|
|
Post by Megalon on Apr 30, 2017 12:36:33 GMT -5
Oh dear. I have to break with the consensus and say that this is probably the worst episode of the new season so far. The musical number was awkward and weird, the movie was dull when it wasn't downright painful, and the riffing couldn't save it. Rock Hudson looks so uncomfortable on screen, and Mia Farrow looks lost and miscast. This movie is not safe for consumption, even with riffing.
Rankings so far:
1- Wizards of the Lost Kingdom I
2- Cry Wilderness
3- Wizards of the Lost Kingdom II
4- Time Travelers
5- Carnival Magic
6- Reptilicus
7- Avalanche
|
|
|
|
Post by dudehitscar on May 1, 2017 13:17:21 GMT -5
This was a huge surprise. Loved every minute of it. The range of references, the ode to online dating song, the stupid but watchable movie, kitchen cheerleaders, the riff pacing felt perfect for the first time.
It was a 3.5 star episode.
|
|
|
|
Post by dudehitscar on May 1, 2017 13:18:03 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by brandonakaxerxes on May 4, 2017 10:31:39 GMT -5
This particular episode I found similar to some of the monster movies they did where the riffing doesn't really pick up until the monster shows up. Here, the riffing was kinda leisurely, but once the avalanche starts (after Segment 2!), the riffing becomes very sharp and clever.
I absolutely lost it at the "You're as cooooold as iiiiice..." bit.
Strange riffing moment. Early on they make a joke that Rock Hudson has a drawing of a goat on his wall..... then later in the film when Mia Farrow goes to the environmentalist's house, he has a picture of a goat on his wall. Whaaaaaaaat?
I like how the blonde ice skater continues her skating routine, while the audience around her is being killed by the avalanche, and she too is eventually run over for her ignorance. Add her to the list of dumb b-movie characters.
The "drones" bit was clever, but slight nitpick: Wouldn't it have made more since if it was *Jonah* controlling the drones, and not the 'Bots? Just saying.
I like that they got some playful digs at both Comedy Central, and Sci Fi Channel (or rather "Syfy").
Oh yeah, another great riff, when Rock Hudson's mother dies in the car crash, and it blows up:
"She died as she lived, completely lit up." Ouch!
|
|
|
|
Post by kmorgan on May 5, 2017 23:23:35 GMT -5
Again, I haven't read the other comments yet.
I had a bit of a problem with the movie. I checked and it originally ran just over 90 minutes. Given that it must've been cut for the show by between 15 and 20 minutes, it's tough to tell if the choppy nature of the plot is due to the cuts or is in the original. I can only say that what I saw runs along the standard disaster movie path, with the standard disaster movie characters. The avalanche itself was fairly well done, though. Still, it's no "Towering Inferno".
As for the riffing, it was good, but they seemed to be back to too fast a delivery. While I was surprised the presence of Mia Farrow didn't inspire any "Rosemary's Baby" riffs, I was glad they remembered Steve Franken from the previous show. And I'm sure the presence of Rock Hudson would, back in the day, start a run of "NBC Mystery Movie" riffs. I did like using the drones to hide the...naughty bits; nice callback to CT's "Frankenstein's Castle of Freaks".
The host segments were OK. The Invention Exchange was funny, and the Neil Patrick Harris cameo was pretty good. I liked the song, and Felicia has a nice singing voice. The sketch with Gypsy was very reminiscent of "Gypsy Rose Me", I thought, but I didn't really mind.
All in all, it was a good episode, but not a great one. By no means a clinker.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rhedosaurus on May 6, 2017 7:18:42 GMT -5
This is probably my favourite episode of the season to be honest, mainly because the movie is such a riot. Yeah, the avalanche takes way too long to get going, but the wait for it is so worth it because the actual disaster (as much tension as it's supposed to generate) is just ridiculous. I also love how the Bots used drones to cover up the pointless nudity scenes, pure genius.
|
|
|
|
Post by Afgncaap5 on May 9, 2017 0:03:24 GMT -5
Okay, I've been takin' my sweet, sweet time viewing these, sometimes not even watching full episodes at a time. I just watched the first half hour of this and, well...
...Torgo, do you think there's any chance that a certain Riff might've been a nod to you? Might just be coincidence, but... hard not to think about it.
|
|
Torgo
Moderator Emeritus 
-segment with Crow?
Posts: 15,420
|
Post by Torgo on May 9, 2017 9:48:18 GMT -5
Okay, I've been takin' my sweet, sweet time viewing these, sometimes not even watching full episodes at a time. I just watched the first half hour of this and, well... ...Torgo, do you think there's any chance that a certain Riff might've been a nod to you? Might just be coincidence, but... hard not to think about it. I thought that riff had a certain hint of irony to it if it wasn't. |
|
|
|
Post by Afgncaap5 on May 9, 2017 10:25:50 GMT -5
Okay, I've been takin' my sweet, sweet time viewing these, sometimes not even watching full episodes at a time. I just watched the first half hour of this and, well... ...Torgo, do you think there's any chance that a certain Riff might've been a nod to you? Might just be coincidence, but... hard not to think about it. I thought that riff had a certain hint of irony to it if it wasn't. Indeed. My issue is that I could go either way; on the one hand, it's the episode where you're listed in the credits. On the other hand, the visual image *was* suggestive of, well... nothin' at all, really. |
|
|
|
Post by crowschmo on May 12, 2017 18:51:20 GMT -5
This one was pretty funny. I haven't watched the new episodes a million times like the old ones, so I can't remember everything yet.  I could have done without the song with Kinga and Neil Patrick Harris, though NPH is awesome as a rule. I, too, liked the disasters with monsters mash-up. I was cracking up when everyone in town was losing their minds and crashing and all that: Crow: "That wasn't even caused by the avalanche, they're just completely incompetent!" I loved when JH&TB's (I added the H because, well, Joel's a J) were going over the top and being those overenthusiastic skiers: Jonah: Sure is a ski resort, isn't it? And how! Servo: Let's take our skis up to the ski room, shall we? Jonah: Do you think they'll let us exchange these skis for other skis? Crow: Or we could trade with each other. All: SKIS!! Some other fave lines: Jonah: Oh, I'm so mad I'm not even in focus! Crow: All these Baked Alaskas are not up to code! Jonah: Get a second divorce! Crow: The kitchen has a cheerleader? AVALANCHE! |
|
|
|
Post by jimmydoorlocks on May 12, 2017 18:53:54 GMT -5
So we're seeing collateral damage from the IDEA of an avalanche?
|
|
|
|
Post by TV's Cowboy on Jun 19, 2017 16:23:31 GMT -5
The commercial sign riff which followed up with their "commercial break" got a laugh. Reminded me of KTMA and Season 1's riffs that would segue into an ad break.
|
|
|
|
Post by angilasman on Jun 19, 2017 23:15:03 GMT -5
I love this episode. It feels like such an unusual movie for MST with all the name stars and it almost pulling off being an adequate B-grade version of what was then a very popular type of blockbuster. It's more similar to several films done for KTMA than anything from seasons 1 - 10.
I also think the pace and tone of the riffing is spot on here, something that wavers a bit with the new show.
|
|
|
|
Post by BoB3K on Jul 14, 2017 14:24:33 GMT -5
Okay, I actually took a longer than normal break between ep 03 and this one. (The plan was 3 weeks between eps.) Honestly, I just wasn't enamored with the new show. I mean, it's very well done, but it's kind of hollow. I think someone on this board gave a perfect analogy--it's kind of like watching a really good cover/tribute band. I mean yeah, they're very good, but they're still just imitating the original.
Anyway, I finally sat down for this ep and BAM. It was great! Partially because the movie is Grade A perfect mst3k material. But also, I think I've just had time to let the new crew sink in. Honestly, as I watched many of the funny host segment my thoughts were---Tom and Crow are dead; but MST3K: TNG is here and it's funny and it's good. I laugh at pretty much every exchange of Kinga and Max. And, their movie riffing skills (not including variations in delivery speed and bot puppetry) are really top notch. Compare this to when I watch a RiffTrax and I'm sometimes literally rolling my eyes and/or groaning at the 30th dick joke or 'this movie sucks' joke of the episode.
Anyway anyway, great episode. I agree with about every compliment in this thread.
- The Plane-alanche riff and the subsequent host segment were brilliant and hilarious.
- The riffs of the late arriving avalanche from them voicing the avalanche waiting to them getting impatient and trying to cause the avalanche with symbols in the theater--hilarious.
- The song segment--a little long, but NPH and Kinga both very funny with Max's additions great.
- Call back -- I looked it up, that's so crazy that the Mom's assistant was really Danny from Time Travelers!
- The names to the skate moves
I could go on. Just a great ep. Can't wait for more.
|
|
|
|
Post by BoB3K on Jul 14, 2017 14:25:00 GMT -5
Oh also.. I think I'm having more trouble digesting the movies than I used to. A lot of these new eps are "okay" but the movies themselves leave me so cold that I don't quite get up to MST3K speed like I used to. Perhaps with a second viewing, when I can appreciate the riffs more. Right now I keep gagging on the movies. Wow, if you don't like these movies, don't even think about trying out some RiffTrax VODs... |
|
I could have done without the song with Kinga and Neil Patrick Harris, though NPH is awesome as a rule. I, too, liked the disasters with monsters mash-up.
