Mystery Science Theater 3000 Vol. XXXVII

"Worst movie ever made!"

That dubious statement has been exclaimed for decades in the movie business, being hurled at such horrid films as "Plan Nine from Outer Space" and "Showgirls." But us smart movie-goers know that sometimes a worst movie ever made can be the most enjoyable. The four episodes on the new "Mystery Science Theater 3000 - Volume XXXVII" are a prime example, drudging up the lowest of the low from the depths of the bad movie vaults. They result in some of the most eye-popping viewing experiences ever, especially with outrageously funny commentary from the MST3K folks.

"The Human Duplicators" on disc one features giant actor Richard Kiel ("The Twilight Zone - To Serve Man") at his robotic best, playing an alien sent to Earth to duplicate humans. The plot is eerily similar to the greatly superior "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," but Joel and his robot friends poke fun at the film for a hilarious 90-minute episode. The disc's lone special feature is an "MST3K Hour Wrap."

Also known as "Escape from the Bronx," "Escape 2000" was the sequel to "1990: The Bronx Warriors." Never heard of either film? That's ok; Mike and company will introduce you to the inanity of this low-budget film, one that was immediately brought to TV syndication in the mid-1980's. Its plot is stolen directly from the "Mad Max" franchise where a war-torn Bronx, NY is the setting for violence and corruption.

In the 15-minute documentary "Leave the Bronx: Making Escape 2000," the "Bronx" movie franchise (3 of them in all) are examined in the most severe way.

One of the best episodes ever of "MST3K" comes in the form of "The Horror at Party Beach" on Disc 3 of Shout Factory's 4-disc DVD set. This insanely nonsensical 1960's film spoofs both monster horror films and party beach films all in one. While teenager beach-goers party and shimmy, a rubbery fish-beast starts to wreak havoc on all of the ocean-side fun. A nerdy Beach Boys knock-off group does the hilariously bad movie soundtrack, one that Mike and his robot friends claim is unfortunately out of print.

"Return to Party Beach" looks back at the making of this low-budget hoot of a film.

Rounding out Shout's fabulous box set is the "MST3K" episode "The Invasion of the Neptune Men," where young and dubbed Asian actors fight an invasion of space aliens in their own backyard. This is the final of 3 Mike Nelson hosted shows on the DVD's and in "August on Neptune," a brief documentary explaining the history of the film can be viewed.

"Mystery Science Theater 3000 - Volume XXXVII"
DVD
$59.97
www.shoutfactory.com