Daikaiju (giant monster) Godzilla from the 1954 Godzilla film, one of the first Japanese movies to feature a giant monster.

Kaijin (humanoid monster) Half human from 1955 Half Human film

Kaiju (怪獣, kaijū^?) is a Japanese word that means "strange beast," but often translated in English as "monster". Classically it may refer to any bizarre creature but in recent times is typically associated with a genre of tokusatsu entertainment.

Related terms include kaijū eiga (怪獣映画, kaijū eiga^?, monster movie), a film featuring giant monsters or a single monster, kaijin (怪人^?, referring to roughly humanoid monsters) and daikaiju (大怪獣, daikaijū^?, giant monster), specifically meaning the larger variety of monsters.

The most famous kaiju is Godzilla. Other well-known kaiju include Mothra, Anguirus, Rodan, Gamera and King Ghidorah. The term ultra-kaiju is short-hand for monsters in the Ultra Series.

Concept[link]

Kaiju are typically modeled after conventional animals, insects or mythological creatures; however, there are more exotic examples. Chōjin Sentai Jetman features monsters based on traffic lights, faucets and tomatoes;^[1] Kamen Rider Super-1 includes a whole army of monsters based on household objects such as umbrellas and utility ladders.^[2]

While the term kaiju is used in the West to describe monsters from tokusatsu and Japanese folklore, monsters like vampires, werewolves, Frankenstein's Monster, mummies and zombies would fall into this category. In fact Frankenstein's Monster was once a daikaiju in the film Frankenstein vs. Baragon, which was created by Toho.

Kaiju are sometimes depicted as cannon fodder serving a greater evil. Some kaiju are elite warriors which serve as the right-hand man to the greater villain and are destroyed by the heroic forces. Others have a neutral alignment, only seeking to destroy buildings and other structures. During the early eras of tokusatsu, "heroic" monsters were rarely seen in Daikaiju Eiga films, and it was not until later when television tokusatsu productions began using kaiju which aided the hero, saved civilians, or demonstrated some kind of complex personality. These kaiju adopted many classic monster traits, appearing as the "Misunderstood Creature". Some kaiju hung out with the heroes and provided comedy relief, in contrast to the darker approach to these characters from more mature franchises, like Kamen Rider.^{[citation needed]} Godzilla, arguably the most well known of the Daikaiju, has played the roles of hero, villain, and force of nature in the course of his existence, one of the few kaiju of any type to be depicted in multiple roles and having those around him react in different ways, depending on how the creature itself was being presented in the films.

Examples of kaiju[link]

• 

  Godzilla and Anguirus from 1955 Godzilla Raids Again film

• 

  Daikaiju (giant monster) Rodan from a 1956 Rodan film

• 

  Daikaiju (giant monster) Varan ("Giant Monster Varan") from 1958 Varan the Unbelievable film

• 

  Kaijin (humanoid monster) Daimajin from Daimajin trilogy

Kaiju film creators[link]

• Daiei Film Co., Ltd.
• Kadokawa Pictures
• Toho Company Ltd.
• Shochiku

Major kaiju films[link]

• Gamera
• Godzilla
• Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster
• King Kong vs. Godzilla
• Mothra
• The Mysterians
• Rodan

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Kaiju

Matthew "Matt" Hill (born January 19, 1968) is a Canadian voice actor. He is known for several roles, including Kevin Keene/Captain N in Captain N: The Game Master, Kira Yamato in Gundam Seed and Gundam Seed Destiny, Ed in Ed, Edd n Eddy, Raphael in Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation, Ryo Sanada in Ronin Warriors and Artha Penn and Dragon Booster in "The Dragon Booster." He is also the voice of the Wonderbolt Soarin' in My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. He was born in the same place as Samuel Vincent. The two are often cast together as friends, most famously as the two protagonists of the Gundam SEED franchise; Kira Yamato (Hill) and Athrun Zala (Vincent) & in the Cartoon Network programme Ed, Edd n Eddy, with Ed (Hill) & Edd (Vincent). He has one of the most youthful and recognized voices in the voice acting community, often cast in teenage roles because of this. His live action role was his portrayal of Raphael in third Teenage Ninja Turtles movie and Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation. He also played the deputy in the live-action movie Shanghai Knights.

Filmography[link]

• Smellanie Melanie's Rampage
• 2 Cool at the Pocket Plaza - Eric Wilder, Todd
• 21 Jump Street - Jim, Gavin Hooks
• A Kidnapping in the Family - Chris Landers
• A Fairytale Christmas - Bandit #1
• A Monkey's Tale – Kom
• The Adventures of the Black Stallion - Danny Booth
• Alexis and Milton - Bully
• Ardie the Aardvark - Irwin the Ant
• The Baby Huey Show - Bully
• The Barbie Diaries – Kevin
• Battery Mates - Danny
• Battle B-Daman - Announcer Guy
• Being Ian – Korey
• Bible Stories - Young Traveller
• Billy the Cat - Dizzy
• The Brothers Flub - Additional Voices
• Care Bears: Adventures in Care-a-lot - Tenderheart Bear
• Cartoon Network Universe: FusionFall - Ed
• Captain N: The Game Master – Kevin Keene/Captain N, Narrator
• Cardcaptors – Kero (borrowed form)
• Crash of the Titans - Additional Voices
• Dead Like Me - Icarus Jones
• Def Jam: Fight for NY – Clean Cut
• Dino Babies - Stanley
• D'Myna Leagues - Ebbet
• Dogboy - Narrator
• Dragon Booster – Artha Penn, Dragon Booster
• Dragon Tales - The Grudge
• Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3 - Kira Yamato
• Ed, Edd n Eddy – Ed Roberts
• Ed, Edd n Eddy's Big Picture Show - Ed Roberts
• Fatal Fury: The Motion Picture – Laocorn Gaudeamus, Duck King
• Fat Dog Mendoza - Additional Voices
• February 15, 1839 - Soldat McDonald
• Finley the Fire Engine - Miguel
• Firehouse Tales - Additional Voices
• Funky Fables - Various
• Galaxy Angel A - Cat Bandit
• Generation O! – Buzz O!
• GeoTrax® Transportation System - Eric
• George of the Jungle - Additional Voices
• G.I. Joe Extreme - Matthew 'Metal Head' Hurley
• G.I. Joe: Spy Troops - Beach Head
• Gundam Seed – Kira Yamato
• Gundam Seed Special Edition – Kira Yamato
• Gundam Seed Destiny – Kira Yamato
• Gundam Seed Destiny Special Edition – Kira Yamato
• .hack//Roots – Hideyo
• Hakkenden - Gakuso
• Hamtaro – Roberto
• High School Lives - Billy
• Home Movies - Fireman, Hotel Manager
• Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show - Kyle Spritzenegger
• Hurricanes - Indian Boy
• InuYasha – Bankotsu
• Jake 2.0 - Kevin (1 episode)
• Jetix – Voice
• Johnnor in Japan – Johnnor Symmes
• Lilo & Stitch: The Series - Kato Stewart
• Little Corduroy - Corduroy
• Madeline - Additional Voices
• Madison - Billy
• Make Way for Noddy - Whiz
• Martin Mystery - Marvin
• Matinee^{[disambiguation needed ]} - Bob Simpson
• Martha Speaks - Various
• Master Keaton - Dean
• MegaMan NT Warrior – Bass.EXE, AquaMan.EXE
• Melrose Place - Hank
• Mirmo! – Tako
• Mobile Suit Gundam - Additional Voices
• Monster Buster Club - Danny
• Monster Rancher - Mew
• Mr. Bean (animated series) - Additional Voices
• Mummies Alive! - Additional Voices
• My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic - Soarin' (Wonderbolts)
• ¡Mucha Lucha! - Timmy of a Thousand Masks
• NBA Street Vol. 2 - Various
• Neon Rider - Keith
• Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation – Raphael (voice)
• Polly Pockets - Tim
• PollyWorld - Todd/DJ (voice)
• Please Save My Earth - Mikuro
• Power Rangers In Space - Raphael (voice)
• Powerpuff Girls Z - Poochi
• Rainbow Fish - Barry Cuda
• Ranma ½ – Pantyhose Taro (season 6-7)
• Rayman 3 - Teensies
• Ronin Warriors – Ryo Sanada
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie - Arrow (voice)
• Sabrina's Secret Life - Additional Voices
• Samurai Troopers - Ryo Sanada (真田　リョウ)
• Scruff - Rat
• See Grace Fly - School Security Guard
• The Sentinel - Deputy Toliver
• Shadow Raiders – Prince Pyrus
• Shanghai Knights - the Deputy
• Silverwing – Chinook
• Sitting Ducks - Additional Voices
• Sleepwalkers - Andy
• Sonic Underground - Max
• Stanley - Harry the Dog
• Special Unit 2 - Richie
• The Condor – Skragg
• Star Ocean EX TV Series – Claude C. Kenni
• Taken - Willie
• Storm Hawks – Finn
• Street Fighter - Gang Kid, Henchman
• Street Sharks – Jab/Clint Bolton
• Super Duper Sumos - Booma
• Tales from the Crypt - Reggie
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III – Raphael (suit actor)
• The Ten Commandments - Joshua
• Titanic - Phillips
• ToddWorld - Gizmo
• Transformers: Armada – Carlos
• Transformers: Energon – Carlos, Ironhide
• Tripping the Rift - Additional Voices
• Trollz - Rock Trollhammer
• Ty the Tasmanian Tiger - Andy the Wombat
• War Planets - Prince Pyrus
• Watchers - Boy on bike
• Wendell, Son of Santa - Various
• Wondrous Myths and Legends - Broden
• World of Warcraft – Playable Character (Male Gnome)
• The X-Files - Private Dunham
• X-Men: Evolution – Havok/Alex Masters
• X-Play - The Teenies
• Zoids Fuzors – Rattle, Bartender, Jean Holiday
• Zigby - Bertie

External links[link]

• Matt Hill at the Internet Movie Database
• Official Website
• Run For One Planet Official Homepage

Bubba Ho-tep is a 2002 American comedy horror film starring Bruce Campbell as Elvis Presley — now a resident in a nursing home. The film also stars Ossie Davis as Jack, a black man who claims to be John F. Kennedy, explaining that he was patched up after the assassination, dyed black, and abandoned.

The film was co-written, produced, and directed by Don Coscarelli. The title comes from a novella by Joe R. Lansdale which originally appeared in the anthology The King Is Dead: Tales of Elvis Post-Mortem. Originally the film was "roadshowed" by the director across the country. Only 32 prints were made and circulated around various film festivals garnering critical success, and was only given limited release on the big screen. By the time it was released on DVD, it had already achieved cult status due to positive reviews, lack of access, and inclusion of (and similar on-the-road hard work by) Campbell.

While the novella and film revolve around an Ancient Egyptian mummy (played by Bob Ivy) terrorizing a retirement home, Bubba Ho-tep also involves the deeper theme of aging and growing old in a culture that values only the young. The film also features a cameo by Reggie Bannister, the cult hero of Coscarelli's Phantasm series.

Many of Bubba Ho-tep's crew also worked on the films in Coscarelli's Phantasm series. A partial list includes producer Jason R. Savage, assistant director Rosa Gonzalez, actors Heidi Marnhout, Bob Ivy, and Reggie Bannister, production designer Daniel Vecchione, costume designer Shelley Kay, make-up artist Melanie A. Kay, special effects artist D. Kerry Prior and Robert Kurtzman, Gregory Nicotero, Howard Berger, first assistant camera operator Precy C. Betiong, editor Scott J. Gill, the original Phantasm's sound mixer Paul Ratajczak, original Phantasm producer Dac Coscarelli, Phantasm III & IV cinematographer Chris Chomyn and art director Justin Zaharczuk.

Plot[link]

During the 1970s, Elvis Presley (Bruce Campbell) grew tired of the demands of his fame and switched places with an Elvis impersonator named Sebastian Haff (also Campbell). It was Haff who eventually died in 1977, while the real Elvis lived in quiet, happy anonymity and made a living pretending to be himself. After a propane explosion destroyed documentation which was the only proof that he was actually Elvis, he was unable to return to his old lifestyle.

A hip injury during a performance causes him to get an infection and slip into a coma. Twenty years later, in an East Texas nursing home (The Shady Rest Retirement Home) as the film opens, he is contemplating his age, frailty, loss of dignity, impotence, and "A growth on [his] pecker". Elvis's only friend is a black man named Jack (Ossie Davis) who insists he is President John F. Kennedy, claiming to have been dyed black after the assassination, and abandoned by Lyndon Johnson in a nursing home. The truth behind his identity remains unclear, but Elvis does spot a mysterious scar on the back of Jack's head. It could be from the head wound seen in the Zapruder film, but then it might not be.

Eventually, Elvis and Jack face off against a re-animated ancient Egyptian mummy that was stolen during a U.S. museum tour, and then lost during a severe storm in East Texas when the thieves' bus veered into a river near the nursing home. The mummy strangely takes on the garb of a cowboy and feeds on the souls of the residents of the home. It is dubbed 'Bubba Ho-Tep' by Elvis, who is given a telepathic flashback of the mummy's life and death when he looks into its eyes. The slow, plodding mummy is a real and credible threat, as instead of going against young adults who could potentially outrun it, the mummy gives chase to the elderly heroes who lack mobility and need a motorized wheelchair and a walker to get around the grounds.

Elvis and Jack create an elaborate plan to destroy the mummy. That would release the trapped souls of their dead friends, and they would be able to go to their final resting place. Elvis and Jack battle the mummy in the middle of the night, with Jack in an electric wheelchair and Elvis wielding a makeshift flamethrower. Jack is knocked out of his wheelchair by the mummy and is about to have his soul sucked. Elvis hops in the wheelchair, zooms into the mummy to save Jack, and damages the flamethrower, getting a large gash in his abdomen in the process. Jack dies from a heart attack. Elvis becomes committed to getting rid of the mummy, and he throws the gasoline on him and then throws a lighter at him, killing the mummy.

Elvis lies on a hill near the river bank, dying from the blood loss from the gash and broken ribs. He talks in his mind about how he doesn't fear death, knowing that he still had his soul and that he saved all of the fellow people at the Shady Rest Retirement Home. As he reflects upon this, the stars align into a message for Elvis saying "all is well". With a dying "Thank you, thank you very much," Elvis passes away.

Cast[link]

• Bruce Campbell as Elvis Presley / Sebastian Haff
• Ossie Davis as John F. "Jack" Kennedy
• Ella Joyce as The Nurse
• Heidi Marnhout as Callie
• Bob Ivy as Bubba Ho-tep
• Chuck Williams as Elvis' Friend
• Larry Pennell as Kemosabe
• Reggie Bannister as Rest Home Administrator
• Daniel Roebuck as Hearse Driver
• Daniel Schweiger as Hearse Driver

Critical reception[link]

The film has received generally positive reviews from film critics; review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports a "Certified Fresh" rating of 78% (based on 100 critical reviews).^[2] Among Rotten Tomatoes' "Top Critics", which consists of popular and notable critics from the top newspapers, websites, television and radio programs, the film holds an overall approval rating of 70%, based on an average of 27 reviews. The site's general consensus was a tongue-in-cheek statement, "The best movie to star both the King and JFK."^[2] Metacritic, which assigns a weighted score out of 1–100 reviews from film critics, has a rating of 56 based on 29 reviews.^[3]

Peter Travers of Rolling Stone gave the film three out of four stars saying, "This absurdly clever caper is elevated by Bruce Campbell's pensive Elvis into a moving meditation on the diminutions of age and the vagaries of fame."^[4] Todd McCarthy of Variety gave a negative review stating, "[The] introduction of the mummy plot basically derails the film at about the 45-minute point, and the silly climax...is so rote and generic that it could have come out of any ordinary horror film.", although McCarthy does admit, "Campbell's Elvis stands as one of the very best screen interpretations of the King seen thus far, even if he's arguably not even playing the real thing."^[5]

Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film three out of four stars and highlighted the film's "delightful wackiness" and stating, "It has the damnedest ingratiating way of making us sit there and grin at its harebrained audacity, laugh at its outhouse humor, and be somewhat moved (not deeply, but somewhat) at the poignancy of these two old men and their situation."^[6]

Sequel[link]

A film suggested in the credits for Bubba Ho-tep, Bubba Nosferatu: Curse of the She-Vampires, was discussed. In a DVD "making of" documentary, Coscarelli said this was originally intended as a joke; however, due to positive fan response to the film, a sequel was a possibility. He then went on to speculate he would like to make a sequel documenting the production of a 'lost' Elvis movie from the 1950s or 1960s. Bubba Nosferatu never entered production, though Bruce Campbell, Don Coscarelli and Paul Giamatti (as Colonel Tom Parker) were reportedly attached to the project.

In late August 2007, Campbell said he was no longer involved in Bubba Nosferatu.^[7] Joe Lansdale later confirmed that the project was dead.^[8]

On Oct. 30, 2008, Ain't It Cool News posted an exclusive interview with Paul Giamatti — still slated to appear as Colonel Tom Parker — in whch he said the movie Bubba Nosferatu is still alive. Giamatti said that Ron Perlman is "interested in playing Elvis."^[9]

On December 11, 2008, In an interview on the Cort and Fatboy Show Campbell stated that he will not be part of the film due to creative differences and writer changes.

During the Monster Mania Convention on March 14, 2009, Coscarelli stated that the film will likely be released sometime between 2010-2012. Don also said that future Bubba sequels may have different actors playing Elvis each time.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Bubba Ho-Tep at the Internet Movie Database
• Bubba Nosferatu at the Internet Movie Database
• Bubba Ho-tep at AllRovi
• Bubba Ho-tep at Box Office Mojo
• Bubba Ho-tep at Rotten Tomatoes