Review of Tales from the Hood (1995) by Timothy S — 08 Jun 2013

You know right away from Spike Lee's involvement in it that "Tales From the Hood" will not be your typical horror film. It's an anthology film with a twist, as each of the four stories are also something of a morality tale dealing with various social issues, and the end result is surprisingly effective.

Clarence Williams III is clearing having the time of his life in the wrap-around segment, and even that ends on a satisfying note with a nifty twist at the conclusion. The first story is fairly ordinary tale of revenge, but it's also fun and well told even if there are no surprises along the way, and the same can be said about the second one but I liked it all the same as well. It gives David Alan Grier the rare chance to play a serious role, and he does a decent job. Once again, everything is familiar but I enjoyed watching it unfold.

The third segment was by far my favorite, with Corbin Bernsen as a racist politician under siege from various slave dolls. The special effects are surprisingly good, and the story itself is a mix or urban legend and social commentary. The final segment is frankly the least effective but also easily the most disturbing. It's an urban riff on "A Clockwork Orange", and while that sets the bar almost unattainably high, it gets points for taking itself seriously and having something to say about gang violence.

In fact, kudos should be given all around to writer/director Rusty Cundieff for making a serious horror film where "Tales From the Hood" could have very easily been a campy mess. It's not perfect, but it is a valiant effort.