Happy birthday Big Ben

The world's most famous clock celebrates its 150th birthday today! Also it's important to remember that the name 'Big Ben' actually refers to the bell which resides in one of the UK's most iconic Landmarks.

Despite the clock starting on May 31st 1859, the great bell within didn't actually sound until a good six weeks later on June 11th. Regardless, the instantly recognisable sound has kept Londoners on-time for a century and a half. Must be hard working in London, you've no excuse to be late with that loud thing reminding you when it's the top of the hour. Excuses excuses indeed...

You'd be right to ask how this fits in this blog. Well back in 1961, Eugene Lourie (who brought us The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms eight years earlier) directed a British take on Godzilla movies called 'Gorgo'. While perhaps not as well none as the 1953 classic, Gorgo sees a sea monster's offspring captured and taken to London as a circus sideshow. Naturally, "Mama" Gorgo isn't happy about this and heads to London to get her kid back.

While ironically difficult to find in the UK, this movie is available on DVD in the US. Here however is cult TV show MST3K's take on Gorgo, specifically the scene in which Big Ben is destroyed just under two minutes into this clip. If you're unfamiliar with MST3K (or, Mystery Science Theatre 3000) then I hope this is a decent introduction, but I've provided a link below so you can find out more about this amazing (now sadly finished) show.

Gorgo on DVD - Amazon
MST3K Info - Wikipedia

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Mega Shark vs Giant Octopus

Yep, you read that right. A MEGA Shark fights a GIANT Octopus. According to the official site, this movie will by out by May 26th, 2009. It's also being made by the same people who brought us TransMORPHers, THE Terminators, and 30,000 Leagues Under The Sea. All wonderful rip-offs of similarly titled franchises.

Do we hate them for this? No way! Despite the absurdity of these kinds of movies, it's still fun to see what crazy stuff people will come up with next. I say keep them coming! Where else am I going to see a giant shark snap at the Golden Gate Bridge? Or better yet! A giant shark leaping-out-of-the-water-and-biting-an-airliner-in-mid-flight!

Check out the trailer below, followed by the epic airline scene.

Mega Shark vs Giant Octopus - Official Site

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Drink more milk, destroy cities better

Convincing kids that milk is more fun than soft drinks can be a tough sell. I love milk, but I have it in in tea more than anything. Also I'm talking about regular cow milk, none of that crazy stuff. Yak milk or whatever.

It turns out over sized lizards need to drink milk too, otherwise a trip to town can end up being really embarrassing!

The BC Dairy Foundation held an an online contest for users to submit their "must drink more milk" videos. Naturally, in a perfect example of what could be called "The Godzilla Rule." a Kaiju-based video was entered. It features, as mentioned above, a 'zilla style monster coming to town and realising he should have drunk more of the white stuff.

I've also included another "milk promotion meets dinosaur comedy" video. I was surprised to find more than one. I guess it's just another example of dinosaurs making everything better.

Must Drink More Milk - Official Site
BC Dairy Foundation - Official Site

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Guilala believes you can be rich like him

So if you're looking for a $100K+ job 'The Ladders' got your back! This ad features Godzilla wannabe, Guilala! Also known as ギララ or Girara. He first appeared in 'X From Outer Space' back in 1967, a perfectly ham-filled monster romp cashing in on the aforementioned King of the Monster's success.

However in 2008, perhaps in the wake of Coverfield's success in making people perhaps care a little more about monster movies, a remake ... or sequel, was made! I've not seen it as yet, but it does star Kitano 'Beat' Takeshi (seen in cult classic 'Battle Royale' & game show 'Takeshi's Castle') so I don't know why I've not bought a copy already.

Anyhoo! The Ladders group chose this big guy, as well as wee versions of him to illustrate the difference between the big and the little. The successful and the unsuccessful.

Perhaps a little ironic considering big money's harder to make these days. It might even be a little insulting to people earning $25K a year, or even $80K! They're after $100K+ champions baby! Not losers like myself, although I wonder what someone with the CV to earn a hundred thousand dollars a year would need from a 3rd party company to ensure they get the job? Surely if you're asking for that much 'dolla' your resume better be thick with success already.

The youtube account hosting this particular video must be official or something because they have little behind-the-scenes videos as well. These feature one of the smaller Guilala characters complaining about their less than staring roll. They're not very funny but harmless fun I suppose. I chose this one because it had swearing and I wanted to be edgy...

So there you have it! If you want more money you have to be a monster, rarr!

The Ladders - Official Site

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