Sci Fi History: King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962)

What could be better than a Godzilla film? A Godzilla film with King Kong! Toho Studios released this classic in 1962 and it remains the most successful Godzilla film to date. At this point, Godzilla remained a villain, so Kong emerged victorious after the climactic battle on Mount Fuji. For decades, rumors persisted that Godzilla won the Japanese version and King Kong the English version. However, this is incorrect. Toho Studios even announced Kong won the battle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_9dVE1dSOk

Sci-Fi History: Godzilla (1954)

Godzilla was a Japanese reaction to nuclear power. In 1945, the U.S. dropped two atomic bombs on Japan ending World War II. Memories of the attacks led Japanese writers to develop Godzilla. The monster became a metaphor for nuclear weapons. In the beginning, he was a destructive monster. However, Godzilla's popularity forced a change. In later films, Godzilla played the hero and sometimes defended humanity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKrj1ymJzmo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laJ7UCzCtV4

Hideki Matsui timeline

Born: June 12, 1974

1992: Drew 5 intentional walks in a High School game

1993: Joined Yomiuri Giants

Debut: May 1, 1993 (Yomiuri Giants)

1994: Won World Series

1996: Japanese League MVP

2000: Won World Series

2000: MVP

2002: Won World Series

2002: MVP

2002: Appeared in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla

2002: Signed with New York Yankees

Debut: March 31, 2003 (Yankees)

2003: Became first Japanese player with a postseason home run

2003: Yanks lose World Series to Marlins

2004: Yanks lose ALCS to Red Sox

2005: Yanks lose ALDS to Anaheim

2006: Set record for consecutive games to start a career (518)

2006: Yanks lose ALDS to Tigers

2007: 2000^th combined hit (Japan and USA)

2007: First Japanese player with 100 home runs

2007: Yanks lose ALDS to Indians

2009: Won World Series

2009: World Series MVP

2009: Signed with Anaheim

2010: Signed with Oakland

2011: Hit his 500^th combined home run

2012: Signed with Tampa Bay

2012: Retired

Accomplishments:

2009 World Champion

2009 World Series MVP

2x All Star

3x Japanese World Series Champ

9x Japanese All Star

3x Japanese MVP

3x Japanese All Star MVP

2000 Japanese Series MVP

Led league in games played: 3x

518 consecutive games to start his career (record)

Over 500 combined home runs and 2500 combined hits

.282 Average

Hit .300: 2x

Scored 100 runs: 3x

1253 hits

30+ doubles: 3x

40+ doubles: 2x

20+ home runs: 5x

31 homers (2004)

100+ RBI: 4x

.500 slugging: 2x

.822 OPS

Postseason: .312, 10 Home runs, 39 RBI, .933 OPS (11 series)

Sci Fi History: King Kong (1933)

King Kong first appeared in the 1933 film of the same name. The film pioneered stop motion photography, animatronics, and other special effects. King Kong is iconic for more than special effects. Skull Island, giant animals, the climb to the top of the Empire State Building, and the shockingly cruel death connected with audiences. The film led to sequels and remakes in 1976 and 2005. During World War I, the U.S. used Kong’s image to represent the Germans. Perhaps the most interesting take came from the Japanese whom matched Kong with Godzilla in a mega fauna death match. In the Japanese release, Godzilla wins. In America, Kong is the victor.

The finale:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grMo5-2Y5oc