Tales from the Hood (1995)

A collection of four vignettes that while telling moral tales, do so without being trite or heavy handed. This was an excellent film that did not get the chance it deserved.

Fmovies: At first glance Tales from the Hood is very similar to Tales from the Crypt. They just put a black culture spin on the stories. There is more to the movie than that though. Although there is some run of the mill plots to some of the stories, others show a surprising amount of originality and creativity. The stories vary in quality.

The first story concerning a murdered black activist rising from the grave is boring and hardly original. It's not scary either and the makeup is some of the worst I've ever seen. It's like they bought their supplies at Rite Aid. The second story about a boy that suffers abuse is a lot more original but not what you would call scary. It does feature David Alan Grier in a role that he was surprisingly good in. The writer and director Rusty Cundieff plays a concerned teacher in this story. The third story shows Corbin Bernsen as a racist politician who gets what's coming to him. This story is the most eerie and shows the most imagination. The last story is not scary but shows what can happen when you lead a life of evil and submit to experimental re-education.

The story is narrated throughout by Clarence Williams III, obviously having lots of fun. I was surprised that this film received so few votes, it must not be too well known. Bottom Line: If you haven't seen this yet then check it out. It is decent horror even by the horrible standards the film set itself up for by being named Tales from the Hood.

I loved this movie. I am a big fan of the whole "tales" type of movies and i thought that this film had a great way of taking four horror stories and giving them an urban twist. Clarence Williams III is hillarious and spooky as mortician Simms and David Alen Grier who is mostly known for his comedic talents gives a frightful performance as an abusive stepfather. Of the 4 tales told int the film i mostly enjoyed "Boys Do Get Bruises" which offered an interesting way of dealing with child abusive by showing how a "monster" doesn't necesarily look like one. The other story i enjoyed was the final one: "Hard Core Covert" which gives an eerie look at racial and gang related violence. The other two stories which mostly dealed with racism and corruptness were good although predictable and kind of slow but were still entertaining. A somewhat suprise ending was well done and this remains as one of the best horror films of the "teen slasher" filled 90's genre. FINAL RATING: ****/*****

Tales from the Hood fmovies. An interesting, at times totally innovative take on the horror film genre. Three young black hoodlums go to a funeral home where a bizarre mortician (an eerie Williams) takes them on a tour and shares four terrifyingly twisted ghost stories. The first involving corrupt cops is routine and obvious; the second is a unique take on child abuse that is creative and fairly creepy; the third involving vengeful voodoo dolls is at times shocking, at times corny, but eerie and crafty in its own right; the fourth about gang violence and rehabilitation is highly imaginative and something to marvel at; the film's unique amalgam of horror and social commentary isn't always on target, but the special effects are convincing, and the performances rock solid, making this a fairly impressive showing for all those involved. **½

I had to wait more than 10 years to finally see this one. Not one single copy seemed to be available over here in Europe. That was until 2007, when I finally got my hands on a Region 1 DVD copy.

If you like anthology movies, then you have no excuse for not seeing this one. One of the best anthology movies of the 90's (it's up there with "Tales From The Dark Side: The Movie" and "Necronomicon", if you ask me). And probably the best horror movie from the hood with a nearly all Afro-American cast ever made (because I can't really say I've ever seen a ghetto-horror flick that was actually any good). Three hood-rats, out to collect some 'shiiit', visit a freaky coroner who tells them 4 terrifying tales of the supernatural.

The first tale is about three corrupt white cops who had it coming... Wings Hauser is especially enjoyable in this one. He already evoked my interest at the time after having seen his enjoyable performance in "Night Shadows" (AKA "Mutant"). And by know I simply love the man. Second story is about a boy and his bruises, which are being caused by... a monster supposedly living in his house. Great and fascinating conclusion this one had. The third tale has some killer-puppet action going on in it of which Charles Band could easily be very jealous. Corbin"The Dentist"Bernsen stars in this segment that revolves around voodoo and slavery. The fourth and last segment gives a big nod to Kubrick's "A Clockwork Orange". Enough said about that one. The wrap-around story wraps it all up nicely, and has a very satisfying conclusion.

"Tales From The Hood" is actually more than 'just a horror movie'. With Spike Lee being executive producer, you can rightfully expect that this movie will carry important themes & topics like racism, politics, police brutality, guilt, child abuse, brothers killing brothers, etc. The message always comes across, but possible statements & points of view never become too dominant. This film's primary goal is to entertain a horror audience. And it splendidly succeeds in that. The filmmakers also clearly know the rules of the horror-anthology-genre as well as the tricks of the trade, all to great success. Need I even say that the make-up and special effects are darn excellent too? The tales from this hood, are all winners.

Not really scary of a movie, but this movie really did serve a good purpose. I noticed that the four stories in this movie touched on four topics in today's society: Domestic Violence(David Alan Grier, Brandon Hammond, Paul Jai Parker, Rusty Cundieff), Police Brutality(Anthony Griffith, Tom Wright, Michael Massee), Racism(Corbin Bernsen, Art Evans, Roger Guenveur Smith) and Black-on-black crime(Lamont Bentley, Joe Torry, De'Aundre Bonds, Samuel Monroe Jr., Ricky Harris). There is basically a message in all of them but the 4th story in this film was probably the best one. Not an unpredictable movie but not at all bad, and the ending was fantastic as well...