Search - Tales From Crypt: Demon Knight (Ac3) on DVD

Genuine Horror in a Movie Made In the 90's!

Ryan Costantino | Nowhere, Special | 12/11/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It might be hard to believe but this movie is pretty damn scary! Granted, it does have a lot of funny parts to it but overall this movie really freaked me out! I stayed up the entire night after seeing it, laughing at myself but still unable to go to sleep! I kept telling myself, "Come on man, it's only a Tales From the Crypt movie!" but even that element seemed to be missing (The Cryptkeeper does make a hilarious entrance!)by that I mean it wasn't over the top, made for T.V. campy. This was very well made with some great special effects. This movie was produced by such people as Robert Zemeckis, Richard Donner, Joel Silver, etc...-in other words big names in the movie industry (this flick had some heavy backing!) The story line in this movie was amazingly complex for a horror film, yet it wasn't drawn out! Billy Zane was outstanding as the persistent and demonic "Collector", he pretty much steals the show. This is also the first movie I ever saw Jada Pinkett(Smith) in and she does a great job of playing the reluctant heroine. Bottom line, if you are a fan of horror movies and need something to watch on some gloomy night (I had to throw that in, sorry) that will entertain and scare you, so go pick this movie up!"

Zane steals the show.

Inspector Gadget | On the trail of Doctor Claw | 01/13/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was a big fan of the Tales from the Crypt TV show. Thus, I am a big fan of this movie. It feels a lot like one of the Creepshow movies but has enough gore, humor and OTT carnage to make it stand on it's own as well as being a big screen spin-off. Brayker (William Sadler) is a drifter who stumbles upon a lonely desert town after an explosive confrontation with The Collector (Billy Zane), a supremely evil being with Satanical powers who is desperate to get his hands on Brayker's mysterious talisman. Brayker spends the night in a shabby motel but The Collector soon turns up and unleashes hell upon the motel and it's inhabitants.This is where the fun really kicks in. The Collector has fun enticing the residents (made up of Dick Miller, Charles Fleisher, Thomas Haden Church, Brenda Bakke, Jada Pinkett-Smith and CCH Pounder) to join him on his dark quest and steal the talisman from Brayker. Director Ernest Dickerson (who also did Surviving the Game) does not hold back on the gore as he spoofs 1950's B-movies, honor's the TV show and pays brilliant homage to the Tales From The Crypt comic book legacy. It may seem like a cheap, horror comedy with no artistic integrity but Dickerson successfully pulls of a movie that will satisfy and entertain anyone who watches it. Of course half of the movie's appeal lies with Billy Zane who acts out the role of The Collector with such wicked charm and delightful evil. You can tell he's having a great time and he makes a formidable villain for Sadler's dishevelled hero. They should make more Tales From The Crypt movies, but producer's Robert Zemeckis, Gilbert Adler and Joel Silver (Walter Hill and David Giler ducked out) went on to found Dark Castle, the production company behind House on Haunted Hill, Thir13en Ghosts and Ghost Ship. This new DVD by Universal is better than the old one from Image. This time be get the film in it's proper aspect ratio of 1.85:1 anamorphic with a Dolby 5.1 soundtrack. The old snapper case is gone and in it's place is a sturdy keep case. Demon Knight is definitely one to get."

Better Than The Horror Movies of Today

GameraRocks | Gillsville, GA USA | 07/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Being a big fan of the TV series, this movie is a must. I have really enjoyed this movie for many years and it still isn't boring when I watch it. The special effects on this film are top notch for what they are, this was the days when claymation was still around (cryptkeeper director) and before CGI. So, all of the monsters were things you could touch instead of these fake computer monsters being made now. From the look of the demons, to the special effects used to show when one of the demons die, it all has something that fans will enjoy.

The movie has it's fair share of would be famous names. Billy Zane, Thomas Haden Church (from the TV series Wings and the upcoming Spider-man 3) and Jada Pinkett(before Smith was added)are great in this movie. Jada as the reluctant hero and Billy Zane as the wise cracking demon knight. Zane does carry the film and brings a comedy element to what could be scary. Let's not forget William Sadler, it was nice to see that he was the star of the film since he was the star of the very first Tales From the Crypt episode "The Man Who Was Death". He did great in this movie as well.

Overall, this movie is a must for all fans of the TV series. It will appeal more to the fans. If you aren't a fan, go ahead and give it a shot, it is still a really great horror movie that adds a little comedy to the horror the only way Tales From The Crypt can."

Billy Zane Rocks!

Luis Hernandez | New York, New York, USA | 10/20/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Funny, scary, and entertaining, "Tales From the Crypt: Demon Knight" is the first of a series of films that are derived from the popular HBO series. Unlike the "Creep show" and "Tales From the Darkside" films of the past, "Tales From the Crypt" focuses on one tale of horror and suspense each time, allowing the story to develop into a more entertaining experience.Directed by Ernest Dickerson ("Juice") "Demon Knight" features the immense talents of William Sadler, Jada Pinkett Smith, and the ever versatile, amazing Billy Zane in a horror movie laced with plenty of comedic moments. The story revolves around a key that Sadler is carrying in order to pass on to the next guardian. There are a total of 7 keys, representing a galaxy each. According to Sadler's story, the key contains the blood of Jesus Christ. While dying on the cross at Golgotha, a follower of Christ pour his blood into the key to prevent the conquest of earth and the rest of the universe by Satan and his legion of demons. Until all keys are together can this happen, and with 6 of the keys in the hand of demons, the fate of the universe lies on Pinkett Smith's character, who is the chosen one to carry the key after Sadler.I must praise Billy Zane. He is amazing. He plays the perfect villain, and in this role he is dynamite. His performance is more comedic, and he would make similar villains of the past such as Freddy Krueger very proud. I can understand why Hollywood has typecasted him as a villain in almost all of his films after seeing this film. Zane's intense sex appeal will captivate many viewers, and his range of emotions is incredible.Pinkett Smith who was coming into films fresh from the cancellation of the long-running NBC series "A Different World," is great. As the heroine of the movie she really can kick butt, and her on-screen chemistry with Zane is perfect. In conclusion, this a great film to view if you are in the mood for horror mixed in with a bit of dark humor. The film can be strong at times with the sight of gore and violence, but if it weren't for Billy Zane's performance, I wouldn't have cared to watch this film at all. He is one of the film world's most gifted actors and this film was a showcase of his talent before he became a bigger name when he starred in "James Cameron's Titanic." "Demon Knight" is an excellent example of how to create an entertaining horror film. Skip "Blair Witch" and try this film instead."