A pleasant treat to have received the Blu-ray of Creepshow Season 2, and that will not influence my decisions concerning this disc, though I did thoroughly enjoy the first season. I’ve always liked reviewing a series or season television show, they often remind me of anthology films, several stories and these give some reference to other classic horror movie. The series included some of the camp of b-movies and incorporated classic horror that dates back to the ‘golden age of horror cinema.’ The primary element that links the films is the Ghoul aka Creep who appears in animation form, with stories/chapters and sometimes the tales themselves done in a similar fashion. The overall story outline or structure isn’t made to attract new viewers rather to horror fans to entice them with delightful treats, and just grinning enough to conjure a knowing nod to the more heavily knowledge horror gurus, as not bore them with tiresome repetition which does sometimes creep (no pun intended) to storylines.
While I shall not likely cover every aspect of this Blu-ray, as I like to some surprises for those interested to discover themselves, I will touch on a few of the episodes such as the first one entitled “Model Kid” which is truly a wonderful story on so many levels, it really does work to harken many of us horror fans that grew up on loving the genre. I particular enjoyed as it had that special bond between mother and son, my mother got me interested in the horror genre, hence the story generated fond memories for me. A mother June (Tyner Rushing) is dying from cancer and her son, Joe Aurora, which some model builders recognize the name from 70s known for the many Universal Monsters sets is aware of the impending doom, but the bond between them stretches deep. Meanwhile his pigheaded Uncle Kevin portrayed by (Kevin Dillon (The Blob [1988]) moves in afterwards, criticizes his interests, while administrating convincing abusive language and actions with his wife Barb. The house and story resolve all will remind one of the movies Creepshow [1982] and namely the wraparound story “Prologue/ Epilogue.” In addition, it brings that beloved mash-up feel herein is a version of the Mummy versus Creature from the Black Lagoon, though neither resemble the Universal Monsters for obvious reasons, it all works very well as does the set design for the boy’s bedroom. This episode was directed by Greg Nicotero, and quite easy to his fingerprints on this tale, as it was penned by John Esposito, who interestingly enough wrote script for Tale of the Mummy [1998], as this short incorporates that monster into the fold. I clearly enjoyed the opening story of the new season. The second story might miss some fans but the baseline homage to The Evil Dead [1981] that it will keep them interested clearly the title “Public Television of the Dead” for it identifies the location and quick assessment of the programming that one witnesses. One of the shows, has a Bob Ross lookalike, skillfully portraying this real American painter of a then public television show, as Norm Roberts (Mark Ashworth (The Neon Dead [2017])), who has come to learn his show is cancelled; while on another soundstage is an antique show which has the actor Ted Raimi bringing a treasured heirloom on the broadcast. The item is a bound book, with a strange leather, it’s the Necronomicon, and the expert is pleased that Ted brought the key to unlock it, who of course begins to read the incantations from it, as a result all hell breaks loose complete with Deadites and a living dead taking over. As the chaos reigns supreme, a true bitch that heads another more popular show is causing stress and unwanted aggression to a rather mellow station manager Claudia Aberlan (Marissa Hampton), and television crew, and that is Mrs. Bookberry. Nevertheless, Norm uses military skills and training to aid the television station and its fun to watch the actor switch his character between passive to full-on attack dog mentality and deliver a few nifty quips. While it seems that I am cutting it short on writer Rob Schrab (who some might recall from the first season with his story for “Bad Wolf Down” but there’s so much to enjoy for yourselves, with wonderful solid director, acting and nice special effects.
The second episode first story, had me with the title “Dead and Breakfast” as it reminded me of the horror comedy of the same name that emerged in 2004 but brings many modern conveniences into the story such as found footage, ghost-hunting and true-crime discoveries. At least one feature film has covered visiting past serial locations which was Kalifornia (1993), however the story adds the social media influencer (Iman Benson) to the mix, who actually knows her facts, but the owners of a failing bed and breakfast, are seeking a gimmick to attract guests. Among those owners is Pam Spinster (Ali Larter (House on Haunted Hill [1999])), who’s displeased that no one respects her repeatedly murderous grandma and her brother (C. Thomas Howell (The Terror Experiment [2010])) wants to either close it down or make some money, his greed delivers a new meaning of a money pit. A bit of trivia noting for you all, the siblings last name spinster means for the woman two things, first an occupation to spin yarn, in this story it’s just that telling tales and secondly the old-fashioned terminology of Pam considered too old to marry likely never to find bliss, while with Sam, the term spinster given a more respectable bachelor, once again showing the male domination in words. The story was in the capable hands of Axelle Carolyn (The Manor [2021]) while it was provided by Michael Rousselet, who had written for this same series in the first season segment “Queen Bee” and like that tale he’s joined with Erik Sandoval.
The story of Pesticide goes tad nutty and leaves the viewer aching for more especially by the end; while Josh McDermitt, who’s known for his role of Eugene in The Walking Dead series, does very well, though his character could remind one of John Goodman’s exterminator role in Arachnophobia [1990]. It does include Keith David (Union Furnace [2015]) as the infernal majesty who enjoys making bargains with certain individuals based off their talents and greed, however everything has strings attracted , the overall story does try to generate some uneasiness with the cockroaches, however it never truly gets there, to meet the level of Bug [1975], The Nest [1987] or even the tale from Creepshow [1982] “They’re Creeping Up On You”. As for “The Right Snuff” an obvious play on words of The Right Stuff, it’s a so-so story, simply in shorts even an episode not geared always on sci-fi the set design is going to appear cheap, and this does on so many levels, that’s more laughable than any hint of scariness.
The story is a return of homage to classic horror films for the fans of the genre, with “Night of the Living Late Show” which starred Justin Long (Drag Me to Hell [2009]) as Simon, a shy but curious inventor who has designed a virtual reality device which was originally a tanning bed. One needs to enjoy the b-movie quality the excludes throughout this longer short. His favorite movie is Horror Express [1972] which is more of adaption of author’s novella ‘Who Goes There?’ of a monster that absorbs their mental facilities, and thereby leading to a sterilization of the victim’s brain. The principal character is similar the “Model Kid” however instead of a bond with his mother it’s his father, and seeing it with him his first grown-up, sort of coming-of-age movie. The tale also has many obvious nods to Night of the Living Dead [1968], that it makes for a fitting conclusion, especially as it blends new footage into the older stock of Horror Express, no easy feat, but well worth the payoff. The story works to pull back the layers of loneliness and isolation that often seem to connect to the designers of virtual reality, whether that is precisely true is for a further discussion, it also contains some leanings into the more explicit genre of self-gratification.
One must not forget the special features, and depending on your stance these might wow you or consider a big ho-hum attitude, there’s an interview with Greg Nicotero; as well as an informative How It Was Made: Night of the Living Late Show; then three Behind the Scenes first, Bare Knuckles Creative and the Raw Footage, these two tally just over 9-minutes with a general photo gallery, oh there’s few other treats to watch if you’re interested.
Therefore, overall, it is a fine addition to Season 1, but unlikely to attract anyone new to the fold, with that take the pleasure to enjoy the stylish stories, and good production values from RLJE Films,
TAGLINE
- The Most Fun You’ll Ever Have Being Scared
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8762206/
IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
Baron’s Rating: 6.5/10