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Like many of you Argento fans, I have been a little weary with the last few outings from the Italian director. Things started looking up with Non Ho Sonno (aka Sleepless) and were moving in the right direction, but then he faltered again with Il Cartaio (aka The Card Player), reverting to a more Americanized Argento, substituting his usual atmosphere and vivid style, which we have all come to know and love, for a more linear, bland, straight forward entry into the genre.
When I heard that he would be involved in Mick Garris’ MASTERS OF HORROR series, I was more than happy and had my fingers crossed to see what he would come up with. His first episode, JENIFER, had a very twisted sense about it and was one of the better episodes from the first season. His second episode, however, doubles up on the gore and the style, making it the best thing to spew forth from the Maestro in a long time.
PELTS, starring Meat Loaf and John Saxon, tells the story of a stressed out assoholic fur dealer (Mr. Loaf) who comes across a collection of beautiful raccoon pelts. They are the most unbelievably flawless pelts he has ever seen, and he believes the coat he will make from the pelts will help make him rich, plus win over the heart of his favorite stripper. One problem though, anyone who comes in contact with the pelts feels the need to murder themselves or those around them in the most brutal of ways imaginable. Baseball bat to the face, sewing mouth, nose and eyes shut, falling face first into a bear trap and so on and so on. The effects, by Nicotero and Berger, are extremely bloody and the sewing scene alone is one of those moments that needs to be re-watched again and again, which is reminiscent of many moments in classic Argento films.
Once again, Anchor Bay has released PELTS on a disc chock full of goodies. Here is a break down of the special features.
Widescreen Presentation enhanced for 16×9 TVs
Still Gallery
Original Storyboards
“Fleshing it Out” The Making of Pelts
All Sewn Up: Mastering the Effects Sequence
Also on DVD
Audio Commentary with Writer Matt Venne
Director Bio
Motion Menus
Screenplay (DVD-ROM)
Still Gallery
Storyboard Gallery
Be sure to check out the ultra cool official website by clicking HERE.