Tales from the Darkside: The Movie Blu-ray Review

Tales from the Darkside: The Movie" arrives on Blu-ray with a solid AVC encoded image in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, delivering an engaging and technically competent viewing experience despite the absence of a fresh scan. This release employs an older HD film transfer likely struck at 2K resolution from Paramount, evident through occasional edge enhancement and somewhat thick film grain, particularly around optical effects and 'cat-vision' shots. Overall clarity and detail are commendable, particularly with facial makeup and practical effects like the gnarly mummy suit in "Lot 249."

The film’s segments are visually distinct, with color schemes varying richly—'Lot 249' showcases yellow hues, 'Cat From Hell' sees oppressive blues and exotic filters, while 'Lover's Vow' displays deep crimsons and purples. Black levels remain strong, offering a deep, inky presence that adds three-dimensional depth to the scenes. While some highlights appear slightly blown out, general color reproduction maintains a natural boldness with vibrant, saturated tones where necessary. Grain management is satisfactory, maintaining a natural texture without becoming overly intrusive.

The Blu-ray effectively preserves the detailed production design, from gory practical effects to backgrounds and models, providing a consistent and immersive visual experience. Depth of field is robust; characters move fluidly through space, contributing to a heightened sense of realism. Blacks are deep and shadows solid without engulfing detail, sustaining complexity even in darker scenes. Minimal visual artifacts like slight speckling do not detract from the overall quality, culminating in a presentation that feels clean and refined. Fans will find much to appreciate in this spirited transfer of "Tales from the Darkside: The Movie.

The Blu-ray release of Tales from the Darkside: The Movie features audio presented in both 5.1 DTS-HD MA and 2.0 DTS-HD MA formats, accompanied by optional English SDH subtitles. The 5.1 surround mix stands out, effectively supporting the movie's eerie atmosphere without overreaching. Surround channels are employed to handle atmospherics—such as NYC street noise and expansive room tones—adequately, though they lack aggressive separation effects. Dialogue is rendered distinctly, maintaining clarity and emotional depth, while the score receives a noticeable boost. The soundtrack emphasizes subtler elements like synthetic melodies and modest low-frequency effects reserved for more intense scenes.

The 2.0 stereo track retains a more intimate and constrained audio experience, reminiscent of older home video presentations. Nonetheless, both mixes deliver clean and crisp dialogue without necessitating frequent volume adjustments. The 5.1 mix, however, excels in engaging listeners with its ambient sound placement and directional effects, bringing elements like rustling mummies and scampering cats to life through specific channel activity. This surround mix captures the film's campy horror aesthetics in a fun and immersive manner, particularly enhancing jump scares and subtle environmental noises.

Overall, both audio options provide distinct advantages depending on viewer preferences. The 5.1 DTS-HD MA soundtrack is preferable for its enhanced surround presence and active spatial engagement, while the 2.0 stereo mix offers a nostalgic, simpler soundscape. In either case, audio clarity is maintained throughout, contributing to an enjoyable auditory experience that complements the film's vivid visual presentation.

The Blu-ray release of "Tales from the Darkside: The Movie" from Scream Factory offers an impressive array of extras that are a treasure trove for fans and film historians alike. Comprising archival and new content, the features include highly insightful audio commentaries and an exhaustive six-chapter documentary detailing the film's production process from inception to post-release. The comprehensive making-of segments delve into various filmmaking facets, including cast insights, visual effects, and story order adjustments. Each chapter of the anthology film is explored individually, providing an in-depth understanding of the creative and logistical elements. The inclusion of vintage materials like radio and TV spots, behind-the-scenes footage, and still galleries enriches the overall package.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary featuring David R. Kappes moderated by Michael Felsher: Co-producer Kappes provides detailed production insights.
• Audio Commentary featuring John Harrison and George A. Romero: Director and co-writer discuss filmmaking and key moments.
• From Small Screens to Big Screams: Explores the origins and development of the movie.
• Rising Stars and the Walking Dead: Focuses on the shooting of "Lot 249".
• That Damn Cat!: Insights into the adaptation of Stephen King's story.
• A Vow to Keep: Delves into the segment "Lover's Vow".
• The Order of Things: Covers post-production processes.
• The Test of Time: Discusses the film's release and legacy.
• Behind the Scenes: Home footage from KNB showcasing makeup tests.
• Image Gallery: Collection of film stills and promotional images.
• KNB Gallery: Makeup application and testing photos.
• Radio Spots: Promotional audio advertisements.
• TV Spots: Short commercials for the film.
• Theatrical Trailer: Official preview of the movie.

"Tales from the Darkside: The Movie" is a horror anthology that successfully translates the spirit of its 1980s television precursor to the big screen. Directed by John Harrison and produced by genre legends George A. Romero and Richard Rubinstein, this 1990 feature retains the dark humor and practical effects that made the series a cult hit. The film is structured around a wraparound segment featuring Deborah Harry as a modern witch preparing to cook a young boy named Timmy (Matthew Lawrence). To delay his grim fate, Timmy narrates three macabre tales. The cast is an eclectic mix of talent including Christian Slater, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi, James Remar, and Rae Dawn Chong.

The first segment, "Lot 249," based on an Arthur Conan Doyle story, portrays Steve Buscemi as a vengeful student who unleashes a mummy on his college rivals. Despite its exposition-heavy start, this short excels in delivering a blend of comedy and horror, especially through memorable performances by Buscemi and Slater. "Cat From Hell," adapted from a Stephen King short story, pits David Johansen against an unkillable black feline in a theatrically stylized, campy yet chilling sequence. The segment stands out for its effective use of lighting and transitions, building up to a gruesomely satisfying climax. The final story, "Lover's Vow," focuses on an artist (James Remar) who encounters a demonic gargoyle, promising secrecy in exchange for his life. With strong performances by Remar and Chong, this tale is bolstered by KNB's impressive creature effects and a haunting twist ending.

Throughout these segments, Harrison’s direction provides cohesion and maintains pacing while maximizing cinematic potential with theatrical cues and robust practical effects. The film’s special effects are particularly noteworthy, demonstrating KNB EFX Group’s talent in crafting vivid genre visuals that range from gory to unsettling. While not reaching the iconic status of "Creepshow," "Tales from the Darkside: The Movie" offers a compelling blend of scares and dark humor, making it an underrated gem in the horror anthology genre.

Scream Factory’s Blu-ray release of "Tales from the Darkside: The Movie" is a commendable effort, capturing the essence of the beloved cult TV series while providing a satisfying transfer for collectors and new viewers alike. With contributions from horror luminaries like Stephen King, George Romero, and Michael McDowell, the anthology presents three chilling and entertaining segments. Although not the pinnacle of horror cinema, its intention to deliver fun and mild scares aligns perfectly with the spirit of its original show. The movie's eerie tales offer a mixture of gruesome moments and quirky surprises, making it an ideal choice for horror anthologies enthusiasts.

The Blu-ray presentation excels in both visual and audio quality. The transfer delivers a clear and faithful representation of the film, ensuring fans can enjoy a crisp viewing experience. Equally impressive are the two clean audio tracks that cater to different user preferences. The standout feature of this release is the extensive supplemental package, including a six-part retrospective documentary that provides an in-depth look at the film's production and legacy.

Overall, "Tales from the Darkside: The Movie" provides a delightful revisiting experience that stays true to its roots. This Blu-ray edition is a highly recommended addition to any horror fan's collection.

Some fans view Tales from the Darkside: The Movie as an unofficial Creepshow 3, which makes sense, as it does share many of the same horror goals as the previous Romero/Rubinstein collaboration. Tales from the Darkside: The Movie isn't an electric viewing event, but it manages to retain some appealing oddity and surprise, avoiding a hostile take on anthology film offerings with a small screen adaptation that preserves the appeal of the original show and provides some gruesome highlights of its own.