Seeing Daimajin Strikes Again in Jimbocho!

On Tuesday, October 6, I went to the Jimbocho Theater to catch a rare screening of the Daiei classic Daimajin Strikes Again (1966). This, of course, is the third in the three-film series, and the one that focuses on children as the central characters.

The Jimbocho Theater. Photo by Brett Homenick.

The film looked great in 35mm, and it's probably been a good 15 to 20 years since I last saw it. So, in some ways, it was like seeing it for the first time. It was quite enjoyable, and while some fans consider it the weakest of the trilogy, I'm not sure I can agree. 

Interestingly, the film was not screened as part of any tokusatsu program but rather one that highlights movies that take place in the mountains! Suffice it to say, that's quite an unusual theme. Nevertheless, I immensely enjoyed seeing the film in 35mm.

WHEN ULTRA-AUTHORS COLLIDE! A Special Talk Event on Tsuburaya Productions!

Shigemitsu Taguchi (left) remembers his Tsuburaya days with Masahiko Shiraishi. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

On Friday, July 27, I attended a special Q&A event in Jimbocho with former Tsuburaya Productions writer Shigemitsu Taguchi and Godzilla series SFX veteran Masahiko Shiraishi, both of whom have recently written Tsuburaya-related tomes.

Masahiko Shiraishi. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

Masahiko Shiraishi is an author and researcher who has written meticulously researched histories about Tsuburaya Pro's early Ultra-series. Shiraishi-san is no stranger to tokusatsu, as he worked under SFX director Koichi Kawakita on the Heisei Godzilla series.

Shigemitsu Taguchi. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Shigemitsu Taguchi is best known for writing episodes of Return of Ultraman (1971-72), Mirrorman (1971-72), Ultraman Ace (1972-73), Jumborg Ace (1973), Ultraman Taro (1973-74), and Ultraman Leo (1974-75).

GODZILLA SPOTTED IN JIMBOCHO! Finally the King of the Monsters Has Come Back to Tokyo!

While in Jimbocho, I decided to take a look around the nearby Jimbocho Theater, as the venue often programs some intriguing and rarely-seen titles. However, I wasn't expecting to see this guy...

It's Godzilla! And he's just hanging around! I hope he bought a ticket before entering. Otherwise, that's just rude.

I guess the Jimbocho Theater will let just about anyone in these days. Oh, well. I just hope he doesn't burn the place down.

HEROES COVERGE IN JIMBOCHO! Toei Alumni Discuss Their Heroic Pasts!

Actor Osamu Sakuta and actress Hiroko Saito discuss working on superhero television productions during the 1970s and '80s. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Today, I made my way to Jimbocho to attend a special event with two TV stars from the '70s and '80s. The guests were Hiroko Saito and Osamu Sakuta.

Actress Hiroko Saito. Photo by Brett Homenick.

I've blogged about Hiroko Saito before. She's appeared in Kamen Rider (1971-73), Kamen Rider V3 (1973-74), Kikaider (1972-73), Barom-1 (1972), Inazuman (1973-74), Kamen Rider X (1974), Star Wolf (1978), Toei's Spider-Man (1978-79), and Ultraman 80 (1980-81). However, in the West, she would be best known for her role on Tsuburaya Productions' Time of the Apes (1974-75) as Yurika. 

Actor Osamu Sakuta. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Osamu Sakuta starred as the titular character in Nebula Mask Machineman (1984) from Toei Studios. Prior to that, he could be seen in guest appearances on Spectreman (1971-72), the original Kamen Rider, Barom-1, and Kikaider. He also appears in the Toho war epic The Imperial Navy (1981) and the Ken Takakura film Kaikyo (1982).

It was very nice to see Saito-san again just a week after last seeing her. As always, she was very kind and friendly.

It was quite fun to meet Sakuta-san for the first time. We had a brief chat, and he seemed interested in getting to know me. I look forward to seeing him again.

MOTHRA VS. GODZILLA! Jimbocho Theater Hosts the Battle!

Jimbocho Theater -- where it all happened! Photo by Brett Homenick.

Today I made a special trip back to Jimbocho Theater in order to catch an evening screening of Mothra vs. Godzilla (a.k.a. Godzilla vs. the Thing, 1964) in glorious 35mm. Even though I've seen the film screened before in 35mm, I've never seen it on a screen this big, so it was by far my best viewing of this kaiju classic.

The film print was in great shape, and the audience was nearly full. During the film, I made sure to pay special attention to the skeletal turtle on Infant Island. When watched on DVD, it looks a little like the thing is moving its head and even blinking. But this is an optical illusion. When it moves its head (which is caused by the wind, as it is otherwise perfectly still), we seem to get a glimpse of a white object (almost certainly another bone) that can be seen through the eye socket. That gives the audience the odd illusion of a blinking skeleton (!)

After the film, the audience was treated to an extra-special bonus. Several trailers (in 35mm again) of Showa-era tokusatsu favorites were screened. These included trailers for Mothra (1961), Atragon (1963), King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962), Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964), and Monster Zero (1965). All looked absolutely incredible on the big screen. They sure blew the trailer for Godzilla Resurgence (which naturally was played again before the film) completely out of the water.

IT'S A MONSTER MARATHON! Taking in Godzilla Flicks at the Jimbocho Theater!

The Jimbocho Theater, a building with a most interesting design! Photo by Brett Homenick.

Since I had the day off work, I finally made my way to the Jimbocho Theater in (where else?) Jimbocho, Tokyo, which is hosting a Godzilla movie marathon in anticipation of Godzilla Resurgence, which hits Japanese theaters at the end of July.

The screenings began on May 7 and run until June 17. There are four films screened every day, and each day the lineup changes (although the same set of films are screened throughout the week). This week focuses on the films made between Destroy All Monsters (1968) and Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973). 

I arrived in time for the afternoon screening of Godzilla vs. Megalon and stayed on for the showings of Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972) and Godzilla's Revenge (1969). Megalon looked fantastic in 35mm. Gigan and Revenge, however, had seen better days, as both prints were a bit faded and choppy at times. Still, nothing beats 35mm film screenings, and even with their flaws, they looked infinitely better than some awful DVD projections I had to sit through at some American theatrical screenings!

Before each film, the full trailer for Godzilla Resurgence was shown. I'd already seen a slightly truncated version of the trailer several times at several Toho Cinemas throughout Tokyo, but this was my first opportunity to see the unedited version. I have several (okay, many) reservations about the film, but I'm certainly curious to see it.

The Jimbocho Theater was decked out with posters of various sizes, and naturally a bit of merchandise was available. Thankfully, I resisted the temptation to break out my wallet.

The coolest display item of all was this small Godzilla statue. It's these little touches that put the Japanese Godzilla events above all others. You just don't see cool stuff like this anywhere else!

All in all, it was a fantastic day of Godzilla flicks. I usually don't like to do movie marathons (too much of a good thing is still too much), but this was an enjoyable exception. I can't tell you how many times I've seen these three films, but they still managed to hold my attention after all these years. Bravo!

I hope to return to the Jimbocho Theater to catch some other Showa-era Godzilla films. Hopefully, my work schedule will allow it.