I went into the new "Creepshow" series without many expectations, but was pleasantly surprised by the good first, and the even better second segment of episode 1. The tales are simple but effective, with the exact right doses of macabre atmosphere, flamboyant story twists, one or two shock-effects, and a tiny bit of gooey gore. What's not to like? "Gray Matter" unites great actors like Adrienne Barbeau and Tobin Bell (because of all these inferior "Saw" movies, you'd almost forget that he's a good actor), but also serves a grisly tale of a widower how gradually mutates into a slimy monster due to alcoholism and isolation. The monster effects and make-up are cool, and the climax is grotesque. That's a good start as far as I'm concerned. "The House of the Head" is very original, with kind of like a home invasion/slasher plot but set in a little girl's dollhouse. Young Evie keeps her fancy and antique dollhouse, and the family who lives there (The Smithsmiths!) very tidy, but when she finds a severed ghoul's head in the sofa, she senses there's a tragedy approaching. Not that much happens in the segment, but the atmosphere is genuinely grim and ominous. Also, good to see that John Harrison - who made "Tales from the Darkside" 30 years ago already - is still a director in this new project.