Torgo
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Post by Torgo on Jul 31, 2012 15:14:20 GMT -5
Another set down, with lots more on the way. Let's live in the now for a second! How's the new set, guys?
I'm going through the special features. First up was another intro by my buddy August. A lot of great Star Wolf info here. Maybe we can get him back for Invasion of the Neptune Men?
The centerpiece of the set is the interview with Sandy Frank, and you know what? He actually seems like a good guy. Nothing in the interview really disproves all the rumors about his dislike of the show. He calls it "cute," but is very dismissive of it. Earlier in the interview he also said he had a chance to distribute the Gong Show but passed on it because he didn't like the idea of a series that made fun of people. That moment made me go "hmmm..."
I never thought he was the evil man that MSTies seem to make him out to be, but there does seem to be a subtext there.
The Santo documentary is very short, but mildly interesting. It explains quite a bit about Samson vs. the Vampire Women for those who were in the dark about this oddball from Mexico, though.
The interview with Frank is pretty good. Like the Kevin interview on the last set, not a lot is new, but it's very fun to hear his professional life through his own words.
I didn't watch the shorts, because I had seen them both. The big question I'd seen asked is "What does this mean for the episodes they came with?" and it's possible it's bad news for both of them, but I also noted that they're the only special feature on the Sword and the Dragon disc. Maybe they were just padding and nothing else?
Feature-wise, this is a middle of the road set. Not a lot of meat, but they're pretty solid. I love Fugitive Alien I and II and Sword and the Dragon. Samson is good to have for historical purposes, but it's not a favorite. However, the episode quality was already high enough for it not to skew it down too far.
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Post by Justin T on Jul 31, 2012 16:34:53 GMT -5
I got my copy delivered by UPS yesterday and I watched all the extras except for the shorts since I've seen them before and wasn't in the mood to watch them.
Really enjoyed the interviews on this set. The one with August on the Fugitive Alien movies was nice and informative. I really dig Ragone's love for Japanese cinema and tv. His knowledge and passion come through pretty clearly. I'm with Torgo, I hope they go to him again for when the release Neptune Men
The Sandy Frank interview really surprised me in how nice the guy is. He's had quite the career, and from what he said he doesn't hate or have issues with MST3K, to him its a "cute" cult show that used his movies..
The one with Frank about what he's done since the show ended was full of stuff I already knew, but it was nice to see him talk about it and what he enoyed doing before Joel brought him back into riffing for CT. I look foward to other cast members doing this Life After MST3K series.
The short documentary on Santo and his movies was nice. I've know about El Santo for some time and his immense popularity in Mexico. Another nice job by Ballyhoo.
I like or love all the episodes on this set, so this gets a big thumbs up from me.
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Torgo
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Post by Torgo on Jul 31, 2012 23:14:30 GMT -5
Watched Fugitive Alien and Star Force. Haven't noticed any tape hits yet, which is pleasing. Episodes are a blast!
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Torgo
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Post by Torgo on Aug 1, 2012 2:21:13 GMT -5
And I'm with Samson right now. All the episodes seem in fine condition, so I think we're good with this release.
Have I mentioned how much I love Shout's menus? It's almost like getting a new host segment. The ones here are winners. I think Star Force is the best.
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Post by citizensmurf on Aug 1, 2012 16:48:42 GMT -5
First time I bought a set as it was released (other than XXI, which I was so nervous about being discontinued in a heartbeat), I picked up XXIV today. Haven't looked at anything yet, but I was just musing about the MST Hour Wraps. There is a handy chart created here www.mst3ktemple.com/ouch20mst3khour.htmthat says which DVD release has and has not added the wraps as extras. A touch out of date (since Shout has put out Time of the Apes and now Fugitive Alien), but nevertheless informative. I wonder, since it would not necessitate any additional licensing, if Shout would ever consider putting the wraps that should have been included on the Rhino DVDs, on a future set, without the movies contained. Would be silly to re-release say Pod People with just the wraps as an extra, so not only would all the newbies want to buy one, but also the hardcore fans who already own it. Just a thought, now to watch the Sandy Frank doc.
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Post by GarrettCRW on Aug 1, 2012 23:37:34 GMT -5
The problem with dumping the other wraps on a disc is that the Part 2 intro features footage from the movie, which could really tick off the rights owners. But, then again, Rhino always went after the low-hanging fruit, so many of those eps could easily be reissued.
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Torgo
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Post by Torgo on Aug 2, 2012 1:09:39 GMT -5
I think when they did the Manos two disc they saw that as an opportunity to release the MST Hour segments with it. Since Shout releases Rhino episodes via Shout Select, it's feasable that they could release the segments with it. The only individual episode release with features thusfar has only been Manos, though. Not sure how well that sold, but Shout hasn't released a special edition since.
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Post by citizensmurf on Aug 2, 2012 9:07:06 GMT -5
Yeah, it might not be feasible, and I know Shout will probably include the wraps in any future release of their own. Not sure if the 8 Rhinos with missing wraps would justify a special edition like Manos.
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Post by sirhamhat on Aug 2, 2012 14:25:21 GMT -5
Anymore thoughts on the video quality on XXIV? How do these episodes look? I know that Mighty Jack and myself are some of the few sticklers about tape hits... I received my copy, but I won't get a chance to tackle any of these episodes till Saturday. Just curious what to expect when I cue these up. Thanks
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Torgo
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Post by Torgo on Aug 2, 2012 14:41:10 GMT -5
I finished the set yesterday. The only tape hit I noted was during Dr. F's song during the third segment of Samson. But it was small and at the top of the screen. If there were any others, I missed them.
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Post by sirhamhat on Aug 2, 2012 14:48:30 GMT -5
Great! Thanks Torgo. Good to hear. Can't wait to watch these episodes this weekend. This is a great set, personally. Love every episode in XXIV.
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Post by gsmarquis on Aug 2, 2012 16:38:23 GMT -5
Still no shipping date from Amazon. Orderd this april 6th.
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Torgo
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Post by Torgo on Aug 2, 2012 18:21:42 GMT -5
Still no shipping date from Amazon. Orderd this april 6th. What kind of shipping did you use? If you chose free shippin, I wouldn't expect it for maybe two weeks after release.
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Post by gsmarquis on Aug 2, 2012 19:14:19 GMT -5
This is crap. I will be using shout factory direct ordering from now on.
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Post by davidbeegah on Aug 2, 2012 21:59:36 GMT -5
I pre-ordered mine back in April as well and it just now shipped from amazon with free shipping. Which is real unusual. I have ordered from them for years and they have never waited until a Thursday evening to ship. Late Tuesday night yes or maybe Wednesday morning. But not this long. Oh well at least I will get it soon. I do not feel the need to get it on the release date.
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