Right To Die (feature) + Masters of Horror
- Dead & Deader (DVD-Video)
Picture:
C+ Sound: C+ Extras: C+ Film/Episode: C
Starz/Anchor
Bay has deployed two more horrific (not horror-iffic) films on the world with
the release of the two mini TV films Right
to Die (at feature length release) and Dead
and Deader (from The Masters of
Horror series) now on DVD. Overall, both
Horror product straight to DVD and The
Masters of Horror series have never been this reviewer’s cup of tea but
these works, though not good, are not that bad.
So let us delve into the creepy Masters
of Horror world that should die soon.
Dead and Deader (like Dumb and Dumber but without the comedy…or storyline…or anything
slightly good) in a slight yet desperate manner this mini film attempts to take
an updated stab, slice, and wack on the classic zombie horror genre, but
ultimately fails. Apparently this is not
a Showtime episode but rather a 2006 Sci-Fi Channel original movie, however, this
film is no different than the previous installments of the Master of
Horror[ible]. Nothing new but like most such
quick-buck filler, it is watchable (at least once), this reviewer has seen much
worse horror films. With the film being
a great and variable gore fest of flying limbs and such, if nothing else stays
for the blood. Dean Cain is the big star
for this obviously true story inspired film *sarcasm* and though not as fit as
he was in his Superman spandex days, does have his shining moments. There is even a Superman heat vision reference,
ooo la la. Not much to say for
storyline because mainly there is none.
Zombies…Killing…and Dean Cain.
There you have it, that about sums it up.
Right to Die is not a totally lost installment
in the Masters of Horror series, but
it is by no means fantastic. This
particular installment has a certain charm with Martin Donovan taking the lead
and lending his odd acting ability to this even odder horror concept. This episode has a somewhat indie film
quality with a consistent low film quality with a straight delivery style from
the actors, which is always entertaining.
The episode centers on a troubled marriage that seems to be coming to an
end. Martin Donovan's situation goes
from bad to worse when a horrific car accident puts his wife in a coma. Her body covered from head to toe in burns,
with no sign of recovery, and not able to live without life support; the
episode eerily twists to center on whether or not Martin Donovan should let his
wife slowly slip away into the great beyond. However, there is one huge complication, his
wife's spirit is restless and seeks revenge on those who have wronged her. Every time her heart fails, but before she is
revived, her burned and mangled spirit sets out to seek retribution. Overall, a weird, weird concept that is only
slightly saved by the deadpan stylings of Martin Donovan.
The
technical features on these two television productions are exactly the same in
quality, which is not to say much. The
picture is presented in an anamorphically enhanced 1.78 x 1 image and to a
large degree is weak (like most of the DVD releases in this series). The picture often has light/dark issues on
top of the weak video black. The color has apparently been greatly
improved over previous releases, but still demonstrates some perplexing
insufficiencies. The sound is the
standard for Masters of Horror using a Dolby Digital 5.1 mix that has the
‘Bang’ and ‘Zip’ that surrounds should have, but is again nothing
special. Extras on both DVDs include photo galleries, making of featurettes,
DVD-ROM Screenplay, behind the scenes pieces, and alternate audio commentary on
the episode by the directors and producers.
The extra features did not help the already wavering feeling this
reviewer got from the films.
As for
the Masters of Horror series, the
first season will soon come out with a large box set on Blu-ray and DVD-Video
(which they should have done from the beginning), but is this something to look
forward to? This reviewer found himself
asking himself after reviewing multiple episodes from this Showtime series,
what exactly qualifies them as ‘Masters of Horror’? Look at other reviews on this site in the
series and discover the answer for yourself.
- Michael P Dougherty II
