Masters of Horror: John Carpenter
Cigarette Burns – 2005
This series has enormous potential. The greatest horror movie director, a network that will present (almost) anything, decent (enough) budgets. And if this episode is any indication, we are in for a great ride!
This first episode is every movie geek’s dream. And nightmare. A John Carpenter movie, with Udo Kier, about a “lost” movie that is reputed to drive the viewer mad. So the story is a cross between In the Mouth of Madness and Dario Argento’s Demons.
This movie is EXCELLENT. Outstanding. Creepy, with a perfect ending. If you love and collect movies, you are immediately engaged in the concept. And so it will get under your skin. Excuse me while I froth at the mouth a bit.
The disc is well put together too. There are two commentaries, one with John Carpenter himself. It’s hard to believe that this movie was made in 10 days. Granted, it’s only an hour long, but still. It’s hard to believe that something this polished was done in less than 2 weeks. I don’t understand why Hollywood doesn’t look at this, and just fire people like Uwe Boll. Months and months of productions, millions and millions of dollars and all they get is junk.
Five beers out of five (There, is everybody happy? A coveted Five!)
Masters of Horror: Stuart Gordon
Dreams In The Witch-House – 2005
Here’s another one with a ton of potential. One of my most favorite directors, Stuart Gordon. If Re-Animator isn’t one of the greatest genre movies of all time, I don’t know what is. And I really like Dagon. And most of the movies he made for Charlie Band at Empire (Dolls, Robot Jox, The Pit and the Pendulum) are some of Empire’s best (this was before Full Moon, although Full Moon ended up releasing these, I believe). This is a story from H.P. Lovecraft (Gordon’s favorite author for mining movie ideas). And there’s even a nice boobage shot. Finally, Richard Band does the music for this episode, so it looks initially like a stacked deck.
Unfortunately, this story just didn’t click with me. I know, infanticide is supposed to be a big, nasty concept. And I’m a parent. But this one just didn’t get under my skin like Cigarette Burns did. Not that this is a bad episode. Not at all. It’s a good story, well acted, with nifty special effects.
This disc is loaded with extras too. The only thing it doesn’t have that I wish they did is subtitles. There’s a good commentary with Stuart himself, the main actor Ezra, and the DVD producer. And there are about 5 featurettes. There’s an interview with Stuart, a Behind the Scenes, a history of Gordon’s movies (with some really great interviews), and an on set interview with the main actress Chelah.
Four beers out of five
Cigarette Burns – 2005
This series has enormous potential. The greatest horror movie director, a network that will present (almost) anything, decent (enough) budgets. And if this episode is any indication, we are in for a great ride!
This first episode is every movie geek’s dream. And nightmare. A John Carpenter movie, with Udo Kier, about a “lost” movie that is reputed to drive the viewer mad. So the story is a cross between In the Mouth of Madness and Dario Argento’s Demons.
This movie is EXCELLENT. Outstanding. Creepy, with a perfect ending. If you love and collect movies, you are immediately engaged in the concept. And so it will get under your skin. Excuse me while I froth at the mouth a bit.
The disc is well put together too. There are two commentaries, one with John Carpenter himself. It’s hard to believe that this movie was made in 10 days. Granted, it’s only an hour long, but still. It’s hard to believe that something this polished was done in less than 2 weeks. I don’t understand why Hollywood doesn’t look at this, and just fire people like Uwe Boll. Months and months of productions, millions and millions of dollars and all they get is junk.
Five beers out of five (There, is everybody happy? A coveted Five!)
Masters of Horror: Stuart Gordon
Dreams In The Witch-House – 2005
Here’s another one with a ton of potential. One of my most favorite directors, Stuart Gordon. If Re-Animator isn’t one of the greatest genre movies of all time, I don’t know what is. And I really like Dagon. And most of the movies he made for Charlie Band at Empire (Dolls, Robot Jox, The Pit and the Pendulum) are some of Empire’s best (this was before Full Moon, although Full Moon ended up releasing these, I believe). This is a story from H.P. Lovecraft (Gordon’s favorite author for mining movie ideas). And there’s even a nice boobage shot. Finally, Richard Band does the music for this episode, so it looks initially like a stacked deck.
Unfortunately, this story just didn’t click with me. I know, infanticide is supposed to be a big, nasty concept. And I’m a parent. But this one just didn’t get under my skin like Cigarette Burns did. Not that this is a bad episode. Not at all. It’s a good story, well acted, with nifty special effects.
This disc is loaded with extras too. The only thing it doesn’t have that I wish they did is subtitles. There’s a good commentary with Stuart himself, the main actor Ezra, and the DVD producer. And there are about 5 featurettes. There’s an interview with Stuart, a Behind the Scenes, a history of Gordon’s movies (with some really great interviews), and an on set interview with the main actress Chelah.
Four beers out of five
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