American Horror Story. Asylum. 2012

Finally finished up this series the other night, and I can’t recall when I have been more creeped out by a television series.  Listen if you can’t take horror, tension or stress in your entertainment than this show is not for you, but if you love being scared and are a fan of the horror genre then I can let out a great big scream and tell you to take a look at this series. Set in the 60’s in a run down mental hospital run by the church and headed by the nasty and vicious Sister Jude played by the great Jessica Lange along with a wild supporting cast (lesbians playing lesbians oh my). The main villain (there are so many) is a serial killer who is known as bloody face and that name alone should give you a hint of what is in store for you if you decide to give this series a look.  This is a smart clever show with references and winks to many films of the horror genre including “Silence Of The Lambs”, “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre”, “Freaks”, “Island Of Lost Souls”, “A Clockwork Orange” and even “The Diary Of Anne Frank” and is not without its dark humor. I will never be able to listen to that dreadful song "Dominique” again without a shudder or two.  Mixed in this rancid stew are aliens from space, deranged possessed nuns, corrupt priests, nazis and lots of dirty secrets along with cultural references from the period including interracial marriage and gay relationships. The cast is hefty and superb including the already mentioned Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, James Cromwell, Zachary Quinto, Joseph Fiennes, Lily Rabe, Chloe Sevigny and Francis Conroy. Also of note is the great set design, make up and special effects. Not for the faint of heart and it should be watched alone and in the dark.