FLASHBACK: The 'Godzilla: Final Wars' World Premiere in Photos!

If you look closely, you can see Godzilla in there somewhere. Photo by Brett Homenick.

I don't think I've ever shared my photos from the Godzilla: Final Wars (2004) world premiere that took place in November 2004 in Hollywood at what was then known as Grauman's Chinese Theatre. It's not a surprise why I haven't shared them, though. I started this blog in 2009, a full five years after the premiere -- old news. Besides, I used a disposable camera for my photos, which wouldn't have turned out all that great even if I had unlimited access to the event. So, suffice it to say, the pictures I took didn't turn out that well, and I've never been in a hurry to share them.

In fact, the only one I know I've posted before was the photo I took of Don Frye when he happened to be stopped in front of me by a fan who wanted a picture with him. After he was done, I was going to ask The Predator for a pic, too. But whoever was using the guy's camera had zero idea how to work it, so Don had to wait what seemed like forever, frozen in a pose with his fist up. When the guy still couldn't get the camera to work, Don's handler whisked him away, and I lost my opportunity for a photo with Captain Gordon himself. Ah, well. Little did I know then that I'd end up interviewing him twice and arranging his appearance at some Chicago con in 2008. 

Anyway, I recently had another look at the pictures I took at the event, and I guess some of them aren't quite that bad. Besides, they are a part of history, so they are worth posting for that reason alone. The ones worth sharing are below, with a caption to explain what you can see in the pics if you look carefully enough. Enjoy!

Producer Shogo Tomiyama addresses the audience with Godzilla standing behind him. Photo by Brett Homenick.

You can kind of see Shogo Tomiyama in there between the head and the hat in the foreground. Photo by Brett Homenick.

A happy fan poses with the Godzilla float. Photo by Brett Homenick.

The recently unveiled Godzilla star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame -- and almost completely in frame! Photo by Brett Homenick.

Yours truly with Godzilla's star. I really didn't want to touch the ground but had no choice to keep my balance.

Don Frye being asked to pose for a photo that would never get taken. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Japanese media on hand covering the event. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Content Is King at Vantage Point Interviews!

With Don Frye in July 2014.

Vantage Point Interviews is back with several great interviews. One is a never-before-published July 2008 interview with Godzilla: Final Wars (2004) star Don Frye, whose role as Captain Douglas Gordon remains a fan favorite to this day.

The other two Q&As are brand-new and concern the late producer-screenwriter Reuben Bercovitch, whose credits include: Frankenstein Conquers the World (1965), Monster Zero (1965), The War of the Gargantuas (1966), Woody Allen's What's Up, Tiger Lily? (1966), and Hell in the Pacific (1968) with Toshiro Mifune. The biographical interview was conducted with Mr. Bercovitch's wife and oldest son. A follow-up interview with another son of Reuben Bercovitch reveals a fun tidbit about War of the Gargantuas.

Check 'em out today!

G-FEST XXI: Interviews and Presentations

I have posted several of the interview sessions from the weekend to YouTube, and just for your viewing pleasure, here they are!

G-FEST XXI: A Big Success!

 

Actor Katsuhiko Sasaki and special effects director Koichi Kawakita swap stories at the G-FEST staff dinner Sunday night. Photos by Brett Homenick.

With roughly 3,000 attendees, G-FEST XXI was the largest, most successful convention in its history. The highlight of the show was the reunion of actors Katsuhiko Sasaki and Tomoko Ai, who hadn't seen each other since making Terror of Mechagodzilla in 1975!

Actress Tomoko Ai is a Don Frye fan and got to meet the professional fighter/actor at G-FEST!

There were many surprises along the way, but I will write a longer report with more details. Congratulations to everyone involved for making this G-FEST one for the history books!

CAPTAIN GORDON, REPORTING FOR DUTY! Don Frye Returns to G-FEST!

Actor/mixed martial artist Don Frye poses with some substantial reading material in preparation for his return to G-FEST. Photo courtesy of Don Frye.

As if G-FEST XXI couldn't get any bigger, the one and only Don Frye (Captain Douglas Gordon from Godzilla: Final Wars) will make his triumphant return to the convention, from July 11 through 13! In 2008, Don Frye was a massive hit with G-FEST attendees, so we've decided the 60th anniversary of the Godzilla franchise was the perfect opportunity for an encore performance.

Mr. Frye is a veteran of UFC, New Japan Pro Wrestling, Pride, and other mixed martial arts and professional wrestling organizations. In recent years, Mr. Frye has turned his attention to acting, landing roles in the Michael Mann films Miami Vice (2006) and Public Enemies (2009), on top of guest spots on shows like It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Although his schedule has been increasingly busy, Mr. Frye is looking forward to reuniting with his fans at G-FEST XXI.

Captain Gordon wants you ... to meet him at G-FEST!

Happy birthday, Don Frye!

The match of the century? Your humble blogmeister squares off against the UFC legend Don Frye at G-FEST 2008. Photo by Jeff Horne.

November 23 marks the 45th birthday of the legendary mixed martial artist Don Frye. Although he is best known for his battles in the UFC Octagon, Don Frye has since branched out into acting, performing in several films to date. His most memorable role thus far would have to be that of Captain Douglas Gordon in Godzilla: Final Wars (2004). In GFW, he virtually steals the show, sometimes outshining Godzilla himself!

The role was so popular among G-fans that Don Frye was invited to attend G-FEST in 2008 as a celebrity guest, alongside the original Godzilla suit actor Haruo Nakajima. Mr. Frye tirelessly signed autographs and posed for pictures all weekend, proving himself to be a friendly and highly entertaining special guest.

Haruo Nakajima and Don Frye meet for the first time, G-FEST 2008.

Here's wishing you a happy 45th, Don! Knowing you, I'm sure you're going to celebrate it in style!