Here is part of the “Gojira sequence” from Always-zoku san-chôme no yûhi [aka Always – Sunset on Third Street 2] (2007; dir. Takashi Yamazaki), squashed from its original aspect ratio unfortunately (and with only a brief glimpse of the Big G):
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from Cloverfield
(US-2008; dir: Matt Reeves)
My name is Robert Hawkins. It’s 6:42 AM on Saturday, May 23rd. Approximately seven hours ago, some thing attacked the city. I don’t know what it is. If you found this tape, I mean if you’re watching this right now, then you probably know more about it than I do.
After months of very addictive, and seemingless endless, viral marketing campaigns online giant-monster watchers were all anxiously awaiting the chance to finally see what producer J.J. Abrams’ “Cloverfield” really was? Speculation had been both desperate and absurd. Fans raced to the theater in excitement to finally catch a glimpse of the titular beast, only to leave the theater scratching their heads wondering exactly what the hell it was that they just had seen? Some sort of sea creature? An alien? Glimpses of it within the film itself are fragmented, partial and fast, but what we do see has amazing impact. This is a film where we got to feel what it might be like to be right in the middle of a giant monster attack, as it wove its powerful 9-11 allegory.
You can get a better idea of the creature’s overall shape from this composite shot using a newly released model:
And here are two paintings inspired by Clover…
I couldn’t find the artist’s name, but the image, which was apparently painted by a fan immediately after seeing the film for the first time, came from this site.
And this stunning piece, titled “The Stockholm Incident” by the artist (samsonsreaper), comes from here (click on the image to view it full size — it’s worth it):
Next: Kaiju Search-Robot Avery’s Top 20 Craziest Kaiju Countdown Number 4! Watch the skies!
Top 20 Craziest Kaiju Countdown articles:
YOU could win an artist-approved, limited edition print of Todd Tennant’s King Komodo in action (see image below)!
In the lead-up to the announcement of Kaiju Search-Robot Avery’s Top 20 Craziest Kaiju Countdown Number 1 spot, I thought we’d have a contest.
The winner must guess Avery’s Number 1 pick (subject to rules set out below).
If you’ve forgotten the parameters of the Top 20 Craziest Kaiju Countdown, read Avery’s introduction here!
For a complete listing of the films that have appeared to date, go to the Category listing.
One entry per person.
The entrant who picks Avery’s Number 1 choice wins the prize (subject to the following conditions).
Designation of the Number 1 choice should include title, director and year of first release so that we’re all clear on exactly which film you are talking about.
If more than one entrant picks Avery’s choice correctly, the names of all those with the correct answer will be placed in a box and a final winner drawn at random.
The judge’s choice will be final and no annoying correspondence will be entered into.
The judge in case of dispute will be Pazuzu the Cat, as always.
Entries should be sent as a comment to this post. Entries will not be accepted in any other way.
Entries close the moment I post a Backbrain announcement that the Top 20 Craziest Kaiju Countdown Number 1 choice is about to be revealed.
King Komodo is a rampaging behemoth created by kaiju artist Todd Tennant. He is lead mon-star of a graphic serial, Tales of King Komodo, written by Mick Bogue and drawn by Todd, that is currently appearing in the long-running giant monster magazine, G-Fan. If you haven’t seen it before, you should pick up a copy of G-Fan from your local newsagency, comic store or online, and find out what you’re missing (and if you’re into giant monster movies and don’t subscribe, you’re definitely missing out bigtime)!
The print, titled “King Komodo Poster III”, comes on high-quality art paper and is 8.5″ X 11″ in size. It is signed and numbered by the artist.
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Feel free to spread the news of this contest to friends and enemies alike.
Good luck!
from Birth of a Legend: The Story of the Wawa
(US-2007; dir: Steve Wiggins)
Every town has a local legend. Sweet Tee was no different — it’s just that Sweet Tee’s legend was eating people.
This tiny little indie just came out of nowhere — “nowhere” being Alabama, of course — to take the kaiju community by surprise. It features one of the most insane creature ideas ever — a giant atomic swamp monster formed out of “radiated plastic fishing worms” merged with “catfish DNA”! The craziest thing of all is the fact that it doesn’t even fit that description in ways that one might imagine it would. Hell, even the name is nuts: “WAWA”, which stands for “West-Alabama-Whoop-Ass”. This is one crazy kaiju that has to be seen to be believed.
Sneakin’ closer … closer … closer…
Gotcha!
It just wants to be loved!
“Clean your windscreen, sir?”
“I’m lookin’ for me contacts … and you’re not helpin’!”
Next: Kaiju Search-Robot Avery’s Top 20 Craziest Kaiju Countdown Number 5! Stay tuned!
Top 20 Craziest Kaiju Countdown articles:
from Angry Red Planet (US-1960; dir: Ib Melchior)
You know, I can’t say that I recommend spacesuits for beautiful young dolls. What happened to all your curves?
This freakish-looking monster only appears on screen for a matter of minutes but easily steals the show. It’s what everyone remembers about the film, From the moment it makes its debut all eyes are on it. Definitely one of cinema’s most unique creations.
The Rat-Bat-Spider Attacks!
The trailer… in Cinemagic!
And just for fun, a painting inspired by Angry Red Planet by artist Bob Eggleton, called “Angrier Red Planet”:
Next: Kaiju Search-Robot Avery’s Top 20 Craziest Kaiju Countdown Number 6! What weirdness is on the way?
Top 20 Craziest Kaiju Countdown articles:
Worth1000’s most recently completed Photoshopping contest was Versus 2 — “I’d Pay To See THAT Fight!” Some unusual contests resulted. Here’s some relevant to us:
Check out all the entries here.
A while back, I posted about a series of cards called Dinosaurs Attack! Now I find there’s a cool set about all those pesty rotting corpses in Tinsel Town — Hollywood Zombies!
Here’s a news cast all about the living dead plague that has hit Hollywood, featuring the undead Michael Jackson:
The card set has a great website, with cool extras. You can even make your own zombie by mixing and matching body parts! Just click on the Monster Mash-Up link.
from The Relic (US-1997; dir: Peter Hyams)
Well, how goes the gradual extinction of the human race, Lieutenant?
Kothoga (translation: “Satan Is My Father”) is a chimera — a creature formed from a parasite that merges with several species to make an amalgam of insect, dog, lion, gecko and even human DNA! It all comes together, thanks to SFX designer Stan Winston, to form one of the creepiest monsters to ever grace the big screen — and to tear apart a natural history museum.
The titular relic (above)
These next two pictures are of Stan Winston’s developmental maquette for the creature. They were recently up for auction on eBay:
The trailer:
Next!: Kaiju Search-Robot Avery’s Top 20 Craziest Kaiju Countdown Number 7! Who knows what it will be!
Top 20 Craziest Kaiju Countdown articles:
