Welcome to Podcast Portal: a spontaneous column that will highlight podcasts of all genres that are lesser known or new shows that are worth giving a listen. With the medium continuing to grow, it is hard to acknowledge all of them. However, I am going to try and find as many noteworthy titles as possible to share and hopefully expand your mind to the greatest growing medium out there. If you have any podcast that you feel is worth adding to the Podcast Portal, please make sure to inform me whether through the comments or through an e-mail (information in sidebar).
SHOW: Go Go, Godzilla!
HOSTS: Emily Schmemily, Justin Quizon, Victor Perfecto
NETWORK: Benview
HOSTS: Emily Schmemily, Justin Quizon, Victor Perfecto
NETWORK: Benview
EPISODE BEING DISCUSSED: "Godzilla (1954)"
In the world of monster movies, there have been few icons who have loomed as large in the public conscious as that of Godzilla. Over 65 years (and counting), he has stood as a metaphor for a lot of Japanese turmoil including nuclear fallout and environmental emergencies. He's also gone surfing and fought a robot version of himself. He's a character who contains multitudes, managing to be seen as both this serious symbol and a figure often ridiculed for effects that, by Hollywood standards, aren't as cutting edge. However, that's where the heart of the show Go Go, Godzilla! begins to show itself.
The series exists for one reason: to talk about the Toho icon. From the team that created the great Steven Spielberg retrospective Benview on Spielberg comes a show that plans to go through every film featuring the radioactive lizard in detail. In the first episode, the biggest focus comes from host Victor Perfecto (a devout fan since childhood), who details why suitmation is a legitimate art form and how Godzilla revolutionized the medium with it. More than anything, the 44-minute episode is the introduction to three fans discussing more than the film. It's a look into the history that includes how unexpected bar buddies created the sound of Godzilla, and how it was perceived differently based on the age group.
Unlike Benview on Spielberg, this show is less concerned about recapping the plot. While many elements of it are addressed, the end product is to give a sense of why Godzilla matters. It is easily among the most memorable, important monster movies in international cinema. What is discussed here is more how the craft and historical significance surrounding the film impacts it. Everyone who made the film had some personal relationship with World War II, and it shows in the details. The hosts explore why that is and the small nuances that make it abundantly clear as a deeper, darker commentary on top of being a ridiculously dangerous movie with actors in suits being attacked by rockets and electrical wires. If this conversation doesn't make you at least appreciate the effort that went into this movie, then nothing will.
There is plenty to look forward into the show, as they promise to discuss even the Americanized dub of Godzilla called Godzilla: King of the Monsters starring Raymond Burr. If anything, the premiere episode of the show only hints at the depth of knowledge that will be explored as things progress. It's because of the Burr movie that the character became a worldwide phenomenon yet it's easy to mock nowadays. With a passion that goes into a lengthy defense of why suitmation is important (and it's a very persuasive case), it's easy to suggest that even the more ridiculous elements of this franchise will be given the passionate explanation that it greatly deserves.
With that said, it's only going to get more exciting and ridiculous with each upcoming movie. Considering that there are still titles being made, it's likely that they'll never run out of content. With that said, it will be fun to hear the histories of characters like Mothra, Mechagodzilla, and King Ghidorah be explained by people who really get it. This isn't just about preserving a sacred film in Japanese history. It's about understanding why the films continue to resonate even as they stray into the absurd. All things considered, there's plenty of promise with this show considering that it's more about trivia than plot, and that's going to come in handy when Roland Emmerich comes around. For now, it's the start to another promising and fun show of fans discussing kaiju cinema that will hopefully only grow with each passing entry.
OVERALL RATING: 4 out of 5
WORTH A SECOND GO?: It all depends on your love of Godzilla movies. While the notion is to call the films ridiculous and cheesy, there's something affecting about people who appreciate the craft that goes into every film and makes it so much fun. Even the bad films are likely going to produce interesting episodes of this podcast. Again, it's your call if you want to stick around for King Kong vs. Godzilla, but for now it's an exciting chance to discuss one of film history's longest franchises.
In the world of monster movies, there have been few icons who have loomed as large in the public conscious as that of Godzilla. Over 65 years (and counting), he has stood as a metaphor for a lot of Japanese turmoil including nuclear fallout and environmental emergencies. He's also gone surfing and fought a robot version of himself. He's a character who contains multitudes, managing to be seen as both this serious symbol and a figure often ridiculed for effects that, by Hollywood standards, aren't as cutting edge. However, that's where the heart of the show Go Go, Godzilla! begins to show itself.
The series exists for one reason: to talk about the Toho icon. From the team that created the great Steven Spielberg retrospective Benview on Spielberg comes a show that plans to go through every film featuring the radioactive lizard in detail. In the first episode, the biggest focus comes from host Victor Perfecto (a devout fan since childhood), who details why suitmation is a legitimate art form and how Godzilla revolutionized the medium with it. More than anything, the 44-minute episode is the introduction to three fans discussing more than the film. It's a look into the history that includes how unexpected bar buddies created the sound of Godzilla, and how it was perceived differently based on the age group.
Unlike Benview on Spielberg, this show is less concerned about recapping the plot. While many elements of it are addressed, the end product is to give a sense of why Godzilla matters. It is easily among the most memorable, important monster movies in international cinema. What is discussed here is more how the craft and historical significance surrounding the film impacts it. Everyone who made the film had some personal relationship with World War II, and it shows in the details. The hosts explore why that is and the small nuances that make it abundantly clear as a deeper, darker commentary on top of being a ridiculously dangerous movie with actors in suits being attacked by rockets and electrical wires. If this conversation doesn't make you at least appreciate the effort that went into this movie, then nothing will.
There is plenty to look forward into the show, as they promise to discuss even the Americanized dub of Godzilla called Godzilla: King of the Monsters starring Raymond Burr. If anything, the premiere episode of the show only hints at the depth of knowledge that will be explored as things progress. It's because of the Burr movie that the character became a worldwide phenomenon yet it's easy to mock nowadays. With a passion that goes into a lengthy defense of why suitmation is important (and it's a very persuasive case), it's easy to suggest that even the more ridiculous elements of this franchise will be given the passionate explanation that it greatly deserves.
With that said, it's only going to get more exciting and ridiculous with each upcoming movie. Considering that there are still titles being made, it's likely that they'll never run out of content. With that said, it will be fun to hear the histories of characters like Mothra, Mechagodzilla, and King Ghidorah be explained by people who really get it. This isn't just about preserving a sacred film in Japanese history. It's about understanding why the films continue to resonate even as they stray into the absurd. All things considered, there's plenty of promise with this show considering that it's more about trivia than plot, and that's going to come in handy when Roland Emmerich comes around. For now, it's the start to another promising and fun show of fans discussing kaiju cinema that will hopefully only grow with each passing entry.
OVERALL RATING: 4 out of 5
WORTH A SECOND GO?: It all depends on your love of Godzilla movies. While the notion is to call the films ridiculous and cheesy, there's something affecting about people who appreciate the craft that goes into every film and makes it so much fun. Even the bad films are likely going to produce interesting episodes of this podcast. Again, it's your call if you want to stick around for King Kong vs. Godzilla, but for now it's an exciting chance to discuss one of film history's longest franchises.
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