The Reasons Why Godzilla Is So Down Lately Explored In SAD MONSTERS

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Sad Monsters Website

It is a little known fact that monsters suffer from depression. Sure they scare the crap out of us, but do any of us really know what they are like at home, alone, or with their families?

Sure Godzilla looks like he's having fun destroying a city but what comes afterward? Once the city is set ablaze then what? A feeling of emptiness .... that's what.

The Wolfman certainly has fun at night chasing after peasant girls and ducking people trying to hunt him down but in the morning he's just boring old Larry Talbot again.

Frankenstein, same story, and when he shows up at Der Weinersnitchel everybody goes running off screaming. All he wants is a Pepsi!

Try social networking when your an 8ft-tall-Man-fish that lives in a Black Lagoon. Ya think anyone is going to listen to your thoughts on world issues when all you can do is flap your gills and make fish faces?

Dating .... well we all know how that goes. Take that cute little blond out for a night in the big city, even take her to a romantic spot on top of some building with a great view, and some jackhole calls out the Air Force on ya.

Monsters with monster size depressions.

Author Frank Lesser explores this rather depressing side of our favorite creatures in his new book "Sad Monsters: Growling on the Outside, Crying on the Inside". It's a humorous collection of short essays written from the monsters point of view. Some of these rather personal documentaries of what it is really like to be a monster include, "The Ordinary Spider-Man," "Igor's Resume," "Groom of Frankenstein", "The Werewolf Whisperer," "The Yeti Wears Prada," and "Questioning Godzilla's Existence".

Ever wonder how deep Godzilla's feelings are? Check out these excerpts from "Questioning Godzilla's Existence":

Barely had enough energy to rampage to the bathroom, let alone through a city, but finally rolled out of bed and destroyed Tokyo. Again. Starting to wonder, what’s the point? They’re just going to rebuild.

Son of Godzilla never calls anymore. Was I a bad parent? I guess I could have spent more time with him tossing around the old football stadium.

We all wish we could have been better fathers G ..... and we all cry a little bit when no ones around. There ... there.

Maybe these poor souls wouldn't be so down if we all just took a little extra time to get to know them instead of screaming at them, chasing them around the village with torches and pitch forks in our hands and firing missiles at them.

Maybe it's time to start caring a little? That's all I'm saying ....

If you want to find out more about "Sad Monster" check out the book's official site (HERE) or read this great interview with Frank Lesser (HERE).

MONSTERS IN THE MOVIES A Book By John Landis

Sources: Entertainment Earth / Fangoria.com

Monsters in the Movies Book:

Can't get enough monsters in the movies?
This 320-page hardcover book will satiate your need!
Fascinating and entertaining insights into the world of moviemaking.

Can't get enough monsters in the movies? Then this is the book for you! The 320-page hardcover book features fascinating and entertaining insights into the world of moviemaking, and includes memorable contributions from leading directors, actors, and monster-makers. This should satiate your need!

“I’m doing a book for DK Publishing called MONSTERS IN THE MOVIES, which is basically a sort of an overall compendium. It’s going to have thousands of photos,” Landis recently told Fangoria.com. “Really, it’s a very unusual and fun book. It’s a very entertaining book to open. It’s not about horror films, but it is about monsters in the movies so that means horror films, science fiction films, fantasy films—any film with a monster. DK Publishing is a big British publisher; they do penguin books. They make very beautiful illustrated books. You’ve seen their STAR WARS and James Bond books.

“I’m almost finished,” Landis continues. “It’s mostly chapters and photographs, but I have wonderful…instead of interviews, I would do conversations. I have very unusual conversations with a bunch of my friends who are monster makers, so there’s obviously [AMERICAN WEREWOLF’s] Rick Baker, but there’s also Chris Lee and Ray Harryhausen and David Cronenberg and Sam Raimi and Guillermo del Toro and Joe Dante, but they’re different because they’re not like an interview. They’re much more conversations where we really discuss monsters. It’s great fun, and it’s something I didn’t realize would be so much work when I took the job, but I’m pleased with it. It’s a fun book. “

Order MONSTERS IN THE MOVIES from Entertainment Earth For $39.99 - HERE

Kaiju Life

by Armand Vaquer


When I finalized my plans for a trip to Japan to promote The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan, I contacted Sonoe Nakajima, the daughter of the original Godzilla suit-actor Haruo Nakajima, and invited them to lunch or dinner while I was in Tokyo.

Sonoe Nakajima wrote back and said that they were going on a vacation trip at the time of my vacation in Japan and wouldn't be available. She did say that she would have a copy of her father's book, Kaiju Life (Kaiju Jinsei) that was published by Yosensha Co., Ltd. for me at my hotel, Hotel Asia Center of Japan.

I arrived late in the afternoon on Sunday, December 5 at the hotel. When I checked in, the clerk went to the back room and brought out a package saying it was from "Nakajima." I knew immediately that it was the book Sonoe said she'd leave for me. After I got settled in my room, I opened the package and there was the book and autographed "To Armand" with his signature and the date "2010.12.3" (December 3, 2010).

The book itself is an attractive softcover edition with a jacket. The book is in Japanese, but it contains many rare photographs of Mr. Nakajima in action as Godzilla and other monsters in Toho's stable as well as his private life and history. Some are in color on slick paper, the rest are in black & white and on non-slick paper. They are all well reproduced regardless. The number of photos Mr. Nakajima included in his book rivals the number contained in August Ragone's book on special effects pioneer Eiji Tsuburaya. There's that many of them!

Although the book is in Japanese, and I don't read Japanese, I would have bought a copy anyway just for the photographs. Fans of Godzilla and Mr. Nakajima would find this book essential to their collections.

In return, I left copies of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan for the Nakajimas.

Top Five Godzilla/Kaiju Books

Top Five Godzilla/Kaiju Books

by Armand Vaquer

With Christmas just around the corner, it is worthwhile to take a look at what English language, mass-market books to buy for the newbie or longtime kaiju fan.

Most of these books are still available through various sources such as Amazon.com, eBay, Barnes and Noble, Border's Books, etc.

So if you are wondering what to buy, here's my top five Godzilla books:


Number One. Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters by August Ragone is the top book to pick up without question. Ragone is thorough in his research on the genius of Japanese special effects with many rare photographs. Toho Co., Ltd. and Tsuburaya Productions cooperated in the production of this book and it shows! Hardcover.




Number Two. Japan's Favorite Mon-Star by Steve Ryfle is a valuable reference book on the history of the Godzilla movies. Although dated (this one cries out for an update as it ends with the 1998 U.S. Godzilla), Ryfle's research on the King of the Monsters makes this a must-have in your book collection. Softcover.




Number Three. Mushroom Clouds and Mushroom Men: The Fantastic Cinema of Ishiro Honda by Peter H. Brothers is the first (it came out last year) English language biography of Japan's top director of science-fiction and fantasy films. Although it has no photos and there's some glaring typos, this is a must-have book for G-fans. Softcover.





Number Four. Monsters Are Attacking Tokyo! by Stuart Galbraith IV is a collection of interviews of actors, directors, special effects directors and others organized by topic. Although the organizing could have been better executed (some fans feel it is too disjointed), it is a valuable resource as it includes interviews with some who have since passed on. Softcover.




Number Five. Godzilla On My Mind by William Tsutsui is a tome of what Godzilla means to fans. If you're looking for a filmography, this isn't the book for you. But if you're interested in Godzilla and his pop-culture influence, grab this book. Softcover.

Others


A Critical History and Filmography of Toho's Godzilla Series, 2d ed. by David Kalat. This edition just came out and I haven't read it yet. But, I am told that it is an excellent book on the Godzilla series. It is available at Amazon.com. Hardcover.




The Official Godzilla Compendium by J. D. Lees and Marc Ceracini is long out of print and if one can find one, it is generally pricey. It is a good introductory book aimed at the small-fry fan. It has reached the status of a collectors' item. Softcover.




The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan by Armand Vaquer came out this year and is a travel guide to Japan tailored to fans of Japanese science-fiction and fantasy films featuring movie locations, attractions, transportation and accommodations. Magazine format.

Autographed Copies of Haruo Nakajima's Book For U.S. Fans?

Autographed Copies of Haruo Nakajima's Book For U.S. Fans?

by Armand Vaquer

Over at the Monster Zero message board, a member asked if it could be arranged for U.S. fans to be able to get autographed copies of Haruo Nakajima's book.

Accordingly, I sent Sonoe Nakajima a query asking if this could be arranged and gave her a couple of ideas on how it can be done. I'll report what I find out.

Kaiju Life - The Original Godzilla Suit Actor Haruo Nakajima

by Armand Vaquer

A new book is coming out July 16 by the original Godzilla suit actor, Haruo Nakajima entitled, Kaiju Life - The Original Godzilla Suit Actor Haruo Nakajima.

It is in Japanese, but reportedly has photographs included.

I have sent Mr. Nakajima's daughter Sonoe a message requesting more information. As soon as I receive it, I'll post it here.

Details:

単行本（ソフトカバー）
Publisher: 洋泉社 (2010/7/16)
Language: 日本語
ISBN-10: 4862485898
ISBN-13: 978-4862485892
Release Date: 2010/7/16

Price: ￥ 3,045

Here's the link for the book's listing at Amazon Japan.

Above, Armand with Haruo and Sonoe Nakajima in 2008.

I plan to be in Japan this Fall and I have invited Haruo and Sonoe Nakajima to lunch or dinner while there.