Smoreni Zmaj Stuart Gordon, to horror fans known for adaptations of H.P. Lovecraft (Re-Animator, From Beyond, Castle Freak, Dagon, and second episode of this show), this time goes for adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Black Cat". This episode is very faithful to both the original material and the real life of the famous writer, and it is a real refresh in a series that has become quite monotonous. The film follows Poe trying to write a new story, while at the same time cares about his wife suffering from tuberculosis and struggles with poverty and alcoholism. The story is chaotic and confusing, but very atmospheric, and Jeffrey Combs perfectly plays the role of an alcoholic who sinks deeper and deeper into madness. Sepia colors greatly contribute to the dark atmosphere. The only thing standing out from sepia is color of blood and it makes gore scenes extremely striking. The piano scene is perhaps the best I've seen in this series. Together with the adaptation of "Dreams in the Witch-House" by H.P. Lovecraft, also directed by Stuart Gordon, "The Black Cat" is, in my opinion, the highlight of "Masters of Horror" and makes Stuart Gordon the most successful director of the series.8/10

oligarquiachacarera-1 Some directors needs to show a cat been mutilated for scare. "The black cat" is the worst episode of this series, I think is tie with "the screwfly solution" (Joe Dante), another propanga, women murder instead of animals (maybe Dante thinks a woman is an animal because of that he wants to murder them. "The black cat" shows the worst of Edgar Allan Poe (father of the suspense) and the worst of the human, kill cowardly innocent animals. If you're an animal lover don't watch this episode, besides it's not good with an empty plot, it is humiliating and shows how a poor innocent animal is mutilated, tortured and finally kill. Stuart Gordon I think you did that before, you have s h i t in your head for show this. I'm excuse for my English.

thinker1691 The life of a genius is not an easy one. In literature, the status is often incumbent on the adage, "ok, you're good, but what have you written lately." This then will be the eventually legacy of the actual man who was in fact the great American writer and classical poet, Edgar Allen Poe. Pressed by the enormous pressures of poverty, reoccurring alcoholism and the lack of inspiration, Poe suffers for his art. With historical retrospect,, we have come to lay wreaths of glory and monumental accolades on his works and therefore it's difficult to see how a great man could not have found success earlier. In this film we have another great artist Jeffery Combs, playing the part of the legendary and literary icon. One marvels at how uncanny Combs captured the haunting visual image of Poe and then imbued him with such mortal conviction. He thus awaken the conflicts of the Poet and his struggle for a horror story which would not only scare audiences throughout the decades, but may have paid his wife's medical bills. By immersing himself in a surreal fantasy, he discovers that fact and fiction are separated only by pain. All in all, I suspect this particular film will easily become a classic. ****

KittyGrimm This was the very first Masters of Horror episode that I saw and even after other episodes, this one still remains a big favorite. Thehour-long film tells the story of the famed alcoholic horror author and poet, Edgar Allan Poe, and his struggles to write a new story whilst caring for his consumpted wife, Virginia, when short on money. However, he grows madly obsessed with his black cat, Pluto, who brings him to the point of madness and even murder. The director, Tom Gordon, clearly knows his Poe and shows that through this film, which can be good for history and literature. For example, the Poes did, in fact, live in poverty and own a lot of pets whilst Edgar was struggling with alcoholism and caring for Virginia when she had caught tuberculosis and she did actually have a massive attack over the piano when singing and playing for Edgar and a guest. As a large fan of Edgar Allan Poe, and since studying his life, I've no regrets in saying that this film was no disappointment in being faithful to both the story and the life of Edgar Allan Poe. The sepia colors with one specific color standing out (namely red) is sheer genius and the acting is superb, not to mention the fact that Jeffery Combs looks exactly like Poe himself. Needless to say, this is the best episode yet and I highly recommend it for Poe fans everywhere. They'll need it if they've seen Ulli Lommel's take on The Raven. Edgar Allan Poe would have been proud.