American Horror Story: Hotel [Blu-ray]

There have only been a small hand full of shows over the years to manage to render me into a die hard, can't get enough fangirl. The intensity and longevity of those have been remote in comparison to how utterly enthralled I've remained under Ryan Murphy's spell in direct and sole consequence of this masterpiece better known as American Horror Story. The quality of every aspect that goes into creating each episode of every season is unrivaled and unlike anything else I could possibly reference in respect to. I can't get enough and struggle to get by week to week just waiting for the next episode. Lady Gaga this season has been a pleasant suprise in terms of new addition acting talent. I wasn't that much of a fan to be honest although I've always recognized the level of talent she brings to her projects. I suspected she'd do well but she has exceeded any previous expectation and been truly phenomenal in every scene she's done thus far. Evan Peters as always is beyond fantastic and probably my favorite talent still to date on the show. His character this season only reaffirms how broadly ranged in talent he has. As much and I mean as much as I love this show I don't know how I could continue to fully appreciate it in the notion he wasn't on it anymore. Everybody this season is pretty great. Notably Kathy Bates, Sarah Paulson, Denis O'Hare, Finn Wittrock, Angela Bassett, Matt Bomer probably the most of all . I wish Matt Bomer had more scenes as I think he's pretty great and being under featured although I realize how big the cast is. I also most obviously of all am not one to forget the missing presence of Jessica Lange. In a way it seems like the bloating of well known talented cast additions (staple members and all) was some sort of effort to distract the audience away from that fact. Although don't get me wrong, I love everyone, guest stars and all, the over extension of casting in a side effect naturally, at least for me, causes me to be more prone to notice the fewer and fewer air time their is to divide between them and oftentimes excludes many altogether from episodes. I realize there's only 13 eposodes every season and the pace and character developmemt opportunity creates some added challenges and limitations to make everyone happy but still. I personally could have done without the Wes Bentley/Chloe Sevigny/Cheyenne Jackson parts although I can see some necessity for them to counter balance the more evil characters. They're all talented but I find myself least interested or captivated by their scenes. I also have to mention how great Lily Rabe was as Aileen Wuornos. I would have rather seen her in the main cast over the previous 3 mentioned. I also desperately feel withdrawals missing aside from Jessica, Taissa Farmiga and Frances Conroy. Although I can see how Taissa might be perceived as not fit for this year's setting and darker than most undertone I still find her amazing at everything she does and deeply hope Ryan brings her back next season. I've been watching "Wicked City" (in spite of hating the premise) for Taissa alone and secretly wanted it to be cancelled so she wouldn't be tied up for years with that show like Connie Britton did with "Nashville." I'm a little happy it was in a bittersweet way and see it as a hopeful sign that Taissa will return most likely by next season. Frances Conroy also being absent feels like another wrong violation. No Jessica AND no Frances? Ryan Murphy's tripping if he thought trying to overiinflate the cast with an excessive amount of pretty boy brunettes (Matt Bomer, Finn Wittrock, Cheyenne Jackson and Wes Bentley? Evan's in his own league and an A list veteran so he doesn't count... I'm glad he's brunette this year and I like that Evan seems to go back to blonde for Taissa seasons) would make up for those missing faces. It's just a little much. Plus there was Max Greenfield in the beginning of the season too... Too many dudes Ryan Murphy. It's hard to remember and keep them all straight for anyone I later explain it to as a late newcomer. Aside from those things the season is still one of the best and more so even a little because it manages to be while missing or lacking with my favorite ladies Jessica, Taissa, Frances and Lily. Murder House is the obvious front runner, holy grail favorite/best season followed for me by Coven tied so far with Hotel, then Asylum followed lastly by Freak Show (the only season I struggled a bit to get through). This season is not one you want to miss.

First of all, this is by far the most lavish and insightful episode of the entire American Horror Story series. The plot is cleverly humorous as it is genuinely shocking and at times indeed horrifying.The production values are visually stunning which is not a contrivance to obscure the absence of Jessica Lange nor do they provide a setting to exclusively showcase Lady Gaga for the cachet of her fame and create an overblown music video-like pot boiler to parade her around like a mindless Barbie Doll in $50K couture gowns.This would be a grotesque insult to Lady GaGa and if the production had in fact proven to be a deliberate deception to use her in this manner she would have had every right to go “John Lowe” on the writers and director.While we’re on the subject of John Lowe, who in fact is one of the most pivotal and intriguing characters of “Hotel”; I must laud Wes Bentley’s amazing portrayal of a man impaired with a severe psychiatric condition; Multiple Personality Disorder (Dissociative Identity Disorder) delivering a brilliant and definitive performance for which he should have received an Emmy Award.It is no small task to convey a completely convincing portrayal of the “Jekyll & Hyde” nature of his serial killer personae vs. the police detective and grieving father obsessed with finding his lost son.Even his preference to mete out justice as the "10 Commandments" serial killer, reveals the connection between his 2 personalities as we witness his detective character angrily bemoaning the loopholes in the justice system that permit law beakers to go free without punishment.I’ll take a moment to deviate and point out that the exterior of the Hotel Cortez; more specifically the neon sign bearing it’s name, is identical to the neon sign of the old Hotel Chelsea in NYC (or more colloquially the Chelsea or Chelsea Hotel); although the interior of the Chelsea was anything but glamorous and nothing like the sumptuous Art Deco period sets designed for the lobby and bar of the Cortez.The Chelsea Hotel was home for many accomplished musicians, authors and artists alike.The implied association of the two very old hotels is not meaningless since they were both residential and the spiritual identities, both literally and figuratively, were essentially artistic and spectral in nature; yes I am implying but deplore the use of the word “ghosts”.Designer Will Drake (Cheyenne Jackson), fashion editor Claudia (Naomi Campbell) and certain aspects of “The Countess” (Lady GaGa) are the catalytic elements that define the artistic elements of the Cortez.Evan Peters who plays Mr. March, is an actor who honors his craft with an outstanding portrayal of the “Sweeney Todd” musical inspired character of the same name.Mare Winningham portrays the ever suffering "Miss Evans" with a perfect touch of poignancy and tragic sentimentality channelling the roll of Sweeney Todd's "Mrs. Lovett".I would like to think that the portrayals of Mr. March and Miss Evans might even evoke a nod of approval from Stephen Sondheim.The same can be said of Denis O’Hare in his characterization of “Liz taylor”.The ever reliable Kathy Bates delivers a solid performance with with bulls eye precision as “Iris”.Sarah Paulson shines as the bitter mainlining junkie, “Sally” and the clairvoyant, Billie Dean Howard who regrettably contacts the band of serial killers.Angela Basset is hallmarked by her razor sharp and scheming demeanor that distinguishes her performance of “Ramona”.This is not your typical vampire movie and there are amusing quips alluding to the universal nature of vampirism is all of it's aspects, whether it's a traditional depiction of inhuman blood sucking creatures or greedy, parasitic insignificant-other boy or girlfriends who are "gas lighting" their partners; which is a clever allusion to the antics of season 1.Lady GaGa treats us to a reenactment of Bianca Jaggers', Lady Godiva inspired entrance on a white horse at Studio 54 and comments that back in the heyday of the 70's, we were all vampires; an observation mirroring the famous Bram Stoker/Dracula, admiration filled comment about the nocturnal "children of the night" .The installment of the Rudolph Valentino story as the background story explaining how GaGa is turned vampire would have benefitted from a more focused and aggressive editing of this necessary subtext which is excessively drawn out and laborious.All in all, this production is ambitious to say the least and is an indisputable triumph.