People always seem to want to add Birdemic to the list of worst movies ever made. But I don’t think it belongs there. Joel Hodgson has frequently talked about how the movies featured on MST3K were...
People always seem to want to add Birdemic to the list of worst movies ever made. But I don’t think it belongs there.
Joel Hodgson has frequently talked about how the movies featured on MST3K were divided into two camps: films where people were out to make a quick buck and just wanted to get the movie done as quickly as possible so quality wasn’t a concern and films where the director was sincerely trying and was just in way over their head, but their attempt was earnest.
Joel said they never made fun of the filmmakers themselves if they thought they were making a genuine attempt because that would be punching down. If they were clearly out to make a buck, then they were fair game.
I think Birdemic falls into that second category. James Nguyen genuinely thought he was making something great and was just in way over his head. His attempt and passion were real. Even if the movie is absolutely terrible, I still have to respect that James Nguyen went out there and did his best.
I remember seeing the live version in theaters after having seen just the movie without the riffs. It was one of their better live events. I wonder what the differences between that one and the prerecorded one are. It also had one of my favorite shorts they’ve done, Norman Checks In.
If anyone is feeling brave, you can watch the movie and the sequel without riffs on Tubi TV.
The live version is available through rental, their website, or their Rifftrax Friends service. https://www.rifftrax.com/rifftrax-live-birdemic It's also on Tubi in the US
The live version is available through rental, their website, or their Rifftrax Friends service.
I think the live version of Rifftrax Birdemic was better than the studio mix, since it has a better flow to it and some of the live jokes aged a little better than the ones in here, but it's still...
I think the live version of Rifftrax Birdemic was better than the studio mix, since it has a better flow to it and some of the live jokes aged a little better than the ones in here, but it's still a fun time either way.
<3 Rifftrax. After seeing this post a few days ago, it prompted me to go back and watch a bunch of the other commentaries I own after finishing this one. So far I have rewatched their riffs for...
<3 Rifftrax. After seeing this post a few days ago, it prompted me to go back and watch a bunch of the other commentaries I own after finishing this one. So far I have rewatched their riffs for The Happening, Alien, Wicker Man, The Matrix trilogy, and Fifth Element, and I highly recommend them all too. :)
People always seem to want to add Birdemic to the list of worst movies ever made. But I don’t think it belongs there.
Joel Hodgson has frequently talked about how the movies featured on MST3K were divided into two camps: films where people were out to make a quick buck and just wanted to get the movie done as quickly as possible so quality wasn’t a concern and films where the director was sincerely trying and was just in way over their head, but their attempt was earnest.
Joel said they never made fun of the filmmakers themselves if they thought they were making a genuine attempt because that would be punching down. If they were clearly out to make a buck, then they were fair game.
I think Birdemic falls into that second category. James Nguyen genuinely thought he was making something great and was just in way over his head. His attempt and passion were real. Even if the movie is absolutely terrible, I still have to respect that James Nguyen went out there and did his best.
I remember seeing the live version in theaters after having seen just the movie without the riffs. It was one of their better live events. I wonder what the differences between that one and the prerecorded one are. It also had one of my favorite shorts they’ve done, Norman Checks In.
If anyone is feeling brave, you can watch the movie and the sequel without riffs on Tubi TV.
The live version is available through rental, their website, or their Rifftrax Friends service.
https://www.rifftrax.com/rifftrax-live-birdemic
It's also on Tubi in the US
I think the live version of Rifftrax Birdemic was better than the studio mix, since it has a better flow to it and some of the live jokes aged a little better than the ones in here, but it's still a fun time either way.
<3 Rifftrax. After seeing this post a few days ago, it prompted me to go back and watch a bunch of the other commentaries I own after finishing this one. So far I have rewatched their riffs for The Happening, Alien, Wicker Man, The Matrix trilogy, and Fifth Element, and I highly recommend them all too. :)
p.s. They recently released their full commentary for Miami Connection on YouTube, for those who want more:
RiffTrax: Miami Connection (Full Movie)