|
Post by vanhagar3000 on Oct 15, 2005 13:21:25 GMT -5
506- Eegah CAST: Joel Hodgson, Trace Beaulieu, Kevin Murphy, Frank Conniff, and Jim Mallon. MST3K DIRECTOR: Joel Hodgson ORIGINAL AIRDATE: 8/28/93 DVD RELEASED: April 2000
Episode Review: This is classic MST3K. A cheesy movie that is burned to the hilt. The film is a 1960s caveman movie also featuring a scrunchy faced teen whose father produced the film with the intentions of making him an ugly Elvis like star. The film itself provides comedy of it's own, I saw uncut before I saw the MST3K version but MST3K takes it a step further as always. There are some classic lines in this one ("Watch out for Snakes!"). The host segments all tie in pretty well, especially one about all the single fathers on TV in the 1960s. Joel's invention is one of the best of the entire series in Porkorina. This episode is one that just typifies MST3K at it's best and hitting on all cylinders. *****
DVD Review: The video quality is excellent throughout. I would say it’s Rhino's best as far as video quality. As an extra they have Eegah uncut on the same side of the disc (see with double sided discs they CAN put 4 episodes on one disc and NOT lose video quality, hell this was their best). Not only that but you can move back and forth between the episode and uncut movie, as a little Crow pops up you can press your enter button to go to the movie for a cut scene. It doesn't however tell you when to go back, but if you've seen the episode enough you will know. The audio is mono, but I can't fault the Comedy Central episodes for that. This is probably Rhino's best overall offering of a DVD, so it gets an apt rating. *****
FINAL WORD: Well this was Rhino's first DVD and unfortunately it was all down hill from here. However this is a definite recommended purchase as Rhino really put effort into this one and it’s classic MST3K. (***** overall)
UP NEXT: Rhino’s release of 515- The Wild World of Batwoman
|
|
|
Post by samtaco on Oct 16, 2005 22:38:30 GMT -5
Awesome! Do another!! (if you feel like it)
|
|
|
Post by hsauertieg on Nov 16, 2006 1:15:06 GMT -5
Final Review Episode: ***** Video: **** Audio: ** Extras: DUD FINAL GRADE: 2.75
Comments: Wow, Rhino had a pretty good thing going until we got to the audio and extra part didn’t they? Rhino made a good episode choice, but couldn’t really follow up past that. I can’t give it too good of a grade.It seems odd to deduct stars/points because the audio track is monophonic. You can still hear everything very clearly. I don't know if the CC eps were broadcast in stereo; I know the SF eps were in stereo but this isn't the London Philharmonic we're talking about here - the movies are nearly always in mono because they're old, and the SF eps don't really utilize stereo for any important purposes. It just sounds "hi fi" until Mike & the Bots go into the theater and watch their monophonic movie.
|
|
|
Post by vanhagar3000 on Feb 22, 2007 15:00:14 GMT -5
Alright, I discarded my I Accuse My Parents review. I plan on doing this now, and doing all the DVDs I have. I will try and watch Batwoman tonight.
|
|
|
Post by notundercovercop on Feb 22, 2007 17:05:03 GMT -5
506- EegahFINAL WORD: Well this was Rhino's first DVD and unfortunately it was all down hill from here. However this is a definite recommended purchase as Rhino really put effort into this one and it’s classic MST3K. (***** overall) UP NEXT: Rhino’s release of 515- The Wild World of Batwoman QUIT BASHING RHINO
|
|
|
Post by Arizona Warwilf on Feb 23, 2007 9:14:55 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by vanhagar3000 on Feb 23, 2007 15:19:31 GMT -5
506- EegahFINAL WORD: Well this was Rhino's first DVD and unfortunately it was all down hill from here. However this is a definite recommended purchase as Rhino really put effort into this one and it’s classic MST3K. (***** overall) UP NEXT: Rhino’s release of 515- The Wild World of Batwoman QUIT BASHING RHINO You DO know it is five stars out of five? You know the rating that's the highest possible. Did you want me to give them ten thumbs up or something? I only say it was downhill from here, because this was by far their best offering and it was their first. I honestly, still don't see how you consider giving something a perfect rating "bashing." Are you from the parallel universe? Do you wear a beard? Does your counterpart? Are you from Bizzaro World? Is up- down? Is left- right? Or are you one of those dorks that come on MST boards only to defend Rhino and NEVER post anything else and thus bodering on being a troll (if you aren't one anyway)? From reading you eights posts, I believe this one. Though the mirror universe stuff would be pretty cool. If you don't like me bashing Rhino, I suggest you keep reading becuase it's only going to get better. ;D
|
|
|
Post by notundercovercop on Feb 23, 2007 22:46:37 GMT -5
I'm looking at the line "Down hill from here" Implying that the ratings will get worse and that the bashing of rhino will continue. And your about 40% right with that just coming to defend rhino. But then there arent many people here deffending them. You have to give them credit because tracking down these movie rights holders is pretty hard. Even if its public domain there still is the possiblility of frivilous lawsuits which still cost thousands of dollars. And seeing as how they have other musics and shows that they own which occupy their time I try to defend them
And yes The mirror universe would be cool
Truce?
|
|
|
Post by vanhagar3000 on Feb 24, 2007 13:44:38 GMT -5
You know, I really don't fault Rhino much anymore for the movie rights thing. It still bugs me somewhat when it looks like an obvious easy rights episode that's a classic (Santa Claus) hasn't been released but Hamlet has. It's the DVD quality now that bugs me. No stereo for the Sci-Fi episodes, and I'm sorry that I have to give a lower rating because of that, but any DVD reviewer would. Lack of special features is another thing. Then some of the DVDs have had terrible video quality. Even if it isn't Rhino's fault, their DVDs are still going to get a lower rating, because I'm not rating the company, I'm rating the product they release. Don't forget about that. Though I'm sure some things can be traced back to Rhino.
And yes, there a few of those who come to Rhino's defense, and ONLY come to Rhino's defense. We had Udvankory here for a while (but to be fair he also defended Hamlet), and we'll have other posters pop up.
I'm sorry to let you know, but I think Rhino ratings are going to get worse from here. Don't feel bad Rhino lovers, I'm over critical of a lot of things.
However, I will back off on saying you're a troll, since you did call for a truce, which is the exact OPPOSITE of what a troll would do. But I implore you, say something else about MST3K, why come to this board just to argue? What fun is there in that? Some I'm sure, but it's fun to discuss other aspects, and you can still argue, just with more people on your side.
I'll post Batwoman in a couple of minutes.
|
|
|
Post by vanhagar3000 on Feb 24, 2007 14:01:45 GMT -5
515- Wild Wild World of Batwoman With Short: Cheating CAST: Michael J. Nelson, Trace Beaulieu, Kevin Murphy, Frank Conniff, and Jim Mallon. MST3K DIRECTOR: Jim Mallon ORIGINAL AIRDATE: 11/13/93 DVD RELEASED: January 2001
Episode Review: This is something of a pivotal episode. As I see it, this is the episode Mike went from Joel-lite to the real Mike. In the previous two episodes, he felt like a guy trying to do what Joel was doing before, not the Mike we would come to love. This movie was probably the cause. It's a cheapie 60s Batman knockoff that had Batwoman and a bunch of her hot minions run around with little plot. It's just a movie that failed on all levels. It failed as comedy, it failed at being sexual, it failed at being exciting, it failed at acting, it just failed. I think it even failed Geometry it was so bad. This movie just pushed the riffing from the typical Joel era "ha ha, this is bad" to the more Mike era like "I hate you, this is so bad." The episode has some good riffing, but since there is a lot of comedy sometimes Mike and the gang can only use sarcasm as their weapon, which falls flat. The host segments are all pretty decent. They also do a good number on the "educational" short, Cheating, as they always do. It is really something to see Mike come into his own. I can't quite give a perfect rating because of some dull parts during the movie's "comedy", but it's still has a good amount of gutbusting laughs. ****1/2 [S: *****|M: ****1/2]
DVD Review: There is little to talk about with the DVD, other than they had the wrong theme music for the menu screens. (Joel’s) The audio track is mono as always, but this is Comedy Central so it’s a moot point anyway as they taped on mono. They did throw on WWOB as an extra feature, which isn’t much of a feature as there isn’t much cut out, plus it isn’t a movie that’s all that enjoyable. (Unless you have that high pain threshold for movies like I do,). The video isn’t quite at the level of Eegah, but it’s not bad or anything. I’m putting a little off for not being quite as good as some other DVD offerings that Rhino eventually put out. ****
Final Word: Four stars isn’t bad for this DVD. It’s a good DVD that won’t give you many problems, and the episode is something that should be watched. But be warned, it can get excruciating if you have a weak stomach for poor comedy. ****
NEXT: 517- Beginning of the End
|
|
|
Post by vanhagar3000 on Feb 26, 2007 21:38:19 GMT -5
517- The Beginning of the End CAST: Mike Nelson, Trace Beaulieu, Kevin Murphy, Frank Conniff, and Jim Mallon. MST3K DIRECTOR: Kevin Murphy ORIGINAL AIRDATE: 11/25/93 DVD RELEASED: January 2001
Episode Review: A classic b-movie is torn apart by the crew of the SOL in this episode. Beginning of the End is one film of many from Bert I. Gordon’s “Big Ol’ Thing” series, this time grasshoppers being the subject. It was a good episode with some good riffs throughout, and the episode is pretty even throughout as far as laughs. It wasn’t a perfect or even near-perfect episode, but it was still damn good and kept me entertained. The host segments were all pretty good, including a delve into the Mads personal life. All in all a very good episode. ****
DVD Review: Again, the brain trust at Rhino manages to put the wrong theme song for the disc menus. The only extra feature is the uncut movie, which is pretty cheesy by itself. The audio track was in recorded in mono and is released as such. The picture quality isn’t quite up to Eegah, but still very good. Not a bad DVD by any means, but Rhino could maybe have put a smidge more effort. ****
Final Word: It all evens out to four stars as the DVD and episode itself are somewhere between good and great. ****
NEXT: 424- “Manos” The Hands of Fate
|
|
|
Post by vanhagar3000 on Mar 3, 2007 14:11:14 GMT -5
424- “Manos” The Hands of Fate With Short: Hired!- Part II CAST: Joel Hodgson, Trace Beaulieu, Kevin Murphy, Frank Conniff, and Jim Mallon. GUESTS: Mike Nelson as Torgo MST3K DIRECTOR: Joel Hodgson ORIGINAL AIRDATE: 1/30/93 DVD RELEASED: November 2001
Episode Review: This episode is THE episode of MST3K. Mary Tyler Moore has “Chuckles Bites the Dust,” Seinfeld has “the Contest,” Star Trek has “The City on the Edge of Forever,” but we’ll always have Manos. THE episode might not always be the most popular or even best offering, there is always a group that will consider overrated, but no one can deny that Manos is synonymous with the show. There is a reason for this though, because it’s a hilarious episode. The movie is essentially the Rocky Horror Picture Show with a low budget, no transvestites, no musical numbers, and no intentional comedy. It however is a travesty on the screen as director (by trade a fertilizer salesman, too easy) Hal P. Warren makes even the most basic of mistakes. The boys of the SOL lap it up and tear the movie apart accordingly. There is also a short about selling Chevrolets, which is humorous especially the first scene containing the sales manager and his dad. This one is filled with observational humor and pop culture references. The host segments all fit the show, and Joel’s invention exchange was pretty original. There is a reason this episode is a classic, it’s not mass hysteria everyone follows, it’s just a funny episode and one of the best. There is a reason that this episode is considered the epitome of MST3K. ***** [S: *****|F: *****]
DVD Review: The DVD video quality is about as good as Eegah I would say. The soundtrack is again mono for Comedy Central, but we can’t hold that against them. The only extra feature on the DVD is the Poopie Reel. It’s a blooper reel from the first six seasons of the shows. The amount one would like it would be based on how much they can tolerate blooper reels. I enjoyed it, so I’ll give it a nod towards helping the DVD. I wish they would have put on as an extra Hired!-Part I from Bride of the Monster, as it’s hilarious and would help people who have never seen Bride of the Monster understand the short more. That and the one extra made the DVD lack something. ****½
Final Word: It’s classic MST3K with good video quality. The Poopie Reel doesn’t hurt either. I say it’s worth your time and money. ****½
NEXT: 512- Mitchell
|
|
|
Post by vanhagar3000 on Mar 3, 2007 14:12:49 GMT -5
I was wondering why I've gotten very little feedback. I'm guessing I've become something of a known Rhino basher and no one trusts this to be fair an balanced. But so far I've been pretty fair to Rhino. Granted Rhino doesn't get bad in quality until the box sets, but that's going to be fair too. Any feedback is good, I'm looking for even a "I read your reviews and ____ them."
|
|
|
Post by jjb3k on Mar 3, 2007 18:25:38 GMT -5
Well, if it's any consolation, I read your reviews and _____ed the hell out of 'em.
Nicely structured, consice, and entertaining. And I like the concept of reviewing the Rhino releases based on both the quality of the episode and the quality of the release itself, since it helps to pinpoint what Rhino's successes and shortcomings are. Keep it up!
|
|
|
Post by MSTie500 on Mar 4, 2007 1:16:51 GMT -5
Don't worry Van. It's more of the forum itself that your feedback problem originates from. I second jjb3k's assessment. You do a good job, keep it up. The reviews are highly enjoyable to read and I can't smell the slightest hint of overpowering bias that might taint your reviews. Nice job.
|
|