Chocolate

I'm very grateful to Mick Garris for being the creative mind behind the whole "Master of Horror" series that I truly enjoyed watching, but it's not much use denying that his very own episode is one of the weakest installments of them all. The story, also penned down by Garris, is definitely ambitious but the build up is far too slow and hence the mini-movie lacks a whole lot of spectacle. Also, the script is a little too implausible and we're just supposed to believe that it's perfectly possible for one person to perceive things through someone else's senses, and all this for no apparent reason? Henry Thomas, the annoying brat from E.T. that grew up a little, stars as a lonely food researcher who wakes up one morning and suddenly realizes that he's psychically linked to an unknown woman. It all begins with the inexplicable taste of chocolate in his mouth, hence the title. This mystery woman quickly becomes an obsession and he wants to meet her, even though he witnessed her committing a murder in the meantime. When he finally tracks her down, in Canada, the woman fears him and thinks he's a dangerous psychopath. Can you blame her? The first twenty minutes go on for way too long and most of the footage in this part isn't even that relevant. All the conversations between Jamie his odd co-worker as well as the discussions with his ex-wife are completely pointless. He even hooks up with this incredibly beautiful girl at the supermarket but, apparently, that's all just padding as well. Consequently the finale is too hectic and many questions remain unanswered when the film is over. There's very little gore, especially compared to some of the other entries in the series, and I didn't notice a lot of of suspense, neither. At least the female stars (Leah Graham and Lucie Laurier) look amazing and provide the film with welcome eye-candy. Nonetheless, once again thanks for the whole "Masters of Horror" concept, Mr. Garris.

In Chicago, the lonely Jamie works in the food laboratory of a company developing flavors with his best friend Wally. Jamie divorced from his wife a couple of months ago and misses his son. Jamie is on diet but after eating a chocolate, he becomes psychically connected to a beautiful woman, seeing through her eyes and feeling her sensations.

The name "Mick Garris" is not a household horror name, at least not for many less-seasoned viewers. If they know him, it might be as the director of Stephen King's "Sleepwalkers", "The Stand" or simply as the man running the show behind "Masters of Horror". Garris has made a niche for himself largely focusing on King adaptations. He brings with him Matt Frewer and Henry Thomas, both of whom he has worked with repeatedly.

Many have said this is one of the weaker films in the "Masters of Horror" series. Along with Tobe Hooper's "Dance of the Dead", it ranks as the least appreciated film of the first season. But the truth is, it is not a bad film at all. Just different. No serial killers, no slashers, no aliens, no zombies and no post-apocalyptic world. Just a man with visions and a woman he becomes obsessed with.

If you are looking for gore and guts, this is the wrong film. One scene has a little blood, but overall this is pretty tame. However, the other horror staple -- sex -- is here, and in multiple variations. If you like your horror tales to be a little more sensual, that is probably a good thing.

Regarding the casting, Matt Frewer is something of a horror and science fiction icon. This is another thing "Masters of Horror" seems to be good at, plenty of cameos. And here he is playing a 45-year old lab technician by day (who looks more like 60) and punk rocker by night. A perfect casting choice.

There is also one key scene that stands out as what will make this film memorable. Without giving too much away, there is a part that is in some ways very much like the grotesque assault scene from "Strange Days", except now it is inverted and becomes incredibly welcome. It is safe to say the kind of sexual pleasure that takes place in this film you will never see in any other film again, which is almost too bad.

Keep an open mind on "Chocolate". It is not gory, it is not even scary in the traditional sense... but the storytelling is decent and it is certainly one of the most unique tales in the "Masters of Horror" series.

Additionally, the DVD provides a few bonuses. Some behind the scenes features, an interview with Garris. A commentary where Garris talks not only about this film, but the "Masters of Horror" series in general. What is most interesting is how many years this script was around getting revised, going from short story to feature to "Masters of Horror". And even a clip of Garris interacting with Roger Corman, the godfather of modern horror and science fiction.

In fact, now that I think of it, I find anything directed by Garris to be very boring. This episode starts out with an interesting premise, and then goes nowhere with it. Maybe Garris didn't realize he only had one hour to tell this story!

This episode, in typical Garris fashion, seems to have been made by robots. There is nothing exciting about it. It grabs you at the beginning, then slowly lets go, amounting to nothing. I kept looking at the clock, wondering when something was going to happen to forward the story and heighten my interest. No such luck. I don't understand why Mick Garris is depicted as a horror veteran when he has failed to create anything memorable in any of his series or movies,(at least the 6 or so that I have seen).

So far, from I've seen, my favorite from this series has been "Dreams in the Witch-House," directed by Stuart Gordon who was behind "Re-Animator." Check it out!

I was really let down by this episode- I've been looking forward to seeing the "Masters of Horror" do their thing.. if this is what the "Masters" are offering up, I may have to give up on the genre altogether! So many plot points just went nowhere (like what was the point of him being a food taster? what was the point of his allergies? why did they waste the wonderful Matt Frewer?) I was totally sucked into the episode at first, mainly because Henry Thomas did such a great job.. I kept expecting it all to tie together, but all it did was .. well.. end! Very pathetic offering. Maybe its time they came out with an "Future Masters of Horror" and let some new people have a throw at scaring us (Like Eli Roth?) Rate it D (and it would have been an F if it didn't have some good acting saving it)

Chocolate, from series creator Mick Garris, is a good story. It plays out very well and doesn't fall prey to too many clichés or lapses of logic. The story is told in flashback by our hero Jamie (Henry Thomas) who is recounting how he came to be spattered in blood to an unseen man. The thing that will probably turn off most younger fans of the genre is that Chocolate is very old fashioned in a way. It's all about the slow build. Garris wants you to fully sympathize with Jamie and he's prepared to take his time to build this very one note story until it is perfect. When the bloody finale finally comes it is a bit of a letdown, but the build has been so well done that one is willing to forgive it for its lackluster denouement. All in all Chocolate is an average episode from a capable director who has done far better things. Still, its nice to see something other than a freakshow or gorefest can be included in the series and still be considered horror.