Masters Of Horror

[slayrrr666]

Tonight's is Homecoming, Joe Dante's episode, so I guess we'll see some of his trademark in-jokes and such.

[Bartwald]

Oooh, good - I was waiting for Dante's, too! And gimme Larry Cohen soon!

[slayrrr666]

okay, a little mixup here. Last night was supposed to be Joe Dante's episode "Homecoming," but instead, they played Mick Garris' "Chocolate." Will have to finish watching it before an accurate opinion is cast, but be warned, the first ten minutes are pretty dull.

[Bartwald]

Huh, Mick Garris' episode is one of the LEAST anticipated, perhaps by everyone. I love the guy for creating this series (it wouldn't happen without him) but the new Shining is his only film I respect; Riding The Bullet proved most recently he's got huge problems creating suspense.

[slayrrr666]

Honestly, I don't like him to begin with. He's never created one movie I wanted to say, "It's a great film, you should check out the director's other works." Just because he's done most of Stephen King's works (Which were among his worst books as well) I just don't really like Garris. He was one I wasn't looking forward to, and this one has some same issues: it's too talky for it's own good. No suspense is created because he doesn't know how to create tension in a scene.

[Bartwald]

I saw Chocolate yesterday. It's better than Tobe Hooper's episode only because of the handsome nudity Garris decided to put into it. As a thrilling or surprising or bloody piece it no doubt disappoints. I can't believe Fangoria gave it a three skull review and said it's much better than Argento's episode!

4/10 but the series still rules!

[slayrrr666]

I caught that. It was a bullshit review, and proof why I only use the website instead of buying that mag. Too many good reviews for crappy movies.

[slayrrr666]

Okay, just finished Dante's Homecoming, and found myself pretty much enjoying it. Dante knows how to keep the subject at hand from being too goofy to support itself, and uses a lighter tone to the proceedings than most have in the past. Never really caught many of his in-jokes, but still laughed at a couple of occasions. Good gore too, so that's a plus. Not quite sure how to feel about indestructible zombies that want to vote, but way better than Garris' episode. After Argento, Coscarelli and Stuart is where I place this one. Solid 8.5/10.

[slayrrr666]

So nobody saw this one then? I'm shocked. We were all so eager and excited to see (judging from the responses in the poll) then we all seem to have forgotten about it. What's wrong?

[slayrrr666]

Saw the Landis one last night, and I have to say that I was more than impressed with it. Called "The Deer Woman," it concerns a cop (Brian Benben) called in to investigate a death at a truck stop, where the victim was literally pounded to death, and discovered later that the body had hoof prints all over him. More bodies show up, and he eventually comes to accept that a half-woman, half-deer is committing the crimes. This was one I wasn't looking to forward to, but I have to say I enjoyed it. Landis is a pretty talented director, framing several scenes that made me jump. The humor was apparent, and one joke actually had me laughing for several minutes. It's good to see Benben again, was a big fan of his in the Dolph Lundgren actioner "I Come in Peace," and had a couple of good pokes at other horror films, including one we all know Landis would poke fun at. Not nearly as gory as Argento's, but now right up there the big three: Argento, Coscarelli, and Gordon. For me, this is how it's shaping up:

1. Argento
2. Gordon
3. Landis
4. Coscarelli
5. Dante
6. Hooper
7. Garris

This shaping up the same for others.

[Bartwald]

slayrrr666 said:

So nobody saw this one then? I'm shocked. We were all so eager and excited to see (judging from the responses in the poll) then we all seem to have forgotten about it. What's wrong?

If everyone had Showtime we'd probably have many more opinions on the episodes. But I guess this thread will get popular again when the series appears on DVD.

I just saw Homecoming - mixed feelings about this one. Definitely not as bad as Hooper's and also better than Garris' but some of its political statements seemed pretty blatant. It also lacked the suspense or frights the best episodes had. Some funny moments and good gore are the advantages. 5/10

Hope to see the next one soon.

[slayrrr666]

Landis actually surprised me, bart. The one I was worried about delivered with a great one. I had heard this was the first one filmmed, don't know why they waited to release it so late. As you can see, I really loved it.

[Bartwald]

Saw Deer Woman - and in my case it was a bit disappointing... just 'cause it was one of the most awaited episodes and I thought it will end up one of the best. It sure was good but much more a comedy than a horror; love the scene of the policeman's visions of what could have possibly happened in the truck - hilarious. Benben was perfect for the role. 7/10

Here's the order so far for me:

1. Argento
2. Coscarelli
3. Landis
4. Gordon
5. Dante
6. Garris
7. Hooper

[slayrrr666]

Well, it was, but considering this was one we were not to thrilled about, I thought it delivered. Had some great moments (I still laugh at the talking deer when they enter the casino, that joke it tells was pretty funny) and teh different scenarios was a crack-up, but wehn it needed to be, it was pretty suspenseful. Benben's walk down the street with the noises behind him was great, and the realization that his partner was with the deer woman was a brilliant moment of suspense. I have to say, he could be a master of horror, but for me, I still love Argento's one.

[Bartwald]

But see? At least you learned Landis is a master.