Sorry for the lack of postings but the month of June is usually full of G-FEST preparation and this June looks to be no different. If you haven't already made your plans for July 4th weekend, make them for the Crowne Plaza in Rosemont, IL.
All the info you need is on the G-FAN website.
You won't be sorry.
Details for G-FEST XVI being held at the Crowne Plaza in Rosemont, IL over the weekend of July 3nd-5th continue to be released. On the official G-FEST website, the movie lineup and convention schedule have been published. You will also be able to find hotel and other important information.
This year's show looks to be another great one.
By now, you've likely heard that YouTube is offering commercial supported video consisting of television shows and movies. While the selection isn't great, there are some interesting finds.
One in particular is Johnny Sokko and Giant Robot. Many of us watched Giant Robot on UHF back in the 1970s along with Ultraman and Space Giants. Giant Robot tells the story of Johnny Sokko and his over sized Robot friend taking on what else but giant monsters in Japan.
The selection isn't too huge at this point as the service is new but there is enough there to like to see the potential. This is just another example of streaming video on the internet at is giving many people pause about paying for cable or satellite television when they can just hook up their PCs to the TV and watch their favorite shows when and where they want.
For a taste of Giant Robot, go over to YouTube and watch the first five episodes.
When you're done with that, go over to AMC and check out their list of B-Movies including Invasion of the Neptune Men and War of the Colossal Beast.
Last up is Crackle, which has about a dozen Godzilla and Mothra movies. Crackle is owned by Sony so there are other examples of their tv and movie content for your viewing pleasure.
Robert Scott Field, our favorite android M-11 from
Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah
(1991) will be returning for his tenth consecutive G-FEST this summer at G-FEST XVI in Chicago. G-FEST XVI will be held July 3-5.
Scott (as we call him) will be doing his usual double-duties as a celebrity guest and as Japanese translator for our special guest, Kenji Sahara.
G-FEST XVI will be held at the Crowne Plaza O'Hare with movie screenings to be held at the Pickwick Theater. The movie line-up is still being formulated at this time. As soon as they are finalized, an announcement will be made.
WEEKEND ADMISSION
Adult – $40.00
Youth (15 and under) – $20.00
Child (5 and under) – FREE!
DAILY ADMISSION – Daily admission is all on-site, no pre-registration.
Adult – $25.00 per day
Youth (15 and under) – $10.00 per day
Child (5 and under) – FREE!
AWARDS LUNCHEON
Adult – $22.00
Youth and Child – $15.00
Films at the Pickwick Theater are $7.00 at the box office and cannot be pre-ordered. Room charges and parking are the responsibility of the attendees. (Parking for G-FEST attendees is $10.00 per 24-hour period.)
The hotel is 1.5 miles from the Chicago O’Hare Airport and offers to/from complimentary shuttle service. The train station to the City of Chicago is within walking distance.
The hotel contains a casual dining restaurant, deli/café, and a sports bar. Facilities include an indoor pool, sundeck, fitness center, sauna, whirlpool, game room, business center, and gift shop. The rooms feature work stations, AM/FM clock radios (some with CD players), hair dryers, coffee maker, iron and board, color television with free premium channels, and many other amenities.
Book your room anytime before June 16th, 2009 for the special G-FEST rate: Up to four person occupancy for $99.00 per night. Call the hotel directly at (888) 642-7344 and use the G-FEST ID code: GF9. Reservations can also be made on-line. Go to the Hotel’s reservation page. Enter your Check-In/Check-Out Dates, Number of Rooms and Guests, and click “Search Rooms”.
Come join the oldest and only North American Japanese giant monster convention!
Sony makes a Godzilla movie in 1998 that is not well received by fans but makes back its budget. It's now 11 years later and there is no talk of a remake or sequel.
Then movies like Street Fighter gets a sequel that rates only 6% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. In it's opening weekend, it pulled in $4.7 million.
In 2000, Sony dubbed the Japanese Godzilla 2000 into English and released it theatrically as a safety net for a possible actor's strike. It brought in $5 million opening weekend with no Hollywood stars and an audience made up mainly of theater goers paying kid's ticket prices. It's total domestic take was $10 million and it is a 56% fresh.
And there will probably be another Street Fighter film released before another Godzilla film. <sigh>
G4's Attack of the Show showed the M-Arts Hand Carved Wooden King Ghidorah on a recent episode. Want one? It's only $20 Grand plus shipping. C'mon, what are you waiting for?
The first guest of G-FEST XVI, the annual convention of North American Fans of Godzilla and Japanese monster films, has been announced. He is Kenji Sahara. Mr. Sahara is a solid actor from Toho's Golden Age whose career spans from the 1950s right through to the current decade.
Well known from his appearances in many of Toho's Godzilla films, he is most recognized for this starring roles in Rodan, Attack of the Mushroom People and War of the Gargantuas. This will mark his first appearance at G-FEST and first trip to a North America convention since 1997.
G-FEST XVI is being held Friday, July 3rd though Sunday, July 5th in Rosemont, Illinois. Registration for G-FEST XVI is now open for G-Fans interested in registering early, and saving some money. Register by mail with the printable form, or online with your PayPal account. Early bird registration is good up until February 28th, 2009, so book now to save!
It's nice to see Godzilla in the press, even if it doesn't involve a new film. This political cartoon by Bill Day appeared in newspapers yesterday.
No, it's not Gojira!!! Rob Hood has more info on the film.
A new Godzilla board game is upcoming. This is not a HeroClix type game but a complete board game with all required pieces in one box. The story above identifies Godzilla, Rodan, King Ghidorah and Gigan as confirmed monsters. No photos exist yet and it is still in the test phase.
Boardgamegeek has an initial playtest report.
Expected release is 2009.
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