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January 19, 2007
AND SO, WE BID FAREWELL...
This is the second to last post on Kaiju Shakedown. As much as I've been the frontman for this blog, it also owes its existence to my editor, Alex Romanelli, who has fought the good fight behind the scenes, done a lot of heavy lifting that would have gotten my shirt dirty and who's built this blog with me from the ground up. Alex is moving on from Variety and I don't think it will be what he and I have always wanted it to be without both of us working on it, so I've decided to end it now rather than continue on without him.
For several years, Kaiju Shakedown has been Variety's most popular blog by some insane number that I can't even remember anymore and I want to thank everyone for participating - you've built this blog as much as I have. Thanks for all your posted comments, your links, your anonymous gossip and insider tips. You guys have made this blog what it is. I also want to send a special "thank you" to Al, Jennifer and a sharp-eyed reader in Hong Kong who have sent in more of these news items than I care to count, and Rhythm-X, RunningMan, Eliza Bennet and all the other regular posters on here.
I also want to thank everyone who sent in hate mail. I've been called un-American, anti-white, racist, anti-Christian, anti-Semitic, I've been invited to leave the country and threatened with physical harm both by anonymous weirdos and by people who work in the film industry. Thank you. I figure if folks like you don't like me, then I must be doing something right.
And so, like Godzilla and all the other kaiju, this blog looks down on the rubble strewn around its feet, picks some schoolchildren jam out from between its toes, then sadly turns and strides off majestically into the sea leaving the world of man behind as the sun rises in the distance and a synthesizer plunks out a melancholy tune.
Goodbye, and thank you. - Grady Hendrix
January 19, 2007 at 04:31 PM in News | Permalink
Comments
NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
What the hell, man?
You are a beacon of light man!
HK Entertainment Review is obviously not updated due to health issues from the owner (get well soon Sanney),
Love HK Film is GREAT but a daily-update-newsy-kind-of-blog
Twitch is great but sometimes too weird.
Dammit, who is going to hold the anti-Miramax torch alight?
Or at least provide comments where we can sound off on this kind of thing?
AAWWWW!
My weekend is ruined now.
Posted by: glenn | Jan 19, 2007 4:46:59 PM
I guess all things must end. And this was one of those good things that end. I'm sure I'll find my fill of Asian cinema news elsewhere. What I'll really miss is what made this specific blog great: the writing, the snark, Grady Hendrix.
But thank you, Grady, for all the good times. This has been one of my favorite blogs to read.
Posted by: Vincent | Jan 19, 2007 5:17:05 PM
I couldn't have had more fun working with you Grady, it's been the best. For all of the readers, thanks for contributing and making this blog the fun, lively thing it is. Variety will be keeping this blog up so you can continue to comment, talk among yourselves etc. And I'm sure if Grady crops up anywhere it'll be mentioned in the comments. Why not take the opportunity to look through the archives? There's two-years of prime Hendrix snark up here and I'm sure alot of you would enjoy reading some older gems. Cheers.
Posted by: Alex | Jan 19, 2007 5:23:33 PM
I am deeply saddened (and shocked) by this latest development. It's getting real tough locating good Asian cinema news. boohoo! Thanks for the good times, Grady.
Posted by: gurl | Jan 19, 2007 5:25:08 PM
I've never commented before, but I wanted to thank you for writing this blog; I've been a regular reader and this blog was one of my favorite sources for Asian film news (and great random images).
Posted by: johnjihoonchang | Jan 19, 2007 6:06:05 PM
I too wish the best.
I really enjoyed reading this blog.
Thanks.
Posted by: Brandon | Jan 19, 2007 6:10:36 PM
That's just tragic...
Posted by: exst | Jan 19, 2007 6:47:02 PM
"you are a good man, grady hendrix." godspeed!
Posted by: ed | Jan 19, 2007 7:05:35 PM
Thank you.
Posted by: nanu | Jan 19, 2007 7:18:50 PM
Damn, never posted on here before, but have been lurking for.....well, forever. I must have walked under a ladder, breaking a mirror, whilst a black cat strolled by, because this just adds another to the string of bad thing that have happened this week. Anywho, thanks for being here while you were. Sayonara!
Posted by: Brad | Jan 19, 2007 8:17:40 PM
Wow, that's a stunner. I have the utmost respect for your not wanting to continue under conditions that you find less than ideal, and your loyalty to Alex of course, but still it blows that you're closing up shop. I urge you to consider, like Godzilla, resurfacing elsewhere sometime in the future to wreak more verbal havoc. It's a shame to lose a distinctive and educated voice in a field of film criticism and discussion too often dominated by people who don't know what the hell they're talking about. But everyone must follow their own muse, and I wish you the best of luck following yours.
Posted by: Rhythm-X | Jan 19, 2007 8:48:15 PM
First Firecracker, now Kaiju Shakedown. This blows.
Posted by: robix | Jan 19, 2007 9:51:13 PM
please stay, is there anything we may do to help and or change your mind?
Posted by: ken | Jan 19, 2007 10:34:39 PM
For fans of Asian film, your site has consistently been one of the best and most unique sources of information available anywhere. I know I've been a mostly silent mainstay here, but I've enjoyed your commentary tremendously over Kaiju's existence. Here's hoping that you'll pop up somewhere else, maybe even under a guise of sorts that'll keep you stress free. Cheers.
Posted by: Rahat | Jan 19, 2007 11:44:55 PM
nice work grady. thanks. good luck.
Posted by: logboy | Jan 20, 2007 12:55:41 AM
Messrs Hendrix and Romanelli (what a great title for a new Stephen J Cannell cop show!):
Sincere thanks for all the hits you sent my way by referring to Ryuganji.net, and I hope your writing finds another cosy home on the information superhighway sometime before the next Godzilla movie.
Posted by: Don | Jan 20, 2007 4:07:42 AM
Major, major bummer.
Thanks very much for providing me was a lot of neat info, delivered in the most entertaining way possible. I eagerly awaited every update to this site, and its been one of my favorites for some time now.
Thank you for giving me a lot of fun and film geek cred. I appreciate very much.
Posted by: Max K. | Jan 20, 2007 4:07:55 AM
Wait a second there, Grady. Did I give you permission for this?!?
And here I thought we were just starting... I regret not having commented more.
I really hope that we're gonna be able to find you in another site. I would really miss my daily-dose of Hendrix turn-of-phrase. Please, if you're writing again, let us know.
Posted by: krivochein | Jan 20, 2007 5:28:36 AM
Awww...sorry to hear. Hope everything goes fine in ur life from now on, you know this blog will be much missed,
Posted by: Andy Lau Spain | Jan 20, 2007 5:43:40 AM
Bleh, what a bummer. One of my favorite daily stops on the web is gone. Going to miss your hilarious comments on the Asian film world. I think a Kaiju Shakedown book is in order.
Posted by: Pelle | Jan 20, 2007 6:12:41 AM
NO!!!! I just found this site like a couple of weeks ago and I have been loving it ever since. When I needed the dirt on the Dragon Dynasty discs, you were there. I only wish I could have found it sooner. It is tough to find a good site like this, you will truly be missed. Best of luck in the future and if you decide to start a new site please let us know.
Posted by: blacksunday78 | Jan 20, 2007 8:09:14 AM
Hi, Grady,
Thanks for this consistently hilarious and informative blog. There's nothing else like it out there, and it was great while it lasted. Please let us know if you end up blogging somewhere else. Thanks also to Alex for his unsung work behind the scenes. Good luck,
Josh
Posted by: Josh | Jan 20, 2007 8:46:00 AM
I second that 'nooooooooo!'. What? Whyyyyyyyy?!
Can we all come with you to Monster Island? ;)
Please consider starting a new blog. 'Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.', to quote the overplayed and annoying song. Don't be stubborn, Grady. :) Think of the baby seals!
Posted by: Screamingmimi | Jan 20, 2007 9:26:31 AM
And if anyone needs proof of why Grady should make a return somewhere, I direct you to this http://www.kaijushakedown.com/2006/05/bruce_lee_i_rev.html Quite possibly the most hilarious film review I have ever read.
Posted by: Screamingmimi | Jan 20, 2007 9:39:40 AM
Hey, sad to hear. I love this blog very much. Thanks for all the memories.
Posted by: Matt Schley | Jan 20, 2007 9:52:02 AM
Oh man, Grady-that's really too bad!
We'll miss your reviews, commentary, and everything else you put up here! I still fondly recall you e-mailing me back in the fledgling months of Kaiju Shakedown, and just wanted to thank you for everything! I will continue to fight the Canadian oppressors in your memory, and would like to second the hope that you can re-emerge somewhere on the internet!
Posted by: Five Venoms | Jan 20, 2007 11:33:35 AM
I think I speak for all of us, who all favors the asian blog and set it up as their homepage. If you're going to ever come back, please let us know! Thankyou grady. ^_-
Posted by: andrew trang | Jan 20, 2007 12:55:51 PM
Thanks for everything and come back soon!
Posted by: bobby | Jan 20, 2007 1:29:57 PM
I echo the 'this blows' esque comments. I love your snark Grady and it's always..always refreshing. KS will be missed. Good sites for regular news on HK and Asian films in general are hard to come by. All the best to you
Posted by: Chelle | Jan 20, 2007 2:40:56 PM
Best of luck to both you and Alex. I hope your writing appears elsewhere on the Web, and soon.
Posted by: Jason | Jan 20, 2007 3:15:56 PM
Shit... this was one of those sites that I checked twice a day (at least) for updates... We'll miss you Grady. Hopefully we'll see you some time in the future
Posted by: quadshock | Jan 20, 2007 3:34:14 PM
seriously, the only sites I read now for Asian film news are: twitch (amidst the weirdness) and genre films; Lovehkfilm -- my go-to for the past 5+ years -- thanks to Ross Chen's dilligence and vast review bank; monkey peaches for the odd tidbit from the Chinese press; and View from the Brooklyn Bridge which is not as updated as frequently as it was a few years ago but is still a very good source for HK and Asian reviews.
BUT...that said...This site was funny and witty and daily.
And those 3 qualities make all the difference.
AND having the Variety banner behind it made this site *seem* as if our mindless blathering about DVDs and disrepect by studios etc. was being heard or read by someone.
My list of sites to check daily first thing in the morning is dwindling now -- I might actually have to start working when I get to work!
Holy Crap!
Posted by: glenn | Jan 20, 2007 4:47:12 PM
this really really really really really sucks.
Fridays won't be fun anymore.
But thanks for the great times!!!! and the great blogs!!!!
Posted by: Vianne | Jan 20, 2007 7:11:09 PM
Your blog was the only "normal"-ish asian film blog I could visit at school (aside from the giant penis man on a bike picture). Thanks for all the great blogs, Grady. You did a good job.
Posted by: Brian | Jan 20, 2007 10:20:30 PM
Aw danggit, is this for real?? If you guys are really saying goodbye, then that's quite a shame. Kaiju Shakedown's been one of my faves for the past year and my blog-reading addiction just might subside without this site... =(
Thanks for all the amazing reviews, news pieces, and amazing tidbits. Please come back when you get the chance!
Posted by: Anthony | Jan 20, 2007 10:36:08 PM
I'm so sad! However, if you continue to give your insanely energetic intros at the NYAFF, I'll forgive you. It was great meeting you at the last one. Good luck with all your future endeavors!
Posted by: Seth | Jan 20, 2007 11:04:50 PM
Goddammit. God-fuckin'-dammit. Why?
The internet is flooded with information (and disinformation) on subjects covered here, but it's rare to find this blog's blend of genuine passion and smartass skepticism, solid insider information and fanboy blathering. (And reliable regular posting.) The loss of a distinctive and talented writing voice on the Internet is also something to mourn, whatever the subject matter. Grady, I'd be triply depressed about this if I didn't know that I'll be seeing you around NYC and reading your words (less regularly) in other venues.
I look forward to torturing out of you the details about the behind-the-scenes shenanigans that led to this (oh, and about those threats from industry insiders - Harvey said he was gonna break your kneecaps, didn't he?). Thanks for the chuckles, the knowledge and the great pictures.
Goddammit!!!
Posted by: Michael Wells | Jan 21, 2007 8:28:13 AM
Well C’EST LA VIE, MON CHERI! I guess we should always EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED but when life is so HARD BOILED some of us follow our INNER SENSES and go on a TREASURE HUNT to find a SAVIOR OF THE SOUL. And even though we feel like we just received A BULLET IN THE HEAD we should DREADNAUGHT for in this DUEL TO THE DEATH, MIRACLES do happen and WHERE A GOOD MAN GOES there’s always the chance for a BETTER TOMORROW.
All the best and many thanks,
Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer | Jan 21, 2007 11:00:25 AM
I wonder why Kaiju Shakedown is 'shaken down' despite its informativity and usefulness.
Posted by: nkw88 | Jan 21, 2007 12:05:43 PM
It's been fun. I'll miss your enthusiastic reviews which make me want to watch the movie immediately...and then I realize I've seen the movie and disliked it. You get me every time.....
Many thanks.
sbk
Posted by: sbk | Jan 21, 2007 2:45:14 PM
Grady, your voice will definately be missed on the web. I hope you will still come knocking up our way for TIFF, as I recall suffering beside you thru Seven Swords, and watching you gleefully enjoy Kirin Beer Product Placement in The Great Yokai War a couple years ago.
As many have indicated above, this leaves a large gaping hole in the web. Seriously.
Thanks.
KuRt.
Posted by: Triflic | Jan 21, 2007 8:28:08 PM
Damn. I have to talk to you in person to get news (yeah, I kinda am rubbing in the fact that I know Grady; sorry). That hurts.
You still write for the Sun, right? And....what else again?
Posted by: Simon Abrams | Jan 22, 2007 12:40:01 AM
Thanks so much Grady for the great blog...I've enjoyed reading it and am saddened to see it end. Please let us know if you ever choose to start another one, I'm sure that we'd be more than happy to follow you to wherever you end up. That said, I'm glad to hear about the Asian fest starting up again this summer and will once again be buying a lot of tickets. See you there at the event and best wishes in all your future endeavors.
Posted by: Al | Jan 22, 2007 6:13:01 AM
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