Post by Mark (Webmaster) on Mar 27, 2006 16:20:29 GMT
Masters Of Horror: Vol 1 - John Carpenter/Stuart Gordon
BUY FROM AMAZON: 25% OFF!!
[Disc One: Cigarette Burns
Story: In this episode Jimmy Sweetman ventures out to locate a rare film print called “Le Fin Absolue du Monde”. The film once shown has been known to drive its audience into a crazed frenzy before the theatre goes up in flames. He finally discovers that the film does live up to it’s reputation on the results are quite shocking.
Episode review: Fairly enjoyable first release for this appealing series.
There really isn’t much of Carpenter’s influence on this or at least you don’t feel it upon viewing. Episodic television can at times struggle to reflect the style of their directors and this is no exception. His trademark uses of scope and frame are uncharacteristically blank through the TV lens but don’t let that put you off! You do get a modicum of social commentary (capitalism over rationalism/power over logic) but despite that this really could’ve been directed by anyone.
The story is original and entertaining and the horror is served up suitably over-the-top and tastily graphic.
Picture and Sound: In this HDTV age we get a gorgeously slick print with no clearly visible anomalies. The sound mix from Anchor Bay is, as per the norm, wonderfully mixed with options for stereo 2.0, 5.1 and even DTS. Sensational!
Features:
As usual Anchor Bay have delivered a package with a wealth of extras albeit of varying quality. The pick of the extras have to be the audio commentary with Carpenter and writers Drew McWeeny and Scott Swan – witty, dry and informative this is Carpenter at his sedate best. McWeeny and Swan prove to be interesting sparing buddies offering insight into the premise and the directions the script took once it was re-written for TV. The next gem is the featurette “Celluloid Apocalypse: An Interview with John Carpenter”. Here the man himself waxes lyrical on his origins in film, his influences up to his involvement in MASTERS.
Features are rounded out with an engrossing behind the scenes feature (if you enjoy watching the mechanics of a scene take you’ll love this!). “Working with the Master” takes in comments from the cast about working with JC, it’s not particularly interesting but worth a view. Following up the rear you the usual bag of ABUKers including trailers for all MoH episodes, still gallery, biographies and the DVD-ROM inclusions of the screenplay and screen-savers!
A little bit of something for everyone in a structure that has become the warming trademark of all Anchor Bay releases.
Disc Two: Dreams in the Witch-House:
Story: Walter Gilman, a college student rents a loft in a building in the New England town of Arkham. While studying interdimensional string theory at college he is haunted by nightmares of a 17th century witch and her rat with a human face. He must prevent the death of his neighbour’s baby at the hands of these forces while it’s possible he could become the murderer himself.
Episode review: Stuart Gordon has in his time mostly directed films that are total crap and I’m not too shy to say it either. His debut feature, RE-ANIMATOR, is an iconic staple of the 1980s gore-movement but his subsequent efforts have lacked that films imagination or attempted in vein to recapture it. With this in mind I approached the episode with an element of trepidation especially as this is yet another H.P. Lovecraft adaptation. In truth the episode is not bad! The dark humour works for the most part and the acting is pretty good. Certain set pieces look like there are fresh out of the 80s though and the lighting seeks to constantly remind you that it’s a TV show you’re watching. Complaints aside it’s paced nicely and contains some disturbingly memorable images although some of the ‘Brown Jenkins’ sequences are just plain funny and not in a cheesy good way either (watch and you’ll see).
It does however contain enough of Gordon’s imprint to be distinguished clearly as his contribution although I suspect this won’t be the strongest episode in the series.
Picture and Sound: In this HDTV age we get a gorgeously slick print with no clearly visible anomalies. The sound mix from Anchor Bay is, as per the norm suitably, crafted with options for stereo 2.0, 5.1 and even DTS.
Special Features:
Features are identical in structure to the previous disc. Again the most engaging features are the commentary with Gordon, actor Ezra Gooden with moderator Perry Martin and the “Dreams, Darkness and Damnation: An Interview with Stuart Gordon”. Between the two you get enough insight into both Stuart Gordon and the production of the episode to satisfy any curiosity you may have. I particularly enjoyed the interview with Gordon whom I knew so little about beforehand. Fascinating to gain an insight into his motivations and influences – an excellent featurette indeed.
Features are rounded out with trailers for the other MoH episodes, a standard Behind the scenes featurette, a stills gallery, a Storyboard gallery, Stuart Gordon bio, Original screenplay (DVD-ROM), Screen savers (DVD-ROM) and, interestingly, the original Dreams in the Witch House story by H.P Lovecraft (DVD-ROM). The story by Lovecraft is a really complete addition and I’d recommend it highly even though it’s not his best.
Another excellent package from Anchor Bay for this the first in a collection of Masters Of Horror DVD boxsets.
Overall:
Next release is due in May.
BUY FROM AMAZON: 25% OFF!!
[Disc One: Cigarette Burns
Story: In this episode Jimmy Sweetman ventures out to locate a rare film print called “Le Fin Absolue du Monde”. The film once shown has been known to drive its audience into a crazed frenzy before the theatre goes up in flames. He finally discovers that the film does live up to it’s reputation on the results are quite shocking.
Episode review: Fairly enjoyable first release for this appealing series.
There really isn’t much of Carpenter’s influence on this or at least you don’t feel it upon viewing. Episodic television can at times struggle to reflect the style of their directors and this is no exception. His trademark uses of scope and frame are uncharacteristically blank through the TV lens but don’t let that put you off! You do get a modicum of social commentary (capitalism over rationalism/power over logic) but despite that this really could’ve been directed by anyone.
The story is original and entertaining and the horror is served up suitably over-the-top and tastily graphic.
Picture and Sound: In this HDTV age we get a gorgeously slick print with no clearly visible anomalies. The sound mix from Anchor Bay is, as per the norm, wonderfully mixed with options for stereo 2.0, 5.1 and even DTS. Sensational!
Features:
As usual Anchor Bay have delivered a package with a wealth of extras albeit of varying quality. The pick of the extras have to be the audio commentary with Carpenter and writers Drew McWeeny and Scott Swan – witty, dry and informative this is Carpenter at his sedate best. McWeeny and Swan prove to be interesting sparing buddies offering insight into the premise and the directions the script took once it was re-written for TV. The next gem is the featurette “Celluloid Apocalypse: An Interview with John Carpenter”. Here the man himself waxes lyrical on his origins in film, his influences up to his involvement in MASTERS.
Features are rounded out with an engrossing behind the scenes feature (if you enjoy watching the mechanics of a scene take you’ll love this!). “Working with the Master” takes in comments from the cast about working with JC, it’s not particularly interesting but worth a view. Following up the rear you the usual bag of ABUKers including trailers for all MoH episodes, still gallery, biographies and the DVD-ROM inclusions of the screenplay and screen-savers!
A little bit of something for everyone in a structure that has become the warming trademark of all Anchor Bay releases.
Disc Two: Dreams in the Witch-House:
Story: Walter Gilman, a college student rents a loft in a building in the New England town of Arkham. While studying interdimensional string theory at college he is haunted by nightmares of a 17th century witch and her rat with a human face. He must prevent the death of his neighbour’s baby at the hands of these forces while it’s possible he could become the murderer himself.
Episode review: Stuart Gordon has in his time mostly directed films that are total crap and I’m not too shy to say it either. His debut feature, RE-ANIMATOR, is an iconic staple of the 1980s gore-movement but his subsequent efforts have lacked that films imagination or attempted in vein to recapture it. With this in mind I approached the episode with an element of trepidation especially as this is yet another H.P. Lovecraft adaptation. In truth the episode is not bad! The dark humour works for the most part and the acting is pretty good. Certain set pieces look like there are fresh out of the 80s though and the lighting seeks to constantly remind you that it’s a TV show you’re watching. Complaints aside it’s paced nicely and contains some disturbingly memorable images although some of the ‘Brown Jenkins’ sequences are just plain funny and not in a cheesy good way either (watch and you’ll see).
It does however contain enough of Gordon’s imprint to be distinguished clearly as his contribution although I suspect this won’t be the strongest episode in the series.
Picture and Sound: In this HDTV age we get a gorgeously slick print with no clearly visible anomalies. The sound mix from Anchor Bay is, as per the norm suitably, crafted with options for stereo 2.0, 5.1 and even DTS.
Special Features:
Features are identical in structure to the previous disc. Again the most engaging features are the commentary with Gordon, actor Ezra Gooden with moderator Perry Martin and the “Dreams, Darkness and Damnation: An Interview with Stuart Gordon”. Between the two you get enough insight into both Stuart Gordon and the production of the episode to satisfy any curiosity you may have. I particularly enjoyed the interview with Gordon whom I knew so little about beforehand. Fascinating to gain an insight into his motivations and influences – an excellent featurette indeed.
Features are rounded out with trailers for the other MoH episodes, a standard Behind the scenes featurette, a stills gallery, a Storyboard gallery, Stuart Gordon bio, Original screenplay (DVD-ROM), Screen savers (DVD-ROM) and, interestingly, the original Dreams in the Witch House story by H.P Lovecraft (DVD-ROM). The story by Lovecraft is a really complete addition and I’d recommend it highly even though it’s not his best.
Another excellent package from Anchor Bay for this the first in a collection of Masters Of Horror DVD boxsets.
Overall:
Next release is due in May.