About the Rifftrax movie choices, and related stuff.

[GalvaTRION]

If I may step aside from the sales figures for a moment, here's an interesting question for the people who buy riffs. And note I don't ask this with any kind of malice, but

Are you willing to be this forgiving when Hollywood releases a movie solely to cash in on something?

It just seems hypocritical to say "Oh, Rifftrax is cashing in on newer releases so they can make money, I totally understand" and then go "Oh, Hollywood is cashing in on the superhero crazy, those Hollywood dirtbags!"

Two reasons.
First- The Riffin' crew are quality product pushers. With little exception have I ever been disappointed with a rifftrax. Can't say that with Hollywood blockbusters.
Second- I assume they didn't choose 300 because they knew it'd sell a billion copies- they likely selected it because it's hard NOT to riff that movie while it's going (hell, that's part of the fun of that movie). Same with Beowulf, and probably the same with Cloverfield (though I loved the movie, I could see why others wouldn't). There's an added bonus to the fact that the highest-selling movies usually aren't very good (with exception, of course).

[Sheik Yerbouti]

So if I understand this thread correctly, you want a realistic, down-to-earth show...that's completely off-the-wall...and swarming with magic robots?  And you should win things by watching?  (Please refrain from tasting the knob)

I love you guys, seriously.  I may not post much but there isn't a day that goes by that I don't check the Rifftrax forums.  And Bill... like you even need to prove to us how cool you are at this point.  You have been more than accommodating to your fans. Try complaining online about a plot twist in your favorite TV show and see how long it takes for the creators to respond to you personally.  Go on, try it.

I'm one of those people that buys all the riffs regardless because I want to support this endeavor.  Most of them I really like, some miss the mark but everyone's taste varies.  It seems like every track released becomes someone's all time favorite so they must be doing something right.

Let's not waste the Bill's time, though.  He wanted to answer people's questions, but this seems to have turned into another 'you should riff this movie!' thread.   He already plainly stated why they can't riff on more of the older movies.  I'm sure Dune would be a great riff but is it worth their time and money write and record a riff for a two and a half hour long movie if only the forum regulars buy it?  I don't know how many they need to sell to recoup costs but it's probably more than the two or three dozen regular posters.  I'm sure there are many people that purchase Rifftrax that are not even registered on these forums.  

I guess that's what I'm curious about.  Do the collection of frequent posters on the forums represent the average Rifftrax purchaser or are we just the noisy minority?

Just a couple of other things.  I like the subscription idea, I'd be all for it.  The only problem I could see from a user's point of view would be increased whining over movie selections; people paying up front and not liking the movies they choose to riff.  But if the tracks could still be purchased individually it wouldn't be a problem.  

My one request to Bill and the rest of the Rifftrax guys, please keep bringing us shorts!  They're all uniformly excellent and I can't imagine any controversy over riffing them.  Seeing a new short on Friday really makes my week.

[Sheik Yerbouti]

I remember, nigh on 2 years ago, when Rifftrax was just beginning. I embraced it with excitement, as I'm sure many of you did. When they would announce a new Rifftrax, it began a journey. It was rare (back then) that they'd pick a movie that I had in my library, and a lot of the movies they picked were somewhat tricky to come by. I spent weekends going with my wife from rental place to rental place and finally to the 3 or 4 video stores in the li'l community of Rio Rancho/Albuquerque.

Yeah I remember having to rent TWO copies of Crossroads.  The first one I got from Netflix was scratched so I actually went to the local video store and rented it, I wanted to see it that badly.  That's dedication.

[AmandaGal]

I think comparing Hollywood to Rifftrax is wrong not only in the quality aspect, but also in the sheer mass aspect.  You expect more from Hollywood because the have budgets in the millions.  I'm assuming Rifftrax does not.

I don't know about you, but I ALWAYS give small business with "low margins" more of a benefit of the doubt than I do major corporations.  They have billions.  They don't have to worry about margins or putting food on the table.

To me, that's like saying Mom & Pop grocery should be held to the same "standards" as Wal-mart.  They may not have as much of a selection at Mom & Pop Grocery, but they probably have something else (service, quality, maybe they stock organics).  You can't go in there and expect to fill your entire shopping list.

That being said, I'm equally as forgiving of bad films made by Hollywood or I wouldn't be here.  I already had Over The Top in my DVD collection

[Pak-Man]

The arguement really only works if there's a noticable lack of quality in the end product (As with Hollywood.) Frankly, even though Rifftrax isn't doing  the movie I want,. they're still releasing funny Rifftrax. As long as they're funny, I'm getting what I'm paying for. :^)

[esoobaC .T bocaJ]

So we're in the extremely rare thread started by one of the three master riffers and you waste your time taking a shot at another fan?  I'll flame you all day long in any other thread if that's how you get your jollies but let's be productive in this one.

sorry dude, your post just had a lot of words, it's a good idea though

[gammer]

Well I've been silently watching this debate unfold at my work. Now I see why Cinematic Titanic doesn't interact with their fanbase. :^)

I remember, nigh on 2 years ago, when Rifftrax was just beginning. I embraced it with excitement, as I'm sure many of you did. When they would announce a new Rifftrax, it began a journey. It was rare (back then) that they'd pick a movie that I had in my library, and a lot of the movies they picked were somewhat tricky to come by. I spent weekends going with my wife from rental place to rental place and finally to the 3 or 4 video stores in the li'l community of Rio Rancho/Albuquerque.

I did this because I was sold on the concept of Rifftrax. Looking back, it was a lot of fun, and I kind of missed it, but I can see how it wasn't the best business model in the world. Average Joe consumer isn't going to consider running around to every video store in town all weekend long in order to find a copy of Troll 2, only to pay ANOTHER 3 bucks for the Rifftrax. And the hardest ones to find were some of the best Rifftrax.. I did the most running around looking for Cocktail, Over the Top, Battlefield Earth, Crossroads, Glitter, Troll 2.... (Note the pattern emerging.)

TOTALLY worth it. But it's kinda hard to convince John Q Public of that.

It's easy to say, "Well I'm a person who buys Rifftrax, and so's a bunch of other people on this forum, and they all think Red Dawn would rock as a Rifftrax!" Truth is, we're (Hopefully) a very, very small slice of the Rifftrax audience. We're the most vocal, and the most fanatic, and the most awesome, but in the end our 3 bucks is worth as much as everyone else's 3 bucks.

I had never really heard of Red Dawn until I came to this forum. I want to see it Riffed because I'm in on the joke. Most of the people who come to buy Rifftrax aren't in on that joke and probably won't bother to GET in on that joke.

Now in all this talking, I've never heard anyone from Rifftrax say, "We're not doing old movies anymore."  I'd even wager that the recent trend of recent movies being riffed is because there were SOOOO many Riffable movies hitting the shelves in the last few weeks. 2 recent films down, and we haven't even TOUCHED AVPR or In the Name of the King yet!

I think the concern people have is that Rifftrax has forgotten, in their rush to riff the latest and the greatest, some of the movies from a few years back that may actually be on enough DVD shelves to pull in a profit. (Did you know you can find Stealth in any Walmart in the country for like- 5 bucks? But I digress. :^)) I also feel the financial pinch that the newer releases put on my wallet, and it just feels like forever since Rifftrax has introduced me to a new stinker. But first and foremost, they gotta keep the ship afloat.

At the end of the day, are Rifftrax Funny?

Yes. Every Rifftrax is funny. They will continue to have my 3-5 bucks. :^)

I agree with lots of your points Pak...and I think we're on the same wavelength: There are some older (80's and 90's) flicks that can be easy to obtain and turn a profit for RiffTrax.

And yes, I too will always buy every release, because I am hooked.

One other observation/point I'd like to make...I thought of it this morning when I was brushing my teeth:
If the folks over a Cin Tit keep releasing obscure, older movies, will the fans start "bitching" to them that they need to do newer, Hollywood releases?

[James of LinHood]

Well, I've slept on this, read all the posts, and really only have one thing left to say.

I guess it just really sucks that torgos and the guys are saying that they listen to our feedback but what they're also saying is "If it's not a popular blockbuster that we don't think will sell well, tough luck."  It just kinda takes my enthusiasm out of waiting for future Rifftrax. 

I've got to face it, most of the movies I want to see riffed are along the lines of Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter, House of the Dead, and Dragon Wars.  Will those sell well?  Probably not.  So, it looks like I'm SOL.

TorgosPizza, you really don't need to respond to this.  I know you always try your best and I appreciate that.  It's just a shame that sales figures have to get in the way of what would be hilarious movies to riff.

[RVR II]

I here ya James.. My enthusiasm has been set back quite a bit as well

I'll post my thought here as well...

I have bought Every Single RiffTrax available, and will continue to buy what ever they put out, but I have been quite disappointed in the selections as of late.
To be honest; The last time I set foot in a movie theater was Star Wars Episode 3. No Lie! And it's not because I don't have a life (though I rarely step foot out of my home office cause I do run a business), but because (Now All you younger folks out there - don't take this the wrong way) but I can't tolerate the others around me talking, carrying on, cell phone conversations, etc., and also because I really don't care to see anything that has been released, not to mention the 'whoring' movie prices along with concessions.. I'd rather give Rifftrax $3.99 than a movie theater $20+..

Now that said, I see clearly Greg's frustration, simply because his lists, along with many other 'Top 10' list, shows some 'older' flicks, and it just seems to me that we 'small minority' as Conor likes to call us here on the forum are being ignored (because we know we're being heard), but I'd like to think that this 'small minority' has a bit more weight as a concensus of many others out there that we would like to see a few more 80's & 90's flicks from our lists targeted for Riffing.

I understand the business aspect Whole Heartidly and commend you for targeting the popular market to make RiffTrax a bigger success. Keeping your customer 'in the know' helps a great deal so we don't think we're falling on deaf ears is all I'm saying..

[GregMcduck]

...RVR, did you just post something long and thoughtful?

I'm proud of ya, buddy! 

[RVR II]

...RVR, did you just post something long and thoughtful?

I'm proud of ya, buddy! 

Thanks G My brain hurts now..

I need some Tequila STAT!!

[MontyServo]

My questions and comments for Mr. Bill Corbett and the Rifftrax crew.

1. Why no Disney?  Seems like they would be an easy target, what with the High School Musical, Pirates of The Caribbean, and Narnia films.  I'm not suggesting you riff Bambi or another treasured animated classic, but they have plenty of other crap that is readily available on DVD.

2. I too would like to see a Rifftrax for Billy Jack.  Please. I would gladly pay $20 or more for it. 

On that subject, how much would it take to "sponsor" a Rifftrax?  Say several of us got together and wanted to sponsor a Rifftrax of Red Dawn.  What amount would it take to make it cost effective for Rifftrax, given that the Rifftrax would be expected to sell poorly.  For the right movie, I'd be willing to chip in some moolah.

3. My last comment is that I love all the Rifftrax selections.  I don't care if it is a new movie or an old movie.  It's all the same goodness to me.  Keep up the great work, gentlemen.

4. My last question is for Bill and is a bit off the subject at hand.  Meet Dave will be out soon.  I know you wrote the original screenplay (for Starship Dave).  How much of the final film is from your screenplay?  Did a lot of your jokes or gags make it into the final cut?  If the movie is a blockbuster and it makes a ton of money, will you make money from it?  How about DVD sales, do you see any money from that?  I'd go see the film in theaters and buy the DVD if I knew you were getting some fat cash from it or if a lot of your material is in the final version.  I'm sure a lot of people here would as well.  And if the movie turns out to be a turkey, would you consider doing a Rifftrax for it?  I apologize if these questions are none of my business.  I'm just curious as to how that all works.

[gammer]

To be honest; The last time I set foot in a movie theater was Star Wars Episode 3.

The last time I was in a theater was for the Simpsons movie, and before that it was for the Lord of the Rings movies.

[MontyServo]

To be honest; The last time I set foot in a movie theater was Star Wars Episode 3.

The last time I was in a theater was for the Simpsons movie, and before that it was for the Lord of the Rings movies.

For me it was Saturday morning seeing Forgetting Sarah Marshall.  Early morning matinees = fewer jerks.

[James of LinHood]

On that subject, how much would it take to "sponsor" a Rifftrax?  Say several of us got together and wanted to sponsor a Rifftrax of Red Dawn.  What amount would it take to make it cost effective for Rifftrax, given that the Rifftrax would be expected to sell poorly.  For the right movie, I'd be willing to chip in some moolah.

I think this is an awesome idea.  If it's the only way Mike would riff a movie like House of the Dead, I'd love to chip in on something like this.