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The basic intention behind the series was obviously to bring the Masters of horror to us. I must admit a certain amount of disappointment that some of the directors originally invited for it, couldn't make it for one reason or other. Despite the substitutions, this horror series has been satisfactory, overall.
As Despare already stated, they do try their best inspite of certain limitations. Which brings me to briefly point out the varying quality in the episodes which I daresay, clearly reflect the capabilities of the director in charge. John Carpenter obviously, demonstrated his skill, craft, and inventiveness with the material provided, and turned it into a cinematic episode. On the other hand, a director like John McNaughton comes across as one of lesser capabilities, resulting in a very uneven and ultimately unsatisfying finale for the season.
John McNaughton: Haeckel's Tale
Having only the so-called art film Henry: The Portrait of a Serial Killer under his belt and not much else in the genre, I couldn't understand what exactly he was doing in this series. Reviews in imdb.com seemed rather mixed, with most people praising it for its disturbing atmosphere and truly-graphic-horror content. On the opposite bank, there are some who find it rather disappointing and generally unsatisfactory.
From watching Haeckel's Tale, I can already take a step toward the latter.
What is set to be a period piece of an episode -- I don't understand why stacylaine refers to Gordon's Dreams in the Witch House as another -- comes off as a clumsy and unconvincing attempt to bring Deadwood and Night of the Living Dead together. In the capable hands of a better cast, perhaps the dialogue might not have sounded as pretentious. Hardly the point, though, because the overall acting was much too emphatic to be believable.
Which is not to say I hated the episode immensely. The animatronics were quite convincing and the zombies looking on, and waiting for their turn, certainly breathed some fresh air into the episode's zombie theme. But that's just about it.
Onward...and yes, Argento climbs up another rung!
my MASTERS OF HORROR Ranking List
1. John Carpenter's Cigarette Burns
2. Joe Dante's Homecoming
3. Tobe Hooper's Dance of the Dead
4. Don Coscarelli's Incident On & Off a Mountain Road
5. Stuart Gordon's Dreams in the Witch House
6. Lucky McGee's Sick Girl
7. Mick Garris' Chocolate
8. William Malone's Fair Haired Child
9. John Landis' Deerwoman
10. Dario Argento's Jenifer
11. John McNaughton's Haeckel's Tale
12. Larry Cohen's Pick Me Up
Looking forward to...
- Takashi Miike's episode on DVD; hopefully it comes out soon.
- the Second Season: hopefully with better stories and the "other" directors who couldn't make it to the first season, to finally come aboard
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