Masters of Horror: Sounds Like
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I have one problem with my wife. Well, a few but let’s talk about one. Sitting next to me at dinner I hear everything she chews. Damn, does it grate on my nerves. Like the scene in Kingpin with Harrelson and Murray, I’ve asked my wife to take her dinner outside. Does that make me a bad husband? Can you count on your fingers how many days I have till I’m divorced? Probably, but those Fruity Pebbles amplify when but in her mouth. I think I just have some pretty intense hearing. I’m like a dog in that respect.

(Reading back on the above paragraph, I might be a dog in more ways than one.) Love ya’ honey!!!

Now, take my freakish hearing to the extreme and you will end up with the Masters of Horror episode Sounds Like. Simply put, this goes to the absolute top of the best episodes so far. Great acting, strong build up and a nice payoff are in store for all you fans of the series.

Larry Pearce (played by the brilliant Chris Bauer) works in a call center listening to calls all day long. It seems like a normal life, but he’s depressed. His son had passed away and he seems to have dove into a quiet depression. His wife seems out of it and their relationship is one of loss. Another thing about Larry is he has heightened hearing at times. His hearing builds up to over the top levels, but is it really happening or all in the diminishing psyche of Larry? With his advanced and heightened hearing, could he have saved his son? His mind begins to spiral down, with him still not over the loss of his son, and all things build up to one hell of an ending.

Like many of Brad Anderson’s flicks (director of one of my favorites Session 9) Sounds Like is a very slow burn. The tension starts at a low level (still not light by any means) but builds to an ending (while you might see it coming) still was strong and almost poetically filmed. Sure, you know part of how it will end, but even when you see the ending you still feel satisfied.

This isn’t for everyone though. Like I said, this is a slow burn. I was never bored, however this is not a balls to the wall horror flick by any means. This is a well thought out, beautifully filmed and acted flick that gives you just enough horror to wet you horror fan’s palettes, but good enough to be enjoyed by your normal film aficionado.

Simply put, this is not only a wonderfully made Masters of Horror episode, but also one great film that is both artistic and horrific. My suggestion to all of you out there is to go to the store, buy Sounds Like and sit back and enjoy beautifully expert filmmaking at it’s best.

Added:  Wednesday, October 24, 2007
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