"Masters of Horror" Pelts (2006)

Director:

Dario Argento

Writers:

Mick Garris (creator)
Matt Venne (teleplay)

TV Series:

"Masters of Horror" (2005)

Original Air Date:

1 December 2006 (Season 2, Episode 6)

Genre:

Horror

Plot:

A sleazy, desperate fur trader who haunts a local strip club, gets his hands on some priceless raccoon furs that might be more than just priceless but cursed.

Plot Keywords:

Fur | Raccoon | Fur Trader | Stripper | Trapper

Cast

Meat Loaf	...	Jake Feldman (as Meat Loaf Aday)
Link Baker	...	Lou Chinaski
Emilio Salituro	...	Sergio
Elise Lew	...	Sue Chin Yao
Shawn Hall	...	Bouncer
Sylvesta Stuart	...	Beefy Bouncer
Ellen Ewusie	...	Shanna
John Saxon	...	Jeb 'Pa' Jameson
Michal Suchánek	...	Larry Jameson (as Michal Suchanek)
Brenda McDonald	...	Mother Mayter
Melissa Gonzalez	...	Mira
Darren E. Scott	...	Agent
Chuck Duffy	...	Detective
Kelvin Lum	...	Cop

Runtime:

58 min | Germany:54 min (cut)

Country:

Canada | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

USA:TV-MA | Australia:R (2007) | Germany:18 (DVD rating) (cut) | Italy:VM14 | Germany:18 (TV rating) (cut)

Company:

Starz Productions

Movie Connections:

References Cheerleader Camp (1988)

Another strong, stylish effort from Dario Argento.

Written by Matt Venne, based on the short story by F. Paul Wilson, this 'Masters of Horror' entry has a self-centred, obsessive, unlikable furrier, Jake Feldman (Meat Loaf Aday, doing a solid job) has more or less one thing on his mind: laying his hands on sexy stripper Shanna (the very striking Ellen Ewusie). When, thanks to the efforts of trapper Pa Jameson (John Saxon), Jake comes into the possession of some truly remarkable pelts taken off some raccoon-like creatures, he sees the opportunity to craft a one-of-a-kind coat as the means to realize his primary objective.

In my own opinion, if you can combine genuinely interesting ideas and commentary with more of the tried-and-true shock value of conventional horror cinema, then you've really got something. The episode is a good study of obsessed characters (not just Jake) who can't see beyond their own agenda, as well as an amusing tale of comeuppance on those who butcher animals for the sake of utilizing their coats.

Argento realizes the full potential of the story, infusing it with the great touches that his fans would come to expect from him. There are some great visuals, and little touches, as well as an always great use of color (particularly red and blue).

The mythology behind the story is admittedly very vague - as writer Venne puts it in his DVD commentary, it's the kind that raises more questions than it answers - but it doesn't detract from the mood and atmosphere of the piece.

KNB, as always, create some of the most amazing, over-the-top grotesque, yet undeniably well crafted makeup effects one is likely to see in the genre.

I can't let this comment end without a word of appreciation for the mastery of veteran Argento collaborator, composer Claudio Simonetti, for his haunting and beautiful score. It's the perfect accompaniment.

It took me more than one viewing to truly appreciate it, but I can certainly say now that it was worth re-visiting. Argento is a true Master of Horror.

8/10