Release Date: January 18th, 2007
Riffers: Mike Nelson, Kevin Murphy & Bill Corbett
"Is that the movie, or am I having one of my psychotic episodes" - Bill
The first Trax with the big 3 reunited. There is a certain chemistry that exists between particular people, which results in a quick, easy artistic explosion. I believe it's undeniable that Bill, Kevin, and Mike have that chemistry, they work like a well-oiled machine. The three play off one another with impeccable timing and camaraderie. This is in full display in the Marvel comics super adventure, Daredevil. The smooth back and forth banter is in full glide right from the start; as Bill and Kevin toss volleys over Colin Farrell's credit, which leads to an exchange between Mike and Bill over Jon Favreau and Elf. Later, Mike makes Kev laugh with his Jay Leno imitation.
I'm one of those folks who enjoyed Daredevil, but even so, the trio make a strong case for those who don't: From observations on how being blind can allow someone to defy the laws of physics to Mike smartly proclaiming that DD probably shouldn't loudly display his weak spot to the bad guys. The nonstop flybys, excessive CGI, and improbable leaps (Comments about DDs shattered ankles abound) are all noted with impunity as is the state of Ben Affleck's acting and his romances (though I do think the Ben and Jen bashing got excessive and unfunny).
Add in Mike's Batman references, jokes about the answering machine message left by a girlfriend, Bills sparkling rendition of "Eleanor Rigby" (Marvelized marvelously), and the various "radar sense"/Blind jokes ("If only I could hear her underwear" - Bill. Mike's lines about Ray Charles fighting Diana Ross and the "Radar" O'Riley superpowers) and Daredevil is quickly propelled into classic status!
Released: September 16, 2008
Riffers: Bill Corbett & Kevin Murphy
"The official Abbott and Costello of the Apocalypse" - Bill
If there's ever been a movie that was asking for it, it's this one. So I was a little disappointed at first that Bill and Kevin let it off the hook for the most part. Instead of giving this bloated self-important hack job a big punch in the puss, the duo loads up on the reference material. Every movie the actors starred in is noted, look-a-likes from Lady Deathstrike to Seth Rogan are pointed out. If a bit of dialog connects to something on film or TV the riffers are right on it - it's a veritable tidal wave of pop culture!
On a second viewing though, I had to admit, this was darn funny material - and they do get around to smacking the flick here and there. As when they attack the logic of burning books in a Library to light a fire, when there are perfectly good wooden chairs and tables to be had. Or when Bill observes a slow-moving Tsunami. The Trax is definitely not PC. Neither Lynyrd Skynyrd nor a bald kid with cancer is immune, and these bits are dark but earned the biggest laughs. Overall, though I wanted epic, end of the world, sharper than nails -run Roland Emmerich through the wringer- style of riffing. What Kevin and Bill offer provides ample laughs.
Release Date: June 1st, 2011
Riffers: Mike Nelson, Kevin Murphy & Bill Corbett
"You don't mess with a weak middle-aged man who plays with dolls!" - Mike
DH is an old black and white B movie classic about an evil cult (whose members do evil stuff, like sit around swaying to bongo music). Chief among the dark arts they practice is beguiling Alan Alda’s dad. While not as mad a movie as the one released before this (Crater Lake), I thought the riffing was tighter. Dolls, and dream girls, and Batman's Neil Hamilton all earn laughs... as do cardigans and tiny beds. Oh great Gamba, this is another enjoyable VOD release.
Release Date: December 1, 2009
Riffers: Mike Nelson & Bill Corbett
"So, damn it foreword" - Bill
Hopeless crappy stupid pointless movie. I’m not much of a fan of this type of horror (I'm more old school, Psycho, The Haunting (1963), and watching this girl get picked on for daring to want a career and ultimately be cursed by some idiot, is one reason why. It's simply an excuse for Sam Raimi to humiliate and spew nasty fluids all over this woman's face and mouth - yeah, real cute Sam. Mike and Bill make a go of it, gave me a couple of laughs but the work doesn't gain steam until the séance scene. Overall I can't muster up much enthusiasm for this lackluster affair, so - on to the next ‘trax.
Release Date: October 5, 2009
Riffers: Mike Nelson, Kevin Murphy & Bill Corbett
"Crap, we wandered into Crouching Tiger again" - Kevin
While D-War doesn't display the most steady - rock 'em sock 'em riffing of all time, I found enough clever fireballs and exasperated bon mots to make this ‘trax worthwhile.
The movie is a lot of jumbled flashbacks and people waking up suddenly from dreams and concerns some hooey about good and bad dragons with names only George Lucas could love. Because of that, one of Mike's shortest riffs provided one of the largest laughs – after film characters ask – "What are you talking about?", Nelson responds with a simple "Thank you".
There is some deliciously dark material that might not be to all tastes: a comment about Bea Arthur’s funeral, Thomas Edison’s snuff film (He once filmed an Elephant being electrocuted to death), and when Robert Forster tells a lad. “Finally, I found you” we hear in response, a resigned - “Oh boy, special page in the yearbook here I come”- In addition to that, you can hear them riff on a lot of subtitles, which is actually pretty funny.
Dr. Who and the Daleks
Release Date: May 23rd, 2013
Riffers: Mike Nelson, Kevin Murphy & Bill Corbett
"Dalek ‘walk and talk’ directed by Aaron Sorkin" – Mike
I'm not a Dr.
Who viewer and after listening to those trashcan robot things talk I don’t plan
to be – I could barely suffer their grating noise through this films 78-minute
run time. Thankfully I resisted the urge to turn off the sound whenever they appeared and was rewarded with several good laughs for my troubles. Some of the funniest
bits involved mocking the Dalek's appearance and manner of speech (which
included a cute nod to a classic Twilight "line").
Other cute quips
and bits concern revenge fuel Roombas, 'Spencer's Gifts' surviving the
apocalypse, and Bill's fanboy angst over the film not being part of canon.
There are some clever observational references, including Kevin's
self-deprecating poke at his former job as a robot. Saying that I eventually tired of the movie and the Dalek's, and the jokes lost some steam. The release
in total, it lacked a certain spark and consistency.
Dr. Who: Daleks - Invasion Earth: 2150 A.D
Release Date: December 13, 2013
Riffers: Mike Nelson, Kevin Murphy & Bill Corbett
"I was skinny dipping. Yes, I am nude but that is not your concern." – Bill as Dalek emerges from a lake
And here we go again. Bill and Kevin’s opening wish echoes my own, because man, those Dalek's are more than I can tolerate. On the other hand, they are the source of so much mirth. Imitating and taking potshots at those irritating Roombas never stops being funny. There are a few duds down the stretch, especially when the riffing goes blue. But most of the work is so wonderfully silly and smart (Mike’s "I voted for Kodos" quip) that I can forgive those minor slips. I enjoyed this even more than the first Dr. Who release.
Eragon
Release Date: May 11, 2007
Riffers: Mike Nelson & Kevin Murphy
“Wow, you're… somewhat convincing” – Mike; when we see the full-sized dragon for the first time
Eragon is a fantasy about a boy and his Dragon, and it's very similar to several movies in (as well as out of) this genre. A truth that Mike and Kevin use for many a funny riff. This element is the crux of the films failing, but as with fantasy/Sci-fi films that were riffed before, the duo also takes great delight in mocking the funny names. Is the hero really named E-Ragon? And why are the Ventures in the film?
The riffing is lightweight, sometimes lowbrow – are they pandering to the masses? (The wonderful MST3K riff-philosophy of -"The right people will get it"- is not in evidence here). Regardless, there is fun to be found: A giant blue pill, hammy acting (My God, how far John Malcovich has fallen) and confusing relationship dynamics -"Wait, you’re my brother and your dad’s my uncle?" – Kevin - are targeted, and the bits with the dragon are quipped nicely. A few of my favorite things include continuity errors... "It's dry over here in the next scene!" – Mike * "Horse of July" parties, Trent Hitler, and strange couplings... "If Albert Finny and Mickey Dolenz had a son" – Mike * and the colorful magic spells... "He said "Goodbye Stan" and off he went" – Kevin
