The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Collection, Volume 11

Perhaps the most unlikely Peabody Award-winner ever, this beloved series—born on public access TV but later blasting into the cult stratosphere on Comedy Central—was where bad movies went to die. In the far reaches of space on the Satellite of Love, Joel Hodgson (and his replacement Mike Nelson) watch horror and science fiction cinematic monstrosities in the company of two wisecracking robots. Silhouetted against the screen, the trio provide running commentary that is far more entertaining than the zircon turkeys themselves. On board for this volume are Ring of Terror (1962), a cautionary tale of a fraternity prank gone wrong; Indestructible Man (1956), starring Lon Chaney, Jr.; Tormented (1960), about a man haunted by the ghost of his jilted girlfriend; and Horrors of Spider Island (1960), which, oddly, features a werewolf. Family Guy's got nothing on MST when it comes to obscure pop culture references: you don't have to be familiar with Frank Zappa's 200 Motels or know that Joe Flynn portrayed Captain Binghamton on McHale's Navy to enjoy the nonstop riffing (but it does help). DVD extras include a who-asked-for-it reunion with the creator and cast members of Tormented. Sure to be embraced by aficionados of cult TV and “so bad they're good” films, this is highly recommended. (D. Liebenson)