G-FEST 26: VINYL CONFLICT

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For fans of Kaiju, not only are the movies a major passion for them but collecting the different monsters within the movies (as well as the various vehicles) in toy or model form. As many of the toys and models are Japanese and imported toys, the price tag on them can be pretty hefty and there are many companies, some better or more desirable (and collectible) than others. I know little to nothing of this world except that as much as I think the toys are completely awesome, I can’t even begin to get remotely serious about collecting them. I buy random toys here and there but I pick up so many movies, books, and forms of music all of which is physical media (LONG LIVE PHYSICAL MEDIA!) that adding a bunch of cool toys to the mix is not really feasible…until I move into a castle (or at least a bigger apartment!).

The people at Peekaboo Gallery were on hand at G-FEST XXVI and had a small room filled with a huge plethora of various toys and Kaiju collectibles, from vinyl toys to models to anything and all in-between. Some were old and some were new. Many were green, though. The big “G”, a.k.a. GODZILLA himself was the focus of this collection. I posted some photos of the cool toys, which were only a fraction of the entire auction, that Peekaboo Galleries cataloged in this excellent collector’s edition hardcover book entitled, VINYL CONFLICT: THE WORLD OF GODZILLA TOYS. This book features the Mark Livosi collection. Check out their website for info on how to join the live auction via the internet and actually be able to bid while it live-streams in real-time in August. Personally, I am very afraid of tuning in because that temptation to outbid someone and not having the moolah to pay up is too tempting a horrible fate to chance. 

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G-FEST 26

G-FEST 26

Akira Takarada w: Oxygen Destroyer & translator
Akira Takarada (l) with the Oxygen Destroyer (center) & his translator (r)

The 2019 G-FEST weekend in Rosemont at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Conference Center was, still is (Day 3 as of this post), my favorite convention with the greatest fans of kaiju and tokusatsu, specifically Godzilla. As I am writing this post via my smartphone at the convention early Sunday morning, it will be brief. In this video, actor Akira Takarada (GODZILLA 1954) walks in the conference room for his panel to a standing ovation by all gathered. It was a packed house. Kyle Yount (KAIJUCAST) conducted the interview, along with Mr. Takarada and his translator.

TRAILER: Tales of Frankenstein

unnamedPremiering in Los Angeles on October 24th, the TALES OF FRANKENSTEIN anthology will be released on DVD and VOD on October 19th. The film stars Mel Novak (Bruce Lee’s Game of Death, An Eye for an Eye opposite Chuck Norris, Samurai Cop 2: Deadly Vengeance), Jerry Lacy (TV’s Dark Shadows), Ann Robinson (War of the Worlds), Jim Tavare (Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban), T.J. Storm (Punisher: War Zone) and Len Wein (Wolverine and Swampthing creator) in his final film.

I personally find this film to be somewhat interesting to me because I have interviewed writer and director Donald F. Glut, as well as reviewed a number of his B-Films involving dinosaurs, breasts, buns, and blood. Mr. Glut also wrote the “The Empire Strikes Back” novelization, as well as the four short stories of the same name published in his book that this anthology is based upon.

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Writer/Director Donald F. Glut rocking an official SHU-IZMZ T-shirt at his home.

“My Creation, My Beloved,” (a deformed descendant of Victor Frankenstein creates the perfect man and woman), “Crawler from the Grave,” (another Frankenstein descendant’s disembodied, plague-infected arm returns from the grave for revenge), “Madhouse of Death” (a private detective winds up in an old dark house filled with loonies…and a gorilla) and “Dr. Karnstein’s Creation,” (a mad doctor creates a monster in vampire-haunted Transylvania – with gruesomely unexpected results).

This film also stars Beverly Washburn (Old Yeller), John Blyth Barrymore, Douglas Tait, Robert Axelrod (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers) and Jena Sims. The film features special make-up and effects by Emmy winner John Goodwin (CSI).

2018 marks the 200th Anniversary of Mary Shelley’s classic novel Frankenstein so the film will be released this fall to coincide with this momentous anniversary.