kosmasp Many argue that if Tobe Hooper ever had any magic touch going for him, he lost it. Some also argue, that even Poltergeist was mostly directed by the producer of the movie (Mr. Spielberg that is) and therefor Mr. Hooper never had "it". Whatever you think of him, he at least created some fine visuals for this episode.And Mr. Flanery tries his best to convince us and get us into the story. A predictable one and also (and unfortunately) a very lame/tame one. While Style over substance is mostly used to describe something as negative, I think the style here adds quite a few point to the whole thing. At least, that's how I felt about it. I know, that most people are or will be disappointed by it.One thing is for sure: As this is a Masters of Horror episode, this means, you don't have to watch a 90 minute movie. It's not even an hour long. If you are willing to spend that much time on this, try to enjoy it as much as possible ... if not for the story, then at least for the gore and visuals on hand

Bjorn (ODDBear) Tobe Hooper just doesn't seem to be able to make a smash movie anymore. His "Masters of Horror" contribution on the first season was a bomb and, while this is slightly better, "The Damned Thing" isn't anything special either.It starts of well, has a good story overall but it doesn't gel at all. Apart from a few gory tidbits early on the flick is mostly a yawner, with an incredibly silly conclusion with an "oil monster" as the big bad. As said, it starts off well, with a truly unsettling opener in which a man guns down his wife and goes after his son. After that it's all downhill, apart from a memorable scene involving a guy and his hammer.The leads are boring and Sean Patrick Flanery is very unconvincing. Ted Raimi has some fun playing a loony priest but that's about it.Overall the Second Season of "Masters of Horror" is pretty solid and "The Damned Thing" is one of the lesser episodes.

gavin6942 A young boy named Kevin Reddle sees his father go berserk and kill his mother and is then mauled and disemboweled himself. Years later, Kevin is the town sheriff and when similar incidents start happening around town, he must piece together the mystery before the evil consumes the town.Like season one's "Dance of the Dead" this is a story directed by Tobe Hooper and written by Richard Christian Matheson, adapted from a classic horror story (though this time from Ambrose Bierce rather than from Matheson's father). And also like season one, it is the least critically acclaimed episode in the season.I haven't read the Bierce story, but the elements here should be familiar: a town consumed by evil, an evil that returns every 24 years (not unlike Stephen King's 30 years from "It") and a son who must deal with his father's legacy. Some variations from other stories you may have seen, but the general idea remains unchanged. Even Sean Patrick Flannery (Kevin Reddle) reminds me of Nathan Fillion from "Slither" in his sheriff uniform.Where this episode shines is in the gore. While perhaps not as gory as "Jenifer", we have a man who smashes his own face with a hammer, a car accident victim with no legs and a man get visibly disemboweled before our eyes (not unlike what happened to Judas Iscariot probably).The acting is also decent. Flannery is respectable, the local reporter is well-casted, and Marisa Coughlan makes for a good female lead. (Viewers will recognize Coughlan as the female lead from either "Super Troopers" or "Freddy Got Fingered" -- this film is not as funny as either of them.) Really standing out is Ted Raimi as Father Tulli, in one of his bigger roles (and a much better one than in "Skinner" with Ricki Lake).Where the film fails, though, is the lack of a plot. In the first ten or fifteen minutes I thought I was watching a great film, but it fell deeper and deeper down the ranks as it went. By no means will I give away the ending, but I think it will leave you about as unsatisfied as you can possibly be. It is the only ending of a "Masters of Horror" episode I have really despised.I cannot say you need to watch this film. I would be hard pressed to say it is better or worse than "The Fair-Haired Child" or "Pick Me Up" (my two least favorites), but I can say this: Tobe Hooper is proving to the world over and over again that whatever magic he had, he lost a long time ago.

ravenlord666 Do you think I hated this episode,since I gave it only 3 points??? I, actually,loved it.Until the last 2 minutes spoilt it beyond repair,that is.I don't have to tell you the plot,it's all over IMDb. The story itself is mysterious,good acting, great gory special effects. But the ending is so bad that words totally fail me. It's not about the storyline being horrible at the end. it's about a pathetic special effect and a monster that would have been more suited to the ghostbusters! My stomach is still upset about it (just finished watching it).This is the kind of movie that captivates you and draws you in,and you are led to believe it will be a hell of an experience. But just when you think you're about to finish a brilliant episode of the Masters of Horror series,the people involved in its making simply RAPE it. And our viewing enjoyment along with it!