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RiffTrax Live: What Did You Think?Well, the big surprise, I guess, was the appearance by our pal Rupert Munch, the guy who is making the “Manos” sequel, as Torgo, and his music video at the end.
My theater was about 3/4 full and they seemed to really enjoy it. The shorts really warmed folks up nicely. Norman and his catchphrase will immediately enter the lexicon. There were a couple of points, where I heard, in my head, the MST3K riff, but for the most part I completely forgot about them. I really appreciated the moments where they just let the movie be the movie, and didn’t feel the need to say anything. What did you think? UPDATE: Chris Griffy of Examiner.com liked it. 173 Replies to “RiffTrax Live: What Did You Think?”Commenting at Satellite News
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Houston Edwards was near capacity, around 93% full and nothing but laughs. Me and my best bud laughed from start to end. My wife and son endured and survived, but glared at me when I mentioned going to Birdemic.
When they showed the timer during the credits of how long NOTHING happens between The Master and Torgo in the infamous “DO SOMETHING!” scene, it made me think “Now THAT would have made for a great Paranormal Activity reference” what with the constant staring at someone asleep and nothing happening.
I knew a little bit of Manos was cut from MST3K for time/content, but man, that was quite brutal, seeing The Master slap his first wife constantly until she bled, then stripping her and killing her (off-screen, but still). Methinks Hal Warren’s moviemaking skills were the LEAST of his problems.
And I kept thinking “You know, every frame of this movie is like someone’s last known photograph.” Favorite riff from this film (close second: “I’m thinking of having that tattoo’d on my face, dear!”) This episode, along with the last 3 of Season 8 and Soultaker (what can I say, I love 80s cheese), are probably my most watched episodes of MST3K, and this still was a pleasure to watch. I’m glad we live in a world where a film can be reriffed and still be fresh as the first time it was riffed. Great show, so worth seeing in the theater as always.
The theater in Saginaw, MI, had about 80 people and everyone was having a great time. Quite a few laughs when the guys were quiet and just let the movie speak for itself. I, too, can’t wait for October!
TWO SOLD OUT (or close to for the 2nd screen) SHOWS at NYC’s Union Square. I’d say about 30-40% of the crowd in my packed house either hadn’t seen “Manos” or were not intimately familiar with it. The hearty laugh intensity from these ‘noob’ viewers was matched by how weirded many of them were by it. After the show ended, while leaving, there was someone’s girlfriend that talked and looked like she had been hit by a train. We talked a little and she told me that “Manos” was the freakiest movie she’d ever seen (and she wasn’t kidding, her face looked like any of us when they encounter “Manos” for the first time). Almost everyone else I chatted with in the bathroom line and out the theater had positive thoughts, but clearly among the newcomers “Manos” was better received along with the shorts (which killed).
And that’s basically my one and only beef with this Rifftrax presentation of “Manos,” the same I have with the Cinematic Titanic version of “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians”: it’s just OK and, when measured against the gold stadard set by the “MST3K” version (whose jokes/riffs were running on a parallel part of my brain as I was registering the new one), very inconsistent. Best example is the early joke when we hear the woman singing during the lenghty shots of “Texas”: ‘Dione Warwick is drunk.’ Cute, but ‘Is that Shirley Bassey hitching?’ is so much better, funnier and clever. Not to mention the “MST3K” jokes are cohesive with the whole of the riffing of “Manos,” unlike the up-and-down quality of the new riffs. About 20-25% of the new “Manos” jokes just plain bombed or were just not funny (I can’t even remember any), especially early. And I’m sorry, but pointing out how incompetent the framing or the acting in the movie is too easy a way to score laughs out of this. I expect better, much better, from the Rifftrax gang. I got that but sporadically, not consistently from start to finish like “MST3K” (where all the AAA jokes were used except for the handful that they came up with for this).
As the movie went on Kevin, Mike and Bill found their voices/angles/rhythm (especially the parts were they didn’t say anything and let the movie’s weirdness work; most of these silent scenes were gut-busters) and I gladly put the old “Manos” on the back of my mind and enjoyed the new “Manos” jokes for the not-as-good-but-still-killer humor it brought to an old favorite. Too many favorite riffs: ‘You didn’t have to get up!, ‘So, do you guys like ‘The Wire’?’, ‘I thought YOU were Debbie!’ (the position of Torgo in that last scene absolutely killed me). The shorts were great and, thankfully, none of that cartoon/guest riffer bull**** (except for the lame cameo by the “Manos II” guys, but it was short and quick); just straight-up riffing goodness. On my way home from the theater I passed by some trash on the sidewalk and saw wrapped together lots of cylinders. Didn’t feel the need to build my own planitarium or hanging horses from them, but a silly grin did cross my face.
Overall I’d put this below “Jack the Giant Killer” (that had 10-12 gut-buster laughs versus this one’s 5 or 6, including the “Twilight White Trash” skit that I honestly thought was making fun of “True Blood”) but ahead of all previous Rifftrax live shows. It’s more “Manos” to love (the deleted scenes incorporated into the movie really stick out) and, at least in my NYC theater, the print was so pristine I spotted details around the screen (especially de daylight scenes and some indoor shots) I had never noticed before on “MST3K” or Shout! DVD. Fun, fun time!
Not only are there no shorts with the digital goodies, but no Torgo avatar either.
I saw it in Germantown, MD. I bought my tickets in advance, so I don’t know if it was a sell-out, but it was certainly close. I’ve seen all of the Rifftrax Live events here and this and the first one (was that Plan 9? I forget) had the highest turnout.
I personally got a kick out of seeing two(?) people in Nashville wearing Castleton shirts, because I was doing the same.
I thought the riffs were great. Is it sacrilegious to say that the RiffTrax version was as funny or funnier then the MST3k version? It might be true. Certainly it was great to watch it with an audience. I’m going to agree with the comments from previous RiffTraxLive/CT events that being part of a larger audience greatly increases my own enjoyment.
I brought some people who knew nothing of MST3k/Rifftrax/CT/etc before and was a little worried about how they would react (Manos is not necessarily an easy first episode to watch). Fortunately, they all seemed to really enjoy it (at least, I wasn’t knifed in the parking lot afterwards). Excellent selection of the short films. They really helped to soften the blow.
I too kept hearing the original riffs in my head in some places. And I agree with the comment that they seemed to be avoiding spaces in the movie where the best MST3k riffs had been.
All in all, I can’t wait until Birdemic. Is this the first time that they’ve announced the next RifftraxLive during a current show? I hope this means that they will be doing them more frequently…
Our theater on Long Island started out with a small crowd, but rapidly became packed. I’m amazed how much of this movie I blocked from my brain since I last saw it, so I was able to be horrified all over again. And crude as it may be, the “Torgo at the window/Fap Fap Fap” joke had my friend practically falling out of his chair for about 5 minutes.
I was actually in Nashville seeing them in person! The show was fantastic!! I was puzzled my the Norman short in that I had no idea why it existed. However, their riffing of it was brilliant. The Cylinder short was the same, even though I felt it took a while to get going. It finally seemed to kick into gear when the little girl showed her “planetarium.” As for the movie, I have to say I like their Manos riff better than the original MST version. Redneck Twilight. Drunk Debbie. Fifty Shades of Grey book club. Need I say more? I was a little worried in the beginning since it started out with a few too many State Park jokes, but once it got going, it was perfect. My only complaint was that I did not get to meet the riffers afterward because apparently they left right away. I’m a little ashamed of myself for being disappointed because they put on a great show (especially since there is a huge storm going on now, and them staying would have meant we would have to drive through it). I did get to meet the guys who are doing the Manos sequel and got my own Torgo “pass,” so that was great. I also got to hold Tom Servo. All the bots people brought were awesome. I’m probably more excited by this since this was my first MST live show.
Unfortunately I will not be able to see Birdemic in Nashville, but I can’t wait to see it in theaters. Birdemic is my all-time favorite Rifftrax and seeing it live will be icing on the cake.
Sounds like 75% full is the average and that’s what it was in Madison, WI. I don’t have Manos memorized but it did seem like a new experience. Of course they still had to jeer Debbie becoming a Master wife. As far as letting the movie be the movie, some of the biggest laughs were from the movie itself. I hadn’t realized until now how unintentionally funny Manos is.
Forgot one thing: big boo (from me, I actually did it for real and was the only one in my theater that did it) to the gang for not riffing the closing credits of the movie and bolting the moment the credits started. Lame, and automatically makes the “MST3K” version w/credits infinitely superior… IMHO of course. :beauty:
Also forgot about the “Catherine the Great” joke in “At Your Fingertips”. I was literally crying from laughing so hard and from the pain of holding back bigger howls (so I wouldn’t be ‘the dick’ that laughs alone at a joke only for him). Easily the funniest thing I’ve seen/heard in months.
It was a packed house (except for the two rows right in front of the screen) at the Regal Stonecrest 22 in Charlotte, NC. The shorts were great, and I appreciated the new riffing on Manos. Even though you may have watched it a hundred times, it’s still amazing as to how craptastic this movie is and how it failed on every level that a film can fail except for unintentional comedy, of course! My favorite line of the night was Mike’s reaction in the cylinders short when the narrator said “It’s a planetarium1” When he said “Is it?”, I lost it! It was a very fun night.
Another viewer from the Clifton, NJ AMC. I came “semi dressed up” for this as I wore my “You Know You Want Me, Baby!” Crow shirt along with a handkerchief on my head. The shorts were good. A bunch of us were quietly saying “Use the trunk!” during the “Norman” movie before that was brought up in a riff. The “Manos” riffing was great. It did take me a few minutes to get the old MST3K riffs out of my head when the film began (I had that same experience with the Cinematic Titanic version of “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians”). That “White Trash Twilight” sequence is an all time classic! I also busted a gut during that “Torgo in the window/ Fap-fap-fap” sequence. I too noticed that the film print used for this was better than the one used in the MST3K version. I never realized that blood dripped out of Torgo’s charcoal hand!
I think the cleaned up print made many more moths visible…
#63: The cleaner theatrical print also meant we were able to spot Mothra’s cameo (previously obscured from view) for the first time, nice of Mike for pointing it out. :-D
I was waiting for the lesson at the end of “Welcome Back, Norman” thinking it was something shown to students but then it ended up being a short film. But was that really enough of a concept for a short film? Three inconvenient things happen to a guy?
I feared what DanMoffTarkin experienced. People that think if they’re going to see a show about people talking during a movie it’s okay for them to talk during the movie (it’s not). But the Madison crowd was great.
@mstgator: Yep, that was me. Also the idiot yelling out “Crow!” when he was shown.
I really enjoyed watching “What is Nothing” again during a very long test session in the theater.
What sprang to my mind watching the Norman short was something that Rowan Atkinson could have watched and thought he could make it better and came up with Mr. Bean.
The cylinder short really did go off track, didn’t it? It’s like these things are meant as “How to seem creative and have no friends for dummies”.
I want someone to make a white trash Twilight. I will actually watch that!
So many good riffs. “Here’s-Here’s-Here’s Johnny!” and “The Donner Party had a better outing than this!” or something to that effect. And so many others…
#66: Someone is already doing a white trash “Twlight,” RaptorX8, it’s called “True Blood.” :cowboy:
There were two perfectly-timed “Shining” riffs (Debbie’s “Redrum” mumble and the “Here’s… here’s… there was Johnny” gag) and, given the plots and audiences of both movies, both scored hearty laughs in my screening as well.
Sorry, I think it just felt wrong for Rifftrax to re-riff a Joel-era classic — especially the definitive Joel episode. (And I’d feel the same way about Cinematic Titanic covering “Space Mutiny.”)
93% Full in Evanston, just north of Chicago. I’ve seen every Rifftrax Live event at this theater, and usually there’s about 20-50 people, but this time it was almost packed. It was definitely a lot of fun, and I think, probably the most fun Live show yet. I think I had a :-D on my face the entire time! SO many great lines, and I really enjoyed the “new” footage that we got to see. By far, the most fun I’ve had in a long time. Even when you go to see a comedy, do you laugh as much as when you see something like this?
I am definitely going to Birdemic, and you can actually already buy tickets here: http://www.fathomevents.com/originals/event/birdemic.aspx?d=10/25/2012
The line: “Well, better get back to directing!” had me in tears.
I’ve seen the DVDs, but this was my first time seeing them live with an audience. The better half and I were at the Cinemark in El Paso, and the home town crowd was pretty stoked! I have never laughed at any of the eps so hard as I laughed tonight, and I think it was getting the charge off of everybody.
I took a picture of the audience, and it’s here if you want to take a look:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4412257033470&set=a.4412255193424.171585.1500096399&type=1&theater
Theater in Albuquerque was about half full. El Paso/Texas jokes were a BIG hit! Seems like the White Trash Twilight sketch was the favorite of the evening. Someone earlier said this, and I agree- on the big screen, Manos was less creepy and more goofy. A great time was had by all! Can’t wait for Birdemic.
Around 95% full in Evanston, just north of Chicago. I’ve seen every Rifftrax Live event at this theater, and usually there’s only about 20-30 people, but this time it was almost packed.
It was definitely a lot of fun, and I think, it was probably the most fun Live show yet. Everyone was laughing really hard throughout, and luckily, we didn’t have anyone trying to outdo the professionals in our theater. I think I had a :-D on my face the entire time!
SO many great lines, and I really enjoyed the “new” footage that we got to see. By far, the most fun I’ve had in a long time. I also wish they would do more live events, but I am grateful for what I can get.
Even when you go to see a comedy, do you laugh as consistently as when you see something like this?
I am definitely going to Birdemic, and you can actually already buy tickets here: http://www.fathomevents.com/originals/event/birdemic.aspx?d=10/25/2012
@princeofspace: I think you might have to make that picture public. I get an error: “you may not have permission to view this page”…
Saw it in east Madison, WI. My wife was there for her first RiffTrax Live event – this was my fourth. She would have enjoyed it more had the little kid in the seat behind her not been kicking her seat the entire. Effin. Time. Seriously, she kept giving me looks, and I thought she was just reacting to the WTF-ness of the movie, but then she moved my hand back behind her, and it felt like rabid weasels were attacking her seat. The mom was no help, as she was busy trying to give the rest of the theater whooping cough. But aside from that…
I was a little nervous going into it that I would keep hearing the original riffs in my head, but for the most part, I didn’t. I thought they did an excellent job giving it a fresh treatment, and I enjoyed (as much as one can enjoy that sort of thing) seeing scenes and hearing the dialogue that was cut or riffed over in the original. I had originally hoped they would riff on the restored workprint, but that didn’t work out, for whatever reason, and the print they did use was a bit cleaner and had better music/dialogue than the MST3K print. I did read through Kevin’s Reddit AMA the other day, and I guess I misread one of his answers, because I had my hopes up that he would do a new version of his long “5-year plan” riff from the original. They did a good job, maybe too good of a job, avoiding the original riffs. Maybe a callback or two would have been nice. It was something of a coup getting the “actors” doing the new Manos sequel to participate, but I’m still not sure if it will be so-bad-it’s-good or just bad. I’ll wait for the reviews.
Sadly, I probably won’t be able to go to Birdemic in October. I usually work nights, and I took a personal day today to see this, much to my boss’ dismay, since he had to fill in for me and he wanted to go. I wish they would do these on Saturday, but I get that Thursday night is probably the only night theaters are willing to host these events, since every movie showing has been out at least a week and it’s probably their slowest night otherwise.
“Sorry, I think it just felt wrong for Rifftrax to re-riff a Joel-era classic — especially the definitive Joel episode. (And I’d feel the same way about Cinematic Titanic covering “Space Mutiny.”)”
Mike and Kevin were both around during the time they did Manos. It’s not like they had no involvement with the original experiment. Mike was head writer and played Torgo in the skits. Kevin was, of course, Tom and had some prime riffs.
How did you feel when CT re-riffed “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians” with Josh and Mary Jo present?
Lincoln, NE theater was about 85% full. I got there late (Norman short had begun; the yutz was about to climb into his car), had to sit in the 3rd or 4th row because the other rows were packed.
I’d only seen the MST3K version once, so I really didn’t have the MST-version riffs memorized… which no doubt helped.
Dear God, I’d forgotten how horribly incompetent and unpleasant a film that is!
Saw it in Livonia Mi (suburban Detroit) with a roughly 80-85% full house. There was a nice mix of old school Misties and younger fans; some the kids sitting next to me were legitimately shocked at how dreadful Manos really was. Hell, I’m still shocked about how dreadful Manos really was, and I saw it on first airing.
I did find myself wanting to hear some of the old MST lines, like a drunk idiot shouting “Freebird!” at a concert, especially when Kevin started singing. That said, there were certainly many fresh takes and a enough legitimately brilliant bits (“white trash Twilight) to make it a pretty successful experiment. It is still a uniquely unpleasant movie experience, but the rollicking live audience and the cutaways to the Rifftrax crew gave it needed air.
I thought “Welcome Back Norman” was an instant classic, with the absolutely killer line about Norman being “The platonic ideal of what every Def Jam comedians jokes about white guys look like” was the best gag of the night. Just a perfectly bizarre short with hilarious riffing, though I think it was actually intended to be darkly funny, so it was a bit outside the standard “formula”
“Cylinder” was just ok as riffing material, and I think they circled around the same sort of jokes a few too many times. However, the planetarium/” it does?” line really brought the house down at my screening, and was one of have been the biggest laughs of the night.
Can’t wait for “Birdemic” one the rare film debacles that rivals Manos in incompetence.
I had a great time.
The Norman short was hilarious. I guess the lesson is…don’t be Norman.
Cylinders was funny but not the bizarre/hilarious classic Grass is.
I don’t remember Torgo sleeping in a pile of dirt (or sand? or ?) in the MST version. Maybe the theater seats blocked our view of his bed (nest? sty? ????). Maybe I missed it but did they riff on the what clearly looks like a Manos wife nightie on the wall? It even has a little red on or in it, as did their costumes.
The only weak part was guest appearance by the Manos II guys but they made up for it with the great song/video at the end.
The manager announced a sellout at Cedar Hills Cinemark in Beaverton, OR, and it looked very close to full, though one seat next to me was empty.
If you have any idea what the moral of “Welcome Back, Norman” is, besides avoiding Detroit Metro Airport, please let me know. I’m stumped.
Raised Unitarian, so I got a big laugh out of the “Unitarian services are getting kinda weird” line.
Unlike others, I didn’t have any MST lines come to mind during the show much at all. Must have gotten into it quickly.
It took me about two or three outdoor scenes to see what JohnnyRyde (@63) saw. How do other filmakers keep moths away from outdoor night scenes? Or did this film just somehow attract moths? (Maybe Torgo should buy a bug zapper.)
Since they didn’t show the credits, I’d like to specially recognize Ernie Smith and James Sullivan, who were credited as “editors” and I was prepared to give a rousing boo to. It’s rare that you wonder whether a film could have been better edited by your cat, but this one pulls it off.
Looking forward to Birdemic! (Sort of…)
The line from the original I missed the most? “Torgo, you’re missing the fight! Get your dress on and get out there!”
Nooooooooooooooooo!
I missed it!
SOLD OUT at the Lloyd Center 10 Cinemas in Portland OR. :(
Should have bought advanced tickets…
My group and I did not make it to the Valley Lodge.
The Master was not pleased…
*sigh* gonna have to wait for the DVD..
We did however meet up with friends and get our drink on at Swift Lounge, so the night wasn’t a total loss. Yay social drinking!
The theater was only about 1/4 in Provo, UT. Maybe this was because another theater only about 5 miles away was also showing it. The crowd was into it and pretty well behaved. (But everyone in Utah is well behaved, so…)
I enjoyed hearing the riffs in my head while also listening to new ones.
Yes, the print was much clearer than the MST3K version. I noticed lots of details that I hadn’t before (Hal Warren’s greying temples, Torgo’s loafers, and more). But I was surprised at how much sleazier this film is on the big screen without BBI’s cuts to it. Oh, and thanks to the “new” scenes, I can add sadism to the list of things that are wrong with Hal Warren.
And does anyone else realize that more people probably saw “Manos” in a movie theater last night than the saw it in its entire original theatrical run? Is there any other film that has had that distinction?
The Cinemark Arundel Mills 24 had a sold-out theater, and mine was about 80% full.
It was great. Totally distinct from the MST3K era riffing (there were a LOT of scenes that had been cut from that print, for time purposes). Torgo was waaaaay more pervy than I had originally thought!
Loved it. Hope they actually release it as a VOD like they did for all the others, though in less time than Jack the Giant Killer. And I can’t wait for the re-riffing of Birdemic. But if they cut out the “such as seals” jokes, I’ll cry openly.
I don’t know what the actual number was, but the crowd did fill up (Regal Henrietta 18, Rochester, NY). Perhaps about 100-125 in a 318-seat house – didn’t ask the manager on duty. Went with three people who’d seen the MST3k show before, and we all thought it was hysterical.
Two things: I’m disappointed in the lack of shorts as part of the goodies, and the show itself was shorter than I thought it’d be (about 1:40).
Will certainly be going back for Birdemic in October, and picking this one up on disc next year.
Also, followed this up with a midnight of The Expendables 2. Just a masterful night of derp all around.
I went to the show at the Regal Thornton Place Stadium 14 & IMAX in Seattle, WA with my brother and his wife. At Thornton Place, the show was on in two auditoriums. Auditorium 4 was 95-100% full and started on time. We saw the show in Auditorium 5 and it started about 10 to 15 minutes late because of technical issues. There was some concern on the theater’s part that we would miss the beginning, but they were able to screen the entire show for us. They had to fast forward through most of the pre-show “movie trivia”, but we all got coupons for a free movie because of the inconvenience. (yay!) Auditorium 5 was only like a a third to half capacity. Not so much energy from the audience, but less laughter to drown out the riffing.
My favorite part of the show can be summed up in four words: “White Trash Twilight Sketch”.
Watching the uncut version of Manos like this, made me realize that the editing that they did on the MST3K version actually tightened up the pace of the movie and improved it. Of course, there was so much padding and the pace of the movie was so slack, any cutting couldn’t help but make it better.
As for the “Welcome Back, Norman” short, my sister-in law, who went to film school, said it was definitely someone’s bad student film. When she was in school, she had to sit through dozens of lame films like this where someone was trying to make some “profound” statement about endless torment. Thank goodness for the riffing to make it tolerable!
In all, we had a great time. We all went home exhausted and our sides aching from laughing so much. Can’t wait for Birdemic Live in October!
I was robbed. So I was spending the day at Road America for the sports car racing about 90 minutes away from the nearest theater allegedly showing this in Green Bay, WI. I left the track early and got to the theater just in time… only to find out their satellite uplink had failed and they had to cancel the showing. :cry:
PPPPLLLLLLEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEE Rifftrax people, you have to release this on DVD. I want to see it.
The theater in KC, MO was about 1/2 full and everyone was well-behaved and very personable.
I hate to admit it, but (because of schedules and other things) this was my first Rifftrax Live event. Boy, did I pick a good one! Seeing Manos and Rifftrax on the big screen, gut-laughing for 2 solid hours, sitting next to my best friend… GOLD! I totally agree that it was nice that there were times when the boys just let Manos be Manos and didn’t add unecessary riffing. The riffing the did add was priceless, and when I heard “That’s how a McRib is made, I literally fell out of my chair laughing.
All in all, a great evening. Bring on Birdemic!!!!
About 2/3rds full at the Regal Mayfaire 16 in Wilmington, NC. Everyone was laughing their asses off from minute one. Well behaved crowd; no snarky riffers in the place. I still like the “Jamaican wings are ready!” riff for Torgo’s burning hand though. All in all, great show. Can’t wait to see Birdemic in Greensboro in October.
Ashland, VA (just north of Richmond) and it was about 90% full. Got there just a few minutes before showtime and was stuck sitting in the second row – haven’t sat so close to the screen since I was a teenager! Had a blast, although I too kept hearing the MST riffs in my head: “I’m Tom Bodette for Motel 6, and we’ll leave a pyre on for you”
Anyway, it was the most entertained I’ve been at the movies in years. I hope they make this an annual thing. There are plenty of MST classics I’d love to see revisted, like Cave Dwellers, Pod People or Boggy Creek II.
I was at the Castleton AMC in Indianapolis with #20. I thought it was a really great turnout, moreso than I would have expected.
When I got to the theater, I was a bit taken aback by the ticket price, as this was my first Rifftrax live event and I was thinking it would be priced like other movies. I was a bit worried until the one moment in At Your Fingertips – Cylinders where they are making the “planetarium”. Two little words (“Is it?) had me laughing uncontrollably and made it all worthwhile. Norman and Manos were icing on the cake after that.
Manos was a pretty good time. I still have yet to, and probably never will, watch that movie unriffed. Even with riffing there is just too much empty space and WTF? going on.
The Celebration Cinema in Lansing, Michigan was 80% full. Biggest (and most enthusiastic) crowd I’ve seen for one of these. A 20-something, cute girl with short hair came dressed as The Master, complete with fake mustache…I felt conflicted. :inlove: :-/ Had a great time. And it was interesting to see the cut scenes, especially the scene where The Master gives the trouble-making bride the slap treatment.
Not sure if this was a common experience, but our feed started silent and then after ten minutes or so it rewound/restarted again with sound. There were blips of dropped audio for the first twenty minutes or so, all this at Houston Memorial.
I enjoyed it, although I did feel like the riffs-per-minute quotient was strangely low. There were places where I wondered why we were watching in silence. That said, the shorts were brilliant and the only thing that fell flat for me was Manos II. It was a nice gesture of Rifftrax to include them, but it wasn’t a high point.
Theater was about 3/4 full, many more people than for the other RIFFTRAX LIVE’s.
Another Nashville viewer here. This was my first time seeing a Rifftrax live show, and it was a special bonus to see them in person. I’ll echo all the above comments – the riffing was spot on, the shorts were delightfully bizarre, and the Torgo’s Pizza callback was funnier in concept than in execution. (Though, to be fair, the music video was hilarious.)
There were 2 other Crows and a couple of Servos in the Nashville crowd. I didn’t bring my Servo, as he’s in need of some repairs. Also, I’m afraid you may have been subjected to my mug a few times, as the guy with the crowd reaction camera made several visits to our row.
All in all, a wonderful experience, especially for someone who was too young during the original run of MST to travel to the cons. I only wish the guys had stayed around afterwards, but there will be other occasions for autographs and photos. Still, it was a fantastic show, can’t wait to do it again soon.
Hollywood 14 in Topeka was about 3/4 full. Great show!! I also really had a hard time keeping the old riffs out of my head. I almost shouted out 2 “It’ll be dark soon.” and “Where’s Torgo, we came to see Torgo?” I really enjoyed seeing the remastered version and loved the scenes that weren’t in the MSTied version.
Hollywood 16 in Amarillo, TX was full 100%. We had to have one of the theater guys come in and have everyone move in so that the rest of the people could find seats.
Great time was had by all. The shorts warmed up the audience well enough and Manos was so well done that it went over really well. I hope that October’s show will be as successful.
Saw it at one of the sold-out screens in NYC and had a blast. Went with two old-time staunch Joel fans and even they laughed so hard they couldn’t breathe.
I know Manos way too well as my wife is a huge fan of BOTH the MST and the uncut movie! (No, I can’t explain it.) Yet I had no problem enjoying all the new riffs, and overall it may have been funnier than the original MST episode. Certainly, White Trash Twilight was just brilliant, especially if you’ve seen any of the Twilight Rifftrax.
I read an article recently that described the CT gang as the earnest but slightly stuffy art students and the MST guys as the frat boys just out for a good time. A bit simplistic, but I think it’s pretty accurate. Mike, Kevin and Bill just want to make us laugh, and they will say anything that does just that.
Can’t wait for a new, updated version of Birdemic! I just hope Kevin still sings the Birdemic song.
noordledoordle #12: I think “Honey, you’re embarrassing me in front of Torgo” was the only re-riff?
A sort of re-riff occurred when, during the scene where Mike is being tied up, it looks like Torgo is giving him a wedgie.
Packed in Albany, NY. My favorite thing about it was that I did not see one single brightly lit cell phone screen or hear someone’s Katy Perry ringtone. For a bunch of people who are there to see a movie of guys yelling at a movie screen, they were remarkably polite.
I’ve never had a better movie-going experience. It was so wonderfully communal. We all wanted to be there, we all did Norman’s catch phrase (that Norman!) we all clapped and cheered and laughed as though they were actually in the room with us.
I was going to bring my Servo, but his head came off in the car, so he didn’t get to go. I wore my silver Servo necklace instead.
Saw it at the UA Riverview in Philadelphia–around 80% full, I’d estimate, and the crowd was very enthusiastic. Like many other people, I had a big problem putting the old riffs out of my mind, but this one was quite good as well…if they could find a way to merge the 2 riffs, taking the best lines from each, I’d be happier than I’ve ever been.
Very disappointed by the digital goodies. I would’ve liked to have those songs, and I already wish I could remember more of the stuff on the cards because they were funny (the “Transformers” haiku got a great reaction from the crowd where I was).