Fear Itself (TV) (2008)

Tomorrow sees the premiere of the latest horror anthology TV show 'Fear Itself', from the creators of 'Masters of Horror'. The show is a 13 episode series in which a select group of horror writers and directors display their talents onto the small screen. The song Lie, Lie, Lie, taken from Serj Tankian's (lead singer of System of a Down) solo album project, Elect the Dead is used as the theme song. It fits nicely, unlike the X-Files/Millennium-type opening credits. 'Fear Itself' will premiere June 5th on NBC and then on continuous Thursdays at 10/9c.

The Sacrifice
Breck Eisner helms this premiere episode of 'Fear Itself' where a bunch of criminals take refuge in an isolated fort run by three sexy young girls. They soon find theirselves as part of a vampiristic sacrifice to protect the outside world from the creatures exposure.

I have to admit I wasn't totally impressed with this premiere. There's a few reason why this is. Firstly I don't think it was strong enough to start a new series with. Secondly as a personal preference I don't tend to care much for vampire or vampire related tales. So maybe my opinion is a little biased but hey there you go. The story itself has an endless supply of plot-holes and unexplained happenings. The acting isn't anything worthy of today's tv standards and the action and directing seems a little clunky and at times disjointed.

An hour's segment to tell a story is obviously very difficult to do sometimes and I fully appreciate that, but there are good stories out there that can be condensed successfully and I don't feel 'The Sacrifice' lived up to any expectations for a season premiere of this nature.

Rating: out of 5

Spooked
Eric Roberts plays an ex-cop who's has got a brutal reputation from his policing days. Now a private investigator he is confronted by deadly spirits while on stake-out in a haunted house for his latest client played by 'Lost's Cynthia Watros.

A much better effort for this second episode penned by Matt Venne ('White Noise 2', 'Pelts: Masters of Horror') and directed skillfully by Brad Anderson (The Machinist). Unlike 'The Sacrifice' this follow-up episode delivers some genuine scenes of horror and uneasiness. Satifactory performances all round here and some well set out scenes that help scratch disturbing imagery into your mind. The story attempts to work in a couple of plots simultaneously and does seem to just about bring them together successfully with a decent outcome. Overall a very decent effort. 'Fear Itself' is looking up.

Rating: out of 5