Review: Live DVD - East Meets Watts

[trollt3rd]

Not too sure where this goes, but if i may, i would like to do a quick compare & contrast between RT & CT's first Live DVD offerings:




As first impressions go, i must admit i prefer the 'non-Live" format to the "Live" one, but as far as conveying the "Live" aspect is concerned, RT wins hands down - they actually showed an audience.  A bit of intro/stand-up may not be a bad idea for CT, if only to establish the setting.  Nevertheless, we finally get to see the former MST3K riffers behind the silhouette for the first time.  How they look, their mannerisms, the way they interact with the source material, the audience, and each other, etc.




There are a few acts in addition to the RT crew, though this was a hit-and-miss sort of thing.  Some bits - like the 'Flying Stewardess' short and the Rifftones' 'Plans One Through Nine' - are classic gems, but those that did not feature Mike, Kevin and Bill didn't interest me, so CT's spartan focus on the movie wins out.  In particular, the spit takes were beautifully captured in all its full glory, immortalized on film - and on Frank Conniff's hair - for all time.




Both RT's 'Plan 9 from Outer Space' and CT's 'East Meets Watts' bear repeated viewing, so i guess it's all good.  However, RT's 'split-screen' presentation during the riffing is awkward, to say the least - it drifts in and out throughout the movie.  CT's consistency comes out on top here.




Yet somehow i can't help but side with RT on the intangibles.  Watching the 3 perform (especially Kevin) almost feels like 'Mike & the Bots' interacting in the flesh, with the visual gestures and quizzical interjections.  I also appreciated their effort in nailing their lines.  On the other hand, the CT crew had an audience that groaned a lot, which bothered me somewhat.


So, all things considered:

RiffTrax's 'Plan 9 from Outer Space' Live DVD: **** of 5 stars.

Cinematic Titanic's 'East Meets Watts' Live DVD: **** of 5 stars.

[Miku Fan]

watching (again) East Meets Watts Live.  I prefer the live CT to the studio version.  Pretty funny movie, and lots of good riffs.

[RVR II]

watching (again) East Meets Watts Live.  I prefer the live CT to the studio version.  Pretty funny movie, and lots of good riffs.

Yeah this is one of my favorites from CT

[Darth Geek]

They're can of whoopass is WAY past it's expiration date.

[Miku Fan]

The 5 way spit take was my favorite.