Movie spotlight
RiffTrax Live: Hobgoblins
At an abandoned old movie studio, security guards keep getting mysteriously murdered. The mystery: Why are there so many security guards for an abandoned old movie studio?! But forget that; the real secret is Hobgoblins! Cheap rubber puppets from outer space! Who vaguely resemble Gremlins! But not enough to bring on a lawsuit! Their power: they’ll make your wildest fantasies come true, and then you die, laughingly and embarrassingly. The studio’s new security guard, Kevin (no relation) quickly learns the secret of the Hobgoblins, and even more quickly lets them escape. Now it’s up to the inept Kevin and sexually-obsessed pals to thwart the Hobgoblins before they take over the world, or at least various neighborhoods in the Greater Los Angeles Area!
Insights
Plot Summary
In this RiffTrax Live presentation, the cult classic 'Hobgoblins' is given the signature RiffTrax treatment. The film itself is a low-budget horror-comedy about a group of people who unleash a horde of mischievous, deadly creatures called Hobgoblins, which grant wishes with disastrous consequences. The RiffTrax team provides a running commentary, injecting humor and satirical observations throughout the film's nonsensical plot and cheap special effects.
Critical Reception
As a RiffTrax Live event, 'Hobgoblins' was primarily received by its dedicated fanbase, who appreciate the comedic deconstruction of bad movies. The original 'Hobgoblins' film is widely considered a 'so-bad-it's-good' cult classic, and the RiffTrax commentary leans into its many flaws, offering a humorous and entertaining experience for fans of MST3K-style riffing.
What Reviewers Say
The RiffTrax team hilariously skewers the absurdities of 'Hobgoblins'.
Fans of cult B-movies and MST3K-style humor will find this live event highly entertaining.
The commentary effectively highlights the film's numerous low-budget charms and narrative shortcomings.
Google audience: Audience reception for RiffTrax Live events generally praises the humor and the camaraderie of the riffers. Viewers often enjoy the shared experience of watching and mocking bad movies together.
Fun Fact
The original 'Hobgoblins' film was notoriously made on a very tight budget, with many of its special effects and props being sourced from other low-budget productions.
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