Too much of everything

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

This is a series of 26 one-hour horror films, directed by 19 different directors, which for some reason have been selected as "masters of horror". While some of them really are masters, the choice of others quite surprised me. Some movies have original stories, some are adaptations of the giants of the genre, such as Edgar Allan Poe, H.P. Lovecraft or Clive Barker. The quality varies from barely watchful crap to really excellent short films. The series overall is far from a masterpiece, but most episodes hold attention and everyone will find something for themselves. There is some really horrific horror and gore and serious drama, and there's also plenty of dark humor and effects that look like those from B movies of the '80s, where monsters, rather than being scary, wake nostalgia and bring smile to our faces. And there's also a couple of really painful embarrassment transfers. The second season is significantly weaker and I'm not surprised that the series has been canceled, but the fans of the horror should not miss it. I especially recommend "Valerie on the Stairs" (Barker), "Jenifer" (Argento), "Dreams in the Witch-House" (Lovecraft) and "The Black Cat" (Poe).7/10

I bought Cigarette Burns and Pro-Life because I'm a huge John Carpenter fan. What I wouldn't give to spend a day with him. My daughter got me the first season for Christmas and I love it! The idea is great: It's one hour movies and it's the directors who are the stars. There is some great stuff here! Shock, suspense, camp, comedy, heartbreak, political satire, J-horror, it's all here! I will review all the episodes one at a time because I feel I can't lump them together. Some got me more then others but they are all entertaining. Isn't that what a horror movie is supposed to do?However I must point out there no good looking teenagers getting slaughtered by a guy in a mask. Good! I'm sick of that!

A friend of mine bought vol 1 of season one and I thought: Hmm, maybe this is something like modern Tales From The Crypt or maybe a modern version of Tales From The Darkside so I decided to see one episode, which was Cigarette Burns. Before I borrowed it, my friend said it contained scenes of extreme gore so I thought it would be another ordinary splatter, but I was so wrong. It turned out to be the scariest thing I have ever seen... The violent and gory scenes weren't scary, but the small clips from the movie: "La Fin Absolude de Monde" scared me to death. I can honestly tell you that Cigarette Burns is John Carpenters finest work.

This show does for me what movies cannot. It makes me think seriously about life. I cannot explain why. But it is so real. You feel like you are in the show. Not in some campy, oh this is funny sense, but in a wow, I am so scared out of my mind right now. I feel like most of the episodes are out of body experiences, start to finish.As a person I am always thinking "What would I do in that situation; what is the next move?" so when I see people get killed for doing stupid stuff in these shows, I think the same might happen to me.One of the things I absolutely love are the characters. I have seen a few of my favorite actors/ actresses on this show. And also some that I never heard of before, but thoroughly enjoyed. Also, they are good at putting sex into a TV show, in an adult, but yet not overly done way. It is very tasteful.You feel very much like an adult when watching this show, and for me that is good. And when I get older and have more money to spend, this is definitely something I want to have in my DVD collection, and hopefully when it is all said and done, (which I hope does not happen anytime soon), they will put all the episodes in a beautiful box set, with a nice booklet, and a ton of extra features.All in all, if you are looking for something better than all the cheap remakes, and bad horror one-offs, then check this out. YOu will either pee your pants, or wish your closest friends were there to enjoy the show with you.