Rifftrax vs Film Crew

[Mr. Atari]

I've watched the 4 Film Crews, and I've watched about a dozen Rifftrax.

I prefer Rifftrax.

But I understand why most MSTies might prefer The Film Crew. After all, it has "host segments" and MST-quality movies. Plus, as mentioned already, it's on a single DVD.

For my money, though, the host segments on Film Crew aren't funny at all. And of the movies, only "Killers From Space" held my attention. It took me 5 tries to finish "Hollywood After Dark". And, they cost 4-5 times as much.

Rifftrax, however, often riff on films I already have on DVD. They are very inexpensive, and are released frequently enough that I can skip the ones that don't interest me. Additionally, the more well-known movies make it easier to introduce newbies to the MST-lifestyle. The synching is no problem at all, but I watch everything on my laptop.

So, to sum up:
Rifftrax is cheaper.
Rifftrax does more enjoyable movies (thereby creating a wider appeal).
Rifftrax has more options.
The riffing is (largely) the same.
The Film Crew is slightly easier to use.

Advantage: Rifftrax.

[Broadsword]

I love both and really hope they both continue.

[Skyroniter]

I have been greatly enjoying both and hope to continue to be able to do so. But if forced to choose, I'd give the nod to Rifftrax now.
Rifftrax seems fully realized. Film Crew feels more like they got together for a week or so and produced all four. Then looked/hoped for release. I would expect the Crew to become more polished if future episodes are produced.

[gammer]

sampo said:

I prefer Rifftrax.

But I understand why most MSTies might prefer The Film Crew. After all, it has "host segments" and MST-quality movies. Plus, as mentioned already, it's on a single DVD.

For my money, though, the host segments on Film Crew aren't funny at all. And of the movies, only "Killers From Space" held my attention. It took me 5 tries to finish "Hollywood After Dark". And, they cost 4-5 times as much.

Rifftrax, however, often riff on films I already have on DVD. They are very inexpensive, and are released frequently enough that I can skip the ones that don't interest me. Additionally, the more well-known movies make it easier to introduce newbies to the MST-lifestyle. The synching is no problem at all, but I watch everything on my laptop.

So, to sum up:
Rifftrax is cheaper.
Rifftrax does more enjoyable movies (thereby creating a wider appeal).
Rifftrax has more options.
The riffing is (largely) the same.
The Film Crew is slightly easier to use.

Advantage: Rifftrax.

This pretty much sums up exactly how I feel too.

[BathTub]

The cost thing is a personal decision though, at least in part. It can go either way, I am happy renting or borrowing, I buy what I have to. Like I had to buy Next from the UK since it's not out here until next year. But some people have to own each DVD. I totally understand the compulsion though, I'm just a bit broke at the moment.

[BathTub]

Oh and of course you can watch The Film Crew through netflix video on demand service, probably the cheapest way of all.

[CBG]

bathtub said:

Oh and of course you can watch The Film Crew through netflix video on demand service, probably the cheapest way of all.

The Film Crew is only available on disc via snail mail here.
They've just added a BUNCH of new TV shows and movies, so maybe soon.

[dangfish]

I'm torn with the rifftrax vs. filmcrew debate. All things being equal I would definitely lean toward Filmcrew. I much prefer the whole kittenkaboodle that you can just stick into your dvd player and not have to worry about mp3s and renting films and sync-ups etc...... Not that I've found it all that difficult. My main problem with rifftrax, however, is that you are forced to watch it all in one sitting. My preferred method of watching MST has always been to watch 30 or 40 minutes at a time. Half the fun for me is also rewinding and watching the real funny parts again. This issue has detracted from my rifftrax enjoyment. Plus rifftrax is a rather solitary endeavor.

On the other hand......

I've seen the first three film crews and about ten rifftrax. So far I've found the riffing to be quite a bit better on the rifftrax. I'm guessing this is mainly due to the fact that the rifftrax were done after the filmcrew and that they are starting to get into their rhythm again. I'm betting that the next set of film crews will be stronger. If there are any, that is.

[gammer]

dangfish said:

I'm torn with the rifftrax vs. filmcrew debate. All things being equal I would definitely lean toward Filmcrew. I much prefer the whole kittenkaboodle that you can just stick into your dvd player and not have to worry about mp3s and renting films and sync-ups etc...... Not that I've found it all that difficult. My main problem with rifftrax, however, is that you are forced to watch it all in one sitting.

Part of the fun for me, with RiffTrax, is doing the re-authoring. One of my hobbies is being a videoist. And ripping the DVD's, mixing the audio and re-authoring is all part of the fun. Its kind of like art and you can add your own personal touches to it (ie - making the DVD covers).
Then once you have it on DVD, you can watch it in stages or ffwd or rewind and its all good.

[dangfish]

gammer73 said:

dangfish said:

I'm torn with the rifftrax vs. filmcrew debate. All things being equal I would definitely lean toward Filmcrew. I much prefer the whole kittenkaboodle that you can just stick into your dvd player and not have to worry about mp3s and renting films and sync-ups etc...... Not that I've found it all that difficult. My main problem with rifftrax, however, is that you are forced to watch it all in one sitting.

Part of the fun for me, with RiffTrax, is doing the re-authoring. One of my hobbies is being a videoist. And ripping the DVD's, mixing the audio and re-authoring is all part of the fun. Its kind of like art and you can add your own personal touches to it (ie - making the DVD covers).
Then once you have it on DVD, you can watch it in stages or ffwd or rewind and its all good.

Excuse my technical ignorance, but does this mean that you have it all on one DVD? (the film and the rifftrax)? With the ability to rewind, stop. pause, etc, my rifftrax enjoyment would be much enhanced.

[BathTub]

Yes, quite a few of us make our own DVDs of the film and the rifftrax mixed together.

[gammer]

dangfish said:

Excuse my technical ignorance, but does this mean that you have it all on one DVD? (the film and the rifftrax)? With the ability to rewind, stop. pause, etc, my rifftrax enjoyment would be much enhanced.

That is correct. All-on-one DVD.

[krokodyle]

I prefer The Film Crew over RiffTrax, and will continue to purchase them, if they make any more.

While I do enjoy working with RiffTrax (I'm a video hobbyist myself), I really can only spend time on synching & creating my own dvds on the few movies I actually would watch more than a couple times (like Battlefield Earth, the Star Wars ones, and Lord of the Rings), not to mention I don't own many of the films RiffTrax skewers. With the Film Crew, it's all done, and ready to go.

I really hope they haven't abandoned the Film Crew project. Yeah, it cost a lot more to produce, and subsequently sell for, but for me (and I would imagine a great deal of the general public) it's a lot more user-friendly. Instead of being "slightly" easier to use, I'd have to go farther and say that they're a *lot* easier to use, if you're not a videophile or tech head.

On the other hand, I generally agree about the FC host segments: they need serious work. But even so, I like seeing their faces and the premise of FC. It's a little more tangible than just an audio track for 1.5 to 2 hours.

Of course, if someone out there actually makes some sort of filter/program that allows me to frame the video of my RiffTrax/FC DVDs with moving Shadowrama figures...well, that would make it soooooo much sweeter.

[gammer]

Yes, it can take a long time to re-author a DVD. I'm sure I could do it faster and quicker if I didn't make DVD menu's or DVD covers. But as I mentioned before its a hobby and I like doing all that stuff...then writing quick reviews and providing free previews; its fun.

I can see how certain folks just want to buy a DVD and toss it in, and kick back and watch it.

I think RiffTrax understands this and there is only so much they can do (legally) to make it as easily as possible. But at the end of the day there will always be people who don't want to bother with the separate audio of RiffTrax and its more then likely that RiffTrax will never be able to produce their own all-in-one DVD's because of the legalities.

[BoB3K]

sampo said:

Rifftrax, however, often riff on films I already have on DVD.

I never thought of that because I don't own any of the DVDs that they have riffed--I'm not really into buying "regular" movies on DVD. If you already own the movies, that is definitely a plus to Rifftrax.