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Post by kmorgan on Apr 30, 2016 0:57:34 GMT -5
52 weeks? I've been doing this for a year? Son of a gun! Anyway, let's see how things went.
"No Dialogue Necessary" was pretty interesting, actually. Along with Frank, there are comments from filmmaker Larry Blamire, film historian Bob Burns and "Beast" film editor Leo Strosnider. The latter talks about how Coleman Francis was actually pretty organized when making the movie, and how he, producer Tony Cardoza and lead actor Tor Johnson were nice guys. In fact, the general opinion is that, while the movie is awful, the filmmakers were likeable. Actually, they even give "Beast" some compliments (like the good Foley work). And I really liked the narration in the style of the movie.
As for "Squirm", this is one that I just can't watch. I'm not a big fan of worms and bugs, so I just avert my eyes during the wormy sequences. Otherwise, the movie does have an appropriately creepy atmosphere at times. But they do go overboard with the Southern-ness, and "hero" Mick is a real dunce through much of the story. As for the short, "A Case of Spring Fever" is one of the best ones, though its spring-based theology is just way beyond my understanding. The riffing was good, of course. I liked the host segments, though Mikey the Mike Sprite looks rather disturbing, in a way. And I'd prefer that Pearl not try to take over the Wayne County Fair; I like it as it is.
Well, that sort of balanced out, I guess. On to week 53. The Outsiders selection is..."FC: Killers from Space"... - I'm Peter Graves, and they're riffing on my movie...on "Biography". ...and the Originals selection is..."Magic Voyage of Sinbad" (Show 505). - It's not Sinbad, but an inept simulation.
Don't touch that dial...
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Post by kmorgan on May 7, 2016 7:50:25 GMT -5
Aaaaaaaaand week 53...
"Killers from Space" is a pretty lousy movie. Yes, the actors try their best, and Peter Graves gives it his all. But it's just too bland and blah. Add to that the goofy, bug-eyed appearance of the titular killers, plus how this movie runs just over an hour and is still heavily padded, and it's perfect riff fodder. And the print they use is in bad shape, to boot. The Crew provides some good riffing, with the expected emphasis on "Biography" and "Mission: Impossible" jokes. The lunch segment tries for a Joel-esque vibe with drawings, and there's a good sequence on the movie's odd reliance on limbo-backed close-ups. It's one of the better FC entries.
On the other hand, "Magic Voyage of Sinbad" is a pretty good, imaginative movie. It's goofy as all get out, and the U.S. distributors attempt to pass it off as a Sinbad movie fools no one, but it's not bad. The production values and visual effects work quite well, though the Bird of Happiness looks just too disturbing for my tastes. The host segments were good, and the riffing was great. It's one of the better Joel episodes, with a movie that works great with the show.
On the whole, good results this time, though the movies are polar opposites in quality. So, on to week 54. The Outsiders selection is..."So Happy Together: A Look Back at MST3K and Gamera"... - So, did they think it was really neat? ...and the Originals selection is..."Invasion of the Neptune Men" (Show 819). - I think I'm developing Roji Panty Complex.
Over to you...
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Post by kmorgan on May 14, 2016 0:09:23 GMT -5
So, week 54, anyone?
"So Happy Together" is a nice little look back at Gamera on MST. Featuring comments from Joel, Jim, Frank, Trace and Josh, it relates how the movies were originally featured on KTMA, and how they were a good match for the show. The guys also give their views on the movies themselves, and their innate goofiness. It's clear they still have a fondness for the Gamera series, and how the show benefitted from its inclusion. I was surprised to learn that Trace had never heard of Gamera before the KTMA shows; I used to watch them on weekday afternoons on Channel 7's 4:30 Movie. The segment runs less than 30 minutes, but it's quite good.
On the other hand, "Invasion of the Neptune Men" is quite, quite bad. Heavy padding, annoying kids, terrible dubbing, an ineffectual hero, ineffectual villains, ineffectual adults...*sigh*. It's one tough ride. I didn't get really angry at the movie, but it's not fun. Fortunately, the riffing is good, which eases the pain. The host segments are OK, especially the Noh Theater routine. (Bud & Lou would've loved it.) And they try to keep up the whole TSNWSRN demand for a "story arc" with OK results.
Split decision this time. Moving on to week 55, the Outsiders selection is..."The Last Dance: Raw"... - It's the behind-the-scenes video of the making of "Diabolik", the (for the moment) last episode. ...and the Originals selection is..."The Million Eyes of Su-Maru" (Show K-18). - Hope they all have a really good optical plan.
We'll be right back..
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Post by kmorgan on May 21, 2016 6:59:45 GMT -5
So, how did week 55 go?
"The Last Dance: Raw" is a pretty interesting video. Shot by Jim with a camcorder, it features a comparison between how each host segment for "Diabolik" looked in the finished version, then how each one was shot. It gives a good look at just how TV production works (something I'm well-versed in). There are also some good insights here and there, like Kevin getting into character as Bobo, and the amazing, high-tech VFX the show used (like fishing line and a steam hose for the destruction of the SOL). Definitely worth a look.
On the other hand, "Million Eyes of Su-Maru" is one lousy movie. Edging out "Agent for h.a.r.m." as the worst spy movie ever MSTed, it's pointlessly violent, ineptly plotted, and has heroes and villains who are equally irritating. In particular, the good guy agents (played by George Nader & Frankie Avalon) are a couple of supposedly-irresistible doofuses who one just can't root for. An annoying cinematic experience. As for the ep, it's not too great, either. As a KTMA show, the riffs are ad-libbed, so they could be better. Plus, Josh only riffs half the movie (he must've had an appointment that day), and Joel & Trace unfortunately use a few socially insensitive riffs. The Mads have a good bit during the opening, but the other host segments aren't too good (including a rendition of the theme with an alternate tune). One of the lesser eps, in my opinion.
Split decision this time. So, let's move to week 56. The Outsiders selection is..."Darkstar: Robots Don't Need SAG Cards"... - Another "behind the scenes" segment, this one post-MST. ...and the Originals selection is..."Teenage Caveman" (Show 315). - Open Channel D-stone, please.
Keep those cards & letters coming in, folks.
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Post by kmorgan on May 28, 2016 15:46:46 GMT -5
We're a little late, folks, so...hello. Let's review week 56.
"Darkstar: Robots Don't Need SAG Cards" is brief segment on the making of "Darkstar", an interactive computer game. The cast included Joel, Frank, Mary Jo, Beez, Trace and Josh, as well as Peter Graves (at the University of Minnesota) as the narrator. The segment (found on the "Castle of Fu Manchu" DVD) is pretty interesting, with producer/writer/director J. Allen Williams talking about how the project came together (with him doing a lot of stuff himself), and how the cast was quite enthusiastic about the project. It also features interviews (with bad audio) with Beez, Trace and Josh, as well as some funny outtakes. As yet, I haven't played the actual game, but I did watch the cut-together "movie" of the story. I'll let you know when it comes along in the rotation.
As for "Teenage Caveman", it's a pretty lousy movie, but I've seen worse from Roger Corman. The movie at least tries for something deep and philosophical, though I can't reconcile that with Robert Vaughn's perfect hair in primitive times. You may spot the twist ending pretty early on, though you might not be aware of the different ways its been interpreted. As for the shorts, "Aquatic Wizards" is fairly innocuous, but it's followed by the notorious "Catching Trouble", which is one disturbing flick from modern perspectives. Seeing those cute cubs screaming after being caught really gets to me. The riffing is great, and the host segments were very good. The fight between the Mads was very funny, and "Catching Ross" was deeply satisfying. All in all, one of the better experiments.
So, let's move on to week 57 (varieties). The Outsiders selection is..."Life After MST3K: Kevin Murphy"... - There's more than just "Rifftrax". ...and the Originals selection is..."Final Justice" (Show 1008). - I'd better go ahead on, I suppose.
Don't touch that dial...
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Post by kmorgan on Jun 4, 2016 13:56:36 GMT -5
Time to review week 57...
"Life After MST3K: Kevin Murphy" runs about 10 minutes, and it's pretty interesting. Kevin talks about some of his post-show projects like A Year at the Movies (very good book), "Edward the Less" (still haven't heard it), and the late, lamented TimmyBigHands. He also talks about "The Film Crew" and it's successor, Rifftrax, and his disdain for the Hollywood environment. I thought this was a nice little segment.
As for "Final Justice", it's worse than "Mitchell". With the exception of the dead sheriff and Maltese Elaine, I really couldn't sympathize with anybody. Gratuitously violent and full of outright stupidity, it's was just lousy. I will say that I, at least, didn't get really annoyed by it. It was just dumb. The riffing was OK, though I agree with others that they were somewhat too harsh with Joe Don Baker. The host segments were generally OK, with Mike's attempted escape being very funny.
Not exactly a split decision, but it's close. Anyway, onward to week 58. For the Outsiders, I'm going outside the rotation for..."The MST3K 1st Annual Summer Blockbuster Review"... - Let's see which ones I still haven't seen. ...and the Originals selection is..."The Sinister Urge" (Show 613). - Featuring KLEIN!
We'll be right back...
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Post by kmorgan on Jun 11, 2016 12:57:00 GMT -5
Now, let's look at week 58, shall we?
"The 1st Annual Summer Blockbuster Review" turned out fine, I thought. They provided some good jokes for both the clips and behind-the-scenes footage from "Batman & Robin", "The Lost World: Jurassic Park", "Men in Black", "Fifth Element" and "Contact". (Oddly, the only one of these they've done for Rifftrax is "Batman & Robin".) There are also nice in-theater appearances by Pearl, Observer and a snack-toting Bobo. Okay, watching it, I realize I should've watched it on Labor Day weekend, after the summer, as it's a review. I'll consider the matter next year.
As for "Sinister Urge", it's basically "Reefer Madness", but for porn. When you add such strident preaching to Ed Wood's sort of filmmkaking, you've got a truckload of riffing potential. The short, "Keeping Clean & Neat", is actually the more polished movie, and it delivers the riffing goods, as well. The jokes are plentiful and very funny, especially towards porn pusher Gloria, she of the awful voice. The host segments went well, with Frank doing a great job as your average '80s movie villain, a type still seen today. As for the shower opening, it was just darling...and lovely.
Okay, things worked fine this time. On to week 59. For the Outsiders, the selection is..."The Making of 'MST3K-TM'"... - Will they name the punks at Universal that meddled in the movie's filming? ...and the Originals selection is..."Hercules Unchained" (Show 408). - I'll go buy a six-pack of the Waters of Forgetfulness.
Don't touch that dial...
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Post by kmorgan on Jun 18, 2016 18:07:44 GMT -5
So, let's consider week 59.
"The Making of 'MST3K-TM'" is pretty much standard EPK stuff created to publicize the movie. It serves as a quick intro to the concept for new viewers, and includes sound bites from Jim, Mike, Kevin & Trace; and behind-the-scenes footage. There's also some bits from the deleted storm shelter sequence. You'll find this on the Shout DVD release of the movie, along with a more detailed, more recent documentary on the movie.
As for "Hercules Unchained", I didn't like it as much as "Hercules", but it's OK. There's some fine production values and music, and Steve Reeves certainly looks the part. The movie drags a bit during the "amnesiac Herc" stretch of the movie, but the action picks up later. The riffing is great, including some funny though risqué comments, mainly about Herc's tenure with the lady with the Vulcan eyebrows. The host segments were also good, particularly Joel's part in the "X of X" foodstuffs sketch, and the all-powerful Steve-o-Meter. And Mike was good as a laid-back "Steve Reeves".
Well, that was OK, I thought. Let's move on to week 60. For the Outsiders, the selection is "The Incredible Mr. Lippert"... - Featuring Frank and not featuring Don Knotts. ... and the Originals selection is..."Colossus and the Headhunters" (show 605). - Two "sword & sandal" flicks in a row? I promise, it's a random drawing!
Over to you...
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Post by kmorgan on Jun 25, 2016 23:04:12 GMT -5
Sorry, pretty late this week. Anyway, week 60...
"Incredible Mr. Lippert" is a Ballyhoo documentary running around 30 minutes. It provides a pretty good overview of Robert L. Lippert's career, first as a theater owner, then as an independent producer. It features comments from Frank, as well as film historian Bob Burns and others. They all express appreciation for Lippert's business sense and eye for trends (like Westerns) and talent (like director Samuel Fuller). It's not heavily extensive (it doesn't mention his role in putting together "The Adventures of Superman" with George Reeves), but it's really interesting.
As for "Colossus and the Headhunters", it suffers in comparison with last week's "Hercules Unchained". The budget is lower, the production values aren't as good, and Colossus (well, Maciste) lacks Herc's charisma in this one. There's some good action, but not enough of it. The riffing is good, though they should've known that Trenton isn't on the Jersey shore. And the host segments feature the aggressively cute Nummy Muffin Coocool Butter experiment.
Turned out generally OK this time. So, week 61. The Outsiders selection is..."RT: The Happening"... - Break out the hot dogs and lemon drink! ...and the Originals selection is..."Beast of Yucca Flats" (Show 621). - Flag on the moon. You know the rest.
Stay tuned...
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Post by kmorgan on Jun 25, 2016 23:29:09 GMT -5
Hold it! Hold it!! HOLD IT!!!
LAST MINUTE SUBSTITUTION!
I was in a rush to get the post up, and I forgot something. So, I'm putting "The Happening" back in the rotation. Instead, for this week, I'm going outside the line-up for..."The MST3K Reunion Show- LIVE!" - Any word on what will be riffed? If so, DON'T SPOIL IT!
Stay tuned...again...
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Post by kmorgan on Jun 28, 2016 18:59:19 GMT -5
LAST MINUTE SUBSTITUTION...AGAIN!
I got to the theater tonight for the Reunion, and it was SOLD OUT. And I tried to get a seat for the encore, and it's SOLD OUT, too. So, I might not get to see it until the DVD comes out. As a result, it looks like it will be "RT: The Happening", after all.
If you want to call me an idiot, go ahead. I've earned it.
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Post by kmorgan on Jul 2, 2016 21:44:49 GMT -5
Oh, dear. Week 61 has been a real hassle.
Regarding "RT: The Happening", there's was a slight technical hitch. (Translation: I misplaced my copy of the actual movie.) Things have been straightened out, so I'll fit my viewing of this cinematic...thing later this week.
I did see "Beast of Yucca Flats", though. Lousy movie. How did it get there? I did like the shorts, though, particularly "Progress Island U.S.A.". The tone reminded me of my relatively happy younger days in the 70's, when I was too young to understand how bad things (supposedly) were. The riffing was top notch; Coleman Francis brought out the best in the guys. I liked the host segments, especially the PSA for "F.A.P.S.". And I think Proposition Deep 13 might just have chance at the polls this year.
A bit off-kilter this time. Anyway, let's go on to week 62. For the Outsiders selection, I'm going outside the rotation in honor of our nation's birthday with..."RT: Independence Day"... - The planet Earth abstains, courteously. ...and the Originals selection is..."The Incredible Melting Man" (Show 704). - YUCK!!!
We'll be right back...
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Post by kmorgan on Jul 9, 2016 16:43:51 GMT -5
Well, how did week 62 go?
First, I did get caught up with "The Happening". The movie has the same big problem as "The Village", another M. Night movie: intriguing premise, lackluster resolution. And it does leave a lot of logical problems, like, "Why have the plants attack in a way that'll encourage people to destroy plants, rather than respect them?" And some of the acting could be better. And let's not get started on the crazy lemon-drink lady. The riffing was fine, though I thought the slams on Zoe Deschanel weren't warranted. (I'll admit I'm prejudiced, since I thought she was great as Trillian.)
As for "Independence Day", it's big and loud, very much made as a crowd pleaser. The VFX are OK, and it works on a pure entertainment level. But you shouldn't give it too much thought. And, I'll admit, I saw this in the theater mainly because they ran the "Star Wars" SE trailer before the movie. The RT riffing turned out fine, with some great jokes about Judd Hirsch's character and Robert Loggia and Bull Pullman's respective, gruff voices. And I liked the riff they put in about what the Morse Code message really was.
And regarding "Incredible Melting Man", YUCK! That's really all I need to say. The riffs were good, as I averted my eyes from what they were joking about. The host segments were classic, as the Brains worked out their frustrations over MST3K-TM. And the execs at Universal/Grammercy richly deserved it.
Well, I think I'm getting back up to speed. On to week 63. The Outsider selection is..."The MST3K Reunion Show: (Almost) Live"... - This time, I've already got my ticket. ...and the Originals selection is..."Terror from the Year 5000" (Show 807). - I really don't remember much about this one, and I'm not sure I should.
We'll be right back...
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Post by kmorgan on Jul 16, 2016 22:14:19 GMT -5
Let's review week 63, shall we?
The MST3K Reunion show turned out great. Riffing on shorts was a wise decision, as it gave everyone the chance to have the spotlight to themselves and be funny. And the shorts, themselves, provided fine riffing material. And, as it turns out, I lucked out in missing it the first time; that evening, a thunderstorm interrupted the satellite feed and the audience at the Commerce Center multiplex missed the re-riff of "At Your Fingertips: Grass". This time, everything went well, and we even got one of the fancy cinemas with recliners and extra leg room.
As for "Terror from the Year 5000", that one didn't get repeated on TSNWSRN too often, so I'm not surprised it took me a bit to remember it. The movie was pretty much standard stuff, actually. The usual romantic third wheel, stolid hero, pretty assistant, creepy servant...we've seen it all before. The only thing I really took away from it was the product placement for "I Was a Teenage Frankenstein", one of the movies Susan Hart keeps from us. The riffing turned out fine, though. And the host segments featured some good stuff with the Observers, like the catchy (and, for all I know, accurate) "When I Held Your Brain in My Arms". I do wonder if the food pills come in sugar-frosted variety, though. I could've done without more abuse of Mike by the 'bots, though.
So, on to week 64. The Outsiders selection is..."Life After MST3K: Bill Corbett"... - Yes, there is life after MST3K, I hear. ...and the Originals selection is..."Tom Servo's Favorite Host Segments (Vol. II)". - Let's hope they're my favorites, too.
Stay tuned...
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Post by kmorgan on Jul 24, 2016 2:27:50 GMT -5
Yes, I'm sure you've been waiting to review week 64. Sorry I'm late (AGAIN); I had...matters. Anyway...
"Life After MST3K: Bill Corbett" only runs about twelve minutes, but it's pretty interesting. He's been very busy, with projects I knew about (like RT and the Film Crew) and some I haven't seen/heard yet (like "Max the Hero" and his stage plays). I'm going to have to get caught up on his other stuff.
As for "Tom Servo's Favorite Host Segments (Vol. II)", it has a similar problem that the shorts compilations had. It features the host bits, but not the movie segments that inspired them. Still, as a rundown of segments from the TFNWSRN era, it's pretty funny. And I liked Tom's intro and the notes on the VHS box.
Good stuff this week. So, let's move on to Week 65. The Outsiders selection is..."Talk Soup" (with guests Tom Servo and Mike)... - Do I provide the saltines? ...and the Originals selection is..."Code Name: Diamond Head" (Show 608). - Be there. Aloha.
Don't touch that dial...
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