Torgo
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Post by Torgo on Sept 3, 2011 0:11:48 GMT -5
Had today practically to myself, so MST mania! Finished off season one with...
Robot Monster Project Moonbase Women of the Prehistoric Planet
Two weak entries, but the bright spot was Project Moonbase. The movie was so goofy that even the fist season riff cycle gets its good jabs in. Too bad Robot Monster wasn't the same experience. Such a bad movie classic wasted with lackluster energy. Oh well. Woman is a lavking season finale, and a disappointing final episode for Josh, but we mist move forward.
I've only seen two first season episodes that didn't make it to DVD: Untamed Youth and Black Scorpion. The former being better than almost every first season episode that has been released on DVD, and its kind of sad that we may never see it. Black Scorpion is middling at best.
And as we go forth into the second season, I feel one thing needs to be said...
I HATE TOM SERVO'S NEW VOICE!
But I'll get over it. Oh wait, I already am! Goodbye Josh, hello Kevin! One can't help but be charmed by the puppeteer who has sat in those theater seats longer than anybody.
Kevin's first episode lacks DVD release so we jump to the second, Sidehackers, which is fine by me since it's by far the supereor episode. The Brains may have regretted choosing this movie, but I sure don't. This is the most consistant riff job they did until that point.
"This grass...it's...it's...drugged!"
If I have time tonight I might get to Catalina Caper. Not a highlight of the series, but if I'm going to continue with this, I have to watch it...I guess.
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Post by inlovewithcrow on Sept 3, 2011 6:54:38 GMT -5
Horror of Party Beach. This episode steadily grew on me over the years and it always puts me in a good mood. (some of these movies are mildly depressing because of content, some because of lack of content, and some because of the weight of ineptitude) What's wrong with this movie is just wacky--the dance sequences at the beginning, that slumber party, Hank's bizarre sightseeing trip through Manhattan, the dubbed girl. The riffing is great. singing, "Buddy Holly will sue, oo oo oo oo, oo oo oo ooooooo." "Hello, I'm Margaret Chase Smith," "Lulabelle, I'm back from the war of Northern aggression." "Hang on, let me toss a gay man at you." and all the "Look Polish" jokes which always crack me up. The watching experience reminds me why I'm such a MSTie so many years later.
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Torgo
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Post by Torgo on Sept 4, 2011 0:00:39 GMT -5
It's another day and a new batch of season two eps for my marathon. Finished up Catalina Caper and rounded out eith Ring of Terror and Wild Rebels. None of which I remember being especially good, but reevaluation turned out to be a good idea...well...in two cases.
Catalina Caper turned out to be worse than I remember. I used to think it was mediocre, but now it just seems as if the movie just kills the episode. I used to not mind it, but in my grumpy old age this movie is too obnoxious to endure. Probably one of the worst the show ever gave us. Riffing on this fluff proved to be futile and there's a qhole lot of failure in the theater.
Ring of Terror was one I hated upon first viewing and wasn't keen upon revisiting. Maybe it was the drawn out turkey of a movie that was getting to me, but the good qualities of the episode stuck out with me more. There's a plentiful energy from the boys which counteracts the dreariness of the movie. It's not spectacular, but it works.
Wild Rebels was one I didn't remember much about, but didn't think I thought to much of it. It's not up to Sidehackers level, but it's a pretty fun biker episode.
Another group of season two episodes I wasn't impressed with are in the lineup tomorrow. Maybe I'm in for a big surprise!
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Torgo
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Post by Torgo on Sept 4, 2011 2:42:45 GMT -5
Couldn't sleep so I popped in the next episode, Lost Continent. Mediocre movie with fun stop motion effects make the episode fun. Riffing is decent, but doesn't enhance the movie very much.
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Torgo
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Post by Torgo on Sept 5, 2011 1:42:03 GMT -5
Only got through a couple today. Started with Hellcats, which I expected to be worse due to it's reputation. Despite the understaff (and the movie, which is like the Manos of biker flicks), I got many solid laughs from it. Even the flashback host segments are charming in a clipshow spoof sort of way. I'm glad this was the only episode that had attempted this.
Went on to First Spaceship on Venus. It's alright. Colorful but dull movie, but the riffing is only lively enough to make it watchable.
Tomorrow I get my Godzilla on and head into season three. This is gonna be sweet! Except...Pod People...on the horizon...ugh.
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Torgo
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Post by Torgo on Sept 6, 2011 1:00:27 GMT -5
As I pop in my Rhino disc of Godzilla vs. Megalon, I can't help but recall the history behind it. I remember when Megalon was first announced, the entire board let out a giant "WTF?" in unison. Have cheered in glee, half predicted (quite accurately too) that it was too good to be true. It was the moment Van Hagar, precurser to Travis on the Likelihood list, officially gave up on it because the news seemingly meant anything was possible.
That turned out to be a stretch. Of course the set was pulled, and I was one of the lucky MSTies to actually get my hands on one. Everytime I pop in my disc and cherish ita pristine video, I remember this. For that, this disc might be the crown jewel in my MST collection, one that I'll be taking special care of til the end of time.
That's not to say it's a favorite of mine. I like it, but its quality deminishes over time. Some aspects of the episode just don't hold up as well. I do think the final battle is a highlight, as Joel and co. play sports commentators and bring a lot of laughs. The rest of the riffing is lacking though. The Orville Popcorn segment is an all-time classic though.
Only other second season episodes are the premiere and the finale, Rocketahip X-M and Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster. Despite Rocketship's importence as Kevin's first episode, I'd rather see a DVD of Sea Monster. Just the much superior episode.
And we venture out of the second season and into the third. The riffing gets sharper and the movies get more...out there. I'm still going strong on this marathon. Let's see how far I can get before X-Men: First Class hits Blu-Ray and my attention wonders elsewhere.
Up next is an all-time favorite, Cave Dwellers. Loooooooove this one. The movie is a cheap, doofus good time and the riffing is top notch. The bar has been raised. Can they match it?
Cracked out the new Gamera set and popped in the original. Another great episode. The third season starts out with two classics. Then comes...Pod People. My all time least favorite episode. Tomorrow will be the first time I've attempted to watch its sorry ass in about 5 years. Will my opinion change? Anything is possible, but don't hold your breath.
And after that is Gamera after Gamera after Gamera afer Gamera. Sigh. I promised myself I wouldn't do that again. Oh well too late to turn back now.
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Post by mauto on Sept 6, 2011 12:46:52 GMT -5
Time Chasers
It's probably been too long since I've seen this episode (I got sidetracked on the new Gamera set!) and it still holds up as a top 20 episode for me.
The host segements are enjoyable if not entertaining and the movie is pretty watchable as far as pain goes.
The riffs are great, especially Crow's refusal to except the male lead as the star of the movie.
Can I see your supervisor movie?
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Torgo
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Post by Torgo on Sept 7, 2011 1:00:50 GMT -5
The verdict's in: Pod People sucks just as much now as it did back then. The riffing is pedestrian and uninspired, full of random baseless quips with certain ones beaten into our heads (McCloud comes to mind. Ugh). The host segments are abysmal. Even the one I had always kind of liked (the Hear the Engins Roll Now parody) is much lamer than I remember it (though I still have to say that Gypsy cracks me up during it). The film itself is an over-anxous pain in the ass, so eager to appeal to the different popular genres that plagued the 80s: from the teenage slasher to the strange being befriending a child. It winds up a bizarre mix mash of confusion. What's sad is that this COULD have been a great episode but the staff phoned it in.
Now that that unpleasantness is out of the way, I can ignore it for another 5 years.
Went back to XXI for Gamera vs. Barugon, probably the best of the original Gamera films (until Revenge of Iris and Gamera the Brave did the impossible and churned out GOOD movies starring the turtle). The riffing is weaker than it was on the previous Gamera film, but the boys put in a good effort. The watchable movie didn't hurt though.
And went on to Gamera vs. Gaos, as Gamera squares off agaimst his most popular foe for the first time. And let's face it, King Ghidorah he is not. The weakened riffing continues to spiral, this time with a less watchable movie making for a less satisfying MST experience.
Have I ever mentioned how much I love Shout Factory's menus for the series? They really topped themselves with tje Gamera set with the CG Gamera storming the SOL. Absolutely love them.
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Torgo
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Post by Torgo on Sept 7, 2011 23:56:26 GMT -5
Only gonna get through one episode today. It's a good one though, Gamera vs. Guiron. This goofy entry is aboit as deep as you'd expect from a movie about a giant turtle who flies by farting fire (and the answer is no, I don't think much of the highly overrated 90s Gamera series, and in some ways find it dumber), and it plays out like a child playing with his action figures, just making sh*t up as he goes along. Honestly, that's kind of what makes it a bit charming, making it one of the mpst watchable in the series.
The riffing plays with the silliness to great effect, but the host segments are a bore. Not up to par with the first Gamera, but clearly the best of the sequels.
On a side note, this episode always bothered me because of the stretched picture on the movie. Usually I'm against the use of the stretch setting on my TV, but using it on this episode is an exception. Finally the movie looks NORMAL!
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Torgo
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Post by Torgo on Sept 9, 2011 1:22:35 GMT -5
Sonce I held back yesterday, I decided to go all out today. Figired to myself "to the end of season three or DIE!"
Started out with Gamera vs. Zigra, by far the worst Gamera film they riffed on (keeping in mind they never riffed Gamera vs Viras). Riffing is good, but they're obviously running out of new material for this series. This is obvioua in the host segments, which are running on steam.
But then again, maybe I'm just Gamera'd out. They're good episodes but the movies take a lot out of me. I don't think I'll pop them in for a good long while. Though I may devote a segment of my Shlock thread to the flying turtle in the future.
Finally moving on to an episode that ISN'T Gamera...and it's the Unearthly. D'OH! Great shorts, great host segments, and the riffing on Tor Johnson is hilarious, but the primary film is such a drag. The riffing doesn't even phase it.
Turning from the drab to the cheery with Santa Claus Conquers the Martians. I get a kick out of this one, and honestly find it supereor to the Cinematic Titanic version by a landslide. Like the festivity of the episode, and Servo's snowglobe head ia adorable.
MASTER NINJA THEME SONG! We finish off with a Master Ninja double feature. Both quirky episodes that are highly entertaining. Not a bad way to end the season.
Only episodes from this season I've seen are ones that are set up for DVD release soon: Time of the Apes, Mighty Jack, Fugitive Alien, and Star Force: Fugitive Alien II. All of which are fantastic, but Star Force is tops.
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Torgo
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Post by Torgo on Sept 10, 2011 1:01:35 GMT -5
Spent the day with family, so MST went on the backburner. Managed to watch Giant Gila Monster this morning. I always shrug this episode off because it never impressed me, but in all honesty it gives me the giggles. It's still not spectacular, but it's not among the weakest they've done.
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Torgo
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Post by Torgo on Sept 11, 2011 2:11:02 GMT -5
Today's duo of episodes started with Teenagers From Outer Space. The movie is stuck somewhere between "guh" and so bad it's good, yet it still is probably one of the most enjoyable films featured on the show. Based on that alone this episode is highly reccomended. The riffing is pretty sharp as well, making it an all around good episode.
As a side note, I saw the name King Moody in the credits. Name sounded familiar and even reccognized his face, but couldn't place him. Looked him up on the net, and it turned out the name was familiar because I just completed a Get Smart marathon. The alien who loves "TORCHA" is Shtarker! No I can't get this out of my head!
"The high council may very well sentence you to TORCHA!" "SHTARKER! Zis is KAOS! Ve don't TORCHA here! ...Oh vait, maybe ve do..."
Went on to Attack of the Giant Leeches. Not nearly as fun a movie, and as slow and uneventful as hell. Riffing is pretty good, so it was a pretty good day on the MST end for me.
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Post by vertygo on Sept 12, 2011 1:07:30 GMT -5
Kids tucked in bed, honey-dos done, sitting down and watching Kitten With a Whip. Crow's (?) maniacal laughing is awesome. Really enjoying this episode.
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Torgo
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Post by Torgo on Sept 12, 2011 2:16:22 GMT -5
Got some good viewing done today! Starking with Killer Shrews, an episode I dislike a great deal. Seems to me like the riffing relied a bit too much on running gags. A few are decent at first, but it grows tiresome as the episode goes on and the boys offer nothing better than pointing out the "shrews" are dogs and making barking noises. Although I did get a good laugh out of "Stay! Staaaaaaaay! You stay!" Don't get me started on Junior Rodeo Daredevils. What a colossal waste of riffing.
But after that...aw hell yeah, it's Herc time. Hercules Unchained is a blast. I actually really enjoy the Steve Reeves Hercules films as movies themselves. Unchained is definately the weaker film by a mile, but it's still a lot of fun. The riffing is good, but it's really the movie that sells this episode to me, which might have been the best movie featured on the show at this point. I'm a little bummed that I won't be watching the original in this marathon though. C'mon Shout! Volume 23, if you please!
Took a break from Herc to see Lon "Wolfman" Cheney Jr. in one of his lesser known films, the Indestructable Man. Logicless film with frustratingly uneven execution has it's moments, but there's no denying how lame it is. Riffing is uneven as well. Disappointing. I love a good Cheney flick, and Cheney on MST.sounded like a home run. Alas, it was a foul ball.
Ended my day with more Hercules (well...Maceste) with Hercules Against the Moon Men. Can't lie, this is nowhere near as fun as Reeves flicks (haven't seen Captive Women) and isn't as fun as it's title suggests. The crew is in top form throughout though, making this loser watchable.
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Post by mauto on Sept 12, 2011 16:24:09 GMT -5
Angel's Revenge
I believe that I'm one of the few who enjoy this episode. Takes me back to my youth watching Charlie's Angels and Three's Company.
The host segment with Frank and Trace as Tug McGraw and Rollie Fingers is very well done and the Renegade skit with Mike and the bots is also well done.
The riffs are great and for me at least makes for a great time.
Pod People
This episode gets better with every viewing. The host segment with Joel as the singer is one of the best of the series.
The riffs are very good with the McCloud jokes never getting old (for me).
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