Godzilla on my Mind

[monsterslayers]

Apparently, in October, a brand new paperback book called 'Godzilla on my Mind' will be published. It appears to be nothing more then a recollection of his memories of seeing Godzilla flicks, with no info or anything relating to the films. Anywho, I thought it would be interesting to inform you. The cover art is also up:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1403964742/qid=1086556325/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/104-0749585-2427102?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

^Click on the Link above to visit the Amazon.com page.

[Kaiju_Sensai]

There is a book thats suppose to come out about Godzilla fandom in American. Could these two books be the same.

[Cam Eleon]

Just found out about this today (working at Borders has a couple advantages on occasion). "Godzilla On My Mind: Fifty Years of the King of Monsters" by William M. Tsutsui will be another book looking at the long history of Godzilla with many behind the scenes stories. It's scheduled for release at the end of October. Here's Amazon's pre-order information on it:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1403964742/qid=1092970547/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/104-3926028-8599960?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

[kpa]

Cam, this book was announced a few months back. A website for the book was launched back in June http://www.kaiju-book.com/ that includes excerpts and info about the author.

While I have every intention of reading the book in its entirety, I have to say I was really unimpressed with what I read in those excerpts. If the author's own site is using them as a selling feature they're not particularly effective IMO. The "gender report" seemed poorly researched and thought out-- it repeatedly ignores or contradict swhat was said in the films or by the filmmakers. I'm hope this book will offer more than a slew of inaccuracies coupled with the author's analysis.

[Kaiju Nexus]

Cam, this book was announced a few months back. A website for the book was launched back in June http://www.kaiju-book.com/ that includes excerpts and info about the author.

While I have every intention of reading the book in its entirety, I have to say I was really unimpressed with what I read in those excerpts. If the author's own site is using them as a selling feature they're not particularly effective IMO. The "gender report" seemed poorly researched and thought out-- it repeatedly ignores or contradict swhat was said in the films or by the filmmakers. I'm hope this book will offer more than a slew of inaccuracies coupled with the author's analysis.

My thoughts exactly. If he'd gone int enough detail and done adequate research, an entire chapter could have been made on the subject. Hopefully, the rest of the book is better, but I'm somehow doubting it. For 10 bucks, I'll still pick it up though.

[Paulzilla]

I've seen this book online and it looks pretty cool. I wanna read it!!
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[Kaiju Nexus]

This book is going to be of interest to very few G-Fans. On the radio show broadcasted a few days ago, the author of "Godzilla on my mind" stated that he is not a hardcore Godzilla fan and his book is for casual godzilla enthusiasts. Also, the guy sounded like a complete OH GODZILLA! WHAT TERRIBLE LANGUAGE! ;). "Godzilla is a hero in my eyes!" "Every kid loves trampling cities and stuff!" "Godzilla is campy fun!"
Blech!! Perhaps he didn't say those exact phrases, but they were close enough. This book isn't even going to be worth 10 bucks...

[Raptor]

If I remember correctly, the INTENT was to look at Godzilla as a popular culture "icon", as the get together in Kansas will do. Personally, I would love to see the same approach taken with others, such as Superman, Bat Man, Ultraman (particularly), etc. It's a different APPROACH from simply watching a film unreel in a darkened theater where we "suspend our disbelief" and put ourselves more "into" the "story" than stepping back and analysing the various elements. Actually, some of us even "dissect" FANS of various things and have a "Fanthropology" mail list for the purpose. :)

I'm looking forward to Mr. Tsutsui's findings and observations myself and wish I could attend the symposium. :thumbs:

[kent]

I, too, am looking forward to the book. I didn't even know it was coming out until I saw this thread. While his book may not be entirely accurate, is there a Godzilla book that truely is? As long as there aren't major inaccuracies, I'll be happy with it. I think it'll also be interesting to hear his own analysis on the films.

[Project Pimp]

This book is going to be of interest to very few G-Fans. On the radio show broadcasted a few days ago, the author of "Godzilla on my mind" stated that he is not a hardcore Godzilla fan and his book is for casual godzilla enthusiasts. Also, the guy sounded like a complete OH GODZILLA! WHAT TERRIBLE LANGUAGE! ;). "Godzilla is a hero in my eyes!" "Every kid loves trampling cities and stuff!" "Godzilla is campy fun!"
Blech!! Perhaps he didn't say those exact phrases, but they were close enough. This book isn't even going to be worth 10 bucks...

Dude, get off your high horse. I do believe some Toho kaiju flicks are definitely cinematic classics and are to be revered, but some people just take this way too far. Most Godzilla flicks are utterly retarded, and besides, Godzilla is only a nuclear allegory in three or four films; in the rest he is meant to be a hero in the audience's eyes. People love him because he goes around kicking *** 24/7 and does it with style -- not because they sit there and try to find hidden subtexts in films that lack any sort of a thing.

You know, I can just vividly imagine you showing Godzilla vs. Gigan to one of your classes in school and flipping out on everyone when they start laughing at it. :-|

[Project Pimp]

Well, I'm just saying, yo. 99% of Godzilla fans like Godzilla movies because they're fun. There's no need to try and act like you're better than them because you know the films inside-out and illogically believe they are all classics that should be worshipped.

You really cannot deny that films are campy when every other one has visible wires, one-dimensional characters, inane plots, and way-too-closeup shots of model buildings. Oh, and let's not forget matting a rampaging Godzilla into STILL IMAGES ala GMK.

And for your information, Godzilla is a hero to me, too.

[Kaiju Nexus]

99% of Godzilla fans like Godzilla movies because they're fun.
Yes, but not ONLY because they are fun. There are various reasons.

There's no need to try and act like you're better than them because you know the films inside-out and illogically believe they are all classics that should be worshipped.
A piece of advice, Pimp...putting words in people's mouths to further prove your point only makes you look like an ***.

You really cannot deny that films are campy when every other one has visible wires, one-dimensional characters, inane plots, and way-too-closeup shots of model buildings.
Sure I can. Labelling something as campy is an act of opinion, not fact. Besides, I hate the term "campy". It has no other use than to berate films because they are inadequate in a particular individual's eyes.

Oh, and let's not forget matting a rampaging Godzilla into STILL IMAGES ala GMK.
It seemed to work well enough. So what's the problem?

And for your information, Godzilla is a hero to me, too.
Well, that's good for you.

[Project Pimp]

On the radio show broadcasted a few days ago, the author of "Godzilla on my mind" stated that he is not a hardcore Godzilla fan and his book is for casual godzilla enthusiasts. Also, the guy sounded like a complete OH GODZILLA! WHAT TERRIBLE LANGUAGE! . "Godzilla is a hero in my eyes!" "Every kid loves trampling cities and stuff!" "Godzilla is campy fun!" Blech!!

Sorry, but it sounds an awful lot like you're criticising him because he enjoys Godzilla in a different way than you, thus inferring he is somehow inferior. Oh am I putting words in your mouth again? You even called him a name for it.

[Kaiju Nexus]

Sorry, but it sounds an awful lot like you're criticising him because he enjoys Godzilla in a different way than you, thus inferring he is somehow inferior.
I am criticising him because he claims to be an intelligent University Professor who specializes in Japanes culture and is treating these films like Saturday morning kiddie fare. Yes, he has a right to view them as such. But, I would like to think that a University Professor would have some more respect for the movies.

Oh am I putting words in your mouth again? You even called him a name for it.

Actually, I called him nothing. I hinted at such a remark by using the curse-edit that is used by the MonsterZero forum, but actually stated nothing of the sort.

[Project Pimp]

I am criticising him because he claims to be an intelligent University Professor who specializes in Japanes culture and is treating these films like Saturday morning kiddie fare.

Did he say he was an "intelligent University Professor", or are you putting words in his mouth?

And for your information, Japanese culture does tend to treat the kaiju genre as "kiddie fare". The fact that the films are often paired theatrically with children's cartoons should have been your first indicator of that.

Actually, I called him nothing. I hinted at such a remark by using the curse-edit that is used by the MonsterZero forum, but actually stated nothing of the sort.

So "hinting at such a remark" is not the same as actually saying it? If I were to say to my boss "Sir, why don't you go ... yourself?" this would be acceptable? Pull yourself together, man.

[Raptor]

Get back to the BOOK before I throw it at you guys. :evilglow:

[Gojira2000]

I hope this is the right thread for this.

Anyway, I just bought this book, Godzilla on My Mind, by William Tsutsui (anyone know how I can e-mail this guy?), and read it in two days. It was wonderful! Of course, at times there were some things I disagreed with, but they were every few. Tsusui writes with an interesting and very funny sence of hummer. It's one of the best G-books I've ever read. Reading it at times even became an emotional expreince (it's so good to know there's G-Fans out there like myself! *sniff*). So, for those of you that have read it, what do you think? And for those of you that haven't, do so ASAP. And beware: this guy likes cheese!:laugh:

[Raptor]

Here is his web page (http://www.kaiju-book.com/) which includes his email addy as well as options for ordering directly. :)

[Excelsior]

The "gender report" seemed poorly researched and thought out-- it repeatedly ignores or contradict swhat was said in the films or by the filmmakers. I'm hope this book will offer more than a slew of inaccuracies coupled with the author's analysis.

It was completely inconsistent, and leads me to believe the author never saw the 1998 film. It's out-and-out stated in the movie that GINO is a hermaphrodite.

[Jet Jaguar]

It's nice to see such a book exists.
We have to allow for varying opinions on HOW we like G films.
My take on them and any of yours may differ,but we love 'em just the same

Just don't get PERSONAL and everything'll be OKAY

Got that?? :cursing:

[Jet Jaguar]

Here's a link to an excerpt from the book so you can at least get a TASTE

The Power of Cheese (http://www.kaiju-book.com/Text2.htm)

[Morgoth]

I picked this one up but haven't read it yet. Once I do, expect a review on the Roost. Hey, it's been quite awhile since we got a new Godzilla book, so I'm willing to give this one a chance.

[kritaya]

Here's a link to an excerpt from the book so you can at least get a TASTE

The Power of Cheese (http://www.kaiju-book.com/Text2.htm)

That excerpt was very good. The author's point of view is similar to my own. I can see how hardcore fans might be put off, but sometimes I feel they are too defensive. I didn't think his tone was disrespectful at all. The simple fact is this is how the majority of people view Godzilla, if they view him in a positive light.

[Megabyte]

Honestly I think it was a great book and it hit me in the heart, reminding me of what it was like watching my first Godzilla movie. Personally I don't see what the problem is with this book, I mean its better the god awful Robert Marrero crapfest Godzilla King of the Movie Monsters (seriously how can someone be THAT thick skulled!!). And Tsutsui hits it on the mark stating that we all hold Godzilla to our own interpetation; I mean why else would anyone get defensive over this book or how Godzilla is portrayed? Because we take the King to our hearts!

Anyways, I would give this book a 5 out of 5....