It's The Rifftrax League Vs. Batman and Superman

It wasn't too long ago that the Rifftrax trio of Mike Nelson, Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett would riff for hours against bad movies. They did their best against James Cameron extra-long blockbusters like Titanic and Avatar.

However, they're not the marathon riffers they used to be. That's why they recruited a lot of help when they decided to take on Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. The crew included Mike's wife Bridget, former adversaries Mary Jo Pehl, Trace Beaulieu and Frank Coniff, Sketchfest bigwigs Janey Varney and Cole Stratton, Brit riffers Ian Potter and Matthew J. Elliott, and writers Conor Lawstoka and Sean Thomason.
Or it could be the movie has too much bad for three guys to handle.

Doesn't matter, because this was one of the best riffs in years. It's also a change of pace from battling the latest Star Wars movies.
The plot, of course, is Batman and Superman having some disagreement on how to deal with the bad guys, while Earth seems to be scared of having a Man of Steel around. Add Lex Luthor as the Joker exploiting the situation, and a woman who saves the movie while the guys wonder what just happened, and you have this movie.

Each "team" takes a chunk of the movie and riffs away. Each has its own style, but Conor and Sean are just hilarious in their first movie. Unleashing them on Justice League or any B movie would be a good idea.
Also, Trace and Frank's chunk is almost like their podcast show, only with video. They're the "lucky" guys who see Batman ask Superman why he said he has to save Martha (which turns out to be the dumbest turning point in any comic book movie ever). Frank even wonders why Rifftrax hates him and Trace. Uh, you guys exposed Mike to Coleman Francis, for starters.

Anyway, let's look at the best riffs from each of the teams:
First, the Rifftrax trio's first turn

Young Bruce Wayne runs from a funeral
This must be where he's bitten by a radioactive bat

A woman says Superman caused a major disaster..."So many dead"
Santa Claus. We never should have let him down the chimney

Then Sean and Conor:

Bruce visits his parents' crypt
This is where they keep all the footage from that Nicholas Cage Superman movie

Cole and Janet:

Lex, Clark and Bruce attempt to banter
It's like if the Marx Brothers were awful

Bruce and Diana meet and talk about what he placed at Luthor's party
What's the opposite of chemistry because that's what these two have.

Matt and Ian:

Mrs.Kent to Superman:  People hate what they don't understand
Like the new Twin Peaks

They comment on how Bruce is training with tires
You can get tires delivered through Amazon Prime
I thought Wonder Woman was Amazon Prime

Bridget and Mary Jo:

Clark talks to the ghost of his dad, especially how saving his family farm seriously destroyed another nearby
Clark to Dad: Did the nightmares ever stop?
Robin Hood haunted me for years.

Lex pushes Lois Lane off a tall building. Superman saves her
I was expecting Christopher Reeve

Diana looks through the download she got from Bruce
She's googling Lynda Carter

Trace and Frank:

Batman tries to shoot Superman
Where does he get all those meaningless toys?

Then the Martha scene, where Batman yells "Why did you say that name?"
It begins with bad screen writing

Finally, the RT guys finish it off:

Superman's death scene:
I'm dying but at least I'll never have to meet Aquaman.

There's also riffs on lots of  subjects including Charlie Rose, Golden Corral (again), Steve Mnuchin, Bob's Big Boy, Casablanca, Joss Whedon, Trivago and Steve Bannon.

Actually, having a riffing "relay race" gives all the riffers a chance to shine. Maybe they can do this again when Last Jedi is likely to be released on home video next spring.
The mp3 riff of Batman v Superman is now available at the website

The Last Jedi Isn't For Every Star Wars Fan, But It's Still Very Good

The weekend has passed, and Star Wars:  The Last Jedi has been a massive hit. It's earned 241 million in the states, and half  a billion worldwide.Maybe it'll hit a billion in a month. While many have enjoyed the movie, some hard core fans were surprised or dismayed over certain things like changing what someone with the Force can do.

Well, they're wrong. They have to remember this is a new generation of Rebels, and the ones we knew before are also different because they're getting older.
On top of that, Last Jedi is different because it doesn't need the past as a guide. If we get some surprising twists which later make sense, that's a good thing.
Besides, don't be fooled by the title.

The movie itself is mainly two plots:  the Resistance try to stay literally one step ahead of the Empire, and Rey seeks out Luke Skywalker to be trained in the ways of the Jedi. Finn does wake up, but in a clumsy manner, while Poe Dameron and BB8 take wild risks for the cause. Right off the bat, he goes after one of the dreadnoughts, while a girl is just able to release a lot of bombs before dying. Oscar Isaac is truly the heir apparent to Han Solo

Rey's (Daisy Ridley) storyline was more interesting because of her relationship with Luke, which starts when she returns his lightsaber and his response is unexpected,. It's clear he's not interested in training new Jedi, especially after what happened with Kylo Ren. A return to the Millennium Falcon and a vision from the past, changes his mind. He also sees Rey's  potential inside her, and that worries him because someone else had that strength.
She's also searching for info on who her parents really are, taking her to a cave that gives her a certain point of view.

The biggest surprise is that she actually talks to Ren, even light years away. This is explained, but seeing opposite sides of the Force trying to understand each other is quite a trip although it worried a lot of fans. Also, Ren doesn't have as many "tantrums" but he is trying to establish his power as the heir to Vader. Rey still thinks maybe he can be redeemed, but that is not possible. You need a bad guy for this section of the Star Wars Saga, and it's him. She still wants to try, especially when she learns what really happened the night Ren left Luke. Driver is very good as Ren, whether ruthless or quiet and calm in his efforts to win over Ren.

The efforts by the Resistance to stay alive are still interesting, though. When the Empire's fleet damages one of the ships  and puts Leia out of business for a while, she's replaced by Vice Admiral Holdo (Laura Dern). Aside from the fact she looks like she came from The Hunger Games, Holdo seems to be a commander who's not making the right decisions (at least according to Poe). The revelation that she really knew what she was doing was a bit sudden, although telling Poe would have made it easier (another complaint, but she was trying to establish herself). Fisher does a great job in what is her swan song in the franchise. She's all business, even when she's talking to Poe. There is a scene what will shock people, but they'll be even more shocked about what she does about it.

Because Holdo wouldn't admit her real intentions, Ren and Rose decide to find a code breaker who could help them buy time and help the fleet escape the Empire ships. They have to go a planet called Canto Bright that's Evil Vegas, where the upper elite (including some weapons dealers who sell to both sides) gamble and party like crazy. They find a guy named DJ (Benecio Del Toro) and he seems helpful but he's no Lando Calrissian (or is he?).

Then there's the scene where Ren brings Rey to Snoke, and it's a battle over who controls the Force more is very tense, especially what one of them decides to do. Yet there is a moment of a possible alliance that sounds good. Then you remember who these people really are. Andy Serkis should get an award for making mo-cap characters so real, aside from his work in the Planet of the Apes series. He makes Snoke truly menacing, if he spends much of the time sitting on his throne.

There's also a major confrontation towards the end that will excite fans, and then blow them away at the end.

Last Jedi was smart not to be The Empire Strikes Back. No massive revelations, but there were several unexpected twists. It was a great sendoff for Fisher, and a big advance for Poe, Rey and Finn as they take their places are the new Heroes of the Resistance. Don't forget BB8, who was more involved in the battle with Poe that R2D2 ever was. Just remember, the round robot makes a lousy piggy bank but is a good mechanic.
Also, don't forget one more return that is sudden, but this character puts it into perspective.

While we'll have to wait two years for the final chapter (and maybe four months for Rifftrax's "response" which will include a lot of jokes about Holdo and Canto Bright), at least there's the upcoming "Solo" movie next May.

Riffing Housewives Wonder What Is Beyond Christmas

After riffing on Christmas movies with Santa Claus, the Real Housewives of Rifftrax (Mary Jo Pehl and Bridget Nelson) decide to take on a fantasy movie about three rich guys who help a young couple during Christmas....even after death.

The movie was made by RKO in 1940, and was more or less a "B" movie with people that movie fans may know. It does include Richard Carlson, aka the murderous jazz pianist from "Tormented".

Anyway, the movie is about three rich guys who toss out wallets with $10 in them, and whoever returns them can have a drink with them for Christmas. They also throw in a maid who apparently was an exiled member of Russian royalty or something.
A guy from Texas named Jimmy who can sing, and a teacher named Jean, pick up the wallets,and it's not long before they become a family.

When the old guys die in a plane crash, their ghosts reunite at their house. Jimmy and Jean learn the guys left them some bonds to secure their future.

Problem is, Jimmy meets a girl named Arlene who assists in Jimmy's singing career. He starts to ignore Jean, and it looks like Arlene will get her hooks on him.

As for the old ghosts, they're not able to find a miser to teach him the importance of Christmas or at least Mankind should be his business. They're called to Heaven, and one of them, Michael, tries to stay on Earth to help Jimmy.

Then we get the ending where Jimmy's shot by Arlene's  ex-husband, and apparently dies at the operating table. He's able to talk to Michael, who convinces his to go back to Jean. After some "divine intervention", Jimmy lives and Michael heads up the Stairway to Heaven.

The movie is really sentimental but they should have moved the scene where Jimmy and Jean get the bonds to the end, as a divine reward. Anyway, Rifftrax got this because the movie was originally colorized for Legend Films, the company's old name, more than a decade ago.

As usual, Bridget and Mary Jo have a relaxed approach to bad movies, as if they were two Midwestern moms amused by what they see. We will see if they have the same attitude towards Batman v. Superman this week.

Riff time:

Jimmy enters the old guys' apartment returning the wallet
Run! It's a fancy cannibal trap.

The ghosts of the rich guys reunite
Thanks for not turning the phone to airport mode, Steve

Something is about to happen, and Michael looks worried
When you realize you look like Porky Pig

Jean begs Jimmy to come back to her
Tom Stewart killed me, emotionally

There are also riffs on Clue, Patrick Swayze, how telegrams were old-fashioned texts, Seinfeld and TV's Frank.

Beyond Christmas is currently available on the Rifftrax website, along with other holiday shorts including new ones on an off-brand version of Frosty the Snowman and holiday traditions around the world.

FINALLY! Mystery Science Theater 3000 Will Return On Netflix in 2018

It is almost time.

Thousands of fans of Mystery Science Theater 3000 switched off their computers, streaming sticks and tablets when the annual Turkey Day Marathon ended this past Thanksgiving. They missed a Rifftrax ad and a Shout Factory ad about new MST3K swag that's now available, including JOIKE sweatshirts.

Maybe they should have stuck around a little longer. Here's why:



That's right, guys. Netflix realized there is lots of room for Shonda Rhimes, Daredevil, young Queen Elizabeth and Stranger Things...and the Satellite of Love.
PRAISE THE LORD!

So, probably after next Easter or more likely around the summer, we will know what happened after Jonah was "eaten" by the Reptilicus Metallicus at the end of "At the Earth's Core" when Max had to stop Kinga from "marrying" Jonah for ratings. It's been all but confirmed the big worm has no stomach, so Jonah will be stuck there for a while. I'd be surprised Max isn't forced to take over for Jonah for a week or two, then he tries to do the same to Kinga. Then, eventually, it'll be back to normal.

What movies will be next aren't picked yet. It's hoped we'll see Lou Ferrigno as Hercules, since Shout Factory has those movies now. However, in this interview in Brooklyn Vegan, it's unlikely Argoman will also be on the list because it's considered a "concert film" kind of movie. That means it'll be tough to turn a live show movie into a regular episode. Maybe that also explains why "World Without End" wasn't chosen for a regular episode after it was also done live.

The point is, the saga of the third test case, Jonah Heston, will continue. How what happened at the end of season eleven will affect Kinga and Max, and whether we'll get ten or 13 episodes, is still up in the air. Still, having her shove Max into the SOL seems like a natural. Then again, we'll get something else, but we'll get something.

Thanks for pushing the button, Netflix.

MST3K Redux: Hangar 18

It's been a long time since I've written a review of a Rifftrax movie, so let's take a look at this sci-fi conspiracy movie done by Rifftrax's British Invasion, Matthew J. Elliott and Ian Potter.
This was also chosen because it was one of the last movies targeted in the KTMA years, and the shortest intro Joel ever did.

First off, Elliott has written a ton of radio dramas and short stories before he got into the riffing biz. Potter is a vet of TV production for the BBC and was a curator for a media museum. How they got sucked into watching bad movies, they'd rather not say.
Their style is similar to Jonah Ray and the crew at the new MST3K, jamming in as many riffs as they can. What's great is their selection of riffs from British TV to past targets, er, movies featured on MST and Rifftrax.

So, why Hangar 18?

It's a supposed docudrama about two astronauts who witness a UFO crashing into a satellite, causing the death of a third astronaut. For some reason, the White House wants to cover this up because it's too close to an upcoming presidential election, They think no one would vote for a president who believes in UFO's, even if you also show one to the press in broad daylight.

Otherwise, it's an excuse to make a cheesy sci-fi movie that's chock full of TV actors. The cast features Darren McGavin 12 years before A Christmas Story, Gary Collins just before his talk show career started, Robert Vaughn somewhere between The Man From UNCLE and paid programming, and Pamela Bellwood a year before Dynasty. Even Phillip Abbott, best known for The FBI, is there as a general, although he's mistaken for Dr. Bellows in the KTMA version.

Even though the two versions are 28 years apart, some scenes do inspire the same response. As the space shuttle lands, and the NASA guy says "90 knots", they give the same riff, "Don Knotts" (although the Rifftrax version wraps it up nicely with "Knots Landing"). Both versions also notice the guy replacing McGavin's character looks way too much like Burt Reynolds, and the guy who witnesses the alien landing looks like John Belushi.

After that, the Rifftrax version packs in more riffs only because Joel preferred fewer riffs in the early days of MST. So, let's compare...

NASA scrambles because something's gone wrong

KTMA:  They'll never get the Disney Channel now
RT:  C'mon, guys, it's not rocket...oh, wait

The UFO kept at Hangar 18 is lit up

KTMA:  Castle Greyskull, I think
RT:  That's not the UFO. That's a Roomba

They find the dead alien pilots, as their chairs turn around

KTMA:  Uncle Fester! AHHHH!
RT:  They love my singing (The Voice)

They blow up the hangar to save the President from losing the Electoral College

KTMA:  Good thing scientists are expendable
RT:  As coverups go, this is a bit on the overt side to me.

Also, Matt and Ian came up with some doozies

They find a blonde woman inside, and the staff says she must be sent to a hospital
But enough about Courtney Love 

The two astronauts meet some guy at a rural airport
Son of Cherokee Jack, Monterey Jack

McGavin:  "The female slaves (prehistoric humans) found it a great honor to be chosen to live with and to bear the offspring of the Gods"
Their names were Ivana, Marla and Melania.

There are also riffs on David Bowie, The Grand Tour, Coronation Street, Teenage Caveman, Robert Denby, and Alan Smithee.

Matt and Ian have riffed on a lot of movies including Scared To Death and King of Kong Island. You can check them out in the "Rifftrax Presents" section of the website. They'll also be part of the dismantling of Batman v. Superman:  Dawn of Justice later this year.