Continuing my theme of movies with colons in their titles, Tales from the Crypt: Ritual was an interesting horror/thriller with surprises and some horrific scenes that involved the tightened closing of my eyes. This film, starring Tim Curry, Jennifer Grey, and Craig Sheffer, was supposed to be part of the anthology of Tales of the Crypt movies but was marketed as its own independent film and later released in its rightful place of Tales of the Crypt Horrors.
This film follows a Dr. who, after having her license revoked, receives a job in Jamaica tending to a man with a type of brain tumor that is difficult to pronounce. (What medical condition isn't?) The patient believes he is haunted by some evil force brought on my local voodoo and that is causing his hallucinations and erratic behavior.
Like other horror films, there are characters that you know are going to die some horrible death. And like other films certain elements are predictable. However, what makes this horror/thriller a relative success (in my mind) is that there are still fresh elements of surprise that keep you on the edge of your seat and makes you wish you drank less before sitting down to watch it. I speak as though I am a connoisseur of Horror flicks, but am not. This genre is at the lower end of my preference list.
Another thing that made this movie enjoyable were the limitations or selected moments of gore. Gore is the main reason I typically dislike Horror flicks. Even though I know the blood is fake and the skin slapping against the wall isn't actual human flesh, I still have little stomach for it. This movie had "those" scenes but was more focused of mystery and suspense as the mode of storytelling.
Technically speaking, the special effects (the bread and butter of horror films) was pretty good when my eyes were open. The transitions were quick and seamless to prohibit audience members boredom and disinterest. Likewise, the acting was pretty good. A few supporting actors could probably stand to be coached on the Jamaican dialect, but were still watchable.
Ultimately, I would give this a 3.75 out of 5 stars. The ending brought the story full circle and left me satisfied, or I would have just given it a 3 star rating. (Take note Hollywood) I was also disappointed that the scary looking skeleton puppet thing didn't appear at any time. not even in the credits. I mena he is an icon of the Crypt franchise, but alas, I will survive.
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