It's now 2022. This would be the perfect time to riff this classic cult work of scifi.

It's People

All I can say about this movie is that it's way too dark visually- and the plot is rather dim as well - and dystopian doesn't even begin to scratch the surface in describing the future world in which this takes place- so yeah, I think it's worth the riff

Though I know this was suggested, seems I have to spice it up again, just because Soylent Green is rather bland, doesn't mean the description should be... but first a word from our sponsor..

[Mike]: Hey, Rob, why are you dressed in a snazzy tux.

[Bill]: Yes, did you win an award? Did someone die? Did someone die while attempting to win an award?

[Rob] No, sillies, I'm going to impress the Soylent Green people, they're bound to notice me and use me..

[Kevin]: Phft, Stupid, Robbie, Soylent Green doesn't want people with good taste, Soylent Green wants people that TASTE GOOD!

[Sign falls down as a deep voice reads it]: Sorry, Robbie. [Robbie frowns walking away.]

Soylent Green.. [Bridget and Mary Jo smile saying in unison]: It's People! [Mary Jo] And now in the new Consuming Woman flavour!

And now, back to the Fangarian Suggestion of Soylent Green...

Besides being the infamous film where Charlton Heston screams out the twist ending, next to that BioSphere ran by anthropomorphic simians, this one is definitely a classic in more ways than one.

Next to Logan's Run, this was the other 70s apocalyptic go to film during the day. In fact, the film begins with a depressing sight of stills of pollution, overcrowding, people forced to watch Manos, the Directors Cut, crime and so on.

We then learn in the year 2022 (can't wait for us to reach that year and celebrate, eh?), the planet has gone once again in the crapper. But instead of nuclear fallout, as one would expect, we find out corporations, pollution and overpopulation are the cause (apparently you Tellurians breed like rabbits!) and the entire food supply is supported by Soylent Industries, which fashions edibles from plankton and possibly Kale. In New York City (NEW YORK CITY?!? Sorry, couldn't resist), when a Member of the Board for Soylent is murdered by an apparent burglary (okay, ROBBIE, we know it was you, what is your damage?!), Heston's character, Detective Thorn, and his partner, Solomon "Sol" Roth (played by Edward G. Robinson), go and investigate.

Of course, they are hindered by the Governor and some powerful men during their investigation. Sol becoming old and weak later gets euthanized, and Thorn makes a disturbing discovery about Soylent Green, yet, cannot blame those 'damn filthy apes,' over it this time.

Why should this be riffed? Here are three fabulous reasons:

(1) Charlton Heston. Apparently besides being the spokesperson for the NRA, he was in a lot of these apocalyptic films for some reason, and in this one is no exception. Surprised they never cast him in Logan's Run, or any other films. But you won't be disappointed with his over-the-top acting here.

(2) Edward G. Robinson's last film role. Though he later did star in an episode of Night Gallery. What really makes this film stand out is not so much Heston revealing the surprise ending, but the scene where Robinson goes to a place to be euthanized since he is dying and has approached the critical age (or something to that effect). The hilarious--yet, disturbing part--is while Robinson's character is awaiting for the chemicals to kick in, he is treated to an operatic music score while viewing peaceful scenes of meadows in surround-vision. Which appears to be the only futuristic thing about the film since, most of the city appears as if the Daleks took a brief bombing run of the place.

(3) The fact Soylent Green is abundant, and yet, nobody really notices (or cares) where it actually comes from. When Soylent Inc, delivers their product of green brick crackers, people flock to it and buy it, not caring how it's made or why, they just eat it. Even funnier is how Heston figures it out when he wonders what happened to his partner after Robinson was euthanized, since the place claims the man is being 'processed' since in the future, it's now illegal to bury anyone these days. In fact, when Heston shouts out the classic line, I always envision the scene of Imogene Coca in Vacation when she's about to eat her sandwich. But here, I see Coca about to eat a Soylent Green sandwich as Heston makes the reveal. Whereas she hesitates briefly, shrugs and continues to eat her sandwich.

Overall, this is definitely a classic film for riffing because of the entire premise is a bizarre spin on 'A Modest Proposal' (Google it, by Johnathan Swift, yes, the same dude who wrote 'Gulliver's Travels.') and the fact somebody would think it would be fun fashioning green edible rations for humans out of people. Though I suspect the taste would vary from people-to-people..

So whaddya think, sirs?

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGC3zNalXkQ

Does having the modern conveniences of the future necessarily translate in having to resort to cannibalism? This movie would have you believe exactly that-Also it's so distopian and gritty, you can almost taste it!

I absolutely LOVE this movie (we watch it several times a year)...but it would make an awesome Rifftrax!!! great idea