Bordello of Blood Blu-ray Review

Scream Factory's Blu-ray release of "Tales from the Crypt Presents: Bordello of Blood" offers an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio that primarily satisfies fans, with generally good detail levels and a mostly well-saturated palette. However, there are notable variances, especially with old style composited effects, which look gritty and less vivid, and occasional non-effects scenes that take a downturn in terms of densities. The grain presence is significant, contributing to the film’s texture but sometimes adding a harsh digital quality. Furthermore, some users reported anomalies with disc authoring, impacting functions like chapter skipping and menu navigation.

The presentation doesn't stand up as well as other contemporaneous titles, such as Demon Knight. The overall image can appear soft and overly smooth in places, with detail best visible when characters and the camera remain still. Fabric textures, although discernible, oscillate between crisp and blurred, likely due to limitations of 1990s film stock transitioning to Blu-ray. Depth perception hovers slightly above flat, with background items often appearing blurred. Black levels are deep but can obscure detail in shadows, performing best in well-lit scenes. Color reproduction tends to be worn, failing to strike much vibrancy; Everhart’s red hair is a rare exception. Flesh tones remain natural throughout, with excellent detail in static shots, but motion introduces unwelcome smoothness.

Although the transfer's heavy grain and minor specs are fitting for a film of this era, they contribute to a somewhat inconsistent viewing experience. Fans of practical effects will appreciate the retained vintage feel, despite some visual drawbacks. Overall, while not without its flaws, this release manages to present "Bordello of Blood" in a manner that aligns with its original aesthetic and era-specific limitations.

The Blu-ray release of "Tales from the Crypt Presents: Bordello of Blood" comes with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 tracks. When toggling between them, the 5.1 track stands out for its more immersive surround mix, particularly evident in effects sequences and group action scenes like the wild parties at the bordello. While it doesn't always maintain consistent surround activity, it delivers a fun experience with clear, clean dialogue rendered throughout. The 2.0 track, on the other hand, offers good separation and surprising spaciousness, with the narrower mix potentially enhancing dialogue prominence in noisier moments. Optional English SDH subtitles are also available.

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA track provides a robust audio experience, featuring dynamic storm scenes that sound full and rich, with a score that is prominent yet well-balanced. Low-frequency effects such as music, fire, camera flashes, and thunder are effectively handled by the LFE channel, ensuring that action sounds are both substantial and impactful without overwhelming the main audio elements. While the mix is somewhat front-heavy, the rear channels contribute light ambiance that helps craft the environment and enhances the overall experience. Dialogue reproduction is mostly clear and crisp, though slightly lower in the mix compared to other elements.

Overall, both audio tracks do a commendable job, with the 5.1 mix being particularly satisfactory for an engaging surround sound experience that balances dialogue, effects, and background score efficiently. This solid audio presentation elevates the viewing experience, making "Bordello of Blood" a noteworthy addition to any collection.

The Blu-ray release of "Bordello of Blood" includes a robust selection of extras that provide substantial insights and entertainment for fans. The Audio Commentary is moderated by Rob Galluzzo and features co-writer and producer A.L. Katz, offering in-depth production details and personal anecdotes. The Tainted Blood: The Making of Bordello of Blood is a standout featurette with a runtime of 36:08 minutes in HD, presenting candid interviews with cast and crew members such as Corey Feldman, Angie Everhart, and Erika Eleniak, who divulge intriguing behind-the-scenes stories and on-set dynamics. Complementing these are a nostalgic Video Promo, a manually advanced Still Gallery, and the original Theatrical Trailer, each adding to the comprehensiveness of the extras.

Extras included in this disc:

Audio Commentary: Insightful track with co-writer and producer A.L. Katz, moderated by Rob Galluzzo.

Tainted Blood: The Making of Bordello of Blood: In-depth featurette with cast and crew interviews.

Video Promo: Retro promotional video for video stores.

Still Gallery: Collection of promotional stills and marketing material.

Theatrical Trailer: Original trailer for the film.

"Bordello of Blood" offers an intriguing yet flawed entry in the "Tales from the Crypt" series, marked by behind-the-scenes chaos and a lack of cohesion on screen. Despite Universal's hopes following the success of "Demon Knight," this follow-up foundered at the box office and received tepid critical reception. The film revolves around private eye Rafe Guttman (Dennis Miller) investigating the mysterious disappearance of Caleb Verdoux (Corey Feldman). Caleb's trail leads to a bordello operated by the vampiric Lilith (Angie Everhart). The narrative, unfortunately, is predictable and marred by a lack of surprising twists.

Miller's improvisational dialogue elicits occasional laughs but often misses the mark, while Everhart's performance as Lilith is visually captivating yet emotionally flat. Despite these shortcomings, Corey Feldman delivers one of his stronger performances, though his interactions with Miller suffer from a visible lack of chemistry. The cast's overall dynamic remains stilted, undermining the film's potential for engaging ensemble storytelling.

The movie attempts to balance comedy and horror but leans heavily on superficial entertainment through sporadically effective practical effects and bursts of gore. However, its attempts at humor feel forced, and the plot’s transparency offers little suspense. Viewing it as a nostalgic relic rather than a serious horror entry might yield some enjoyment for fans, especially given its brisk runtime and campy charm. Nonetheless, "Bordello of Blood" largely remains a missed opportunity bogged down by production woes and uneven execution.

Tales from the Crypt Presents: Bordello of Blood has long been a controversial entry in the horror-comedy genre, often compared unfavorably to its predecessor, "Demon Knight." Despite its troubled production and initial lukewarm reception, this Blu-ray release from Scream Factory offers an opportunity for reevaluation. The presentation quality is notably superior, with enhanced visuals that surpass any previous formats. Fans will find a wealth of bonus material that adds substantial value, including a fascinating retrospective documentary that delves into the film's chaotic history.

While "Bordello of Blood" may not be celebrated as a cinematic masterpiece, it undeniably possesses a peculiar charm that makes it an enjoyable watch. The film's unique approach to blending horror and comedy elements results in a quirky vampire narrative, which, although not perfectly executed, provides an entertaining experience. This release's technical merits—the improved picture quality and comprehensive extras—elevate the overall experience, making it more appealing even to those who previously dismissed the movie.

Even for those who consider "Tales from the Crypt Presents: Bordello of Blood" a definite "meh," the making-of featurette may prove surprisingly entertaining. Fans of the film should be generally well pleased with the technical merits of this release. Despite it being a troubled production and not received well initially, I think "Tales from the Crypt Presents Bordello of Blood" is a very enjoyable movie. It’s been a maligned movie for many years, mainly because it doesn’t live up to its predecessor, but I think giving it a fresh spin will likely surprise many who derided it initially. Scream Factory’s release of it, especially the documentary that comes with it, is likely to shine a more favorable light on it that genre fans will certainly appreciate, if not love. Highly recommended.