CT: Oozing Skull

So I've finally gotten a hold of The Oozing Skull (AKA Brain Of Blood) Cinematic Titanic's first release thanks to a surrogate on a message board due to it still not being available outside the US of A. A tip if you want it, don't go on eBay, dodgy copies and $75 postage cheeky fucker. Go on one of the riffing message boards and see if a surrogate will get it for you, at no additional costs of course apart from the genuine postage amount (less than $5).

So if you're going to all the hassle as a non-yank what do you get? Well it's Mystery Science Theater 3000 by another name isn't it? Gloopy B-movie, check. Silhouetted riffers on screen, check. Funny as that bloke popping his glass eye in his pint when he goes to the toilet so he can "keep an eye on it", check. See as great as Mike Nelson's Legends releases, The Film Crew and Rifftrax have been, and for the most part they have been just that, they are not MST3K. Cinematic Titanic obviously isn't either but it is the closest you're going to get in these split camp Mallon tiff days.

The first thing that has to be noted is how fantastic it is to have all of these people back riffing. All did in some capacity pre-CT but it was either limited or a very long time ago. Obviously this means that things are a tad rusty at first. The first fifteen minutes are a bit low key on the riffing front. Then something wonderful happens. We get a brain transplant. Suddenly the riffing kicks intolife and these guys become comfortable to be back in the riff-seats (not a real product). The movie helps as it is indeed bad, in a strangely enjoyable way, and after the talky opening presents low speed car chases, a deformed monster/mentally handicapped man/leader of some nondescript Asain nation post-head slice, a very strange looking woman who is more cosmetic product and hairspray than carbon based, a fight on a rooftop, and some crap about a woman who can't escape from a basement because she decides not to bother checking if the key to the door's on that big ring of keys in her hand. Oh and there's a midget. Checklists for cheesy movies are so covered in ticks right now it looks like Einstein done your homework for you.

As I said it's great to have this bunch back and the particular brand of riffing that comes with it. CT has the more laid back, early MST3K feel to it, full of goofy pop culture references and songs about toys. It acts as a nice counterbalance to Rifftrax's utter contempt for everything that appears on celluloid, though there is a visceral thrill to be had from that as well.

The question has to be asked exactly what the premise of the show is at the moment, the whole time tube at the end suggests that there is one, but at this point clues aren't forthcoming as the show starts with the riffers walking in and the movie starting. The host segments occur in silhouette in front of the paused movie as well and as a result feature sight gags about the frozen screen behind them at times. Mind you Frank's bit with the vomiting is classic. Nothing makes me laugh more than a trumpet player being sick in a bin.

And that pretty much sums up why I loved the first Cinematic Titanic outing. I'm just wired that way. It's kooky and the riffing's cute, as well as hilarious of course. I for one look forward to more in the not too distant future (see what I did there? Christ I'm such a geek!) no matter what sort of problems there may be in getting a hold of it for non-Americans. If you are one of those (a good chance) I say it's definitely worth it though, just make sure you arrange to get it from somebody who doesn't rip you off and is getting the disc straight from EZ-Takes so that the people involved get their dues and the money to finance future titles.