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Post by kmorgan on Jul 18, 2024 8:11:48 GMT -5
Oh, and for this week's Originals selection... "The Final Sacrifice" (Show 910). - Rowsdower!
We'll be right back...
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Post by kmorgan on Jul 23, 2024 11:57:16 GMT -5
While I have a few moments during my lunch hour, here are the selections for week 476. Both Outsider selections are off-rotation. The first one is... "The Mary Jo Pehl Show: Mary Jo Cooks Yet Another Mystery Recipe"... - That's live on-line tonight. I'm still hoping for Welsh cookies. ... while the second one is... "Rifftrax Live: Planning Session"... - That was live via Zoom yesterday, but I'm told I'll get a copy. I just hope it'll be this week. ... while the Originals selection is... "Tormented" (Show 414). - Tom Stewart didn't kill me!
Don't touch that dial...
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Post by kmorgan on Aug 1, 2024 18:32:04 GMT -5
Well, I'm a bit off-kilter, due to circumstances beyond my control causing a big change to my planned vacation at my Ancestral Home in PA. So, while I restructure the situation, I'll get caught up. First, we'll start with recapping week 475…
“Night Slaves” starts with a tired businessman (James Franciscus) quitting his job and promptly getting in a bad car accident. He survives, and he and his wife (Lee Grant) go off on an extended road trip to try and get their marriage back on track. (Oh, and she’s having an affair with his former business partner, by the way.) They stop at a quiet yet strangely odd small town for the night, when he wakes up and sees the townsfolk, and his wife, being herded onto trucks and taken away. The next morning, they’re all back and all seems normal. Did he dream all this? Is the metal plate in his head post-accident affecting him? Or did it really happen? And, if so, why? I thought this was a good one. The mystery is intriguing, the performances are good, and it’s rather low key. The shorter running time (about 75 minutes) keeps the story focused, and the cruel twist ending I was expecting doesn’t happen (or does it?). And we even get to see Leslie Nielsen back when he was a dramatic actor, and Andrew Prine’s character fooled me completely. Chris & MJ seemed confused by it, while I picked up on the story right away.
And the “Secret Jo Night” movie? “Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2”. I won’t go into detail, as it’s no so much a movie as a collection of movie clichés, done badly. Truly awful flick. On the chat, viewers were appalled by this lousy movie. (I asked if Christ couldn’t have gotten MJ a cheap copy of “Goldfinger” instead.) The next day, Chris & MJ posted an apology on Facebook, accepting all responsibility, while blaming Matt for it all. Ugh!
As for “Final Sacrifice”, yes, it’s also a lousy movie, but it was made for a tiny fraction of the budget for the Paul Blart movie. Yes, it’s minimalist cast and confusing script are a problem. And Satorus is not a very compelling villain. But it’s a rather fun movie, and it seemed to be made by people who wanted to make an entertaining story. (Yes, I’m being charitable, but I feel like doing so after recalling the soulless Paul Blart monstrosity.) By the way, even with all the Yosemite Sam jokes about Pipper, he still reminds me of Tom Baker. Anybody else feel that way? This was a good episode, featuring the great anti-Canada song, pre-dating “South Park”. (In your face, Parker & Stone!) And Paul had a nice bit at the end re: Pearl’s offer of ruling over him. (Funny, the Travelers’ Group have never offered to rule me.)
Moving to week 476…
MJ’s latest show went a long way towards supplanting the memory of Paul Blart. The latest recipe involved chopped & grated vegetables & cheese, and Jell-O. Bill showed up to help, and ended up staying quite a while because they didn’t research low long it takes Jell-O to set. And the results were…you should see for yourself. This was a good episode, though I can’t help wondering if anyone actually made these recipes for real. Chris also announced a change in routine: the next “Movie Jo Night” would be a surprise, chosen by Matt. It seems that while the choice of the Paul Blart thing wasn’t great, the idea of surprise movies for both the audience & the cast sounded good. So, I’m not sure what we’ll get next time.
As for the planning session for RT’s live riffing of “Point Break”, I can’t comment because I didn’t see it. I was working during the live meeting, and I haven’t gotten the recording yet. I’m spoiled because Chris always gets the download of the Mads’ shows out right quick. We’ll see when this one shows up.
As for “Tormented”, this is actually one of the better B.I.G. productions. It steps away from giant monsters and goes for psychological suspense, where we have to at least consider that maybe Tom is imagining Vi’s ghost. Ok, it doesn’t really pull it off, but it’s a good try. On the other hand, the plotline with ten-year-old Sandy is rather disturbing, probably moreso today than when the movie was made. This was one of the better episodes, with great riffing (though perhaps too much “Sessions Presents…”) and good host segments. And notice how Joel is able to take Crow’s disembodied head in stride, compared to Mike’s reaction in “Screaming Skull”.
OK, we’re back on track. Here are the selections for what remains of week 477. The first on-rotation Outsider is… “RT Live: Plan 9 from Outer Space”… - No, Criswell, I’m not interested in this future event. … while the second Outsider is… “Rifftrax Shorts, Vol. 1” (1st Half)… - Will we all be watching these, or will the girls be watching the other film? … while the Originals selection is… “Girl in Gold Boots” (Show 1002) - I’m not sure my mind was ever pretty.
Stay tuned…
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Post by kmorgan on Aug 8, 2024 15:09:06 GMT -5
OK, I've been really messed up this week. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I've had to cancel my annual vacation at my Ancestral Home in PA. This has thrown me seriously off-balance, and resulted in my having to reorganize a bunch of stuff. Thus, it's only now that I've been in a position to recap week 477 and select week 478. So, let's try and get back on schedule. First, the recap...
What more can be said about "Plan 9". Lousy movie, but not the worst ever. (The Medved brothers had a limited scope when it came to bad movies.) As far as the RT Live show is concerned, it was the first one, and they were new to the idea. So, we got a short (the great "Flying Stewardesses"), two "sponsor announcements", three songs from Jonathan Coulton, a host, prize giveaways, and the movie. It worked OK, and the riffing was great, but it's good that they cut the programs down a bit in later shows.
As for the first RT Shorts DVD (the 1st half of it), it's good. It featured "Down and Out" (I hope that guy had lots of padding under those coveralls), "Patriotism" (again, Bob Crane), "Buying Food" (who buys a vegetable they know nothing about?), "Skipper Learns a Lesson" (the thought of racist dogs is disturbing), and "Right or Wrong" (how come the other kids aren't troubled over their friend taking the rap?). I still wonder if anyone actually saw any of these in school.
As for "Girl in Gold Boots", yes, the dancers are attractive in appearance. But the actual characters are not appealing at all. They range from annoying (Critter), hopelessly naive (Michele), severely messed-up (Joanie), and just plain repellent (pretty much everyone else). Not a particularly good watch. The riffing was great, though. We also got two of my favorite host segments (the beer-pouring, and the "I Am Sad" song), and another attempt at a story arc, with Pearl trying for Mad Scientisthood.
Well, now let's look at what's left of week 478. Both Outsider selections are off-rotation. The first one is... "RT LIVE: Point Break"... - That's live via Fathom tonight. Let's see what I missed when I had to cancel my MN trip. ... while the second one is... "The Mary Jo Pehl Show: Chit Chat & Tid Bits"... - That's set for this Saturday morning at 10, for those with Clubhouse access. ... while the Originals selection is... "Racket Girls" (Show 616). - Featuring the seamy side of ladies' 'rassling.
We'll be right back...
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Post by kmorgan on Aug 15, 2024 15:08:00 GMT -5
Well, I'm behind schedule again. More circumstances beyond my control, actually. (To be a bit more exact, it involves car insurance companies.) Anyway, let's see how week 478 went.
I doubt I need to review the plot of "Point Break". We're pretty much all familiar with the whole "thrill-seeking surfers robbing banks" thing. I'll just say that I guess it can be enjoyed, provided you understand a few things: it strictly follows the conventions of 80s/90s cop movies, it's between twenty and twenty-five minutes too long, and nobody in the movie is really all that smart. I just kept thinking that this is not the way Efram Zimbalist, Jr. would've handled the investigation. (Yes, I'm late middle-aged.) Still, the riffing from the guys was great. I was a bit surprised at how dark some of the riffs were, like the Alec Baldwin joke during the pre-show, and the riff that got Bill urging the audience the shun Mike. I wish I could've seen this one live in person, but seeing it at the Regal in South Plainfield was OK.
As for this month's "Chit Chat & Tid Bits", the conversation between MJ, Chris and the chat ranged from getting moving in the morning to syrup preferences for pancakes to TV shows about psychopaths to the "Point Break" show. I like these informal chats, and I enjoyed this one. Even if it did mean getting myself rolling at 10 am on an off-Saturday. (Well, I was already up watching Laurel & Hardy...)
And as for "Racket Girls", it's tough to watch a movie where most of the women look like they could break my back with little effort. Plus, the wrestling scenes are pretty much the athletic equivalent of the endless refueling scenes in “The Starfighters”, but without the jazzy soundtrack. And the naivety of Peaches and the ineptitude of the crooks doesn’t make for an engaging film. On the other hand, the "Are You Ready for Marriage?" short was one of the best ones, what with the graphs, the strung-together toys, and booooiiiing. (By the way, did anyone else think the reverend/counselor in the short looked like Clancy Brown, and did the traitorous bookkeeper in “Racket Girls” remind anyone else of Kenny Banya from “Seinfeld”? Maybe it’s just me.) The riffing was great, although it’s a bit sobering now when Mike sings about Ukrainia, “my bitter homeland”. The host segments were OK, if you don’t find the idea of Crow & Tom getting married a bit…odd. And Bridget was great as Lisa Loeb, of course.
OK, now let’s get to what little remains of week 479. For the first Outsider selection, I’m going off-rotation (sort of) for… “The Mads are Back: Glen or Glenda”… - Since Trace & Frank are taking a break this month, I’m watching their first on-line show to fill the gap. … while the second Outsider is the on-rotation… “RT: Attack from Space”… - Featuring that character that, reportedly, inspired Prince of Space and Space Chief, for better or worse. … while the Originals selection is… “The Screaming Skull” (Show 912). - Has anyone fully determined if Mickey is related to Torgo and Ortega?
Don’t touch that dial…
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Post by kmorgan on Aug 20, 2024 14:41:55 GMT -5
After several false starts, I'm finally getting up to the Ancestral Home later this week. Unfortunately, it's thrown me completely off-track in keeping up to schedule. As a result, the recap will be slightly delayed. And, as for week 480, I've only got one selection set. It's the on-rotation Outsiders selection, which is... "Movie Jo Night: ?"... - That's live on-line tonight, and it seems Chris & MJ don't know what's been scheduled. As long as it isn't something with Paul Blart... ... while the other two selections are TBA until I can get home from work.
Please stand by...
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Post by kmorgan on Aug 21, 2024 13:47:39 GMT -5
Sorry about the delay, there. Anyway, the other Outsider selection, off-rotation, is... "RT: Farm Shorts"... - Since I'm finally getting to the farm this summer, it's appropriate. ... while the Originals selection is... "Outlaw" (Show 519). - CabotCabotCabotCabotCabotCabotCabotCabotCabotJackPalanceCabotCabotCabotCabotCabotSTOP!!!
We'll be right back...
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Post by kmorgan on Aug 27, 2024 9:59:50 GMT -5
Well, time for my usual catching up. We'll start with week 479...
First of all, I know that “Glen or Glenda” was a genuine plea for acceptance of transvestites and differently gendered people. And I know that Ed Wood put his heart into this movie. And I know that Bela, always unable to just phone it in, really gives a good performance. But it’s still a bad movie. Not the worst movie, but still a bad one. And the “risqué” footage inserted by the producer doesn’t help at all. As the first of the Mads’ on-line shows, they were still working on the concept a bit. There was no dramatic countdown at the start, and the post show Q&A only lasted about fifteen minutes and had no guests. But it was still a very good start, with great riffing from Trace & Frank and interesting questions from the chat. As for “Attack from Space”, it’s another “movie” taken from a TV show. In this case, I understand it’s a Japanese sci-fi show about Super Giant (renamed Starman here), who was reportedly an inspiration for the far superior Ultraman, and the MSTed Prince of Space and Space Chief. And he also inspired the Krankor villains’ choice of undergarments, or lack thereof. Anyway, our hero is dispatched by a council of goofy aliens to stop a bunch of Nazi aliens from taking over Earth. We then see the usual meddling kids (at least the girl can be tough, when needed), poor VFX, a nonsensical plot, and a ridiculously-long and ridiculously-choreographed fight scene at the end. It’s worse than “Prince of Space”, and just about as bad as “Neptune Men”. Fortunately, the guys do a fine job with the riffing (aside from the unneeded joke about Jake Lloyd) and, from the sound of it, had a good time.
As for “Screaming Skull”, they did at least try to combine “Gaslight” and “Rebecca” and a ghost story. But the result wasn’t very good. It’s pretty obvious from the start that wife #1 was murdered, and hubby is after wife #2’s money. And Mickey (who must be Torgo’s cousin) is clearly just a red herring. Still, they gave it a try, anyway. The “free funeral” offer was a nice (if unjustified by the movie) touch, but William Castle would’ve handled it a lot better. On the other hand, “Robot Rumpus”, the show’s only Gumby short, was actually pretty good, if rather surreal. The riffing from Mike & ‘the bots was good, and the “Crow skull” host segment was hilarious, as was the ‘bots attempt to handle the trauma of Gumby’s abuse of robots.
Moving on to week 480, “Movie Jo Night” featured an episode of “Fantasy Island”. In one way, it followed the usual pattern of one “serious” plotline and one “humorous” plotline. The latter had Tatoo, without authorization, try to grant Arte Johnson’s wish for lots of money and getting him into trouble. The former had Carol Lynley trying to save Adam’s West’s life by selling her soul to the devil (MJ favorite Roddy McDowall), and wanting Mr. Roarke’s help in getting out of the deal. The first plotline is OK, but not all that interesting (with a post-Artemus Gordon Ross Martin as a crook), while the latter works better, with Roddy really going all out as Old Scratch, and, I think, our first real sign that Roarke has heretofore unsuspected powers and authority. Chris & MJ seemed to like this one, though, as usual, they had a bunch of questions. (Like, “Why are there crooks and cops on Fantasy Island?” And, “The Devil is bound by rules when it comes to soul acquisition?”) They thought it was a nice change of pace, and seemed open to watching TV episodes, rather than TV movies, in the future.
Moving to the Farm Shorts from RT, technically only two of them, “Farm Animals” and “Farm Babies and Their Mothers”, are farm related. The other one, “County Fair”, reminded me of farms since Wayne County Fair is right near farmland, as well as my Ancestral Home. Anyway, the first two were OK, with especially cute animals in the latter. The former, made in the 30s, shows a couple of draw horses being hitched to a wagon, which reminded me of both the Horse Pull competition at the Fair (which I missed this year) and my Mom saying about how she could handle draw horses when she was young. And the ACI-produced “County Fair” featured a rather small-seeming fair as a way to teach about shapes and such. All three were pretty much OK, I thought. The riffing from the guys was good, though I prefer Bridget & MJ’s work on the “Farm Family” shorts.
And, regarding “Outlaw”, it’s more-or-less the usual 80s sword-and-sorcery stuff, but more annoying. (Ye gods, what was the point of Watney Smith, anyway?) I mean, Jack Palance, pro that he was, gave it a good effort with what little he had to work with, but that’s about it. Oh, and a while back I saw the original “Gor” movie (with Oliver Reed paying the pub bills) which is briefly flashed-back to. While it did have a sequel hook, it still ended more or less favorably, making “Outlaw” a perfect example of what TV Tropes calls “Happy Ending Override”. I’m still hoping somebody will riff on “Gor” sooner or later. The riffing for this one was great. In fact, it was great enough to net them that Peabody Award. The host segments were good, including the last official Invention Exchange, Mike’s sailor-suited stage career (later expanded upon in Mind Over Matters), the classic “Toobular Boobular Joy” song, and the Jack Palance book we all wish really existed.
OK, I’m caught up. So, let’s look at what’s here for week 481. The off-rotation Outsider selection is… “The Mary Jo Pehl Show: The Mary Jo Pehl Focus Group”… - That’s live on-line tonight. Hopefully, the results will be better than the ones for MST3K-TM. … while the on-rotation Outsider selection is… “Rifftrax Live: Hobgoblins”… - Well, live on DVD, anyway. And with, heaven help us, the full cut of the movie. … while the Originals selection is… “The Starfighters” (Show 612). - Refueling, folks. Refueling.
We now pause for station identification…
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Post by kmorgan on Sept 5, 2024 8:45:08 GMT -5
Well, following my customary delay, let's look back at week 481...
The Focus Group episode of MJ's show went well. The questions ranged from "How did you hear about 'The Mary Jo Pehl Show'?" to "What were your three favorite episodes?" to "Have you experienced health problems due to the show?" A few of the questions were put up on the chat, and I hope my answers didn't skew the results too much. And, since this was the Season 3 finale, there was also a nice "best of" video of the show so far. I really enjoyed it. And I have to note something about the pre-show: while it included the usual vintage ads and odd musical numbers, it closed with a very funny & very classy duet between Carol Burnett and Roddy McDowall, the latter in ape makeup.
As for RT's live "Hobgoblins" show, presenting the uncut movie just amplified the pain. Yes, Rick Sloane et al didn't mean for us to take the movie seriously, but it's still really, really awful. The guys did a good job with the riffing, though. The short for the night, "Life in a Medieval Town", was good, though I don't think the seneschal look will be coming back anytime soon.
And, re: "The Starfighters", you wouldn't think it was possible to make being a jet fighter pilot look boring. Well, this movie does just that. Obviously not meant as a recruiting tool. Good riffing, though, and the United Servo Academy Hymn is a musical highlight for the show.
Well, now let's present the selections for what remains of week 482. The off-rotation Outsider selection is... "The Mary Jo Pehl Show: Chit Chat and Tid Bits"... - That's live on-line tomorrow night, but I'll be helping do TV coverage of Piscataway High School football. I'll catch it on tape delay. ... and the on-rotation Outsider is... "MST3K: The Home Game" (4:00 showing)... - The introduction of MST3K on TSNWSRN. ... while the Originals selection is... "The Last Chase" (Show K 20). - Yet another post-apocalyptic dystopian society we've avoided...so far.
We'll be right back...
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