The ethical questions raised...

[Mesmor]

Mike Nelson, (and associates who no doubt read this stuff on his behalf), shame on you for the severe ethical issue you have raised.

What ethical issue? Oh, I'll tell you. And that's only fitting because I'm the one who brought it up.

Now, let's just say for a minute that I like Rifftrax, and I've been enjoying the regular releases put out by them/him. Now, all of a sudden, I reach Crossroads. A fitting name, perhaps, for this in and of itself is iconic of a greater choice. I would very much like to see what Mike has done with the film but, alas, I do not possess Crossroads, which leads me with scant few options.

Do I rent the movie, actually having to approach someone at Blockbuster video with Crossroads in my sweating palm, looking them in the eye and calmly showing them my drivers license just so they now that I, yes I, a citizen of the United States of America, am actually renting a Britany Spears movie? I tell you now, it would be the last time I ever looked anyone in the eye, ever.

But there other options. I could buy the movie from some anonymous internet site, thereby avoiding the issue of having to approach someone. But this too is fraught with problems. First, it would mean that I would have actually, albeit in directly, have pledged my fifteen dollars of support to Brittany Spears. While I do understand that even anorexic pop stars need to eat, I would prefer to be supporting one with a modicum of dignity (you know, should there actually be one that falls into that category), plus, nervosa aside, I do not believe Ms./Mrs. Spears is in any danger of starving to death. Not only that, I would have a copy of Crossroads lurking around the house, like a ticking time bomb, just waiting for some hapless individual digging through my collection to find. I shudder to think of the ensuing violence.

And the last choice is out and out theft. If I turn to a life of crime, I would have to buy a laptop to watch Crossroads with Rifftrax commentaries while on the run, which could be pricey. I would be sleeping in dumpsters, starting at every noise, all in the name of Rifftrax. And while I do admit this does sound like fun, I must confess a certain desire to keep a regular room over my head. Plus where am I going to find outlets to recharge my laptop while out on the streets?

So shame on you all for putting me into such an ethical dilemma.


But keep up the good work, guys.

Oh, and I guess I will add my two cents in the feedback collumn, since this is where I posted.

One thing that I think is/would be helpful is/would be more Disembaudio audio ques at the beginning of the film right at the beginning, like having two or three lines spaced pretty closely so you could tell right away if something was haywire. Typically, I've found that I have trouble synching at first, but once it's in place I don't have any troubles. Thus, the occasionally spaced lines have worked out once the movie has progressed some. So, in essence, a tapering number of Disembaudio synch lines, I think, would be ideal. But hey, I just one man in the vast ocean of the world, what would I know?

And I must say, one thing that I love about Rifftrax that I loved Mst3k before, is it's utter lack of political agendas. You pick on both sides with such equality I have to say that I have no idea what your political standing is, which is a sheer amazement for someone who has a voice to thousands of people. Keep up the good work, Mr. Nelson and all associates of his who are in some way involved in his Rifftrax project!

[MrTorso]

One thing that I think is/would be helpful is/would be more Disembaudio audio ques at the beginning of the film right at the beginning, like having two or three lines spaced pretty closely so you could tell right away if something was haywire. Typically, I've found that I have trouble synching at first, but once it's in place I don't have any troubles. Thus, the occasionally spaced lines have worked out once the movie has progressed some. So, in essence, a tapering number of Disembaudio synch lines, I think, would be ideal. But hey, I just one man in the vast ocean of the world, what would I know?

Your request has been fulfilled with Crossroads! The first DA sync line is right during the opening credits.

[SmilinJackRoss]

Cheers, Mesmor, this is one of the best posts I've read at the roundtable.  Post more.

*raises glass*

[Skunk]

I've worked at a few video stores (Blockbuster, Movie Gallery, etc) and trust me: we don't care.We'd joke about it, but we're not going to look down on you for it. Most of the time we assume dudes renting chick flicks are doing it for a good lay. Or are really, REALLY gay. But we're talking Nathan-Lane-So-Flamingly-Gay-You're-A-Fire-Hazard gay.

I never thought about renting... might go surprise old coworkers...

[Sharktopus]

Anyone still paying $5 to rent a movie at Blockbuster really deserves to get SUCKER tattooed on their forehead. I cut up my Blockbuster card last year and it felt great.

[JonnyFrag]

Netflix is great and it works fine since we are getting at least a week's heads up to allow for getting it put to the top of the queue and getting delivered etc....

And it does of course bypass the shame of renting Britney Spears in public.

[Conor]

One thing that I think is/would be helpful is/would be more Disembaudio audio ques at the beginning of the film right at the beginning, like having two or three lines spaced pretty closely so you could tell right away if something was haywire.

We've tried lately to include cues as soon as possible in the movie.  Some movies like Top Gun and X-men both have a long period of no dialogue to start the movie, but in cases where there is a line, we'll try to let you know if it's cued up as soon as we can.

[mrbasehart]

I bought Crossroads for ?3 from an anonymous seller on eBay.  I think we were both a little ashamed.

[kodiakthejuggler]

Hey, it's just an opportunity to share with those who ask what it is you're doing with a crap movie like Crossroads. Tell them all about Rifftrax and what they do to bad movies, and they'll wanna rent it too!

[Mr. Dave]

I bought Crossroads for ?3 from an anonymous seller on eBay.  I think we were both a little ashamed.

Buying Crossroads off of ebay does eliminate the moral problem of giving the producers any money.  And if since it's used it's probably wicked cheap.

[Tarantulas]

There was some rummor of 99 cent copies off Amazon's used pile.

[franchon]

For those embarrassed to buy or rent the movies needed for rifftrax, "do what i do." (that was a mistie reference there, for anyone who gets it)
This isn't an advertisement for them, but use Movielink. For about three bucks, more or less, you can rent the movie online. Depending on the length of the film, it takes awhile to download, but once you do, you have full access to it for 24 hours once you start watching. I've done that a couple of times already for movies I didn't have copies of,and it's worked great.
Of course, you have to watch the movie on your computer, but if you got a flat screen, light monitor like I have, you can move it close to your bed or chair and have at it!

[SaucyRossy]

i really have no shame in renting any kinda movie i want to. I really could care less what a video store clerk thinks of me. Heck I came up to the counter with Top Gun, XXX, and Cocktail all at once two days ago. Sure I got a funny look from the clerk but you know what ? I dont care.

[Bipolar:Bear]

I couldn't agree more Saucy.  Tonight, I picked up XXX, Fifth Element, X-Men, and Roadhouse from Blockbuster.  They did not have them for rent, so I had to buy them, at Blockbuster prices!  Thats okay though, because I wanted to own them anyway, plus, I have been rifftraxing my ass off all night!

[Tarantulas]

i really have no shame in renting any kinda movie i want to. I really could care less what a video store clerk thinks of me.

Yeah, who really cares what a Blockbuster employee has to say anyway?  I mean come on, they work at Blockbuster.