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Reviews
Masters of Horror: Right to Die (2007)
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorched...
I was all ready to pan this episode, seeing that this 'Master' really doesn't have any horror films under his belt.. but this is easily the best episode of the season.
The acting was good!! I don't know how he wrangled it, but we've got some real talent in this episode! And while you could see things coming from a mile away plot wise, at least it was entertaining and managed to keep me engaged for the full 56 mins, something that has been lacking up to this point in the series.
I especially liked the bit at the end, not a twist per say, but just a funny little bit where he becomes, as ever, the hen-pecked hubby.
Really good effort. Like I've said in other reviews- these are not true masters doing a lot of these episodes.. but they may someday end up being masters in the future.
Masters of Horror: Haeckel's Tale (2006)
Another 'Master'..
Now, I have to say that this episode, even though it was a tad slow, didn't suck as much as some of the other episodes in the series. And while I personally really liked 'Henry', I hardly think that makes John McNaughton a master in his field (nor do episodes of 'Without a Trace', not the show I look to for horror) My main comment on this episode, the part that made me totally want my 56 mins back, came at the end.
When faced with the undead, the fella turns to run.. THEN STOPS TO GRAB HIS HAT??????? *sigh*
Where are all the real masters at??? Honestly- if this show were just called "Horror" I'd be OK with the directors they've picked. "Masters" is a whole other world.. I think only John Carpenter really understands where that world is.
Masters of Horror: Pro-Life (2006)
Sorry, its a bit long.. :)
I originally gave this episode a rating of two- I now wish I'd thought more about it. I also wish they had negative rating options.
Watching it, I was amazed at how poor the whole thing was from start to finish. I adore Ron Pearlman, and John Carpenter... so what went wrong?? Last season episode 13 was pulled due to the way it handled the abortion issue. I think that this season Mr Carpenter managed to make something so grey-area that you can't immediately see if he is pro-choice or anti-abortion. It was only after I sat and thought about it that I realized he is very much anti-abortion- you get this most clearly in the end when the 'Mother' shoots the baby and kills it, to the dismay of the 'Father', who walks off in grief, leaving the mother unharmed. But you also see it in the way the Ron P. character is treated- I hardly think that if someone has proved themselves enough of a threat in the past so as to have a restraining order against him that they would not immediately be ringing the police. Instead we have the guard almost sympathetically dealing with him (only to pay for it in the end) I don't mind someone having a strong view on something, even if it isn't something I agree in, but I do think its a bit lame not to stand by that view, rather than trying to look like they're sitting somewhere in the middle.
But, political issues aside, this episode was beyond poor. The music was retro-70's and just plain didn't work. The acting (other than Ron P.) was poor. The effects were dreadful- it might have been better just to -not- show the monster at all rather than show the lame excuse for a monster they had.
All this being said, I'm glad they have the Masters of Horror- I don't mind sitting through some really poor episodes to find the good ones. Its a bit like renting horror movies from the video store- every now and again you get a good one and it makes it all worth while. I do agree with the poster that said maybe the name needs to change from Masters- some of these people just plain don't deserve the title. (Let me stress tho- even tho I hated this episode, John Carpenter TOTALLY deserves the title. He is a master thru and thru)
Masters of Horror: Sick Girl (2006)
Clever!
I quite liked this episode. That being said, it isn't for everyone. I liked the pace and humor- it was totally in line with what you could expect from this director. It was quirky and fresh, even if it wasn't really horror-filled. I haven't really been taken with the Masters of Horror episodes in general-I think this episode would have more of a punch if it had been surrounded by better episodes- a bit like the twilight zone, having creepy episodes mixed with clever/funny episodes. Good effort tho! If you're a fan of Lucky's work, then you'll love this offering and I'd totally say buy the DVD. If you don't know his work, then steer well clear, I don't know that you'd enjoy it.
Rating: C+
Masters of Horror: Chocolate (2005)
Disappointing to say the least..
I was really let down by this episode- I've been looking forward to seeing the "Masters of Horror" do their thing.. if this is what the "Masters" are offering up, I may have to give up on the genre altogether! So many plot points just went nowhere (like what was the point of him being a food taster? what was the point of his allergies? why did they waste the wonderful Matt Frewer?) I was totally sucked into the episode at first, mainly because Henry Thomas did such a great job.. I kept expecting it all to tie together, but all it did was .. well.. end! Very pathetic offering. Maybe its time they came out with an "Future Masters of Horror" and let some new people have a throw at scaring us (Like Eli Roth?) Rate it D (and it would have been an F if it didn't have some good acting saving it)