MST3k/Cinematic Titanic/RiffTrax Thread

[jon]

Discuss any MST3k-and-related-offshoots stuff here.

Like the Film Crew's "Hollywood After Dark" being on Hulu. (http://www.hulu.com/film-crew-hollywood-after-dark)

In another update, I still haven't gotten the new CT yet.

[Warhead Jones]

http://www.rifftrax.com/files/LiveSDSplash-top.jpg
Same weekend as Comic-Con, but not an official part of it, (its a few blocks away).

[jon]

Jeez this thing is pricey. (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Mystery-Science-Theater-3000-20th-Anniversary/10032)

Also, some detective work by mst3kinfo.com (http://www.mst3kinfo.com/?p=707) hints that some of those episodes being released either for the 20th Anniversary DVD or in 2009 might be Laserblast and Werewolf (Waurrwyilf).

[jon]

Well, my copy of Cinematic Titanic's "Doomsday Machine" arrived this weekend. I enjoyed it a lot, at least through the first half or so. The riffs through the first half are a lot of fun, the movie is suitably goofy, and it feels like a really good MST3k episode. Then the movie camps out in one (1) location, and it becomes a lot harder to watch. The CT cast does a good job with what they have, but there's not always a lot there for them.

Overall I was glad to see fewer "pauses," and in particular I thought Joel's "T-Minus" gag was funny. Someone on the last board mentioned the new framing device, which I appreciated, but I thought it was an interesting choice to have them basically be themselves. Basically,

that this group of people was asked to riff on movies because they used to have a riffing TV show with robots, but they "don't do that anymore."

All of the cast members had at least a handful of riffs, but I thought Pehl in particular was really funny. She had probably my favorite, which came relatively early on:

Everything changed after 211

"Wasp Woman" or other, I can't wait for the next one.

[BillBrasky]

I still haven't gotten mine! Do they send one out per week or what?

[jon]

I got an e-mail last week saying there were problems with PayPal (PP didn't initially forward all of the orders to CT). It's supposedly been resolved, but it's possible that they haven't finished adding all of the misplaced orders to their system.

[Darryl]

If any of you haven't seen it yet, it's Eat Our Shorts Summer over at Rifftrax. Two new shorts each week, available as downloads for 99 cents each. I'm downloading the 7th one in the series as I type this.

I love the Rifftrax shorts. I think there are almost 20 of them total at this time.

[smartbunny]

I will probably buy all the CT eps. I liked that there were less interruptions in this one. There's really no need for host segment-type breaks.

[jon]

Well that was quick. CT is announcing the next episode will indeed be "Wasp Woman," dropping August 7.

Here's the trailer:

<object height="344" width="425">

<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/reldl89Y9XQ&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></object>

[Teaflax]

Um...what happened here? How was the discussion not germane to Rifftrax?

[aenemaTron]

It was, at best, tangentially related to it. Rest of thread was moved here (http://aspecialthing.com/forum/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=434)

[Jenny]

Um...what happened here? How was the discussion not germane to Rifftrax?

Despite all this, will you still purchase CT: wasp woman?

[yumitree]

jenny, take it over to the other thread... also, are you kidding?

[BillBrasky]

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/893/mst3k20thanniversaryedwu7.jpg

Celebrating 20 years after MST3K's premiere on television, the entire creative team reunites for the first time when Shout! Factory proudly presents its MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000: 20th Anniversary Edition DVD box set on October 28, 2008. A sumptuous ode to this cult-classic series, the 20th Anniversary Edition DVD box set features four of the show's most requested unreleased film episodes - First Spaceship on Venus, Laserblast, Werewolf and Future War, and boasts exclusive DVD bonus content that explore the genesis, life and afterlife of MST3K. Fans will thrill to watch all new interviews with the entire MST3K family- including Joel Hodgson, Jim Mallon, Trace Beaulieu, Mike Nelson, Bill Corbett, Kevin Murphy, J. Elvis Weinstein, as well as footage from the 20th Anniversary Reunion panel and much more! Moreover, this lavishly packaged 4-DVD box set contains collectible lobby cards and a figurine of the world famous Crow T. Robot - all assembled in a collectible embossed tin and only available with the purchase of this DVD box set.

[smartbunny]

Oh my. That is glorious. 20 years holy cow.

I wish I could have afforded to go to at least one "real" MST3K convention. Did anyone here attend one? Have pix?

[Jenny]

Sorry Yumitree. Anyway, that boxset looks mindblowing.

[Darryl]

Sorry Yumitree. Anyway, that boxset looks mindblowing.

Yep, I'll be getting that as soon as I can. Werewolf (or is it Wurwilf?) is one I have been waiting for on DVD for a long time. My VHS copy taped from SciFi is wearing out. Werewolf and Space Mutiny ("She's presenting like a mandrill!") are my 2 faves. I never get tired of them.

[Teaflax]

Hell yeah I'm getting CT: Wasp Woman. Of course. And I'm seriously considering the boxed set too.

I'm only off Rifftrax, nothing else.

Edit on reading the fine print: FIGURINE OF CROW?? Hell YES. I've been wanting Crow and Servo figures for literally years. Plus Laserblast, Future War and Werewolf? Yup.

[mike]

Wasp Woman (http://cinematictitanic.com/wpmu/store.html) is out now!

[mike]

Good news for haters of freedom:

"Heretofore available only in North America, CT's first child, THE OOZING SKULL is now available worldwide on DVD and for download at EZTakes."

[Ritter]

Just confirmed this morning, CT to appear live at Lakeshore Theater Chicago presenting 3 different hitherto unreleased titles.

Yes, I'm super-geeked.

The Skinny (http://www.lakeshoretheater.com/ShowDetail.aspx?ShowID=189)

[smartbunny]

Dammit, why do I have to live near NYC, the MIDDLE OF NOWHERE!

[smartbunny]

Coming soon from Rifftrax: Dirty Dancing!!!

with Cole Stratton and the lovely Janet Varney!

[colestratton]

Yup...I done gone and done a RiffTrax! Availble on Tuesday, September 23rd!

http://www.rifftrax.com/rifftrax-presents/dirty-dancing

http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/8138/dirtydancingposternb5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/dirtydancingposternb5.jpg/1/w500.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img82/dirtydancingposternb5.jpg/1/)

RiffTrax Presents
DIRTY DANCING
RiffTrax by Cole Stratton and Janet Varney



Ah, the summer of 1963—and what better place to spend it than with your family in the Catskills, dancing with the guy from Road House to pop songs from the 80’s!

An oily Patrick Swayze, naïve Jennifer Grey and Jennifer Grey’s old nose star in this beloved(?) musical dramedy choreographed by Kenny “High School Musical” Ortega. Also starring Law & Order’s Jerry Orbach (who’s around so much dance murder he should be on the case) and a pre-Seinfeld Wayne Knight, this is the film that will make you think twice about putting your baby in ANY corner.

You’ll have the time of your life (or at least be glad you have one) watching this 80’s classic that holds up about as well as a paper mache bridge with Kirstie Alley crossing it.

Join Cole Stratton (Who?) and Janet Varney (Wha?) as they try to look on the bright side* and deconstruct this celebration of dance and watermelon-carrying.


*film could have been Mannequin or Freejack.

Hope you all like it and download it...so I can do more!

[darrylduffy]

Yup...I done gone and done a RiffTrax! Availble on Tuesday, September 23rd!

http://www.rifftrax.com/rifftrax-presents/dirty-dancing

exciting! can't wait for tuesday. hope rifftrax has a paypal in place.

congrats BTW! everythings coming up AST!

[smartbunny]

Janet has huge melons. Ring a ding ding.

(why the cat?)

[Jenny]

Y'know, since they're having various people do rifftrax nowadays, am I the only person who'd like to see the Beastie Boys do one?

[ragu sauce]

what?

[colestratton]

Janet has huge melons. Ring a ding ding.

(why the cat?)

No idea why the cat is on the poster...but I kinda dig it. It's nice having a Swayze-esque body though.

[smartbunny]

And a huge microphone, for some reason.

[darrylduffy]

also! RiffTrax Live in Santa Monica with 'Plan 9 From Outer Space' on 11/2.

and, Cole + Janet's guest Riff on 'Dirty Dancing' out today.

[Jixby Phillips]

s9cCRtsgGvo

This comes out on the 9th (this Thursday [Tomorrow]), and I am only posting this in this thread so I can mention that the trailer made me DIIIIE laughing.

[BillBrasky]

Free Rifftrax!

http://www.rifftrax.com/hulk

It's an episode of the old Incredible Hulk TV show.
They did this in conjunction with Hulu, so you can just watch it online- no sync required.

The other Film Crew episodes are now up on Hulu (http://www.hulu.com/videos/search?query=film+crew) too.

[Garrett Gilchrist]

Finally - Rifftrax for complete cheapskates.

I enjoyed.

I really should buy more of these considering how cheap they are. I really should have actual money of some kind.

[colestratton]

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/674/plan9rifftl1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/plan9rifftl1.jpg/1/w426.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img207/plan9rifftl1.jpg/1/)

SF SKETCHFEST INVADES SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA!

SF Sketchfest and American Cinematheque present
RiffTrax Live: "Plan 9 From Outer Space"
with Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett from "Mystery Science Theater 3000"
LIVE COMEDIC COMMENTARY to the granddaddy of all B-Movies!

SF Sketchfest, the San Francisco Comedy Festival, and American Cinematheque are thrilled to welcome three of the sharpest minds in comedy Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett for an evening with RiffTrax. Former writers and cast-members of "Mystery Science Theater 3000", Nelson (Mike), Murphy (Tom Servo) and Corbett (Crow T. Robot) have now embarked on RiffTrax, which provides downloadable commentaries for dozens of new and classic films.

Join them as they do what they do best: providing live, hilarious commentary to a feature length B-movie! Their sights are set on the granddaddy of all sci-fi camp classics - Ed Wood's "Plan 9 From Outer Space!" A favorite at SF Sketchfest, RiffTrax Live makes it's Los Angeles area debut at the gorgeous Aero Theatre. So sit back, grab some popcorn and laugh yourself silly.

Sunday, November 2nd
5pm and 8pm
at The Aero Theatre
1328 Montana Avenue at 14th Street
Santa Monica, CA

$27 General Admission
$26 Students/Seniors
$25 American Cinematheque Members

Tickets on sale at the Aero Theater Box Office and through Fandango.com
www.sfsketchfest.com
www.rifftrax.com
www.aerotheatre.com

[Garrett Gilchrist]

Little expensive, but hey.

[jon]

My 20th anniversary set arrived today. Crow T. Robot is currently sitting on my desk.

[Jenny]

My 20th anniversary set arrived today. Crow T. Robot is currently sitting on my desk.

the set must be incredible, I'm asking for it for christmas.

[aenemaTron]

So incredible that I couldn't find it at Virgin. Ugh, and it was raining, too.

[BillBrasky]

This may explain why. From tvshowsondvd.com:


This coming Tuesday, October 28th is the official release date for the Mystery Science Theater 3000 - 20th Anniversary Edition: Limited-Edition Tin Box Set from Shout! Factory. But our friends at Shout! have sent along a statement, informing that they've already shipped to retailers all copies of the tin version of the set. And most of these are apparently accounted for via pre-orders. It's going to be difficult to find these now, for all but the most dedicated fans.

As a result, Shout! is moving forward quickly with the "standard" release of the set, a version that will be without the tin package and certain other items (no lobby cards, no Crow figurine). It will be available starting on November 18. Here's the official statement from Shout! Factory about it:

Due to an unexpected level of demand, all copies of the deluxe version of the Mystery Science Theater 3000 20th Anniversary Edition 4-DVD box set have shipped to retail outlets in advance of the October 28, 2008 release date.

As a result, Shout! Factory is rush-releasing the standard version of the box set, which contains all four film episodes and DVD bonus features, but not the collectible tin box, the Crow T. Robot figurine, or lobby cards that are part of the deluxe version. The standard 4-DVD box set version of Mystery Science Theater 3000 20th Anniversary Edition will arrive in stores on November 18.

Shout! Factory

[aenemaTron]

Good, because I didn't want any of that other shit anyway.

[smartbunny]

I just got my 20th Anniversary set from Amazon, with tin box and lobby cards. The artwork on the DVDs and cards is really neat. It was a bitch getting the box of DVDs out of the tin box though; it opens on one side and there was much digging and shaking to get the DVDs out. Then to get Crow out you have to dig again and get the cardboard insert out, which is stuck under the rim of the tin box. Crow is twisty-tied to the blister pack inside. It took me 30 minutes to do all of this.

[jon]

I just got my 20th Anniversary set from Amazon, with tin box and lobby cards. The artwork on the DVDs and cards is really neat. It was a bitch getting the box of DVDs out of the tin box though; it opens on one side and there was much digging and shaking to get the DVDs out. Then to get Crow out you have to dig again and get the cardboard insert out, which is stuck under the rim of the tin box. Crow is twisty-tied to the blister pack inside. It took me 30 minutes to do all of this.

Just wait. Now that Crow is out, the DVDs will always be at the bottom of the tin, making them even harder to get out.

Anyway, I watched all of the episodes and the extras yesterday and today. My thoughts (because you're interested):

Each of the DVD menus are pretty similar to the Rhino sets. I am glad that I no longer have to sit through the FBI warning with the glasses and mustache drawn on, which was cute for the first DVD but got tedious through the years, especially when you couldn't fast forward through them (at least I don't think you could).

I'd only seen "Laserblast" and "Werewolf" when they aired, and even then it's been years. Of the four in this set, "Werewolf" is probably my favorite, though it was 2:30 am when I watched "Future War" so I may be shortchanging it.

Watching "Laserblast" again was interesting. Not only because there's Dr. F but no TV's Frank, but because it was the final CC episode, and based on the host segments you can tell everyone involved in the show felt weird about it. The final segment with Dr. F is fantastic, though.

For the extras, "A History of Theme Songs" or whatever it's called is eh. It's just all of the intros for the show played back to back (except, for some reason, the first season intro). The best part about it, though, is that they show the KTMA intro, and it's fascinating to see just how low budget the show started as. I will say, though, that when people list catchy TV themes, they should start including this one. The fact that there were five or six different sets of lyrics hurts it, but that melody is a lot of fun and sticks in your brain.

The three-part "History of MST3k" feature is somewhat interesting, though it's also hurt in part by all of the interviews Hodgson's been doing for Cinematic Titanic, where it seems he's always asked about how MST3k started. The first part (on the "First Spaceship" disc) talks about the very start of the show and the KTMA season. As I said, a lot of this information is out there now, but there are some additional facts presented, and it's one of the first places in a while where Mallon talks about the show at any length. Speaking to the low-budget nature of it, they only got $100 per episode, $45 of which went to Joel, and $12 each going to Weinstein and Beaulieu.

The second part (on the "Laserblast" disc) discusses the show during the CC Joel years. His departure is only briefly mentioned, though his disagreements with Mallon are somewhat known (there's nothing from Mallon on the subject). What I found interesting about it was him saying that he left because he felt like he no longer had control over the creative direction of the show, which had been almost immediately preceded by other writers saying how they had joined the show, and it almost univerally being through Mike.

Part three (on the "Werewolf" disc) deals with the Mike years, both CC and Sci Fi, and talks about the show's relationship with its fans. There's less new information in this section than the others, and Conniff's and Beaulieu's departures each only get a few seconds' mention, though you do learn that they had a hard time on Sci Fi because the channel was uncomfortable with a show that made fun of science fiction.

The Comic-con panel was fun. Patton Oswalt kept things moving and nicely split the difference between fan and moderator (he seems genuinely impressed to see a fan's original fan club card), and he also largely kept the cast members from providing answers that everyone knows (asking them what the worst movie other than "Manos" was, for instance).

Overall it's a good set, though in the "history" portion I would've liked a few more stories and anecdotes about working on the show rather than a more general telling of the timeline.

[smartbunny]

Oh, I'm not putting the discs back in the tin, no way no how.

[Jenny]

So the tin's overrated then?

[smartbunny]

The tin is nice.

[Having Fun!]

I had 0 expectations for the tin, but turned out to be a tad pleasantly surprised.

[jon]

Yeah, I wouldn't call the tin overrated, it just could've been designed a little better.

Also, I forgot to mention that part 1 of the "history of MST3k" features both Weinstein and Beaulieu doing brief but hilarious impressions of Hodgson (circa late-80s).

[smartbunny]

Everything comes in tins now, it's not as novel as it used to be. Every single brand of mint at the Target checkout line is in a lovely embossed tin. It must be fairly cheap to do.

Tin!

[pg13]

I'm bitter.

I'm watching the "History of MST3K" special...and Kevin Murphy says that their propmaster was known as "Toolmaster" because of the Violent Femmes song "Toolmaster of Brainerd."

I love the Femmes as much as any ex-Wisconsin new waver...but "Toolmaster of Brainerd" is in no way the work of Gordon Gano, et al.

Come on Kevin Murphy...give the Twin Cities' own Trip Shakespeare some of the love that they deserve...

pg--Best Brains? I think not!--seattle

[smartbunny]

He said Femmes? I don't remember him saying that. I have always heard Trip Shakespeare mentioned as the inspiration. He just slipped up.

[semisorick]

He played guitar like a master but faster....
Toolmaster of Brainerd!

It is absolutely a Trip Shakespeare reference, I have the MST Scrapbook VHS tape and the Trip Shakespeare connection is made. Great band, the predecessors to Semisonic, but Trip Shakespeare was far superior.

Lulu is a masterpiece of an album.

Anybody planning on going to the Cinematic Titanic shows in Chicago? I have tickets for the Late Friday and early Saturday shows.

[amoment]

If Shout! does the same thing with this that they recently did with Freaks & Geeks, they'll just re-release the "limited" edition now that they see there's more demand for it than they anticipated. The yearbook edition of Freaks & Geeks was absolutely positively supposed to be limited to one run ... until they decided they could bring it back in this Apatow-crazed world and sell a bunch more of them. So who knows what'll happen with this (limited) edition.

[pmottaz]

There's some very interesting MST3k coverage in the Onion's AV Club this week, not the least of which is a blog-editorial about the difference between Rifftrax and Cinematic Titanic (basically about how it feels a little less enjoyable to riff on current movies that are professionally done--however crappily done they may be--as opposed to going after B-movies from the 50's that were completely inept in every way).

I don't know where I stand on this highly controversial issue, but one thing is clear: with Mike heading "Rifftrax" and Joel heading "Cinematic Titanic," the Joel vs. Mike debate will rage on for years to come.

[BillBrasky]

I think I'm going to stand firmly in the Rifftrax camp here. I've enjoyed the Cinematic Titanic DVDs so far, but making fun of old movies feels a little tired to me. I think there's something kind of cool about the fact that with Rifftrax they figured out a way to riff on movies almost immediately after they come out on DVD (they just did "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" and "Iron Man").
Plus with Mike, Kevin, and Bill doing the riffing, it feels more like an episode of MST to me.
In fact, I sort of wish they wouldn't refer to each other as "Kevin" and "Bill" during the episodes; I almost want to pretend it's Crow and Tom Servo talking and you just can't see them.
I still don't like the fact that it's so many people talking during the CT episodes too, and I'm not totally crazy about the silhouettes either.

[smartbunny]

I love that my buddies Brian Henry and Chris Cornell (no not that one) were on the History of MST3K section, and Chris taking credit, basically, for renewing the show with his Philly Inquirer story. Hee!

[BillBrasky]

Coming November 20th:

The all-new Cinematic Titanic take on SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE MARTIANS. All new jokes plus several more minutes of the movie that were cut for time on the MST3K episode.

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/44BV-5BTry0&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/44BV-5BTry0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[mcpiranhas]

Remember when Ben Edlund (creator of the Tick) was writing an animated remake of SCCTM? That's a script I'd love to read.

[pg13]

I think I'm going to stand firmly in the Rifftrax camp here.
Plus with Mike, Kevin, and Bill doing the riffing, it feels more like an episode of MST to me.


See, that's my reason for liking Cinematic Titanic more...because hearing Joel and Trace is more in-line with the MST3K that I fell in love with...more than Mike & Bill ever were.

Make no mistake, I loved Kevin as Servo--and it feels like he should be there with Joel and Trace...but giving me riffing from Josh, Mary Jo and Frank (didn't they sing "Don't Pull Your Love Out" back in the 70s?) makes a serious dent in making me not miss Kevin too much.

I guess it all depends on when you first got hooked into the MSTies...and I definitely identify as being part of the Joel-era. (Although I dig a bunch of Mike episodes, my fondest memories are almost all of Joel-era episodes.)

pg--I may be wrong, but I believe that I booked Trip Shakespeare on their first-not-in-Minnesota gig, back in the day...which was awesome...they were definitely a band that shouldn't have been as overlooked as they turned out to be...--seattle

PS--"And all his old girlfriends came out of the sky and told him to kiss the Twin Towns goodbye!"

[smartbunny]

"Josh, Mary Jo and Frank (didn't they sing "Don't Pull Your Love Out" back in the 70s?)"

Josh Mary, Jo Ann Frank?
Josh, Mary Jo, Ann, Frank?
John, Mary, Jo, Ann, Frank?

and Reynolds?

[BillBrasky]

With sales of the Mystery Science Theater 3000 - 20th Anniversary Edition DVD release - Shout! Factory's first MST3K title since taking over the license from Rhino - already exceeding all expectations, the attention is now beginning to turn toward their second release for the classic cult-favorite program. As we originally reported in July (when the tin package art for the 20th Anniversary Edition was revealed), Shout! had given us advance word that they were "already planning on a follow-up multi-disc release, which ought to be out in the first part of 2009 and once again contain episodes that are new-to-DVD."

Now we've got the scoop on that second Shout! release. Following Rhino's 12 multi-disc sets ("Volume 1" through "12"), and Shout!'s first release, the new 4-DVD package is going by the title of Mystery Science Theater 3000 - XIV (or you can just call it "MST3K 14" for short). The info provided to retailers this morning is that it will street on February 3, 2009. Video will be full frame, audio in English and the running time is listed as 480 minutes. Bonus material details aren't available yet, but here is the list of new-to-DVD episodes, along with the front cover art:
#103: Mad Monster
#413: Manhunt in Space
#1001: Soultaker
#1008: Final Justice

http://www.tvshowsondvd.net/graphics/news3/MST3K-V14.jpg

[Jixby Phillips]

luvs it

[jeffwatt]

#1008: Final Justice




Crossing my fingers for a Joe Don Baker featurette.

[derekthedrummer]

SOULTAKER!!! ESTEVEZ!!!! (the good kind, Joe).

[smartbunny]

What movies do you all prefer, if any, for MST treatment? I am a fan of b&w teen horror B-movies myself.

[pmottaz]

What movies do you all prefer, if any, for MST treatment? I am a fan of b&w teen horror B-movies myself.
I think I'm a fan of any movie that was a little overly ambitious and just this side short of well constructed. "Mitchell," "Girl From Lover's Lane," "The Thing That Wouldn't Die," and even "This Island Earth." I'm less of a fan of things like "Manos" because it stood no chance from the get go. It feels like the MST treatment is meaner for stuff like "Manos" than it is for something at Joe Don Baker and the like.

[Having Fun!]

hobgoblins

[jon]

With sales of the Mystery Science Theater 3000 - 20th Anniversary Edition DVD release - Shout! Factory's first MST3K title since taking over the license from Rhino - already exceeding all expectations, the attention is now beginning to turn toward their second release for the classic cult-favorite program. As we originally reported in July (when the tin package art for the 20th Anniversary Edition was revealed), Shout! had given us advance word that they were "already planning on a follow-up multi-disc release, which ought to be out in the first part of 2009 and once again contain episodes that are new-to-DVD."

Now we've got the scoop on that second Shout! release. Following Rhino's 12 multi-disc sets ("Volume 1" through "12"), and Shout!'s first release, the new 4-DVD package is going by the title of Mystery Science Theater 3000 - XIV (or you can just call it "MST3K 14" for short). The info provided to retailers this morning is that it will street on February 3, 2009. Video will be full frame, audio in English and the running time is listed as 480 minutes. Bonus material details aren't available yet, but here is the list of new-to-DVD episodes, along with the front cover art:
#103: Mad Monster
#413: Manhunt in Space
#1001: Soultaker
#1008: Final Justice

I wonder what that extra 90-ish minutes represents. Also of note, "Mad Monster" contains the "nobody drinks from my girl" segment and "Manhunt in Space" was paired with an episode of "General Hospital." I assume this means they were able to get the rights to that, which I had thought would've been hard to do.

[Jixby Phillips]

oh man, them getting the rights to General Hospital means BEATNIKS mights come out on DVD! Fantastic!

[smartbunny]

"If these people are beatniks than my MOM'S a beatnik. And she's NOT."

[jon]

Here's something I just noticed about the anniversary set - the discs don't have a "chapter selection" option, and they don't have chapter breaks after the intro or the commercial bumpers, meaning if you try to skip past the intro you miss the opening host segment, etc.

Here's hoping that gets changed as they release more sets.

[Jixby Phillips]

Rifftrax is releasing a DVD of shorts! (http://www.mst3kinfo.com/?p=1615)

The DVD includes nine shorts:
• Down and Out
• Patriotism
• Buying Food
• Right or Wrong
• Drugs are Like That
• Skipper Learns a Lesson
• The Trouble With Women
• It Must be the Neighbors
Plus, a bonus, never-before-released short: “Shake Hands with Danger”

HEY COOL!

featuring (holy moly!) “the new 3D animated Mike, Kevin and Bill” (http://www.rifftrax.com/displaythickbox?file=ShortsDVDVol1.flv&width=500&height=400)

NOT COOL

[NFox]

featuring (holy moly!) “the new 3D animated Mike, Kevin and Bill”


NOT COOL
Are they serious? The Rifftrax crew should be heard and not seen, even if it is in glorious 3D animation.

-Nick

[Having Fun!]

Mike Nelson becomes the first Republican to be displayed in 3D.

[Jixby Phillips]

is dick van dyke a republican? :(

[jon]

I've never seen a RiffTrax, but the title "The Trouble With Women" makes me visibly excited (not that way, you pervs).

[smartbunny]

you sick sick bastard

[jon]

MST3kinfo.com has a preliminary list of extras for the upcoming box set:

Our sources at Shout! Factory has given us the scoop on what the extras will be on the next MST3K DVD set–”Mystery Science Theater 3000 XIV.”

They are:
• A new interview With “Soultaker” star and MST3K favorite Joe Estevez.
• Mike, Tom and Crow’s appearance on ESPN Classic’s “Cheap Seats Without Ron Parker.”
• A new interview with “Final Justice” writer/director Greydon Clark.