Watch MST3K: The Screaming Skull
- 1998
- 1 hr 31 min
MST3K: The Screaming Skull from 1996 is a satirical science fiction movie, directed by Jim Mallon, and stars Michael J. Nelson, Bill Corbett, and Patrick Brantseg. The movie is actually a remake of the 1958 horror film with the same name, which was directed by Alex Nicol. The plot of the movie revolves around newlyweds, Eric and Jenni Whitlock, who inherit a sprawling estate from Eric's previous wife. The estate is haunted by the ghost of the previous wife, who was accidentally killed by Eric when they were out on a drive. The ghost manifests itself in the form of a screaming skull, which terrifies Jenni to no end.
The story is told through the eyes of Joel, played by Michael J. Nelson, and his robot buddies, Crow and Tom Servo. The trio is stuck in space, forced to watch and comment on the cheesy movies sent their way as part of a science experiment by their evil captor, Dr. Forrester. Through their witty comments and sarcastic remarks, Joel, Crow, and Tom add a layer of humor to the already ridiculous movie.
The movie starts with Eric and Jenni arriving at their new home. They are instantly greeted by Mickey, the caretaker of the estate. Mickey is an odd character who loves scaring people and tells the couple stories about the previous wife's death. Eric dismisses Mickey's stories, and soon after, strange things start happening in the house.
Jenni starts seeing the screaming skull and becomes increasingly paranoid. Eric brushes off her concerns, and instead, blames Mickey for trying to scare them. As the movie progresses, we see the couple unraveling under the pressure of living in a haunted house. Jenni's paranoia becomes so intense that she gets locked up in her room, and Eric realizes that the only way to free her from her fears is to get rid of the skull.
The highlight of the movie is the commentary by Joel, Crow, and Tom. They add a comedic twist to the otherwise dull and predictable story. Their comments range from poking fun at the characters to making references to popular culture. Their humor is what makes MST3K: The Screaming Skull a must-watch for fans of cheesy horror movies.
The movie also features some impressive sets and production design. The mansion that serves as the main location for the movie is vast and eerie, setting the mood for the spooky story. The sound design is also noteworthy, adding to the tension and building suspense throughout the movie.
Overall, MST3K: The Screaming Skull is a fun movie to watch, thanks to the commentary by Joel, Crow, and Tom. The story itself is not very compelling, but the trio's humor more than makes up for it. Fans of cheesy horror movies will find plenty to enjoy in this satirical take on the genre.
MST3K: The Screaming Skull is a 1998 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes.