Tales from the Crypt Presents Bordello of Blood, despite the chaotic and haphazard production, might not be a very good film beginning with questionable casting and so-so acting, even when considering the genre, yet the outcome is a cheesy and semi-enjoyable flick, the kind worthy of a late Saturday night viewing.
Tales from the Crypt Presents Bordello of Blood
(1995)
REVIEW NAVIGATION
The Movie | Special Features | Video Quality | Audio Quality | Overall
Genre(s): Horror, Comedy
Shout Factory | R – 86 min. – $34.93 | October 20, 2015
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MOVIE INFO: Directed by: Gilbert Adler Writer(s): Bob Gale & Robert Zemeckis (story), Al Katz & Gilbert Adler (screenplay) Cast: Dennis Miller, Erika Eleniak, Angie Everhart, Chris Sarandon, Corey Feldman DISC INFO: Audio: English (DTS-HD MA 5.1), English (DTS-HD MA 2.0) |
** Click Here to Purchase Bordello of Blood on Blu-ray from Amazon.com **
THE MOVIE – 3.0/5
Plot Synopsis: Wisecracking private eye Rafe Guttman (DENNIS MILLER) investigates some strange happenings – at the behest of Katherine Verdoux (ERIKA ELENIAK) looking for her missing brother (COREY FELDMAN) – at a titillating bordello on the edge of town. It seems owner Madam Lilith (ANGIE EVERHART) and her luscious cohorts want more than money…they want blood! Soon Rafe finds himself up to his next and battling the Reverend Jimmy Current (CHRIS SARANDON), a slick televangelist with an unstoppable talisman.
Quick Hit Review: Tales from the Crypt Presents Bordello of Blood is just as cheesy as I remember it being when I last saw the flick some 10+ years ago. The acting is questionable beginning with Dennis Miller who made such an odd choice to play the lead but the sexiness of Angie Everhart makes up for the so-so performances to go along with the gratuitous nudity which one would expect from a movie with “Bordello” in the title. For all that is bad, this film doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not.
The film was helmed by Gilbert Adler best known for a couple another horror cheese-fest in Thir13en Ghosts and scripted several films including Children of the Corn II as well as several episodes of “Tales from the Crypt” (he also served as one of the producers of Superman Returns strangely enough).
SPECIAL FEATURES – 3.5/5
This release comes with a matted slip cover. The inner cover is also reversible revealing the original poster artwork.
Audio Commentary – Screenwriter A.L. Katz provides his insights into production and thankfully has a moderator to keep the conversation going.
Tainting Blood: The Making of Bordello of Blood (36:08; HD) is a newly produced extra containing interviews with cast members Corey Feldman, Angie Everhart (who still looks fantastic), Erika Eleniak and other members of the crew. It’s an honest featurette about the problems behind the camera including Joel Silver taking over with the casting process (it was his choice for Dennis Miller and Angie Everhart).
Video Promo (3:12; SD) was a feature I think made for VHS releases.
Still Gallery is filled with production stills and promo shots.
Theatrical Trailer (1:42; HD)
VIDEO – 3.5/5
Bordello of Blood cackles its way onto Blu-ray presented in its original 1.85 widescreen aspect ratio and given a 1080p high-definition transfer. The picture isn’t overly impressive if only because there’s a heavy amount of grain permeating throughout the film. Details are decent enough in most shots and it appears to be a clean looking transfer free of major instances of dust marks and scratches. Colors look well balanced going more toward darker tones in keeping with the vampire horror genre.
AUDIO – 4.0/5
The movie comes with both a 2.0 and 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; either option is acceptable though the 5 channel offers the most depth. Dialogue levels are generally crisp and clear while the more action/slaughter sequences provide nice depth that is spread evenly across the front and rear channels. It’s not exactly reference quality or anything but considering the age of the film and what presumably a limited budget it was, it is a clear upgrade over the DVD version.
OVERALL – 3.5/5
Overall, Tales from the Crypt Presents Bordello of Blood, despite the chaotic and haphazard production, might not be a very good film beginning with questionable casting and so-so acting, even when considering the genre, yet the outcome is a cheesy and semi-enjoyable flick, the kind worthy of a late Saturday night viewing. This “Collector’s Edition” release by Scream Factory on the surface is limited in bonus material but the new making-of featurette is well worth a watch as it’s not the same old ass-kiss EPK material. The video and audio transfers aren’t great but certainly better than its DVD counterpart.
Published: 10/07/2015
Check out some more screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers.