Amy talks, slurps martinis, and just wants to go home. Oh, she's also a gorilla. A movie from the team behind Jurassic Park (well, except for that Steven guy) that begs us to consider who would win: a hundred gorillas or Laura Linney with a laser gun? Don't let Amy drink alone as we discuss outrageous accents, questionable plot devices, and the very niche subgenre of ape movies - the racially repugnant ones of the 1930s/40s and the curiously kooky ones from the 90s. We're not monkeying around wi...
Aug 09, 2025•1 hr 45 min•Season 5Ep. 150
Horror icon Peter Lorre reviews monster movies of the poverty row studios! Those B-movie scream factories of classic Hollywood churning out some of the best-worst movies ever made. But how is Mr. Lorre? Well, he's moved in with Matt, still subsists off of fishheads, and never comes out of his room... but what is he doing in there? Is that a glowing light emanating from under the door? What are those squaws and hisses? Is Peter okay, or has he gotten himself into more trouble? Listen now to find ...
Aug 02, 2025•1 hr 27 min•Season 5Ep. 149
Godzilla's on island time until Ebirah and Mothra crash the party, while a terrorist organization enslaves Infant Island natives for their nefarious plans. But before things get too serious, the jazz music, teen dance marathons, and wise-cracking safecrackers will keep this breezy flick rockin' and rollin'. Plus, discussions on director Jun Fukuda and the film's hidden themes with Godzilla scholar Beth Bredlau! Fresh off her Ebirah panel at GFEST XXX and successful Godzilla Days, we can't thank ...
Jul 26, 2025•1 hr 48 min•Season 5Ep. 148
Disney sold a flick to families about lycanthropy, black magic, Cold War espionage, and a dog literally driving a car - and it worked! Put your paws together for this movie that's so far-fetched, it'll have you howling for more. As the poster says, "a new kind of horror movie! Horribly funny!" Come on, dogs. Now that's a tagline. Thank you Patrick and Gays Do the D for your friendship and thank YOU all for listening! You can find Patrick's show in the links below. If you enjoy Camp Kaiju, please...
Jul 19, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Season 5Ep. 147
Fairy tales are transformed into wolfish nightmares as a young girl navigates burgeoning adolescence with help from her granny, amorous boys, and lots and lots of floofers. But beware - these pups have plenty of bite! So pull your little red hood tight and join us by the fire to discuss werewolves, severed heads, feminist folk horror and more. Big thanks to Naomi for doing so! Plus, Peter Lorre reviews the vampire film Dead Men Walk (1943). Thanks for listening, friends! We'll see you next time ...
Jul 12, 2025•1 hr 38 min•Season 5Ep. 146
Giant robots duel in gladiatorial combat to settle world disputes in this epic B-movie. Thrill at dashing heroes, nefarious villains, sick martial arts, and stop-motion effects that’d make Harryhausen proud. But why have so few seen this precursor to Pacific Rim? Put on your shiny jumpsuits and cowboy hats with returning hosts, Shawn Pryor and Sean Childers, as we discuss this cinematic Saturday morning cartoon. Plus, Peter Lorre reviews the Bela Lugosi zombie-gangster film Bowery at Midnight (1...
Jun 28, 2025•1 hr 51 min•Season 5Ep. 145
Surprise! The mayor of Bloomington, Indiana has decreed it Godzilla Day! All thanks to Beth, who's organized an entire Godzilla Weekend with screenings at the historic Buskirk-Chumley Theater. We're honored to have her talk about this gargantuan celebration, her upcoming panel at G-Fest XXX, her passion for Jun Fukuda, Mothra, kaiju baked goods, and more. Please check out all the details in the links below. Reach out if you have any questions! Thank you all for listening! If you enjoy Camp Kaiju...
Jun 21, 2025•58 min•Season 5Ep. 144
He's a lean, mean, jolly green giant with the powers of... the swamp! Wes Craven delivers a comic book flick with mutants, evil geniuses, and lots and lots of fog. Does this slimy superhero rise from the muck or is he best left in the greenhouse? Plus, discussions on the superhero genre, Wes Craven's career, slime wipes, and the anatomy of a plant man. You know what they say, what happens in the bayou stays in the bayou! Then, Peter Lorre reviews The Mad Monster (1942) - a werewolf film like non...
Jun 14, 2025•1 hr 40 min•Season 5Ep. 143
The debut of that other Big G - Gamera! And that's with one "M", before you forget and wind up on the roasting end of his fire breath. Or maybe you'd prefer the Toshio approach to certain death: ignore every warning and run straight toward the rampaging kaiju. Honestly, who's watching this kid? YOU are! As you thrill at a movie that may have started as a Godzilla knock-off, but proved it had jet legs all of its own. Along the way, we discuss the American "Gammera", MonsterVerse news, horror awar...
May 31, 2025•1 hr 39 min•Season 5Ep. 142
You haven't lived until you've seen this erotic, sci-fi thriller about a team of scientists hunting an alien with one thing on her mind: procreating with every hunk she comes across. We ain't sayin' its high class; in fact, we might even use the word tawdry. But it's busting at the cocoon with cheesy lines, campy effects, and questionable decisions. Thrill as you watch an A-list cast battle a most fearsome foe (a poorly written screenplay?) in this 90s cult classic. Then, Peter Lorre reviews the...
May 17, 2025•1 hr 40 min•Season 5Ep. 141
The Martians are coming! Don't trust anyone! So it goes when a young boy descends into a nightmare of tentacled alien heads, mind-controlled parents, and Martians in green pajamas. And it's all shot in surreal, colorful imagery. Grab your telescopes, get in your tank, and cover your necks - we're digging into this seminal, yet underseen, sci-fi film that influenced the likes of Spielberg, Scorsese, Dante, Cameron, and more. Then, if that wasn't enough, Peter Lorre trims his lilacs on the Poverty...
May 03, 2025•1 hr 38 min•Season 5Ep. 140
Greetings Beast Folk. Welcome to Dr. Moreau's island. Don't drink the water, kill the rabbits, or even pretend to memorize your lines. Such was the case with this film's two powerhouse leads: Marlon Brando and Val Kilmer. You can literally see their egos taking over and ruining everyone's time. Forbidden Planet anyone? Not to mention the on-set witchcraft, the world’s smallest man (inspiring Austin Powers’ Mini-Me!), and ice bucket hats. Truly, this is a film everyone should see to believe. So d...
Apr 19, 2025•1 hr 45 min•Season 5Ep. 139
Surprise! We're teleporting to another time when Matt and Vincent first started talking monster movies. It's their first episode together! We discuss David Cronenberg's The Fly, about a scientist who becomes fused with a housefly with disastrous results. There are also baboons, acid vomit, and extreme arm wrestling. It's a good time. Plus, Vincent gives a rundown on all the other Fly movies out there with the likes of Vincent Price, B-movie body horror, and a hamster with human hands. More good ...
Apr 05, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 5Ep. 138
Or, Mothra vs. Godzilla; or, Mothra vs. Battra; or, Mothra and Battra vs. Godzilla. No matter the name, it's a kaiju smackdown with Mothra protecting the earth and Godzilla doing what he does best - causing trouble. Enjoy this Heisei flick featuring a beautiful Ifukube score, the delightful Cosmos, and the villainous Battra. It's MOTHRA MARCH MADNESS ya'll! Plus, some extra material from Dracula's Daughter with Naomi, and Peter Lorre's review of King of the Zombies (1941) on the Poverty Row Pict...
Mar 22, 2025•1 hr 33 min•Season 5Ep. 137
Drac's dead but his daughter very much wants to live. She seeks a cure for her bloodlust but thanks to the terrible men in her life, realizes happiness might lie in embracing her true vampiric nature. If you're thinking this sounds like a metaphor for sexual identity, you are correct. This Universal Monster movie explores LGBTQIA+ themes in groundbreaking, and problematic, ways. Plus talk on cinematic Garths, bow ties, and more. Then, Peter Lorre reviews a Bela Lugosi debacle called Invisible Gh...
Mar 08, 2025•1 hr 48 min•Season 5Ep. 136
Leave the pups at home, we're bringing the Hard R to Camp this week. We discuss Kevin Smith's Tusk , about a psycho who turns Justin Long into a heinous meat-suit-wearing walrus. You'll either love or hate this movie and that's part of the fun! Fun? Well, morbidly fascinating at least. Along the way we cover the joys of Smith's filmography, the pains of poutine, and if Johnny Depp's casting was a Cana-do or a Cana-don't. Plus, Peter Lorre gets his groove back reviewing the Bela Lugosi camp film,...
Feb 22, 2025•1 hr 39 min•Season 5Ep. 135
The one where Godzilla goes to space, the one where Godzilla dances, the one where Godzilla and Rodan are mind-controlled by a race of leather-clad aliens from Planet X and, along with King Ghidorah, are sent to destroy humanity. Whoa. It's a sci-fi romp with Ishiro Honda doing his best to keep the wheels on track. Does he succeed? Put on your Xilien visors, hitch up your pants, and climb aboard this little model rocket ship to find out! Plus, we honor the late David Lynch, pay tribute to Nick A...
Feb 08, 2025•1 hr 37 min•Season 5Ep. 134
Behold the film that smashed its way into pop culture's radioactive kaiju heart, inspiring Godzilla and an entire genre! Not to mention putting Ray Harryhausen and Ray Bradbury on the map - two dino-nerds who changed science fiction forever. Plus, we discuss the Six Degrees of Beast , with its connections to Psycho, Jean Renoir, and the Man with No Name trilogy; then we get into a fight about The Valley of Gwangi. THEN, Peter Lorre returns with the premiere of "The Poverty Row Picture Show". THE...
Jan 25, 2025•1 hr 33 min•Season 5Ep. 133
An encore presentation of Peter Lorre's dive into the horrors of silent cinema! Revisit the unforgettable moments of this legendary actor's fight for eternal peace after Matthew and Vincent force him into a devil's bargain to review silent movies for a return to the afterlife! You'll relive all your favorite moments - Pierre the wily rodent! The beloved bucket of fish heads! The inexorable descent into madness! Marvel at Mr. Lorre's reviews of the following classics: The Phantom of the Opera (19...
Jan 11, 2025•1 hr 39 min•Season 5Ep. 132
We're celebrating the past and ringing in the future! Joining us in the ho-ho-horror are past guests Naomi Osborn, Patrick Kozicky, Frank Olson, and Mike Swan. Together we play Camp Kaiju trivia and reveal the SEASON 5 LINEUP! What 12 titanic titles (January-June) will Matt and Vincent choose? Find out now! And thank YOU for your continued support and listenership. If you have any thoughts about our picks, please let us know! We'll see you in 2025 and until then, stay campy. If you enjoy the pod...
Dec 28, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 4Ep. 131
The holiday monster movie is as much a tradition as mistletoe and holly. But Krampus, Santa Jaws, and Jack Frost can’t hold a candle to Gizmo and Co. Looney Tunes meets It's a Wonderful Life when a small town is overrun by malicious gremlins, plunging our heroes into a winter wonderland of hell. Thanks for joining the conversation as we discuss the legendary cast and crew, perplexing themes, and how the special effects were frightening enough to inspire the PG-13 rating. Then, Peter Lorre fulfil...
Dec 21, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Season 4Ep. 130
It's inner city vs. outer space when London street urchins battle monsters from another world. Starring John Boyega (in his first feature!), impressive creature effects, and borderline unintelligible slang, this film gives new meaning to the British Invasion. Best of all, Frank Olson returns (see Troll 2 , Rodan, and more) to lend his thoughts; plus, Peter Lorre reviews Lon Chaney in The Unholy Three (1925). Thanks for joining us, friends! If you enjoy Camp Kaiju, please leave a rating and revie...
Dec 14, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Season 4Ep. 129
We give thanks for Godzilla's 70th anniversary! We're talkin' Toho's latest G-flick about war, trauma, family, and how to fall from Godzilla's mouth into the water, dry off completely, and then survive the blast of an atomic explosion. In short, is this already a classic or mere Oscar bait? Plus, Naomi shares her experience hearing director Takashi Yamazaki at Comic Con, including his thoughts on any sequel(!). Then, Peter Lorre reviews The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923). Thank you for listening...
Nov 30, 2024•1 hr 30 min•Season 4Ep. 128
Author Shawn Pryor joins us to discuss his new book, and whaddyaknow, he loves talkin' monster movies as much as we do! We get REAL nerdy on this one. Ever hear of the tokusatsu show, VR Troopers ? Well, you will. That’s just one example of the rich kaiju legacy in film, comics, toys, video games, and more. Thank you for joining us as we share our passion for Godzilla and all his friends (even Reptilicus gets some love!). As Shawn says, "there's a Godzilla for everyone". Ain't it the truth. Than...
Nov 22, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 4Ep. 127
When New Yorkers go berserk, one cop must unravel the divine alien conspiracy behind it all. Along the way, he'll uncover a mystery that leaves you with waaay more questions than answers. Larry Cohen, the director behind "It's Alive" and "Q", delivers another weird one - mind control, vaginal orifices, Sylvia Sydney, Blaxploitation, and so much more. Plus, the latest monster movie news and a Minya’s Mailbox not to be missed. Then our one true god, Peter Lorre, returns to review 1920's Dr. Jekyll...
Nov 16, 2024•1 hr 27 min•Season 4Ep. 126
It's a crossover episode all about Marvel’s infamous monster misfire. Vampires may be immortal, but does this one deserve it? Hey, it’s a great excuse to chat horror comics, Blade, and the bloodsucking bovine known only as Hell Cow. Welcome to “Magic & Monsters”, a new series from Camp Kaiju and Gays Do the D: Disney Podcast exploring the monstrous films of the House of Mouse. It's morbin' time, ya'll. (And stick around at the end for a sneak peek into our next episode!) Thank you for listen...
Nov 02, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Season 4Ep. 125
The werewolf film that started it all: full moons, silver weapons, wolfsbane. Yeah, this wolf is the man. And his hair is perfect too. Helping us out is Universal monster aficionado Brian Rodriguez of Instagram's @UniMonsters; we discuss Chaney wrestling a bear, Curt Siodmak's psychoanalysis, and if this is the most tragic of the Universal Monsters. Plus, we continue our Trivia That Challenged the World and hear from Peter Lorre as he reviews F.W. Murnau's Faust. Thank you for listening, friends...
Oct 26, 2024•1 hr 37 min•Season 4Ep. 124
Heads roll (12 to be exact!) in this must-see monster movie about a rampaging mutant lizard in Chicago's Field Museum. It's a throwback creature feature with some premo Tommy Wiseau-level acting, dubious '90s CGI, medulla oblongatas, and more. Along the way we discuss A Nightmare on Elm Street 2 , killer machine movies, Megalopolis, and get a call on the Kaiju Hotline. Then, Peter Lorre reviews Metropolis with Pierre and a bucket of fish heads. Thanks for listening, friends! We had a ball record...
Oct 19, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Season 4Ep. 123
Gladiator apes! Renaissance apes! Apes playing baseball! Sadly, none of these ideas made it into the film we got, where Mark Wahlberg crash lands on a planet of... apes... and leads a rebellion. We discuss the bizarre production journey of Tim Burton's infamous entry of the famed franchise, and welcome Naomi to help us out! Plus, Peter Lorre is back to review The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari . Thanks for listening, friends. If you like the show, please leave a rating and review; leave a comment at ...
Oct 05, 2024•1 hr 31 min•Season 4Ep. 122
Killer brains are on the loose and only the Army can stop them now! Or, at least deny their radiation tests had anything to do with it. Oops. Welcome to the squishy, squelching world of this ‘50s sci-fi romp - it ain't exactly a thinker, but you don't have to be a brainiac to enjoy these "mental vampires"! Thanks for listening, friends. If you like the show, please leave a rating and review; leave a comment at campkaiju@gmail.com , campkaijupodcast.com , Letterboxd...
Sep 21, 2024•1 hr 26 min•Season 4Ep. 121
