In 1991, Anna Nakagawa (1965-2014) was a rising actress in Japan. That year, she was asked by Toho Co., Ltd., to star in the studio’s next G-film, Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991). Playing the part of Futurian Emmy Kano, Ms. Nakagawa became one of the most popular leading ladies in Western Godzilla fandom. While she … Continue reading WOMAN FROM THE 23RD CENTURY! Anna Nakagawa on Starring in ‘Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah’!
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THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET FIGHTER! Shinichi ‘Sonny’ Chiba Recalls His Japanese Sci-Fi Roles!
Shinichi “Sonny” Chiba is truly an actor who needs no introduction. This worldwide superstar has appeared in innumerable action films in both Japan and America, including Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill Vol. 1 (2003), Kinji Fukasaku’s The Yagyu Conspiracy (1978), and Shigehiro Ozawa’s The Street Fighter (1974). Mr. Chiba is also internationally recognized for his myriad … Continue reading THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET FIGHTER! Shinichi ‘Sonny’ Chiba Recalls His Japanese Sci-Fi Roles!
ON DIRECTING GODZILLA AND GAMERA! Shusuke Kaneko on Filmmaking the Kaiju Way!
Shusuke Kaneko is an acclaimed Japanese director who rose to prominence internationally in 1995 with the release of Gamera: Guardian of the Universe, a landmark kaiju film that still enjoys tremendous popularity around the world. Mr. Kaneko built on that worldwide success with Gamera 2: Attack of the Legion (1996) and Gamera 3: Revenge of … Continue reading ON DIRECTING GODZILLA AND GAMERA! Shusuke Kaneko on Filmmaking the Kaiju Way!
IMAGINATION UNLEASHED: An Interview with Keita Amemiya
Keita Amemiya has proven to be one of Japan’s most popular filmmakers. As the director of films such as Zeiram (1991), Mechanical Violator Hakaider (1995), and Moon of Tao (1997), Mr. Amemiya has amassed a following that few of his contemporaries can match. Mr. Amemiya answered Brett Homenick’s questions about his career in a 2007 … Continue reading IMAGINATION UNLEASHED: An Interview with Keita Amemiya
FLY ME TO THE MOON! Actress Elise Richter Recalls Toho’s ‘Battle in Outer Space’!
Philadelphia native Elise Richter moved to Japan in the 1950s with her family, but she could not have guessed that the experience would have led to a career in the movies. While she appeared in numerous films for various studios, Ms. Richter’s best remembered role is that of Sylvia in Battle in Outer Space … Continue reading FLY ME TO THE MOON! Actress Elise Richter Recalls Toho’s ‘Battle in Outer Space’!
I WAS A TEENAGE MOVIEMAKER! Donald F. Glut on His Kaiju-Related Projects!
Donald F. Glut has authored such books as The Dinosaur Scrapbook and Classic Movie Monsters and has directed films like Dinosaur Valley Girls (1996) and The Mummy‘s Kiss (2003), but he’s probably best known as an amateur filmmaker from decades past. Of particular note to Vantage Point Interviews readers, he was commissioned by Tsuburaya Productions … Continue reading I WAS A TEENAGE MOVIEMAKER! Donald F. Glut on His Kaiju-Related Projects!
REDESIGNING A LEGEND! William Stout on the Godzilla That Never Was!
William Stout, one of the world’s leading dinosaur and wildlife artists, was tapped in the early 1980s by director Steve Miner to storyboard his proposed film "Godzilla: King of the Monsters in 3-D." His credits in the sci-fi/fantasy genre include Conan the Barbarian (1982), Invaders from Mars (1986), Men in Black (1997), and Disney’s Dinosaur … Continue reading REDESIGNING A LEGEND! William Stout on the Godzilla That Never Was!
BIOMAJOR’S BEST! Derrick Michael Holmes on ‘Godzilla vs. Biollante’!
Derrick Michael Holmes (1958-2012) is known to Godzilla fans around the world as Biomajor spy Michael Low in Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989). But before he ever appeared in a Godzilla film, Mr. Holmes came to Japan in 1979 and worked as a dancer and DJ and later as a model. Mr. Holmes’ acting career began … Continue reading BIOMAJOR’S BEST! Derrick Michael Holmes on ‘Godzilla vs. Biollante’!
GODZILLA GETS TENURE! Actor Ronald Hoerr on His Professorial Roles in the Heisei Series!
Ronald Hoerr came to Japan in the 1960s with no ambition to become an actor, but he found himself working full-time as a TV and movie performer by the late 1980s and early '90s. Following his transition into the entertainment industry, Mr. Hoerr appeared in Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (1994) as Professor Alexander Mammilov and Godzilla … Continue reading GODZILLA GETS TENURE! Actor Ronald Hoerr on His Professorial Roles in the Heisei Series!
THE KING OF THE ANIME SINGERS! Ichiro Mizuki on His Live-Action Tokusatsu Tunes!
Ichiro Mizuki is often called The King of Anime Singers for his various contributions to the world of anime, but Vantage Point Interviews readers will know him as The King of the Superhero Singers. Mr. Mizuki's singing credits include: the opening and ending themes for Kamen Rider V3 (1973-74), Kamen Rider Stronger (1975), and Akumaizer … Continue reading THE KING OF THE ANIME SINGERS! Ichiro Mizuki on His Live-Action Tokusatsu Tunes!
Vantage Point Interviews 