There is also another Gipsy Danger as well. Do not be fooled, the sculpt may be the exact same as previous NECA offerings, but this is in fact NECA's next figure in their Ultimate line of Jaegers. More info in an upcoming post, but both Ultimate Gipsy Danger and Hardship are expected to go up for preorder very soon!
Photo Source: Ultrazilla via Facebook
From Bluefin Distribution, along with the displaying of the upcoming S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla [2001] there was also one other giant monster, the X-Plus Toho Large Monsters Series Biollante. For those unaware, Bluefin Distribution has the rights to release reissues of X-Plus figures from the Toho Large Monsters Series [25cm scaled]. The only ones they have shown off so far have been Biollante and King Ghidorah 1968. However, apparently they have access to more sculpts from the line. No release date nor price have been announced for Biollante yet.
Photo Source: ToyArk.com
Then finally from Diamond Select, we are treated to a series of upcoming X-Plus Toho 30cm Series reissues. Displayed we see the 30cm Gigan 1972 and Gigan 2004, along with new unveils of North American reissues for the 30cm Godzilla 1984 (with a closed mouth this time,) the Yuji Sakai Modeling Collection Godzilla 1989, and Godzilla 2004 figures. All look very awesome! No price and release date have been given yet for the Godzilla reissues. Both Gigans, however, are currently available for preorder.
Photo Source: Vampire Robots via Facebook
From NECA, nothing majorly new was shown. A new Godzilla prototype was to be revealed, but NECA didn't get Toho's permission in time (more on that in the next post!) However, we were treated to views of NECA's Pacific Rim Ultra Deluxe Mutavore and Hardship Kaiju figures and their Ultimate Striker Eureka, which was recently released. There is also another Gipsy Danger as well. Do not be fooled, the sculpt may be the exact same as previous NECA offerings, but this is in fact NECA's next figure in their Ultimate line of Jaegers. More info in an upcoming post, but both Ultimate Gipsy Danger and Hardship are expected to go up for preorder very soon!
Photo Source: Ultrazilla via Facebook
From Bluefin Distribution, along with the displaying of the upcoming S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla [2001] there was also one other giant monster, the X-Plus Toho Large Monsters Series Biollante. For those unaware, Bluefin Distribution has the rights to release reissues of X-Plus figures from the Toho Large Monsters Series [25cm scaled]. The only ones they have shown off so far have been Biollante and King Ghidorah 1968. However, apparently they have access to more sculpts from the line. No release date nor price have been announced for Biollante yet.
Photo Source: ToyArk.com
Then finally from Diamond Select, we are treated to a series of upcoming X-Plus Toho 30cm Series reissues. Displayed we see the 30cm Gigan 1972 and Gigan 2004, along with new unveils of North American reissues for the 30cm Godzilla 1984 (with a closed mouth this time,) the Yuji Sakai Modeling Collection Godzilla 1989, and Godzilla 2004 figures. All look very awesome! No price and release date have been given yet for the Godzilla reissues. Both Gigans, however, are currently available for preorder.
Photo Source: Vampire Robots via Facebook
Sunday, 7 February 2016
Winter Wonderfest 2016 Report
As of right now, Winter Wonderfest 2016 is at full steam in Japan. We have scoured the web for whatever is new in the Kaiju realm and here is what we've found:
Images courtesy of Jamie Davis via Facebook.
X-Plus - Nothing new Kaiju related was shown at X-Plus' table except for the event exclusive reissue of the Toho Large Monsters Series Megalon and Gigan 1972 set along with the TLMS Godzilla 1973 and Jet Jaguar... Perhaps implying a future RIC Boy reissue?
Also from X-Plus, via Yuji Sakai, we are also getting a new addition to the Gigantic Series line in the form of the Yuji Sakai Modeling Collection Godzilla 1954. It's been claimed that this figure will be around 18 inches tall. Be sure to look out for it later this year! I know I will be.
Update: The Gigantic Series Yuji Sakai Modeling Collection Godzilla 1954 is slated for an early summer 2016 release.
Kaiyodo - Aside from the already released Revoltech figures from the Gamera series that Kaiyodo has released years ago, there is also a placard that teases an imminent release of figures from Gamera 3: Revenge of Irys. So a Revoltech Gamera 1999 and Irys may be on the way pretty soon!
Max Factory - A couple years ago, Max Factory teased a plastic model kit for Gipsy Danger as well as an implication of more Jaegers to come. Well, they unveiled their sculpt for Cherno Alpha, which will include light-up features! No word yet regarding the release of their Pacific Rim Jaeger plastic model kits. But the tension builds and even though I am not into building models, these might be an exception!
We will keep you updated as new information presents itself!
Images courtesy of Jamie Davis via Facebook.
X-Plus - Nothing new Kaiju related was shown at X-Plus' table except for the event exclusive reissue of the Toho Large Monsters Series Megalon and Gigan 1972 set along with the TLMS Godzilla 1973 and Jet Jaguar... Perhaps implying a future RIC Boy reissue?
Also from X-Plus, via Yuji Sakai, we are also getting a new addition to the Gigantic Series line in the form of the Yuji Sakai Modeling Collection Godzilla 1954. It's been claimed that this figure will be around 18 inches tall. Be sure to look out for it later this year! I know I will be.
Update: The Gigantic Series Yuji Sakai Modeling Collection Godzilla 1954 is slated for an early summer 2016 release.
Kaiyodo - Aside from the already released Revoltech figures from the Gamera series that Kaiyodo has released years ago, there is also a placard that teases an imminent release of figures from Gamera 3: Revenge of Irys. So a Revoltech Gamera 1999 and Irys may be on the way pretty soon!
Max Factory - A couple years ago, Max Factory teased a plastic model kit for Gipsy Danger as well as an implication of more Jaegers to come. Well, they unveiled their sculpt for Cherno Alpha, which will include light-up features! No word yet regarding the release of their Pacific Rim Jaeger plastic model kits. But the tension builds and even though I am not into building models, these might be an exception!
Bandai Tamashii Nations - Other than the S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla [2001] displayed at Yuji Sakai's table, there is not a lot new shown at Wonderfest. However, the next addition to the Ultra-Act x S.H. Figuarts Manga Ultraman line has been unveiled: Ultraman Suit ver. 7.2. It is slated for August 2016.
We will keep you updated as new information presents itself!
Sunday, 24 January 2016
The Best Kaiju Films for General Audiences
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| Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All Out Attack (2001) |
I am not going to lie, the notion of watching movies that feature men dressed in monster suits, stomping through a miniature city and battling other men dressed as monsters, is not an easy pill to swallow for most general moviegoers nowadays who are being constantly being spoiled by big budgeted blockbuster movies that are riddled with tons of CG effects and fast-paced choreographed action scenes. I am not saying that's a bad thing, but it is not bad to take a step back and enjoy something put together practically rather than digitally for a change. That is why I love many of the classic Japanese giant monster (daikaiju) movies. They are crafted utilizing practical effects rather than CGI, and have a sense of physical realism. It might look cheesy sometimes, but there is no denying that it's entertaining as hell!
Today, I wish to put together a list of some of my personal favorite Kaiju films to show newcomers to the genre and the wonderful world of tokusatsu effects! For this list I have taken the level of special effects (tokusatsu), story, and characters into consideration.
Friday, 8 January 2016
Original Figure Review - Funko POP! Godzilla Vinyl Figure
Today you can't walk anywhere without seeing the presence of the highly popular POP! vinyl figures from Funko. These designer-inspired vinyl figures have sprung into popularity in the past several years with over a thousand figures from hundreds of various properties from films, video games, books, TV shows, and more! I have been familiar with POP! for a few years, but I promised myself that I would not buy into them until if/when they'd ever do a Godzilla figure. It took a while, but at long last, Godzilla was confirmed through a leaked preorder list from Gamestop.
Monday, 4 January 2016
Godzilla 2016: My Honest Opinion
Out of respect to Toho Studios, I will NOT be posting or sharing links to any of the unofficially leaked images that have surfaced in the past day of the new Godzilla design that will be featured in this summer's Shin Gojira (internationally titled: Godzilla Resurgence.) That being said, I will share my own thoughts and opinions on this particular Godzilla design. If you have seen the images, then what I'll be saying will make sense to you. If you have not seen them, then just use your imagination!
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