Genres

Visitors Review

Lee Eisenberg 2012-05-16 22:00:58

Remember, kiddies: hee hee hee!

There have been many shows that were never intended to be takenseriously, but "Tales from the Crypt" brings the idea to a whole newlevel. Each episode begins by descending into what appears to be ahaunted house, where we get introduced to the delightfully creepy CryptKeeper. He explains (as sardonically as possible) what we're about towatch. Then, each episode tells a story involving a really nastysituation; some involve monsters, others involve people doing reallyunpleasant things, but they all make one laugh. I really liked theepisode where Don Rickles played a most unusual puppeteer, and also theepisode where Christopher Reeve opened a restaurant...of sorts.Granted, this show was kind of ridiculous, but they never lost theirtiming, even with the Crypt Keeper's silly remarks. Just remember that,kiddies. Hee hee hee!

zeale99 2012-05-16 06:59:43

the best of its kind

I first found this series when they reran it on ITV at midnight onFridays and it ruled!! the stories are consistently good and TheCryptkeeper is so dang cool. the first episode I saw was the one withthe cheap undertaker who buries his nephew minus his feet (i don't knowthe title sadly). How good is it? well i live in england and i had theentire 1st season DVD imported thats how good it was! I have sincebought reprints of the comics and tried to find the movies. thisapparently used to be on HBO and it shows. big name stars and excellentvoice performanceby john kassir as the crypt keeper second only to thealmighty twilight zone.

nsk666 2012-05-15 10:26:46

Seen It , Loved It ; Now I Can Own It.

One of The Most Unique Horror Series I have seen. I rate it very highlyas it is very subtle in its deliverance . The casting in the Series isAwesome , right from Billy Zane, Jada P Smith to Christopher Reeves ,the hidden gem in the entire series is the Script and the clever andunique way the directors present it . There are no dull moments (as faras i have seen) , not to mention the thrills and chills it sends downyour backs . A deadly series that is both scary and funny , that to meis Awesome Entertainment , what i expect to watch after a hard andstressful day at work , If you love Horror/thrillers , you will Flipfor this series. Guys it is very cleverly made and if are gettingdisappointed with the promises that new horror movies make but fail todeliver , I suggest you see this series ,you will get more than youbargained for. - N.S.K

kumarihpx 2012-05-14 21:04:35

Ignore the negative review

I don't understand why some people insist that different media, such ascomic books and films, should be similar or even the same. Don't yourealize that you are bound to be disappointed if you read the book first? Again, different media, different methods, different aims. Tales from theCrypt is one of my favorite TV shows, similar to The Outer Limits and TheTwilight Zone. All have a Hitchcockian, ironic twist at the end, and it'sdelightful, in my opinion. All three of the segments on this DVD were good,but "Yellow" specifically was excellent. It's about a young lieutenantwhose father is an American general in WWII; the son is a (sympathetic)coward, and his father is horrified that everyone knows it. The ending isclassic! An oddly delightful setup in the third segment called "You,Murderer" features Humphrey Bogart and Isabella Rosellini, and is aninterest murder mystery told from the perspective of a dead man. That'susually the kind of stories which are told on "Tales", introduced and mockedby the wonderfully campy Cryptkeeper chracter. All of these were eitherDirected and/or Produced by Robert Zemekis (I forget which).7/10

SSJAniFan 2012-05-12 22:25:37

One of the best TV shows ever made and one of HBO's finest...

Based on the gruesome EC comics of the same name, Tales From the Cryptshowcased a wide ranged of talent in both in front and behind thescreen. And despite the name, not every episode was pure horror... somecould be laugh-out-loud humorous, and some were even dramatic thatcould put you to the verge of shedding tears. The makeup on the serieswas excellent, and made the scenes that were gruesome very hard towatch. And of course, let's not forget the the dead one himself, theCryptkeeper. John Kassir was absolutely perfect as the voice of theghoulish host. For people who missed the series, I truly think youshould purchase the DVD sets and check it out. Be warned though, thereare some scenes that you may have a tough time stomaching.

Prolox 2012-05-12 08:08:54

A fun show for horror fans.

This was definitely a fun TV show for horror fans & a series that willbe talked about for ages to come! Each & every episode of this TVseries spin off of the 1972 original creeper of the same name,substituted a lot of the chills for humor & a creepy human crypt keeperfor a decayed wise cracking ghoul who narrated the stories. SeveralHollywood celebrities made guest appearances in this show & some famouscelebrities even directed a few of these too, including ARNOLDSCHWARZENAGER! the stories lacked the creepy appeal of the 1972original, but they always made up for it with grisly kills & loads ofgreat humor & some stories were quiet memorable in terms of horrorwhile others leaned more towards the goofy side. Worth watching forhorror fans who haven't seen it, though if you're a horror fan I can'tsee how you managed to not have seen at least one episode of these!***1/2 stars

ewiddison 2012-05-03 15:04:21

Campy for the Creepy

I saw a few episodes on video, and while I am not a particular fan of thegenre, I was quite impressed. It was like the Twilight Zone, but with astrong horror theme (although not all the time), and without thepretentiousfeel. What really impressed me was the cheesy lines the crypt keeperhad.They were so bad that the writers had to have tried for that effect. Itwaslike listening to the worst spook alley script you've ever seen. That'stheheart and soul of campy TV. It goes a long way toward helping youappreciate the carefully crafted tales that are being introduced.The other stand out thing about the show is the actors they get. Theydon'tjust dredge up whatever they can get from the local playhouses. They getsome top names. On top of that, you get the feeling that these big starsare having a lot of fun telling a ghost story (not that they're aboutghosts, but you get the idea).So, if you thought Rod Sterling didn't include enough dismemberments, oryoujust like clever stories with deliberately awful introductions, and youaren't squeamish, then this is the show for you.

moriarty1993 2012-05-03 01:59:59

My favorite TV show.

More than Sherlock Holmes,Transformers,or Batman.The greatest TV showever.I have always been a fan of this show since I saw my firstepisode,And all through the house(one of the few epsiodes that wereutterly terrorfying).They couldn't have picked a better Crypt Keeperthan John Kassir.His delightful representation was probably the bestbit of casting this show ever made.Me,I'm a big fan of those kind ofmovies that are "confused".Ones that can't work out exactly what theyare.Whether they are comedy.horror,romance,etc.That's why enjoy Phantomof the Opera(1943) and Beyond Re-animator(2003) so much.This show fitsin to that catagorey perfectly.This is a show you must see.Don't missit.

Brian-272 2012-05-01 00:07:20

Simply the best anthology series in TV history. Right boys and ghouls!

In 1989 HBO started a cultural phenomenon as far as original series goesthat series was my all time favorite show "Tales from the Crypt". Based onthe 1950's EC comics each episode was crafted perfect with bad people doingbad things to other people, but in the end every bad individual receivedcomeuppance for their behavior. I remember the very first episode I watchedwas in a motel room while on summer vacation in 1989, and being a horror fanI knew that this was the series for me. Though at the time I was only elevenyears old and naturally mom said no to a subscription to HBO feeling I wasnot yet mature enough for premium TV naturally I disagreed, but lost mybattle and had to depend on school friends to record certain episodes Iwanted to see or wait to every year on summer vacation because I always gotto see at least one or two episodes in my motel room. Believe me I reallycherish "Tales from the Crypt" I remember listening to episodes on myscrambled HBO that's how much the Crypt had me fascinated. Finally in 1994"Tales from the Crypt" was broadcast on FOX and syndication stations, but itwas heavily edited and much of the nudity and gore was cut. Still that waspretty good if you like a show never fear I was finally able to purchase VHShome video tapes of several episode volumes of "Tales from the Crypt" andplenty of episodes I have been able to record off the Sci-Fi cable networkwhich now reruns the series. I now have a full home video library of "Talesfrom the Crypt" and believe me I watch many episodes over and over! You nameit some of the biggest names in Hollywood have been featured in the cryptjust to name a few Demi Moore, Mimi Rogers, Kim Delaney, Brooke Shields,Steve Weber, Mariel Hemingway, Lea Thompson, and even the best in Hollywoodsuch as Michael J. Fox, Tom Hanks, and Arnold Schwarzenegger all had a handat directing a crypt episode of their own. Now talk about Hollywood peoplewanting to jump on the bandwagon. And to mention another great success ofthis series was the use of a talking skeleton The Cryptkeeper (voice: JohnKassir) who hosted the series and I tell you The Cryptkeeper happens to be apop culture icon every episode begins with a funny gesture made by TheCryptkeeper to get you started with the tale then as each tale ends TheCryptkeeper speaks humorously about the hideous happenings of the tale rightboys and ghouls! Just to mention "Tales from the Crypt" is more than just ahorror TV show with gore each episode is crafted perfect into an interestingthirty minutes with enough twist and high drama to make anyone enjoy andalso enough humor and laughter can be found to put a viewer at ease. "Talesfrom the Crypt" also has good moral lessons that individuals can take everyepisode is about bad people getting comeuppance like I tell people take themessage and lessons to heart what comes around goes around rightkiddies.

ctomvelu-1 2012-04-30 18:10:30

Wonderful

Along with the original TWILIGHT ZONE and THRILLER, TALES was easilythe best spooky anthology show to ever air on TV, easily besting theNEW TWILIGHT ZONE, TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE and NIGHT VISIONS, to namejust a few (I left out OUTER LIMITS as that show was more sci-fi thanhorror/fantasy). Each week gave us a sordid and nasty tale, often to dowith revenge from beyond the grave or murder most foul. The bonus forthose of us old enough to remember the William Gaines' comic books onwhich the show was based, was how close each episode came to thoseclassic comic stories, both in look and substance. The skeletalCryptkeeper was funny if a bit annoying, but did a solid job of settingup each creepy episode. Each episode usually featured a familiarHollywood face. Budgets were just big enough to make the often-stylizedaction believable, unlike DARKSIDE, where you could all too easily spotthe cardboard sets. You could never take a single episode seriously,nor did the show's makers want you to, even when it got gruesome enoughto be mistaken for an episode of OPERATING ROOM TV. A great triviaquestion: in which episode did John Kassir, who provided the voice ofthe Cryptkeeper, play a supporting role? Here's a hint: Listen for theCryptkeeper at the end of the episode to effusively sing the praises ofthis bit player.

Aaron1375 2012-04-28 14:15:46

Seemed this horror show was on longer.

I do not know, just seemed it was on a lot longer than from 1989-1996to me. Seems like it made it to like 1998 or something. However, I doknow this horror show hosted by the friendly and insane crypt keeperwas a rather fun show, of course some episodes were better than othersas it is your "Tales from the Darkside" type format with every episodebeing something different. There were some weak shows and then therewere some very strong episodes to be had, the one constant was the hostof the show an animatronic decomposing creature known as the cryptkeeper who would both introduce then wrap up every episode. Within thefirst season or so you would see remakes of the different episodes ofthe 1970's "Tales from the Crypt" movie as they did the one with SantaClaus which was better than the original, and the one with the blindfolk which was not as good as the original. There was one more in thatmovie, however, for the life of me I can not remember what it consistedof. Other ones that stand out in my mind are the one about the kid whohas a secret who gets adopted by couple who also has a secret, onewhere a crazy couple gets involved with a vampire and many other showsthat would prove to be interesting. Then they had ones that might aswell been comedies like the one involving the guy who hears hisconscience for the first time in the form of Sam Kinnison's voice. Allin all a rather good horror show, a type not really seen anymore ontelevision which is kind of sad.

Brandon L. Sites 2012-04-28 13:13:51

* *1/2 out of 4.

This series was a mixed bag at best. The plot revolved around a crypt keeperwho told fiendish stories in the tombs of a run down house. Each storyalways featured a wick twist of an ending. The series usually always had abig star in front of the camera and sometimes behind the camera. Some of theshows were clever and witty while others came off as flat and tired.However, this series usually always had a few scares and was sometimesintense. My favorite one was a reality TV show being filmed in a hauntedhouse that actually is haunted and a fraternity initiation where all thepledges keep disappearing. The Crypt Keeper makes for a memorable horroricon.Unrated; Graphic Violence, Nudity, Adult Humor, Sexual Situations andProfanity.

John Crane 2012-04-24 19:35:49

HorrorVision at it's Prime

*Shivers* this series scared me so much when it came out. I rememberthat my dad had the original comics that the series is based off of.Ironically from the creators Mad Mag. But even though the show went offair, I still remember the opening theme, the crypt-keeper, his cheesypuns and the second episode that was so graphically horrific and sodisturbing. Not only did this series bring one of the best horror comicalive and miraculously panned it out in to 30 minutes be it challengedthe FCC and DC comics on the graphic nature of such comic books. Eachepisode was scarier than the last and some of the themes and situationswere so suggestive and risky, but Zemeckis, Joel Silver and RichardDonner stayed true to those books and created one of the best horror TVshow ever.Essentially, classic and original horror, a lot of violence, gore,disturbing subject matter and images and the crypt-keeper as the comicrelief. Who could forget such a great TV show that was too good forthis world and sadly gone? I recommend this TV series for any horrorfanatic and horror young horror fans.

mr_vistor 2012-04-24 01:51:38

Classic Campy horror fun

I have always been a fan of the series. This is the kind of stuff Igrew up on. I loved this show when I was a kid, so much that I evenread some of the old comics. There is always a moral to each story.(most of which seem to involve betraying lovers for some odd reason)Although some episodes are so far out there they come off as being lameat times I can't help but love them. Every episode is like it's ownlittle horror movie. I highly recommend the series,especially now thatit is coming out on DVD. You get a lot of entertainment for your money.Thats all I have to say about this series and as the crypt keeper wouldsay "Good night boils and ghouls."

Friendend 2012-04-23 19:49:21

Ahh the memories

The reason for my love with the TFTC series is the fact that I grew upwatching these for the years that it was on. I remember looking forwardto them each week and mainly was concerned with how the Crypt Keeperwas going to set up the story as well as his zany comments at the endof the show. Another attraction to having these, is the stars that theyhad casted for the episodes. It seems that they cast the right peoplefor the right part. I even thought that Brooke Shields did a great jobin a role that was not anything like the typical "Blue Lagoon" "EndlessLove" type parts that she had played before. If you're not a fan ofthese, you might not appreciate it as much as someone who grew upwatching them. Although each of the stories are a bit unique in thereown way and there is enough dark humor to keep even the most hardcorehorror fan entertained for the half hour presentations. There are evena couple of them that will give you the willies as the story unfolds.In conclusion... I would recommend this series to anyone who grew upwatching these or anyone who is a fan of the B-Grade horror movies ofthe 80's. If you're neither of these then you probably would just watcha few of them from time to time without any real feeling about themeither way. They are fun for a Friday night with a few buddies thoughand you do get a lot of episodes with one purchase. There are 5 seasonson sale and I truly do love them all.....

whpratt1 2012-04-23 08:52:39

Tales From the Crypt with Christopher Reeve & Judd Nelson!

I was able to view this particular Series of the Crypt of1989 which starred Christopher Reeve, "Superman" and Judd Nelson,"Lady inthe Lake". I was so surprised to see Reeve's walking around and talking andso very young. One of these days Christopher will be walking around likenew, I hope and pray. He was a cook and butcher in this series, who did anice job on the Human Race along with Judd Nelson as his sidekick! If youcan catch this Series, don't miss the action, you won't regret it, they saythe STEAKS were just great at this DINER!!! Judd Nelson has a very creepyway of acting and seems to fit into this type of role, he has been a killerin other pictures and in this film, he really did a great actingjob!

HaHaCharadeYouAre 2012-04-21 13:17:07

Best Damn Show On TV

One time, when I was about seven years old, "Tales from the Crypt" cameon,and my Dad was watching it. I was screaming my head off because I was soscared (mostly because of the Crypt Keeper. He always freaks me out withthat face. But that's a different story.) and I couldn't sleep for days. Iwas so scared that whenever I was bad, my Mom used to say that the CryptKeeper was going to get me.It had the most interesting and weird stories. Even though I can'trememberall of them, I still remember the Crypt Keeper's laugh. Everytime it comeson TV, I laugh along with him.Anyways, the stories are still great to this day. They need to put thatshowback on the air. Hey, it's always better than re-runs of "The Real World".

iannaranjo 2012-04-21 11:01:43

A very fun Horror show that remains faithful to the comics.

This was a pretty great show. The acting in this show was pretty good.Needless to say it wasn't great, but still good. My favorite actor,oddly enough was Larry Drake as the Psycho Path dressed as SantaClause, in the episode "All through the house". A pretty damn goodepisode, Which involves a woman who just killed her husband, beingstalked by, well, A killer wearing a Santa Clause suit. My favoriteEpisode of all is probably the episode called "Strung Along". This oneis about an old puppeteer, who has married a younger woman that'scheating on him, he has an alter-ego named Coa-Coa, who is actually oneof his puppets. Coa-Coa suspects that the wife is cheating on him, andwants to do something. This is a really great episode. The effects inthis show are great. Especially the Crypt-keeper puppet. Hell, I want af**king Crypt-keeper puppet. So in the end this was a pretty great showso check it out!

wmdude1255 2012-04-15 22:59:54

The Greatest Horror Series of all Time

It is without exception the greatest series of all time. The acting byeveryone was great and the Cryptkeepers's puns were hilarious (Justgoes to show you kiddies, Be very careful what you Axe For Christmas,You Just Might Get it!) (I Call tonight's Putrid Piece "What's Cookin".This series will beat hands down any of the crap out there today. Itwas kind of like the Twilight Zone of the 90's. All the big andUpcoming stars were in the episodes. You had Lou Diamond Phillips,Priscillia Presley, Larry Drake, Ed Begley Jr, Judd Nelson, ChristopherReeve, Joe Pesci, Jeffrey Jones, Alan Ruck, Cheech Marin, Martin Sheen,Billy Zane, Anthong Michael Hall, Brooke Shields, and many others. Theepisodes were true to the comics and didn't try to change anything. TheBest thing by far was John Kassir doing the Cryptkeeper's voice. Thatwas fantastic and timeless.

Tommy Nelson 2012-04-15 03:09:44

A great show...took the place after the loss of another.

stars: John Kassir as the Cryptkeeper.Usually great horror anthology show hosted by the Cryptkeeper, arotting corpse done through animatronics. It's hard to rate it as anentire series, because the episodes went from really bad, to excellent.I will review the first and second season(out on DVD now) Season one-6episodes. 160 mins. This was obviously the starter season, so therewere some glitches. The first is the Cryptkeeper, who really didn'tlook all that great this season. He didn't yet evolve with his facialmovements yet. As for episodes, the classics were Man Who Was Death andDig that Cat hes Real Gone. The really good ones were Collectioncompleted and All Through the House. Then there was Only Sin Deep andLover Come Hack to Me. My rating-B plus.Season 2-18 episodes. 470 mins. The Cryptkeeper has evolved to greatlip and eye movement. As for the series, this season has some goodones. I'm not going to go into all of them, but they are good. Some ofthe classics are Television Terror, Korman's Kalamity, Cutting Cards,The Switch, For Crying Out Loud, The Ventiliquists Dummy and LowerBerth. Great season. My rating-A.My rating of the series in all-A. episode lengths-(approx.)27 minuteswith no commercials. TV:MA:LVS