Tales from the Hood (1995)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Rusty Cundieff

Writers (WGA):

Rusty Cundieff (written by) &
Darin Scott (written by)

Release Date:

24 May 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Crime | Action

Tagline:

Where nightmares and reality meet on the street

Plot:

A strange funeral director tells four strange tales of horror with an African American focus to three drug dealers he traps in his place of business.

Plot Keywords:

Drugs | African American | Funeral Home | Police | Supernatural

Cast

Clarence Williams III	...	Mr. Simms
Joe Torry	...	Stack
De'aundre Bonds	...	Ball
Samuel Monroe Jr.	...	Bulldog
Wings Hauser	...	Strom
Tom Wright	...	Martin Moorehouse
Anthony Griffith	...	Clarence
Michael Massee	...	Newton
Duane Whitaker	...	Billy
David Alan Grier	...	Carl
Brandon Hammond	...	Walter
Rusty Cundieff	...	Richard
Paula Jai Parker	...	Sissy
Corbin Bernsen	...	Duke Metger
Roger Guenveur Smith	...	Rhodie

MPAA:

Rated R for graphic brutal violence and strong language.

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

USA:R

Filming Locations:

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Company:

40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks

Goofs:

Continuity: Krazy K shoots Deke twice, but Deke ends up with three bullet wounds.

Quotes:

Mr. Simms: Oh, I must say, I don't think you can reform those types. No - you just kill them.

Movie Connections:

Features Natural Born Killers (1994)

Soundtrack:

The Grave

"Welcome to Hell...Motherf*ckers."

Tales From the Hood is a good horror effort that is almost too saturated with social commentary. It's a Tales From the Crypt inspired flick that's told ghetto-style. David Alan Grier as a spouse abusing husband is just too funny. I know that's nothing to laugh about but it's David Alan Grier. Corbin Bernsen also fits right in as a former klan member and politician. He makes me laugh as well. But the person who takes the cake is Clarence Williams III. He is WAY over-the-top and every line he utters elicits a laugh out of me. Actually this movie could play well as a comedy. There is not one white character in it that's not racist to the 3rd degree. And the characters are so racist it becomes a joke. Tales From the Hood paints a very negative picture of racism and I do applaud them for that. I just think, as a genre picture, they may be pushing it a bit. The best horror story is KKK Comeuppance with Bernsen. It's just a classic tale about someone getting their just desserts. The most socially conscious segment is the last one entitled Hard Core Convert. That one borrows a bit from A Clockwork Orange while adding some thought-provoking insight. Screaming Mad George provides some trippy make-up effects, as usual.