A KRASH KOURSE IN KAIJU

Do you speak Kaiju? Chances are, if you are a deadicated watcher of a monster movies and omnivorous in your tastes, then you no doubt have seen at least a handful.

"Kaiju" means "strange beast", and they are the epitome of the giant monster, and in particular, Japanese monster movies. The most famous is, of course, Gojira (or "Godzilla" in the Western tongue). The big lizard with the nuclear breath has been "attacking the city" -- in other words, Tokyo -- since the 50's.

Kaiju has a giant following among a core group of enthusiastic fans. There is even a magazine devoted to them (see the G-FAN button on the sidebar to the right of this blogroll). FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND magazine even used an entire issue to feature the giant monsters of Japan (my review of this issue can be read in issue #96 of G-FAN).

In the October issue of TOTAL FILM, there is a short-course on Kaiju and its long and rich history. It also contains news of PACIFIC RIM, a new Kaiju film by none other than Guillermo del Toro!