Right now I have on, in the background while I work, the original 1936 film "Reefer Madness." Immediately after that, they're airing the new musical version (an adaptation of the Off-Broadway version which was more or less put out of business by 9/11) which I've already seen, and was hilarious.
If you're reading this, are working or an insomniac, and have Showtime, and haven't seen either film yet, put it on.
PAD
Posted by Peter David at April 21, 2005 03:17 AM | TrackBack | Other blogs commentingOh, I wish I'd shelled out the extra bucks for premium channels...
Do you have the new DVD version with Mike Nelson from MST3K doing commentary? Oh my God, you'll die laughing. I mourn the death of that show more and more every day. I pray only that someday he does a track to "Catwoman." :)
Robin has yet to see the original (or any Ed Wood movies, for that matter), and we don't have Showtime so I haven't seen the musical update yet, but I can see where it would be a great double-bill in, erm, an altered state or something...
On a Mike Nelson note he has also done commentarys for the off color films releases of night of the living dead, and carnaval of souls. They are only like 10.00 at best buy. If you don't have them, you should!!!!!!
JAC
The fact that REEFER MADNESS (2005) didn't get even a small theatrical release helps confirm my belief that There Is No God.
:)
Weird seeing Veronica Mars in it. But considering that she also does a leather-clad S&M scene, I can deal.
You know, I thought the movie musical was horrendous. I guess the humor of the stage show got lost on celluloid or something because I liked the show in NY.
And, well, who decided Stephen Webber was the way to go?
PAD, you were up at such an odd hour, that it was 3 hours before anyone responded. Isn't that a sign of something?
I really want to see this. Hell, I very nearly got Showtime just to see it, and I hate Showtime (lousy Dead Like Me-cancelling bastards). Luckily, I was talked down from that particular bit of maddness, but I am very much hoping for a swift release to DVD.
The first hour of RM had some truly inspired moments, but the second hour draaaged. should have wrapped up after an hour and a half and just avoided all the zombie stuff, including in the beginning.
I cancelled Showtime after they cancelled the wonderful and highly rated DEAD LIKE ME for the "mehn - okay", low-rated HUFF. Oddly the cable company never shut it off. I try not to take advantage of that fact, but maybe I will to watch RM.
Showtime has some pretty good stuff (sometimes...). Anyone ever see Safe House with Patrick Stewart? Good stuff!!
Lou
I don't know how you can work with the TV on in the background, PAD. When I write, I have to shut all the doors and windows and tell my roommates to turn down their stereos. Very different strokes, I guess.
I cancelled Showtime after they cancelled the wonderful and highly rated DEAD LIKE ME for the "mehn - okay", low-rated HUFF.
To be fair, Huff was renewed for its second season before it even aired, so Showtime had no idea it would flop so badly until after they were committed.
The original premiere broadcast of the new Reefer Madness got SHELLACKED in the ratings. It drew 163,000 viewers.
I don't have showtime, but Kristen Bell in a dominatrix outfit? Oh yeah, that's a rental....LOL!
I got to see RM on the big screen at its premier at Sundance, and just wanted to take a moment to brag, I guess. The whole theater was roaring with laughter, and there definitely were moments where I almost fell out of my seat from laughing so hard. Guess there may be one or two advantages to living in Utah. As far as humor goes, I agree that the first part and last part were not as hilarious, but vitally important to the overall message of the film.
To be fair, Huff was renewed for its second season before it even aired, so Showtime had no idea it would flop so badly until after they were committed.
Well, it helped that the exec that rammed it through was the producer of the show, and also had some sort of mad-on for DLM, which he thought was a rip-off of another show he produced for HBO, Six Feet Under. Now how he thought this, I don't know. DLM is thoughtful, entertaining, and fun to watch; while SFU is a great way to make yourself fall alseep faster, if you don't slit your wrists from depression first.