
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, May 5, 1990                   TAG: 9005050308
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: E-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO CORRESPODENT
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ADULTS WILL LIKE GUILTY GIGGLES IN `DARKSIDE'

"Tales from the Darkside" is an anthology of short horror stories - three comedies and an odd kind of love story. Though the different parts vary in quality, overall they're effective and well-made. For those whose tastes run to visceral black comedy, the film is funny and even enjoyable.

The action opens in a picturesque small town, where a society matron (Deborah Harry) is planning a dinner party. It wouldn't be fair to give away too much what's going on (something is locked up in a barred closet), but that part of the film provides the continuity for the other three stories.

In "Lot 249," written by Michael McDowell from an Arthur Conan Doyle story, a nerdish college student uses an Egyptian mummy to exact revenge on those who have slighted him. Christian Slater plays his friend. The comic aspects of the story are the most enjoyable, because the rest of it is so flimsy. Horror stories are illogical by definition, but this one is poorly constructed and filled with stock characters.

"The Cat from Hell," written by George Romero from a Stephen King story, is the strongest segment. It's about a professional hit man (David Johansen) who's hired by an aging millionaire (William Hickey) to assassinate a black cat. The plot is motivated by character, and the actors do fine work. Hickey is at his reptilian best, and Johansen brings an off-beat humor to the grisly proceedings.

"Lover's Vow," written by McDowell, suffers from predictability. It's about an artist (James Remar) who witnesses something inexplicable late one night and then meets a woman (Rae Dawn Chong) who changes his life. The second half holds no surprises, other than an abrupt ending that explains nothing.

Narrative weaknesses notwithstanding, director John Harrison never lets the action become boring. His tendency to show off with extreme camera angles, unusual points of view and washed out colors is justified by this lightweight material. The film has a high "yuck" factor for its bloody and inventive special effects. But the sly, gleeful tone keeps these stories from being as oppressively stupid as the moronic "Friday the 13th" movies.

"Tales from the Darkside: The Movie" is definitely not meant for children. Grown-ups who are looking for a strong mixture of horror and guilty giggles probably won't be disappointed. `Tales from the Darkside: The Movie' A Paramount release playing at the Towers Theatre (345-5519) and the Valley View Mall 6 (362-8219). An hour and a half long. Rated R for violence, bloody special effects, strong language, nudity and sexual content.

by CNB