Masters of Horror: John Landis - Deer Woman [DVD] [2006] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

I have always loved John Landis. His contributions to the horror genre have been minimal, but just from those few films(American Werewolf specifically, though Innocent Blood was very cool and very underrated), Landis definitely earns the "Master Of Horror" title. Hell, he's pretty much a household name for horror fans based on the strength of Werewolf alone. It makes you wish he had made more horror films. Well, the Masters Of Horror series wisely chose him for one of their episodes, and we finally get another Landis horror offering. While most of the series' episodes tone down humor and go for the throat, Landis lightens things up a bit, and who could expect anything else from him? As for story, it's another human/beast theme, but this time digging into Native American mythology for it's monster. This is an odd, yet very cool concept. Basically it's a ghostlike woman from Native American folklore that's drop dead gorgeous, half deer, seductive and deadly. This mythical figure is put into the modern and logical thinking world where, realistically, her killings are investigated by police and forensic science. Landis has comedy is his veins, so the film is full of clever quips and oddball characters. It also manages some moments of suspense and has a bit of graphic gore thrown in to remind us that this is indeed a horror series. The featurettes are a real treat. Landis has always been an entertaining interviewee. Very energetic, funny, truthful and not afraid to swear. He seems like a helluva fun guy to hang out with. He's serious about what he does, yet never takes himself too seriously. His philosophy on horror and comedy and the mixing of the two is dead on. He truly knows how to make a ridiculous concept(he admits himself that the Deer Woman thing is downright silly) work by being serious when it's called for and schlocking it up when necessary. He also makes a very valid point about how supernatural themes don't always need an explanation for why they're happening-that when dealing with fantastic ideas, there isn't a need to do so much explaining(I wish Hollywood directors would take note of that). This applies in Deer Woman, coz she just is what she is, and never once do we figure out why she kills guys. And anyway, who cares why? We may never see another full length horror film from Landis, but this short film is a real treat for those of us who want a little taste again of what it was like the first time you saw American Werewolf and became a John Landis fan. Great stuff.

Leave it to John Landis to help craft one of the best episodes in Showtime's Masters of Horror series. Landis, better known more for his comedies Animal House and Blues Brothers, as well as his horror classic An American Werewolf in London (and featuring a great in-joke as well), co-writes and directs this campy and gorey tale of a burned out detective (Dream On's Brian Benben) discovering a series of mutilated bodies that all expired during arousal and were apparently trampled to death. Soon enough, he and a patrolman (Anthony Griffith) are on the trail of a super sexy Native American woman (frequently topless newcomer Cinthia Moura) who is half deer. Featuring plenty of great humor and some grisly effects, Deer Woman is undoubtadly one of the most fun entries in the otherwise grim Masters of Horror. Keeping it's tongue firmly in cheek, Deer Woman illustrates much of what Landis has always done best: mixing thrills and laughs to a wonderful effect. All in all, if you're looking for a more light hearted, but nonetheless thrilling, entry in the Masters of Horror series, look no further.

After being disappointed by the "Masters of Horror" DVD's I have seen so far (I don't get Showtime), I was hoping that the episode by John Landis would deliver something a bit different. This movie was hysterical. Just the perfect length for a schlock horrow/comedy, solid acting all around and, incredibly, Landis is able to make you believe what you are seeing no matter how absurd, something which the other "masters" have not been able to make me do so far. It takes true skill to treat the ridiculous and absurd with straight forward seriousness and, like in his "American Werewolf in London", Landis pulls it off perfectly.

If you got to see one Masters of Horror episode, get this one. This is a real treat, especially for those who are fans of cheesy schlock horror, John Landis or anyone with just a good sense of humor.