Rifftrax Launches, Next Sunday A.D.
Daniel Swensen
Well, this is probably just about everywhere in dork circles by now, but, as it’s quite possibly one of the greatest birthday presents I’ve ever received, I could not possibly avoid posting this. Michael J. Nelson of MST3K fame has launched Rifftrax, the technical heir to the Satellite of Love.
RiffTrax are downloadable audio tracks that you play in sync with your DVDs. They are written and performed by Mike Nelson, former host and head writer of Mystery Science Theater 3000.
The first film to be lampooned is the Patrick Swayze classic Road House. My God, for one instant I’m contemplating watching Road House. Is this really happening? (Don’t worry, I’ll rent it. I know you were worried.)
This appears to be something of an emerging trend. On the movie board Rotten Tomatoes, several users have done homebrew DVD commentaries, sending up their favorite (or most hated) movies. I was actually thinking of doing this myself — of course, now I risk looking like just another bandwagon-jumper (damn you bandwagon!), but that probably won’t dissuade me.
Incidentally, Nelson has already done several DVD commentary tracks for Legend Films, including Carnival of Souls, House on Haunted Hill (the original), and Plan Nine from Outer Space. While not quite up to the verve and energy of the original MST3K, Nelson is still a very funny, very clever guy, and the commentaries are a joy to listen to. They’re worth picking up, especially because Carnival of Souls and House on Haunted Hill are actually pretty good.
Also, Sam responded to my post about movie cliches with a few of his own. I totally agree about the “walking slowly away from an explosion.” I can’t see that without laughing anymore. As for trailers giving away the whole show, well, I’ve been complaining about that for years (often loudly, in the theater), and yet nothing changes! Can’t they hear me bitching?
I might compile my own short-list of hated cliches and add it to the lovefest. Until then!
July 21st, 2006 at 1:09 pm
First off, happy birthday!
Second, Nelson’s commentary on Reefer Madness is also quite funny.
I wish I’d had the energy to do this. I thought about trying it years ago.
July 21st, 2006 at 10:04 pm
RiffTrax is a brilliant idea.
July 22nd, 2006 at 11:24 am
Author F Paul Wilson recorded an alternative commentary to go with The Keep DVD (yet to be released?), a movie by Michael Mann which Wilson loathes.
July 22nd, 2006 at 11:24 am
Just thought it was a similar idea.
July 22nd, 2006 at 12:22 pm
Wow, a commentary to a DVD that doesn’t exist? Now that’s what I call hardcore!
July 24th, 2006 at 7:32 am
“In this scene, which you aren’t seeing, we attempted to give the Keep the feeling of a fortress. As you can’t see by the lighting, we had to contend with some wicked shadows due to the late in the day shooting schedule.”