DC Superheroes

Doing some research for Xenorama #18 (my favorite kind, watching cartoons!) and talking to Chis Elam led me to this menu for the original DC Superheroes DVD set.  Aside from the fact that all 18 episodes PLUS the documentary could have easily been on one disc, there's this slight continuity problem, as any rabid fanboy might notice and complain about (I think I did already).

Unbelievable 8mm Varan

This is how I was introduced to Varan. Heck, this may actually be the film I transferred to VHS many years ago, before VARAN was sort of available on home video. I wish this version could be released properly, as I've heard there is a nice 35mm print out there in someone's collection.

Marine Boy- the "lost" episode

When I started my book about Marine Boy, I had 77 episodes on tape.  The quality of some of those episodes was not very good.  Eventually I discovered places to get them online and and upgraded several times.  Still, there were only the 77 episodes available.  When I asked the late Peter Fernandez about the number of episodes that were done, he assured me there would have been 78 episodes, as that would have been enough to syndicate as long as they could (three seasons used to be the standard for syndication, 26 episodes per season, so 78 was the desired number).

"Weird Al" Yankovic - White & Nerdy

This is one of Al's funnier videos and songs. I'll be honest here, I've never heard the original, nor do I even know what it's about. It can't be as good as this song, though (says the white and nerdy guy). It's interesting, I've found that I relate less and less to Al's songs these days, since I know less of the source material. He has to stay up with current music, but I don't.

almost the end of Magiranger

I'm on episode 45 of this fun show, and it's getting close to the end.  It's been a pretty good run, despite the stupid cell phone "wands" they have to use.  And of course, all the obligatory robots.  I've lost count at all the different combinations that have gone in the show, and with five more episodes, I'm willing to bet there will be at least one more mega power permutation of all of them together.

Ultra Father and Ultraman Mebius

I can hardly believe the entire series is subtitled and on youtube. I wish I had known this would happen. I'm also a little surprised it hasn't been taken down from TPS. Or whoever they are these days. But a lot of material is up on youtube that probably shouldn't be there.

Gokaiger 18: "The Big Abare With the Dinosaur Robot Drill"

In this episode we find out how Gai Ikari/Gokai Silver gets his powers.  He saves a little girl from a truck and three dead Rangers show up and give him three grand powers.  Interestingly enough, two are from teams that featured dinosaurs.

RIP Ken Utsui

Ken Utsui passed away today. He was 82 years old. If he was known in the United States at all it is for the four "Starman" movies that were shown on TV here. As I mentioned here, I only ever saw the first one, ATOMIC RULERS. I never knew there were more of them, since information on these movies was scarce back then.

Ultraman #29 Challenge of the Underworld

This episode features a gold eating monster called Goldon.  It also has a rather greedy miner, or perhaps he is just overcome with gold fever.  It's never really explained where the Goldons come from- yes, there are two of them, though we never see both in the same shot.

Be My Batgirl (second version)

The first version is here, and here's a fun second version done by the same people. You know what? I still love this song. And now that I've learned how to play it, I love to perform it as well. Sometimes I get tired of hearing a song after listening to it a lot, but it hasn't happened to this one. And it's been at least a year!

it's almost Mothra season

I've got a few more words to add, and a few more pictures to choose, and then Xenorama #17 will be done.  It's got a lot about Mothra in it, but there's also some interesting thoughts on Toho's Vampire trilogy and an episode guide to another HB superhero show.

Godzilla Vs The Thing - Super 8mm Film

This is pretty obviously the 50' version. I would know, since way back when I owned the 200' b/w version for many years, successfully trading the inferior WHEN DINOSAURS RULED THE EARTH 200' version for it. I watched it plenty of times. I'm always impressed at how well Ken Films edited these into digest versions.

The Return of Godzilla (1984)

After a nine year absence, Godzilla returned to the big screen in Japan with an all new grim and dark atmosphere, updated effects and without any extra monsters to fight.  It's a very good looking movie, but it's also rather boring.  And by rather I mean really.  It's got some good music, though.

The Three Stooges (Niagara Falls Skit)

One of my favorite skits that the boys do, mostly because it's fun to say "Niagara Falls!" and see if anyone else goes into the whole "slowly I turned..." I did this tonight at derby practice and alas, the girl I said it to didn't know what I was talking about. So here it is, in all it's black and white glory.

50 minutes into Pacific Rim (2013)

Once again, late to the party.  This is a giant robot vs monsters movie- they even call them "kaiju" (more on that, later).  It's a good effort to copy the various Japanese giant robot cartoons, though these certainly aren't "super" robots like Mazinga Z, Raydeen or Gaiking.  They are closer to the robots of Macross or Gundam,  just machines that anyone trained can pilot.

JOHN CARTER Trailer 2012 - Official Movie Trailer

I kinda like the Zep music in the trailer. I didn't see any of these. Too bad, they are pretty evocative of the movie. It's that damn title. Why not put "Of Mars" at the end? John Carter sounds like it could be anyone, someone normal. It's all very vexing.

John Carter part 2

Finished this up and quite enjoyed it.  It's fairly true to the books, except for the part about the Therns.  I suppose that's what the sequels would have been about.  They didn't even have to try to explain how Carter got to Mars anyway, it's only hinted at in the books.  Leave a little mystery!

Johnny Sokko And His Flying Robot DVD Trailer

This set is on sale at Amazon right now for about half price, as are Ultra Q and Ultra Seven. It's too bad the Ultra stuff is such a mess legally. Anyway, I think I may pick up the Sokko set. It's a fun show, full of action and a kid mowing bad guys down right and left. I think he can drive as well.

Gokaiger Goseiger 199 Hero something or other

In which our five pirate heroes team up with the angel heroes from the previous series.  There is the obligatory disagreement/misunderstanding fight scene between the two groups, actually two of them, which leads to the theft of the Ranger Keys.  This is also sort of features every other Super Sentai team and extra member as well as the billions of robots.  I know it's to sell toys, but ugh.  The robots don't do anything for me.  Perhaps if they were used more sparingly.