There are some who would say that driving 1,362 miles in one weekend to watch a poorly dubbed movie about a family of 19th-century Mexican vampires is not a good use of one's time. To which I would say, "But it was a live stage version of Cinematic Titanic!" Then you -- chastised but just a little bit wiser -- would heartily agree with me that yes, that was quite possibly the finest use of a weekend imaginable. And in a final act of reconciliation, we would hug and eat s'mores.
All of which is my long way of saying The Husband and I drove to Minneapolis this weekend to see Trace Beaulieu, Frank Conniff, Joel Hodgson, Mary Jo Pehl and J. Elvis Weinstein -- the original cast of "Mystery Science Theater" -- perform an incredible live version of their Cinematic Titanic project. (And after the show, a hooker hit on my husband. Bonus!)
For those of you who worshiped at the "MST" altar as I did, the idea of seeing this cast once again rip into a truly crappy movie is the equivalent of what Amy Winehouse must feel when she romps with chocolate bears made of heroin and puppies who bark cocaine. In short, it was awesome from beginning to end.
The show took place at Minneapolis' very pretty State Theater and the movie in question was called "Blood of the Vampires." The plot, near as I could figure, revolved around a family in 19th century Mexico whose mother was a vampire. They kept her in a not-very-locked coffin in the basement while the father lounged around aaaalllmost dying every day except for the times when he felt better and went downstairs to whip his wife. Why? I don't know. Oh, and then (spoiler alert!) the son got married and vamped his wife and then the daughter was going to get married but something happened to her beau, which was sad because he was kind of like a hot Filipino Wayne Newton. And then some other stuff happened. The End.
None of which is even remotely important because you don't go see Cinematic Titanic for the bad movie. You go see it for the awesome comedy. As much as I liked "The Oozing Skull," which was the first CT offering I saw on DVD, this was ten times better. The joke-to-laugh ratio hovered somewhere around the 100 percent mark, and I laughed through the entire thing, from giggle to guffaw. And it was exactly the style of comedy I fell in love with these guys for in the first place: smart, esoteric, wonderfully ridiculous and brilliantly head-scratchy. God love 'em, they even did a "stop, drop and roll" joke when a vamp went up in flames. The warm-up act, Todd Carlin, rocked too, perfectly setting the stage for the evening to come.
It was great seeing how much fun the cast seemed to have, laughing at jokes, turning around to look at the audience. The whole show was relaxed yet polished, seemingly spontaneous but so well-timed and written. Many years ago, I saw an MST stage show and seeing Cinematic Titanic reminded me of just how well this format works live. The laughter is contagious, and damn if it doesn't just make you feel, well, happy at the end of the night.
If you only do one thing of consequence in your life...it should probably involve getting a job or helping poor people. But if you do TWO things of consequence, one of them absolutely has to be seeing this show live and in person. They're playing in St. Louis this weekend and Chicago from Dec. 18 through the 20th. The full schedule with ticket info is here. If you live within 681 miles of either of those locations, BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW AND GO.
The cast also does a meet-and-greet after the show so be sure to bring a boob* or maybe some DVDs for signing. Also, for those of you keeping score at home, my social awkardness during the signing was somewhere around a 5.5 (out of what? I don't know). I did, however, refrain from blurting out, "If there is a heaven, let it be filled with you singing 'Joey the Lemur'" while standing in front of Joel, so pat-on-the-back-time for me!
So, to summarize: Cinematic Titanic? Brilliant enough to drive through Wisconsin for. Twice.**
* Just kidding. Bret Michaels isn't on this leg of the tour.
** Speaking of Wisconsin, what the hell is this? We saw a million billboards for it and call me old fashioned, but the words "exploratory" and "family fun" just shouldn't go together.
Showing posts with label cinematic titanic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cinematic titanic. Show all posts
Monday, October 27, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
News of the Day -- Monday, May 27
+ Via Pop Candy, this online chat with Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro details some of their plans for the upcoming Hobbit movie.
+ If you enjoyed Cinematic Titanic, rejoice because there is more on the way. Three new episodes have been shot with the first scheduled for release on DVD and via download in mid-June. New shows will follow every six weeks. And if you want to see the crew live, they'll be playing the LA Film Festival on June 21, riffing to Roger Corman's "The Wasp Woman," which I'm assuming is about a suburban housewife and her difficulties getting a poolside reservation at the club. I could be wrong...
+ A remake of Ed Wood's "Plan 9 From Outer Space" is being planned. Director John Johnson (if that is his real name) intends to remake it as a serious, scary sci-fi movie, creating a "film that Wood would have enjoyed, or perhaps even made himself, if not bound by the technological limitations placed on filmmakers 50 years ago." Really, I don't think Ed's problems with "Plan 9" were "technological limitations." I think the paper plate flying saucers were the least of his worries in that one. Sigh.
+ I'm a girl ergo my innate attraction to "cuteness" is not something I can control, which is why I'm sharing this even though it is not at all nerdy -- not unless one of the creatures involved grows up to get a PhD or star on "30 Rock." Without further ado, I give you gratuitous video of baby beavers. Be prepared, they are adorable:
+ If you enjoyed Cinematic Titanic, rejoice because there is more on the way. Three new episodes have been shot with the first scheduled for release on DVD and via download in mid-June. New shows will follow every six weeks. And if you want to see the crew live, they'll be playing the LA Film Festival on June 21, riffing to Roger Corman's "The Wasp Woman," which I'm assuming is about a suburban housewife and her difficulties getting a poolside reservation at the club. I could be wrong...
+ A remake of Ed Wood's "Plan 9 From Outer Space" is being planned. Director John Johnson (if that is his real name) intends to remake it as a serious, scary sci-fi movie, creating a "film that Wood would have enjoyed, or perhaps even made himself, if not bound by the technological limitations placed on filmmakers 50 years ago." Really, I don't think Ed's problems with "Plan 9" were "technological limitations." I think the paper plate flying saucers were the least of his worries in that one. Sigh.
+ I'm a girl ergo my innate attraction to "cuteness" is not something I can control, which is why I'm sharing this even though it is not at all nerdy -- not unless one of the creatures involved grows up to get a PhD or star on "30 Rock." Without further ado, I give you gratuitous video of baby beavers. Be prepared, they are adorable:
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
An interview with Cinematic Titanic's always awesome Mary Jo Pehl
Remember how I said I was looking forward to 2008 because I would get to see "Cinematic Titanic" and would love it? Hey, guess what? 2008 came, I saw "Cinematic Titanic" and I loved it. For anyone who adored "Mystery Science Theater 3000," hearing original cast members Joel Hodgson, Mary Jo Pehl, Frank Conniff, Trace Beaulieu and Josh Weinstein back together again, riffing their way through another God-awful movie, is a trip back to our collective comedy happy place.
In fact, I enjoyed "Cinematic Titanic" and its first offering, "The Oozing Skull," so much I asked writer, performer and Texas bon vivant Mary Jo Pehl if she would mind talking to The Park Bench and giving us the scoop on "Cinematic Titanic," the writing life and what it's like to get a back rub from Harrison Ford. She was kind enough to agree and the results of our confab are below. Enjoy!
What was it like getting back together with the guys again?
Terrific and interesting: we're old, most of us are married, our lives are different. It was like putting on old, comfortable shoes, only less stinky. And it was a bit different for me personally because although I wrote on the show for many years, there was only one brief movie segment where I actually riffed on the movie. Here I get to riff on the movie in front of the camera, and durn it if I don't work with some of the funniest people ev-ah!
Could you tell us a bit about how the CT writing process works?
No.
Oh, all right.
We each get a copy of the movie with a time code on it, telling us each second of the movie so we can write for that specific moment. In the old days of MST3K we all sat in the writing room together, watching on a big screen TV. Now we're each doing it alone on these newfangled computers. Frank, Joel and Josh might get together since they all live in L.A. but those of us in the field offices, Trace in Minnesota and me in Austin, we're writing alone. When we got together to shoot the first episode, we rehearsed it a couple of times, tweaking and adjusting along the way.
Do you eventually just become inured to the pain of watching the movie over and over?
No, I have never become inured to the pain of watching a bad movie over and over again. Sadly, I become outraged and indignant all over again with every viewing. On the good side, sometimes these movies are so convoluted that with repeated viewings one is able to figure out plot points. So there's some sort of payoff!
As a writer, how do the experiences of writing solo and writing collaboratively compare?
I think the collaborative thing can be tricky. It's a difficult dynamic to navigate, but man, if you find someone that it works with, it can be gangbusters. (Former MST writer and cast member) Bill Corbett and his writing partner sold a screenplay that got made and will be released this spring.
I work alone because that's the kind of writing I do mostly. Freelance magazine and radio pieces are not really conducive to partnering up. I think MST3K set the bar very high for me to work collaboratively. These were funny, smart people and on the whole, the feeling in the writing room was about making the show better and not pursuing individual agendas. Also, there was a rule that if any line or joke made someone uncomfortable, it was out. It could be lobbied for and a case made for it, but it might still be gone. It was a great learning experience for me to learn how to make a case for something!
But with RiffTrax and Cinematic Titanic, writing these gawd-awful films is very hard. You don't have a "jamming" environment, where the energy of the group helps you to go on, and build on each other's jokes. It's just you and the movie -- and it can feel like an anvil on your head.
What's it like being the lone woman writer with a group of guys -- do you bring a different take on things?
I think anyone coming to the table has a different take on things, because everyone has such diverse experiences, gender being only one of those experiences.
Believe it or don't, many of the shopping, makeup and boys jokes are made by the fellows, with an alarming insight! And I have been known to make the occasional political or sports jokes.
You debuted the show live at Industrial Light and Magic, which I've always envisioned as a sort of nirvana where Harrison Ford gives delicate massages and George Lucas uses the Force to put coasters under your drink. First of all, what was it like doing that show, and second, what was it like to get a massage from Harrison Ford?
It was a total geekfest. First of all, I felt dizzy and lightheaded to be there, and I wished I had a personal assistant to tote a fainting couch behind me as we toured the facility. We were thrilled to be there and they were thrilled to have us there, so you can imagine us all falling over each other like clumsy lovers! And I have to keep this short because Harrison is still administering my massage, and Darth Vader and I are having lunch in a bit.
Do you have any favorite "Oozing Skull" moments? (A question you'll never hear on Oprah...)
I love the moment at the very end when Amir is having the press conference about how great Kalid is going to be from now on, with the help of the new "surgeon general," the evil Dr. Trenton. The camera goes to Dr. Trenton, and he has this wonderful, cocky, jaunty, smug little smile. I loved Dr. Trenton because he showed up for the movie. He knew what he was doing there and was actually a capable actor. Did you know he was a supporting lead in a lot of "A" movies?
Another moment that cracked me up is when Mohammed and Dr. Nigserian are driving along, and Mohammed is just plain cranky about the plan to take the body to get the brain transplanted. His country's fate hangs in the balance, he passionately swears he would give his life for Amir's reign to continue, but when push comes to shove, he's just pissy about it. It's a moment in the front seat in the station wagon when he sort of whines, "Are you sure this will work?" "Why are we doing this?" A few scenes later, they are being run off the road in a low-speed action chase, and it seems like Mohammed isn't so much terrified but aggrieved that his nap has been interrupted and they might not get to stop at Cracker Barrel as planned.
I think I have a crush on Trace's silhouette. Should I be concerned?
No. Crush away. Even though it's probably not my place to give you permission to do so. [Ed. - I'm taking that permission and running with it anyway.]
A big thanks to Mary Jo for taking the time to talk with The Park Bench. If you'd like to own a piece of comedy gold, order your "Cinematic Titanic" DVD now by going here.
In fact, I enjoyed "Cinematic Titanic" and its first offering, "The Oozing Skull," so much I asked writer, performer and Texas bon vivant Mary Jo Pehl if she would mind talking to The Park Bench and giving us the scoop on "Cinematic Titanic," the writing life and what it's like to get a back rub from Harrison Ford. She was kind enough to agree and the results of our confab are below. Enjoy!
What was it like getting back together with the guys again?
Terrific and interesting: we're old, most of us are married, our lives are different. It was like putting on old, comfortable shoes, only less stinky. And it was a bit different for me personally because although I wrote on the show for many years, there was only one brief movie segment where I actually riffed on the movie. Here I get to riff on the movie in front of the camera, and durn it if I don't work with some of the funniest people ev-ah!
Could you tell us a bit about how the CT writing process works?
No.
Oh, all right.
We each get a copy of the movie with a time code on it, telling us each second of the movie so we can write for that specific moment. In the old days of MST3K we all sat in the writing room together, watching on a big screen TV. Now we're each doing it alone on these newfangled computers. Frank, Joel and Josh might get together since they all live in L.A. but those of us in the field offices, Trace in Minnesota and me in Austin, we're writing alone. When we got together to shoot the first episode, we rehearsed it a couple of times, tweaking and adjusting along the way.
Do you eventually just become inured to the pain of watching the movie over and over?
No, I have never become inured to the pain of watching a bad movie over and over again. Sadly, I become outraged and indignant all over again with every viewing. On the good side, sometimes these movies are so convoluted that with repeated viewings one is able to figure out plot points. So there's some sort of payoff!
As a writer, how do the experiences of writing solo and writing collaboratively compare?
I think the collaborative thing can be tricky. It's a difficult dynamic to navigate, but man, if you find someone that it works with, it can be gangbusters. (Former MST writer and cast member) Bill Corbett and his writing partner sold a screenplay that got made and will be released this spring.
I work alone because that's the kind of writing I do mostly. Freelance magazine and radio pieces are not really conducive to partnering up. I think MST3K set the bar very high for me to work collaboratively. These were funny, smart people and on the whole, the feeling in the writing room was about making the show better and not pursuing individual agendas. Also, there was a rule that if any line or joke made someone uncomfortable, it was out. It could be lobbied for and a case made for it, but it might still be gone. It was a great learning experience for me to learn how to make a case for something!
But with RiffTrax and Cinematic Titanic, writing these gawd-awful films is very hard. You don't have a "jamming" environment, where the energy of the group helps you to go on, and build on each other's jokes. It's just you and the movie -- and it can feel like an anvil on your head.
What's it like being the lone woman writer with a group of guys -- do you bring a different take on things?
I think anyone coming to the table has a different take on things, because everyone has such diverse experiences, gender being only one of those experiences.
Believe it or don't, many of the shopping, makeup and boys jokes are made by the fellows, with an alarming insight! And I have been known to make the occasional political or sports jokes.
You debuted the show live at Industrial Light and Magic, which I've always envisioned as a sort of nirvana where Harrison Ford gives delicate massages and George Lucas uses the Force to put coasters under your drink. First of all, what was it like doing that show, and second, what was it like to get a massage from Harrison Ford?
It was a total geekfest. First of all, I felt dizzy and lightheaded to be there, and I wished I had a personal assistant to tote a fainting couch behind me as we toured the facility. We were thrilled to be there and they were thrilled to have us there, so you can imagine us all falling over each other like clumsy lovers! And I have to keep this short because Harrison is still administering my massage, and Darth Vader and I are having lunch in a bit.
Do you have any favorite "Oozing Skull" moments? (A question you'll never hear on Oprah...)
I love the moment at the very end when Amir is having the press conference about how great Kalid is going to be from now on, with the help of the new "surgeon general," the evil Dr. Trenton. The camera goes to Dr. Trenton, and he has this wonderful, cocky, jaunty, smug little smile. I loved Dr. Trenton because he showed up for the movie. He knew what he was doing there and was actually a capable actor. Did you know he was a supporting lead in a lot of "A" movies?
Another moment that cracked me up is when Mohammed and Dr. Nigserian are driving along, and Mohammed is just plain cranky about the plan to take the body to get the brain transplanted. His country's fate hangs in the balance, he passionately swears he would give his life for Amir's reign to continue, but when push comes to shove, he's just pissy about it. It's a moment in the front seat in the station wagon when he sort of whines, "Are you sure this will work?" "Why are we doing this?" A few scenes later, they are being run off the road in a low-speed action chase, and it seems like Mohammed isn't so much terrified but aggrieved that his nap has been interrupted and they might not get to stop at Cracker Barrel as planned.
I think I have a crush on Trace's silhouette. Should I be concerned?
No. Crush away. Even though it's probably not my place to give you permission to do so. [Ed. - I'm taking that permission and running with it anyway.]
A big thanks to Mary Jo for taking the time to talk with The Park Bench. If you'd like to own a piece of comedy gold, order your "Cinematic Titanic" DVD now by going here.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Goodbye, 2007. Don't let the space-time continuum hit your ass on the way out.
It seems these days everyone's doing their look back at the top whatsits and whosits of 2007. Just to be contrary, I decided to jump ahead in my time machine and compile a brief list of things I'm most looking forward to in 2008:
The return of "Lost"
Seriously, I don't care if we only get eight episodes of "Lost" next year, previews like this one have been whetting my appetite like crazy for the return of everyone's favorite incomprehensible, maddening and jaw-dropping island adventure. I mean, we're going to have to get at least a few answers, right? Like why did Future Jack give up on personal grooming, despite having what I assume is better access to Gillette products? Is the hobbit really dead? Why is Jacob played by Norman Bates' mother -- and is he/she really a ghost? Who gets off the island? Who gets left behind to groom the polar bear? All I know is, January 31 can't come fast enough.
So many good movies, so many chances they could suck
Jaded as I am, I know at least 50 percent of the movies I'm jonesing to see in 2008 are probably going to blow, but I still can't help being excited. First off, we've got "Cloverfield" giving us explosions galore on January 18. The monsters look like Gamera and J.J. Abrams is attempting to fuck with my head -- two things that always make me happy. Then on April 4, we get a tasty helping of John Krasinski, George Clooney and old-time football in "Leatherheads," a perfect way to satisfy the pretty boy quota. The big boys come out to play with "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" on May 22 -- hello Grandpa Harrison, you'll always be hot to me...even if it's getting kind of creepy. Then on July 25, Mulder and Scully return to fill my retinas with joy in the X-Files sequel. And there's another six or seven goodies after that, including the new Harry Potter movie, another James Bond flick with that Daniel Craig fellow who actually looks like a bad-ass, even when he's sipping a cocktail. It should be a good movie-going year. I estimate gaining another 7,000 pounds in Sno-cap consumption alone.
Cinematic Titanic, I'm prepared to love you...
You should know this about me: as a young impressionable wanna-be writer, "Mystery Science Theater 3000" blew my mind on a continual and herniatingly funny basis. Joel Hodgson, Mary Jo Pehl, Trace Beaulieu, Frank Conniff and the rest of the gang are comedy heroes. I still think back on things like "Manos: The Hands of Fate" (aka "Hands: The Hands of Fate") with equal measures of wonderment and horror. So you can imagine my glee at the reunion of these fine folks with their new project Cinematic Titanic, described as a "new movie riffing system." Honestly, I'm kind of stupid so I'm not even 100 percent sure what that means, but I do know that I want it, it's coming soon and I'm ready to laugh. A lot. Seriously, I'm doing extensive ab work just to prepare.
The Ron Paul/Mike Gravel Cage Match
Moderated by Wolf Blitzer, the Closet Libertarian and the Alaskan Contrarian, slathered in bear grease, beat each other senseless. Okay, the odds are pretty long on this one happening, but a girl who's sick of politics can dream, can't she?
The return of "Lost"
Seriously, I don't care if we only get eight episodes of "Lost" next year, previews like this one have been whetting my appetite like crazy for the return of everyone's favorite incomprehensible, maddening and jaw-dropping island adventure. I mean, we're going to have to get at least a few answers, right? Like why did Future Jack give up on personal grooming, despite having what I assume is better access to Gillette products? Is the hobbit really dead? Why is Jacob played by Norman Bates' mother -- and is he/she really a ghost? Who gets off the island? Who gets left behind to groom the polar bear? All I know is, January 31 can't come fast enough.
So many good movies, so many chances they could suckJaded as I am, I know at least 50 percent of the movies I'm jonesing to see in 2008 are probably going to blow, but I still can't help being excited. First off, we've got "Cloverfield" giving us explosions galore on January 18. The monsters look like Gamera and J.J. Abrams is attempting to fuck with my head -- two things that always make me happy. Then on April 4, we get a tasty helping of John Krasinski, George Clooney and old-time football in "Leatherheads," a perfect way to satisfy the pretty boy quota. The big boys come out to play with "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" on May 22 -- hello Grandpa Harrison, you'll always be hot to me...even if it's getting kind of creepy. Then on July 25, Mulder and Scully return to fill my retinas with joy in the X-Files sequel. And there's another six or seven goodies after that, including the new Harry Potter movie, another James Bond flick with that Daniel Craig fellow who actually looks like a bad-ass, even when he's sipping a cocktail. It should be a good movie-going year. I estimate gaining another 7,000 pounds in Sno-cap consumption alone.
Cinematic Titanic, I'm prepared to love you...
You should know this about me: as a young impressionable wanna-be writer, "Mystery Science Theater 3000" blew my mind on a continual and herniatingly funny basis. Joel Hodgson, Mary Jo Pehl, Trace Beaulieu, Frank Conniff and the rest of the gang are comedy heroes. I still think back on things like "Manos: The Hands of Fate" (aka "Hands: The Hands of Fate") with equal measures of wonderment and horror. So you can imagine my glee at the reunion of these fine folks with their new project Cinematic Titanic, described as a "new movie riffing system." Honestly, I'm kind of stupid so I'm not even 100 percent sure what that means, but I do know that I want it, it's coming soon and I'm ready to laugh. A lot. Seriously, I'm doing extensive ab work just to prepare.
The Ron Paul/Mike Gravel Cage MatchModerated by Wolf Blitzer, the Closet Libertarian and the Alaskan Contrarian, slathered in bear grease, beat each other senseless. Okay, the odds are pretty long on this one happening, but a girl who's sick of politics can dream, can't she?
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Thursday's basket of awesomeness
With the news that the X-Files movie is now scheduled for release on July 25, 2008, I didn't think my nerd basket of awesomeness could get any fuller, until these announcements arrived:
+ If you loved Mystery Science Theater 3000, then you were probably wetting yourself with glee right along with me upon hearing news that MST3K creator Joel Hodgson was bringing members of his posse of excellence back together for a new project called Cinematic Titanic.
Here's what he had to say on the Cinematic Titanic site:
"I’ve decided, in collaboration with the other bold souls who “started it all,” to do a new project that is strong enough for our diehard audience, and also gentle and easy to swallow for those that are new to movie riffing. Wait for it….wait for it...meet Cinematic Titanic!
It’s going to be powered by the original cast of MST3K! Trace Beaulieu, J. Elvis Weinstein and yours truly, along with some friends who came along later to make the show great: the beloved Frank Conniff and the scathingly brilliant Mary Jo Pehl."
I'm so excited for this project, I can barely function. My little comedy-loving heart is dancing around right now, much like that terrifying baby in "Ally McBeal" but cooler and more fully-clothed.
And in other awesomely awe-tastic news....
+ Joss Whedon is returning to television! No, not with the reality show I always hoped he'd have where the audience gets to watch Joss sit around and be brilliant while eating cereal and deciding which unironed shirt to wear. No, he's returning to television with a new series called "Dollhouse" which he will be writing and producing. It stars Eliza Dushku, who is also serving as co-producer. The show, according to Variety, "follows a top-secret world of people programmed with different personalities, abilities and memories depending on their mission."
Joss says the series came out of a lunch meeting between him and Dushku, whose name, by the way, I really enjoy saying. Duuushku, Dushkuuuu... Anyway, here's what Joss says:
"It was a mistake!" Whedon said. "I sat down with her to talk about her options, and acted all sage, saying things backwards like Yoda and laying out what I thought she should do. But in the course of doing it, I accidentally made one up. I told it to her, and she said, 'That's exactly what I want to do.'"
The show has been given a seven-episode order by Fox, who promptly guaranteed to bury it on Friday nights, not advertise it and then run the episodes in the wrong order. Not that I'm still bitter about "Firefly" or anything.
+ And finally, if the Hollywood writer's strike hits and we're all left TV-less, don't forget you can create your own entertainment, just like they did in the old days: by writing an entire novel in one month. Yup, November is National Novel Writing Month. So pull out your Moleskin notebook and start scribbling. You've got 30 days to produce a masterpiece, starting...NOW!
+ If you loved Mystery Science Theater 3000, then you were probably wetting yourself with glee right along with me upon hearing news that MST3K creator Joel Hodgson was bringing members of his posse of excellence back together for a new project called Cinematic Titanic.
Here's what he had to say on the Cinematic Titanic site:
"I’ve decided, in collaboration with the other bold souls who “started it all,” to do a new project that is strong enough for our diehard audience, and also gentle and easy to swallow for those that are new to movie riffing. Wait for it….wait for it...meet Cinematic Titanic!
It’s going to be powered by the original cast of MST3K! Trace Beaulieu, J. Elvis Weinstein and yours truly, along with some friends who came along later to make the show great: the beloved Frank Conniff and the scathingly brilliant Mary Jo Pehl."
I'm so excited for this project, I can barely function. My little comedy-loving heart is dancing around right now, much like that terrifying baby in "Ally McBeal" but cooler and more fully-clothed.
And in other awesomely awe-tastic news....
+ Joss Whedon is returning to television! No, not with the reality show I always hoped he'd have where the audience gets to watch Joss sit around and be brilliant while eating cereal and deciding which unironed shirt to wear. No, he's returning to television with a new series called "Dollhouse" which he will be writing and producing. It stars Eliza Dushku, who is also serving as co-producer. The show, according to Variety, "follows a top-secret world of people programmed with different personalities, abilities and memories depending on their mission."
Joss says the series came out of a lunch meeting between him and Dushku, whose name, by the way, I really enjoy saying. Duuushku, Dushkuuuu... Anyway, here's what Joss says:
"It was a mistake!" Whedon said. "I sat down with her to talk about her options, and acted all sage, saying things backwards like Yoda and laying out what I thought she should do. But in the course of doing it, I accidentally made one up. I told it to her, and she said, 'That's exactly what I want to do.'"
The show has been given a seven-episode order by Fox, who promptly guaranteed to bury it on Friday nights, not advertise it and then run the episodes in the wrong order. Not that I'm still bitter about "Firefly" or anything.
+ And finally, if the Hollywood writer's strike hits and we're all left TV-less, don't forget you can create your own entertainment, just like they did in the old days: by writing an entire novel in one month. Yup, November is National Novel Writing Month. So pull out your Moleskin notebook and start scribbling. You've got 30 days to produce a masterpiece, starting...NOW!
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