October 13, 2017
American Horror Story: Roanoke
Ken Tasho READ TIME: 2 MIN.
The FX channel's long-running horror anthology series did an about-face in its sixth season and made a marked improvement. "American Horror Story: Roanoke," as seen in this new 3-disc Blu-ray set, features condensed episodes and less glitz than in season 5 ("Hotel").
"A Roanoke Nightmare" is the show within a show concept, a true-crime documentary that gets reenacted by "actors"...in this case, Sarah Paulson and Cuba Gooding Jr. who play real-life couple Shelby and Matt Miller. Meanwhile, the "real" Millers do in-person interviews and voiceovers. In North Carolina, Shelby and Matt live to tell the tale of the haunted shenanigans that occurred after they moved from bustling Los Angeles into a more sedate farmhouse.
But sedate isn't what Shelby and Matt found. Instead, they encountered ghosts, sadistic nurses, and a witch known as The Butcher (Kathy Bates). It all gets reenacted in bloody detail and "AHS: Roanoke" features everything you'd expect from the salacious series, including an orgy in the woods and various limb detachments of its characters.
Leslie Jordan shows up in a 3-episode arc, adding some much-needed camp value to "Roanoke." But faring the worst of all guest stars is the stunt casting of Lady GaGa again. Her portrayal of The Witch who seduces Cuba Gooding Jr. borders on being downright embarrassing. Luckily, "AHS" creative guru Ryan Murphy and his co-creators do a turnabout in episode six and offer up a unique twist.
20th Century Fox's 3rd disc on the Blu-ray has two special feature segments. "The Paley Center for Media: Q&A with Cast and Creative Team from Paley Fest 2017" - this 30-minute Q&A session features key actors/actresses such as Kathy Bates, Sarah Paulson, and Cuba Gooding Jr. Bates is an absolute howl as she spews obscenities but "AHS" co-creator Ryan Murphy doesn't show up here unfortunately.
The other extra, "American Horror Story: Roanoke Promos", should've been left off for something meatier instead.
"American Horror Story: Roanoke"
Blu-ray
$49.99
www.foxconnect.com
Ken Tasho is a Corporate Drone by day and Edge Contributor by night. He has a love for all things '80's and resides in the Wayland Square area of Providence, RI...but would much rather be sharing an apartment in NYC with '80's rock goddesses Pat Benatar and Deborah Harry.
