RiffTrax Live: Space Mutiny
This probably wasn’t the best RiffTrax show, although it had some incredibly funny moments.
MST3K (Mike, Bill, and Kevin) did this movie, and I’ve seen that version at least a dozen times. So while I admire their determination to bring new jokes to the film, repeating very few from the MST3K version, it just didn’t hit all the notes. Because of course, the best jokes were taken. (The moment you see the Valerian women, you think Stevie Nicks, but since MST3K used that, the guys came up with another singer. And yet your mind still screamed Stevie Nicks.)
That said, it’s still the perfect film to riff. Most of the budget was spent acquiring old Battlestar Galactica footage, which they somehow manage to make worse. The vehicles driven on the space ship look like a cross between a bumper car, a golf cart, and a waxing machine. Many sets are reused (and it’s obvious) and some scenes are reused. There is even a scene after a character is murdered where she still appears in place on the bridge. (‘I loved your funeral.’) It embraces all that was cheesy and bad about the 80’s, including early special effects and video games, all while coming out in 1988. Yeah, really.
And of course, I have some pre-show screen shots to show you:
And just so you can see it really was Battlestar Galactica footage...
Next RiffTrax: Live is August 25 - KRULL!
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Review
The last film disappointed me. The characters weren’t very likeable and the script had a ton of plot holes and stupid mistakes.
This one was definitely a step up. Even though the basic plotline is similar to The Lost World – (slight spoiler) – a group is gathering the dinosaurs with a nefarious agenda.
The effects and sets are spectacular. Ironically, I recently re-watched Jurassic Park and those dinosaur special effects are on par with today’s work.
The story goes in a really unique direction, especially the ending, and I will give them that. It takes the dinos in a new direction, but also people. (See the film and then really think about the implications.)
The characters are bit more likeable this time around. Big plus there.
If you liked the last one, you’ll like this one. If the last one didn’t quite do it for you, this one is better. It’s a little rehash mixed with some fresh material.
Recommended
Murder at the Marina by Ellen Jacobson
Then two movies came out that same year which alarmed her—“All is Lost” and “Captain Phillips.”
“All is Lost” (starring Robert Redford) is about a man sailing solo in the Indian Ocean when his boat starts taking on water, eventually forcing him to abandon ship. Although it was critically acclaimed, many in the sailing community panned the movie for being unrealistic in terms of the lack of critical safety equipment on board and the decisions he made. I tried to explain to my mother that the probability of our boat sinking was quite small, but I don't think she believed me.
“Captain Phillips” (starring Tom Hanks) was inspired by a true story of a freighter being hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia. Once she realized that these weren't Johnny Depp kind of pirates, we were forbidden from sailing in that area.
We ended up having such a great time cruising in New Zealand (and didn't sink our boat or get hijacked by pirates), that we ended up buying another sailboat back in the States. Our adventures and misadventures buying a boat and living aboard full-time inspired my light-hearted, humorous cozy mystery, “Murder at the Marina.” Of course, now my mom is going to worry that we might discover a dead body aboard our boat, like my main character, Mollie McGhie, did.
“Murder at the Marina” available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Google Play, and iTunes. Find out more at ellenjacobsonauthor.com and follow along on Twitter @Ellen__Jacobson and Facebook @EllenJacobsonAuthor.
The Disaster Artist Review
From IMDB: When Greg Sestero, an aspiring film actor, meets the weird and mysterious Tommy Wiseau in an acting class, they form a unique friendship and travel to Hollywood to make their dreams come true.
James Franco directs and stars in this film, which also features his brother Dave as Greg. While I admire Franco’s passion for the subject matter – how did this horrible director/actor/writer create a film so bad it would develop a cult following – the one thing it fails to do is give us any more than we already know about Tommy Wiseau. (Other than to confirm he was crazy and a bit of a jerk.)
Both brothers are great in their roles. James nails Tommy and it’s almost eerie.
Some scenes are hard to watch. Could someone really be that delusional?
Where did Tommy get the six million to fund this film? Where is he from? How old is he? No one knows, and this film provides no answers.
Interesting to watch just because I’ve seen RiffTrax rip The Room. But it didn’t do a lot for me. Your experience may vary.
Ninja News
The Contemplative Cat had a really fascinating post:
Lustron Corporation, a division of Chicago Vitreous Enamel Corporation, was founded in 1947 and began to construct 15,000 homes in that year and then 30,000 (according to this info above) in 1948. The houses cost between $8,500 and $9,500.
These houses were unique, to say the least: all steel.
The houses are made of steel, top to bottom. Cabinets, closets, kitchens, doors, walls, door jams, support beams---everything is steel. (Notice the built-ins throughout the house in the YouTube video below.) Houses were pre-fabricated and assembled on site, in two weeks. Steel slates are on the roof. Enameled steel square panels cover the exterior. No repainting, roof repair, termite damage are in these houses.
Check out her post for images and more details.
Old Mam by Pat Hatt
Find it on Amazon
From JoBlo:
Multiple Star Wars films still in the works!
A few days ago a report came out that Lucasfilm was freezing several upcoming STAR WARS standalone/spinoff movies in carbonite, and that they would be focusing only on the current trilogy, Rian Johnson’s new trilogy and movies from David Benioff and D.B. Weiss. Turns out that may not be entirely correct, as Lucasfilm sources told ABC News they still have “multiple” new STAR WARS movies still in the works.
The news outlet reports the Lucasfilm sources are calling the original report “inaccurate,” and that they indeed have movies outside of the Johnson trilogy and Benioff/Weiss series that are in the works and moving forward. No specific projects are named, but in the past, we have heard about a Boba Fett movie from James Mangold and an Obi-Wan movie by Stephen Daldry.
SyFy is developing a Nightbreed series.
Almost thirty years ago, Clive Barker wrote and directed NIGHTBREED, a dark fantasy horror film based upon his 1988 novella "Cabal." Unfortunately, Barker had to deal with studio-mandated cuts and misleading marketing and the film would go on to become a commercial and critical failure, but over the years, NIGHTBREED has become a cult hit and Scream Factory even released a director's cut of the film in 2014. Last year, Morgan Creek Entertainment announced that they were looking to exploit a number of films in their catalogue, including NIGHTBREED, and it seems that our next trip to Midian will take place on television as Syfy is developing a series based upon Clive Barker's creation.
I really dug the movie so I’m curious where they will go with the series.
This price will be good through the release date – July 9, 2018.
Bluebonnet Ballerina follows Jalapeno Cupcake Wench and is the second book in The Amazing Gracie Trilogy.
And finally, there is a movement to remake The Last Jedi. No, really. Yes, go ahead and laugh. No script and no rights from Disney – sure you’re going to remake it! Get the details at Slate.
Ready for RiffTrax to tackle Krull? Who else saw Fallen Kingdom? Picking up Murder at the Marina? Surprised by those steel homes? Thinks some fans take Star Wars way too serious…?
Remember, Insecure Writer’s Support Group post day is July 3, a Tuesday next week! See you then.
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