Mystery Science Theater 3000: Volume XXX

I never get tired of old MST3K DVD releases, and I'm pleased that so many seem to feel the same way. The collection of episodes from various seasons (ranging from the last episode of season 1, to one of the last episodes from season 10) doesn't make much sense to the uninitiated.But MSTies, as they are called, are always welcoming to those new to the club and are happy to explain that complex rights issues prevent coherent releases. Rhino, and later Shout Factory, collect 4 episodes (called "experiments") and release them about twice a year. Grab 'em if you want them sooner rather than later, because things happen and you never know if/when these will go out of print.They come with slimline cases, posters, and many experiments have nice extras including cast interviews and sometimes comments from the filmmakers themselves (those that are good sports, anyway.)So some words about the particular experiments:113 - The Black Scorpion. No TV's Frank, we have the most excellent J. Elvis Weinstiein as Dr. Eckhardt and a surprisingly deep-voiced Tom Servo. The shadow-rama (silhouettes) have an odd green tinge we don't see in later years, but the writing and execution foreshadow the excellent seasons that were to follow. This experiment has to do with maneating ginormous scorpions released by volcanic activity (!!!).519 - Outlaws is a Jack Palance vehicle of the John Norman "Gor" series. It's awful, so let's focus on what is unusual about this experiment. It is an early Mike episode, and there is a rare invention exchange. The opus "Tubular Boobular Joy" is in this experiment. And "buffalo shots" (don't ask, you probably don't want to know).901- Projected Man - this is about a matter-transfer experiment that leaves a scientist with a lethal touch. It is the first of season 9, and the first featuring Pearl in Castle Forrester. When this experiment was first broadcast, the soundtrack was damaged or bad in some way, leaving Mike and the 'Bots with an "echoey" sound during their riffing. This was cleaned up in later broadcasts, and this DVD has the corrected sound. Sadly, season 9 was rather short with only 13 episodes, but this was one of the better ones.1010- What lives by night? Bats of course, and we got a guy turning into one. Host segments are very funny as Mike and the 'Bots take ill-fated steps towards business ownership and entrepreneurism. They fail of course. This episode was one of the last, and was repeated several times by the Sci Fi Channel. One of the better experiments.

For most of you who remember, MST3K dealt with a guy, some bots, mad scientists, and the worst films ever to hit the cinematic realm. The series was hilarious because, as one critic pointed out, we all love making odd comments when watching bad films. Heck, I once did it in 'Star Wars: Episode I.' (Sorry, Lucas, blame the 'bots.)Thus, the show was a sensation hit for several seasons, even migrating over to the Sci-Fi Channel after Comedy Central plunged them into obscurity. My favorite episodes are 'Santa Claus Conquers The Martians' (which you can finally locate in 'MST3K: The Essentials') and 'Pod People' (basically due to the fact it's kind of a messed up version of E.T. and really has nothing to do with pods whatsoever. 'Trumpy! You can do STUPID things!').Anyway, the movie, like the series, has become a sought after classic. At the time I only have the VHS version since I didn't have a DVD, and Grammercy only made about a few copies for DVD to begin with. Some claimed the quality wasn't that good, so we're hoping Rogue Entertainment might make some improvements to this one.But I digress, the story temporarily rehashes the plot for those new to MST3K: Dr. Forrester (Dr. F) has sent Mike helplessly into outer space, subjecting him (and the 'bots) to the worst films ever conceived. This is in hopes Dr. F can find the worst one to unleash on an unsuspecting world and have global domination.Of course, Mike and the 'Bots go about their merry business. Today Crow decides he wants to dig an escape tunnel, until he realizes (despite Tom's warnings) you can't dig through space. Fortunately Mike manages to resolve it, just as Dr. F calls in.The movie happens to be 'This Island Earth,' in which Mike and the 'bots make fun of in the usual fashion about a man and a woman who get involved with aliens from another world.Though from the VHS version the theater sketches are slim (heard the original DVD version was completely uncut), they are humourous as in the series. Like Mike attempting piloting the Satellite of Love and wrecking the Hubble Telescope in the process. Another where Tom admits he has an interocetor (the movie's invention) and they attempt calling for help.Overall, MST3K the Movie is definitely a long-awaited classic for MSTies and new fans alike, a great film coming back from a prolonged hitaus. Now if we could just do the same for the series as well.

MST3K The Movie got great reviews when it was in theaters in 1996 and deservedly so. Even after the studio chopped it down to a mere 75 minutes they couldn't destroy anything this funny. Siskel and Ebert at the time raved about it, as did most fans and critics. Sadly, the DVD has been out of print in the USA for many years, so it's great that this is available again for all the MSTies who missed out on it the first time around.The movie being "riffed" is the classic color SF film from 1955, This Island Earth, starring Rex Reason, Faith Domergue (she was also in It Came From Beneath The Sea), Russell Johnson (the Professor on Gilligan's Island), and Jeff Morrow. It's a great looking film that is reasonably entertaining and well-made. However, as the MST3K writers point out repeatedly during jokes in this film, there's still plenty to make fun of, such as futuristic looking props that don't seem to have an actual purpose, plot premise issues, and some general fantastic silliness. MST3K The Movie is a lot of fun.Note that Frank Conniff and Joel Hodgson had both left MST3K by the time that this film was made, so the Satellite of Love (SOL) is helmed by Mike Nelson and Dr. Forrester is on his own in Deep 13. The jokes are top notch, though occasionally a bit more PG-13 than on the regular MST3K TV show. The SOL and Deep 13 sets constructed for the film are slightly more elaborate than those previously used for the TV show on Comedy Central to that point. There are even a few scenes in the SOL in more than one location! The movie does follow the same general format as the TV show, including host segments. Look for the "Manos" reference during one host segment. This DVD is recommended!

Pod People is my favorite Joel episode. The song they do is AWESOME.