Back in 1989, HBO launched TALES FROM THE CRYPT – an anthology series that firmly captured my 12/13-year-old imagination. For me, TALES felt like a dark companion to AMAZING STORIES, and I eagerly looked forward to watching it every week. Prior to the series’ debut, it managed to shock and frighten my nine-year-old sister… based solely on a picture of The Crypt Keeper that appeared on the cover of the local Star Newspaper’s TV Guide knockoff. Those who recall the early days of the series might remember that The Crypt Keeper was initially a bit creepier – only to become more cartoony as time went on. That fear of The Crypt Keeper stuck around and became a running joke into adulthood, so when I found myself in Las Vegas on Halloween 2009 with actor John Kassir – the voice of The Crypt Keeper – I couldn’t resist making an odd request: a phone call to my sister for The Crypt Keeper to say “hello.” It happened, and she hung up. What brings that anecdote back to life today? It’s the Shout! Factory Blu-ray re-issue of the two classic TALES FROM THE CRYPT movies that followed the HBO series and jumped into theaters. TALES FROM THE CRYPT Presents DEMON KNIGHT and BORDELLO OF BLOOD are today’s entry into 31 Days of Halloween here on THE ROCK FATHER Magazine. Fun Fact: I still have the original 5-track Soundtrack Promo from DEMON KNIGHT, which featured MEGADETH, MACHINE HEAD, MINISTRY, BIOHAZARD and GRAVEDIGGAZ!
DEMON KNIGHT: A mysterious drifter known as Brayker (William Sadler, Iron Man 3) possesses the last of seven ancient keys that hold the power to stop the forces of darkness and protect all humanity from ultimate evil. But the human race is safe only so long as Brayker can evade the demonic Collector (Billy Zane, Titanic) who has gathered the other six keys.
In his obsessive quest for the key, the Collector rallies an army of ghastly cadavers against Brayker and the inhabitants of a run-down hotel. Armed with automatic weapons, sacred blood and sadistic humor, Brayker and the strong-willed Jeryline (Jada Pinkett-Smith, Gotham) must lead the other guests in a gruesome battle against the Collector and his evil horde of ghouls.
Infested with a talented cast, thrilling special effects and the Crypt Keeper’s deadpan delights, Demon Knight is directed by genre vet Ernest Dickerson (The Walking Dead, Dexter, Masters of Horror) and features a strong supporting cast featuring Thomas Haden Church (Spider-Man 3, Sideways), CCH Pounder (Orphan, Avatar), Brenda Bakke (L.A. Confidential), Dick Miller (Gremlins) and Charles Fleischer (Zodiac).
BORDELLO OF BLOOD: Wisecracking private eye Rafe Guttman (Dennis Miller, Joe Dirt) investigates some strange happenings at a titillating bordello on the edge of town. It seems owner Madam Lilith (Angie Everhart, Jade) and her luscious cohorts want more than money… they want blood!
Soon Rafe finds himself up to his neck in a den of hungry vampiresses and battling the Reverend Jimmy Current (Chris Sarandon, Fright Night, Child’s Play), a slick televangelist with an unstoppable talisman.
Directed by film producer Gilbert Adler (Thir13en Ghosts, House on Haunted Hill), co-starring Erika Eleniak (Under Siege), Corey Feldman (The Lost Boys, The Goonies), Aubrey Morris (A Clockwork Orange) and Phil Fondacaro (Ghoulies II), and brimming with blood, lust and wicked laughs, this is one brothel you’ll visit again and again.
Both of these films are packed with NEW bonus features, and are available now.
For more Halloween Fun, check out http://www.therockfather.com/halloween!
