Blu-ray Review: ‘American Horror Story: Coven’

Article first published as Blu-ray Review: ‘American Horror Story: Coven’ on Blogcritics.

Last fall, FX presented the miniseries, American Horror Story: Coven, the third in the franchise. It is the tale of a group of witches at a school in New Orleans, battling to see who can be the next leader of their order while uniting to battle outside foes. Many of the cast members from previous seasons return in new roles, and some truly incredibly performers join the ensemble. This excellent, thirteen-episode run, full of humor and frights, is now available on Blu-ray and DVD.

American Horror Story: Coven stars Jessica Lange, playing the current Supreme Witch, Fiona Goode. She is dying, and returns to the institution her daughter Cordelia (Sarah Paulson) runs, to seek a way to stop her demise. A new batch of youngsters have recently enrolled: Zoe Benson (Taissa Farmiga), who kills boys she has sex with; Madison Montgomery (Emma Roberts), a bratty young starlet; clairvoyant Nan (Jamie Brewer); and human voodoo doll Queenie (Gabourey Sidibe). These young women are learning the various powers of their ancestors, all trying to be head of the class so they can take over the coven, if Myrtle Snow (Frances Conroy) and the rest of the Council allow it.

Things are complicated for the coven by numerous outside influences. First, there’s Madame Delphine LaLaurie (Kathy Bates), an ageless racist dug up so Fiona can learn her secrets. Then, we meet Marie Laveau (Angela Bassett), Delphine’s nemesis and leader of the black witches, who don’t get along with the schoolgirls. Zoe brings a boy she likes, Kyle (Evan Peters), back from the dead. A Stevie Nicks-obsessed healer, Misty Day (Lily Rabe), considers joining the group. Cordelia’s ex-husband, Hank (Josh Hamilton), harbors a deadly secret. House servant Spalding (Denis O’Hare) tries to keep the past buried. The Axeman (Danny Huston) and Papa Legba (Lance Reddick) haunt them. They are attacked by zombies and a minotaur. Needless to say, it’s a lot for any woman to take on.

There’s plenty to like about Coven. As is typical for  American Horror Story, has some genuinely scary moments. Perhaps it’s not as bone-chilling as past seasons, but it can still make you jump. There is much danger both inside and outside the coven, and if the monsters don’t get you, their friends might. The writing is fast-paced and relatively tight, cleverly bringing numerous threads together by the end of the season. Plus, Stevie Nicks guest stars as herself (well, a witch version of herself) so that’s definitely check in the positive column.

If there is one complaint I have about Coven, it’s that characters just do not often stay dead, which leaves viewers not trusting events as they unfold. The sheer number of characters killed and then somehow re-incorporated into the story is kind of ridiculous. Until we near the very end of the season, there is just no way to know who is still in contention.

The audio quality on this Blu-ray is terrific. It’s clear, with nice mixing, and makes good use of the surround sound tracks. The dialogue stands out easily. The picture is less consistent, but that’s because of the various styles the show is filmed in. There are parts that are purposefully grainy or blurry. I do think what’s meant to look high def does, and any flaws are intended for effect, rather than mistakes the production team has made, leading to an overall nice presentation.

There are only three extras on this release, a trio of featurettes lasting between ten and fifteen minutes each. “Enter the Coven” is the expected behind-the-scenes piece about this season, with interviews from cast members. “Zombie Halloween” is about the Halloween episode that features zombies, in case you couldn’t tell by the title. “Meet Ms. Nola” is a quick look at the city of New Orleans, which is where the season was actually filmed, and the crew enjoyed it so much, they stayed there for this year’s Freak Show. None of these are all that insightful, interesting only in a very superficial way.

Still, this release is cool because of the fantastic episodes, whether or not the extras are any good.

American Horror Story: Coven is available now.

‘American Horror Story: Coven’ Blu-ray Release Event

Article first published as ‘American Horror Story: Coven’ Blu-ray Release Event on Blogcritics.

This weekend, FOX and H+K Strategies threw an event in New Orleans to celebrate the release of American Horror Story: Coven on Blu-ray and DVD (my review of this set will be forthcoming). Held at Buckner Mansion, which served as the exterior of Miss Robichaux’s Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies during filming, press and fans were treated to cool costumes, an advance screening of a new episode of the franchise, and the chance to hear from a few of the people involved in the show. Needless to say, this was quite neat, and as a fan myself, as well as a reviewer, I jumped at the chance to attend.

The event day started with a walk through the imposing gate, and up those famous front steps of the more-than-a-century old dwelling, which actually was a school at one point, and still inhabited today. This was a rare chance to get up and close with an historic place not normally available to visitors. A charming guide, clad in black and with a witch-appropriate hat, provided some trivia and a few stories about the house, which she says is haunted. One might believe it, tucked into a rather picturesque setting on a quiet New Orleans street.

What struck me most about this place, is how small the yard actually is. In the show, it seems there is lots of room, and it’s quite likely that other outdoor locations were used in conjunction, although this wasn’t discussed at length. It is also very close to neighboring houses, making it a lot more suburban than it appeared. Still, it was very cool to be on that porch and see that white facade and those hand-carved columns.

Going inside, Buckner Mansion is actually quite different than Miss Robichaux’s in the show. There is no grand staircase, and only a small number of rooms make up that ground floor (if you can call it a ground floor, given its height off the ground). But it still seems full of the past, well decorated and preserved, and some of marketing photography for the show was completed in the room we were ushered into.
Adding to this were a number of costumes used in American Horror Story: Coven, including both the maid’s outfit and golden gown worn by Madame Delphine LaLaurie (Kathy Bates) and the chicken restaurant uniform belonging to Queenie (Gabourey Sidibe). Eleven costumes in all, all from female characters, were on display, and it was pretty cool to be so up-close-and-personal with clothing actually worn in the television show. There was also an entire room of hats used in this season, and the costume Emmy won was on display.

Then came the question and answer session with Jamie Brewer, an actress in both Coven and the first season of American Horror Story, and Emmy-award winning costume designer Lou Eyrich. The ladies had many insights about Coven. They got to tell us who their favorite characters and favorite scenes were, and what powers they’d like to have (clairvoyance for Jamie and time travel for Lou). Both were entertaining and natural on stage, seemingly happy to be there and plenty willing to answer questions at length, both from the moderator and those seated, which the myriad of fans, many of whom were in costume, enjoyed.

At the end of this panel, Naomi Grossman, who played Pepper in the second season of American Horror Story: Asylum, a character brought back for this year’s Freak Show, made an appearance. Sadly, there was little time to talk to Naomi, but she seemed excited to be there, and joined the gathered crowd in a viewing of this week’s upcoming episode of American Horror Story: Freak Show. (I’ll be posting a full review of this episode Wednesday evening, so look for it!)

This concluded the public potion of the event, though press got to go upstairs and sit down with the three creative folk in turn. Each session lasted 20 minutes, or so, and were much more in-depth than the initial Q&A, leading to many revelations and interesting tidbits being discussed. All three ladies were beyond accommodating and friendly, even as they were exhausted from their work weeks, and when these concluded, Naomi even stood around chatting casually with those in attendance, a surprising treat.

Lou went first for the group interview. She told us how she actually got her start ironing costumes while touring with Prince. She was there with her boyfriend, a lighting tech on the show, and because the world of costuming is such a small one, she sort of accidentally discovered she had a hidden knack for it about the same times others in her industry did. This has led to much work for her, including on many of Ryan Murphy’s projects, and while she’s tempted to retire, she can’t resist being pulled back in every time Murphy pitches a new season to her.

Lou was humble in admitting that many of the performers in American Horror Story have told her the clothing she selects helps them get into character, but one could tell she takes great pride in her work, and deservedly so. She’s also a perfectionist and a hard worker, putting in extremely long hours during the months the show is in production, which came as a bit of a surprise to me, unfamiliar with everything that goes into finding all the costumes and keeping them constantly available, well-take care of, and often copied so that they can be destroyed or mussed up. She is definitely one of the underrated heroes on the set.

Next up was Naomi. Her head is shaved for the character she’s playing, but lacking the prosthetics that make her Pepper on this day, she appeared relatively normal. Unlike Pepper, who is not very intelligent and a woman of few words, Naomi sparkles with great energy and talks a lot! One can tell just how enthusiastic she is about the part and getting to play it again. She had many interesting stories about her time on the series, and though she jokingly admitted to wanting to kill off her on-screen brother so she didn’t have to share her pinhead-ness anymore, she seemed to have nothing but respect for all of her fellow actors. She said the set is extremely professional and everyone cares a lot about one another, from Oscar-winners Kathy Bates and Jennifer Lange, all the way down to some of the “freaks” this season that have little, if any, dialogue.

Unfortunately, Naomi was not willing or able to share any secrets about why Pepper has returned or what is in store for her this season. She did confirm it was nice to have the job security of knowing she won’t be killed off, since Freak Show is set about ten years prior to Asylum, where we first met Pepper. But if anyone on the production has clued her into what Ryan Murphy does or does not have planned for her, she did a terrific job of playing ignorant, which is exactly what she should do, so it’s hard to complain, especially about someone who seems so nice.

Last up was Jamie, a driven and smart girl who has many ambitions. While enjoying her chance to act, Jamie shared her interest in all of the various aspects of film making, especially writing, which she is working on honing right now, and music, telling us she is a dancer (though sadly she did not do any dancing at this event). Jamie spoke of the personal emotions her characters have brought out in her, and what it’s like to deal with frightening things on set, such as running from zombies. She mentioned having a lot of fun with her sexy love interest in Coven, as well as battling his controlling mother, played by the great Patti LuPone.

Like the others, Jamie had lots of nice things to say about pretty much everyone she works with. She had a lot of trouble picking a favorite scene or costume, but that’s only because she says she loves just about everything involved in the production. She is definitely someone who is going places, and through these great experiences she’s having with AHS, she’s quickly becoming prepared to step into some bigger and / or different roles going forward in her career.
 

At the end of the day, we braved the sudden downpour as we fled from the house. Looking back through the rain, we got one last glimpse of the very cool house (perhaps cooler with the water dripping from it) which has left me with a lot of memories and fun I will not soon forget. Kudos to FOX and H+K for throwing such a fascinating experience. 

American Horror Story: Coven is available on disc now.

AMERICAN HORROR STORY: COVEN Far From "Dead"

Article first published as TV Review: 'American Horror Story: Coven' - 'The Dead' on Blogcritics.

***Note: This series is rated TV-MA for good reason, and viewer discretion is advised due to mature content. It is impossible to discuss the latest episode without referencing said content, so while I will keep things as light and profanity-free as possible, some of the subject matter will definitely be offensive to some readers. Please let this serve as your warning.

FX’s American Horror Story: Coven has been hitting it out of the park by delivering a more character-driven story than in years past, and providing the material and actresses to back it up. This week’s installment, “The Dead,” which serves as the mid-point of the season, reveals a lot about several of the players, and, through death and sex, some peace is found, as temporary as it might be.
“The Dead” starts with Kyle (Evan Peters) before his death. He’s joking with his frat pals and talking of his dreams in a tattoo parlor. There is little doubt that he has the drive and talent to back up his goals, and his future will be bright, indeed. Except, he’s now dead, reanimated bits of those friends sewn to him, as demonstrated by the glimpses of their tattoos on his patchwork body.

It’s no wonder Kyle is having trouble adjusting to the circumstances. Besides not being able to speak the words in his brain, which has not been dulled, he’s frustrated at his predicament. He didn’t ask to become the monster he’s been made into, and every thing he had hoped for has been flushed down the toilet. As far as he’s concerned, his life is (literally) over, but he has the added torture of being conscious of the wasted potential.

Peters captures all of this internal monologue brilliantly, eyes dancing with un-vocalized emotions. We feel his pain, and find a way to sympathize with him despite the horrible things he’s done, like slaughtering his mother. Clearly, anger and confusion is driving his actions, and he can’t be blamed for everything. By the end of “The Dead,” he is starting to find himself again, and surely he can heal. Maybe.

Madison (Emma Roberts) is going through the exact opposite problem. Instead of having feelings she can’t understand or express, she’s plagued by a lack of feeling, which Roberts plays with such effect as to impress any who watch. She’s going to be an actress to watch. Her numbness starts before she’s killed and brought back, by the way, citing her utter lack of caring about being gang-raped in an earlier episode. Burning herself doesn’t work, in fact, nothing does. Until she finds Kyle’s penis. Inside of her.

Since Madison has only murdered those who deservd it (except Kyle, accidentally), it’s easier to get behind her. She’s not a nice person, to be sure, but that can be chalked up to a young girl who found fame at an early age and is putting on a brave face to hide fear. She is more talk than action, and she did not deserve to die, or to feel this helpless and broken.
There’s something kind of sweet about Madison and Kyle finding one another in this situation. They have the death thing in common, something no one else would understand. It seems to give them both pleasure and helps them stay centered. They’re technically consenting adults, or close enough to it. What harm would their relations cause anyone?

Besides Zoe (Taissa Farmiga, this season’s MVP in an intensely crowded field), I mean. She’s used to not being the prettiest girl in the room, so she is disappointed, but not surprised, when she catches Kyle with Madison. I feel bad for Zoe here, I really do, but she has to understand why and how her two sort-of friends ended up together right? Plus, they are nice enough to invite her to join in.

Now, anytime a threesome crops up in movies or television, it’s a recipe for disaster, probably much like in the real world (I assume). There is bound to be jealousy and hurt feelings and doubts about the depth of attachment. That’s unfortunate, because American Horror Story: Coven has worked so hard to make us like all three of these individuals that the viewer will be loathe to side against one or more of them. But I guess that’s life, and since Kyle is dead, Zoe probably can’t snuff him out with her fatal nether regions, which makes their pairing ideal.

The beauty about this crazy sex hookup is that Zoe needs love and support right now, so getting it doubly should boost her confidence. See, Cordelia (Sarah Paulson) has warned Zoe that Fiona (Jessica Lange) might have it out for her since Fiona killed Madison just because the elder witch suspected Madison might be her replacement. With Spalding’s (Denis O’Hare) tongue restored long enough to confirm Fiona’s misdeeds and Zoe’s own power growing, the teenage witch needs to watch her back.

On a side note, does anyone really think Spalding will stay dead? He’s like the fifth major character to die this season in only seven episodes. It kind of takes the bite out of death when everyone keeps coming back, though, admittedly, I haven’t been ready to lose anyone that is killed off, and it would sure be novel of an American Horror Story run to still have all of its main players intact for the finale.

Fiona does have other things on her mind, which might give Zoe some breathing room. Throughout “The Dead,” Fiona is hooking up with The Axeman (Danny Huston, Magic City). Like Zoe, Fiona is having a crisis of faith in herself, feeling her abilities waning and her age creeping up on her. The Axeman provides Fiona with a similar injection of, um, bravado, which is even enough to override the creepy confession by The Axeman that he has been watching Fiona since she was eight.
“The Dead” seems to equate sex with a source of comfort and strength. I feel like this is a just and apt statement to make. While sex does require the baring of one’s soul, it also gets the blood coursing, sure to pump up the energy level of those effected. It’s an obvious and blatant metaphor, but it works.

Let’s hope it’s enough to get both Zoe and Fiona back in fighting form. With Hank (Josh Hamilton) packing as much firepower as he is, the house of witches is in deep trouble. This is an especially bad time for him to attack as the coven is missing two of its own.

Yep, there’s yet another subplot unfolding this hour. Queenie (Gabourey Sidibe) and Madame Delphine (Kathy Bates) seem to be bonding quite swimmingly, sharing some super-sized fast food in the middle of the night, even getting over Delphine’s racism just a bit. But after Delphine confides a dark secret to Queenie, thinking her friend, who is helping her turn a new leaf, will be able to look past this latest darkness, Queenie gives Delphine to her sworn enemy, Marie Laveau (Angela Bassett), earning Queenie a place in Marie’s group.

This is a very sad twist. The women really did seem like pals and were finding some legitimate common ground. Queenie’s disgust is understandable, of course, but Delphine really is making an effort to change. And Delphine’s comments about Queenie’s skin color are not completely off the mark, an observation that Marie seconds. I want Queenie to fit in back under Fiona’s roof, but maybe she just doesn’t.
Is American Horror Story telling us that some people don’t deserve second chances? Had Delphine continued her life style these past centuries, I would absolutely be in favor of flaying her, as Marie and Queenie do. However, Delphine served a long prison sentence buried in a box and seems to have learned her lesson. She deserves better.

Viewers deserve exactly what we’re getting: a sharp, witty, well-written, phenomenally-acted, highly engrossing tale. American Horror Story: Coven has surpassed the second go-round of the anthology series and is vying with year one for the best run of this fantastic show. If every season is this good, I hope it runs for many years to come.

American Horror Story: Coven returns in two weeks, Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET on FX.