- Inventive writing
- Assured direction
- Strong production value
- Ample special features
- A few episodes are uneven in quality
- Skull case is a bit unwieldy and lacking in protection
- Starring various
- Directed by various
- Not rated
- DVD Release Date: July 29, 2008
The Episodes
The second season of any TV show is pivotal. A hit first season, with plenty of preparation time and little initial pressure, is one thing, but can the show perform under the spotlight after presumably throwing all the tricks of the trade into the mix in the first go-round? In the case of the series Masters of Horror, the answer is a resounding "yes."
The initial season of MOH succeeded in creating a cinematic horror experience, but season two was arguably even better. Some of the first season's episodes lacked in entertainment value ("Dance of the Dead," "Haeckel's Tale") but skated by on the spectacle of seeing legendary filmmakers' works on TV. The second time around, the show couldn't rely on the novelty factor, so the material had to shine.
The writers responded with stunningly original concepts like cannibalistic Founding Fathers ("The Washingtonians"), vengeful raccoons ("Pelts") and an apocalypse brought about by men's sudden desire to kill women ("The Screwfly Solution"). The episodes cover hot-button topics like abortion ("Pro-Life") and life support ("Right to Die") and run the gamut from horror-comedy ("Family") to Asian ghost story ("Dream Cruise") to classic literature ("The Black Cat").
Of course, the mini-movies aren't perfect; several ("The Damned Thing," "Pro-Life," "The V Word") don't wrap up with the same ferocity with which they begin. Still, as a whole, they showcase the ingenuity and high caliber of material that modern horror can offer -- something to satiate those who complain about the glut of unoriginal remakes and sequels in the genre. It's such a shame, then, that Showtime decided to cancel the series just as it was hitting its peak.
The DVD
Special features include commentary on all 13 episodes, behind-the-scenes featurettes, storyboards, scripts and photos, all in a skull case.
Episodes: A-
DVD: B+
