Post by Torgo on Mar 22, 2010 17:26:09 GMT -5
I'm kinda obsessed with official MST releases at this point in my fanhood. Nothing more awsome than getting a new set of random eps and reliving the magic. I haven't seen all the eps, but I intend to. While I once in a blue moon buy a bunch of eps on the trader's market, I want to get as many officially licensed ones as possible.
God I love those words. Say it again...sesually...
Official licenssssssssssssssse.
Oooh, my naughty bits just tingled!
My aim is to one day make my own box sets, 6 to 24 disc sets. Cramming them full of official DVDs and whatever fan copies to fill in the holes. Custum made covers, extras list (for discs that actually have them), the works. I don't know how I'm going to do it, but it seems like a fun project to partake upon, should I hold a giant wad of cash in my hands, one day.
Anyway, the genesis of this thread was me thinking about starting another one of those "Rank the MST volumes" thread, but I decided to give it a bit more pizazz! Lets rave and rant about all of them! List volumes with your fave, those with ones you dispise, and even the ones that have both! Rank sets by episode favorites, extra content, you name it. Have some fun, people!
I'm going to do this ala episode quality, methinks. It's been a while since I played with episode rankings. I'm a bit rusty.
Idividual releases:
1. Eegah
A high and mighty favorite of mine has a special place in my heart since it was the first non-Sci-Fi episode I had ever seen (not including MST3K: The Movie, which means it was also my introduction to Joel and Frank).
Great ep. Really funny riffing, goofball of a movie, and smart segments.
Evaluation: Classic!
2. Mitchell
Hearts' poundin'! Veins' cloggin'! Joel's last episode is a top notch one! Grimmy, ugly, and unwatchable, the movie is given a good spanking in Joel's big farewell party. One of the must sees of MSTiedom for more than one reason.
Evaluation: Classic!
3. "Manos" The Hands of Fate
Another Joel ep makes the top of this list. The legendary double dip episode itself!
Manos is a tortured soul of a movie. Watching it is like watching the damned wail for an hour and a half. The crew challenge it like boxers in championship match and come out on top.
I'd reccommend buying it in the Essentials two pack. It's a better value as it includes an episode that wasn't released by itself.
Evaluation: Classic!
4. The Beginning of the End
Probably my favorite Mike episode for sale individually (I favor Mike over Joel, honestly, though), and this is a strong one. Goofy, watchable 50's sci-fi cheese and a lot of ribbing from the crew. Lot's of fun!
Evaluation: Good
5. I Accuse My Parents
Sha-CUSE!!! Joel gets another winner in this dreary drama from an era of film that had too many of them. Too bad some of the better ones didn't give this movie tips.
Solid riffing makes this a fun outing. Worth watching many a times!
Evaluation: Good
6. The Brain that Wouldn't Die
Mike's first isn't as good as Joel's final, but it's a rock solid episode for those of us who are interested in seeing how his first experiment went. He does well against this sour 50's sci-fi that hates the world, and even gets in some of the best quips.
Evaluation: Good
7. Red Zone Cuba
I've only watched this once, and that was years ago, so it's spot on the list is more of an estimation than anything. I remember laughing quite a bit as Mike and the bots take on Coleman Francis's masterwork. The other two would later be included in collections (volume 1 and 18 to be exact.
Evaluation: Good
8. Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie (AKA This Island Earth)
I used to adore this movie quite a bit, as I watched it more it fell a bit from grace. It's probably attributed more to the fact that I've watched it so much than it's actual quality.
The watchable This Island Earth is chopped to bits in editing, resulting in a confusing mess. The crew get some marvelous playtime with it in spite of it, making the film as a whole an amusing affair.
I expect that the second release of the film, from Rogue Pictures, is the better one, seeing how it's presented in animorphic widescreen, making this the only MST friendly to widescreen TVs. Though if the original disc had a chapter selection on it's menu, that might have been it's tiny glimmer of light over the second release.
Evaluation: Good
9. Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (AKA The Essentials)
I gotta honestly say that I prefer this episode over the Cinematic Titanic redo. I know I'm in the minority, but I feel this one has more charm.
Charmingly goofy movie with some fun, spirited riffing makes this one a winner.
Only available in the Essentials two-pack, but I have to say I count it as a single release, since the fellow film, Manos, was released earlier. I tend to think of Manos as a bonus feature. Copies ordered directly from Rhino included Shorts Volume 3, adding to the value of the set. I didn't take that offering and I'm Shortsless. I don't really mind, though, since all the shorts are available by simply obtaining the episodes the were tacked on with.
Evaluation: Good
10. The Wild Wild World of Batwoman
This early Mike episode has a fantastic short and brilliant host segments...coupled with a tepid and tedious feature that is attacked with riffing that's so so at best. I want to think more highly of this episode, and sometimes I even do, but it's nothing compared to what it probably could have been.
Evaluation: Average
11. The Hellcats
Like Red Zone Cuba, I only watched this episode once a few years ago. Hearing the horrible things about it, I prepared for the worst, and got something decent. This is far from the worst episode in MST history. However, the stronger titles available make it one of the weaker single disc releases, as well.
Evaluation: Average
12. The Crawling Hand
It's almost inevitable that the season 1 episode was stuck at the bottom of the list. Kind of a shame, since it's a fairly decent one. Not fantastic, but is reasonably successful at it's season 1 vibe.
Evaluation: Average
As you can see, I find most of the single releases pretty good and well worth owning. On to the collections! In this section, I'm using math to root out the better sets from the weaker ones. Each evaluation is given a number...
4 - Classic!
3 - Good
2 - Average
1 - Below Average
0 - Poor
The number will be added up and divided by four to designate a rating for each set. In the event of a tie, the set with the episode I consider the strongest will win.
Collected Volumes:
Volume 1
This set includes three fairly strong episodes and one that I'm less than enthusiastic about. I rather enjoy the Mike episodes on this set, but the single Joel episode, Catalina Caper, is a bummer.
Bloodlust!: Classic!
Catalina Caper: Below Average
The Creeping Terror: Good
The Skydivers: Good
Average Rating: 2.75
Volume 2
I wish I can rate this collection higher, but the fact is that it contains my least favorite episode of the series, Pod People. I also must say that the shorts selection in Shorts Volume 1 is mixed at best. The one saving grace of the set is Cave Dwellers, which is an all-time favorite.
Angels' Revenge: Average
Cave Dwellers: Classic!
Pod People: Poor
The Home Ecconomics Story: Below Average
Junior Rodeo Daredevils: Poor
Body Care & Grooming: Good
Cheating: Classic!
A Date with Your Family: Good
Why Study Industrial Arts?: Good
Chicken of Tomarrow: Good
Shorts Volume 1: 2.429
Average Rating: 2.107
Volume 3
Much like Volume 2, my reaction to this set is mixed. One good episode, one dud, and one near dud. Luckily, the shorts selection of Shorts Volume 2 is a lot stronger. But that doesn't save the volume. The inclusion of the Unearthly just shoots it in the head.
The Atomic Brain: Below Average
The Sidehackers: Good
The Unearthly: Poor
Catching Trouble: Good
What to Do on a Date?: Classic!
Last Clear Chance: Classic!
A Day at the Fair: Good
Keeping Clean & Neat: Good
The Days of Our Years: Average
Shorts Volume 2: 3.167
Average Rating: 1.792
Volume 4
Rhino dips into the waters of the Sci-Fi era! There is no Joel or Trace to be found anywhere on these waters! Luckily I became a fan during the Sci-Fi era, and these episodes became a group of my beloveds. Volume 4 unfortunatly includes the underappreciated Hamlet, which might bump it down on quite a few scales. I've never hated Hamlet, and that opinion isn't going to change anytime soon.
Girl in Gold Boots: Good
Hamlet: Average
Overdrawn at the Memory Bank: Good
Space Mutiny: Classic!
Average Rating: 3
Volume 5
Rhino continues their Sci-Fi-athon with another fun set that triggers a lot of my teenage memories. This one lacks a Hamlet to bring it down, but the result is primarily the same.
Boggy Creek II: And the Legend Continues...: Good
Merlin's Shop of Mystical Wonders: Good
Time Chasers: Classic!
The Touch of Satan: Average
Average Rating: 3
Volume 6
This is an enjoyable batch of episodes, without being too impressive. Two good episodes and one that's almost good. Mr. B's Lost Shorts is a good time killer, but just as average as the rest of the set. The highlight of the set is the classic acid trip of a short Design for Dreaming. Too bad the rest of the episode, 12 to the Moon, wasn't included.
Attack of the Giant Leeches: Average
Gunslinger: Good
Teenagers from Outer Space: Good
Mr. B Natural: Good
X Marks the Spot: Good
Hired! Part 1: Average
Design for Dreaming: Classic!
Johnny at the Fair: Average
Are You Ready for Marriage?: Good
Mr. B's Lost Shorts: 2.833
Average Rating: 2.708
Volume 7
My favorite episode of the series and one of my least. At lease we can't say that Rhino didn't shake things up? Two great Hercules episodes complimented the set. Too bad that one crappy episode has to kill my high.
The set also includes 3 bonus shorts, including the never before released on any official medium Assignment: Venezuela. Also includes two of the three Sci-Fi era shorts Century 21 Calling..., and A Case of Spring Fever. If I added these to the final grade of Killer Shrews (the disc they're on) I would definatly rate it higher. They're probably the only thing keeping me from throwing it away.
Hercules Unchained: Good
Hercules Against the Moon Men: Good
Prince of Space: Classic!
The Killer Shrews: Poor
Average Rating: 2.5
Volume 8
Good mixed in with the mediocre. Two cheesy episodes vs. two dull-ish ones. This set has it's moments, and it's not weak by any means. Ultimatly, the unspecialness of the episode selection makes it equal to the previous set.
Hobgoblins: Good
The Phantom Planet: Good
Monster A Go-Go: Average
The Dead Talk Back: Average
Average Rating: 2.5
Volume 9
Wow! A season 1 episode! Aw damn. It's not Untamed Youth.
A couple of stale episodes bring down the high points of two really good ones. However, I will say I like the mixture here. One episode from each set of riffers the show had ever had!
Women of the Prehistoric Planet: Below Average
Wild Rebels: Below Average
The Sinister Urge: Good
The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies: Classic!
Average Rating: 2.25
Volume 10
Godzilla vs. Megalon?!?!?!?!?!?! That's too good to be true!
Unfortunatly it was, and the set was pulled mere months after it was released. I was one of the lucky ones to pick it up. Good episode mix despite a bumpy entry make this one a step up from the previous volumes but not quite worth the astronomical used prices on it.
Godzilla vs. Megalon: Good
Swamp Diamonds: Average
Teen-Age Strangler: Good
The Giant Spider Invasion: Good
Average Rating: 2.75
Volume 11
There's some fun stuff to be had here, and some less than so. I'm used to the mixture of the strong and the weak on the Rhino sets though, so this one is no surprise.
At least we got some Lon Cheney Jr. awsomeness!
Ring of Terror: Poor
The Indestructable Man: Good
Tormented: Good
Horrors of Spider Island: Good
Average Rating: 2.25
Volume 12
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...Oh what, I'm sorry? Oh, that's right I'm doing this.
A group of episodes that bore me to tears. One of which I haven't watched all the way through. I intend on fixing that some day. Just not right now.
The Rebel Set: Average
Secret Agent Super Dragon: Poor
The Starfighters: Below Average
Parts: The Clonus Horror: Below Average
Average Rating: 1
Volume 10.2
Rhino's appology. Considering they paid to bring Joel, Trace, and Frank back to film an intro for it, I'd say it's a damn good one.
Basicly the same as Volume 10, but with Giant Gila Monster in Godzilla vs. Megalon's place. The inclusion of Gila Monster makes the set much weaker, however. Between this set and the last, it was a very disappointing note to go out on.
For those of us who purchased Volume 10 in it's first run, Gila Monster was available on Rhino's website.
Giant Gila Monster: Average
Swamp Diamonds: Average
Teen-Age Strangler: Good
The Giant Spider Invasion: Good
Average Rating: 2.5
20th Anniversary Edition
Shout Factory exploded on the MST scene with this little number, full of the special features MSTies craved, and a group of episodes that didn't really seem to represent the 20th Anniversary celebration that Shout was putting on. Excluding Laserblast, of course, which was Trace's final appearance on the show.
The episodes are fairly good if you give them a chance though. The single Joel ep being the only loser in the bunch.
First Spaceship on Venus: Below Average
Laserblast: Good
Werewolf: Classic!
Future War: Good
Average Rating: 2.75
Volume XIV
Shout starts handing out season 1 episodes by the handful. The first of four more sets with a season 1 ep in a row is right here!
The sparsness of season 1 brings down the gread of three fantastic outings for the crew. However, even when taking Mad Monster into consideration, this is still the strongest MST3K set yet made.
Mad Monster: Average
Manhunt in Space: Classic!
Soultaker: Classic!
Final Justice: Good
Average Rating: 3.25
Volume XV
Shout follows the solid XIV with one that is almost as good, but not quite. Two great episodes coupled with two middlings. It's hard to not be a little disappointed, but beggers can't be choosers.
Robot vs. the Aztec Mummy: Average
The Girl in Lover's Lane: Classic!
Zombie Nightmare: Classic!
Racket Girls: Average
Average Rating: 3
Volume XVI
Solid, yet a set that doesn't prompt much enthusiasm in me. Came with a little Servo toy though! And the alternate Turkey Day version of Blood Beast made my day.
The Corpse Vanishes: Average
Warrior of the Lost World: Good
Santa Claus: Good
Night of the Blood Beast: Good
Average Rating: 2.75
Volume XVII
The latest to fill my collection shelf! Episode selection could have been stronger though. The only real standout being Final Sacrifice, which fans have been waiting ages for. The Crawling Eye, the first national episode produced, is another fun one. I never thought I'd see the day when a season 1 episode could be considered upper half material on an MST volume, though. The inclusion of Blood Waters of Dr. Z makes this one Shout's weakest release, though.
The Crawling Eye: Good
The Beatnicks: Average
Final Sacrifice: Good
Blood Waters of Dr. Z: Below Average
Average Rating: 2.25
Volume ranking:
XIV
4
XV
5
20AE
1
10
XVI
6
7
8
10.2
9
XVII
11
2
3
12
OK. I'm done typing. I believe my boredom has been quelled for the day. Feel free to join in, everyone!
God I love those words. Say it again...sesually...
Official licenssssssssssssssse.
Oooh, my naughty bits just tingled!
My aim is to one day make my own box sets, 6 to 24 disc sets. Cramming them full of official DVDs and whatever fan copies to fill in the holes. Custum made covers, extras list (for discs that actually have them), the works. I don't know how I'm going to do it, but it seems like a fun project to partake upon, should I hold a giant wad of cash in my hands, one day.
Anyway, the genesis of this thread was me thinking about starting another one of those "Rank the MST volumes" thread, but I decided to give it a bit more pizazz! Lets rave and rant about all of them! List volumes with your fave, those with ones you dispise, and even the ones that have both! Rank sets by episode favorites, extra content, you name it. Have some fun, people!
I'm going to do this ala episode quality, methinks. It's been a while since I played with episode rankings. I'm a bit rusty.
Idividual releases:
1. Eegah
A high and mighty favorite of mine has a special place in my heart since it was the first non-Sci-Fi episode I had ever seen (not including MST3K: The Movie, which means it was also my introduction to Joel and Frank).
Great ep. Really funny riffing, goofball of a movie, and smart segments.
Evaluation: Classic!
2. Mitchell
Hearts' poundin'! Veins' cloggin'! Joel's last episode is a top notch one! Grimmy, ugly, and unwatchable, the movie is given a good spanking in Joel's big farewell party. One of the must sees of MSTiedom for more than one reason.
Evaluation: Classic!
3. "Manos" The Hands of Fate
Another Joel ep makes the top of this list. The legendary double dip episode itself!
Manos is a tortured soul of a movie. Watching it is like watching the damned wail for an hour and a half. The crew challenge it like boxers in championship match and come out on top.
I'd reccommend buying it in the Essentials two pack. It's a better value as it includes an episode that wasn't released by itself.
Evaluation: Classic!
4. The Beginning of the End
Probably my favorite Mike episode for sale individually (I favor Mike over Joel, honestly, though), and this is a strong one. Goofy, watchable 50's sci-fi cheese and a lot of ribbing from the crew. Lot's of fun!
Evaluation: Good
5. I Accuse My Parents
Sha-CUSE!!! Joel gets another winner in this dreary drama from an era of film that had too many of them. Too bad some of the better ones didn't give this movie tips.
Solid riffing makes this a fun outing. Worth watching many a times!
Evaluation: Good
6. The Brain that Wouldn't Die
Mike's first isn't as good as Joel's final, but it's a rock solid episode for those of us who are interested in seeing how his first experiment went. He does well against this sour 50's sci-fi that hates the world, and even gets in some of the best quips.
Evaluation: Good
7. Red Zone Cuba
I've only watched this once, and that was years ago, so it's spot on the list is more of an estimation than anything. I remember laughing quite a bit as Mike and the bots take on Coleman Francis's masterwork. The other two would later be included in collections (volume 1 and 18 to be exact.
Evaluation: Good
8. Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie (AKA This Island Earth)
I used to adore this movie quite a bit, as I watched it more it fell a bit from grace. It's probably attributed more to the fact that I've watched it so much than it's actual quality.
The watchable This Island Earth is chopped to bits in editing, resulting in a confusing mess. The crew get some marvelous playtime with it in spite of it, making the film as a whole an amusing affair.
I expect that the second release of the film, from Rogue Pictures, is the better one, seeing how it's presented in animorphic widescreen, making this the only MST friendly to widescreen TVs. Though if the original disc had a chapter selection on it's menu, that might have been it's tiny glimmer of light over the second release.
Evaluation: Good
9. Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (AKA The Essentials)
I gotta honestly say that I prefer this episode over the Cinematic Titanic redo. I know I'm in the minority, but I feel this one has more charm.
Charmingly goofy movie with some fun, spirited riffing makes this one a winner.
Only available in the Essentials two-pack, but I have to say I count it as a single release, since the fellow film, Manos, was released earlier. I tend to think of Manos as a bonus feature. Copies ordered directly from Rhino included Shorts Volume 3, adding to the value of the set. I didn't take that offering and I'm Shortsless. I don't really mind, though, since all the shorts are available by simply obtaining the episodes the were tacked on with.
Evaluation: Good
10. The Wild Wild World of Batwoman
This early Mike episode has a fantastic short and brilliant host segments...coupled with a tepid and tedious feature that is attacked with riffing that's so so at best. I want to think more highly of this episode, and sometimes I even do, but it's nothing compared to what it probably could have been.
Evaluation: Average
11. The Hellcats
Like Red Zone Cuba, I only watched this episode once a few years ago. Hearing the horrible things about it, I prepared for the worst, and got something decent. This is far from the worst episode in MST history. However, the stronger titles available make it one of the weaker single disc releases, as well.
Evaluation: Average
12. The Crawling Hand
It's almost inevitable that the season 1 episode was stuck at the bottom of the list. Kind of a shame, since it's a fairly decent one. Not fantastic, but is reasonably successful at it's season 1 vibe.
Evaluation: Average
As you can see, I find most of the single releases pretty good and well worth owning. On to the collections! In this section, I'm using math to root out the better sets from the weaker ones. Each evaluation is given a number...
4 - Classic!
3 - Good
2 - Average
1 - Below Average
0 - Poor
The number will be added up and divided by four to designate a rating for each set. In the event of a tie, the set with the episode I consider the strongest will win.
Collected Volumes:
Volume 1
This set includes three fairly strong episodes and one that I'm less than enthusiastic about. I rather enjoy the Mike episodes on this set, but the single Joel episode, Catalina Caper, is a bummer.
Bloodlust!: Classic!
Catalina Caper: Below Average
The Creeping Terror: Good
The Skydivers: Good
Average Rating: 2.75
Volume 2
I wish I can rate this collection higher, but the fact is that it contains my least favorite episode of the series, Pod People. I also must say that the shorts selection in Shorts Volume 1 is mixed at best. The one saving grace of the set is Cave Dwellers, which is an all-time favorite.
Angels' Revenge: Average
Cave Dwellers: Classic!
Pod People: Poor
The Home Ecconomics Story: Below Average
Junior Rodeo Daredevils: Poor
Body Care & Grooming: Good
Cheating: Classic!
A Date with Your Family: Good
Why Study Industrial Arts?: Good
Chicken of Tomarrow: Good
Shorts Volume 1: 2.429
Average Rating: 2.107
Volume 3
Much like Volume 2, my reaction to this set is mixed. One good episode, one dud, and one near dud. Luckily, the shorts selection of Shorts Volume 2 is a lot stronger. But that doesn't save the volume. The inclusion of the Unearthly just shoots it in the head.
The Atomic Brain: Below Average
The Sidehackers: Good
The Unearthly: Poor
Catching Trouble: Good
What to Do on a Date?: Classic!
Last Clear Chance: Classic!
A Day at the Fair: Good
Keeping Clean & Neat: Good
The Days of Our Years: Average
Shorts Volume 2: 3.167
Average Rating: 1.792
Volume 4
Rhino dips into the waters of the Sci-Fi era! There is no Joel or Trace to be found anywhere on these waters! Luckily I became a fan during the Sci-Fi era, and these episodes became a group of my beloveds. Volume 4 unfortunatly includes the underappreciated Hamlet, which might bump it down on quite a few scales. I've never hated Hamlet, and that opinion isn't going to change anytime soon.
Girl in Gold Boots: Good
Hamlet: Average
Overdrawn at the Memory Bank: Good
Space Mutiny: Classic!
Average Rating: 3
Volume 5
Rhino continues their Sci-Fi-athon with another fun set that triggers a lot of my teenage memories. This one lacks a Hamlet to bring it down, but the result is primarily the same.
Boggy Creek II: And the Legend Continues...: Good
Merlin's Shop of Mystical Wonders: Good
Time Chasers: Classic!
The Touch of Satan: Average
Average Rating: 3
Volume 6
This is an enjoyable batch of episodes, without being too impressive. Two good episodes and one that's almost good. Mr. B's Lost Shorts is a good time killer, but just as average as the rest of the set. The highlight of the set is the classic acid trip of a short Design for Dreaming. Too bad the rest of the episode, 12 to the Moon, wasn't included.
Attack of the Giant Leeches: Average
Gunslinger: Good
Teenagers from Outer Space: Good
Mr. B Natural: Good
X Marks the Spot: Good
Hired! Part 1: Average
Design for Dreaming: Classic!
Johnny at the Fair: Average
Are You Ready for Marriage?: Good
Mr. B's Lost Shorts: 2.833
Average Rating: 2.708
Volume 7
My favorite episode of the series and one of my least. At lease we can't say that Rhino didn't shake things up? Two great Hercules episodes complimented the set. Too bad that one crappy episode has to kill my high.
The set also includes 3 bonus shorts, including the never before released on any official medium Assignment: Venezuela. Also includes two of the three Sci-Fi era shorts Century 21 Calling..., and A Case of Spring Fever. If I added these to the final grade of Killer Shrews (the disc they're on) I would definatly rate it higher. They're probably the only thing keeping me from throwing it away.
Hercules Unchained: Good
Hercules Against the Moon Men: Good
Prince of Space: Classic!
The Killer Shrews: Poor
Average Rating: 2.5
Volume 8
Good mixed in with the mediocre. Two cheesy episodes vs. two dull-ish ones. This set has it's moments, and it's not weak by any means. Ultimatly, the unspecialness of the episode selection makes it equal to the previous set.
Hobgoblins: Good
The Phantom Planet: Good
Monster A Go-Go: Average
The Dead Talk Back: Average
Average Rating: 2.5
Volume 9
Wow! A season 1 episode! Aw damn. It's not Untamed Youth.
A couple of stale episodes bring down the high points of two really good ones. However, I will say I like the mixture here. One episode from each set of riffers the show had ever had!
Women of the Prehistoric Planet: Below Average
Wild Rebels: Below Average
The Sinister Urge: Good
The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies: Classic!
Average Rating: 2.25
Volume 10
Godzilla vs. Megalon?!?!?!?!?!?! That's too good to be true!
Unfortunatly it was, and the set was pulled mere months after it was released. I was one of the lucky ones to pick it up. Good episode mix despite a bumpy entry make this one a step up from the previous volumes but not quite worth the astronomical used prices on it.
Godzilla vs. Megalon: Good
Swamp Diamonds: Average
Teen-Age Strangler: Good
The Giant Spider Invasion: Good
Average Rating: 2.75
Volume 11
There's some fun stuff to be had here, and some less than so. I'm used to the mixture of the strong and the weak on the Rhino sets though, so this one is no surprise.
At least we got some Lon Cheney Jr. awsomeness!
Ring of Terror: Poor
The Indestructable Man: Good
Tormented: Good
Horrors of Spider Island: Good
Average Rating: 2.25
Volume 12
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...Oh what, I'm sorry? Oh, that's right I'm doing this.
A group of episodes that bore me to tears. One of which I haven't watched all the way through. I intend on fixing that some day. Just not right now.
The Rebel Set: Average
Secret Agent Super Dragon: Poor
The Starfighters: Below Average
Parts: The Clonus Horror: Below Average
Average Rating: 1
Volume 10.2
Rhino's appology. Considering they paid to bring Joel, Trace, and Frank back to film an intro for it, I'd say it's a damn good one.
Basicly the same as Volume 10, but with Giant Gila Monster in Godzilla vs. Megalon's place. The inclusion of Gila Monster makes the set much weaker, however. Between this set and the last, it was a very disappointing note to go out on.
For those of us who purchased Volume 10 in it's first run, Gila Monster was available on Rhino's website.
Giant Gila Monster: Average
Swamp Diamonds: Average
Teen-Age Strangler: Good
The Giant Spider Invasion: Good
Average Rating: 2.5
20th Anniversary Edition
Shout Factory exploded on the MST scene with this little number, full of the special features MSTies craved, and a group of episodes that didn't really seem to represent the 20th Anniversary celebration that Shout was putting on. Excluding Laserblast, of course, which was Trace's final appearance on the show.
The episodes are fairly good if you give them a chance though. The single Joel ep being the only loser in the bunch.
First Spaceship on Venus: Below Average
Laserblast: Good
Werewolf: Classic!
Future War: Good
Average Rating: 2.75
Volume XIV
Shout starts handing out season 1 episodes by the handful. The first of four more sets with a season 1 ep in a row is right here!
The sparsness of season 1 brings down the gread of three fantastic outings for the crew. However, even when taking Mad Monster into consideration, this is still the strongest MST3K set yet made.
Mad Monster: Average
Manhunt in Space: Classic!
Soultaker: Classic!
Final Justice: Good
Average Rating: 3.25
Volume XV
Shout follows the solid XIV with one that is almost as good, but not quite. Two great episodes coupled with two middlings. It's hard to not be a little disappointed, but beggers can't be choosers.
Robot vs. the Aztec Mummy: Average
The Girl in Lover's Lane: Classic!
Zombie Nightmare: Classic!
Racket Girls: Average
Average Rating: 3
Volume XVI
Solid, yet a set that doesn't prompt much enthusiasm in me. Came with a little Servo toy though! And the alternate Turkey Day version of Blood Beast made my day.
The Corpse Vanishes: Average
Warrior of the Lost World: Good
Santa Claus: Good
Night of the Blood Beast: Good
Average Rating: 2.75
Volume XVII
The latest to fill my collection shelf! Episode selection could have been stronger though. The only real standout being Final Sacrifice, which fans have been waiting ages for. The Crawling Eye, the first national episode produced, is another fun one. I never thought I'd see the day when a season 1 episode could be considered upper half material on an MST volume, though. The inclusion of Blood Waters of Dr. Z makes this one Shout's weakest release, though.
The Crawling Eye: Good
The Beatnicks: Average
Final Sacrifice: Good
Blood Waters of Dr. Z: Below Average
Average Rating: 2.25
Volume ranking:
XIV
4
XV
5
20AE
1
10
XVI
6
7
8
10.2
9
XVII
11
2
3
12
OK. I'm done typing. I believe my boredom has been quelled for the day. Feel free to join in, everyone!
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