Mystery Science Theater 3000: Volume Two

Shout! Factory's Mystery Science Theater 3000: Volume Two is not a chronological re-release of episodes from the classic cult-TV show (1988-1999), but rather a DVD reissue of MST3K episodes in the order that they appeared on VHS (on the Rhino label). This four-episode set featuring snark commentary from series creator Joel Hodgson and his robot companions—who are imprisoned on a space station—kicks off with Cave Dwellers, a re-titling of the 1984 Italian sword-and-sorcery cheapie Ator: The Blade Master, followed by Pod People, an English-dub remix of the 1983 Franco-Spanish E.T. imitator Extra Terrestrial Visitors. The film's mix of bad pop music, pseudo-Spielberg wonder, and lamentable monster suits sports added resonance in 2016 for the nickname given its long-nosed alien: “Trumpy.” Later, host replacement Mike Nelson takes over for a deserved roasting of 1979's Angels' Revenge (aka Angels' Brigade), a campy rip-off of the Charlie's Angels formula, only with seven beautiful—if not particularly thespian-gifted—women fighting drug-dealing bad guys, whose legions include Jack Palance, Jim Backus, and Peter Lawford. Last up is a feature-length collection of short subjects with the troupe spoofing clunky 1950s classroom films dealing with personal grooming, chicken farming, and wood shop, among other topics. Highly recommended. (C. Cassady)