Cinematic Titanic update: Tour dates and new live DVD

Josh sent out an update on the current state of affairs at Cinematic Titanic Central today. In addition to dropping in a new tour stop in Massachusetts this April, he also announced a new DVD release. Like the previous DVD, this one is  comprised of live footage, this time of their assault on The Alien Factor. I wouldn’t be surprised to see one or two more live releases this year, since it’s a relatively easy way of releasing new, well-received content with minimal effort involved.

The DVD is set for release on February 23rd, which is… next Tuesday? Really? I hate the passage of time. As I said, the CT crew has also added an extra tour date. I’ve listed it below, along with what I believe is a complete list of their upcoming shows.

2/19 @ Royal Oak Music Theatre, Royal Oak, MI — 1st show: War of the Insects, 2nd show: Samson and the 7 Miracles of the World

2/20 @ Turner Hall, Milwaukee, WI — 1st show: sold out, 2nd show: Samson

4/15 @ The Calvin Theatre, Northampton, MA — Danger on Tiki Island (NEW DATE)

4/16 @ The McCarter Center, Princeton, NJ — Movie undecided; vote here!

4/17 @ The Nokia Theatre Times Square, New York City — Danger on Tiki Island

Wait, a New Jersey show? You’d think I’d be better at finding out about these things. I am not. Anyway, go see them live, if you can. As I’ve said before, it’ll be well worth the time, effort, and cash-moneys. It’s a fantastic experience.

MST3K: Volume XVII announced

Ugh. Hey. What’s up? Yeah, I’m still here. Had a hell of a time these past few months (which I’ll spare you the details of) but I’m hoping to slowly get back in the habit of updating Deep Ape. Needless to say, hopefully you’ve been reading Satellite News for all your MST3K needs in the interim. There’s certainly a good amount of news that I’ve missed while I was away.

One such piece of news is the announcement of yet another volume of MST3K DVDs. Man, Shout Factory is really pumping these out, aren’t they? Good on them.  This 17th(!) set is pretty darn decent, with a reasonable selection of episodes and a surprisingly excellent load of extra content. Here’s the rundown of the set’s contents, as listed in the press release:

EPISODES

• 0101 The Crawling Eye
• The Beatniks
• The Final Sacrifice
• The Blood Waters of Dr. Z

BONUS CONTENT

• special Crawling Eye introduction with Joel Hodgson
• Mystery Science Theater Hour wrap segments for The Beatniks
• The Main Event: Crow vs. Crow at Dragon*Con ’09 (with Trace and Bill)
• an interview with Final Sacrifice‘s Bruce J. Mitchell (Rowsdower!)
• Blood Waters of Dr. Z photo gallery
• original theatrical trailers
• And, allegedly, “more.”

Now, that’s a nice selection of extras. And we finally get both the first (non-KTMA) episode of the series and fan favorite Final Sacrifice officially released on DVD. The set is scheduled for release on March 16th, 2010, and can be pre-ordered here.

MST3K: Vol. XVI is out now

Hey, guess what came out today? Mystery Science Theater came out today. Specifically, the sixteenth volume of four-DVD box sets, released by Shout Factory. The set includes episodes Night of the Blood Beast, The Corpse Vanishes, Santa Claus, and Warrior of the Lost World. There are also a few substantial movie-related extras included and, if you act fast, a small Tom Servo figurine to accompany Shout Factory’s previous Crow figurine. All in all, a pretty solid set.

Once again, if you plan on picking this up from Amazon, I would ask that you use this link to help support this site, or more to the point, support me. One of the reasons for my absence has been a slew of ridiculous health problems. Currently, I’m barely functional and on painkillers, though I should hopefully be up and running before Christmas. So, if you prefer Amazon for your Christmas shopping, please head there via this link, if you’d be so kind. Thank you.

Woot has Shout Factory’s MST3K DVDs cheap, today only

I just wanted to throw up a quick post to let you know that Woot.com has Shout Factory’s first three MST3K DVD box sets for sale today (and today only) as a set of three — for only $50 total. That’s right. Twelve episodes for the retail price of four! Billy Mays himself (God rest his soul) couldn’t give you a better deal.

Make sure you pick them up quickly. Woot operates on a first-come, first-serve basis, offering up a great deal on a different product every day. Once they sell out, the sale is over and, either way, these DVDs will definitely be gone by midnight tonight, at the latest. So if you’re going to buy, buy now!

Another monotonous post, plus MST3K XV reminder

The announcement of my return may have been a little premature. Anyway, I’m going to try to keep up with things as much as I can. Which is probably not very much, but I’ll at least finally fire off that Cinematic Titanic Live report from last month. I may try to focus less on news and more on reviews and articles, now. As you probably know, Satellite News is always your best bet for the latest in MST3K-related news.

Also, just a quick reminder that the absolutely fantastic new MST3K DVD set, Volume XV, was released recently. It contains three of the series’ most amazing episodes (The Girl in Lover’s Lane, Zombie Nightmare, and Racket Girls — plus season one’s weak The Robot vs. The Aztec Mummy) as well as some good extras. If you’d be kind enough to pick it up via this link, my (almost literally) penniless self would appreciate it. Thanks.

Rifftrax DVDs hit Amazon

Those aforementioned ten Rifftrax DVDs have been up for sale on Amazon. They’re quite affordable, at just under $10. If you feel like picking them up, please do so via this link. It would help feed the children — or more specifically, me — and I would appreciate it muchly. (Sorry for the short post. It’s hot and my back hurts and stuff.)

New Rifftrax DVDs exist, by the way

While I’ve been off doing science and magic, the folks at Rifftrax have been wading deeper into the DVD pool, bringing their total number of Rifftrax-on-a-disc to nine — and soon to be ten. These are pretty self-explanatory, effectively playing out like The Film Crew DVDs, with Mike, Bill, and Kevin’s commentary already synced up with the video. Yeah, you know the drill. Here’s the full list:

• Carnival of Souls
• House on Haunted Hill
• Little Shop of Horrors
• Missile to the Moon (not the Fred Willard commentary)
• Night of the Living Dead
• Plan 9 from Outer Space
• Reefer Madness
• Rifftrax Shorts: The Best of, Vol. 1
• Swing Parade

All of the DVDs feature the newer commentaries with Bill and Kevin joining in, not Mike’s older, solo commentaries. And if you’re afraid of giving the Internet your money, these DVDs will be available at brick-and-mortar retailers on June 16th. Furthermore, there will also be a second volume of shorts coming soon, though they’re “not exactly sure when.” Here’s the tracklist, as it stands now:

• One Got Fat
• Lunchroom Manners
• Each Child is Different
• Why Doesn’t Cathy Eat Breakfast/Petaluma Chicken
• Act Your Age
• Harm Hides at Home
• Coffeehouse Rendezvous
• Are You Popular?
• Good Health Practices

Of course, those shorts can also be found in digital form here, if you want to pick-and-choose and save a few bucks. (No word on whether or not Vol. 2 will have any exclusive content.) But still! DVDs! For your DVD player of choice! Buy!

Deep Ape review: Legacy of Blood

Every once in a while, a movie like Manos or The Incredibly Strange Creatures comes along, and it’s just so repulsive and completely unappealing that it leaves a thick, black layer of sin and shame on your soul that can take days, maybe even years, to shake off. Yet, even amidst all that sheer celluloid evil, you’ll still often find a Torgo or a Madison to brighten your spirits and remind you that every dark raincloud filled with urine has a silver lining.

Still, what happens when there isn’t a silver lining? When no matter how deeply and desperately you claw and scrape at the filth and grime, you just can’t find any redemptive quality, any soul worth saving? What happens when there is no sweet, smiling Torgo in that dark, dark sky? Well, you get Legacy of Blood. Click ahead to read my long-delayed (sorry!) review of Cinematic Titanic’s fourth DVD release.

MST3K Volume 15 now up for pre-order

Shout Factory’s next DVD set is up for pre-order on Amazon. It’s out on July 7th.

Yep. I really don’t have anything else to say about that. Other than, please do me a favor and use the above link, if you’re interested in using Amazon. It will give me a dollar, with which I will go buy an ice cream cone and be happy.

25th Anniversary DVD set picks up Saturn nomination

Every year, The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films hosts the Saturn Awards, honoring the year’s best in movies, TV, and home video releases. For this year’s 35th edition, Shout Factory’s first Mystery Science Theater 3000 DVD set has made their list of nominees, specifically in the category of Best DVD Collection.

While the set certainly had some high-quality episodes, as well as some nice extras, it faces some stiff competition from the likes of Planet of the Apes, The Godfather (WHA?!), and Dirty Harry (THE HELL?!). Not sure what definition of “science fiction, fantasy, and horror” they’re using there, but I wish Shout Factory the best of luck.

The 35th annual Saturn Awards will be held on June 24th in Burbank, CA.

Josh Way has DVDs out, and you should buy them

Hardcore MSTie and Rifftrax contributor Josh Way is continuing his transition into the world of professional riffing, with the release of three actual, proper, real, professional-looking, feature-length DVDs. Last week, Josh released Voyage to the Prehistoric Planet, Phantom From Space, and his take on Corman’s The Wasp Woman, part of his “Fun With Flicks” series. They’re $12.99 each and on Amazon.

Josh is a really good guy and he’s pretty darn funny, so I definitely recommend checking out his stuff and supporting him. You can sample his wares on his YouTube account. (And if you want to purchase his DVDs, I’d love you like a ho’ if you’d buy them via this link, or the above ones. Thank ye.)

New Cinematic Titanic: “Frankenstein’s Castle of Freaks”

A new Cinematic Titanic episode has been confirmed for January. The tastefully titled Frankenstein’s Castle of Freaks will be released on DVD and digital download-to-burn on the 8th of the month. You can see the just-released trailer above.

A quick note and apology: I’ve been having some health concerns over the holidays, so posting will probably continue to be lackluster for a while. When things pick up again, I’ll have a couple of Cinematic Titanic reviews going up, and hopefully some Rifftrax, too. My apologies to anyone who cares about this.

The MSTie’s 2008 Holiday Shopping Guide

Hi, guys! Remember me? There hasn’t been a whole lot to report of late, but I wanted to stop in and recap all the MST3K-related merchandise available for the MSTie on your holiday shopping list. Of course, as usual with me, it’s coming a little late, what with 9 days until Christmas. Still, if you’re in need of some last-minute shopping, give this humble guide a look, after the cut.

And yeah, if you wouldn’t mind clicking on my links for your Amazon shopping, I’d appreciate it. I only blatantly whore myself out once or twice a year, so bear with me. It will help put food in the mouths of all those children I don’t have. That said, I still encourage you to shop around and not take “too expensive” for an answer.

Shout Factory’s “MST3K XIV” extras unveiled

Satellite News recently caught wind of the list of extras, from Shout Factory’s forthcoming Mystery Science Theater set. There appear to be three extras and, while none of them are as exciting as volume thirteen’s, they’re pretty substantial and sound quite fun. Here’s the list:

• 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.

Joe Estevez? That alone is worth the price of admission. But the infamous Greydon Clark, as well? Sold. I’m also, admittedly, not that familiar with the Cheap Seats appearance, but it’s a fairly well-known appearance among MSTies, so that’s likely a good thing, too. Should be an entertaining set. Now, if Shout Factory can score an interview with Joe Don Baker, then they will have truly bested Rhino.

Satellite News also mentions that there is apparently a false list of extras being circulated around the interwebs. The above list comes straight from the mouth of Shout Factory, so trust no one else.

Shout Factory announces “MST3K XIV” set

Hot on the heels of the sexy 13th MST3K DVD set, the first released by Shout Factory, a 14th DVD set has already been announced by the new DVD rights-holders. You can see the basic but tasteful cover art above, but one can safely assume that the discs’ individual cases will look a little more unique and interesting, as was the case with volume 13. If the image isn’t clue enough, the included episodes are:

#0103 Mad Monster
#0413 Manhunt in Space
#1001 Soultaker
#1008 Final Justice

So, now all of you Joe Don Baker fans can own his complete MST3K collection on proper DVDs. Not a stellar selection of episodes, in my opinion. Still, it’s one step closer to getting the full series on DVD. The set is scheduled to fall to earth on February 3rd, 2009, provided that Barack Obama’s inauguration doesn’t cause the universe to implode, as many suggest.

Pardon the large image, but what can you do?