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Post by Mr. Atari on Feb 19, 2008 19:41:46 GMT -5
A recent thread that went off the rails posed the following idea:
What do you think of Mr. Nelson's recent creative choices?
Is Rifftrax a great idea that capitalizes on his natural talent, or is it a descent from his more independently-minded writing career? Or both, maybe?
What do you, the viewers at home, think?
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Post by Ron Codpiece on Feb 19, 2008 20:01:55 GMT -5
Rifftrax is the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being I've ever known in my life.
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Post by General Tom Servo on Feb 19, 2008 20:08:41 GMT -5
First off: I should admit that while I've read Megacheese about six thousand times, I haven't read Mind Over Matters or Death Rat. So perhaps I'm not as well-suited to criticize as others.
That being said: even if it were "milking his glory days", who cares so long as it's good? Mike and Co. aren't revisiting MST3K after decades, ten years max. have elapsed and they're still more or less at the top of their games. Besides, RiffTrax and Cinematic Titanic are NOT MST3K Redux: the basic idea is the same but riffers aren't in character and without the restraint of TV they can make much broader jokes than before. So, I don't see what the complaints are about, so long as the product is good.
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Post by Crowfan on Feb 19, 2008 20:09:55 GMT -5
I totally agree with you General Tom Servo
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Post by beljah on Feb 19, 2008 20:10:43 GMT -5
As a MSTie, I should probably be ashamed of the fact that I haven't checked out Riff Trax, just seems like a lot of work. But, I love the 2 Film Crew offerings I've seen, Hollywood After Dark and Killers from Space.
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Post by FredC on Feb 19, 2008 20:36:57 GMT -5
Rifftrax is the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being I've ever known in my life. I like Rifftrax... as a friend. (This actually sums up my opinion of it pretty well. It's great, but it's not up to par most of the time with MST3K. Every now and again though, they have one that captures MST3K perfectly.)
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Post by siamesesin on Feb 19, 2008 20:44:04 GMT -5
I like the books. I like what I've heard of the Rifftrax.
Ah, hell, I like Mike.
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Post by stevehadcrackers on Feb 19, 2008 20:48:53 GMT -5
I love Megacheese and Mind Over Matters. His reviews of Patch Adams and Varsity Blues are wonderful, and I love how he goes off an a rant against tyranical coaches for Varsity Blues and reminisces about how a football player peed in his locker. Mind Over Matters is very funny-- I remember reading "Tips On Getting Stung By Wasps" at one of those little cafes inside Borders after I bought the book and shaking from having to hold in my insane laughter in public. I have yet to read Death Rat, I'm sad to say. As for Rifftrax, I'm very fond of it when I can get it to work properly. It's not "need to have" like MST is for me, but I enjoy it greatly, especially when Mike has Kevin and Bill or Bridget or Mary Jo riffing with him. I have yet to experience a full "Film Crew," but a saw a clip somewhere and it seemed promising (I remember Bill making a Christopher Walken joke about the narrator's voice?). Overall, I think it's really cool that Mike has done so many variations on the movie riffing thing, and so on. I don't think he's milking it-- if you find something you love and excel at, and others love it, then great. Mike also gives lectures at universities-- I saw one on Google video and it was wonderful. He basically ripped Leprachaun 3 a new one for like five straight minutes. I love Mike. He's one smart, funny guy. I think that was the point I was making. I forgot-- it seemed so long ago that I began typing...
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Post by braindeadzombie on Feb 19, 2008 22:15:15 GMT -5
Here's a hard truth: Mike Nelson is funnier as a writer than as a performer. Most of his acting is, well it's beyond hammy so maybe "spammy" would be a better word to use. He mugs too much and while it's quite a feat for Rifftrax, it distracts from the humor. Kevin and Bill come off much better for me but they also sound more relaxed, more normal.
Should he have continued to write? "He basically ripped Leprachaun 3 a new one for like five straight minutes". No, it sounds like it's too late for that.
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Post by Beautiful Mind on Feb 19, 2008 22:28:47 GMT -5
I want to have "creative output" when I grow up (that great American novel ain't happening so far). I want to be a part of something that is so incredible that nearly a decade after it's done folks are still talking about it. I want to still love going to a job I started 20 years ago (for some of them). I want to love it so much that even when I've moved on to other very successful ventures, it still calls me back to do it some more. In short, I wanna be Mike or any of those folks when I grow up!
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Post by Bix Dugan on Feb 20, 2008 12:27:23 GMT -5
The only "writings of Mike" I've read was in the ACEG. The part about "my 896 lbs of lawyers Vs. his 1086 lbs of lawyers" really cracked me up. I have an autographed "Plan 9" which I enjoy. If I ever get an MP3 player I'd buy some Rifftracks. I can't think of anyone (outside of the Brains) that gets my attention like Mike does. Because he's one funny MoFo.
But I really have a problem with that hack, Rick Moranis. He hasn't done one funny thing since Strange Brew.
And he wasn't really that funny in SCTV.
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Post by Mod City on Feb 20, 2008 12:52:29 GMT -5
I've only read Megacheese, but I loved it, and I'm completely up for reading more of his stuff if I could find the time. And I'm at least halfway through the Rifftrax catalog (I'd be farther along if they didn't put them out so darn fast).
I also agree with General Tom - if it's good, and it is in this case, who cares? He seems as sharp now as ever, even on solo Rifftrax when he has no backup riffers with him. That's impressive.
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Post by FredC on Feb 20, 2008 13:14:57 GMT -5
The only "writings of Mike" I've read was in the ACEG. The part about "my 896 lbs of lawyers Vs. his 1086 lbs of lawyers" really cracked me up. I have an autographed "Plan 9" which I enjoy. If I ever get an MP3 player I'd buy some Rifftracks. I can't think of anyone (outside of the Brains) that gets my attention like Mike does. Because he's one funny MoFo. But I really have a problem with that hack, Rick Moranis. He hasn't done one funny thing since Strange Brew. And he wasn't really that funny in SCTV. I can't believe you snubbed Moranis' performance in Ghostbusters. I just can't.
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Post by callipygias on Feb 20, 2008 13:35:41 GMT -5
That's true, Bix. I'm a little ashamed of ya. Strange Brew was a nice call though.
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Post by Bix Dugan on Feb 20, 2008 17:16:35 GMT -5
Come on now. You can't see my gentle ribbing aimed at the Original Poster, Mr Mellowpants?
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