 |
Over the past
few months, I've been writing about the
sequential releases of Showtime's "Masters
of Horror" series. As opposed to releasing
them in a full season set, Anchor Bay has
been putting them out as individual DVDs.
Normally I would balk at this, but the overall
quality of each release in terms of the
transfer and the treasure trove of extra
features justify their position. If they
were to release it as a set, the price would
have to be very high to cover the costs
of putting them together. Sold separately
this way, each release gives the consumer
his money's worth and you have the ability
to pick and choose the ones you want, after
all, it is an anthology series so none of
the episodes are related to the other. In
essence, they are mini-movies.
|
Director Joe Dante's contribution to the series
is called "Homecoming", and it is the
first one that has been made to raise awareness
as much as it was intended to entertain. It is
also one that I feel more passionately about than
any of the episodes that have been released so
far. I'll get to the whys of that in a little
bit.
In "Homecoming", Jon Tenney plays presidential
consultant David Murch to an administration that
bears a striking resemblance to our current one.
The story takes place during a time that our nation
is involved in a war that has its population divided
as to its justification. While on a political
talk show he meets Jane Cleaver (Thea Gill), a
political pundit whose opinions change with the
weather, (about as often as her bed partners).
On the same show, they are both introduced to
the mother of a fallen soldier (via satellite,
no less) who questions why her son had to die.
During the interview, Murch goes blank for a moment,
only to spout a line about wondering what her
son would have to say about his sacrifice if he
could come back to talk about it.
After the show, Murch is told by his spin-master
boss (Robert Picardo) that the President was so
impressed by his comment that he wants to use
it in an upcoming speech. He does but opens it
up to all of the soldiers who have given their
lives since the beginning of the war. As you might
expect, and you actually learn in the film's first
few minutes, the soldiers opt to take him up on
his offer.
From this point on, the country is faced with
soldiers returning from the dead in order to speak
their mind in the only way they know how - this
is a plot point I will not give away. Suffice
to say, their return comes as shock. No one makes
the connection right away so, of course, have
no idea why they're coming back. As the truth
becomes clear, we see just how the political wheels
turn, as consultants, pundits and religious leaders
take turns putting their own spin on the situation.
True to Dante's style, "Homecoming"
comes across as a bit of a comedic horror but
this is only used to attract and keep the viewer's
attention. The 'reality' of the idea is not in
the least bit funny. Though this is but an episode
of an anthology series, I would consider it as
important of a political film and statement as
you can find nowadays. Most people are afraid
to speak out against the unjust war our 'President'
(and I use the term lightly) started with a pack
of lies. They are afraid to say in public that
he has continued to lie in order to continue his
agenda (whatever that may be), and those who voted
for him a 2nd time are beginning to understand
and be embarrassed by their mistake (even though
they steadfastly still pretend they did the right
thing).
Films and short stories like this are important,
now more than ever in light of the situation we
are currently in. It's important to know that
if we are going to send our people into a war
to die, that they are at least dying for a reason.
And that reason should never be anything as self-serving
as those our dear President obviously has in mind.
It should be to protect our country. The fact
that he (and those who work for him) continues
to lie every single day about those reasons is
reprehensible and should not be tolerated. But
I digress and will attempt to step off of my soap
box so that I may directly write about "Homecoming."
Even though Dante chose not to use Bush's name
directly or even mention the war by name, there
is never any doubt as to whom he is alluding.
Even though the President in the episode is never
seen by face, the dull-witted voice is unmistakable.
And some very recognizable situations are shown
that come directly from our 'war' in Iraq (and
it is my understanding that the Bush Administration
is very unhappy about this). For instance, in
one scene we are shown a hangar full of flag draped
coffins. The guards speak openly about keeping
away any photographers. Sound familiar? This scene
goes on for several minutes until the coffins
begin to move and the soldiers begin to rise.
As is the case in all DVD releases from Anchor
Bay, "Homecoming" is chock full of extra
features. There are interviews with Dante, Tenney,
Gill and Picardo, as well as a featurette that
focuses on Dante's career. In "Working with
the Master," we hear from a lengthy list
of actors and directors who have worked with Dante
and they have quite a bit to say. There is also
a commentary by writer Sam Hamm, an old interview
that Mick Garris conducted with Dante, and a Behind
the Scenes Featurette. Along with this, there
is DVD-Rom content that includes the script, a
screensaver and the text of the original short
story "Death and Suffrage" (by Dan Bailey)
that this episode was based on.
The "Masters of Horror" series has been
offering noted directors an opportunity to do
what they do best and so far, there has not been
a disappointment in the bunch. Joe Dante's "Homecoming"
has become my favorite… so far. It is a
great story with a very strong political point
that begs the question, "What would our fallen
soldiers have to say about their sacrifice, if
given the chance to speak?" And it also seems
somehow fitting that the best "Masters of
Horror" episode would be based on our own
country's ultimate Master of Horror.
Directed by: Joe Dante
Starring: Jon Tenney, Robert Picardo, Thea Gill
Extras: An Interview with Joe Dante, Working with
a Master - Joe Dante, Interview with Jon Tenney,
Interview with Robert Picardo, Interview with
Thea Gill, Script to Screen, Behind the Scenes
Featurette, Audio Commentary by Writer Sam Hamm,
Fantasy Film Festival - Mick Garris Interviews
Joe Dante, Trailers, Still Gallery, Joe Dante
Bio, DVD-Rom - Screenplay, "Death and Suffrage"
by Dale Bailey, Screen Saver
Specifications: Widescreen (1.77:1), Dolby Digital
5.1 Surround Sound, Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Sound
Studio: Anchor Bay
Release Date: 7/11/2006
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website
Website
:We'll give Masters of Horror: Homecoming an
A.
|
