THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 20, 1995 TAG: 9501190061
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALAN CHANG, TEENOLOGY MOVIE CRITIC
LENGTH: Short : 48 lines
THE NAME ``Tales from the Crypt'' brings to mind the gore and low-key jokes from the hit HBO series. But what happens when it hits the big screen where there are fewer rules than on television?
The flavor of the TV series is retained in this movie as crypt keeper John Kassir delivers the introduction to this installment, called ``Demon Knight,'' using such dark word plays as ``Frights! Camera! Hack-tion!'' But instead of the usual 25 minutes of adrenalin rush, the audience gets 90 minutes of horror.
In ``Demon Knight,'' William Sadler, who starred in the film ``Trespass,'' plays Brayker, a guardian of a sacred key. He must keep it from the immortal Collector (played by Billy Zane, who shaved his head for this role) in order to prevent the unleashing of demons on Earth.
Their chase brings them to Wormwood, N.M., where Brayker takes refuge in a badly maintained boarding house.
Several unfortunate characters - landlord Irene (CCH Pounder), postman Wally (Charles Fleischer, the voice of Roger Rabbit), the soft-hearted prostitute Cordelia (Brenda Bakke), and the iron-hearted Jeryline (Jada Pinkett from the movie ``Jason's Lyric'') - are forced to fight for their lives as the ambitious Collector swears to kill them ``graphically'' unless he gets the key.
The morbid jokes about decapitation and the mutilation of an arm are extreme. They can make someone laugh and regurgitate his popcorn at the same time. ``Demon Knight'' thrives more on intense flesh and blood visuals instead of plot and character development.
It is surprising that highly acclaimed director Ernest Dickerson, who has completed such films as ``Juice,'' would try his luck on a gory horror film. The only thing worth watching in ``Demon Knight'' are the spooks. The elements that make them so exciting are the excellent demon makeup and Ed Shearmur's hair-raising score.
If you wish to take a chance and see ``Demon Knight,'' bring a bag. MEMO: ``Tales From The Crypt presents Demon Knight'' is rated R. Children
under 17 not admitted without a parent or guardian. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Alan Chang is a junior at Kempsville High.
by CNB