Tales from the Crypt presents Demon Knight + Bordello of Blood (Collector’s Edition) Blu-Ray Reviews
Arriving on Collector’s Edition Blu-ray this week are “Tales from the Crypt presents Demon Knight” and “Tales from the Crypt presents Bordello of Blood”. Although “Demon Knight” is a far superior film than “Bordello of Blood”, I am pleased that Scream Factory decided to release both films as Collector’s Editions. I had always wished that the series produced more than two feature films. With the rise in popularity of anthologies, maybe one day we will get a new “Tales from the Crypt” feature. Until then, myself as well as other fans are grateful to have these Blu-rays.
Tales from the Crypt presents Demon Knight
Out of the two “Tales from the Crypt” feature films, “Demon Knight” is by far my favorite. Directed by Ernest Dickerson, the film stars William Sadler, Jada Pinkett Smith, Dick Miller, Thomas Haden Church, Charles Fleischer, and Billy Zane as the main demon. “Demon Knight” is for the most part set in a church-turned-motel where a group of people are trapped while demons try to get inside and recover a mysterious artifact. Brayker (Sadler) is the mysterious stranger that has protecting the artifacts for decades and if the demons get their hands on it, hell on earth would soon follow.
“Demon Knight” works best because of Dickerson’s direction and the cast. Zane was obviously having a lot of fun with his character and it shows. This is one of the few times where Sadler gets to shine in a lead performance. The actor is far better than much of the work he gets.
Fans of “Demon Knight” will love this release. The transfer looks great and the disk is packed with bonus features. Check them out below.
Bonus Features
• NEW Audio Commentary With Director Ernest Dickerson
• NEW Audio Commentary With Special Effects Creator Todd Masters, Visual Effects Supervisor John Van Vliet, Special Effects Coordinator Thomas Bellissimo, And Demon Performer Walter Phelan
• NEW Under Siege: The Making Of Demon Knight – Featuring Interviews With Director Ernest Dickerson, Co-producer A.L. Katzm Screenwriters Ethan Reiff, Cyrus Voris, And Mark Bishop, Stars Billy Zane, William Sadler, Brenda Bakke, Charles Fleischer And More
• Panel Discussion From The American Cinematheque Featuring Director Ernest Dickerson, Actor Dick Miller And Special Effects Maestro Rick Baker
• Still Gallery
• Theatrical Trailer
Order: Tales from the Crypt presents Demon Knight (Collector’s Edition) Blu-ray
Tales from the Crypt presents Bordello of Blood
Much like episodes of cable series “Tales from the Crypt”, the feature films varied in quality. “Demon Knight” had a great cast, clever writing, and a talented filmmaker. The follow-up, “Bordello of Blood”, had none of that, with the exception of Dennis Miller and maybe Corey Feldman. It’s hard to believe that Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future) were involved with the story).
As much as I love Chris Sarandon (Fright Night), I wish William Sadler was bumped up from a cameo and given the role of Reverend Current. The bookended sequences with the Crypt Keeper (John Kassir) are painfully bad, and Angie Everhart can’t act her way out of a paper bag. However, regardless of all the issues that plague “Bordello of Blood”, it still manages to be quite entertaining. A big part of that is due to having Dennis Miller in the lead role, basically doing his comedy routine throughout.
Fans of “Bordello of Blood” will be grateful to Scream Factory for this release to go along side their copy of “Demon Knight”. There are some nice bonus features, especially “Tainted Blood: The Making of Bordello of Blood”.
Bonus Features
• NEW Audio Commentary With Co-Writer & Producer A.L. Katz
• NEW Tainted Blood: The Making Of Bordello Of Blood – Interivews With Actors Corey Feldman, Angie Everhart, Erika Eleniak, Co-Writer & Co-Producer A.L. Katz, Editor & Second Unit Director Stephen Lovejoy, And Special Effects Creator Todd Masters
• Video Promo
• Still Gallery
• Theatrical Trailer
By: Marc Ferman
Order: Tales from the Crypt presents Bordello of Blood (Collector’s Edition) Blu-ray