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Post by Donna SadCat Lady on Mar 20, 2008 18:18:12 GMT -5
Now I knew there was a Jersey Devil, but I never knew there was a Jersey God as well. Now that's an MST-worthy line! Very nice reviews.
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Post by mst3krom on Mar 21, 2008 13:43:56 GMT -5
Now I knew there was a Jersey Devil, but I never knew there was a Jersey God as well. Now that's an MST-worthy line! Very nice reviews. Thanks, Donna. Well, that's you get when you've been watching cryptozoology documentaries since the age of 10. But now, let's get on with: 302 - [glow=green,5,300][shadow=green,left,300]Gamera[/shadow][/glow] Thoughts on movie:People have bashed, are bashing and will bash for a good time now, until they're sick of it, I suppose, the 1998 american version of Godzilla. Bad acting, bad story, bad special effects, bad directing, oh, they'll complain about everything. I won't deny that it's merely a mindless blockbuster, but I ask them to leave their gripes aside and check this movie out. I won't say that all, but maybe a good percentage of them, will change their minds. This one has to be one of the worst Godzilla rip-offs ever. Filmed in black and white, obviously trying to copy its predecessor, the movie is really dull and uninteresting as a bunch of scientists keep thinking of ways to destroy Gamera, that ultimately fail. Finally, they stick him in a rocket and blast him into space. Also, there's the uber annoying kid named Kenny, who just won't shut up about Gamera being good. Boy, this kid is really screwed up inside. But I guess I'd be like that too, if I had a father who'd threaten me that he'll swallow my pet turtle whole with beer. Really, really, really lame! Compared to this one, the american Godzilla is up there with the original 1954 movie. Thoughts on episode:Very, very amusing episode. I'm glad the gang decided to re-riff their japanese encounters from the KTMA season, making some of these the highlight of Season 3. And this is one of them. The riffing isn't the best ever, but it's steady, hilarious in some places and never slows down. The stabs at Kenny are the highlight of the episode. I never get tired of the guys voicing him like he's giving death threats to people. Good job, all-around. The host segments are even better, as some of them are timeless classics. In the intro Joel and the bots train before going into the movie and Joel enjoys an endless salad bar, while the Mads clean-up in Deep 13. Tom's love song to Tibby is great as well as Crow's closing line: "You realize a robot just sang a love song to a turtle?" Also Servo and Crow get to express their undying hatred for Kenny. Then Gamera (played by Mike Nelson) visits the SOL and teaches everyone that unconditional love is great. And, finally, Servo does a funny retrospective on the actors and the Mads give Joel a shock to the shammies. A good episode and one that will make Season 3 one of the best MST3K seasons ever. Favorite riff from movie: "SMASH, TURTLE BASH! Newspaper hits japanese in the face!" - Servo / "Ouch, that stung!" - Joel as old man Favorite host segment: Segment 1, classic song. Grade: **** out of *****
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Post by XerxesTheCat on Mar 21, 2008 18:40:35 GMT -5
Doing great, K.D. You're making more progress than I am. I'm so ashamed. Heh-heh.
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Post by mst3krom on Mar 22, 2008 4:52:07 GMT -5
304 - [glow=beige,5,300][shadow=beige,left,300]Gamera vs. Barugon[/shadow][/glow] Thoughts on movie:Starting off from where it lasted ended, the rocket where Gamera was trapped gets hit by a meteor, and so Gamera escapes and returns to Japan for more monster rampage. But suddenly the movie switches tracks and we follow three guys in their search for a lost opal. Of course, one of guys gets greedy and tries to kill the other two, but one of them survives. Also the opal turns out to be a monster egg and, soon enough, we get our second title monster, Barugon. But what a weird monster this is! He has a battering ram tongue that freezes stuff and a rainbow death ray that shoots from its back. Hey, nobody said monsters have to be believable, but it sure helps. Then we follow up with more of what we saw in the original, guys sitting around trying to figure out ways to kill the monster. One of the plans included some kind of diamond, but the greedy guy stole that too and later he gets tongued to death. In the end, we finally get a brawl between the two leading monsters and Gamera, of course, emerges the victor. This one could have turned up a much better movie, if they would have just stuck with Barugon, instead of a monster brawl (which never delivered), and didn't make him look that ridiculous (rainbow death ray, yeah right ). But, rejoice, 'cause this is the only Gamera film without an annoying kid in it. Note: Actually, there was a previous confrontation between Gamera and Barugon, which was left out in the MST cut. However, it doesn't change much of the main feature as Gamera gets frozen and dispatched quite quickly. That footage can be seen in the KTMA version. Thoughts on episode:Just like the previous Gamera episode, this one receives some good steady riffing, though not as good, but still entertaining. Considering that we get more of the same dull scenes of planning how to destroy the monster, I'd say the guys handled themselves alright. Baragon's battering ram tongue especially inspires some great jokes. But Joel gets really strict in the theater, tearing Crow's arm (again) during a bad pun. The host segments are fun as well. The IBM vs. MAC segment is spot on and very hilarious. During Joel's demonstration of the animatronic soda can, Joel tears off Crow's arm, again (though if you look closely, Crow's arm actually falls off and Joel merely throws it aside). The Mads come up with the Cumber Bubble Bund (Joel's invention from "Robot Monster"). The monster and army set is really cool to look at, but I don't understand the next segment. I think it was inspired by Mike Nelson's days while he was working at TGI Fridays, but what's with Crow and Tom Servo?! Then Joel does a retrospective on some of the actors from the movie, but it's not as good as the one Servo did in Gamera. And I agree with Crow, Joel must have spent a lot of time in the car's trunk, when he went to the drive-in. In the end, the gang present a few monster books, and Frank gives Dr.F the full version of Stephen King's "The Stand". Good goofy fun from an episode that got a whole lot funnier since last I saw it. Favorite riff from movie: "Hey, I listened to the diamond part, but I am not going to arouse him." - Crow as the general Favorite host segment: The intro is one of my favorite host segments. Grade: **** out of *****
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Post by mst3krom on Mar 22, 2008 12:28:59 GMT -5
308 - [glow=yellow,5,300][shadow=yellow,left,300]Gamera vs. Gaos[/shadow][/glow] Thoughts on movie:If you've seen the first two Gamera movies, you know what to expect from this one: more crappy monster action. The annoying kid is back once again, this time named Itchy. He's not as screwed up as Kenny, but he's twice more annoying. Also one of the goofiest plan to kill a monster is presented in this flick: a spinning blood fountain. Geez, no wonder people don't take the kaiju genre seriously, with crackpot ideas like this one. But, compared to the previous movie, this one lives up to its title and delivers the promised monster action, but even that gets too damn ridiculous in the end, despite Gaos being the most decent monster in the Gamera movies. Not to mention the shameless padding at the end, where some monster fights scenes are replayed once more. Shame, shame, all around! Thoughts on episode:If there's one thing I noticed about the Gamera episodes, is that as goofier the movies get, the better the riffing is. The guys have a lot of fun with this one, what with Itchy giving orders to the the adults, the mooing grandpa, the goofy roadway workers, the crackpot science theories and the incredibly stupid monster fights. And, if this one was this great, you can expect the next one to be even better. The host segments are a bit of a throw-away, here. The intro is annoying as annoying can be. The invention exchange, however, is very funny and clever, with the Mads' Self Image Printer and Joel's Tissue Dispenser Fax Machine. Joel's art and crafts project is cute too, especially Crow and Servo's constant interruptions. The next one goes by quickly and isn't very funny at all. Joel's spinning turtles skit gets a few chuckles at best, but watch for a hilarious reference of this skit during the theater segments. Joel and the bots discussing ways to kill Gaos isn't very funny either. Hilarious work in the theater, but so-so work outside of it. Nevertheless, a great episode and I can't wait for the next Gamera episodes. Favorite riff from movie: "Can someone milk grandpa, he's in a lot of pain." - Joel Favorite host segment: Segment 1, Crow and Servo let off some really funny "advices" for the kids. Grade: ****1/2 out of *****
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Post by mst3krom on Mar 23, 2008 12:22:43 GMT -5
312 - [glow=navy,5,300][shadow=navy,left,300]Gamera vs. Guiron[/shadow][/glow]
Thoughts on movie:
Oh, boy! Where to start? First off, I think whoever did this has no frickin idea of what a monster movie should be. Sure, the previous Gamera movies were pretty much bottom of the barrel, but it looks with this one that they want to take off the bottom and dig a hole in the ground.
No more boring plans, this time all we've got is uber annoying kids with disastrous dubbing work. And I do mean disastrous! Not to mention the goofiness factor is stretched to its limits. We get to hear the "Gamera theme song" for the first time (now THIS will get on your nerves) and Gamera's adversary this time is .... really bad. How bad? Well, he's basically a giant knife that can throw ninja stars. Yes, that bad. Along that add a goofy policeman named Cornjob and this will make you lose all trust in the Gamera series (as if that hasn't happened already).
Thoughts on episode:
Hilarious, simply hilarious. What better way than to laugh at this crap of a movie than to have Joel, Servo and Crow along, punching up the already goofy situations. What is there more to say, these guys can turn these stupid japanese flicks into great entertainment like no other. No wonder the japanese episodes are so popular!
The host segments again aren't as spectacular as the theater work, but they're still funny. The school lunch intro gets a few chuckles. The Mads' invention, the Racy Rorschachs isn't that interesting, but Joel's invention, the Collapsible Garbage Can is pretty good. Then the gang gets into the movie's goofy vibe and sing their own version of the "Gamera theme song" and do a little magic trick. The Richard Burton segment could have worked better if I would have known a little more about him. Finally the gang sings the Gamera song again and Michael Fenstein (played by Mike Nelson, again) plays on the piano his own version of the Gamera song.
A great episode, stellar riffing, boatloads of laughs..... you know how it goes. Gamera is indeed really neat.
Favorite riff from movie: "They ate my hair?!" - Joel Favorite host segment: Segment 1, real funny work-over.
Grade: ****1/2 out of *****
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Post by mst3krom on Mar 23, 2008 15:27:07 GMT -5
316 - [glow=blue,5,300][shadow=blue,left,300]Gamera vs. Zigra[/shadow][/glow] Thoughts on movie:Well, I guess my previous "hole in the bottom of the barrel" theory went down the gutter. Up until now I thought Gamera vs. Guiron was the peak of the Gamera series' stupid goofiness. It couldn't get worse, right? WRONG!!! Gamera vs. Zigra takes the previous goofiness and transforms it into a big pile of incompetence, stupidity and annoyance. Nothing makes sense in this movie. The acting is as bad as ever, the direction is crap, the monsters look like hell, the dialog and dubbing makes me want to blow my head off (when they were the retrieving the people who were in the bathosphere, someone asks if they died of suffocation. One of the scientists says: "Yes, but not by suffocation." HUH??!! THE HELL???!!!!) and the goofiness reaches painful proportions. Even Gamera takes it over the top (he gets to play the xylophone on the other monsters back). Finally, what can I say? Other than ..... Sandy Frank, ......... BITE ME, you twisted old fruit! What made you think audiences were interested in this crap?! Thoughts on episode:Well, that was a good of dose of vitriol, now wasn't it? But, despite how much I loathe these movies, the gang gave a good surprise this time around. In the beginning, the riffing is a bit mild, with very few belly laughs. But as the film moves forward, the riffs get better, until, at the end, I couldn't stop laughing out loud. And to think, this was my least favorite Gamera episode. Just goes to show you, the influence of a new viewing. The host segments are some of the best ever done in a Gamera episode, second only to the ones from the original Gamera. The party motif displayed through-out is great and conveys the feeling that if this is the final Gamera torment (too bad there's still another Sandy Frank along the corner), they'll be going out with a bang. The Mads' invention is cute, but I'm more of a Marx Brothers fan. However Joel's invention is really clever and ends with a big laugh. Crow and Servo's Gamera model is also neat, as are the clay models everyone gets to do. Also, Joel ends it on a heart-warming note. Next we get a hilarious visit from the two japanese kids (played by Mike and Bridget Nelson) and finally everyone gives their own musical tribute to Gamera. The best Gamera episode and an exceptional episode on its own right. Just don't let the movie get to you. Favorite riff from movie: "So, they're only mostly dead?" - Joel Favorite host segment: The invention exchange, one of the funniest ever. Grade: ****1/2 out of ***** Final grade on set: ****1/2 out of ***** Just goes to show you, get our guys going on some lame giant turtle flicks and you get great comedy. Oh, and on a bad Godzilla movie too. ;D
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Post by mst3krom on Mar 24, 2008 17:00:07 GMT -5
212 - [glow=beige,5,300][shadow=beige,left,300]Godzilla vs. Megalon[/shadow][/glow] Thoughts on movie:I'm beginning to see why the Brains picked Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster and this one for riffing. I'm not sure how bad these ones are compared to the other Godzilla movies, but as standalone movies they pretty much suck. The story revolves around an invasion from Seatopia, an underwater kingdom, which sends two monsters, Megalon and Gigan, to take over the world. Opposing them is Godzilla, helped by two inventors, an annoying kid and their robot, Jet Jaguar. Mostly all we get are car chase sequences and the monster action doesn't get started up until the last half hour and even then it's pretty light and silly. You gotta wonder how the hell did they get from Gojira (1954) to this one? Thoughts on episode:Widely acclaimed as one of the best episodes in the history of the show, I couldn't help but shake my head, 'cause this is far from being called the crew's best work. There are, however, a few great laughs, especially during the last monster fight, but other than that, it mostly "m'eh" level riffs. The host segments on the other hand, are indeed great. The episode gets on the right track with stuff we 'won't' be seeing today and keeps on the same vibe when everyone comes up with silly and funny costumes for the invention exchange. Crow and Servo's made-up monster designs are also a hoot. Wonder what pictures were they looking at? The Rex Dart, Eskimo Spy segment is a brilliant action compilation and a classic. The Orville Popcorn bit is a bit obscure for me, but the way Servo and Crow play it is simply hilarious. Finally, Joel gives the bots new arms (looks like Servo got the best of it ), the Mads play Super Mario and we get a reworking of the Jet Jaguar Song. Average riffing, but killer host segments. Good enough episode, but by no means a classic. Favorite riff from movie: "It's the all idiot channel." - Crow Favorite host segment: Segment 2, it speaks all for itself. Grade: ***1/2 out of *****
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Post by quinnmartin on Mar 25, 2008 10:19:33 GMT -5
Next set: 213 - Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster 302 - Gamera 304 - Gamera vs. Barugon 308 - Gamera vs. Gaos 312 - Gamera vs. Guiron 316 - Gamera vs. Zigra Next set v.02: 212 - Godzilla vs. Megalon 306 - Time of the Apes 310 - Fugitive Alien 314 - Mighty Jack 318 - Star Force: Fugitive Alien II 321 - Santa Claus Conquers the Martians See you later, alligator! Really curious to see what you think of the V.02 set. Those are some of my favorite episodes. In fact, other than 312, I like all of set 2 quite a bit better than set 1. Though your reviews of the Gamera eps are making me want to watch those again soon. Other than "Guiron" I haven't watched any of those in a LONG time. Too bad the riffing on 212 didn't grab you. It's certainly nowhere near their best work, but I find it probably the second funniest riffing of season 2 (after 201). Loved all the Oscar Wilde riffs and riffing during all of the fight scenes. And the Kissinger and suicidal humidifier lines were classics. Same with the "next on Then Came the Courtship of Bronson's Father" bit and the June Taylor Lynchers line. Actually, all of the Seatopia scenes were a riot. And the movie itself really adds to the enjoyment of the movie segments. I find it absolutely perfect for the show. Even when the riffing lags, there's none of the dull moments that I find in even better riffed eps like "Starfighters" or "I Accuse My Parents" or "Time Chasers". And the host segments are what make the episode on of the best ever. Even if the riffing was KTMA level, GvsM would still be one of my favorite episodes. It always puts me in great mood, kind of MST 'comfort food'. Looking forward to the rest of your Sandy Frank reviews, keep 'em coming!
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Post by mst3krom on Mar 25, 2008 10:22:13 GMT -5
306 - [glow=brown,5,300][shadow=brown,left,300]Time of the Apes[/shadow][/glow] Thoughts on movie:What could be worse? A japanese "Planet of the Apes" rip-off with the intelligence of a Gamera movie. I understand this was compiled from several episodes from a TV show and they did a bad job too. Looks like they took the beginning and the end, and threw something in the middle for stuffing. The result: nothing makes sense! The only interesting part was the rivalry between the human hero, Godo, and the ape commander, but even that gets resolved in a totally left-field way. Other than that, it's nothing we haven't seen before: bad acting, cheesy effects, cringe-inducing dialog, crazy camera work. They didn't even bother to design the ape masks so their lips could move, too. Now that's what I call lazy! Thoughts on episode:I remember this one as being among my first japanese episodes (alongside Prince of Space and Godzilla vs. Megalon). I remember laughing till I wet'em when I first saw this one. Unfortunately, it didn't hold up as well as I thought, but it was still hilarious, nonetheless. You can tell from the start that our guys were in a silly mood for this one and it shows. From the stabs at Johnny, who doesn't care, a guy named Godo and an ape named Pepe who looks like an owl, to the bad ape make-up, the goofy music and the over-the-top camera work. I especially loved the "Silence of the Lambs" references, the small nod to the Marx Brothers' movie, "Animal Crackers", and, why not, the poop flinging jokes. The host segments are borderline average, but some of them are a real hoot. The intro is cute, as the guys play baseball, and, predictably, someone breaks a window. The Mads' invention, the Miracle Baby Growth is hilarious and Joel's Cellulite Phone is a clever and helpful gadget. The next two segments don't have any point whatsoever, just to fill the time space, but Crow's fashion show does get a few chuckles. In the end, the guys sing the Sandy Frank song and the Mads can't decide who should push the button. Not as rip-roaring as I remembered it, but still full of great laughs. Favorite riff from movie: "Go to hell?! Hey, he feeds you, takes you into his home and that's the thanks??!!" - Crow Favorite host segment: Segment 4, Joel really cuts loose in this one. Grade: ****1/2 out of *****
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Post by mst3krom on Mar 25, 2008 10:43:05 GMT -5
Well, wish me luck! I'm about to tackle with the ineptitude of Fugitive Alien and Mighty Jack. Hope I come out alive from that one. ;D As for GvM, well ... matter of personal taste, what can I say? That's why I watched this episode among the first, because it was considered so great. However when I finally saw the following episode and some of the Season 3 eps, I found it afterwards a bit lackluster. And, except for the monster fights, the movie felt really dull and the riffs weren't that extraordinary. The host segments are superb, however, nothing to comment there. But it's just a matter of personal taste. Out of all Season 2, King Dinosaur is particularly my favorite and, on my recent viewing, it got even better. Personally, I'd choose it even over Santa Claus.
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Post by quinnmartin on Mar 25, 2008 10:49:11 GMT -5
Out of all Season 2, King Dinosaur is particularly my favorite and, on my recent viewing it got even better. Personally, I'd choose even over Santa Claus. That's another one that I was suprised to see so much love for. My tape of it quit working, so I've been hoping to see it on the last few Rhino sets. But I may have to break down and get that one from Sky. I don't remember it being that funny, so I'm curious to see what I'll think of it now. Though I will be very suprised if I prefer that one to either Santa Claus ep.
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Post by quinnmartin on Mar 25, 2008 11:07:03 GMT -5
I also think that how you rate GvM (and Santa Claus Conquers the Martians) is very dependent on how important you view the host segments. I don't think the riffing in either is anything special, but they're both in my top 12 largely because of how much I love the host segments. Indeed, your summary of GvM - average riffing/killer host segments - isn't too far off from how I would describe it. I would probably go with "slightly-above -average riffing/best set of host segments ever/fun movie Grade: ***** out of *****"
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Post by Raltaran on Mar 25, 2008 11:22:03 GMT -5
Time of the Apes is my favorite MST3K episode. the movie was bad but interesting, and the riffs were hilarious!
'i finaly did it, i blew it up! damn me all to hell!'
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Post by Mighty Jack on Mar 25, 2008 11:54:57 GMT -5
I don't think I've been in Rowsdowers in years.... but you said nice things about my reviews so I felt it only polite to check out yours as well.
I like them very much
Keep it up, these are well done and well thought out. (Oh, and GvM doesn't grab me much either and great skits -which only encompass a 4th of an ep- can't carry an episode for me)
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