Just Desserts: The Making of 'Creepshow' Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Just Desserts: The Making of 'Creepshow'" on Blu-ray offers a solid, albeit mixed, visual experience. Encoded in 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 with a 1.78:1 aspect ratio, the documentary comprises a blend of interview footage and vintage behind-the-scenes (BTS) material. The image quality of the contemporary interviews holds up reasonably well, presenting detailed faces and textured clothing. Colors remain natural with stable primaries and accurate skintones, but viewers may notice some banding and occasional noise bursts. The older BTS footage and photographs, understandably, display limitations related to their age and upconversion process, resulting in a softer image with minor aliasing issues.

Despite these minor faults, the transfer maintains an overall bright and colorful presentation. Modern film clips integrated into the documentary are especially vibrant, showcasing strong saturation and vivid intensity, although the contrasts are less impressive and tend to feel muted, giving the visuals a somewhat flat appearance. Strong black levels are generally maintained, but they can appear murky and greyish in some segments. While these imperfections are notable, they do not significantly detract from the viewing experience or the enjoyment of exploring the making of this classic film.

The audio presentation of Synapse Films' Blu-ray of "Just Desserts: The Making of 'Creepshow'" is anchored by a 2.0 DTS-HD MA stereo mix, presenting a solid yet simple auditory experience. The sound mix emphasizes clarity and fidelity in conversations with filmmakers, ensuring voices are deep and free from distortive extremes. The soundtrack remains unobtrusive yet persistent, maintaining a constant presence without overshadowing the dialogue. Instrumentation is meticulously maintained throughout, and film clips are seamlessly integrated without causing any abrupt changes in volume levels.

The DTS-HD MA stereo soundtrack, while not as visually striking as the video, operates with a well-balanced and satisfying clarity. Imaging is broad for a documentary format, effectively distributing where needed and providing a good balance across the channels, particularly noticeable during musical segments. The majority of the sound stage remains centered to prioritize clear and distinct dialogue reproduction. When upmixing functions are utilized, background music transitions smoothly to other speakers, expanding the auditory space convincingly without distractions. The mix offers stable and even distinction between high and mid frequencies, ensuring a clean auditory experience.

While the audio lacks extensive dynamics or rich acoustics, the lossless mix provides sufficient low-end to enhance the music with a mid-level punch. However, lows are notably light and fairly lacking, which might disappoint those looking for robust bass presence. Subtitles are not available, which could be a limitation for some viewers. Overall, despite some minor shortcomings, the audio track delivers a strong, clear, and enjoyable listening experience that complements the documentary well.

The extras on the Blu-ray release of "Just Desserts: The Making of 'Creepshow'" provide a comprehensive deep dive into the creation and legacy of this iconic anthology. The package includes dual audio commentaries, with the first by director/editor Michael Felsher offering a candid and engaging narrative about his career and experiences. The second commentary features interviews with actor John Amplas, property master Alan Miller, and make-up effects assistant Darryl Ferrucci. Highlights include "Tom Savini's Behind-the-Screams," showcasing on-set footage and the make-up legend's artistry, and "Scream Greats: Volume One," a dedicated documentary on Savini's career. Extended interviews and BTS materials offer additional layers of insight.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentaries: Featuring director/editor Michael Felsher and various crew members.
• Creepshow Days: Conversation with cinematographer Michael Gornick.
• Tom Savini's Behind the Scenes: Compilation of home movies from the set.
• Extended Interviews: In-depth with George Romero, Tom Savini, and Bernie Wrightson.
• Horror's Hallowed Grounds: Web series episode with Sean Clark and Tom Atkins.
• Vintage 1982 'Evening Magazine' Segment: Clip from entertainment show.
• Behind the Scenes Photo Gallery: Collection of production snapshots.
• Scream Greats: Volume One: Television special on Tom Savini’s career.

"Just Desserts: The Making of 'Creepshow'" is a fascinating 2007 documentary directed by Michael Felsher, providing a detailed exploration of the production, development, and eventual release of 1982's horror anthology "Creepshow." This film, directed by George A. Romero and written by Stephen King, celebrated its roots in EC Comics with five macabre tales. Throughout the 90-minute runtime, the documentary offers extensive interviews with key figures such as Romero, make-up artist Tom Savini, and actors like Tom Atkins and Adrienne Barbeau. The collaborative efforts of Romero and King stand out as they channel their love for comic book horror into this cinematic endeavor.

The documentary serves not only as an in-depth look at the processes involved in making "Creepshow" but also as a celebration of its creative achievements. It covers the initial conception, focusing on Romero’s and King’s desire to adapt The Stand before pivoting to create "Creepshow." The decision to transform an abandoned high school into the primary set demonstrates resourceful filmmaking on a limited budget. Through anecdotes and discussions, viewers learn of the inventive techniques used to achieve practical effects, such as the drowning effect in "Something to Tide You Over" and Savini’s ingenious use of toilet paper to create realistic bloody faces.

While the documentary may lack the dramatic behind-the-scenes conflicts found in other renowned making-of films, it compensates with rich trivia and heartfelt recollections. It delves into the casting choices and on-set dynamics, highlighting King’s intentionally exaggerated performance in "The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill" and Leslie Nielsen's comedic antics. Additionally, segments on Savini's special effects work are particularly enlightening, showcasing laborious efforts required for the movie’s creature effects.

In essence, "Just Desserts" stands as an informative and affectionate homage to "Creepshow," offering plenty for fans to appreciate despite not featuring some of the more prominent cast members in interviews. The Blu-ray release ensures that this insightful narrative reaches a wider audience, cementing its place as a valuable piece for horror aficionados and cinema historians alike.

"Just Desserts: The Making of 'Creepshow'" is an insightful exploration into the creation of George A. Romero's 1982 horror anthology. The documentary takes viewers from the initial drafts to the theatrical release, offering a well-rounded understanding of the film’s development. Through a series of interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, fans are treated to a comprehensive look at the creative highlights and production challenges, provided with cleanly detailed explanations and engaging anecdotes.

The Blu-ray edition ensures a robust viewing experience, boasting strong audio and video quality. This release stands out as a significant upgrade from previous editions, eliminating the need for region-free players and ensuring accessibility for U.S. audiences. The inclusion of the "Scream Greats" mini-documentary as an extra serves as a delightful bonus, perfectly complementing the main feature and knocking the package into must-buy territory for any horror enthusiast.

While 'Just Desserts' may not match the polish of higher-end movie documentaries and might have been more appropriately suited as a Blu-ray special anniversary edition bonus feature, it remains a valuable resource for fans. Its wealth of supplements and engaging filmic insights cement its status as a high-quality release, making it highly recommended for those devoted to "Creepshow."

In conclusion, "Just Desserts: The Making of 'Creepshow'" delivers an appealingly detailed overview of one of horror's cult favorites. Despite lacking an appearance from Stephen King, the documentary remains a delightful watch filled with happy memories and creative praise. For any fan of the 1982 classic, this Blu-ray is an essential acquisition, offering both excellent technical presentation and rich supplementary content. Highly recommended.