THE BLACK CAT

Ever wondered how crazy Poe was?  Ever wonder if it was all the drinking he did that inspired his genius?  Or was it the untimely death of his young wife (his first cousin whom he called "Sissy" bringing up all sorts of creepy by today's standards) by consumption that changed him into the master of macabre we know him to be?  Well, the Masters of Horror guys bring up the idea that it was all due to the black cat Virginia "Sissy" Poe doted on that drove Edgar over the edge.  No matter how many times he thinks he's got that pussy under control, it just keeps coming back to make a demon out of him.  While watching this I couldn't ignore the sexual connotations -- Poe struggling to have sex with his wife but big, black puss gets in his way, hissing, glaring, and he just can't take it.  He can't get at the kitty, so he drinks while wifey Virginia spits up blood all over the place.  Hello, MENSES! Hello, I'm afraid of the vagina!  Jeez.  At least the Masters of Horror people broke away from season 2's political themes to finally get down and dirty with a dreary tale of Poe woe. 

Forget what Poe's true biography was, this tale has nothing realistically to do with him.  It is pure despair fantasy pricking you with a cat's claw on your ankles.  Plenty of gore and eye pricking nastiness to make you look away and hug your pillow, too.  While watching you can't help but feel for the cat.  The title says it all.  It's not about Poe.  It's all about the cat.  Go rent it.  Go buy it.  Watch it with your cat.  I rest my case.

Gloomy the Cat gives this one two paws up and a scratch!