Shout Factory has finally released the 1995 anthology film, Tales from the Hood, a cult classic that is just as relevant today as it was back when it first hit theaters.
I remember when Tales from the Hood came out. I waited until it arrived on VHS, and sat up, terrified, as I watched this group of thugs wander through a mortuary on a drug run with Clarence Williams creepy mortician - listening to tale after tale of the corpses in the caskets, and how they met their demise.
It wasn't until later in my life that I was able to appreciate the humorous elements, as well as the social commentary that was carefully placed in each of the vignettes. This is a film, produced by Spike Lee and directed by Rusty Cundieff, that touches on race issues in a way that is creative, hilarious, and more often than not, deeply disturbing. The first tale in particular, about a black politician who is brutally murdered by a gang of corrupt policemen - only to return from the grave later to exact his revenge - is almost uncanny in its relation to current events. Other tales, involving child and spousal abuse, a collection of haunted dolls, and a gangster enduring a sort of "Clockwork Orange"-esque round of behavioral therapy, are just as effective and provocative in the way that they explore race relations.
Long out of print, Shout Factory's new Blu-ray of the film is an absolute gem, complete with brand new and vintage making-of featurettes, a commentary, and other surprises. It would be a welcome addition to any horror buffs collection. Highly recommended!
I remember when Tales from the Hood came out. I waited until it arrived on VHS, and sat up, terrified, as I watched this group of thugs wander through a mortuary on a drug run with Clarence Williams creepy mortician - listening to tale after tale of the corpses in the caskets, and how they met their demise.
It wasn't until later in my life that I was able to appreciate the humorous elements, as well as the social commentary that was carefully placed in each of the vignettes. This is a film, produced by Spike Lee and directed by Rusty Cundieff, that touches on race issues in a way that is creative, hilarious, and more often than not, deeply disturbing. The first tale in particular, about a black politician who is brutally murdered by a gang of corrupt policemen - only to return from the grave later to exact his revenge - is almost uncanny in its relation to current events. Other tales, involving child and spousal abuse, a collection of haunted dolls, and a gangster enduring a sort of "Clockwork Orange"-esque round of behavioral therapy, are just as effective and provocative in the way that they explore race relations.
Long out of print, Shout Factory's new Blu-ray of the film is an absolute gem, complete with brand new and vintage making-of featurettes, a commentary, and other surprises. It would be a welcome addition to any horror buffs collection. Highly recommended!