With all due respect to the season one team, I’d be thrilled to see RiffTrax’s take on “Robot Monster.” The MST3K ep is among the best of that season, but it’s such an iconic bad movie, it’s worth another look.
What’s your pick?
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Weekend Discussion Thread: MSTed Movies that Should Be Re-RiffedAlert reader Kenneth asks, in light of the recent successful re-riffing “‘Manos’ The Hands of Fate,” not to mention Cinematic Titanic’s re-riff of “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (interesting that the two eps that have been re-riffed were the two movies in the “essentials” collection) what other MSTed movies deserve similar treatment, and which team should do it?
87 Replies to “Weekend Discussion Thread: MSTed Movies that Should Be Re-Riffed”Commenting at Satellite News
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I totally agree with Robot Monster, but another one I’d love to see revisited is another season one ep. – Mad Monster. It just has all the perfect ingredients: Cheesy monster, Mad scientist, dull, obvious plot…..so much to play with….
SST – Death Flight (CT)
Hangar 18 (Rifftrax)
The Crawling Hand (Rifftrax)
Robot Holocaust (Rifftrax)
I second Mad Monster. As well as the reasons listed in #1, there’s also the issue of the fact that the original riffing has so much dead air. This was made more obvious by how there were so many stretches of silence in the film which would normally have been perfect points to insert riffs.
Let me see…Robot Holocaust(done by CT) and Untamed Youth(done by Rifftrax) There,that should do it!
Moon Zero Two by RT. That one’s not really a bad movie, and I think RT would have fun with it.
I’d like to see CT do Robot vs the Aztec Mummy. Seeing Frank and Mary Jo alongside the original three riffers would be interesting.
And City on Fire? Both groups, please!
Pretty much all season 1, parts of season 2, and most of season 10 need re-riffed. Along with some dud episodes like Batwoman. Although some like Hamlet and Batwoman may not be salvageable.
Once all that’s done re-riff all the KTMA movies that didn’t make it to season 3.
I’d love to see Troll 2 riffed by Cinematic Titanic, and Rifftrax riffing an early-episode Gamera movie. Wouldn’t mind seeing the Green Slime re-riffed too, preferably by Cinematic Titanic.
I recommend 102 The Robot vs the Aztec Mummy. I found the film completely goofy on its own and was very amused by it. I sometimes wonder if the guys were too wrapped up in it to riff. There are so many “targets” (dubbing, script, direction, special effects, acting, editing etc)that the guys simply did not take full advantage. I hope either CT and/or Rifftrax calls do over on this gift from the goofy gods.
This is a perfectly unsatisfactory response, I realize, but the Existentialist in me can’t handle the idea of one of the MST3K movies being re-riffed. Even the less-than-stellar episodes have their own vibe that shouldn’t be tampered with. (And maybe that’s the thing for me; once the movie has become a part of the episode, it has had its moment.)
This is one of my own hang-ups, though, and in no way diminishes my respect for other people’s ideas.
After seeing them do Voodoo Man and Plan 9, I think the Rifftrax crew would dance all over The Corpse Vanishes, Bride Of The Monster, and Mad Monster. Ooooh!! And Phantom Creeps and Commando Cody done as Rifftrax shorts!!!
Cinematic Titanic I would love to see take on The Incredible Melting Man, Jack Frost, The Deadly Bees, and Future War. These would be a HOOT!!!!
I second The Green Slime being done by either, as whoever wrote that entry in the episode guide (lost my copy a long time ago) said they’d love to do it over again with a full writing staff.
I’ve been saying the same thing. Robot Monster needs to be reriffed. I wish Mike Nelson would have done that movie again towards the end of the shows run.
Slime People.
I like the idea of reriffing the KTMA episodes.
It would be really interesting to have the CT
and Mike Nelson groups do them seperately. Would
be a good challenge.
while i will always wish the Brains had done more of the Godzillas, i would like to have had the Sea Monster amd Megalon eps re-worked. i also would have liked for Crawling eye and PotPW riffed by Mike and the bots.
First of all, I’d say “The Green Slime” is a special case, since they never fully riffed on it in the first place. I’d like to see that one finally, fully riffed.
From the KTMA shows, I’d go with “SST Death Flight” and “City on Fire”. I’d also throw in “Superdome”, if for no other reason than that’s the episode where Joel, at one point, just gives up and says he can’t think of anything funny to say. That certainly warrants another crack.
As for season 1, I’d go with “Robot vs. the Aztec Mummy” and “Robot Monster”, and maybe “Crawling Eye”. After that, the Brains had fully adjusted to scripted riffs and the shows were OK.
And thanks for using my question again!
SST Death Flight: I’ve always felt it was the strongest of the KTMA episodes yet I’d still like to see it get writing room treatment.
I still think the idea of a Rifftrax/Rifftrax Presents for the KTMA eps where Kevin (Since he was there at the time) restates all the lines from Joel/Josh/Trace and new riffs for all the empty holes in the rest of the movie by Mike & Bill. Or having Josh and/or Trace appear on a Rifftrax Presents to redo those same lines since it sounded like Joel turned down a guest riff shortly before he started Cinematic Titanic. At the same time, the Titans could redo their own under their mantle with MJ and Frank providing new riffs in the empty spots. But I think that would be too unrealistic as they have to license their own movies and they would prefer to do new riffs that make their old ones look less funny. But I can dream, right?
Mr. B(ob) has the right idea with The Slime People. It’s such a ridiculous little movie that would benefit from a barrage of riffs. The only reason that episode doesn’t hold up too well is that it has the more relaxed tone of the first season episodes.
Castle of Fu Manchu would be great as well, just so they can work with something other than riffs about the movie sucking. For that, they’d need a better print of the movie than the one we saw in the third season.
Not really a re-riff but I’d like to see them finish Radar Men From The Moon
Chapter 10: Mass Execution (Rifftrax)
Chapter 11: Planned Pursuit (Cinematic Titanic)
Chapter 12: Death Of The Moonman (Joel & Mike)
I would’ve liked Sidehackers to have been riffed by the Sci-Fi era crew.
As much as I love the MST treatment, I think Bloodwaters of Dr Z re-riffed by Cinematic Titanic could be really good. Same goes for Track of the Moon Beast and the Giant Spider Invasion.
I think I agree with Rifftrax doing Sidehackers. That movie needs a sterner riffing…
“Should” can be a hurtful word, but as for movies that COULD be re-riffed it’s clear a lot of the early episodes might do well with a little of today’s professionalism. If we’re talking a live event then I think ANY movie that’s already been done, because those things are usually so much fun. What I’d really love to see though is either Predator or Alien done with all 3 Rifftrax guys because both treatments for those felt incomplete to me.
Horror Express would be a great one to be riffed. Its got the Hammer Film regulars (Christopher Lee & Peter Cushing) and Telly Savalas as an over the top Cossasck. Either team would do it justice I’m sure.
My dream event would be Blood Hook. This was Jim Mallon’s parody horror film from the 80’s that Kevin Murphy worked on as well. I’d love to see them have a Riff-off where the Cinematic Titanic and the RiffTrax teams challenge each other to riff on the same movie. May the best jokers win!
Just last night my husband and I were talking about seeing if tickets available still for Cinematic Titanic’s riffing of “The Doll Squad” in St. Charles MO on Nov. 17. Since we love that director so much, Ted V. Mikels, my husband said, wouldn’t it be great if they redid “Girl in Gold Boots?” That movie is a favorite and it seems to me, when we already know the movie, we can pay closer attention to the riffs and not pay so much attention to the movie plot and what the actors are saying. of course, MST3K did a great job on that movie already.
I would love to see them do THIS ISLAND EARTH (MST3K the Movie) again without having to put up with all the Hollywood crap…or THE GREEN SLIME…that is a good one too.
The Last Chase (KTMA). Makepeace, Meredith, Majors. Lots of opportunity to re-riff the KTMAs by Rifftrax.
I have never gotten into either CT or Rifftrax. I’m not really sure why, other than I also usually don’t enjoy it when someone covers a song by one of my favorite music groups, or even when remaining members of said groups get together on tour again. To me it just isn’t the same. However, if I could have a Season 11, I would like to see Rocketship X-M done again, since it was the first episode I saw all the way through, and also Moon Zero Two and Robot Monster. And maybe a different series finale (since I didn’t like Diabolik although I did like the host segments) involving time travel with all the players involved with redoing The Crawling Eye.
Phase IV- Rifftrax
Humanoid Woman- CT
Superdome- Rifftrax with special guests Tom Selleck and Susan Howard
Million eyes of Su Muru- CT
Hangar 18- Rifftrax
Last of the Dinosaur- CT
The Corpse Vanishes- Rifftrax with special guest Trace.
Moon Zero Two- Rifftrax with special guest Josh.
The Black Scorpion- Rifftrax with special guest Joel.
I had always hoped that the new “Manos” riff would have been a reunion sort of deal, with everyone coming back together to reriff it.
Since the new riff of “Manos” worked so well despite it being a classic, I’d like to see what RiffTrax could do with such fan favorites as “Pod People” and “Gamera”.
I’d suggest #101, “The Crawling Eye.” Just watched this one on DVD, and in the extras, Joel mentions how this movie was their ‘calling card.’ Goofy monsters, lots of drinking, Forrest Tucker, a plot so thin it makes me want to climb El Capitan freehand – this one is a true classic. Even money says that the CT crew would do a better job, even though I have lots of love for RT.
The Brains are too hard on themselves about their first season stuff; there are a lot of great riffs! One they should keep was Crow’s, “He’ll be up and spilling liquor in no time.”
I’d say Project Moonbase. The plot is so weak (especially the absurd ending)and the characters so poorly developed that I’d love to see what CT or Rifftrax could do with it now, especially when you add in the movie’s horrible attempts at depicting the future (We don’t reach the Moon until 1975, and the Dodgers still being in Brooklyn being a major plot point).
I would like to see “The Crawling Eye” re-riffed.
@Remmie Barrow (#26)
I’m ashamed to say I completely forgot about “This Island Earth”. I was at the live show for ConventioCon II, so I have seen them riff on the whole movie, but I’d like to see them take another try at it. At least they wouldn’t have to worry about #$%^@#$%^ Universal/Grammercy mandating the number of jokes.
Most of the KTMA Season like SST DEATH FLIGHT, CITY ON FIRE, SUPERDOME, HANGER 18, and THE LAST CHASE, but we know that won’t happen. Some of the Season 1 episodes like WOMEN OF THE PREHISTORIC PLANET, PROJECT MOONBASE, MOON ZERO TWO, and THE BLACK SCORPION. I honestly don’t really care for the Josh Weinstein episodes that much anyway. I prefer Kevin Murphy as Servo.
I always thought “Time Of The Apes” had some good humor potential with a more acerbic riffing team.
#20: And while they’re at it, they can also finish off “The Phantom Creeps”. Either group. No need for “The Undersea Kingdom,” though.
How would Cinematic Titanic or Rifftrax handle “Help me!” from Rocket Attack USA these days?
Tempted to suggest STARFIGHTERS, just to hear both crews sob, “Not AGAIN!!!!”
But if I had to select one episode, I’d go wih THE MILLION EYES OF SU-MARU. It sounds like a thoroughly batty movie and it’d be great to have the group take it on at full force.
I want the R.T. and C.T. guys to redo and finish the Commander Cody, Phantom Creeps, and the Undersea kingdom serial!!
For movies: Castle of Fu-Manchu, as they didn’t try hard enough focusing too much on their plot of the Mads winning, 12 to the Moon, She-Creature, and Last of the Wild Horses. Last of the Wild Horses could be hysterical as the riffers could get started, but their mirror universe doubles COME BACK and they riff fir a while. Just think what a mirror universe Pearl would be like!
All of the Film Crew movies. By the Titanic crew.
With actual scene-specific jokes, no Biography or Golden Girls, and no neurotic Kevin Murphy six-degrees-of-Tolkien/Renfest psychological preoccupations. ;)
(At least Wild Women of Wongo would get CT off the 70’s drive-in movies.)
As for MST, of all the S1’s, don’t think they could improve on Robot Monster or Holocaust, but Aztec Mummy could use a few silly scripted riffs a la “Samson/Vampire”.
Not that there’s anything wrong with three minutes of Martin & Lewis imitations, mind.
Final Justice-CT
HIgh School Big Shot-RT
Mr. B Natural (unedited version)-either group
Like Remmie Barrow (#26) & Kenneth Morgan (#34) suggested, This Island Earth uncut-everyone could join in (I can dream, can’t i?)
I’ll second porp0ise (#25) with Girl in Gold Boots by CT
I’m going way OT, but I’d like to see CT/RT/both riff a movie called In Hot Pursuit (Polk County Pot Plane). I don’t know if it would meet any of their other criteria, but it does suck.
Just this week-end idea inspired by sol-survivor post, # 28.
How about constucting your what-if season 11. An
option could be a continuing storyline (like the Roman Times series).
The movies selected could either only from 2000 or earlier, or
(since it’s just a show and you should really just relax) from
the present time and back.
For one they could do some of my favorite movies (not really that bad)
The President’s Analyst, and the original The Thing From Another World,
featuring Peter Graves’ far less talented brother as The Thing.
I like the Riff-Off idea a lot, especially for a KTMA or Season One movie. As has been mentioned, there’s pacing issues with the early ones [as well as, uh, less scripting], plus there’s more distance. (Not that there isn’t a lot of distance from Season Ten at this point.) I think I like the idea of RiffTrax doing a KTMA movie more than Cinematic Titanic doing a Sci-Fi-era show, for some reason. (Considering that both teams have representation from both the Early Times and the Sci-Fi Era, *somebody* will have riffed the movie before on the show.)
[–] begin digression[–]
I once had this idea for a Rifftrax/Cinematic Titanic quasi-crossover, where the CT crew would riff a modern blockbuster, the RT crew would riff some old, obscure film (i.e. each do a movie from the other’s wheelhouse), and then switch movies (so RT would do the blockbuster and CT do the, uh, obscurity or whatever you want to call it). (No, I have no idea how the releases would work, logistically, not do I know how many people would want to watch two different riffs of the same movie within a short timeframe.)
The challenge would be to not repeat riffs/gags/etc. the other team did in the first round, so that’s why each side gets their wheelhouse-movie for round two.
Anyway, how else are they gonna do a super-special cross-over event-stravaganza? CT’s five riffers strikes me as the limit, and you (well, I, you heartless BEAST) don’t want anyone left out. Round-robin-riffing seems kind of silly, so, yeah, there either has to be two movies, or two riffs of the same movie, or both, right?
[–] end digression [–]
Alternately, (since I kind of thread-jacked/went OT, sorry), World Without End. Also, the Day the World Ended, but that wouldn’t exactly be a re-riff for them.
On a slightly different note, I found out there are at least 4 Ator films (“Cave Dwellers” being only the 2nd), I’d love Rifftrax to riff the entire series, including a re-riff of the uncut “Cave Dwellers.”
Also they should find out what film they used in the opening credits of “Cave Dwellers” and riff that like they did with The Galaxy Invader (from “Pod People”).
I think it could be interesting for to CT redo Kitten With A Whip…especially since they don’t have to worry about the FCC live on stage.
But I don’t really want to see Rifftrax redo anything.
Dream senario: Lights go down, the curtain comes up…we have CT and their podiums flanking the stage. They start to riff “The Green Slime”. It’s amazing! You think it can’t get any better…and then–three podiums in the middle are revealed–it’s Rifftrax Live! they SAVAGE The Green Slime together in all it’s glory. All iterations of MST3K…the first movie…t’would be glorious. Annnnd scene.
For me, there is only one movie that deserves a re-riffing: This Island Earth, complete and uncut. To make a re-riffing like this even more memorable, I picture both groups coming together for one night only.
A guy can dream…
Green Slime and the rest of the KTMA’s that were not re-done.
While we’re at it finish off Undersea Kingdom and the Phantom Creeps